Sunday Morning Starters

John "was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" when He saw Him...

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (Revelation 1:12-18; NKJV)

Will you see Him tomorrow?

Jason Cicero

And They Ridiculed Him

Song: Fairest Lord Jesus

Scripture: Mark 5:35-43

The folks at Jairus' house were in an uproar. There was weeping and wailing. Jairus' daughter was dead.

Jesus came into the house. He asked a question: "Why make this commotion and weep?" He made an observation: "The child is not dead, but sleeping."

The folks at Jairus' house "ridiculed Him." They literally "laughed Him to scorn." Because of their response to Him, He put them all outside.

Face to face with God, they mourned as those who have no hope. Face to face with God, they did not believe His word. Face to face with God, they laughed in His face.

See Him. Hear Him. Believe Him. Be amazed by Him: "Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement" (Mark 5:43; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Who Then is This?

Song: Jesus, Let Us Come To Know You

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Jesus and the twelve were in a boat on an evening after a long day of teaching. A wind storm came upon them and the boat began filling with water. Jesus was in the stern. Asleep. On a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" (Mark 4:38; NASBU).

Jesus got up. He rebuked the wind. He said to the sea, "Hush, be still" (Mark 4:39; NASBU). The wind died down. The sea "became perfectly calm" (Mark 4:39; NASBU).

Jesus then spoke to the twelve. He asked two, what must have been, confusing questions. "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40; NASBU). As the boat filled with water the hearts of the disciples filled with fear. Fear for their lives. Now Jesus is asking them why. And He is asking them about their faith.

All of this served to unnerve them even more: "They became very much afraid..." (Mark 4:41; NASBU). In response to Jesus' two questions they raise one among themselves: "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (Mark 4:41; NASBU).

Who then indeed. That seems to be the question of questions. Once the twelve answered this question everything else fell into place for them.

By the way...The more I come to know Him...the more my fear is replaced with faith.

Jason Cicero

With Him

Song: Be With Me Lord

Scripture: Mark 3:14

Jesus set apart twelve men for a number of reasons. I am most envious of the one I read about in Mark 3:14. He chose these men to "be with Him."

What I do by faith, they did in the flesh. They saw Him with their eyes. They heard His voice with their ears. Their hands touched Him. They walked with Him. They worked with Him. They played with Him. They were "with Him."

Oh, how I want to be with Him! My joy is full knowing what awaits. "They shall see His face..." (Revelation 22:4).

Jason Cicero

The Great Physician

Song: The Great Physician

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Jesus was eating at Levi's house. So were many tax collectors and sinners. This did not sit well with the scribes and Pharisees. "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners," they asked. When Jesus heard their question He put things in perspective: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (Mark 2:17; NKJV).

It helps me to know that Jesus ate with sinners because I am one. It helps me to know that He came to meet the needs of those who are sick because I am sick. It helps me to know that He came to call sinners to repentance because I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

What I most desperately need...He is.

Jason Cicero

Do I Do What He Did?

Song: More About Jesus

Scripture: Mark 1:35

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to discipline oneself to be like Him. Jesus prayed without ceasing. He kept the converstation with His Father going.

"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed" (Mark 1:35; NKJV).

Jesus had the same amount of time in a day that I have. Jesus needed sleep as much as I do. Jesus had a greater purpose that I do.

His time, His needs, and His purpose did not keep him from getting away from it all to talk to His heavenly Father. Do mine? Then He said to me, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny Himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Tomorrow I know where I'll be. I know where He'll be. I hope you'll be there too.

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

Jesus' Authority and Me

Song: The Gospel Is For All

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Authority (exousia) is the "power of rule or government, the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others" (Vine's). God has inherent authority because of who He is. Jesus has been given "all authority" because of what He did.

#1. He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

#2. He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15).

#3. He sacrificed Himself for the sins of others (Hebrews 9:26).

#4. He arose (Matthew 28:6).

#5. He ascended (Revelation 5:5-7).

Because of what He did...

#1. I go.

#2. I make disciples of all nations.

#3. I baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

#4. I teach them to observe all things He commanded.

#5. I trust He will be with me always.

Jason Cicero

He Yielded Up His Spirit

Song: Jesus, Name Above All Names

Scripture: Matthew 27:50

From noon to three in the afternoon there was darkness over all the land. One took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and offered it to Him to drink. Others said to leave Him alone. Finally, Jesus "yielded up His spirit."

To yield is "to send forth" (Strong's). Jesus sent forth His spirit. In other words, He chose to die at that exact time. His life was not taken from Him. He "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father" (Galatians 1:4; NKJV).

He "yielded up His spirit" for me. I will rejoice in my spirit in Him. In spirit I will live for Him until He comes.

Jason Cicero

In Gethsemane Alone

Song: In Gethsemane Alone

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Before Jesus went to Calvary He went to Gethsemane. At Gethsemane He prayed the same prayer three times. The Father said "No" to the Son's request. Jesus knows the heartbreak of unanswered prayer. In respect to prayer, the Son of God shared fully in our human experience. Jesus knows. Jesus Cares.

Jason Cicero

When the Son of Man Comes

Song: When We All Get To Heaven

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on th throne of His glory" (Matthew 25:31; NKJV).

Jesus came the first time for salvation: "...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10; NKJV).

He is coming again in judgment: "...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; NKJV).

For those who obey the gospel of Christ and receive His salvation He is coming as a Savior. For those who reject the knowlege of God and fail to obey He is coming as Judge. Will He be your Savior or your Judge? Will you hear Him say, "Come" (Matthew 25:34), or "Depart" (Matthew 25:41)? Will you "inherit the kingdom" (Matthew 25:34) or will you "go away into everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46)?

Jason Cicero

The Stone

Song: On Solid Rock

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

In the parable of the wicked vinedressers Jesus explains that the Jewish leaders were the builders of a nation. In their building they rejected God's prophets. They were about to reject God's Son. Their rejection of Jesus would not stop God’s eternal purpose.

Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23 when He finishes the parable. The rejected Son is likened to the rejected stone which became the chief cornerstone! Jesus was rejected. He was crucified. He died. Through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead God had the final say!

Jesus will be one of two things to you. He will be a stone of stumbling and rock of offense or He will be your rock, your chief cornerstone. He will be your means of salvation or your means of judgment.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

"From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day" (Matthew 16:21; NKJV).

He went to Jerusalem.

He suffered many things.

He arose the third day.

Tomorrow I will proclaim all of this with my spiriutal family to His glory!

Jason Cicero

Greatness in the Kingdom

Song: King Most High

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Greatness in the Kingdom is service. There are no openings in the Kingdom of Heaven for bosses, only for servants. Christ's leadership model envisions everyone serving everyone.

In this conversation recorded in Matthew 20:20-28 there are twelve poor men willing to be rich and one rich Man willing to be poor: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9; NKJV).

Only those willing to spiritually occupy the lowest position will be accorded the highest. This doesn’t mean there are to be no leaders in a local church, but that those who lead do so, paradoxically, through serving. To rise in the Kingdom of Heaven, one must stoop.

There is no higher calling in the Kingdom of Heaven than that of service. Follow the example of the King. Aspire to greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven: Humble yourself and serve somebody with the ability GOD has given you!

Jason Cicero

The Demands of Discipleship

Song: I'm Not Ashamed To Own My Lord

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

Discipleship Involves Three Things

1. One must deny self. Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; NKJV). We must remove self as the dominate principle of life and make Christ the Lord of our lives. “The virtue of all achievement is victory over oneself” (A.J. Cronin).

2. One must take up their cross daily. Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily…” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; NKJV). A cross is an instrument of death. “Cross-bearing” refers to the choice of death as a way of life. It is the ultimate self-sacrifice, a conscious death to all forms of selfishness and sin (Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:5).

3. One must follow Him. Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; NKJV). The verb is a present imperative that means “keep on following me” (WMS as quoted in The Gospel of Matthew, Kenneth L. Chumbley, p. 306). Discipleship is a whole way of life.

Three Observations

1. If a man rejects self-denial, cross-bearing and following Him, he is involved in self-destruction. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24).

2. Only through self-denial, cross-bearing and following Him can a man truly live. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24).

3. To live selfishly is to lose life in the best and fullest sense, but to count all but loss for Christ’s sake and put the service of God and others before all else is to live fully and abundantly. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10; NKJV).

Two Questions Drive Home the Point

1. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

2. “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

Here, soul stands for life, man’s most precious possession, a gift so valuable that nothing in the world – and not everything in the world – could adequately compensate for its lossv(1 John 2:15-17).

Christ Is Coming!

He who lives to gain the whole world shall “have his reward” in this world (Matthew 6:2); but he who follows Christ shall be blessed beyond measure, now and eternally. “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:27; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

The Offensive Christ

Song: O To Be Like Thee

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem to the land of Gennesaret to ask Jesus a question and make an observation. Jesus' response was not quite politically correct. Even the twelve were taken aback by Jesus' response and came to Him in hope that He might consider the negative effect His words have had on the recipients of them: "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" (Matthew 15:12; NKJV).

The word "offended" possesses a number of definitions. Three seem to be implied in the disciples' question. The word means "to put a stumbling-block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall; to be a stumbling-block" (Thayer's). Sometimes it means "to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey" (Thayer's). The word also means "to cause one to feel displeasure at a thing; to make indignant" (Thayer's).

Jesus was a stumbling block to the Pharisees. Because of His words they began to distrust Him, desert Him, and ultimately they participated in His death. His response to their question left them feeling displeasure and indignant.

Not everyone who heard His sayings stumbled. Some trusted, stayed, and proclaimed Him after His resurrection. Those who answered His call to repent were filled with joy and peace.

What about me? Will I be offended by the Son and "uprooted" by the Father (Matthew 15:13)? Or, will I receive the words I need to hear and be "grounded" in Him (Colossians 2:6-7)? My prayer for myself: Father, give me the strength through your Son and Holy Spirit to "lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save" my soul.

The Kingdom

Song: Seek Ye First

Scripture: Matthew 13

In Matthew 13 Jesus speaks a number of parables concerning the kingdom. The word "kingdom" has a primary definition and a secondary definition. We do well to understand both.

Primary Definition. Kingdom (basileia) is "primarily an abstract noun, denoting 'sovereignty, royal power, dominion'" (Vine's). The literal, primary definition of "kingdom" is "rule" (Strong's).

Secondary Definition. The secondary definition of kingdom (basileia) denotes the "territory or people over whom a king rules" (Vine's). The literal, secondary defintion of "kingdom" is "realm" (Strong's).

To enter the realm one must accept the rule.

Jason Cicero

Behold My Mother and My Brothers

Song: Blest Be The Tie

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50

Jesus was speaking to the crowds words pertaining to the Kingdom of Heaven. His physical mother, Mary, and his brothers were "standng outside, seeking to speak to Him" (Matthew 12:46; NASBU). Someone brought this to His attention. Jesus responded to this information with a question.

"Who is My mother and who are my brothers?" asked Jesus. Then he stretched out His hand toward His disciples and answered His own question: "Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:49-50; NASBU).

Jesus did not dishonor His mother and His brothers in Matthew 12:46-50. Rather, He put them into perspective. And He also put our relationship to our brothers and sisters in Christ into perspective. My physical mother and brothers may choose not to serve Christ. I must go on with Him without them (see Matthew 10:34-39). And as I go, I don't go alone. I go with all those who do the will of the Father who is in Heaven. Those who do His will are my mothers, sisters, and brothers too.

Not everyone in my physical family is what the Father longs for them to be. It hurts me. It hurts Him. I would to God that they could see what I see. What Jesus saw. Brothers, sisters, and mothers. A tie that binds because of our common Heavenly Father. Our common elder brother. Our common love for one another because of our common love for Him.

I thank my Heavenly Father for this reality in my life: "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household" (Ephesians 2:19; NASBU). This can be your reality too...

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God," (Ephesians 2:8; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Growing up my mom would get up every Lord's Day morning and put a roast in the crock pot. We called it "holy roast." It was always a great meal that was special to our family.

Tomorrow morning we will get up and make our way to Old Columbiana Road. We will eat a "holy" meal there with our spiritual family. It is always special too.

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26; NASBU).

Jason Cicero

If You Are Willing

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-4

Song: He Is Able To Deliver You

I love this request. I long for the faith behind it. "And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean'" (Matthew 8:2; NKJV).

I love this response even more. I long to experience it myself. "Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' Immediately his leprosy was cleansed" (Matthew 8:3; NKJV).

I know He is able. I long for Him to be willing. The response of Jesus to this leper tells me He is...

One day Jesus will put out His hand and touch me. I suspect He will say to me, "I was willing, Jason. You are cleansed. Welcome home." I can't wait to feel His touch. To hear His voice. To thank Him.

Jason Cicero

First

Scripture: Matthew 5-7

Song: Seek Ye First

The Sermon on the Mount is "the gospel of the kingdom" (Matthew 4:23). It is the constitution of the Kingdom of God. It is the essence of who the King longs for His citizens to be.

The theme of the sermon is found in Matthew 6:33. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (NKJV). Jesus would have His loyal subjects be about the business of seeking "in order to find" (Thayer's) the "rule" (Strong's) of God and His righteousness. To seek the rule of God and His righteousness involves character (5:3-10), being salt and light (5:13-16), righteousness (5:17-20), issues of the heart (5:21-48), good deeds (6:1-4), prayer (6:5-15), fasting (6:16-18), laying up treasures in Heaven (6:19-21), sight (6:22-23), single-mindedness (6:24), trust (6:25-34), judgment (7:1-6), asking, seeking, knocking (7:7-12), the narrow way (7:13-14), fruitbearing (7:15-20), knowing the Lord (7:21-23), and building on the Rock (7:24-27).

I am to seek "first" the kingdom and the righteousness of God. "First" means, well, first. Not second. Not third or fourth. "First" means first in "time, place, order, or importance" (Strong's).

The King of the Kingdom is worthy of first place. Put Him first in your life. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. If you do, everything will be all right.

Jason Cicero

How Jesus Interpreted the Old Testament

Song: Give Me The Bible

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

In the temptation of Jesus we receive some insight into how Jesus interpeted the Old Testament Scriptures.

Example. For the first temptation Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. From the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, He learned that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

Inference. For the second temptation Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16. Though no direct statement was to be found in Deuteronomy 6:16 regarding jumping from the pinnacle of the Temple, Jesus correctly inferred from what was said that He should not “tempt the LORD” by testing His promise to protect Him (Matthew 4:7).

Command. For the third temptation Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13. By direct statement, He identified the evil in bowing down and worshipping Satan (Matthew 4:10).

To be this Man's disciple is to interpret God's Word as He did. To follow God approved examples, to draw necessary conclusions based on what God has spoken, to obey God's commands. Read God's Word and interpret it as the Master did.

Jason Cicero

The Godhead

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Song: Holy, Holy, Holy

The baptism of Jesus serves to illustrate the truth of the Godhead.

The Son. In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus, the Son of God, was in the Jordan River. John baptized the Son of God in the Jordan River. He immersed the Son of God in the Jordan River.

The Holy Spirit. In Matthew 3:13-17, when Jesus, the Son of God, was in the Jordan River being baptized by John, the Holy Spirit was seen "descending like a dove and alighting upon" Jesus (3:16; NKJV). The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus while He was in the Jordan River.

The Father. In Matthew 3:13-17, after Jesus was baptized by John and after the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, the Father spoke from Heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (3:17; NKJV). The Father spoke from Heaven while Jesus stood in the Jordan River after the Holy Spirit had descended upon Him.

Praise the Godhead for coming in the person of Jesus so that we might understand the nature, character, and will of the Father, Son, and Spirit more fully!

"For in Him (Christ - JHC) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:9-10; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

You Shall Call His Name

Song: Jesus, Name Above All Names

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Jesus. Iesous is a transliteration of the Hebrew "Joshua," meaning "Jehovah is salvation," i. e., "is the Savior" (Vine's). The Son of God would be called "Savior" because He would "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21; NKJV).

Mary would bring forth "Jesus" because God desires to save His people!

Immanuel. Emmanouel is also of Hebrew origin and means "God with us" (Strong's). The Son of Mary would be called "God with us" because He would in fact be the Son of God.

Mary would bring forth "Immanuel" because God longs to be with His people!

Is Jesus your Savior? Is God with you? He longs to be...

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

On the first day of the first week of 2009...

Resolve...

1. To sing with the spirit and the understanding.

2. To pray fervently.

3. To proclaim His death in spirit and in truth.

4. To give cheerfully.

5. To listen attentively.

6. To glorify GOD.

7. To edify your brethren.

Jason Cicero

The Road of Resolution

These steps will help you to keep on the right road with God through the year.

1. Relationship - reaffirm your relationship with God (see John 15:5).

2. Review - look back on the past year and ask God to show you areas of sin and weakness that might have hindered your spiritual growth (see Psalm 139:23-24).

3. Repent - confess your sin and ask God to forgive you (see 1 John 1:9).

4. Refresh - ask God to refresh you and to give you a new vision for the year ahead (see Jeremiah 29:11).

5. Renew - ask God to help you see your life from His perspective, and renew your commitment to His vision and purpose for your life (see Romans 12:2).

6. Resolve - resolve to be faithful to God's purpose in your life and to glorify Him in the areas that He has called you to serve (see Philippians 3:14).

7. Record - record in a prayer journal your progress, remembering that it is only by His grace that you are able to grow in Him (see Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus will walk with you each step of the way: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

Jason Cicero

Happy New Year!

This is the day which Jehovah hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24; ASV