The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it. – Theodore Roosevelt
Bible Class: Purer Motives
Bible class audio for November 28, 2010 “Purer Motives”
Overview of Jesus’ Sermon
1. Matt 5:3-16 = Intro,
(3-12) who will be the recipients of kingdom blessings
(13-16) calling those people to live out their countercultural lives in society as preservative agents
2. Matt 5:17-20 = Thesis, greater righteousness
3. Matt 5:21-7:12 = Body
(5:21-48) contrasting Jesus’ commands with the OT Law
(6:1-18) purer motives
(6:19-34) seeking heavenly (spiritual) rather than earthly reward ( echos from 6:4,6, 18)
(7:1-12) dealing with how to treat others7:12
4. Matt 7:13-27 = Conclusion, call to obedience
Key Points
1. Don’t put on an act
2. Seek Spiritual reward
3. Others, God, Yourself.
Purer motives; “Acts of Righteousness” (6:1-18)
To Others = Giving to the needy
To God = Prayer
To Yourself = Fasting
Importance of Greek theater
Sepphoris (Zippori, or “birdy”) was a major Roman and Byzantine city, the capital and heart of the Galilee province. It included a network of colonnaded paved streets, markets, residential houses, public buildings, bathhouses, theater, synagogues and churches. The richness of its mosaic floors (expanded in another web page), architecture and other findings indicate that the city was wealthy.It was a major Jewish town at the Byzantine times, and for some time the center of the Jewish administration in the Holy Land.
To Be Seen:= theaomai = Theater
Hypocrite:= hypokrites = Actor or Stage player
Bible Class: Be Perfect
Bible class audio for November 21, 2010 “Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect”
Notes:
Matthew 5:43-48
Perfection can mean a couple of things according to Strong’s concordance:
PERFECT: teleios (Tell ee ahs)
1) brought to its end, finished
2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness
3) perfect
4) that which is perfect
a) consummate human integrity and virtue
b) of men
1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature
Perfection in this case is tied to love when placed in the context
Further expounding on can be found in I John 4:7-21
Greenleaf on Servant Leadership
The great leader is seen as the servant first. – Robert K. Greenleaf
Richard Adam’s Medina Texas BBQ Mop and Sauce
For years Richard Adams was the BBQ master for the small Texas town of Medina and the Medina Childrens’ Home. When the community held an event he would lead the effort to ensure there was ample food for the people. The children’s home frequently called on him to cook the brisket, sausage, etc for appreciation dinners and fund raising. His ability to slow cook the meat with just the right amount of consistent heat (no small thing when you are cooking hundreds of briskets) with his secret mop sauce created melt in your mouth delicacy that had a unique flavor without equal.
I was fortunate to serve as a helper on several occasions and will cherish the memory of sleepy mornings, oak smoke wafting from the coal fires, the feel of the long handled shovel as I transfered coals at the time and place Mr. Adams dictated, and the taste of cabrito cooked for the helpers. When Mr. Adams passed away his widow graciously provided the instructions he held so close while he lived. (more…)
Kotter: Great Leaders Have Emotional Impact
Great leaders tell stories that create pictures in our minds and have emotional impact. Martin Luther King Jr., had a dream, not a strategy or a goal, and he showed us his dream, his picture of the future. People change when they see something visual (the vision) that touches their feelings, challenges their thinking, and incites actions. People may realize the need for change, but not do anything differently because they lack the passion to break out of the routines or habit patterns. The momentum of ‘how we’ve done things’ tends to make our future look like our past.
The ability to move people emotionally is a special gift. Few of us are born with it, but we can learn it. John P. Kotter