Breathe Be Still Jeff Burkholder Hosanna A Fellowship

Breathe: Be Still Jeff Burkholder Hosanna! A Fellowship of Christians 2016 July 17

Good morning, everyone

Good morning, everyone Yes, I’m standing over there, but this morning, I’m going to be “speaking” from over here.

Speaking of “speaking”…

Speaking of “speaking”… Let’s watch a video about public speaking and how profound someone can seem…

Speaking of “speaking”… Let’s watch a video about public speaking and how profound someone can seem… Without actually being so.

It’s funny, isn’t it?

It’s funny, isn’t it? It’s funny how someone can talk so much without saying anything.

I’m going to try something different today.

I’m going to try something different today. Let’s see how much I can “say” without speaking a word.

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46: 10 a (NIV)

This year’s teaching theme has been “Breathe”

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit The Spirit of Jesus

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit The Spirit of Jesus The Gifts of the Spirit

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit The Spirit of Jesus The Gifts of the Spirit The Fruits of the Spirit

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit The Spirit of Jesus The Gifts of the Spirit The Fruits of the Spirit The Poor in Spirit

This week, let’s not talk at all

This week, let’s not talk at all …and let’s focus on the literal breath that God has given us.

There are three main times when we focus on our breathing:

There are three main times when we focus on our breathing: • When we’ve been running and are now out of breath,

There are three main times when we focus on our breathing: • When we’ve been running and are now out of breath, • When women are giving birth,

There are three main times when we focus on our breathing: • When we’ve been running and are now out of breath, • When women are giving birth, • And when we are still

Relax! I’m not going to ask you to run around the sanctuary!

Relax! I’m not going to ask you to run around the sanctuary! (And I’m not really qualified to make an object lesson out of Lamaze techniques!)

Relax! I’m not going to ask you to run around the sanctuary! Instead, let’s… well… Relax.

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46: 10 a (NIV)

“Cease striving [let go; relax], and know that I am God…” Psalm 46: 10 a (NASB)

How often are we actually still?

How often are we actually still? • In the car?

How often are we actually still? • In the car? With the radio blaring…

How often are we actually still? • In the car? With the radio blaring… Or a cell phone ringing…

How often are we actually still? • In the car? With the radio blaring… Or a cell phone ringing… Or the engine knocking…

How often are we actually still? • In the car? With the radio blaring… Or a cell phone ringing… Or the engine knocking… Or a semi passing

How often are we actually still? • At night, before bed?

How often are we actually still? • At night, before bed? With your head nodding…

How often are we actually still? • At night, before bed? With your head nodding… And eyes drooping…

How often are we actually still? • At night, before bed? With your head nodding… And eyes drooping… And attention wandering…

How often are we actually still? • At night, before bed? With your head nodding… And eyes drooping… And attention wandering… And spouse snoring…

How often are we actually still? • At church on Sunday?

How often are we actually still? • At church on Sunday? Aside from the fact that Sunday only comes once a week, how often do you ever see anyone around here (particularly me) be still? ?

So… let’s be still.

So… let’s be still. Let’s breathe.

So… let’s be still. Let’s breathe. And let’s focus.

Because I should point out: When I’m talking about “being still”, I don’t just mean “not moving”. Just because you’re relaxing in your La-Z-Boy doesn’t mean you’re a paragon of virtue.

“Being still” involves your body

“Being still” involves your body your heart

“Being still” involves your body your heart and your mind

“Being still” involves your body your heart and your mind All together, being focused on God

Because there’s more to the verse than just “Be still. ”

Because there’s more to the verse than just “Be still. ” More than “Be still and know that I am God. ”

Because there’s more to the verse than just “Be still. ” More than “Be still and know that I am God. ” In fact, the verse continues…

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in all the earth. ” Psalm 46: 10 a (NIV)

“Let be and be still, and know [recognize and understand] that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46: 10 (Amplified)

What’s going on here? What’s God talking about?

What’s going on here? What’s God talking about? Psalms 46, 47, and 48 seem to be written from the setting of a wartorn land, where God has stepped in and abruptly ended the fighting.

The word “still” is translated from the Hebrew word rapa, which means “to slacken, let down, or cease”.

The word “still” is translated from the Hebrew word rapa, which means “to slacken, let down, or cease”. The connotation here is that of two fighters going after each other, until someone else – God, in this case – steps in and stops them.

(I won’t point out that this is just like in Star Trek, the Vulcan word “Kroykah” was used to separate Kirk and Spock during a battle to the death. )

God isn’t just telling the reader – telling us that we might want to chill out a bit.

God isn’t just telling the reader – telling us that we might want to chill out a bit. He’s commanding us, demanding that we…

STOP.

STOP. Now.

STOP. Now. And then, know

STOP. Now. And then, know Recognize

STOP. Now. And then, know Recognize Understand

STOP. Now. And then, know Recognize Understand Comprehend

STOP. Now. And then, know Recognize Understand Comprehend Realize

STOP. Now. And then, know Recognize Understand Comprehend Realize GET IT THROUGH OUR HEADS

That HE is GOD.

We should lay down our arms

We should lay down our arms Drop our weapons

We should lay down our arms Drop our weapons And come out with our hands up.

“But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him. ” Habakkuk 2: 20 (NIV)

“The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. ” Isaiah 2: 11 (NIV)

Keep in mind, He’s not just talking to warriors.

Keep in mind, He’s not just talking to warriors. We all need to stop striving to control things.

Keep in mind, He’s not just talking to warriors. We all need to stop striving to control things. That’s His job

And honestly? It’s not a matter of, “God is in control, if we let Him be. ”

And honestly? It’s not a matter of, “God is in control, if we let Him be. ” There is no “if”.

God is in control.

God is in control. Period.

God is in control. Period. He’s just asking us to acknowledge that sometimes.

Think about that. It’s very good news, isn’t it?

Think about that. It’s very good news, isn’t it? We don’t have to take care of everything. HE’s got this.

Think of all the things that occupy our minds most of the time:

Think of all the things that occupy our minds most of the time: • Going to work • Paying the bills • Taking care of our family • Watching TV • What’s happening in the news • Playing • Eating • Sleeping

God’s asking us, through all our worries, to be still and recognize that He is God.

God’s asking us, through all our worries, to be still and recognize that He is God. By doing so, we can find calm despite our anxieties, trust that overcomes our fear, and peace in the midst of our battles.

And remember, as God’s people, we don’t need to find peace:

And remember, as God’s people, we don’t need to find peace: He’s already given it to us!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. ” John 14: 27 a (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ” Matthew 11: 28 (NIV)

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ” Colossians 3: 15 (NIV)

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46: 10 a (NIV)

Now, will this make everything perfect? Will ignoring the harshness of life make it all go away?

Now, will this make everything perfect? Will ignoring the harshness of life make it all go away? Of course not.

God is in control of the “Big Picture” And when bad things happen, we need to have faith that He is able to make good things come out of them.

There have been, are now, and will be war, death, and destruction.

There have been, are now, and will be war, death, and destruction. Kingdoms and governments will fall.

There have been, are now, and will be war, death, and destruction. Kingdoms and governments will fall. Everyone and everything you know will eventually come to an end.

So much of what we spend our energy on, so much of what consumes our thoughts,

So much of what we spend our energy on, so much of what consumes our thoughts, is actually fighting a battle we will lose.

So much of what we spend our energy on, so much of what consumes our thoughts, is actually fighting a battle we will lose. All things will pass away…

But don’t despair! The Lord God, our Creator and Savior will triumph over everything and bring an end to all conflicts.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything. ” Psalm 46: 10 (The Message)

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything. ” Psalm 46: 10 (The Message) (I really like that part. )

Take a moment and realize: He’s God. We’re not. Someday, everyone and everything will figure that out, too. Psalm 46: 10 (Jeff’s Translation)

Being still is part of that.

Being still is part of that. And fair warning: It’s not easy to do.

Why not? “Silence introduced in a society that worships noise is like the Moon exposing the night. Behind darkness is our fear. Within silence our voice dwells. What is required from both is that we be still. We focus. We listen. We see and we hear. The unexpected emerges. ” –Terry Tempest Williams

When we turn off everything… When the only thing we hear are the voices in our own heads… When we force ourselves to feel things we don’t like to feel…

It can be terrifying. But if we use that time to focus our bodies, our hearts, our minds on God?

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. ” Romans 12: 2 (NIV)