Israel 2008 - Compass Bible Church

This video includes footage from Day 8 of our trip plus some of our thoughts as our time in Israel came to a close.

Bobby and Brad take your comments and run with them in the Old City. They also do “How Do You Get Eternal Life? - Middle East Edition.

Today we spent some time in the Garden of Gethsemane. This was an emotional and moving stop for many of us. Gethsemane means oil press. It is known for its olive trees. This is the place where olives were squeezed to produce the oil. In this same way our Lord Jesus Christ was pressed in this garden. He was overwhelmed with sorrow for what He was about to do in bearing our sin. He was so agonized that he sweats drops of blood. Yet look at what He prays to our Heavenly Father:

Matthew 26:39 - Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

We were challenged if this is the way that we pray. Do we ask God for the things that we want and then get frustrated when we don’t get them? Or are we willing to sacrifice and hurt for the sake of doing His will? Jesus had already taught His disciples to pray that God’s will be done. Now He gives all of us the perfect example. He was willing to be pressed and squeezed so that God’s will could be completed.

In the garden we all took some time to pray that God’s will and not ours would be done. Many of us came away with teary eyes and strengthened resolve. I encourage everyone reading this to take some time and pray to our Heavenly Father in this same way. Let him know that you are willing to do whatever He asks of you, even if He requires the shedding of blood as our Lord did for us.

View more photos in the Israel 2008 photo gallery.

Today we went into the Judean Wilderness. This area is a desert flanked by the Dead Sea. Not exactly the description of an exotic location! Yet in the middle of this area is a beautiful oasis, the falls of En Gedi. This waterfall and stream carve a path through the rocky hills and create a lush valley through the desert. Yet even beyond its natural charm, this place has Biblical significance as the location where David hid while he was being chased by King Saul in 1 Samuel 24. In fact, it is presumed that many of the psalms were written here.

Psalm 61:1-3 - Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

It was immediately easy to see how En Gedi was a physical refuge. The caves in the cleft of the rocks were ideal hiding places. The stream flowing with water brought life to the whole area around it. Yet, it was even more exciting to see that this is where David sought God as his personal refugue. So much of the imagery of the psalms was right in front of our eyes. Even though we were here at “the ends of the earth” I could see the “rock that is higher than I.”

Pastor Pete challenged us if we really find God as our refuge. When the troublesof life are chasing us down do we turn to Him as our source of living water? Do we take refuge in Him as a strong tower? As you see these pictures of the streams of En Gedi I pray it will be a visual reminder of a spiritual reality: God is our refuge! Let us take shelter and find strength in Him!

View more photos in the Israel 2008 photo gallery.

Today I had the privilege of preaching at Gideon’s spring. Perhaps you have heard the story of Gideon and his small little army. He started with 32,000 but then he sent away thousands who were afraid. Then he had his men drink from this spring and only kept the 300 who lapped up the water. So why did the Lord want Gideon to reduce his army to such a ridiculously small size? Answer:

Judges 7:2 - The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her…”

This was a challenge for all of us to consider how much we are trusting in our own strength or if we are giving God the glory. In the days of the Old Testament leaders like Gideon trusted in the number of horses or chariots or soldiers in their army. But Scripture is clear we need to trust in the name of the Lord. And when He gives us victory we need to boast in Him and not act like we have done it.

We spent some time considering what we trust in when we are facing battles in life. Do we trust in our money? Do we trust in the fact that we have other people in our lives? Instead we should be trusting in God’s strength and ready to give Him the credit for all of our victories because we know the battle belongs to the Lord.

Gideon’s spring is a small little stream. If you ever go there you will find it very unimpressive. But that is exactly the point. God loves to use a small army, a little stream and simple people like us. This way it is clear that the power comes from Him! To God be the glory!

View more photos in the Israel 2008 photo gallery.

For more on this subject check out another blog I wrote called The Glory of God.

Today we got to walk where Jesus walked. We went on the sea of Galilee where He walked on the water…of course, we were on a boat! We went on the Mount of Beatitudes where He preached his most famous sermon. We went to the three cities where He did the most of His ministry: Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. This was such an exciting experience to see these places we have read so much about!

However, the truth is we should be walking like Jesus walked every day:

1 John 2:6 – Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

This verse isn’t optional. It isn’t spiritual extra credit. This is something we are supposed to do. It is required of us as Christians. We walk like Jesus did.

This means that we need to have faith. Peter wanted to walk on the water just like Jesus did. However, when he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the waves he began to sink. In Matthew 14:31 Jesus asks him why he has little faith and doubted. If we are going to follow Jesus then we must have faith in Him.

This also means we need to have repentance. Ultimately Jesus denounced the three cities He spent most of His time in. In Matthew 11 He declares “Woes” upon them! Why? Because even after seeing His ministry up close and personal they did not repent of their sin. We need to turn from our sin in response to Christ, but even as Christians we need to continually be confessing our sins and committed to purity of heart. After all, Jesus set the standard at perfection.

Finally, if we are going to walk as Jesus did then we need to apply preaching. His Sermon on the Mount is a masterpiece of practical instruction for living. He wasn’t just given us information to know, but calling us to act! On that day on the coast of the Sea of Galilee everyone heard His sermon. But He said that they were only wise if they put it into practice. Jesus did everything to fulfill all righteousness. And He called to purse perfection (Matthew 5:48)!

So, even if you are not here in Israel walking in the literal steps of Jesus, I hope your life is still following Him because that is what matters!

View more photos in the Israel 2008 photo gallery.

This morning everyone was eager to begin our first full day of touring. Stop number one was the ancient city of Caesarea along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was here that Paul made his defense before King Agrippa in Acts 26. Pastor Pete preached to us about the intensity of Paul’s trial as we sat in the theater and imagined it happening. Paul was willing to take a stand on the fact that people should repent of their sins and prove it by their deeds (verse 20). He even had the boldness to ask King Agrippa if he wanted to become a Christian!

Our second stop was Mt. Carmel where there was an Old Testament showdown between Ahab, the most wicked king of Israel up to that time and Elijah, the righteous prophet whose name means “My God is Yahweh.” I had the privilege of preaching on this event from 1 Kings 18. Elijah had the confidence in God to challenge 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a prophecy showdown. Whoever could get their deity to send down fire to consume a sacrifice would win. The loser would be killed for being a false prophet. Of course, no matter how hard the prophets of Baal tried, even to the point of cutting themselves, they could not get the sacrifice lit. But as soon as Elijah prayed, Yahweh showed that He was the true God of Israel when the fire came down. The people all fell down and worshipped and the false prophets were slaughtered. It was a great victory in the name of the Lord!

After these first two stops, I thought about how bold these men were to take a stand. They were standing up to kings who seemed to have the authority and the power on there side. But Paul and Elijah knew better! They trusted in God Almighty. I wonder if we are willing to take a stand in the same way today:

Romans 1:16 - I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

This weekend Pastor Mike is going to begin a new series about being Gospel Crazy. We need to ask ourselves if we are really sold out for the gospel? Do we really believe it is the power of God to save? If so, we will take a stand for it! We will not bow down to the prevailing opinions and powerful arguments of our day. Instead, we will boldly follow the example of our spiritual forefathers and be unashamed in the name of Jesus Christ! May God use our church, and each one of us as individuals, to take a stand!

For more photos from day one of the trip view the Israel 2008 photo gallery!

Today our Compass Israel Team touched down in Tel Aviv. As we landed we were treated to a beautiful view of this modern city. Many of us were surprised how much it looked like Orange County! We are staying at a 4 Star hotel right on the Mediterranean Sea and many of us spent the day outside enjoying the salty air and gentle breeze!

Tonight Pastor Pete led us on a walk over to the old city of Joppa. This is a historic town that two Biblical characters were sent out from. Jonah the prophet set sail from Joppa after God told him to go to Nineveh (Unfortunately he went the wrong way!). And the apostle Peter received a vision while he was in this city recorded in Acts 10:9-23. In this vision Peter saw unclean animals but heard a voice telling him to “Kill and eat!” The voice went on to say, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This vision was about more than what foods Peter and the Jews could eat, it was about taking the gospel to the Gentiles. As Peter was still thinking about his vision, messengers from Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea, arrived and asked Peter to come speak to him. In the old city of Joppa both of these men were asked to take God’s message to the Gentiles, non-Jewish people like us! This caused me to take a moment and thank God today! The good news of salvation isn’t just for one nation, but for people all over the world. Praise the Lord!

Romans 10:12-13 – For there is no distinction between Jew and Getile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This also inspired me to be one of the Lord’s messengers. I don’t want to sail the other way! I want to spread this good news with anyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. May the Lord give us opportunities to proclaim the gospel!

Romans 10:14-15 – How, then, can they call on the one they have not believe in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Today we got to follow the footsteps of Peter, God’s messenger, and it was beautiful. Stay tuned as we follow his journey up the coast to Caesarea tomorrow!

For more photos from day one of the trip view the Israel 2008 photo gallery!

The Israel team departs early Monday morning (today). Pastor Bobby and Brad want your suggestions of what they should do during their free day. Give them ideas in the comments on this blog and you just might see a video of them doing your suggested activity.