What does the ideal church look like? If we were to narrow the church down to its most basic features what would be the prominent features? When discussing the dynamic of the church with other pastors we usually measure it by baptisms, budget and buildings. Of course all three of these are measurable. We can see if our membership is growing, if the budget is growing and if our buildings are increasing.
In this post I would like to consider another way to examine the church. I want you to consider the church as a kitchen table that you sit around. At that table are three chairs. The chairs represent those individuals who attend services on a typical Sunday morning. In this illustration, the term church will be used not as the gathered believers, but as those who are in attendance.
Anyway, in Biblical times the most intimate thing that a person could do was to share a meal with another person. The most intimate thing that believers do is worship a Holy God. So in the ideal church, on a typical Sunday morning when we are intimately worshipping God there should be three groups of people in attendance. The first group or 1/3 of those in attendance is represented by the first chair. These are dynamic followers of Jesus Christ. They are excited about their Lord and they are excited about His church. They give of themselves and their resources and they are constantly inviting everyone they meet to the kitchen table. They want to share in intimate moment with others.
The second third is represented by the second chair. These are new believers. These are individuals that have heard the gospel message, have embraced it and are now beginning to walk with Christ. They do not know a whole lot about their new faith, but they are growing in their new found relationship with Christ. They are probably there because those in the first chair invited them to attend.
The last third are those who are not believers yet. As a church we want those who are seeking the Lord in attendance. These individuals have been invited, are interested in what they see in others and are intrigued by what they hear and see. They don't believe but they are willing to listen.
I believe this image represents the ideal church. I personally have never served as a pastor of such a church, though I have attended one. However, there is one more chair that I must mention in regard to the kitchen table. This chair is represented by the high chair. If you are a parent and have had children in the high chair you know how much time they can consume at a table. These are the ones that sit and cry when they do not get things their way. The cry for attention and say "Wahh, what about me? Someone pay attention to me! I want my way! I want my food! I want my way!"
These babies can occupy the majority of your time. The problem with the babies is that when you focus your time and energy on them, you turn your back on the others. It is difficult to characterize these in the high chair because they come in many shapes and sizes. Some of them are always in a crisis and needing constant attention. Others want everything to revolve around them and when they do not get their way they cry or throw a tantrum. All of them are christians, but they have never grown in their walk with the Lord. Most of them have been christians for years, but they have never moved from the high chair.
Of course I am talking about the ideal church. I am sure that this church could never be a reality. It would require too much work and too much sacrifice. It would mean that people would have to be serious about their relationship to Christ and their commitment to the church. That would mean Jesus would really have to be Lord of their life. They would have to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Christ. That is asking too much! It would mean getting out of the high chair.
One question to consider: which chair represents your life?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Are you Blue?
How do you spend your Sunday? According to a recent survey for many, this traditional day of rest and churchgoing has become a day to shop, but it may be taking a toll on their overall happiness. Researchers from DePaul University in Chicago and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel tracked church attendance and levels of happiness among Americans living in states that had repealed so-called Blue Laws, which once required most retailers to stay closed on Sundays.
The researchers found that allowing stores to open on Sundays was linked with a decline in church attendance among women, which led to a subsequent decline in happiness. It might be noted that for men, the repeal of Blue Laws didn’t seem to influence church attendance or levels of happiness. It could be because men do not spend much time shopping and I did not even conduct a survey. I have no data to support this statement, but perhaps the happiness of men would increase if the women were not spending more money shopping.
The study reveals that since the repeal of Blue Laws, women are about 17 percent less likely to report being “pretty happy,” and more likely to report being “not happy.” Christian leaders have said for years that participation in religious activities increases one’s happiness, but there has never been any conclusive evidence to support this belief. However this new study provides evidence to support the belief of Christian leaders.
The researchers studied data collected from the General Social Survey, an ongoing sociological survey used to collect demographic information from United States residents. They compared respondents in 10 states where Sunday shopping had been banned and then allowed, compared with six states where there had been no change in rules for retailers. The study specifically focused on the behavior of Catholics and Protestants because they were most likely to attend church on Sundays.
Why would shopping on Sunday make women less happy? There are several reasons revealed in the study. First, many women are required to work on Sundays. Before Blue Laws were repealed they were able to spend time in church and with their family. Another reason for the decline in women’s happiness can be linked to the behavior of their children who start hanging out at shopping malls on Sundays. (Of course the problem here is not with the children, but the parents who allow their children to hang out at the shopping malls.) Earlier research revealed that the repeal of Blue Laws is linked with more risk-taking behavior by teens.
Another reason that women might be less happy is that the lure of shopping is more powerful than the desire to attend church, even though it brings less happiness. One researcher stated “Shopping is kind of addictive, and even though it doesn’t make people happy, they’re doing it and they don’t return to church as much because of that. There is instant gratification from shopping compared to the benefits of church, which may occur over a longer period of time.”
I read somewhere, even though I cannot remember exactly where, that regular church attendance increases one’s emotional and physical health. Studies reveal that those who attend church regularly and are involved in ministries within the church actually live longer than those who do not. Now with this latest study we know that religious activity increases our happiness.
I guess there is a reason they call them Blue Laws. If they make us so unhappy why did we ever repeal them?
The researchers found that allowing stores to open on Sundays was linked with a decline in church attendance among women, which led to a subsequent decline in happiness. It might be noted that for men, the repeal of Blue Laws didn’t seem to influence church attendance or levels of happiness. It could be because men do not spend much time shopping and I did not even conduct a survey. I have no data to support this statement, but perhaps the happiness of men would increase if the women were not spending more money shopping.
The study reveals that since the repeal of Blue Laws, women are about 17 percent less likely to report being “pretty happy,” and more likely to report being “not happy.” Christian leaders have said for years that participation in religious activities increases one’s happiness, but there has never been any conclusive evidence to support this belief. However this new study provides evidence to support the belief of Christian leaders.
The researchers studied data collected from the General Social Survey, an ongoing sociological survey used to collect demographic information from United States residents. They compared respondents in 10 states where Sunday shopping had been banned and then allowed, compared with six states where there had been no change in rules for retailers. The study specifically focused on the behavior of Catholics and Protestants because they were most likely to attend church on Sundays.
Why would shopping on Sunday make women less happy? There are several reasons revealed in the study. First, many women are required to work on Sundays. Before Blue Laws were repealed they were able to spend time in church and with their family. Another reason for the decline in women’s happiness can be linked to the behavior of their children who start hanging out at shopping malls on Sundays. (Of course the problem here is not with the children, but the parents who allow their children to hang out at the shopping malls.) Earlier research revealed that the repeal of Blue Laws is linked with more risk-taking behavior by teens.
Another reason that women might be less happy is that the lure of shopping is more powerful than the desire to attend church, even though it brings less happiness. One researcher stated “Shopping is kind of addictive, and even though it doesn’t make people happy, they’re doing it and they don’t return to church as much because of that. There is instant gratification from shopping compared to the benefits of church, which may occur over a longer period of time.”
I read somewhere, even though I cannot remember exactly where, that regular church attendance increases one’s emotional and physical health. Studies reveal that those who attend church regularly and are involved in ministries within the church actually live longer than those who do not. Now with this latest study we know that religious activity increases our happiness.
I guess there is a reason they call them Blue Laws. If they make us so unhappy why did we ever repeal them?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Satisfied?
I was reading this week about Paul's arrest in Jerusalem as told to us in Acts 21 - 23. As Paul went before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious council he said "I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day."
This statement reveals that Paul was comfortable with whatever was in his future. If the Sanhedrin decided to put him to death, he was okay with that decision. If the council decided to put him in prison, he was okay with that decision. If the council decided to let him go free, he was okay with that decision. The reason he was comfortable with whatever decision that would be made is that he knew that he had been faithful to the task or the duty that God had given to him.
I like the way he phrased it by stating "to this day." In other words right up to that moment he was content with what he had done. This idea of having fulfilled his duty made me question my own duty. If God was to call me home today, would I be satisfied with my duty to God? Could I in good conscience say that I have done all that I could do up to this very day?
I hate to admit it but I know that I have not done everything I could do to fulfill my duty to God. I am not talking about working to earn my salvation as that would be impossible, but I am talking about fulfilling my responsibility as a servant of God and more importantly as a child of God. I am afraid that I have allowed past failures and disappointments to dictate many of my present actions. Sometimes I feel as if I am frozen in slow motion. Or maybe I am frozen in inactivity. I realize that in many ways I have not fulfilled my duty.
How about you? Do you have a clear conscience that you have fulfilled your duty to this day? So many times we get so involved in living life that we forget what life is to be lived for! We allow so many things to impact our lives we often need to ask are we letting the right things impact our lives? I made a statement the other night that is relevant for this post. Perhaps the greatest pit that any of us could find ourselves in is to have everything to live with and nothing to live for. Who do you live for? Are you content with your commitment to God? Only you can answer that question.
There is an old hymn that we do not sing in church much anymore that speaks to this question. Look at the words of the chorus:
This statement reveals that Paul was comfortable with whatever was in his future. If the Sanhedrin decided to put him to death, he was okay with that decision. If the council decided to put him in prison, he was okay with that decision. If the council decided to let him go free, he was okay with that decision. The reason he was comfortable with whatever decision that would be made is that he knew that he had been faithful to the task or the duty that God had given to him.
I like the way he phrased it by stating "to this day." In other words right up to that moment he was content with what he had done. This idea of having fulfilled his duty made me question my own duty. If God was to call me home today, would I be satisfied with my duty to God? Could I in good conscience say that I have done all that I could do up to this very day?
I hate to admit it but I know that I have not done everything I could do to fulfill my duty to God. I am not talking about working to earn my salvation as that would be impossible, but I am talking about fulfilling my responsibility as a servant of God and more importantly as a child of God. I am afraid that I have allowed past failures and disappointments to dictate many of my present actions. Sometimes I feel as if I am frozen in slow motion. Or maybe I am frozen in inactivity. I realize that in many ways I have not fulfilled my duty.
How about you? Do you have a clear conscience that you have fulfilled your duty to this day? So many times we get so involved in living life that we forget what life is to be lived for! We allow so many things to impact our lives we often need to ask are we letting the right things impact our lives? I made a statement the other night that is relevant for this post. Perhaps the greatest pit that any of us could find ourselves in is to have everything to live with and nothing to live for. Who do you live for? Are you content with your commitment to God? Only you can answer that question.
There is an old hymn that we do not sing in church much anymore that speaks to this question. Look at the words of the chorus:
I am satisfied, I am satisfied,
I am satisfied with Jesus,
But the question comes to me,
As I think of Calvary,
Is my Master satisfied with me?
How do you answer this question? Can you like Paul say "I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day?"
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
What do we know?
A survey released yesterday by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life among Americans' revealed some startling information. Among the Americans surveyed it was discovered that atheists, agnostics, Jews and Mormons outperformed Protestants and Roman Catholics in answering questions about major religions. Many of the respondents could not correctly give the most basic tenets of their own faiths.
45% of Roman Catholics who participated in the study did not know that, according to church teaching, the bread and wine used in Holy Communion is not just a symbol, but becomes the body and blood of Christ. More than half of Protestants could not identify Martin Luther as the person who inspired the Protestant Reformation.
The survey was aimed to test a broad range of religious knowledge, including understanding of the Bible, core teachings of different faiths and major figures in religious history. The United States is considered to be the most religious country in the developed world, especially when it is compared to secular Western Europe. However, religious leaders have often been critical of the fact that Americans know very little about religion as a whole.
Those that responded to the survey were asked 32 questions with a range of difficulty, including whether they could name the Islamic holy book and the first book of the Bible. Another question was what century the Mormon religion was founded. On average, participants in the survey answered correctly overall for half of the survey questions.
The surprising study is reveals that Atheists and agnostics scored highest, with an average of 21 correct answers, while Jews and Mormons followed with about 20 accurate responses. Protestants overall averaged 16 correct answers, while Catholics followed with a score of about 15. Those who said they attended worship at least once a week and considered religion important in their lives often performed better on the overall survey. However even their responses revealed how little they knew about their own religion.
On questions about Christianity, Mormons scored the highest, with an average of about eight correct answers out of 12. After Mormons, white evangelicals, averaged seven correct answers. Jews, along with atheists and agnostics, knew the most about other faiths, such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism. Less than half of Americans know that the Dalai Lama is Buddhist, and less than four in 10 know that Vishnu and Shiva are part of Hinduism.
Another surprising aspect of the study revealed that many Americans do not understand constitutional restrictions on religion in public schools. While a majority know that public school teachers cannot lead classes in prayer, less than a quarter know that the U.S. Supreme Court has clearly stated that teachers can read from the Bible as an example of literature. Did you know that? The Pew researchers stated: "Many Americans think the constitutional restrictions on religion in public schools are tighter than they really are,"
3,412 people between May and June of this year responded to the survey. I was not one of them, but I would hope that I would be able to make a good showing. How would you do? Do you know what you believe? Do you know what others believe? These are important questioins to consider because how can your give a ready defense of the gospel if you do not know even the basics.
If you would like to read the entire report you can go to the following website:
http://pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx
Also at this website is a short 15 question quiz you can take to see how you compare to every one else. I would be interested in knowing how you do? Take the quiz and report back to me. And no you want be disciplined if you do not get them all right. What do you know?
45% of Roman Catholics who participated in the study did not know that, according to church teaching, the bread and wine used in Holy Communion is not just a symbol, but becomes the body and blood of Christ. More than half of Protestants could not identify Martin Luther as the person who inspired the Protestant Reformation.
The survey was aimed to test a broad range of religious knowledge, including understanding of the Bible, core teachings of different faiths and major figures in religious history. The United States is considered to be the most religious country in the developed world, especially when it is compared to secular Western Europe. However, religious leaders have often been critical of the fact that Americans know very little about religion as a whole.
Those that responded to the survey were asked 32 questions with a range of difficulty, including whether they could name the Islamic holy book and the first book of the Bible. Another question was what century the Mormon religion was founded. On average, participants in the survey answered correctly overall for half of the survey questions.
The surprising study is reveals that Atheists and agnostics scored highest, with an average of 21 correct answers, while Jews and Mormons followed with about 20 accurate responses. Protestants overall averaged 16 correct answers, while Catholics followed with a score of about 15. Those who said they attended worship at least once a week and considered religion important in their lives often performed better on the overall survey. However even their responses revealed how little they knew about their own religion.
On questions about Christianity, Mormons scored the highest, with an average of about eight correct answers out of 12. After Mormons, white evangelicals, averaged seven correct answers. Jews, along with atheists and agnostics, knew the most about other faiths, such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism. Less than half of Americans know that the Dalai Lama is Buddhist, and less than four in 10 know that Vishnu and Shiva are part of Hinduism.
Another surprising aspect of the study revealed that many Americans do not understand constitutional restrictions on religion in public schools. While a majority know that public school teachers cannot lead classes in prayer, less than a quarter know that the U.S. Supreme Court has clearly stated that teachers can read from the Bible as an example of literature. Did you know that? The Pew researchers stated: "Many Americans think the constitutional restrictions on religion in public schools are tighter than they really are,"
3,412 people between May and June of this year responded to the survey. I was not one of them, but I would hope that I would be able to make a good showing. How would you do? Do you know what you believe? Do you know what others believe? These are important questioins to consider because how can your give a ready defense of the gospel if you do not know even the basics.
If you would like to read the entire report you can go to the following website:
http://pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx
Also at this website is a short 15 question quiz you can take to see how you compare to every one else. I would be interested in knowing how you do? Take the quiz and report back to me. And no you want be disciplined if you do not get them all right. What do you know?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
How do we know?
As many of you know the political campaigns are heating up. I believe this has been one of the more interesting political seasons in quite some time. Actually what is happening now is much more interesting than what happened two years ago in the presidential campaign. I have always been kind of a political junky. I find it very interesting and like to discuss the political situation. Most of time it is just to offer my opinion, but hey at least I listen to myself Most of the time I do not believe that my local representative really cares what I have to say. I mean after all, I vote, and he is suppose to represent my views, but most of the time I can't figure out what my representative believes. For the most part I want someone to have a spine and vote what is right, not what his political party might want him or her to vote. However, I think those days are far gone as we have become more polarized than ever before.
I do not hide from the fact that I am a conservative in my views. I am not ashamed to say that and I believe that my decision is right. I guess that is why they call me a part of the right wing. My question is what's wrong with being RIGHT! There is a reason it is called the right view.
In regard to the political campaign heating up today, my wife got a call from a person working for a certain candidate. This individual is running for US Representative in our district. I will not mention his party because it really does not matter. My wife stated that she would be voting for the other individual and then the dialogue began as to why. As the conversation developed my wife mentioned that our country will never be on the right track until we decide to put God first again. She stated that she was a Christian and that she wanted someone who was a Christian to represent her.
The interviewer stated that he also was a christian, but he did not know if the candidate he was working for was a christian. To me that statement is revealing. I am not naive enough to think that every candidate and every politician is a christian. However, if he or she is a christian it should not be a secret. Why is is that we think that religion has no place in the public realm. As a matter of fact I recently heard a politician say that "one's faith is a private matter and has no place in the public arena." No wonder this individual represents the party that has a "donkey" as the mascot. NOTE TO READERS: Not an endorsement of one party over the other or even suggesting that one party is christian and the other party is not. I doubt if either one really represents the cause of Christ.
The point of this article is that we should know what we believe, why we believe it and then we should also know what the candidates believe. As followers of Jesus Christ we should vote based upon God's values and not the values of a certain party or even an individual. The candidates may not perfectly line up with everything you believe, but they should at least stand for something you believe. Most of the time though when we pull that lever, we throw out any spiritual advice that God might have because after all our "faith has no place in the public arena." I don't believe that is a biblical teaching. I believe the Bible says "let your light shine before men." It also says that we are the salt of the earth. It states that we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works. I could go on and on, but the point is that what we believe in our hearts we are to demonstrate to the world. Our beliefs will affect our actions and that also means when we pull that lever and vote.
So my simple advice is this "know what the candidate believes and make sure it lines up with God's Word." The hard part is knowing what you believe? Do you know? More importantly do others know what you know?
I do not hide from the fact that I am a conservative in my views. I am not ashamed to say that and I believe that my decision is right. I guess that is why they call me a part of the right wing. My question is what's wrong with being RIGHT! There is a reason it is called the right view.
In regard to the political campaign heating up today, my wife got a call from a person working for a certain candidate. This individual is running for US Representative in our district. I will not mention his party because it really does not matter. My wife stated that she would be voting for the other individual and then the dialogue began as to why. As the conversation developed my wife mentioned that our country will never be on the right track until we decide to put God first again. She stated that she was a Christian and that she wanted someone who was a Christian to represent her.
The interviewer stated that he also was a christian, but he did not know if the candidate he was working for was a christian. To me that statement is revealing. I am not naive enough to think that every candidate and every politician is a christian. However, if he or she is a christian it should not be a secret. Why is is that we think that religion has no place in the public realm. As a matter of fact I recently heard a politician say that "one's faith is a private matter and has no place in the public arena." No wonder this individual represents the party that has a "donkey" as the mascot. NOTE TO READERS: Not an endorsement of one party over the other or even suggesting that one party is christian and the other party is not. I doubt if either one really represents the cause of Christ.
The point of this article is that we should know what we believe, why we believe it and then we should also know what the candidates believe. As followers of Jesus Christ we should vote based upon God's values and not the values of a certain party or even an individual. The candidates may not perfectly line up with everything you believe, but they should at least stand for something you believe. Most of the time though when we pull that lever, we throw out any spiritual advice that God might have because after all our "faith has no place in the public arena." I don't believe that is a biblical teaching. I believe the Bible says "let your light shine before men." It also says that we are the salt of the earth. It states that we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works. I could go on and on, but the point is that what we believe in our hearts we are to demonstrate to the world. Our beliefs will affect our actions and that also means when we pull that lever and vote.
So my simple advice is this "know what the candidate believes and make sure it lines up with God's Word." The hard part is knowing what you believe? Do you know? More importantly do others know what you know?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday worship
Yesterday was a great day at Lynwood Baptist Church. I began a new series of sermons entitled "What's so Great about Grace?" I have been pretty pumped about this series as God put these words on my heart several months ago. The worship team did a great job of putting together the music set and the videos that supported the message. The banner / decorating team did a spectacular job creating the visuals to enhance the message and worship setting. Though attendance was low, we did have several visitors in the congregation, which is always an encouragement.
The first message in this series was "Saving Grace." It was the foundational sermon basically to remind us how good a deal we got when we received God's grace. People were encouraged as God was able to minister to them through His word and through His servants. If you missed the foundational sermon, you can still get a copy at Lynwood Baptist Church. Hopefully before long you will be able to download it from our website. Anyway, it was a great day at Lynwood Baptist Church. You might want to mark your calendar for next week as the sermon series continues with "Amazing Grace." This sermon will deal with how God gets rid of our guilt. It really is amazing.
The church body also voted to hire a youth pastor. A search team was chosen and now we begin the process of looking for the right person for the task. We have such a great group of teenagers at LBC and now is the time to take that step of faith and bring in someone to help disciple them and encourage them to be all they can be in Christ. If you are reading this and know of someone who might be interested, let them know so that they can get in touch with us or we can get in touch with them.
However, what I want to share with you in this post is that God is moving at Lynwood Baptist Church. It would be hard for someone to know this truth unless they spend time around this wonderful group of believers. They are beginning to see what God can do in our midst if we will just yield ourselves to Him. Come and be a part of the "fellowship of excitement" and experience what God is doing in our midst.
The first message in this series was "Saving Grace." It was the foundational sermon basically to remind us how good a deal we got when we received God's grace. People were encouraged as God was able to minister to them through His word and through His servants. If you missed the foundational sermon, you can still get a copy at Lynwood Baptist Church. Hopefully before long you will be able to download it from our website. Anyway, it was a great day at Lynwood Baptist Church. You might want to mark your calendar for next week as the sermon series continues with "Amazing Grace." This sermon will deal with how God gets rid of our guilt. It really is amazing.
The church body also voted to hire a youth pastor. A search team was chosen and now we begin the process of looking for the right person for the task. We have such a great group of teenagers at LBC and now is the time to take that step of faith and bring in someone to help disciple them and encourage them to be all they can be in Christ. If you are reading this and know of someone who might be interested, let them know so that they can get in touch with us or we can get in touch with them.
However, what I want to share with you in this post is that God is moving at Lynwood Baptist Church. It would be hard for someone to know this truth unless they spend time around this wonderful group of believers. They are beginning to see what God can do in our midst if we will just yield ourselves to Him. Come and be a part of the "fellowship of excitement" and experience what God is doing in our midst.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
What now?
On my last post I talked about God opening doors and we might not even understand why he opened them when he did. You may be like me and walked through the doors that God has opened for you and now find yourself asking "what now Lord?" Now that you are through the door you may wonder where the door actually leads. That is the thing about doors, when you go through them there is only one small entry you have to worry about, but once you enter there might a larger space you need to navigate.
That is where you find yourself wondering what to do next. I have to admit that when God brought me to Illinois, I had no idea what He wanted me to do. Can I be honest and confess that I still wonder why He brought me here. I don't doubt that He did, but I wonder why He did. There is nothing wrong with that question. It is only natural as we seek to be all that we can be for Him and His glory. I sometimes wonder if I am gifted enough to do what needs to be done. Do I have the skills? Do I have the maturity? Do I have the patience? Do I have what it takes? We all struggle with the same questions in our mind, but nevertheless we still try to be obedient today. I have always said the best way to follow God is to walk in the light you have today and trust God for tomorrow. But still easier to say than it is to live.
Some of you might wonder "how do I know what I am suppose to do now that I am here?" You went through the open door that God provided you, but you still struggle with the reason God opened that door. Can I be honest with you and say that sometimes we may not know the reason. Sometimes it is not ours to know the reason, it is only ours to obey. Remember the discussion the Jesus had with Peter along the Sea of Galilee? After Jesus reinstated Peter, Peter asked Jesus what would happen to John. Jesus basically told Peter, it is none of your business what happens to him your business is to follow me. That is our task as well.
Consider the life of Moses in the book of Exodus. I think Moses went through the door that God had opened for him when he investigated the bush that did not burn. Moses voiced his objections and questioned the wisdom of God in sending him to set the Israelites free from captivity. He basically asked God "Are you crazy God?" In one exchange Moses asked God "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Have you ever asked that question? Who am I God? Who am I to be able to do this task you have given to me? God why did you open this door for me?
I love God's response to Moses. God said "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain." There is a lot to unpack in this exchange, but here is the core of the teaching. The only way that Moses would know that he was doing what God wanted him to do would be after he had been obedient to do it. Up to this point Moses did not know how he was going to do the task that God had called him to do. God told him be obedient, trust me and when it is all over you will look back and know that I was with you the whole time.
I don't know if this idea helps you or not, but it serves as an encouragement to me. There are many times that I do not know exactly what to do to or how to do it or even why I am to do it, but I am encouraged that if God brought me to a place, He will accomplish what He wants if I will do what He wants. I am to be faithful today, do what I can do, and trust God.
The problem with most of us is that we want to know the end before we begin. The truth is that if we knew the end, we might not take that first step of obedience. Open doors are just the first step of our obedience to God. What are you going to do once you get through the door is where the journey really begins. After you have done what God has sent you to do you will be able to look back and know that God was with you the entire time. My prayer is that God will open that door for you to begin the adventure of a lifetime. I hope you open that door. Talk to you later.
That is where you find yourself wondering what to do next. I have to admit that when God brought me to Illinois, I had no idea what He wanted me to do. Can I be honest and confess that I still wonder why He brought me here. I don't doubt that He did, but I wonder why He did. There is nothing wrong with that question. It is only natural as we seek to be all that we can be for Him and His glory. I sometimes wonder if I am gifted enough to do what needs to be done. Do I have the skills? Do I have the maturity? Do I have the patience? Do I have what it takes? We all struggle with the same questions in our mind, but nevertheless we still try to be obedient today. I have always said the best way to follow God is to walk in the light you have today and trust God for tomorrow. But still easier to say than it is to live.
Some of you might wonder "how do I know what I am suppose to do now that I am here?" You went through the open door that God provided you, but you still struggle with the reason God opened that door. Can I be honest with you and say that sometimes we may not know the reason. Sometimes it is not ours to know the reason, it is only ours to obey. Remember the discussion the Jesus had with Peter along the Sea of Galilee? After Jesus reinstated Peter, Peter asked Jesus what would happen to John. Jesus basically told Peter, it is none of your business what happens to him your business is to follow me. That is our task as well.
Consider the life of Moses in the book of Exodus. I think Moses went through the door that God had opened for him when he investigated the bush that did not burn. Moses voiced his objections and questioned the wisdom of God in sending him to set the Israelites free from captivity. He basically asked God "Are you crazy God?" In one exchange Moses asked God "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Have you ever asked that question? Who am I God? Who am I to be able to do this task you have given to me? God why did you open this door for me?
I love God's response to Moses. God said "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain." There is a lot to unpack in this exchange, but here is the core of the teaching. The only way that Moses would know that he was doing what God wanted him to do would be after he had been obedient to do it. Up to this point Moses did not know how he was going to do the task that God had called him to do. God told him be obedient, trust me and when it is all over you will look back and know that I was with you the whole time.
I don't know if this idea helps you or not, but it serves as an encouragement to me. There are many times that I do not know exactly what to do to or how to do it or even why I am to do it, but I am encouraged that if God brought me to a place, He will accomplish what He wants if I will do what He wants. I am to be faithful today, do what I can do, and trust God.
The problem with most of us is that we want to know the end before we begin. The truth is that if we knew the end, we might not take that first step of obedience. Open doors are just the first step of our obedience to God. What are you going to do once you get through the door is where the journey really begins. After you have done what God has sent you to do you will be able to look back and know that God was with you the entire time. My prayer is that God will open that door for you to begin the adventure of a lifetime. I hope you open that door. Talk to you later.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Why?
I was reading the other day in Acts 16 about Paul's Macedonian vision. Let me refresh the story to you or for those that do not know it let me share with you the basics of the story. Paul's motivation was to always preach the gospel and minister to people that had never heard the good news of Jesus Christ. He had already had one successful missionary journey and saw many people respond to the message of grace that he delivered. As Paul was on his second missionary journey he desired to spread the gospel in the province of Asia, but was kept from entering into that region by the Holy Spirit.
We do not know how Paul was kept from this region or even why he was kept from this region, but whatever the reason, Paul knew it was God that was keeping him from spreading the gospel into Asia. Having been hindered from entering the region of Asia, Paul and his companions tried to enter Bithynia, only to be hindered from this region as well. I imagine by this time, Paul was becoming fairly frustrated. He had a great message to share and his motivation was right, but God was not allowing him to go to the places that he wanted to go. Surely questions must have been raised by Paul, even though we have no record of these questions or even if Paul became frustrated. We can only assume and wonder what went through his mind.
During the night Paul had a clear vision of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him to come to Macedonia and help them. After having this clear vision, Paul and his companions left for Macedonia, where they began to preach the gospel in what is modern day Greece today. The faithfulness of Paul to the vision he received from this unnamed man opened up Western civilization to the gospel instead of the nations of Asia. How different things might look today if Paul had not been faithful to the vision he received.
However, this post is not about Paul's faithfulness to the vision, but rather the way God opens doors for us. When I began looking for a place to serve the Lord and preach the gospel, my desire was to stay in Texas. I am after all a native Texan, I know the people, and my family all live in Texas with the exception of my daughter who lives in Los Angelos. I at least wanted to stay nearby so that I could be closer to my aging parents and the rest of my family. However, for over three years, God never opened a door for us in Texas or anywhere in the South. It was as if the Holy Spirit was keeping me from that which I desired to do. I could not understand and to say that I became slightly irritated would be a misstatement. I questioned my call and wondered what God was doing in my life.
However, the Holy Spirit eventually placed it in the hearts of a group of people to contact me to come to where they are and help them. These individuals were in Illinois. It was not even on my list to consider. Had God lost His mind when they called me? What was God thinking? They talk funny! They might even think that I talk funny! What if they don't like people from the South? Will I have to wear a coat at Christmas time? Do I even own a coat? All of these things went through my mind as I considered the open door that the Lord had placed before me.
Why had God closed all other avenues and opened this door for me? I did not have an answer, but I decided to follow the path that God had provided for me. I know that God led me to be pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church and that is a great encouragement to me. Perhaps you are going through a similar experience in your life. Things are happening to you and it seems as if the Holy Spirit is hindering you in what you want to do. Do not lose heart, but keep being faithful to what you are doing and trust God to show you His plan in His timing. He has a greater plan than you can even imagine. Stay tuned to Him and He will direct your path.
God did great things through Paul as he spread the gospel to Philippi, Thessalonica, Barea, Athens, Corinth and Ephesus. The lives he touched and the churches he planted became the catalyst for a great movement of the Holy Spirit throughout the Roman empire. We do not always understand why God closes one door and opens another, but we can always be sure that God's plans are perfect and fit in with His Story.
I still do not know why God brought me where I am, but I am confident of this much: he is going to do something great! Perhaps you are in the place where God has led you, but you struggle with why you are there. Stay with me in my next post and perhaps we can discover the answer together. Thanks for being faithful where you are and I pray that God will use you in a mighty way.
We do not know how Paul was kept from this region or even why he was kept from this region, but whatever the reason, Paul knew it was God that was keeping him from spreading the gospel into Asia. Having been hindered from entering the region of Asia, Paul and his companions tried to enter Bithynia, only to be hindered from this region as well. I imagine by this time, Paul was becoming fairly frustrated. He had a great message to share and his motivation was right, but God was not allowing him to go to the places that he wanted to go. Surely questions must have been raised by Paul, even though we have no record of these questions or even if Paul became frustrated. We can only assume and wonder what went through his mind.
During the night Paul had a clear vision of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him to come to Macedonia and help them. After having this clear vision, Paul and his companions left for Macedonia, where they began to preach the gospel in what is modern day Greece today. The faithfulness of Paul to the vision he received from this unnamed man opened up Western civilization to the gospel instead of the nations of Asia. How different things might look today if Paul had not been faithful to the vision he received.
However, this post is not about Paul's faithfulness to the vision, but rather the way God opens doors for us. When I began looking for a place to serve the Lord and preach the gospel, my desire was to stay in Texas. I am after all a native Texan, I know the people, and my family all live in Texas with the exception of my daughter who lives in Los Angelos. I at least wanted to stay nearby so that I could be closer to my aging parents and the rest of my family. However, for over three years, God never opened a door for us in Texas or anywhere in the South. It was as if the Holy Spirit was keeping me from that which I desired to do. I could not understand and to say that I became slightly irritated would be a misstatement. I questioned my call and wondered what God was doing in my life.
However, the Holy Spirit eventually placed it in the hearts of a group of people to contact me to come to where they are and help them. These individuals were in Illinois. It was not even on my list to consider. Had God lost His mind when they called me? What was God thinking? They talk funny! They might even think that I talk funny! What if they don't like people from the South? Will I have to wear a coat at Christmas time? Do I even own a coat? All of these things went through my mind as I considered the open door that the Lord had placed before me.
Why had God closed all other avenues and opened this door for me? I did not have an answer, but I decided to follow the path that God had provided for me. I know that God led me to be pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church and that is a great encouragement to me. Perhaps you are going through a similar experience in your life. Things are happening to you and it seems as if the Holy Spirit is hindering you in what you want to do. Do not lose heart, but keep being faithful to what you are doing and trust God to show you His plan in His timing. He has a greater plan than you can even imagine. Stay tuned to Him and He will direct your path.
God did great things through Paul as he spread the gospel to Philippi, Thessalonica, Barea, Athens, Corinth and Ephesus. The lives he touched and the churches he planted became the catalyst for a great movement of the Holy Spirit throughout the Roman empire. We do not always understand why God closes one door and opens another, but we can always be sure that God's plans are perfect and fit in with His Story.
I still do not know why God brought me where I am, but I am confident of this much: he is going to do something great! Perhaps you are in the place where God has led you, but you struggle with why you are there. Stay with me in my next post and perhaps we can discover the answer together. Thanks for being faithful where you are and I pray that God will use you in a mighty way.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Liberation Theology Conclusion
On this post I want to close out my discussion of Liberation Theology by looking at some of the weaknesses or the dangers of this school of thought. One of the dangers in liberation hermeneutics is that in the desire to liberate the text from the interpretation of those who seek to oppress others, liberators have in turn forced an understanding of Scripture that may not be any better than the previous view. In their efforts to liberate the Bible from their oppressors they may have enslaved the Bible to their own presuppositions. Janet Radcliffe Richards, a proponent of feminist hermeutics states this truth when she writes "the oppressed use the enemy's tools and thereby revert back to a new kind of bondage and oppression, perhaps with different victims." Instead of allowing the Bible to speak to the culture, they are making culture speak to the Bible. This technique is not a legitimate method of Biblical interpretation. There must be some control mechanism in the area of interpretation or we will be so liberated there will be no truth. The text has to mean what it means or the result would be biblical chaos. Without hermeneutical controls people would be free to interpret Scripture anyway they please to espouse their own personal agenda.
However the main weakness that I see in liberation hermeneutics is that they have perverted the primary teaching of Scripture. The Scripture is not about liberating people from classism, racism, or sexism, it is about liberating people from the power of sin and showing people how to have a right relationship with God through personal faith in a risen Savior. All the other teachings are secondary. As a matter of fact, what have we accomplished if we liberate someone from the supposed "oppressors" and do not liberate them from sin? It is interesting to note that one of the proponents of feminist hermeneutics states that one of the potential dangers is that feminists have the tendency to "accuse and blame external systems (patriarchy, capitalism, class structure) rather than our common participation as men and women in corporate human falleness." The truth is that "there is no difference, for all (black and white, male and female, rich and poor) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Though the ambition of the liberators may be admirable, their method is faulty. The fact is that we cannot change society from the outside, but it must be changed from the inside, one person at a time. As individuals are made right with God, they will in turn be right with one another. Jesus taught this truth when He said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves.
The desire of the biblical interpreter is to try to understand the original meaning of the Scripture then apply the timeless message to contemporary society. We want to be relevant and we should be relevant, but in our desire for relevancy we cannot be abusive of the original meaning of Scripture. We must allow Scripture to speak for itself and not try to put new words in the mouth of the original author.
I believe the problem we are experiencing today has more to do with application than with interpretation. For instance, if every Christian followed the principle of tithing as taught in the Scripture, the question of poverty could be solved in a relatively short amount of time. The same is true in the area of racism and prejudice that seeks to oppress another race of people. If every Christian took seriously the teachings that all are equal in the eyes of God that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus" then there would be no discrimination, oppression or abuse, at least in Christian circles. So the primary problem is not the interpretation of Scripture, but the application of the interpretation.
Ultimately it is because of our sin. We must keep in mind that the Bible says there is no one that is righteous, none whatsoever. As a result of our sin, we fail to live up to the clear teachings of God's Word. When I was serving in Central America, an individual said that in Latin America when it comes to a choice between what the Bible says and what culture says, culture will always be chosen. This fact reveals one of the problems that we have in biblical interpretation. Interpreters of Scripture must rise above culture and strive to communicate the timeless truth of God's Word in our culture. Paul told his young protege Timothy, "for the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations. . ." Perhaps we too need to keep our heads in such situations and trust God's Word to communicate His timeless truth.
However the main weakness that I see in liberation hermeneutics is that they have perverted the primary teaching of Scripture. The Scripture is not about liberating people from classism, racism, or sexism, it is about liberating people from the power of sin and showing people how to have a right relationship with God through personal faith in a risen Savior. All the other teachings are secondary. As a matter of fact, what have we accomplished if we liberate someone from the supposed "oppressors" and do not liberate them from sin? It is interesting to note that one of the proponents of feminist hermeneutics states that one of the potential dangers is that feminists have the tendency to "accuse and blame external systems (patriarchy, capitalism, class structure) rather than our common participation as men and women in corporate human falleness." The truth is that "there is no difference, for all (black and white, male and female, rich and poor) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Though the ambition of the liberators may be admirable, their method is faulty. The fact is that we cannot change society from the outside, but it must be changed from the inside, one person at a time. As individuals are made right with God, they will in turn be right with one another. Jesus taught this truth when He said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves.
The desire of the biblical interpreter is to try to understand the original meaning of the Scripture then apply the timeless message to contemporary society. We want to be relevant and we should be relevant, but in our desire for relevancy we cannot be abusive of the original meaning of Scripture. We must allow Scripture to speak for itself and not try to put new words in the mouth of the original author.
I believe the problem we are experiencing today has more to do with application than with interpretation. For instance, if every Christian followed the principle of tithing as taught in the Scripture, the question of poverty could be solved in a relatively short amount of time. The same is true in the area of racism and prejudice that seeks to oppress another race of people. If every Christian took seriously the teachings that all are equal in the eyes of God that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus" then there would be no discrimination, oppression or abuse, at least in Christian circles. So the primary problem is not the interpretation of Scripture, but the application of the interpretation.
Ultimately it is because of our sin. We must keep in mind that the Bible says there is no one that is righteous, none whatsoever. As a result of our sin, we fail to live up to the clear teachings of God's Word. When I was serving in Central America, an individual said that in Latin America when it comes to a choice between what the Bible says and what culture says, culture will always be chosen. This fact reveals one of the problems that we have in biblical interpretation. Interpreters of Scripture must rise above culture and strive to communicate the timeless truth of God's Word in our culture. Paul told his young protege Timothy, "for the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations. . ." Perhaps we too need to keep our heads in such situations and trust God's Word to communicate His timeless truth.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Liberation Theology 5
We have been examining the teachings of liberation theology in the last few posts and in this post I want to examine some benefits of this teaching. Even though I am not a proponent of this method of interpretation there have been some significant contributions made. Liberation theologians have prodded a social awareness that causes us to examine our own presuppositions when it comes to interpreting Scripture. Jesus did the same thing in His own teachings. When we look at the Sermon on the Mount, we see Jesus making a statement "You have heard that it was said . . . but I tell you. . ." and then Jesus goes on to espouse a non-traditional interpretation of an ancient teaching.
Was Jesus practicing liberation hermeneutics? Of course Jesus was not bringing a new teaching to Scripture, but restoring the original meaning, but the point is that mankind can sometimes pervert the original intention of the Scripture. As a result we must be careful that we do not bring our own bias when we interpret Scripture. We discovered this truth when working in Latin America as missionaries. Often, the truth we were trying to communicate had more to do with our cultural understanding of Scripture than an actual biblical view of Scripture.
The truth is that each person interprets Scripture through a hermeneutical lens, which brings us back to Ricoeur's hermeneutics of suspicion. Each one of us needs to be careful that we do not force the Scripture to say something it does not say and by so doing promote a teaching that may be more cultural than biblical. One of the benefits of liberation hermeneutics is that it helps the modern interpreter to ask the relevant questions such as: "how can there be racism and prejudice in the church in light of Scripture?" How can there be continued oppression of the poor in Christian circles in light of Scripture?"
Such questions challenge us to make sure that we have properly understood the teachings of Scripture. There can be no mistake that one of the primary teachings of the prophets in the Old Testament was the oppression of the poor and disenfranchised of the land. All we have to do is examine the words of Micah 6:8 and Amos 5:24 for an example of this teaching. The prophets saw this continued abuse and neglect as a sign that the people were indeed sinful and in need of punishment. Therefore, the teachings of the prophets still have relevance in the area of our ethics today. As such liberation hermeneutics constantly call us to be mindful of this aspect of interpretation.
It was Augustine, who initially said that any proper understanding of Scripture will lead to a proper communication of the truth of Scripture. If our communication, or application is faulty, then have we truly understood the teaching of Scripture? As one individual stated, what we are truly trying to do is communicate a heavenly culture that rejects our culture as well as the culture of the hearing audience. We want to transform culture by a clear communication and application of God's timeless truths. As interpreters we have a challenging task, to communicate the timeless message of the Bible through our own culture to another culture.
Even though there are some benefits to this method of interpretation in my next post we will discover that the weaknesses far out way the benefits. Looking forward to sharing with you tomorrow some truths that will help us combat this tendency in religious circles today.
Was Jesus practicing liberation hermeneutics? Of course Jesus was not bringing a new teaching to Scripture, but restoring the original meaning, but the point is that mankind can sometimes pervert the original intention of the Scripture. As a result we must be careful that we do not bring our own bias when we interpret Scripture. We discovered this truth when working in Latin America as missionaries. Often, the truth we were trying to communicate had more to do with our cultural understanding of Scripture than an actual biblical view of Scripture.
The truth is that each person interprets Scripture through a hermeneutical lens, which brings us back to Ricoeur's hermeneutics of suspicion. Each one of us needs to be careful that we do not force the Scripture to say something it does not say and by so doing promote a teaching that may be more cultural than biblical. One of the benefits of liberation hermeneutics is that it helps the modern interpreter to ask the relevant questions such as: "how can there be racism and prejudice in the church in light of Scripture?" How can there be continued oppression of the poor in Christian circles in light of Scripture?"
Such questions challenge us to make sure that we have properly understood the teachings of Scripture. There can be no mistake that one of the primary teachings of the prophets in the Old Testament was the oppression of the poor and disenfranchised of the land. All we have to do is examine the words of Micah 6:8 and Amos 5:24 for an example of this teaching. The prophets saw this continued abuse and neglect as a sign that the people were indeed sinful and in need of punishment. Therefore, the teachings of the prophets still have relevance in the area of our ethics today. As such liberation hermeneutics constantly call us to be mindful of this aspect of interpretation.
It was Augustine, who initially said that any proper understanding of Scripture will lead to a proper communication of the truth of Scripture. If our communication, or application is faulty, then have we truly understood the teaching of Scripture? As one individual stated, what we are truly trying to do is communicate a heavenly culture that rejects our culture as well as the culture of the hearing audience. We want to transform culture by a clear communication and application of God's timeless truths. As interpreters we have a challenging task, to communicate the timeless message of the Bible through our own culture to another culture.
Even though there are some benefits to this method of interpretation in my next post we will discover that the weaknesses far out way the benefits. Looking forward to sharing with you tomorrow some truths that will help us combat this tendency in religious circles today.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Liberation Theology 4
Today we continue our look at Liberation Theology and how it has shaped our current economic and political climate. In this post we will look at Feminist hermeutics which has some of the same desires as the other areas of liberation theology. For the feminist interpreter of Scripture the emphasis is placed on the dominance of the male population in the oppression of the female population. For female liberators interpretation "embodies a deep hermeneutic of suspicion that the conventional constructions of the history of biblical interpretation do not represent value-neutral descriptions of biblical history, traditions, and texts. All interpretation has been mediated through male dominated reading communities." When the Southern Baptist Convention issued their statement on the role of women in ministry and in general it created an enormous uproar. Many were led to decry this statement as nothing more than a male dominated hiearchy trying to force its ideology on the "weaker sex." In realty the SBC was simply trying to restore the proper understanding of Scripture in regard to women. The whole idea is that we are to allow Scripture to transform culture, not culture to transform Scripture.
For the female interpreter there must be an unmasking of patriarchal bias, because such bias has led to the view that women are inferior to the male race. When interpreting Scripture feminists enter with the presupposition that women are equal to men and as a result they have the right to accept or reject biblical texts, if it does not seem to promote the direction they have undertaken. One feminist interpreter has said that the Bible is "authored by men, written in androcentric language, reflective of male experience, selected and transmitted by male religious leadership. Without question the Bible is a male book." Because of this view, many have tried to eradicate the idea of male influence in the Bible and in the songs that we sing. Recently the NIV proposed a new translation that is gender neutral. Any reference to God as a father will be referenced as a parent so as to be acceptable by the feminist interpreter. Many of the traditional hymns that have been accepted for generations have recently undergone a change so as not to be offensive to feminists liberators.
The fatal flaw of the feminist interpreter is revealed in this gender neutral ideology. A true interpreter of Scripture recognizes that God is the author of all Scripture and that He used human instruments, inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate His timeless truths. To say that the Bible is a "male book" is to eliminate the role God played in inspiring the Scriptures. For as God's Word says "all Scripture is God breathed" and as result we cannot minimize the role of God in the writing and preservation of Scripture.
Of course this discussion is insignificant if you start your whole premise with your own presupposition. When we go into Scripture with our own agenda or our own ideas then we can make Scripture mean what we want it to mean. However, this idea is not a legitimate interpretation of God's Word. In my next post I will examine some benefits to liberation theology and then we will look at the dangers of liberation theology. My purpose in doing this brief excursion into this theology is because if we will look at current events through this lens of understanding it will give us a better grasp of what is happening in our culture as we drift further and further from traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs. I hope you will stick around for a few days longer as we take this journey of understanding together.
For the female interpreter there must be an unmasking of patriarchal bias, because such bias has led to the view that women are inferior to the male race. When interpreting Scripture feminists enter with the presupposition that women are equal to men and as a result they have the right to accept or reject biblical texts, if it does not seem to promote the direction they have undertaken. One feminist interpreter has said that the Bible is "authored by men, written in androcentric language, reflective of male experience, selected and transmitted by male religious leadership. Without question the Bible is a male book." Because of this view, many have tried to eradicate the idea of male influence in the Bible and in the songs that we sing. Recently the NIV proposed a new translation that is gender neutral. Any reference to God as a father will be referenced as a parent so as to be acceptable by the feminist interpreter. Many of the traditional hymns that have been accepted for generations have recently undergone a change so as not to be offensive to feminists liberators.
The fatal flaw of the feminist interpreter is revealed in this gender neutral ideology. A true interpreter of Scripture recognizes that God is the author of all Scripture and that He used human instruments, inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate His timeless truths. To say that the Bible is a "male book" is to eliminate the role God played in inspiring the Scriptures. For as God's Word says "all Scripture is God breathed" and as result we cannot minimize the role of God in the writing and preservation of Scripture.
Of course this discussion is insignificant if you start your whole premise with your own presupposition. When we go into Scripture with our own agenda or our own ideas then we can make Scripture mean what we want it to mean. However, this idea is not a legitimate interpretation of God's Word. In my next post I will examine some benefits to liberation theology and then we will look at the dangers of liberation theology. My purpose in doing this brief excursion into this theology is because if we will look at current events through this lens of understanding it will give us a better grasp of what is happening in our culture as we drift further and further from traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs. I hope you will stick around for a few days longer as we take this journey of understanding together.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Liberation Theology 3
In this post I want to talk about another expression of liberation theology which is known as Black Hermenetics. Black Theologians have some of the same concerns that Latin American theologians have expressed in the area of biblical interpretation. However, for the black theologian, the concern is the use of Scripture by the white establishment to oppress the black race. This oppression was clearly seen in the area of slavery in the United States and also in the practice of apartheid in South Africa. It was black theologians' interpretation of Scripture that prodded the civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's. James Cone argues that "the black experience of oppression . . . provides the understanding through which to perceive the God of the Bible as the God of liberation." For the black theologian, any interpretation that does not free the black race from white dominance is not a legitimate interpretation. For this reason many black theologians have pushed for liberation from the traditional interpretation of Scripture.
There is a legitimacy to the black concern as many white believers have used their interpretation of Scripture to suppress and even oppress the black race. This oppression was clearly seen in South Africa where the constitution of the white minority stated that their practices were one "of obedience to Almighty God and to His Holy Word." No wonder black theologians look with suspicion on the white interpretation of Scripture. However, this practice today is only by a few who are out of the main stream of biblical thought.
The area where black theologians have made their biggest mistake is in their desire to have a "black Jesus." As one theologian stated, "if Jesus was not black, then the resurrection has no meaning to the black person." Recently we have heard the Reverend Jeremiah Wright state "I am so glad that I have a Savior who was black and can indentify with the oppression of the black race by the white majority." The idea is pressed further by black theologians with these words "when the poor of North America and the Third World read the passion story of the cross, they do not view it as a theological idea but as God's suffering solidarity with the victims of the world. Jesus's cross is God's election of the poor by taking their pain and suffering upon the divine person." (James Cone, Black Theology in America, Theology Today - Volume 43, #1 - April 1986, page 13).
The problem with such a view is that these individuals have forced an interpretive view of Scripture that has perverted the original intent of Scripture and as a result they have lost the true message. It is not the color of Jesus's skin that is important, but the work that Jesus did on the cross that merits our affection. In their efforts to liberate themselves from their oppressors, the black theologian has created a greater bondage to sin.
For the proponents of black theology, they believe that there can be no salvation of the individual, if there is no salvation of the black race as a whole. Therefore they work to free themselves from oppression from the majority so that there may be collective salvation of their own people. Black theologians have misinterpreted and misapplied the true meaning of Scripture.
Perhaps as we understand this particular view of the Bible it puts into perspective much of what we are experiencing in the world today. We can see why race and class warfare is on the rise and traditional teachings of God's Word are being questioned and often discarded. I will have more to say on this idea in the days to come, so hang in there with me for a few more days. In my next post we will look at the feminist method of interpretion and the impact it has on society today.
There is a legitimacy to the black concern as many white believers have used their interpretation of Scripture to suppress and even oppress the black race. This oppression was clearly seen in South Africa where the constitution of the white minority stated that their practices were one "of obedience to Almighty God and to His Holy Word." No wonder black theologians look with suspicion on the white interpretation of Scripture. However, this practice today is only by a few who are out of the main stream of biblical thought.
The area where black theologians have made their biggest mistake is in their desire to have a "black Jesus." As one theologian stated, "if Jesus was not black, then the resurrection has no meaning to the black person." Recently we have heard the Reverend Jeremiah Wright state "I am so glad that I have a Savior who was black and can indentify with the oppression of the black race by the white majority." The idea is pressed further by black theologians with these words "when the poor of North America and the Third World read the passion story of the cross, they do not view it as a theological idea but as God's suffering solidarity with the victims of the world. Jesus's cross is God's election of the poor by taking their pain and suffering upon the divine person." (James Cone, Black Theology in America, Theology Today - Volume 43, #1 - April 1986, page 13).
The problem with such a view is that these individuals have forced an interpretive view of Scripture that has perverted the original intent of Scripture and as a result they have lost the true message. It is not the color of Jesus's skin that is important, but the work that Jesus did on the cross that merits our affection. In their efforts to liberate themselves from their oppressors, the black theologian has created a greater bondage to sin.
For the proponents of black theology, they believe that there can be no salvation of the individual, if there is no salvation of the black race as a whole. Therefore they work to free themselves from oppression from the majority so that there may be collective salvation of their own people. Black theologians have misinterpreted and misapplied the true meaning of Scripture.
Perhaps as we understand this particular view of the Bible it puts into perspective much of what we are experiencing in the world today. We can see why race and class warfare is on the rise and traditional teachings of God's Word are being questioned and often discarded. I will have more to say on this idea in the days to come, so hang in there with me for a few more days. In my next post we will look at the feminist method of interpretion and the impact it has on society today.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Liberation Theology 2
In my last post we began looking at Liberation Theology so that we can better understand many of the events occuring in the world in which we live. In this post I want to examine Latin American Hermeneutics. Again hermeneutics is the art or the science of interpreting Scripture. Once we understand how people interpret Scripture it gives us a better avenue to dialogue with them.
For the Latin American theologian all Scripture must be read through the social context of Latin American society. In the words of one individual Scripture must be read "from the standpoint of what will help in their liberation, and through their eyes."
To facilitate a reading of Scripture through the socioeconomic situation of the poor of Latin America, liberation theologians have offered a fourfold method for interpreting Scripture. The first demand is that the interpreter must be empathetic to the plight of the poor in Latin America. The Latin American interpreter believes there must be a gross neglect in the understanding of Scripture because of the continual disparity between the haves and the have nots in Latin American culture.
The second criterion to be used in interpreting Scripture is an understanding of the societal structures that have created such a socioeconomic disparity. For the Latin American theologian the poor are poor not because they chose to be poor, but because someone has created a system to keep them poor. Juan Luis Segundo states "anything and everything is intimately bound up with the existing social situation in at least an unconscious way." This understanding of Scripture has been used to maintain dominance by the ruling class. As a result true interpretation of Scripture must offer a social critique of the institutions that have created the disparity in wealth in Latin America. In essence socio-critical tools are needed because poverty is not simply a matter of an individual's economic status, but the oppressive and alienating circumstances that have created such an environment.
The third criterion that must be applied in interpreting Scripture through the eyes of the Latin American is an understanding of the biblical texts that deal with liberation. For the Latin American interpreter, liberation from one's oppressors is central in the Bible. As a result the Exodus account takes on a new understanding as well as the prophets of the Old Testament who constantly spoke out against injustices in society. To truly understand the text, the interpreter must look at these messages as addressed to the modern day situation.
The final criterion of interpretation that must be applied is to understand the language of promise and eschatology as presented in the Bible. For the Latin American interpreter, the Scriptures offer hope from oppression not just in the future but in the present context as well. The hope offered is not just a hope for a better way of life in eternity, but an active hope which subverts the exisiting order.
The Latin American interpreter is not just looking to establish a new way of looking at the world, but is actually looking to transform the existing world. In order to so, it requires a total reorientation of biblical exegesis. The truth for the Latin American interpreter is that if one's interpretation of Scripture does not change the normal interpretation of Scripture then the interpretation has not succeeded.
This idea of interpretation has much to say about our current situation. It helps us put the border debate in a theological discussion. When we understand that for them the Bible has been used to oppress them economically, then we see why they are against any kind of prohibition against illegal entry into the country. If we enforce our laws to prohibit illegal entry it is just another use of our power to keep them economically oppressed. Liberation theologians from the Latin culture see liberation from economic oppression as the chief understanding of Scripture. As a result anything that keeps economic equality from happening is a tool of the oppressors.
There is much more that could be said about this idea, but I think you get the picture. This view of Scripture poses a threat to interpretation. When a person forces his personal situation or his cultural context into a biblical text he allows the Scripture to speak for him instead of allowing the Scripture to speak to him. This is a dangerous premise that cannot be accepted.
On my next post we will look at Black Liberation theology. This subject has been in the news lately as well and hopefully we can bring some light on this view that will help us understand the various discussions taking place in the world today. I look forward to hearing from you.
For the Latin American theologian all Scripture must be read through the social context of Latin American society. In the words of one individual Scripture must be read "from the standpoint of what will help in their liberation, and through their eyes."
To facilitate a reading of Scripture through the socioeconomic situation of the poor of Latin America, liberation theologians have offered a fourfold method for interpreting Scripture. The first demand is that the interpreter must be empathetic to the plight of the poor in Latin America. The Latin American interpreter believes there must be a gross neglect in the understanding of Scripture because of the continual disparity between the haves and the have nots in Latin American culture.
The second criterion to be used in interpreting Scripture is an understanding of the societal structures that have created such a socioeconomic disparity. For the Latin American theologian the poor are poor not because they chose to be poor, but because someone has created a system to keep them poor. Juan Luis Segundo states "anything and everything is intimately bound up with the existing social situation in at least an unconscious way." This understanding of Scripture has been used to maintain dominance by the ruling class. As a result true interpretation of Scripture must offer a social critique of the institutions that have created the disparity in wealth in Latin America. In essence socio-critical tools are needed because poverty is not simply a matter of an individual's economic status, but the oppressive and alienating circumstances that have created such an environment.
The third criterion that must be applied in interpreting Scripture through the eyes of the Latin American is an understanding of the biblical texts that deal with liberation. For the Latin American interpreter, liberation from one's oppressors is central in the Bible. As a result the Exodus account takes on a new understanding as well as the prophets of the Old Testament who constantly spoke out against injustices in society. To truly understand the text, the interpreter must look at these messages as addressed to the modern day situation.
The final criterion of interpretation that must be applied is to understand the language of promise and eschatology as presented in the Bible. For the Latin American interpreter, the Scriptures offer hope from oppression not just in the future but in the present context as well. The hope offered is not just a hope for a better way of life in eternity, but an active hope which subverts the exisiting order.
The Latin American interpreter is not just looking to establish a new way of looking at the world, but is actually looking to transform the existing world. In order to so, it requires a total reorientation of biblical exegesis. The truth for the Latin American interpreter is that if one's interpretation of Scripture does not change the normal interpretation of Scripture then the interpretation has not succeeded.
This idea of interpretation has much to say about our current situation. It helps us put the border debate in a theological discussion. When we understand that for them the Bible has been used to oppress them economically, then we see why they are against any kind of prohibition against illegal entry into the country. If we enforce our laws to prohibit illegal entry it is just another use of our power to keep them economically oppressed. Liberation theologians from the Latin culture see liberation from economic oppression as the chief understanding of Scripture. As a result anything that keeps economic equality from happening is a tool of the oppressors.
There is much more that could be said about this idea, but I think you get the picture. This view of Scripture poses a threat to interpretation. When a person forces his personal situation or his cultural context into a biblical text he allows the Scripture to speak for him instead of allowing the Scripture to speak to him. This is a dangerous premise that cannot be accepted.
On my next post we will look at Black Liberation theology. This subject has been in the news lately as well and hopefully we can bring some light on this view that will help us understand the various discussions taking place in the world today. I look forward to hearing from you.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Liberation Theology
For the next several days I am going to discuss a topic that many of you might not want to discuss. However, I believe it is relevant in light of our current situation. Perhaps the things I will discuss in the next few weeks will help us understand some of the dynamics that are taking place in our culture and the world in which we live. I am going to discuss what has been called by scholars as liberation theology.
The twentieth and now the twenty first century seem marked by a deep intellectual discomfort about the ways in which Western thought generally has framed its way of understanding the world. Because culture is rapidly changing around us, people are prone to look for answers to interpret their culture and often to justify their culture. With this attitude being so prevalent in society today one should not be surprised to see that one's approach to understanding God's Word is also suspect to rising changes. Today there are many scholars that are calling for nothing less than a paradigm shift in the interpretation of Scripture. These individuals believe it is time to do something new. So I want to use these next several posts to examine some current trends in the area of liberation theology and see if these trends have merit or concern for the modern reader today.
Let me start with a brief history of liberation theology. Liberation theology has taken on a new role in today's society as people are looking to be liberated from what is perceived as oppressive interpretations. The modern rise of liberation theology can be found in the teachings of Paul Ricoeur and what is called his hermeneutic of suspicion. Ricoeur himself was influenced by the writings of Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzche, and Sigmund Freud. These three individuals set the stage for Ricoeur's hermeneutic of suspicion. In remarking on their influence Riceour states, "all three clear the horizon for a more authentic word, for a new reign of Truth, not only by means of a destructive critique, but by the invention of an art of interpreting." In other words, these three men, in their own way, umasked a false understanding of the text by systematically applying a critique of suspicion, with the result that the true understanding may be found in the text.
Building upon the teachings of these three men, Ricoeur believed that every interpreter of Scripture must look at a text and be suspicious of presuppositions that are being read and have been read into a text. As a result, the interpreter must bring new meaning to the text to truly understand what the text is saying. This new meaning will liberate the reader from any preconceived ideas and allow the text to speak to the reader without any cultural bias. Though Ricoeur did not use the term liberate, his practice led to the rise of "liberators" who took his teaching the next step.
The advocates of liberation hermeneutics have a strong desire not only to liberate themselves from an oppressive situation, but also to liberate the text from those who have used the text to support their own ideologies. Latin American hermeneutics, black hermeneutics, and feminist heremeutics seek to liberate the biblical text from interpretations that have oppressed various segments of society throughout history. These strands of liberation hermeneutics "bring together fundamental questions about the framework of knowledge, language and understanding with specific practices of biblical interpretation and re-interpretation."
All of this serves as a background to what I want to write about the next few days. We will look at these three theological ideas so that we can better understand the dynamics that shape much of our culture today. Once we understand where they are coming from we will be better equipped to provide a legitimate rebuttal or defense of the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ. So hang in there with me these next few days as you will discover that much of what I will be talking about will have relevance to our current situation. It might help you understand what is happening in our country and our world today.
In my next post I will look at Latin American Hermeneutics and perhaps it will help us to understand the current situation we are experiencing in America today. I will report what I understand and then you can decide if it has relevance. God's blessings to you and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas in the days to come.
The twentieth and now the twenty first century seem marked by a deep intellectual discomfort about the ways in which Western thought generally has framed its way of understanding the world. Because culture is rapidly changing around us, people are prone to look for answers to interpret their culture and often to justify their culture. With this attitude being so prevalent in society today one should not be surprised to see that one's approach to understanding God's Word is also suspect to rising changes. Today there are many scholars that are calling for nothing less than a paradigm shift in the interpretation of Scripture. These individuals believe it is time to do something new. So I want to use these next several posts to examine some current trends in the area of liberation theology and see if these trends have merit or concern for the modern reader today.
Let me start with a brief history of liberation theology. Liberation theology has taken on a new role in today's society as people are looking to be liberated from what is perceived as oppressive interpretations. The modern rise of liberation theology can be found in the teachings of Paul Ricoeur and what is called his hermeneutic of suspicion. Ricoeur himself was influenced by the writings of Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzche, and Sigmund Freud. These three individuals set the stage for Ricoeur's hermeneutic of suspicion. In remarking on their influence Riceour states, "all three clear the horizon for a more authentic word, for a new reign of Truth, not only by means of a destructive critique, but by the invention of an art of interpreting." In other words, these three men, in their own way, umasked a false understanding of the text by systematically applying a critique of suspicion, with the result that the true understanding may be found in the text.
Building upon the teachings of these three men, Ricoeur believed that every interpreter of Scripture must look at a text and be suspicious of presuppositions that are being read and have been read into a text. As a result, the interpreter must bring new meaning to the text to truly understand what the text is saying. This new meaning will liberate the reader from any preconceived ideas and allow the text to speak to the reader without any cultural bias. Though Ricoeur did not use the term liberate, his practice led to the rise of "liberators" who took his teaching the next step.
The advocates of liberation hermeneutics have a strong desire not only to liberate themselves from an oppressive situation, but also to liberate the text from those who have used the text to support their own ideologies. Latin American hermeneutics, black hermeneutics, and feminist heremeutics seek to liberate the biblical text from interpretations that have oppressed various segments of society throughout history. These strands of liberation hermeneutics "bring together fundamental questions about the framework of knowledge, language and understanding with specific practices of biblical interpretation and re-interpretation."
All of this serves as a background to what I want to write about the next few days. We will look at these three theological ideas so that we can better understand the dynamics that shape much of our culture today. Once we understand where they are coming from we will be better equipped to provide a legitimate rebuttal or defense of the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ. So hang in there with me these next few days as you will discover that much of what I will be talking about will have relevance to our current situation. It might help you understand what is happening in our country and our world today.
In my next post I will look at Latin American Hermeneutics and perhaps it will help us to understand the current situation we are experiencing in America today. I will report what I understand and then you can decide if it has relevance. God's blessings to you and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas in the days to come.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Are you really free?
All across this great land of our people celebrated the 4th of July. There were many festivities to commemorate this historic day of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. On that day, a new nation was conceived. The American colonists sought to establish a nation which would uphold certain self-evident truths. The Declaration of Independence states "That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." We Americans have been pursuing happiness ever since. But are we really free?
Prior to the political changes that came to Eastern Europe, those of us who lived in the free world often thanked the Lord for the freedoms we enjoyed. Perhaps today we thank the Lord for the freedom we enjoy compared to those that are in Muslim countries or a country controlled by a dictator. The testimonies of Christians that come from these regions inspire me as they grow stronger even in the face of persecution and even death. And because of their testimony it leads me to ask if we are really free?
Years ago I read an article by Phillip Hook who traveled in Eastern Europe before the Berlin Wall came down and the borders opened up. I recently found it again in my study and reread what he wrote. He mest some Christ followers and made these observations: "I sat in the midst of some Eastern European young people and was thinking how fortunate I was to be an American and free. As I watched them and learned from them, I realized that they were more free than I. I was seeing freedom as being free to travel, to own, to say; while they had given up the hopes that the world offers materially, and have become free to be God's people. I discovered that in reality they were far freerer than I."
Because of their deeper experience with Christ, those brothers and sisters remind us that the most important freedom we could ever have is spiritual, not political. It is freedom from obsession with sensual pleasures. It is freedom to know Christ. It is freedom to love God and love others in the strength of His Spirit.
We should learn this lesson in our own lives. We Americans have for so long been pursuing happiness and our own selfish desires that we have forgotten what it really means to be free. Paul writes in Galatians 5:13 "You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love." There is a word here for each of us. In a country that has as much freedom as we have it is a shame that so many are still living their lives in bondage to their own sins and desires. How free are you?
Prior to the political changes that came to Eastern Europe, those of us who lived in the free world often thanked the Lord for the freedoms we enjoyed. Perhaps today we thank the Lord for the freedom we enjoy compared to those that are in Muslim countries or a country controlled by a dictator. The testimonies of Christians that come from these regions inspire me as they grow stronger even in the face of persecution and even death. And because of their testimony it leads me to ask if we are really free?
Years ago I read an article by Phillip Hook who traveled in Eastern Europe before the Berlin Wall came down and the borders opened up. I recently found it again in my study and reread what he wrote. He mest some Christ followers and made these observations: "I sat in the midst of some Eastern European young people and was thinking how fortunate I was to be an American and free. As I watched them and learned from them, I realized that they were more free than I. I was seeing freedom as being free to travel, to own, to say; while they had given up the hopes that the world offers materially, and have become free to be God's people. I discovered that in reality they were far freerer than I."
Because of their deeper experience with Christ, those brothers and sisters remind us that the most important freedom we could ever have is spiritual, not political. It is freedom from obsession with sensual pleasures. It is freedom to know Christ. It is freedom to love God and love others in the strength of His Spirit.
We should learn this lesson in our own lives. We Americans have for so long been pursuing happiness and our own selfish desires that we have forgotten what it really means to be free. Paul writes in Galatians 5:13 "You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love." There is a word here for each of us. In a country that has as much freedom as we have it is a shame that so many are still living their lives in bondage to their own sins and desires. How free are you?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Children's Music Camp
For those of you that know me, you realize that I am not a musical guru. I might be able to carry a tune in a bucket if someone helps me carry the bucket, but for the most part I am not musical. So the question comes to one's mind, why would an untalented, unmusical guy like myself be attending children's music camp?
The good news is that I did not attend children's music camp to teach any of the classes. I did not teach intro to guitar or keyboard. I did not teach beginning voice or band or choir. Neither did I teach clowning, creative movement, puppets, or even signing. I served as camp pastor to the children's music camp at Greenville College.
Of course I also asked why did I serve as camp pastor? After all when I was asked to serve, no one knew me and I had only been in the state about 6 or 7 months. Surely there was someone else more qualified than me. Then a thought came to my head, maybe everyone will be at the Southern Baptist Convention and no one else is available. Or perhaps everyone else has already served and I was the last one on the list. After all my name does start with a W.
In reality I do not know why I was asked to serve? But despite my doubts and lack of understanding God was still able to use me in His service. I preached four sermons during the camp and taught three bible study classes as well as led us in three devotionals. We all poured our lives into the children during this week and God blessed our efforts with 8 children responding to God's call on their lives. I thank God that I had a hand in helping these children discover a new found relationship with God.
The point is that often times we find ourselves in situations that we cannot understand. But God can still use us in those situations if we will remain faithful to Him. God does not call us to understand, but to obey Him. What we will discover is that as we are obedient to Him we will eventually understand. God worked in the lives of the children at music camp and we will never know what will happen with these decisions until much later in life. Ultimately that is the way it is with every decision we make to follow Christ. If we knew what tomorrow looked like we might not be as willing to obey today.
So for me, I am glad that I do not know what the future holds, because it makes living in the present so exciting. I can live with the anticipation that God is going to do great things. Even if those great things do not happen today, I can know that they will happen eventually. I did not know what God was going to do at children's camp, but He definitely showed up and even showed off. 8 decisions for Jesus. It doesn't get much better than that.
What do you think? Do you have some situation in your life that you cannot understand and even begin to see the purpose? Just be obedient today and trust God for tomorrow. It will sure make the day much better. I am looking forward to what God is going to do. I hope you are as well.
The good news is that I did not attend children's music camp to teach any of the classes. I did not teach intro to guitar or keyboard. I did not teach beginning voice or band or choir. Neither did I teach clowning, creative movement, puppets, or even signing. I served as camp pastor to the children's music camp at Greenville College.
Of course I also asked why did I serve as camp pastor? After all when I was asked to serve, no one knew me and I had only been in the state about 6 or 7 months. Surely there was someone else more qualified than me. Then a thought came to my head, maybe everyone will be at the Southern Baptist Convention and no one else is available. Or perhaps everyone else has already served and I was the last one on the list. After all my name does start with a W.
In reality I do not know why I was asked to serve? But despite my doubts and lack of understanding God was still able to use me in His service. I preached four sermons during the camp and taught three bible study classes as well as led us in three devotionals. We all poured our lives into the children during this week and God blessed our efforts with 8 children responding to God's call on their lives. I thank God that I had a hand in helping these children discover a new found relationship with God.
The point is that often times we find ourselves in situations that we cannot understand. But God can still use us in those situations if we will remain faithful to Him. God does not call us to understand, but to obey Him. What we will discover is that as we are obedient to Him we will eventually understand. God worked in the lives of the children at music camp and we will never know what will happen with these decisions until much later in life. Ultimately that is the way it is with every decision we make to follow Christ. If we knew what tomorrow looked like we might not be as willing to obey today.
So for me, I am glad that I do not know what the future holds, because it makes living in the present so exciting. I can live with the anticipation that God is going to do great things. Even if those great things do not happen today, I can know that they will happen eventually. I did not know what God was going to do at children's camp, but He definitely showed up and even showed off. 8 decisions for Jesus. It doesn't get much better than that.
What do you think? Do you have some situation in your life that you cannot understand and even begin to see the purpose? Just be obedient today and trust God for tomorrow. It will sure make the day much better. I am looking forward to what God is going to do. I hope you are as well.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Watch Value
Last year I was given a watch by a good friend of mine. It was a beautiful watch, but it was a little large for me. I did not recognize the name brand, you know such as Timex, Bulova, Sieko or Rolex or some of the other brands that are available. So I kept the watch and thought it would be a good watch to keep around for an emergency or something. I have a nice Sieko watch, which my wife bought me several years ago and it was a beautiful watch. It keeps good time and has been very reliable with no maintenance required. I have always been a Sieko man even though there was a time when I used other watches. So because I had a good Sieko watch I placed this other watch in my nightstand and if my Sieko ceased to function I would have this other watch as a backup. Of course I still needed to get it sized to fit me. I had tried a few times to have the watch adjusted, but every place I took the watch they were unable to take the necessary links out of it.
The only place that could adjust this particular watch was Jarrod's Jewelers. You know the one with the commercial where the women go crazy because the man bought the jewelry at Jarrods. The only problem was that Jarrods was not local to us and when I would find myself where the Jarrods was located, my watch just happened to be in my nightstand back home.
This past week my wife and I celebrated our 28th anniversary, but that is not the content of this post. While celebrating I knew we would drive by the Jarrods, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to have the watch adjusted. We entered into the Jarrods and asked the lady if she could help us and she said that she could. She took the watch and proceeded to take 2 1/2 links out of the watch so that it would fit.
As she was adjusting my watch I got to noticing the similar watches on display and then I saw my watch right below my eyes. There it was in the glass display case next to a picture of Leonardo DiCaprio. No I am not a big fan of his, but I do recognize his face and he was wearing my particular watch brand. I then noticed a price sticker on my same watch and I could not believe my own eyes. I want get into how much it cost, but suffice it to say it was much more valuable than I originally thought.
I began to think several different things. First I said it must be a knockoff but the lady assured me that it was a the genuine real deal. Then I said well certainly my friend did not pay that much for this watch. If he did I needed to return the watch because I do not deserve something of such value. But of course I realized that my friend gave it to me as a gift and a gift is something that is accepted with the grace and love for which it was given. I was humbled by the gift of the watch and I realized that I had this beautiful watch that I could have been displaying the whole time, and all I did was leave it in my nightstand.
I wonder if we treat Jesus the same way? Do we realize the value of Jesus Christ? So many times we decide to leave Jesus out of our everyday life. Perhaps we decide to place Jesus in a nightstand and will only use him when our own efforts break or fall short. So like my watch, we place Jesus a way to be used another day. The only thing that we forget is the value of Jesus. We need to watch value, because value matters.
What do you do with Jesus? Do you display him for all to see? Or do you keep Him hidden and only pull him out occasionally to look and see if He is still ticking. Learn the value of Jesus. He is priceless and was given to you at a great cost. People should be able to see your life and know that you have been to the cross and received the greatest gift that one could ever receive. What is the value of Jesus to your life?
The only place that could adjust this particular watch was Jarrod's Jewelers. You know the one with the commercial where the women go crazy because the man bought the jewelry at Jarrods. The only problem was that Jarrods was not local to us and when I would find myself where the Jarrods was located, my watch just happened to be in my nightstand back home.
This past week my wife and I celebrated our 28th anniversary, but that is not the content of this post. While celebrating I knew we would drive by the Jarrods, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to have the watch adjusted. We entered into the Jarrods and asked the lady if she could help us and she said that she could. She took the watch and proceeded to take 2 1/2 links out of the watch so that it would fit.
As she was adjusting my watch I got to noticing the similar watches on display and then I saw my watch right below my eyes. There it was in the glass display case next to a picture of Leonardo DiCaprio. No I am not a big fan of his, but I do recognize his face and he was wearing my particular watch brand. I then noticed a price sticker on my same watch and I could not believe my own eyes. I want get into how much it cost, but suffice it to say it was much more valuable than I originally thought.
I began to think several different things. First I said it must be a knockoff but the lady assured me that it was a the genuine real deal. Then I said well certainly my friend did not pay that much for this watch. If he did I needed to return the watch because I do not deserve something of such value. But of course I realized that my friend gave it to me as a gift and a gift is something that is accepted with the grace and love for which it was given. I was humbled by the gift of the watch and I realized that I had this beautiful watch that I could have been displaying the whole time, and all I did was leave it in my nightstand.
I wonder if we treat Jesus the same way? Do we realize the value of Jesus Christ? So many times we decide to leave Jesus out of our everyday life. Perhaps we decide to place Jesus in a nightstand and will only use him when our own efforts break or fall short. So like my watch, we place Jesus a way to be used another day. The only thing that we forget is the value of Jesus. We need to watch value, because value matters.
What do you do with Jesus? Do you display him for all to see? Or do you keep Him hidden and only pull him out occasionally to look and see if He is still ticking. Learn the value of Jesus. He is priceless and was given to you at a great cost. People should be able to see your life and know that you have been to the cross and received the greatest gift that one could ever receive. What is the value of Jesus to your life?
Friday, May 21, 2010
Do people know?
I was watching Fox and Friends the other day and heard the story of a FEMA camera operator who would not take video of a group of Salvation Army volunteers clearing away debris from a recent tornado disaster. The camera man asked them to change their yellow Salvation Army tee shirts to another shirt. They kindly did remove their shirts and put on tee shirts from a local church that they were working with. This move did not please the camera man either so he asked them to remove that tee shirt as well. Needless to say the Salvation Army workers removed those tee shirts and put on some generic ones.
Later the news reported that the camera man was removed from his position and FEMA made clear it that they value the partnership they have with their faith based partners. I am glad to hear that, because normally the faith based organizations are some of the first to answer the call and almost always the last to leave. I have seen this many times with the Southern Baptist disaster relief organization. Long after the public assistance has moved on, faith based organizations are still on the ground helping people get their lives back together. We give more than a hand out, we give a hand up.
However, even though this story irritates me about what this camera operator did, the response of Fox News Anchor Gretchen Carlson surprised me. Mrs. Carlson remarked during the airing of this news program that she did not know that the Salvation Army was actually a faith based organization. Has she been napping or has the Salvation Army not done a good job of communicating who they represent.
I think there is lesson for us to learn from this episode. We often do many good things. We may feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Give clothes to those that need clothes. We might help the sick and minister to the stranger. We might even visit those that are in prison. According to Jesus in Matthew 25, these are six acts of mercy that we as followers of Christ are to perform in our everyday life.
However we must always remember that it is not about meeting the physical needs, but meeting spiritual needs. Meeting the physical needs is not an end to itself, but simply a means to help meet their spiritual needs. Did the Salvation Army forget the importance of this message? Or did Mrs. Carlson fail to hear the message? I cannot answer that question, but it does challenge us to ask if people know why we do our acts of kindness.
Remember, Jesus said "let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven." Do people glorify your Father when you do good deeds? According to Jesus they should. How are you doing?
Later the news reported that the camera man was removed from his position and FEMA made clear it that they value the partnership they have with their faith based partners. I am glad to hear that, because normally the faith based organizations are some of the first to answer the call and almost always the last to leave. I have seen this many times with the Southern Baptist disaster relief organization. Long after the public assistance has moved on, faith based organizations are still on the ground helping people get their lives back together. We give more than a hand out, we give a hand up.
However, even though this story irritates me about what this camera operator did, the response of Fox News Anchor Gretchen Carlson surprised me. Mrs. Carlson remarked during the airing of this news program that she did not know that the Salvation Army was actually a faith based organization. Has she been napping or has the Salvation Army not done a good job of communicating who they represent.
I think there is lesson for us to learn from this episode. We often do many good things. We may feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Give clothes to those that need clothes. We might help the sick and minister to the stranger. We might even visit those that are in prison. According to Jesus in Matthew 25, these are six acts of mercy that we as followers of Christ are to perform in our everyday life.
However we must always remember that it is not about meeting the physical needs, but meeting spiritual needs. Meeting the physical needs is not an end to itself, but simply a means to help meet their spiritual needs. Did the Salvation Army forget the importance of this message? Or did Mrs. Carlson fail to hear the message? I cannot answer that question, but it does challenge us to ask if people know why we do our acts of kindness.
Remember, Jesus said "let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven." Do people glorify your Father when you do good deeds? According to Jesus they should. How are you doing?
Friday, April 30, 2010
Running the race
When I was in the 8th grade I represented my class in the mile relay. I guess today it would be the 1600 Meters. I ran the second leg of the race and believe it or not I was pretty fast. The first guy on our team had fallen behind and I thought it was my responsibility to make up some ground for our team. As I looked at the opposing runners I realized that they all looked like they were giants. Seriously, they were all head and shoulders taller than me. Two of my strides would equal one of their strides. These guys had facial hair! I was running against men! They should not have been running in this race with mere junior high students. Was I at the right place? Were we suppose to be here?
As I took the baton from my teammate, I was already distracted about the race. I tried my best to keep up with them, so I ran faster than I should have ran, instead of pacing myself for the race. By the time I made it to the last turn I was out of breath, my legs were killing me and I was next to last in the leg. I disappointed myself, I disappointed my teammates and I disappointed the crowd who was rooting me on. It was a frustrating time for me.
In much the same way as Christians we often become distracted in the race God has called us to run. Often times in the Bible the Christian life is compared to a race. Paul tells us in I Corithians 9:24 - 26 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly."
The writer of Hebrews encourages the early Christians with these words in Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (Christians before us) let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." The thing to remember is that it is our race and we are not running against others, but running to please God. It is not a competition, but it is the Christian life.
Instead of becoming distracted by the things around us (ie. they are taller; they are grown men) we are to keep our focus on the race at hand and our eyes on Christ. He is the author and perfecter of our faith and will help us see the race through to the end. So at the end of life we will be able to say as the apostle Paul "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that day."
In my research this week I ran into these words from Eric Liddell which drives this whole point home. You may remember that the movie Chariots of Fire was partially based on Eric Liddell and the 1924 Olympics. He was a dedicated Christian who refused to compromise his integrity and run a race on the Sabbath. These are his words:
"You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you're dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say, "Believe, have faith," in the face of life's realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race."
Sounds like good advice to me. Commit yourself to the love Christ - that is how you run a straight race. I pray that you are in shape. If not I would love to train you and run the race with you. See YOU at the finish line.
As I took the baton from my teammate, I was already distracted about the race. I tried my best to keep up with them, so I ran faster than I should have ran, instead of pacing myself for the race. By the time I made it to the last turn I was out of breath, my legs were killing me and I was next to last in the leg. I disappointed myself, I disappointed my teammates and I disappointed the crowd who was rooting me on. It was a frustrating time for me.
In much the same way as Christians we often become distracted in the race God has called us to run. Often times in the Bible the Christian life is compared to a race. Paul tells us in I Corithians 9:24 - 26 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly."
The writer of Hebrews encourages the early Christians with these words in Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (Christians before us) let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." The thing to remember is that it is our race and we are not running against others, but running to please God. It is not a competition, but it is the Christian life.
Instead of becoming distracted by the things around us (ie. they are taller; they are grown men) we are to keep our focus on the race at hand and our eyes on Christ. He is the author and perfecter of our faith and will help us see the race through to the end. So at the end of life we will be able to say as the apostle Paul "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that day."
In my research this week I ran into these words from Eric Liddell which drives this whole point home. You may remember that the movie Chariots of Fire was partially based on Eric Liddell and the 1924 Olympics. He was a dedicated Christian who refused to compromise his integrity and run a race on the Sabbath. These are his words:
"You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you're dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say, "Believe, have faith," in the face of life's realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race."
Sounds like good advice to me. Commit yourself to the love Christ - that is how you run a straight race. I pray that you are in shape. If not I would love to train you and run the race with you. See YOU at the finish line.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Simpler is not always better
I have been preaching on discipleship in our Sunday morning services at Lynwood Baptist Church. These sermons have been part of a larger series I am doing on the purposes of the church. These sermons have been insightful and challenging (not my words) as they have confronted us with the demands of the gospel. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated from his German prison cell during World War II, when Christ calls us to follow him he bids us to come and die. Eventually he did die for his faithfulness to the cause of Christ as he stood up against Nazi Germany.
However, most of us here in America will not be asked to give up our lives for the cause of Christ. We might be ridiculed or mocked, but placed in prison and sentenced to death for being a disciple of Christ is probably not going to happen. Yet, very few of us really take a stand and commit ourselves to being genuine followers of Jesus Christ.
Instead we choose the easy way. We choose something that is much simpler. Instead of doing the hard work necessary to be a disciple of Christ we skate around the edges. We blend in so as not to be noticed. We might attend a church, but we certainly do not want anyone outside the church to know that we attend. Reading our Bible is something we do on Sunday when the preacher preaches a sermon, but taking time out to study it is not something we want to do. We might have made a confession that Jesus is Lord, but it is not our profession. In other words we say we are a Christian, but our life may not actually reveal it. For us it is the simple way that does not require much effort on our part.
I saw a cartoon a while back about an individual who was asked to find X in the Math problem. Below is his answer.
This cartoon reveals how many of us approach our Christian faith. Simpler is not always better. We must decide today if we are truly going to be disciples of Jesus Christ. If so we must decide to put forth the effort to be the kind of disciple that Jesus demands. Jesus said if we would be His disciple we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him, even if it means we might have to die.
Think about it! Are you on the simple plan or the disciple plan? The disciple plan might be harder, but it is the only one that pays eternal dividends. Look forward to hearing from you as we travel this road together.
However, most of us here in America will not be asked to give up our lives for the cause of Christ. We might be ridiculed or mocked, but placed in prison and sentenced to death for being a disciple of Christ is probably not going to happen. Yet, very few of us really take a stand and commit ourselves to being genuine followers of Jesus Christ.
Instead we choose the easy way. We choose something that is much simpler. Instead of doing the hard work necessary to be a disciple of Christ we skate around the edges. We blend in so as not to be noticed. We might attend a church, but we certainly do not want anyone outside the church to know that we attend. Reading our Bible is something we do on Sunday when the preacher preaches a sermon, but taking time out to study it is not something we want to do. We might have made a confession that Jesus is Lord, but it is not our profession. In other words we say we are a Christian, but our life may not actually reveal it. For us it is the simple way that does not require much effort on our part.
I saw a cartoon a while back about an individual who was asked to find X in the Math problem. Below is his answer.
This cartoon reveals how many of us approach our Christian faith. Simpler is not always better. We must decide today if we are truly going to be disciples of Jesus Christ. If so we must decide to put forth the effort to be the kind of disciple that Jesus demands. Jesus said if we would be His disciple we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him, even if it means we might have to die.
Think about it! Are you on the simple plan or the disciple plan? The disciple plan might be harder, but it is the only one that pays eternal dividends. Look forward to hearing from you as we travel this road together.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
God does answer prayer
God has been doing some wonderful things in our midst that many would pass off as a coincidence. Sometimes we do not see God responding the way we think He should respond and we begin to believe that God does not answer prayer. However, when we begin seeing with the eyes of faith, we begin to see God doing amazing things in our midst. This past month God has answered four specific prayers in Lynwood Baptist Church.
First, we have been praying for one of our new members to find a job. She is a new Christian and God is doing amazing things in her life. I had the privilege of baptizing her on February 28. She had been without work for some time and had been struggling to pay her rent and her bills. We walked alongside her and helped her when we could, but we begin praying earnestly for God to provide her employment. She not only started a new job last week, she started a job in her line of expertise. God met her need in ways that we could not begin to imagine. Some would look at such a situation and mark it down as a coincidence. Afterall she had been looking for quite some time, it was only a matter of time for someone to hire her. However, the Bible says that our God will supply all our needs. She needed a job and God provided it for her.
Second, one of the members of Lynwood Baptist Church was seeking a promotion at his job. He had interviewed for the job before only to be passed over for another. However, when the job came open again he sought the position once again. We began praying that God would work in this situation and God answered our prayers and provided the promotion to him. To make things even better, this promotion has allowed my friend to have an impact in the lives of those who work under him. God not only provided him with the promotion, but with a new opportunity to minister to people. Some would say that it was just a coincidence and that it all happened as a natural result of his pursuit of the job. However, the Scripture states that none of us would have any position of authority if God did not place us in that position.
Third, a family at Lynwood Baptist Church was suddenly told to move out of their rental house and they had no where to go. They had lived in their house for seven years and were told to vacate the house within one month. There was not much time to find a place to live at the price they could afford. They began looking at other cities in which they could live and afford to rent, but that would mean that their children would no longer be able to attend the same schools. With less than a week remaining, God not only provided them a home, but a home in the same subdivision in which they lived. He even worked it out where they could have the option to buy the home. Some would say that it all happened because of their persistence in their search. But yet God revealed that He cares enough to provide for our needs and sometimes He even gives us our desires.
Finally, God allowed my family to receive a contract on our house in Texas. As you know we have been living in Illinois since July of last year and our house in Texas has been on the market since May of 2009. If things go according to plans it looks like the house will close on May 14, 2010. We have been praying for months for the house to sell and even though it did not go the way we envisioned, God nevertheless sent a buyer to purchase our house. In this present economy and with the competition in the area, only God could have sent the right person at the right time to purchase our house. God does answer prayer if only we will believe.
We are so prone to look at the situations around us and become cynical. Perhaps we do not see God moving the way we think He should and as a result we do not think that God answers prayer. When God does answer our prayers we fail to see that truth and we miss the blessing of giving Him the praise. God is in the business of answering prayers if we will only believe. The book of James states that when we pray we are to believe and not doubt. If we pray and then do not really believe that God will answer our prayers then we reveal that we have doubt and little faith. God longs to answer our prayers, but He also longs for us to believe. Generally He will not answer our prayers the way we think He should. But if we will open our eyes, believing that God does answer prayers, we will see Him working in ways we never imagined.
Because God has been so faithful to answer our prayers this past month, I have a problem. I have submitted to God four more prayers that I am asking Him to answer. I hope I have enough faith to see His answers. Don't give up on praying and most of all don't give up on believing. God desires to hear our prayers and He is ready and able to answer our prayers. What are you waiting for? Get to praying and see what God will do!
First, we have been praying for one of our new members to find a job. She is a new Christian and God is doing amazing things in her life. I had the privilege of baptizing her on February 28. She had been without work for some time and had been struggling to pay her rent and her bills. We walked alongside her and helped her when we could, but we begin praying earnestly for God to provide her employment. She not only started a new job last week, she started a job in her line of expertise. God met her need in ways that we could not begin to imagine. Some would look at such a situation and mark it down as a coincidence. Afterall she had been looking for quite some time, it was only a matter of time for someone to hire her. However, the Bible says that our God will supply all our needs. She needed a job and God provided it for her.
Second, one of the members of Lynwood Baptist Church was seeking a promotion at his job. He had interviewed for the job before only to be passed over for another. However, when the job came open again he sought the position once again. We began praying that God would work in this situation and God answered our prayers and provided the promotion to him. To make things even better, this promotion has allowed my friend to have an impact in the lives of those who work under him. God not only provided him with the promotion, but with a new opportunity to minister to people. Some would say that it was just a coincidence and that it all happened as a natural result of his pursuit of the job. However, the Scripture states that none of us would have any position of authority if God did not place us in that position.
Third, a family at Lynwood Baptist Church was suddenly told to move out of their rental house and they had no where to go. They had lived in their house for seven years and were told to vacate the house within one month. There was not much time to find a place to live at the price they could afford. They began looking at other cities in which they could live and afford to rent, but that would mean that their children would no longer be able to attend the same schools. With less than a week remaining, God not only provided them a home, but a home in the same subdivision in which they lived. He even worked it out where they could have the option to buy the home. Some would say that it all happened because of their persistence in their search. But yet God revealed that He cares enough to provide for our needs and sometimes He even gives us our desires.
Finally, God allowed my family to receive a contract on our house in Texas. As you know we have been living in Illinois since July of last year and our house in Texas has been on the market since May of 2009. If things go according to plans it looks like the house will close on May 14, 2010. We have been praying for months for the house to sell and even though it did not go the way we envisioned, God nevertheless sent a buyer to purchase our house. In this present economy and with the competition in the area, only God could have sent the right person at the right time to purchase our house. God does answer prayer if only we will believe.
We are so prone to look at the situations around us and become cynical. Perhaps we do not see God moving the way we think He should and as a result we do not think that God answers prayer. When God does answer our prayers we fail to see that truth and we miss the blessing of giving Him the praise. God is in the business of answering prayers if we will only believe. The book of James states that when we pray we are to believe and not doubt. If we pray and then do not really believe that God will answer our prayers then we reveal that we have doubt and little faith. God longs to answer our prayers, but He also longs for us to believe. Generally He will not answer our prayers the way we think He should. But if we will open our eyes, believing that God does answer prayers, we will see Him working in ways we never imagined.
Because God has been so faithful to answer our prayers this past month, I have a problem. I have submitted to God four more prayers that I am asking Him to answer. I hope I have enough faith to see His answers. Don't give up on praying and most of all don't give up on believing. God desires to hear our prayers and He is ready and able to answer our prayers. What are you waiting for? Get to praying and see what God will do!
Friday, March 19, 2010
The road we travel
Last Saturday I was on my way to a prayer meeting in Shorewood with a group of my fellow pastors. I had been there before and knew how to get there. As I left my house I noticed that I needed some gas in my car so I made a little trip down to the gas station in Yorkville. I was doing some serious worshipping of the Lord with a CD that I had inserted in my car. I was worshipping the Lord. I was preparing myself to pray with my brothers and fellow pastors. My heart was right. My attitude was in the right frame of mind, but something was wrong. As I was making my way down the road I noticed that I was a few miles from Morris and that I was on the wrong road. I made a U-turn but realized that I would be too late to join in the prayer meeting and made my way back home. Even though my heart was right, I was on the wrong road.
In the same way, there are many people today on the wrong road. Many of them are sincere in what they believe. Many of them believe they are walking the right path. Unfortunately they do not know they are on a road that leads nowhere. Proverbs 14:12 states “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Elsewhere Jesus said “wide is the gate and broad the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
The good news is that those on the wrong road can make a U-turn. They can get on the right track if they will follow the road map that has been laid out for them in God’s Word. Specifically Paul gave us a great road map to help others find the right path in the book of Romans.
In Romans 3:10 Paul wrote "As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one." Perhaps we do not understand this concept of righteous. Righteous means measuring up to God's standard. In essence Paul is saying that none of us are perfect. We might be a good person, but none of us would dare say that we are perfect. I know this may come as bad news to some of you, but you are just not as great as you thought.
In Romans 3:23 Paul takes it one more step when he writes "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Not only does Paul say that we are not perfect, but we also choose to do things that are not pleasing to God. We choose to go against what he teaches is right to do. For instance when we lie, cheat, steal, cheat on our spouses, fudge on our taxes, have bad thoughts, we are not living up to the standards that God requires. The Bible calls this sin and us sinners. Maybe we don't like that term so lets just say that we are crooked and have a tendency to do crooked things. If you think you are are exempt from this rule, read it again "all have sinned." This is the one rule for which there is no exception.
Paul reveals the consequences of our choices in Romans 6:23 when he writes "the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." All of us like to receive wages for what we do. I do not know of anyone who does not like to get paid. In other words it is all about the economy. In God's economy, if we choose to sin we must pay the price. The price is not physical death as we are all going to die. The price is eternal separation from God after our physical death. Perhaps you don't believe that there is life after death. Okay, are you willing to stake eternity on it? What if I am right? Are you willing to live with the consequences of your choice? The good news is that God loves us so much that he made a way for us to be with Him in eternity. We cannot earn it. We do not deserve it. And we cannot buy it. It is simply a gift that God wants to give us through Jesus Christ our Lord. All we can do is accept it or reject it.
Paul explains how we can accept this gift in Romans 10:9-10 "If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." The Bible states that we are to believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Also we are to believe that He was raised from the dead. This belief is pivotal to our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection Christianity is nothing more than a good set of ethical standards, but there is no hope. The fact that Jesus died on the cross, and was raised from the dead, makes Christianity different from all other religions. We have a living God who did what was necessary to establish a relationship with us. What we must do is believe and confess this truth.
However, notice that Paul said we are to confess Jesus is Lord. Paul means that it is more than just saying save me from eternal death, but come and be my Lord now in this life. We want to live our lives in a such a way that we surrender our will to God's will. Paul concludes this idea in Romans 10:13 with these words "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." The key phrase is "everyone who calls." Previously Paul said there is no one righteous, not even one. He also said "all have sinned." Since Paul's clear teaching is that all people without exception have sinned and are not righteous, it is only consistent that God's salvation be available to everyone.
But not everyone will be saved. There is a qualifier in this verse, which is everyone who calls on the name of the Lord." If you call on the name of Jesus to save you, you will be saved. Calling out means placing all your hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ alone. It means that if you are going to make it to heaven and miss eternal separation from God then it is going to be through Jesus Christ alone.
Whatever road or path you find yourself on, the good news is that you can turn around and choose a different road. Why not do so today? Pray this simple prayer "Lord I admit that I am a sinner and fall short of your plans for my life. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that He rose from the dead and is alive today. I confess my sins and commit my life to Jesus as Lord and savior of my life. Amen,"
If you honestly prayed that prayer then you are a child of God. Now you need to involve yourself in a Bible teaching church and become all that God intends for you to be. I know a really good church in my area if you would like to know. I look forward to hearing from you.
In the same way, there are many people today on the wrong road. Many of them are sincere in what they believe. Many of them believe they are walking the right path. Unfortunately they do not know they are on a road that leads nowhere. Proverbs 14:12 states “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Elsewhere Jesus said “wide is the gate and broad the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
The good news is that those on the wrong road can make a U-turn. They can get on the right track if they will follow the road map that has been laid out for them in God’s Word. Specifically Paul gave us a great road map to help others find the right path in the book of Romans.
In Romans 3:10 Paul wrote "As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one." Perhaps we do not understand this concept of righteous. Righteous means measuring up to God's standard. In essence Paul is saying that none of us are perfect. We might be a good person, but none of us would dare say that we are perfect. I know this may come as bad news to some of you, but you are just not as great as you thought.
In Romans 3:23 Paul takes it one more step when he writes "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Not only does Paul say that we are not perfect, but we also choose to do things that are not pleasing to God. We choose to go against what he teaches is right to do. For instance when we lie, cheat, steal, cheat on our spouses, fudge on our taxes, have bad thoughts, we are not living up to the standards that God requires. The Bible calls this sin and us sinners. Maybe we don't like that term so lets just say that we are crooked and have a tendency to do crooked things. If you think you are are exempt from this rule, read it again "all have sinned." This is the one rule for which there is no exception.
Paul reveals the consequences of our choices in Romans 6:23 when he writes "the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." All of us like to receive wages for what we do. I do not know of anyone who does not like to get paid. In other words it is all about the economy. In God's economy, if we choose to sin we must pay the price. The price is not physical death as we are all going to die. The price is eternal separation from God after our physical death. Perhaps you don't believe that there is life after death. Okay, are you willing to stake eternity on it? What if I am right? Are you willing to live with the consequences of your choice? The good news is that God loves us so much that he made a way for us to be with Him in eternity. We cannot earn it. We do not deserve it. And we cannot buy it. It is simply a gift that God wants to give us through Jesus Christ our Lord. All we can do is accept it or reject it.
Paul explains how we can accept this gift in Romans 10:9-10 "If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." The Bible states that we are to believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Also we are to believe that He was raised from the dead. This belief is pivotal to our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection Christianity is nothing more than a good set of ethical standards, but there is no hope. The fact that Jesus died on the cross, and was raised from the dead, makes Christianity different from all other religions. We have a living God who did what was necessary to establish a relationship with us. What we must do is believe and confess this truth.
However, notice that Paul said we are to confess Jesus is Lord. Paul means that it is more than just saying save me from eternal death, but come and be my Lord now in this life. We want to live our lives in a such a way that we surrender our will to God's will. Paul concludes this idea in Romans 10:13 with these words "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." The key phrase is "everyone who calls." Previously Paul said there is no one righteous, not even one. He also said "all have sinned." Since Paul's clear teaching is that all people without exception have sinned and are not righteous, it is only consistent that God's salvation be available to everyone.
But not everyone will be saved. There is a qualifier in this verse, which is everyone who calls on the name of the Lord." If you call on the name of Jesus to save you, you will be saved. Calling out means placing all your hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ alone. It means that if you are going to make it to heaven and miss eternal separation from God then it is going to be through Jesus Christ alone.
Whatever road or path you find yourself on, the good news is that you can turn around and choose a different road. Why not do so today? Pray this simple prayer "Lord I admit that I am a sinner and fall short of your plans for my life. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that He rose from the dead and is alive today. I confess my sins and commit my life to Jesus as Lord and savior of my life. Amen,"
If you honestly prayed that prayer then you are a child of God. Now you need to involve yourself in a Bible teaching church and become all that God intends for you to be. I know a really good church in my area if you would like to know. I look forward to hearing from you.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sam Adams Churches
I saw an interesting advertisement today. It was a delivery truck advertising Sam Adams Beer. I don't drink beer, but I still thought it was a pretty good ad. The statement on the side of the truck was "beer drinkers to do list" then underneath the title were pictures of all the different Sam Adams beers. There was pale beer, and light beer, and dark beer and cherry wheat beer and all kinds of other beers that the brewers at Sam Adams places on the market. I remember years ago when there were only a handful of beers that a person could buy. Now the market is saturated with all kinds of beers for everyone's taste.
Anyway, underneath the pictures of the various beers was a box that a person could check once he has tasted that particular beer. Sam Adams was doing a good job of marketing their product. However, sometimes outward appearances can be deceiving. As I watched the beer truck come to a stop at the local store I expected to see the driver unload several different cases of Sam Adams beer. After all the truck was advertising Sam Adams beer.
Much to my surprise the driver began loading on to his cart various other beers that were not the Sam Adams label. I am not an expert on beers, but I can read labels. I saw Miller light beer, I saw Busch beer, and I saw Budweiser beer being loaded from the Sam Adams truck. Did the owner of this truck know about this sabatoge of their product? Why would a company want to advertise one beer and then sell a completely different beer? I was confused until I realized that the truck was not really a Sam Adams delivery truck but the delivery truck of a local bottling company. In other words they delivered whatever was needed and Sam Adams paid to put their information on the truck.
However, as I thought of the truck I began to wonder how many Sam Adams Churches there are in the world. I know my mind often works in warped ways, but it made me think of how the church advertises or markets. I wonder if on the outside we advertise ourselves as one thing, but when we open ourselves up we reveal something other than what we say we are.
We advertise ourselves as a loving church, but when people attend they do not feel loved. We advertise ourselves as a caring church but we do not show much care or concern for others. We advertise ourselves as an exciting fellowship, but there is no excitement in the fellowship. We advertise ourselves as a mission minded church, but we have little to do with missions. I think you get the point. We advertise one thing, but we actually reveal something else.
The truth is what is said about the local church could also be said about individual Christians as well. Think about the church where you attend. Think about your own life. Are you a Sam Adams Church or a Sam Adams Christian?
Anyway, underneath the pictures of the various beers was a box that a person could check once he has tasted that particular beer. Sam Adams was doing a good job of marketing their product. However, sometimes outward appearances can be deceiving. As I watched the beer truck come to a stop at the local store I expected to see the driver unload several different cases of Sam Adams beer. After all the truck was advertising Sam Adams beer.
Much to my surprise the driver began loading on to his cart various other beers that were not the Sam Adams label. I am not an expert on beers, but I can read labels. I saw Miller light beer, I saw Busch beer, and I saw Budweiser beer being loaded from the Sam Adams truck. Did the owner of this truck know about this sabatoge of their product? Why would a company want to advertise one beer and then sell a completely different beer? I was confused until I realized that the truck was not really a Sam Adams delivery truck but the delivery truck of a local bottling company. In other words they delivered whatever was needed and Sam Adams paid to put their information on the truck.
However, as I thought of the truck I began to wonder how many Sam Adams Churches there are in the world. I know my mind often works in warped ways, but it made me think of how the church advertises or markets. I wonder if on the outside we advertise ourselves as one thing, but when we open ourselves up we reveal something other than what we say we are.
We advertise ourselves as a loving church, but when people attend they do not feel loved. We advertise ourselves as a caring church but we do not show much care or concern for others. We advertise ourselves as an exciting fellowship, but there is no excitement in the fellowship. We advertise ourselves as a mission minded church, but we have little to do with missions. I think you get the point. We advertise one thing, but we actually reveal something else.
The truth is what is said about the local church could also be said about individual Christians as well. Think about the church where you attend. Think about your own life. Are you a Sam Adams Church or a Sam Adams Christian?
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Church a refuge for the world
The title of this post might catch you by surprise, because many consider the church a refuge from the world. It is a place where Christians can come and escape the realities of the world around us. It is a place where we can be safe from everything that the world hurls at us. It is a safe haven for our children. It is a safe haven for our marriages. It protects us from the evil that is all around us. It is the one place where we can come and find protection from the world around us.
It is not difficult to understand why people consider the church as a refuge from the world. The world can be scary place. If we can be protected from the world then the temptation will not be as great. If we can find refuge from the world, we may not become tarnished by the corruption of the world. The church is the one place where the unbelieving world cannot get to us. Too often the church becomes our secure place, our haven from the outside world. As a result we have turned our churches into monasteries, places that become a spiritual refuge for us, focusing on our spiritual life, caring for our spiritual needs and nurturing our spiritual health. In other words the church is all about us.
But the problem is that the church was never intended to be a monastery. In fact, God intends that there be no place that we can hide, except in His presence. When we use the church as our shelter from the world we fail to turn to God and make Him our refuge.
In the words of one writer, instead of the church being a monastery, we are to be a place of refuge for an unbelieving world. The church is to be a place where seekers finally find the God they have been searching for. The church becomes a place where the broken find restoration, the weary find rest, and the hurting find rejuvenation. It is a place where the lonely and the outcast are finally embraced and loved by the community of Christ. I heard of one lady who said the church was the first place that she ever felt the love of God.
When the church becomes a refuge for the world and not from the world, guess what, it might not look like the church you remember. There will be worldly people in the church. They will have worldly values and their attitudes and actions will not be the same as yours. In other words the problems of the world will be brought into the church. But the good news is that the church will be there to provide Christlike love and godly wisdom to the problems that people face. Perhaps we need to be reminded that Jesus told us that it is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. Jesus has called us out of the world, but we often forget that He sent us back into the world to transform the very culture in which we exist.
It is not difficult to understand why people consider the church as a refuge from the world. The world can be scary place. If we can be protected from the world then the temptation will not be as great. If we can find refuge from the world, we may not become tarnished by the corruption of the world. The church is the one place where the unbelieving world cannot get to us. Too often the church becomes our secure place, our haven from the outside world. As a result we have turned our churches into monasteries, places that become a spiritual refuge for us, focusing on our spiritual life, caring for our spiritual needs and nurturing our spiritual health. In other words the church is all about us.
But the problem is that the church was never intended to be a monastery. In fact, God intends that there be no place that we can hide, except in His presence. When we use the church as our shelter from the world we fail to turn to God and make Him our refuge.
In the words of one writer, instead of the church being a monastery, we are to be a place of refuge for an unbelieving world. The church is to be a place where seekers finally find the God they have been searching for. The church becomes a place where the broken find restoration, the weary find rest, and the hurting find rejuvenation. It is a place where the lonely and the outcast are finally embraced and loved by the community of Christ. I heard of one lady who said the church was the first place that she ever felt the love of God.
When the church becomes a refuge for the world and not from the world, guess what, it might not look like the church you remember. There will be worldly people in the church. They will have worldly values and their attitudes and actions will not be the same as yours. In other words the problems of the world will be brought into the church. But the good news is that the church will be there to provide Christlike love and godly wisdom to the problems that people face. Perhaps we need to be reminded that Jesus told us that it is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. Jesus has called us out of the world, but we often forget that He sent us back into the world to transform the very culture in which we exist.
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