Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Prayer Concerns Friday
I wanted to pass along some things that my family would appreciate your thoughts and words of prayer. Please post anything you would like prayed for as well.
I will be taking the GRE in 2 weeks. My success or failure on this test will probably determine where and if I get into a PhD program.
Carrie regularly feels burdened with her job (teaching 5th grade) and all the other things she has to do in a given week. Pray for her strength, endurance, and patience.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Did the Lord really say...?
I had a student ask me a question that sparked some interesting insight about preaching. She asked me where the passage was in the Bible that tells us that we shouldn’t smoke. I replied that there are not any passages that forbid smoking. She replied, “No really. Where does it say that you are not allowed to smoke? Is it somewhere in the New Testament?” Again I answered her that there was no such passage.
She went on to say, “Well then how come my preacher talked about it for an hour this past Sunday?” I assured her that I had no idea how someone could preach from the pulpit on the ills of smoking for an hour. Then I asked her what Scriptures the preacher referenced. She said that he didn’t use Scripture this Sunday. In fact, he doesn’t always preach from a text. He preaches what “God tells him to preach.”
I was taken aback. I remember stories in Elementary Homiletics class but I thought they were urban myths intended to ingrain in us the necessity of using the Bible. But there are actually people who don’t even use the Bible in their sermons. It is one thing to preach topically and sort of proof text your way through a sermon. It is quite another to not use the Bible at all and justify it by saying that you have a special inspired word that is completely divorced from Biblical texts.
I think the worst thing is that the young girl had no problem with this approach to preaching. She probably has known no other way and most of the congregation is the same. It is sort of sad really. I did not lay into her or tell her that her minister could well be a false prophet. I just let her process the idea that her preacher spent an hour on something that is not even considered in the Bible. I also invited her to the church I serve as she also mentioned it is an hour drive to get there from school.
We shall see what happens, but I will tell you that it is no wonder that the Biblical literacy of Christians is so low or that the stereotype of caring more about rules than people continues to exist.
She went on to say, “Well then how come my preacher talked about it for an hour this past Sunday?” I assured her that I had no idea how someone could preach from the pulpit on the ills of smoking for an hour. Then I asked her what Scriptures the preacher referenced. She said that he didn’t use Scripture this Sunday. In fact, he doesn’t always preach from a text. He preaches what “God tells him to preach.”
I was taken aback. I remember stories in Elementary Homiletics class but I thought they were urban myths intended to ingrain in us the necessity of using the Bible. But there are actually people who don’t even use the Bible in their sermons. It is one thing to preach topically and sort of proof text your way through a sermon. It is quite another to not use the Bible at all and justify it by saying that you have a special inspired word that is completely divorced from Biblical texts.
I think the worst thing is that the young girl had no problem with this approach to preaching. She probably has known no other way and most of the congregation is the same. It is sort of sad really. I did not lay into her or tell her that her minister could well be a false prophet. I just let her process the idea that her preacher spent an hour on something that is not even considered in the Bible. I also invited her to the church I serve as she also mentioned it is an hour drive to get there from school.
We shall see what happens, but I will tell you that it is no wonder that the Biblical literacy of Christians is so low or that the stereotype of caring more about rules than people continues to exist.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Heavy Hand of The Lord
As I think I wrote before my journey to Ethiopia, I was studying Ezra and his journey in preparation. A phrase that is used throughout Ezra-Nehemiah is "The hand of the Lord was on" him, me, them, etc...
The idea clearly being that God's giving and protective hand was present. It supplied their needs and protected them from thugs. That sounded very desirable for a journey, so that became my prayer.
And God answered big time. We got in, got our baby, and got out. We skirted dangers and sickness. We were blessed with new friendships. The travel was easier than you could imagine. He surrounded us with locals who treated us like kings and queens.
It was a little weird. We have been with God long enough, that we have grown accustomed to more testing and trials. But as we asked for his hand to be on us, he made it stunningly obvious around every turn that he there that not only was He making our path straight, but smooth and well-lit too.
On the flight to Ethiopia, I read "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus. In it he references, Hebrews 11. He talks about the heroic people;
We read those accounts and we say, "Yeah, give me faith. I want a double portion." If we read that we see faith like Popeye sees spinach. Just a little bit of that, and victory is ours.
But that is not the only outcome for faith. It may not even be the most common outcome. Hebrews 11 lists some other outcomes:
Thinking of this reality at 32,000 feet over the Atlantic, I remembered that we could just as easily be crushed under the hand of the Lord as be sheltered beneath it. Was I okay with that?
Was I okay with my parents losing another son? Was I okay with my children growing up with just faint memories of their mom and dad? If God, for his glory, decided to slam our plane into the Alps, what would my dying prayer be? "Please, no!" or "As you wish"?
Surrendering to His hand had to mean surrendering to whoever He mysteriously is, not simply as I desire to imagine him to be.
I prayed again for his hand to be on me, and for the faith to accept the pressure and protection from his hand equally.
The idea clearly being that God's giving and protective hand was present. It supplied their needs and protected them from thugs. That sounded very desirable for a journey, so that became my prayer.
And God answered big time. We got in, got our baby, and got out. We skirted dangers and sickness. We were blessed with new friendships. The travel was easier than you could imagine. He surrounded us with locals who treated us like kings and queens.
It was a little weird. We have been with God long enough, that we have grown accustomed to more testing and trials. But as we asked for his hand to be on us, he made it stunningly obvious around every turn that he there that not only was He making our path straight, but smooth and well-lit too.
On the flight to Ethiopia, I read "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus. In it he references, Hebrews 11. He talks about the heroic people;
"who through faith conquered kingdoms, ministered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again."
We read those accounts and we say, "Yeah, give me faith. I want a double portion." If we read that we see faith like Popeye sees spinach. Just a little bit of that, and victory is ours.
But that is not the only outcome for faith. It may not even be the most common outcome. Hebrews 11 lists some other outcomes:
Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.Name it and claim it, baby.
Thinking of this reality at 32,000 feet over the Atlantic, I remembered that we could just as easily be crushed under the hand of the Lord as be sheltered beneath it. Was I okay with that?
Was I okay with my parents losing another son? Was I okay with my children growing up with just faint memories of their mom and dad? If God, for his glory, decided to slam our plane into the Alps, what would my dying prayer be? "Please, no!" or "As you wish"?
Surrendering to His hand had to mean surrendering to whoever He mysteriously is, not simply as I desire to imagine him to be.
I prayed again for his hand to be on me, and for the faith to accept the pressure and protection from his hand equally.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Tithing: On our gross income, net income, or something else
Tithing (giving 10%) is a myth. We should give to the point in which we make financial sacrifices to give. C.S Lewis said, "I'm afraid biblical charity is more than merely giving away that which we could afford to do without anyway."
Proper giving for financially blessed Christians who live in nations that are prosperous is much greater than 10%. It would be impossible to put a number on what exactly is the right percentage for each person. Each individual must seek God's will for their life and give what they feel convicted to give, not what they feel comfortable giving.
We must always remain faithful in our giving. There is no legalistic point at which we can say, "Yes, I have given enough. The rest of my money is mine to use with as I like." All of our money is God's money.
We see in Scripture that it is those who give cheerfully and sacrificially that are held up as examples. The church in Macedonia is exalted in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 because of their sacrificial giving. "They voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints."
Luke 21:1-4 shares the familiar story of the poor widow who gave sacrificially while the wealthy man gave his much larger gift. Giving out of our abundance is not as blessed as giving sacrificially.
Let us give till it hurts.
Proper giving for financially blessed Christians who live in nations that are prosperous is much greater than 10%. It would be impossible to put a number on what exactly is the right percentage for each person. Each individual must seek God's will for their life and give what they feel convicted to give, not what they feel comfortable giving.
We must always remain faithful in our giving. There is no legalistic point at which we can say, "Yes, I have given enough. The rest of my money is mine to use with as I like." All of our money is God's money.
We see in Scripture that it is those who give cheerfully and sacrificially that are held up as examples. The church in Macedonia is exalted in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 because of their sacrificial giving. "They voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints."
Luke 21:1-4 shares the familiar story of the poor widow who gave sacrificially while the wealthy man gave his much larger gift. Giving out of our abundance is not as blessed as giving sacrificially.
Let us give till it hurts.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Our Unforgiving God
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
Isaiah 6:3,5-6
God is holy. He is set apart from sin and impurity. His holiness causes him to strike out against sin in an effort to eliminate it from His presence. Such is the case in the Isaiah passage and Isaiah realizes his predicament. When he says, “I am ruined”, literally he is saying “I am undone, destroyed, non-existent.” He knows what it means to encounter the Holy God. He knows his death should be immanent. And the only solution is an act of grace on God’s part that results in Isaiah’s painful purification.
This story is a popular one among Christians, because though it highlights the tension between our understanding of holiness and forgiveness it comes down on the side of grace. But Joshua 24:19-20 tells of a different, holy God:
The context has the Israelites being implored to reaffirm the covenant. They reply that they will, but Joshua does not stop at that. He makes it clear that by entering into the covenant they are also pledging their lives to be as Holy as God is Holy. And such a commitment has repercussions if broken. God is not bound to be forgiving when we are faithless. Rebellion against God (which is what sin is) results in disastrous consequences. And Joshua knows well that the inclination of humankind is evil all the time.
These 2 passages pose quite a difficulty. In the Isaiah passage God is simultaneously holy and forgiving. The understanding that sinful people cannot see the holy God and live is contradicted by God himself by his own initiative. Yet Joshua makes it clear that this is not always the case. And so I believe it begs the question: “Will God forgive you? When will he stop? When does His holiness override His grace?”
Especially in American Christianity, our sense of entitlement leaves little to no room for God’s Holy judgment. Even though I often hear the sentiment that we are not deserving of grace, I see lifestyles that indicate an privileged attitude. But these passages show the great initiative taken by God to forgive. The decision rests solely with God. Sinful people cannot be around God. Thus God must imbue His holiness upon as to make us fit to be in his presence.
Many Christians are in desperate need of some Holy Fear of God. We need to be reminded that we are in danger of being obliterated when we come before the Holy God. I believe it would change the attitude that we bring to worship. We might not even be able to voice the words of the great hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” with this realization. And perhaps only then can we truly feel the weight of God’s grace and forgiveness.
“But the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his justice,
and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness.”
Isaiah 5:16
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
Isaiah 6:3,5-6
God is holy. He is set apart from sin and impurity. His holiness causes him to strike out against sin in an effort to eliminate it from His presence. Such is the case in the Isaiah passage and Isaiah realizes his predicament. When he says, “I am ruined”, literally he is saying “I am undone, destroyed, non-existent.” He knows what it means to encounter the Holy God. He knows his death should be immanent. And the only solution is an act of grace on God’s part that results in Isaiah’s painful purification.
This story is a popular one among Christians, because though it highlights the tension between our understanding of holiness and forgiveness it comes down on the side of grace. But Joshua 24:19-20 tells of a different, holy God:
Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”
The context has the Israelites being implored to reaffirm the covenant. They reply that they will, but Joshua does not stop at that. He makes it clear that by entering into the covenant they are also pledging their lives to be as Holy as God is Holy. And such a commitment has repercussions if broken. God is not bound to be forgiving when we are faithless. Rebellion against God (which is what sin is) results in disastrous consequences. And Joshua knows well that the inclination of humankind is evil all the time.
These 2 passages pose quite a difficulty. In the Isaiah passage God is simultaneously holy and forgiving. The understanding that sinful people cannot see the holy God and live is contradicted by God himself by his own initiative. Yet Joshua makes it clear that this is not always the case. And so I believe it begs the question: “Will God forgive you? When will he stop? When does His holiness override His grace?”
Especially in American Christianity, our sense of entitlement leaves little to no room for God’s Holy judgment. Even though I often hear the sentiment that we are not deserving of grace, I see lifestyles that indicate an privileged attitude. But these passages show the great initiative taken by God to forgive. The decision rests solely with God. Sinful people cannot be around God. Thus God must imbue His holiness upon as to make us fit to be in his presence.
Many Christians are in desperate need of some Holy Fear of God. We need to be reminded that we are in danger of being obliterated when we come before the Holy God. I believe it would change the attitude that we bring to worship. We might not even be able to voice the words of the great hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” with this realization. And perhaps only then can we truly feel the weight of God’s grace and forgiveness.
“But the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his justice,
and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness.”
Isaiah 5:16
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Bible's Most Important Verse
"If 9/11 are the numbers of terror and despair,
then 3:16 are the numbers of hope."
-Max Lucado
"If we could share only verse with the world...wouldn't it be John 3:16?"
-Max Lucado in 3:16
Do you think Lucado is correct? Is John 3:16 the "Hope Diamond" of Scripture?
If we could only share one verse with the world, which verse would you consider the most important, and why?
Monday, September 17, 2007
A Biblical Leader
Here is the conclusion of my kingship series.
Part 1 (Principles for a King)
Part 2 (Ignoring the Principles)
Part 3 (Our Selfish Reasons for a King)
Part 4 (The Problem with a King)
I do not want to be misconstrued as teaching that there is no such thing as leadership in the church. We see in the New Testament that God appointed elders and deacons to oversee and take care of the ministries of the church, but I think what we read in the New Testament is much different than what is experienced in most churches in America today.
We see throughout the Old Testament that God desired for His people to not have an earthly king. Nothing in the New Testament overturns this, so the style of leadership that we should see in the church should not be the top-down authoritarian leadership of a king.
The style of leadership that we are to model is the style Jesus used and taught.
In Mark 9:33-35, we see a great picture of true biblical leadership: “Then they came to Capernaum; and when the was in the house he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the way?' But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.'”
Not only did Jesus teach servant leadership, we see this leadership modeled by Jesus throughout the Gospels. We see it most dramatically at the time when Jesus washed the disciples' feet and at the cross. Jesus did not have to get on his hands and knees to clean the dirty feet of his followers, but that is what true biblical leadership does. He did not have to hang on the cross and sacrifice his life so that others might live, but that is what true biblical leadership does. True biblical leadership is self-sacrificing and seeks the needs of others before their own.
Kingly leadership and top-down corporate leadership is about making decisions and having people below you implement those decisions. Biblical leadership is about getting your hands and knees dirty cleaning off the filth of those around you. It is about taking on as much of the burden of a brother or sister as you can to help them through a tough situation. It is about being the least in a real, literal sense.
These leadership principles do not just apply to leadership in a church. We are all leaders in some area of our life, whether it is to our family, our community, our friends, or our neighbors. We must make sure that we do not lord things over others but sacrifice ourselves for their best interests. That is what Jesus did, and that is what we are called to do. I want to leave us with these words of Jesus. If they apply to every Christian, they definitely apply to leaders.
Matthew 16:24-26
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?”
Part 1 (Principles for a King)
Part 2 (Ignoring the Principles)
Part 3 (Our Selfish Reasons for a King)
Part 4 (The Problem with a King)
I do not want to be misconstrued as teaching that there is no such thing as leadership in the church. We see in the New Testament that God appointed elders and deacons to oversee and take care of the ministries of the church, but I think what we read in the New Testament is much different than what is experienced in most churches in America today.
We see throughout the Old Testament that God desired for His people to not have an earthly king. Nothing in the New Testament overturns this, so the style of leadership that we should see in the church should not be the top-down authoritarian leadership of a king.
The style of leadership that we are to model is the style Jesus used and taught.
In Mark 9:33-35, we see a great picture of true biblical leadership: “Then they came to Capernaum; and when the was in the house he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the way?' But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.'”
Not only did Jesus teach servant leadership, we see this leadership modeled by Jesus throughout the Gospels. We see it most dramatically at the time when Jesus washed the disciples' feet and at the cross. Jesus did not have to get on his hands and knees to clean the dirty feet of his followers, but that is what true biblical leadership does. He did not have to hang on the cross and sacrifice his life so that others might live, but that is what true biblical leadership does. True biblical leadership is self-sacrificing and seeks the needs of others before their own.
Kingly leadership and top-down corporate leadership is about making decisions and having people below you implement those decisions. Biblical leadership is about getting your hands and knees dirty cleaning off the filth of those around you. It is about taking on as much of the burden of a brother or sister as you can to help them through a tough situation. It is about being the least in a real, literal sense.
These leadership principles do not just apply to leadership in a church. We are all leaders in some area of our life, whether it is to our family, our community, our friends, or our neighbors. We must make sure that we do not lord things over others but sacrifice ourselves for their best interests. That is what Jesus did, and that is what we are called to do. I want to leave us with these words of Jesus. If they apply to every Christian, they definitely apply to leaders.
Matthew 16:24-26
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?”
Friday, September 14, 2007
Fasting Friday
I recommend reading Wednesday's post from Shannon to guide your thoughts and prayers during this day. Focus on their trip, their stay, their return, and their new life with a new addition to the family. If there was ever a time to begin or try fasting, I believe that this would be that occasion.
I direct the following benediction towards all of our readers, and especially towards the Carolands:
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
I direct the following benediction towards all of our readers, and especially towards the Carolands:
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A few random thoughts
Cindie and I leave for Ethiopia in a little over 40 hours from now. So, you'll have to be patient with my scattered thoughts. God has been so good to me that I am left spinning.
Monday, Cindie gave me what was the best birthday present I've ever received. I hesitate to tell you, because I'm afraid it may cause you to be jealous. She made me a book, a collection of 30 letters from people I love and admire. There were letters from professors, friends, former coaches and ministry veterans. There was even a short one from John Ortberg.
The letters have been very encouraging. I'm not through them yet. But I'm blown away.
I got her a shirt and a bracelet for her birthday.
God has been so good to me.
It looks like we are not going to be carrying any debt from the adoption. There was one grant ($3,000 that we are still waiting to receive, but I trust Steven Curtis Chapman), a few fundraisers, and small inheritance. But most of it came from God through my brothers and sisters. We needed over $20,000 in under a year. We also had to buy a new car and pay for oral surgery. We were ready to be indebted over this adoption, we did not expect that the only debt to remain outstanding would be our continuous debt to love others.
God brought people out of the woodwork to supply us with what we needed. God has been so good to me.
Sunday, I preached from Ezra. In it I found our prayer requests for this trip (the following is also found on our adoption blog ramiahadoption.blogspot.com:
8:21-23 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Ezra was seeking;
1. Humility to fuel his trust.
2. Safety in travel.
3. The Hand of Our God to be on him.
As we approach our journey, we seek the same. This is what we will be praying for. We ask that you pray the same. Even fast if you feel compelled to do so. While we are at it a couple more things we are praying about (all of which would fall under number three, really):
A. That we get to meet with Ramiah's birth mother.God's hand has been on us. He has been so good.
B. That God allows us to have more energy and life than our rest will
provide.
C. That we have ample opportunities to minister to other people while
there.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Unity Speech
Inspired from yesterday's entry, here are some follow-up quotes on unity and diversity. They are given as thought provokers not as truths necessarily.
"Where all think alike, no one thinks very much."
- Walter Lippmann
"Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day."
- Anonymous
"God creates men, but they choose each other."
- Niccolo Machiavelli
"Where all think alike, no one thinks very much."
- Walter Lippmann
"Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day."
- Anonymous
"God creates men, but they choose each other."
- Niccolo Machiavelli
Monday, September 10, 2007
Unity vs. Diversity
***Special entry courtesy of Jason Vance***
2) It is much easier to be unified with people who are exactly the same.
3) Let’s make everyone in the church exactly the same.
As a church we always strive for unity. This is no simple task when the Kingdom of God is made up of an extremely diverse people (ideally). However, when something is difficult to attain, we are often tempted with simplified alternatives. Sometimes we even convince ourselves they are the same thing. Then we start striving for this substitute rather than the original goal. If you simplify unity it can sometimes look very similar to a homogeneous group. The logic goes something like this:
1) Unity is the goal.
2) It is much easier to be unified with people who are exactly the same.
3) Let’s make everyone in the church exactly the same.
When you do this, you lose another very important aspect of the Kingdom. Diversity cannot be sacrificed for unity. The very fact that we can have unity amidst diversity is what makes the church’s unity unique. When you lose the diversity, you have gained a type of unity, but at a cost that makes it blend in with the world. Ironically enough, I found the type of unity I think the church should strive for in a secular organization.
A few weeks ago Habitat for Humanity of Michigan’s AmeriCorps group went on a retreat to reflect on the year and discuss things that went well and what could be changed to improve the program. As we were canoeing down the Ausable river, we would occasionally stop and discuss different aspects of the program. That is when it hit me. Someone made the comment that, “This is what I imagine Heaven will be like; a group of people with abundant differences, but all working together.” It truly surprised me when I realized a government funded program may be a better witness to certain aspects of God’s Kingdom than His own church. We had this incredibly diverse group and yet we were all doing the same thing (at Habitat, not the canoeing). There is a problem in every community that every person in this group recognized and decided to do something about. We had some extreme differences that came out in conversations (especially religious and political), but we put all of those differences aside to come together for a common goal. Some of those differences even affected how we did our common goal (especially the political opinions that affected how this program is funded). But we just focused on the task and let side issues stay on the side.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
5 minute sermon
It’s shocking to me that sometimes people meet obstacles and assume that these obstacles are a sign from God to stop.
Can you imagine Moses saying, “Wow, I really thought that God wanted us to leave Egypt, but he would never have allowed us to be trapped like this, if he wanted us to escape.”
Or Joshua? “If God wanted us to take the land, why are there walled cities that are impossible to take down?”
Or David? “I would obey if God made me bigger.”
Or Daniel or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? “I don’t think God would want me to risk my life. I’ll just not pray. I’ll just bow to the idol. God is merciful. He’ll understand my circumstances.”
But that’s thing. If it’s not hard, it’s probably not obedience. Nothing easy about loving your enemy. Nothing easy about laying down your life. But that is the call.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Baptism - Part 3
Part 1
Part 2
Meaning and effects of baptism
There are differences in views about the effect of baptism for a Christian. Some Christian groups assert baptism is a requirement for salvation and a sacrament, and speak of "baptismal regeneration." For example, Martin Luther said:
The ecumenical paper "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry", prepared by representatives across a spectrum of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestants traditions of Christianity, attempts to express a common understanding of baptism, as it is derived from the New Testament.
Romans 6:3-4 says, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
The picture here is of a symbolic act that unites our experiences with those of Christ. Going under the water is like a death and coming up again is a resurrection. What a great image to describe the newness of life. Resurrection is not just for the afterlife. God is resurrecting people by restoring their sin-wrecked lives in the here and now.
Galatians 3:27 says, "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
I am not exactly sure what “clothed yourselves with Christ” means but I can venture some guesses. I think it has to do with sharing His mindset, His purpose, His spiritual filling, and more or less our lives reflecting His.
Titus 3:4-7 reads, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Baptism marks a change in lifestyle but it also marks a change in how we are led – no longer by selfishness but by the Spirit. The Spirit seals our inheritance as heirs to both the lineage of Christ as well as the heirs of eternal life. Paul makes it clear that this is entirely a work of grace and mercy from God. It is not the act of being baptized that accomplishes this – it is the action of the Spirit in our lives.
1 Peter 3:20-21 states, “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.”
This is an interesting passage, but it basically calls the story of Noah and archetype for baptism. He says that the Noah story “prefigured” baptism – which we might translate “foreshadowed.” Just as Noah was saved through obedience to God based on a “good conscience”, so are we now. Baptism is an action (like entering the ark) that places our salvation in God’s hands. It is not just removing dirt (perhaps in opposition to Jewish ritual washings – see Mikvah in entry 1) but a resurrection activity.
Baptism is one of the sacraments – one of the “mysteries.” Like Communion it takes something that is normal and commonplace in one context and transforms it into something profoundly spiritual when placed in another context. So Communion is not just eating bread and wine and baptism is not just washing one’s body when placed in the context of the crucified and resurrected Christ. It is an act of obedience, but it is so much more than that. People say that baptism saves, but that is not exactly true. God saves when we turn back to Him with hearts full of contrition and repentance. Baptism functions as an initiation into the community (Kingdom) of God and carries with it all the privileges and blessings that come from redemption – a resurrected life by the power of the indwelling of the Spirit, heirship, acceptance, and a common experience that unites believers.
The debate on whether it is required for salvation is not an appropriate discussion. It is like asking if one has to repent, believe, or be sacrificial. A disciple is willing and eager to do such things as s/he realizes the impact it has on the spiritual growth and depth of relationship. Baptism unites us to one another and to God not for salvific reasons but as one more step in seeing His Kingdom come.
Next week: Final installment regarding infant baptism.
Part 2
Meaning and effects of baptism
There are differences in views about the effect of baptism for a Christian. Some Christian groups assert baptism is a requirement for salvation and a sacrament, and speak of "baptismal regeneration." For example, Martin Luther said:
"To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to 'be saved.' To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever."For Roman Catholics, baptism by water is a sacrament of initiation into the life of children of God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1212-13). It configures the person to Christ (CCC 1272), and obliges the Christian to share in the Church's apostolic and missionary activity (CCC 1270). By contrast, Baptist and Calvinist groups espouse baptism as a worthy practice, but say that baptism has no sacramental power, and only testifies outwardly to the invisible and internal operation of God's power, which is completely separate from the rite itself.
—The Large Catechism, 1529
The ecumenical paper "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry", prepared by representatives across a spectrum of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestants traditions of Christianity, attempts to express a common understanding of baptism, as it is derived from the New Testament.
" ... according to Acts 2:38, baptisms follow from Peter's preaching baptism in the name of Jesus and lead those baptized to the receiving of Christ's Spirit, the Holy Ghost, and life in the community: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (2:42) as well as to the distribution of goods to those in need (2:45). Those who heard, who were baptized and entered the community's life, were already made witnesses of and partakers in the promises of God for the last days: the forgiveness of sins through baptism in the name of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on all flesh (2:38). Similarly, in what may well be a baptismal pattern, 1 Peter testifies that proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and teaching about new life (1:3-21) lead to purification and new birth (1:22-23). This, in turn, is followed by eating and drinking God's food (2:2-3), by participation in the life of the community — the royal priesthood, the new temple, the people of God (2:4-10) — and by further moral formation (2:11 ff.). At the beginning of 1 Peter the writer sets this baptism in the context of obedience to Christ and sanctification by the Spirit (1:2). So baptism into Christ is seen as baptism into the Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13). In the fourth gospel Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus indicates that birth by water and Spirit becomes the gracious means of entry into the place where God rules (John 3:5)."The following passages get more into the spiritual and theological implications of baptism.
Romans 6:3-4 says, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
The picture here is of a symbolic act that unites our experiences with those of Christ. Going under the water is like a death and coming up again is a resurrection. What a great image to describe the newness of life. Resurrection is not just for the afterlife. God is resurrecting people by restoring their sin-wrecked lives in the here and now.
Galatians 3:27 says, "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
I am not exactly sure what “clothed yourselves with Christ” means but I can venture some guesses. I think it has to do with sharing His mindset, His purpose, His spiritual filling, and more or less our lives reflecting His.
Titus 3:4-7 reads, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Baptism marks a change in lifestyle but it also marks a change in how we are led – no longer by selfishness but by the Spirit. The Spirit seals our inheritance as heirs to both the lineage of Christ as well as the heirs of eternal life. Paul makes it clear that this is entirely a work of grace and mercy from God. It is not the act of being baptized that accomplishes this – it is the action of the Spirit in our lives.
1 Peter 3:20-21 states, “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.”
This is an interesting passage, but it basically calls the story of Noah and archetype for baptism. He says that the Noah story “prefigured” baptism – which we might translate “foreshadowed.” Just as Noah was saved through obedience to God based on a “good conscience”, so are we now. Baptism is an action (like entering the ark) that places our salvation in God’s hands. It is not just removing dirt (perhaps in opposition to Jewish ritual washings – see Mikvah in entry 1) but a resurrection activity.
Baptism is one of the sacraments – one of the “mysteries.” Like Communion it takes something that is normal and commonplace in one context and transforms it into something profoundly spiritual when placed in another context. So Communion is not just eating bread and wine and baptism is not just washing one’s body when placed in the context of the crucified and resurrected Christ. It is an act of obedience, but it is so much more than that. People say that baptism saves, but that is not exactly true. God saves when we turn back to Him with hearts full of contrition and repentance. Baptism functions as an initiation into the community (Kingdom) of God and carries with it all the privileges and blessings that come from redemption – a resurrected life by the power of the indwelling of the Spirit, heirship, acceptance, and a common experience that unites believers.
The debate on whether it is required for salvation is not an appropriate discussion. It is like asking if one has to repent, believe, or be sacrificial. A disciple is willing and eager to do such things as s/he realizes the impact it has on the spiritual growth and depth of relationship. Baptism unites us to one another and to God not for salvific reasons but as one more step in seeing His Kingdom come.
Next week: Final installment regarding infant baptism.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Board Out of My Mind
I heard a rumor from David Alan Deaton that the GLCC Alumni board was set to re-open. Supposedly all the retooling has been done, and Tom or Bob only need to post it (or whatever the technical jargon would be).
My initial thought is, "STOP!!!" The message board brought me more frustration than I should have allowed. At the same time it reconnected me to many old friends.
Chi Rho Live probably would not have come to be without it. It also would not have come to be without its closure.
Here are some of the reasons I wish it would stay buried:
1. I have a tendency to spend too much time sifting through its pages.
2. I have a tendency to spend too much emotion reacting to its pages.
3. Short posting (the only kind that get read) is a poor form of communication.
4. That poor communication caused me to struggle maintain the respect I have for many of those involved.
5. My beloved Alma Mater was left to answer for some of the foolishness.
But then here are some of the reasons I'd like to see it resurrected:
1. It provided me with a chance to connect with people like Deaton, Aubrey, Cherene, Mary A., Jillian, Alex, Weasel and many others.
2. It gives me a chance to gain perspectives and information from a niche group quickly and easily.
3. It gave me quick access to technical computer assistance.
4. Entertainment value.
I'd say that the way and amount I was using it was more destructive than productive. But the productive side of it was really nice.
If it were to come back, I'd have make some hard and fast rules about the amount of time spent there. One day a week would suffice. If I could keep to a standard like that, its presence would be great.
What say you?
Monday, September 3, 2007
The Problem with a King
This is part 4 of my articles on kingship.
Part 1 (Principles for a King)
Part 2 (Ignoring the Principles)
Part 3 (Our Selfish Reasons for a King)
In 1 Samuel 12:11-25, God deals with some of the consequences of having a king.
Verse 14 contains the scariest scenario about setting up leaders above us: "If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well."
Once we have placed leadership over us, our wellness is no longer just dependent upon our faithfulness in serving the Lord. It becomes dependent upon our leader also faithfully serving the Lord. It is only when we are faithful serving the Lord and when our leader is also faithful in serving the Lord that all will be well. When we place ourselves under formal leadership, our blessings and curses appear to be linked with those that the leadership will receive.
Asking for a king was a great wickedness for the people of Israel. Even through the people committed this great wickedness, God was still going to use them to bring about His will for His name's sake. God had chosen to link Himself to the people of Israel; other nation's image of God would be based upon the actions of His people. Despite their great wickedness, He would continue to bring about His will through them. God commanded them to not be afraid of this evil act they committed. They could correct their wrong decisions if they would continue to serve the Lord with all of their heart and not chase after empty things.
We find ourselves in a similar situation. We have made "kings" all around us. We might call them Pope, presidents, chairmen, pastors, or ministers. These people are any that we place in a position between us and Him. But we need not lose hope. Just as Samuel vowed to continue to pray for those who had made the great wicked mistake of choosing a king, we should continue to pray for ourselves and our brothers and sisters. All the while we need to focus on fearing the Lord and serving Him faithfully with all of our heart. We need no king but God.
Part 1 (Principles for a King)
Part 2 (Ignoring the Principles)
Part 3 (Our Selfish Reasons for a King)
In 1 Samuel 12:11-25, God deals with some of the consequences of having a king.
Verse 14 contains the scariest scenario about setting up leaders above us: "If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well."
Once we have placed leadership over us, our wellness is no longer just dependent upon our faithfulness in serving the Lord. It becomes dependent upon our leader also faithfully serving the Lord. It is only when we are faithful serving the Lord and when our leader is also faithful in serving the Lord that all will be well. When we place ourselves under formal leadership, our blessings and curses appear to be linked with those that the leadership will receive.
Asking for a king was a great wickedness for the people of Israel. Even through the people committed this great wickedness, God was still going to use them to bring about His will for His name's sake. God had chosen to link Himself to the people of Israel; other nation's image of God would be based upon the actions of His people. Despite their great wickedness, He would continue to bring about His will through them. God commanded them to not be afraid of this evil act they committed. They could correct their wrong decisions if they would continue to serve the Lord with all of their heart and not chase after empty things.
We find ourselves in a similar situation. We have made "kings" all around us. We might call them Pope, presidents, chairmen, pastors, or ministers. These people are any that we place in a position between us and Him. But we need not lose hope. Just as Samuel vowed to continue to pray for those who had made the great wicked mistake of choosing a king, we should continue to pray for ourselves and our brothers and sisters. All the while we need to focus on fearing the Lord and serving Him faithfully with all of our heart. We need no king but God.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
[This from John Ortberg]I saw an interview with Greg Maddox, a Hall of Famer, fabulous pitcher, [who] pitched a day or two ago. And they were talking about how it feels to pitch to Barry Bonds when he is on the brink of breaking this all-time record. And this was Greg Maddox’s comment, "I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want to be that guy."
See, if my heart was working right, what I would think is, "I don’t want to be that guy who messes up the community because I gossiped about somebody. If my heart was working right, I’d think to myself, I don’t want to be that guy who woos another person by lying to them. I don’t want to be that guy who goes through life clutching on to my stuff so much and there are little children that are dying from malnourishment and I could help them, but I don’t... I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want to be that guy that just messes people up because I never learned how to handle my anger right. I don’t want to be that guy whose heart gets smaller because I am just bitter. I don’t want to be that guy."
If our hearts worked right, we’d say that: “I don’t want to be that guy,” Not because God is this punitive, overly strict, harsh character, but because sin is such a bad thing.
But all too often, my heart’s not that healthy and so the only thing to do, John says, is bring our disordered hearts to God. If we confess our sins and we do this each week as we come here—God forgive us our debts—
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
And sometimes I think we hear these words, if you are part of a church each week, so often that they don’t stab us any more.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. (So that you won’t be the guy.) But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, (We’ll come back to this.) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
And then this that heals the human heart:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
Our healing for our restless, confused hearts only comes when we find our identity, our value, my worth, who I am. I am a child of God. We are His sons, we are His daughters.
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