"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30
This is one of the most beloved passages in the New Testament, and it's the key to rest. You may read this and say, "Yes I'm weary and burdened. Please Jesus, where is my rest?" Yet as you look at the passage more, you realize that there was more to it then just "claiming the promise." Jesus is telling a group of people to "Come to Me." This passage is not just for Christians. God was saying for all to come to HIM.
So this passage reaches out to you those who can't seem to find that missing piece of the puzzle in life, even though you may have religion. This life is wearing you down, and you have a load of guilt and problems that you're carrying on your back, this passage is for you.
You may be a Christian and you're “busy” in some ministry, and yet you still can't seem to find the peace and joy that God has promised. You're almost questioning your own heart and salvation, because you're also weary and carrying a load of problems, this passage is for you.
"Come to Me..."
Jesus is starting off by saying "Come to Me," - God in the flesh, the Messiah who came to bring us salvation, Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings in whose image you were created. Come to the One who said, "I AM the I AM". "I AM the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the Way, and the Truth, the Resurrection and the Life." And Jesus calls out in love to come to Him, but sometimes this is the last thing that people want to do. They will take ANY other alternative, but Jesus.
We have people who would rather get high and drunk, than to turn to Jesus. They would choose a life in the gutters over a life as a child of the King. They know of Jesus, they believe that God has created them, they believe in heaven and hell, but they still want no part of Him.
And yet Jesus is gently calling out, "Come to Me...," all who are empty inside, all who are tired of their lives, all who are weary from sin. Those who are hurting, or are lonely..."Come to ME." Those who don't feel loved, those in broken lives, "Come to ME." There are no conditions here. He does not say "come if you're clean," or "sinless," "come if your act is all straightened out," "come if you're out of debt." He is not saying "come if you're one of the beautiful people" (thank God), or if your an "intellectual" (thank God again), but He simply is saying come….all who are good and bad, Come to ME."
It's important to remember that God is NOT starting off by saying: Come to church. Come to a pastor. Come to a tradition or a ritual. Come to a Christian psychologist. Come to a religion.
He starts off by saying simply, "Come to Me..."
This is the start of your rest: coming to, or receiving Jesus. The important part to remember is not just believing in Jesus, but receiving Him, asking Him to abide in you and fill you with His Spirit. You could believe that you have a gift in a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift, but unless you open it, receive it, your belief will do nothing for you! The same is true of Jesus. You could believe in Him all you want, but unless you receive Him, your belief is worthless!
There is no rest in any other name or thing, but Jesus, because then you receive your peace with God.
"All Who are Weary..."
God calls those that are weary, those who are to the point of utter exhaustion. You're weary from trying to find God, you have searched religions, rituals and traditions, and you are just plain tired of searching for God. Anyone who goes down this route will assure you that it is wearisome.
You can be weary from the affects of the world beating you down, the alcohol, the drugs, the painful relationships. You're just sick and tired of what is going on. You’re beat down! This can be very depressing and can make you feel like you don't even want to exist!
You can also be weary from trying to serve God on your own resources, or power! You have several ministries and they are just exhausting you. You press on to "serve God until you burnout." For some reason, there is no joy in your ministry, just a persistence to work for God. You have used every bit of your own resources and your wisdom, and you have nothing left to give.
"And Burdened..."
The word for burdened means carrying a load...a load of guilt, or a load of problems. You feel like you lost control of your problems years ago, and you starting to pay now for the choices you have made. You have mounds of bills, or family problems, even health problems, and you wonder where God is in all of this.
Through all of this God is telling us, "I will give you rest." The rest that God is talking about in this passage means: ease, refreshing or relaxation.
Recognizing God in the Storms
Sometimes we act like the disciples in Mark 4:36-41 when the storm came up and Jesus was asleep in the boat. When we are in the middle of a personal storm, where our whole life is being rocked by waves of problems, we think that Jesus is sleeping through our problems and that He does not care about us. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Even though Jesus was asleep, technically God wasn't really sleeping, because the Scriptures tell us that "He never sleeps nor slumbers." (Psalm 121:4) Yet there are times we think that God is sleeping in the mist of our storms and instead He is right there in the mist of the storm with us!! Once we recognize that Jesus is with us, and that our life and faith is built upon Him, and that He cares for us, we can hear Him say, "Peace, Be Still," to our hearts. Jesus's disciples traveled with Him for three years, and they had to go through the storm to realize that He was the God of the storms. We too have to recognize that God is with us in the storm, no matter how many waves are rocking our lives. When we give Him control of the storm, He simply says, "Peace, Be Still," and then you experience the calm of peace that only He could give.
"Take My Yoke upon You..."
A yoke is a wooden harness that was commonly used in Biblical times to link two animals, usually oxen, together for purposes of plowing and working the fields. Because they were yoked, the animals could then be used together and kept under the master's control. The yoked animals worked together in plowing the land, or each sharing the burdened to be pulled. We ALL have yokes, we are all connected to something. It just depends on what we are yoked or connected to. We could be yoked to drugs or alcohol, we could be yoked to painful relationships or sinful relationships., we could be yoked to work. The list could go on and on!
Jesus is telling us the secret to rest right here. We are to be yoked or connected to HIM. When you are connected to other things but Jesus, God is not in control of your life. Instead, the one who is in control is the one whose yoke you are wearing. So God tells us that in order to have rest, we are to be linked to Him.
To wear God's yoke symbolizes obedience to Him. Jesus said, "If you love Me you will keep My commandments”. God's blessings are found in the path of trustful obedience.
"And Learn from Me, for I Am Gentle and Humble in Heart..."
We should be learning from Jesus by opening up the Bible and seeing what God says to us. And as we spend the quality time in the Scriptures we will learn wondrous things. We need to learn from Jesus, getting to know Him and His Word better. Learn His ways, and His mind in all things. Learn from Jesus how to find rest for your soul.
"And You Will Find Rest for Your Souls..."
Once we submit (there’s that word again!) to God’s will, and learn of Him and spend time with Him, then we will be rested. Sometimes we need to do...sit at the Lord's feet, as Mary did in Luke 10:38-42, listening to what He says!!
"For My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light..."
When you are yoked to Jesus, you are no longer carrying the problems, and you are no longer tired and weary because Jesus is carrying your load, your just walking with HIM!! So a ministry becomes a joy when it's not you doing it, but rather Jesus working through you. God is gently calling us to be yoked or connected to Him. For some of us that means asking God to change our yoke...to be now yoked or connected to Him ONLY. Simply come to Jesus and ask Him to remove the old yoke and to give you a brand new one. Ask God to help you find your rest in Him alone.
If you are in a ministry and you're burning out, ask God to show you if the ministry is of Him. If it's not of God, stop wasting your time and drop the ministry and then wait upon the Lord who will renew your strength. Stop trying to hold up a ministry in your own power and strength. Then there is no more pressure or stress!! Let Jesus do the work as you walk beside Him as He carries the load. God's invitation is open to all to "Come to Him," and find rest in Him. To those who don't know Him, He wants you to find rest for your souls as well. He wants a personal relationship with you, not just a knowledge of Him, but a living relationship with the God of the heavens and the earth. He wants to calm the storms raging in your soul with the simple words, "Peace, Be Still." God wants to give you the peace that surpasses all understanding. Ask God to give you the new life from the Spirit above. Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit and make you a new person, and you will experience the joy, love and peace that ONLY God can truly give.
To those who are Christians but are weary and heavy burdened, find your rest in God alone. Sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart. Ask God to once again remove the yoke that you are carrying and to yoke Himself to you...and then, and only then, will you find your rest.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Daring to Care
Helping those in need is sometimes an individual responsibility. Often we’re tempted to think, "That’s not my job. There are all kinds of organizations and government programs. They’re not my responsibility!" This may be true in some cases but not all.
”whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:31-40
Do you think maybe at times God puts individuals before us and expects us to help them? And when those opportunities come, we must be ready to help.
There are many reasons to help people in need, but for the Christian, none is higher than this: when we love those in need, we are loving Jesus. It is a mystery beyond science, a truth beyond statistics. But it is a message that Jesus made crystal clear: when we love them, we love him.
This is the theme of his final sermon. (Matthew 25:31-40). The message he saved until last. He must want this point imprinted on our conscience. He depicted the final judgment scene. The last day, the great Day of Judgment. On that day Jesus will issue an irresistible command. All will come. From sunken ships and forgotten cemeteries, they will come. From royal tombs and grassy battlefields, they will come. From Abel, the first to die, to the person being buried at the moment Jesus calls, every human in history will be present.
In this sermon Jesus says “…he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Matthew 25:32-33.
How can one envision this moment without thinking: What determines his choice? How does Jesus separate the people?
Jesus gives the answer in Matthew 25:34-36 ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Those on the right, the sheep, will be those who fed him when he was hungry, brought him water when he was thirsty, gave him lodging when he was lonely, clothing when he was naked, and comfort when he was sick or imprisoned. The sign of the saved is their concern for those in need. Compassion does not save them—or us. Salvation is the work of Christ. Compassion is one of the results of salvation.
Then the “sheep” will react with a sincere question: when? When did we feed, visit, clothe, or comfort you? And Jesus gave the answer: ”whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Jesus will recount, one by one, all the acts of kindness. Every deed done to improve the lot of another person. Even the small ones. In fact, they all seem small. Giving water. Offering food. Sharing clothing. The works of mercy are simple deeds. And yet, in these simple deeds we serve Jesus. Astounding this truth: we serve Christ by serving needy people.
When you look closely at the history of the first church there in Jerusalem, you see an exciting and growing church. And as they grew, they became more and more concerned about helping those in need. Let’s look at one way in which they ministered to the people’s their material needs:
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was with them all." Acts 4:32-33
This is the attitude the church in Jerusalem had. When they realized what God had done for them, and that everything they had came from Him, they became unselfish and generous.
"There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need." Acts 4:34
Now notice: First of all, the people were giving sacrificial gifts. They didn’t have a bazaar or bingo or a bake sale. They didn’t raffle off a camel. They just brought their gifts, and it was strictly voluntary. No one was telling them to do it.
But because of what God had done for them, and because they saw fellow Christians in need, they brought their gifts.
Secondly, the church didn’t keep the money. The church didn’t become wealthy, but distributed it among the people as they had need.
Do you think maybe it’s dangerous for a church to become rich? Is it unhealthy to have large bank balances? Don’t you think that God provides money to the church to be used in the building of His kingdom, not to draw interest?
As the church grows and people give generously, then the church has a responsibility to make sure that those funds are used wisely to fulfill the purpose of the church. And one result in the first church was that there weren’t any needy people among them whose needs weren’t being met.
Now the Bible does not teach that there has to be equal distribution of wealth. Nor does the Bible advocate a socialistic or communistic system. There have always been rich people and poor people, both in Bible times and today. Jesus said “You will always have the poor among you.” Matthew 26:11 and John 12:8
But If our brothers or sisters are in need, then we must take pity on them and do something in the name of Jesus Christ to help them in their need.
And as the church continued to grow in Jerusalem, we find out how they did that. “.. as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. Acts 6:1
Since the church in Jerusalem was growing rapidly some widows were being overlooked. So there was a murmuring (hey, it was a church!), and the apostles recognized that there was a problem.
”So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men (can we say Deacons?) who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Acts 1:2-4
“Everyone liked this idea” ( )……. "So God’s message continued to spread”. Acts 1:5, 7
When you’re taking care of your own, that is something tangible that the world can see. It’s one thing to sit around and talk about what a great faith we have, and what a great church we are, and all the things we’re going to do.
But when you roll up your sleeves and do something, the world sits up and takes notice and sees that it is not just talk. It’s a way to express our faith. And when we do, many will notice and be attracted to Jesus.
But now before we all quit our jobs and start hanging around the church, there is another passages that we need to examine:
The Apostle Paul writes says, "Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. This is a principle in scripture that we should not violate. If a person is physically able to work, and if the opportunity is there, and he or she refuses to work, we should not feel obligated to give them anything.
Galatians 6:10 says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Now that teaches that we ought to be concerned about everybody, especially those who are a part of the church. We’re a family, and we need to watch out for each other.
You would be amazed to know how many people come by the church asking for help, and how often some dip into their pockets to help. All because they recognize that God has called us to minister to those in need.
There are people all over this world who are hurting. Maybe not quite that desperately, but many are waiting for someone to reach out and to touch.
None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus. Who would want to miss a chance to do that?
”whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:31-40
Do you think maybe at times God puts individuals before us and expects us to help them? And when those opportunities come, we must be ready to help.
There are many reasons to help people in need, but for the Christian, none is higher than this: when we love those in need, we are loving Jesus. It is a mystery beyond science, a truth beyond statistics. But it is a message that Jesus made crystal clear: when we love them, we love him.
This is the theme of his final sermon. (Matthew 25:31-40). The message he saved until last. He must want this point imprinted on our conscience. He depicted the final judgment scene. The last day, the great Day of Judgment. On that day Jesus will issue an irresistible command. All will come. From sunken ships and forgotten cemeteries, they will come. From royal tombs and grassy battlefields, they will come. From Abel, the first to die, to the person being buried at the moment Jesus calls, every human in history will be present.
In this sermon Jesus says “…he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Matthew 25:32-33.
How can one envision this moment without thinking: What determines his choice? How does Jesus separate the people?
Jesus gives the answer in Matthew 25:34-36 ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Those on the right, the sheep, will be those who fed him when he was hungry, brought him water when he was thirsty, gave him lodging when he was lonely, clothing when he was naked, and comfort when he was sick or imprisoned. The sign of the saved is their concern for those in need. Compassion does not save them—or us. Salvation is the work of Christ. Compassion is one of the results of salvation.
Then the “sheep” will react with a sincere question: when? When did we feed, visit, clothe, or comfort you? And Jesus gave the answer: ”whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Jesus will recount, one by one, all the acts of kindness. Every deed done to improve the lot of another person. Even the small ones. In fact, they all seem small. Giving water. Offering food. Sharing clothing. The works of mercy are simple deeds. And yet, in these simple deeds we serve Jesus. Astounding this truth: we serve Christ by serving needy people.
When you look closely at the history of the first church there in Jerusalem, you see an exciting and growing church. And as they grew, they became more and more concerned about helping those in need. Let’s look at one way in which they ministered to the people’s their material needs:
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was with them all." Acts 4:32-33
This is the attitude the church in Jerusalem had. When they realized what God had done for them, and that everything they had came from Him, they became unselfish and generous.
"There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need." Acts 4:34
Now notice: First of all, the people were giving sacrificial gifts. They didn’t have a bazaar or bingo or a bake sale. They didn’t raffle off a camel. They just brought their gifts, and it was strictly voluntary. No one was telling them to do it.
But because of what God had done for them, and because they saw fellow Christians in need, they brought their gifts.
Secondly, the church didn’t keep the money. The church didn’t become wealthy, but distributed it among the people as they had need.
Do you think maybe it’s dangerous for a church to become rich? Is it unhealthy to have large bank balances? Don’t you think that God provides money to the church to be used in the building of His kingdom, not to draw interest?
As the church grows and people give generously, then the church has a responsibility to make sure that those funds are used wisely to fulfill the purpose of the church. And one result in the first church was that there weren’t any needy people among them whose needs weren’t being met.
Now the Bible does not teach that there has to be equal distribution of wealth. Nor does the Bible advocate a socialistic or communistic system. There have always been rich people and poor people, both in Bible times and today. Jesus said “You will always have the poor among you.” Matthew 26:11 and John 12:8
But If our brothers or sisters are in need, then we must take pity on them and do something in the name of Jesus Christ to help them in their need.
And as the church continued to grow in Jerusalem, we find out how they did that. “.. as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. Acts 6:1
Since the church in Jerusalem was growing rapidly some widows were being overlooked. So there was a murmuring (hey, it was a church!), and the apostles recognized that there was a problem.
”So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men (can we say Deacons?) who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Acts 1:2-4
“Everyone liked this idea” ( )……. "So God’s message continued to spread”. Acts 1:5, 7
When you’re taking care of your own, that is something tangible that the world can see. It’s one thing to sit around and talk about what a great faith we have, and what a great church we are, and all the things we’re going to do.
But when you roll up your sleeves and do something, the world sits up and takes notice and sees that it is not just talk. It’s a way to express our faith. And when we do, many will notice and be attracted to Jesus.
But now before we all quit our jobs and start hanging around the church, there is another passages that we need to examine:
The Apostle Paul writes says, "Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. This is a principle in scripture that we should not violate. If a person is physically able to work, and if the opportunity is there, and he or she refuses to work, we should not feel obligated to give them anything.
Galatians 6:10 says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Now that teaches that we ought to be concerned about everybody, especially those who are a part of the church. We’re a family, and we need to watch out for each other.
You would be amazed to know how many people come by the church asking for help, and how often some dip into their pockets to help. All because they recognize that God has called us to minister to those in need.
There are people all over this world who are hurting. Maybe not quite that desperately, but many are waiting for someone to reach out and to touch.
None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus. Who would want to miss a chance to do that?
Reflections on 'I Can Only Imagine' by Mercy Me
This is a lesson that I did several years ago – actually in 2003. But it was brought to my attention this week and after reading it I felt that maybe God was leading me to do this again. And as we entered into our first night of the Judgment Day ministry and we try to “portray” what Heaven will be like, I felt that this is the lesson I am supposed to do today. So here it is again with some changes.
Reflection #1
"Look, Daddy, look what I learned today!" A four year-old girl, delighted that her father is finally home from work, motions for him to sit down on the living room couch. As her mother looks on with pride, a would-be ballerina gracefully lifts her arms and slowly spins on her tiptoes.
If you haven't experienced a scenario of this type firsthand, you can picture it. It doesn't take much of an imagination to see that little girl in your mind's eye. She's still dressed in her pink tutu and satin slippers. Her eyes are wide with excitement. Her face beams. As she looks into her father's smiling face, she senses his unconditional love. Knowing that, she longs to creatively express her love.
What a beautiful picture that impromptu dance recital is of a future homecoming. When we gather in the front room of heaven, the joy of being reunited with our Father will result in unlimited expressions of praise. Will we want to dance? Will we want to sing? Well, that's exactly what the group Mercy Me wants to explore with us as they sing "I Can Only Imagine."
At this point in lesson we played the entire song in class.
I am sure everyone reading this lesson has heard this song but you can listen to again as you read the read the lesson on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus, or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
Who's to say what we will actually do once we get to heaven? No one knows for sure. We are certain of a couple of things. For one thing, the attractiveness of heaven will be mind-boggling. It will be the fulfillment of everything we've longed for. "No longer will there be a curse upon anything" (Revelation 22:3 NLT).
Just imagine. Sin and all its consequences will be absent--no death, disease, heartache, pain or loss. Injustice won't be found there; neither will there be a hint of terrorism or tragedy.
And another certainty we have about heaven is the fact that we will find appropriate ways to communicate our love as we see our Father face to face. "For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face" (Revelation 22:3-4 NLT). Can you imagine that? Seeing the face of the one we have waited our whole lives to see
Reflection #2
Fanny Crosby wasn't born blind. She was the victim of a tragic mistake. The family doctor inadvertently confused the chemicals he was mixing for a routine eye drop prescription. At six weeks, the infant girl's eyes were flushed with a toxic substance and she immediately lost her sight. That accident occurred early in the nineteenth century long before society would have insisted on lawsuits as a way of seeking retribution. The way Fanny responded to this unthinkable injustice was to write hymn lyrics.
When she died at the age of 95, Fanny had written over 9,000 hymns. Although sightless, Fanny had eyes of faith that allowed her amazing biblical insights. Because she knew she would one day see her Savior face to face, her vision of heaven was all the more keen. With pen in hand she wrote as she imagined heaven's splendor. In one of her best-loved hymns she celebrated the joyful assurance of her salvation while longingly anticipating the day she'd be with Jesus.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
(Blessed Assurance).
Miss Crosby once surprised an admirer by saying, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?"
"Why?" her amazed fan asked.
"Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!"
Fanny's old-English way of talking is a bit outdated. But her delight imagining what it will be like to actually see the Lord is timeless. It's what Mercy Me sings about in "I Can Only Imagine." Perhaps their lyrics are a bit easier to relate to.
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine.
That's the very thing the apostle Paul whets our appetite for in the famous love chapter of the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 13 he calls us to imagine what it will be like to have perfect vision and perfect love. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
Reflection #3
Why do so many babies die of Sudden Infant Death syndrome? Why do young mothers get cancer and leave school-age children to grow up with only a dad's love? Why didn't God intervene on September 11? Does God's perfect will for my life include a given career and a certain person for me to marry?
Can you imagine how often a pastor is approached by well-meaning people wondering why God allows certain circumstances or events or what He intends? Let's just say very often.
And well-meaning ministers do their best to respond. "When we get to heaven, we can ask God why Hitler was allowed to exterminate 6 million Jews, His chosen race. We'll be able to ask Him why innocent civilians are killed in combat. You can ask the Lord what He had in mind when He let that chain of events take place in your life."
Often people will ask “Will I see my mother, my father, my child, my best friend that went on to be Jesus before me?” We want to give comfort to those that have lost loved ones and so we say ‘Certainly”!
These are good responses. It just might be like that. But nowhere in Scripture is this kind of conversation with God hinted at. Nowhere does it imply that once in heaven we will have the need to know answers to those kinds of questions. In heaven earth-issues may not seem nearly as important. As the lyrics of an old Gospel song, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, speculate, the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. And God says in Isaiah 17, “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.
It's entirely possible that we will be so blown away by His majesty and splendor that questions of any kind will seem inconsequential in the Lord's presence. That's what Mercy Me gets at in their song.
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
In Psalm 46 the Lord speaks. What He says suggests that extended seasons of reverential silence may be more the norm in heaven than non-stop singing. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). It's an invitation to quiet reflection in His presence while we can only imagine what heaven will be like.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
My personal belief is that the greatest words that we could ever experience would be to hear Jesus say to us as we enter into Heaven: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” as He said them to the faithful servant in the story of the “talents” in Matthew 25:21.
For prayer requests, comments or to be included in our email ministry, email us at: whosoever@cottagehillbaptist.org. Also, Check out our “blog” at: http://thewhosoevers.blogspot.com/
Reflection #1
"Look, Daddy, look what I learned today!" A four year-old girl, delighted that her father is finally home from work, motions for him to sit down on the living room couch. As her mother looks on with pride, a would-be ballerina gracefully lifts her arms and slowly spins on her tiptoes.
If you haven't experienced a scenario of this type firsthand, you can picture it. It doesn't take much of an imagination to see that little girl in your mind's eye. She's still dressed in her pink tutu and satin slippers. Her eyes are wide with excitement. Her face beams. As she looks into her father's smiling face, she senses his unconditional love. Knowing that, she longs to creatively express her love.
What a beautiful picture that impromptu dance recital is of a future homecoming. When we gather in the front room of heaven, the joy of being reunited with our Father will result in unlimited expressions of praise. Will we want to dance? Will we want to sing? Well, that's exactly what the group Mercy Me wants to explore with us as they sing "I Can Only Imagine."
At this point in lesson we played the entire song in class.
I am sure everyone reading this lesson has heard this song but you can listen to again as you read the read the lesson on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus, or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
Who's to say what we will actually do once we get to heaven? No one knows for sure. We are certain of a couple of things. For one thing, the attractiveness of heaven will be mind-boggling. It will be the fulfillment of everything we've longed for. "No longer will there be a curse upon anything" (Revelation 22:3 NLT).
Just imagine. Sin and all its consequences will be absent--no death, disease, heartache, pain or loss. Injustice won't be found there; neither will there be a hint of terrorism or tragedy.
And another certainty we have about heaven is the fact that we will find appropriate ways to communicate our love as we see our Father face to face. "For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face" (Revelation 22:3-4 NLT). Can you imagine that? Seeing the face of the one we have waited our whole lives to see
Reflection #2
Fanny Crosby wasn't born blind. She was the victim of a tragic mistake. The family doctor inadvertently confused the chemicals he was mixing for a routine eye drop prescription. At six weeks, the infant girl's eyes were flushed with a toxic substance and she immediately lost her sight. That accident occurred early in the nineteenth century long before society would have insisted on lawsuits as a way of seeking retribution. The way Fanny responded to this unthinkable injustice was to write hymn lyrics.
When she died at the age of 95, Fanny had written over 9,000 hymns. Although sightless, Fanny had eyes of faith that allowed her amazing biblical insights. Because she knew she would one day see her Savior face to face, her vision of heaven was all the more keen. With pen in hand she wrote as she imagined heaven's splendor. In one of her best-loved hymns she celebrated the joyful assurance of her salvation while longingly anticipating the day she'd be with Jesus.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
(Blessed Assurance).
Miss Crosby once surprised an admirer by saying, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?"
"Why?" her amazed fan asked.
"Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!"
Fanny's old-English way of talking is a bit outdated. But her delight imagining what it will be like to actually see the Lord is timeless. It's what Mercy Me sings about in "I Can Only Imagine." Perhaps their lyrics are a bit easier to relate to.
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine.
That's the very thing the apostle Paul whets our appetite for in the famous love chapter of the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 13 he calls us to imagine what it will be like to have perfect vision and perfect love. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
Reflection #3
Why do so many babies die of Sudden Infant Death syndrome? Why do young mothers get cancer and leave school-age children to grow up with only a dad's love? Why didn't God intervene on September 11? Does God's perfect will for my life include a given career and a certain person for me to marry?
Can you imagine how often a pastor is approached by well-meaning people wondering why God allows certain circumstances or events or what He intends? Let's just say very often.
And well-meaning ministers do their best to respond. "When we get to heaven, we can ask God why Hitler was allowed to exterminate 6 million Jews, His chosen race. We'll be able to ask Him why innocent civilians are killed in combat. You can ask the Lord what He had in mind when He let that chain of events take place in your life."
Often people will ask “Will I see my mother, my father, my child, my best friend that went on to be Jesus before me?” We want to give comfort to those that have lost loved ones and so we say ‘Certainly”!
These are good responses. It just might be like that. But nowhere in Scripture is this kind of conversation with God hinted at. Nowhere does it imply that once in heaven we will have the need to know answers to those kinds of questions. In heaven earth-issues may not seem nearly as important. As the lyrics of an old Gospel song, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, speculate, the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. And God says in Isaiah 17, “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.
It's entirely possible that we will be so blown away by His majesty and splendor that questions of any kind will seem inconsequential in the Lord's presence. That's what Mercy Me gets at in their song.
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
In Psalm 46 the Lord speaks. What He says suggests that extended seasons of reverential silence may be more the norm in heaven than non-stop singing. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). It's an invitation to quiet reflection in His presence while we can only imagine what heaven will be like.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
My personal belief is that the greatest words that we could ever experience would be to hear Jesus say to us as we enter into Heaven: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” as He said them to the faithful servant in the story of the “talents” in Matthew 25:21.
For prayer requests, comments or to be included in our email ministry, email us at: whosoever@cottagehillbaptist.org. Also, Check out our “blog” at: http://thewhosoevers.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Serving Leftovers to a Holy God
Serving Leftovers to a Holy God
This lesson is from the chapter following “Profile of the Lukewarm” from the book Crazy Love - Overwhelmed by a Relentless God that we did in an earlier lesson. I have read this chapter several times and I feel that I should share some of it with you. Understand these are not my thoughts or my words but straight from the book.
Of all the chapters in this book, this one was the hardest for me to write. I do not wish for my words to come across as controversial or difficult to swallow. But I had to write this chapter, because I believe what I’m about to talk about is important. And true.
……. we are going to look at scriptural examples of poor responses to God’s gift of love. Before you discount or ignore what I am about to say, read these passages objectively, without preconceived opinions staunchly in place.
My examination of lukewarm Christians in chapter 4 was by no means exhaustive. However, it did serve as a call to examine your heart in light of the points I listed. As I see it, a lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron; there’s no such thing. To put it plainly, churchgoers who are—lukewarm—are not Christians. We will not see them in heaven.
In Revelation 3:15–18, Jesus says: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.This passage is where our modern understanding of lukewarm comes from. Jesus is saying to the church that because they are lukewarm, He is going to spit them out of His mouth.
There is no gentle rendering of the word spit in the Greek. This is the only time it is used in the New Testament, and it connotes gagging, hurling, retching. Many people read this passage and assume Jesus is speaking to saved people. My question is, Why?
When you read this passage, do you naturally conclude that to be “spit” out of Jesus’ mouth means you’re a part of His kingdom? When you read the words wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, do you think that He’s describing saints? When He counsels them to “buy white clothes to wear” in order to cover their shameful nakedness, does it sound like advice for those already saved?
I thought people who were saved were already made white and clothed by Christ’s blood.
……………. I’ve spent the past few days reading the Gospels. ……………. I wanted to rediscover what reasonable conclusions a person would come to while objectively reading the Gospels for the first time. In other words, I read the Bible as if I’d never read it before.
My conclusion? Jesus’ call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing. The thought of a person calling himself a “Christian” without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd.
But please don’t take my word for it. Read it yourself.
For years I struggled with the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18). I wanted to know if the person representing the rocky soil is saved, even though he has no root. I then wondered about the thorny soil; is this person saved since he does have a root?
I doubt if people even considered these questions back in Jesus’ day! Is this idea of the non-fruit-bearing Christian something that we have concocted in order to make Christianity “easier”? So we can follow our own course while still calling ourselves followers of Christ? …………
Jesus’ intention in this parable was to compare the only good soil to the ones that were not legitimate alternatives. To Him, there was one option for a true believer.
Let’s face it. We’re willing to make changes in our lives only if we think it affects our salvation. This is why I have so many people ask me questions like, Can I divorce my wife and still go to heaven? Do I have to be baptized to be saved? Am I a Christian even though I’m having sex with my girlfriend? If I commit suicide, can I still go to heaven? If I’m ashamed to talk about Christ, is He really going to deny knowing me?
To me, these questions are tragic because they reveal much about the state of our hearts. They demonstrate that our concern is more about going to heaven than loving the King. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). And our question quickly becomes even more unthinkable: Can I go to Heaven without truly and faithfully loving Jesus?
I don’t see anywhere in Scripture how the answer to that question could be yes.
James 2:19 says, “You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.” God doesn’t just want us to have good theology; He wants us to know and love Him. First John 2:3–4 tells us, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Call me crazy, but I think those verses mean that the person who claims to know God but doesn’t obey His commands is a liar and that the truth really isn’t in him.
In Matthew 16:24–26, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” And in Luke 14:33, He says, “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”Some people claim that we can be Christians without necessarily becoming disciples. I wonder, then, why the last thing Jesus told us was to go into the world, making disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that He commanded? You’ll notice that He didn’t add, “But hey, if that’s too much to ask, tell them to just become Christians—you know, the people who get to go to heaven without having to commit to anything.”
Pray. Then read the Gospels for yourself. Put this book down and pick up your Bible. My prayer for you is that you’ll understand the Scriptures not as I see them, but as God intends them.
I do not want true believers to doubt their salvation as they read this book. In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, His grace still covers us.
Each of us has lukewarm elements and practices in our life; therein lies the senseless, extravagant grace of it all. The Scriptures demonstrate clearly that there is room for our failure and sin in our pursuit of God. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3). His grace “is sufficient” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I’m not saying that when you mess up, it means you were never really a genuine Christian in the first place. If that were true, there would be no one who follows Christ.
The distinction is perfection (which none will attain on this earth) and a posture of obedience and surrender, where a person perpetually moves toward Christ. To call someone a Christian simply because he does some Christian-y things is giving false comfort to the unsaved. But to declare anyone who sins “unsaved” is to deny the reality and truth of God’s grace.
………………………………………
Offering LeftoversGod wants our best, deserves our best, and demands our best.
……………
For years I gave God leftovers and felt no shame. I simply took my eyes off Scripture and instead compared myself to others. The bones I threw at God had more meat on them than the bones others threw, so I figured I was doing fine.
It’s easy to fill ourselves up with other things and then give God whatever is left. Hosea 13:6 says, “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” God gets a scrap or two only because we feel guilty for giving Him nothing. A mumbled three-minute prayer at the end of the day, when we are already half asleep. Two crumpled-up dollar bills thrown as an afterthought into the church’s fund for the poor. Fetch, God!
……………………………
God is holy. In heaven exists a Being who decides whether or not I take another breath. This holy God deserves excellence, the very best I have. “But something is better than nothing!” some protest. Really, is it? Does anyone enjoy token praise? I sure don’t. I’d rather you not say anything than compliment me out of obligation or guilt. Why would we think God is any different?
……………………………….
No wonder Jesus says He will spit lukewarm people out of His mouth!
Hear me clearly in this, because it is vital—in fact, there is nothing more important or eternal: Are you willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants? Do you believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in your life? Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made?
If the answer to those questions is yes, then let your bet match your talk.
True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity.
I know that this whole swimming-upstream, pursuing-Christ, taking-up-your-cross, counting-the-cost thing isn’t easy. It’s so hard, in fact, that Jesus said “the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Like the parable of the sower, don’t assume you are the good soil; don’t assume you are one of the few on the narrow way.
You can read this entire chapter at this link: http://www.ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/features/17801-serving-leftovers-to-a-holy-god
This lesson is from the chapter following “Profile of the Lukewarm” from the book Crazy Love - Overwhelmed by a Relentless God that we did in an earlier lesson. I have read this chapter several times and I feel that I should share some of it with you. Understand these are not my thoughts or my words but straight from the book.
Of all the chapters in this book, this one was the hardest for me to write. I do not wish for my words to come across as controversial or difficult to swallow. But I had to write this chapter, because I believe what I’m about to talk about is important. And true.
……. we are going to look at scriptural examples of poor responses to God’s gift of love. Before you discount or ignore what I am about to say, read these passages objectively, without preconceived opinions staunchly in place.
My examination of lukewarm Christians in chapter 4 was by no means exhaustive. However, it did serve as a call to examine your heart in light of the points I listed. As I see it, a lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron; there’s no such thing. To put it plainly, churchgoers who are—lukewarm—are not Christians. We will not see them in heaven.
In Revelation 3:15–18, Jesus says: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.This passage is where our modern understanding of lukewarm comes from. Jesus is saying to the church that because they are lukewarm, He is going to spit them out of His mouth.
There is no gentle rendering of the word spit in the Greek. This is the only time it is used in the New Testament, and it connotes gagging, hurling, retching. Many people read this passage and assume Jesus is speaking to saved people. My question is, Why?
When you read this passage, do you naturally conclude that to be “spit” out of Jesus’ mouth means you’re a part of His kingdom? When you read the words wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, do you think that He’s describing saints? When He counsels them to “buy white clothes to wear” in order to cover their shameful nakedness, does it sound like advice for those already saved?
I thought people who were saved were already made white and clothed by Christ’s blood.
……………. I’ve spent the past few days reading the Gospels. ……………. I wanted to rediscover what reasonable conclusions a person would come to while objectively reading the Gospels for the first time. In other words, I read the Bible as if I’d never read it before.
My conclusion? Jesus’ call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing. The thought of a person calling himself a “Christian” without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd.
But please don’t take my word for it. Read it yourself.
For years I struggled with the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18). I wanted to know if the person representing the rocky soil is saved, even though he has no root. I then wondered about the thorny soil; is this person saved since he does have a root?
I doubt if people even considered these questions back in Jesus’ day! Is this idea of the non-fruit-bearing Christian something that we have concocted in order to make Christianity “easier”? So we can follow our own course while still calling ourselves followers of Christ? …………
Jesus’ intention in this parable was to compare the only good soil to the ones that were not legitimate alternatives. To Him, there was one option for a true believer.
Let’s face it. We’re willing to make changes in our lives only if we think it affects our salvation. This is why I have so many people ask me questions like, Can I divorce my wife and still go to heaven? Do I have to be baptized to be saved? Am I a Christian even though I’m having sex with my girlfriend? If I commit suicide, can I still go to heaven? If I’m ashamed to talk about Christ, is He really going to deny knowing me?
To me, these questions are tragic because they reveal much about the state of our hearts. They demonstrate that our concern is more about going to heaven than loving the King. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). And our question quickly becomes even more unthinkable: Can I go to Heaven without truly and faithfully loving Jesus?
I don’t see anywhere in Scripture how the answer to that question could be yes.
James 2:19 says, “You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.” God doesn’t just want us to have good theology; He wants us to know and love Him. First John 2:3–4 tells us, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Call me crazy, but I think those verses mean that the person who claims to know God but doesn’t obey His commands is a liar and that the truth really isn’t in him.
In Matthew 16:24–26, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” And in Luke 14:33, He says, “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”Some people claim that we can be Christians without necessarily becoming disciples. I wonder, then, why the last thing Jesus told us was to go into the world, making disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that He commanded? You’ll notice that He didn’t add, “But hey, if that’s too much to ask, tell them to just become Christians—you know, the people who get to go to heaven without having to commit to anything.”
Pray. Then read the Gospels for yourself. Put this book down and pick up your Bible. My prayer for you is that you’ll understand the Scriptures not as I see them, but as God intends them.
I do not want true believers to doubt their salvation as they read this book. In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, His grace still covers us.
Each of us has lukewarm elements and practices in our life; therein lies the senseless, extravagant grace of it all. The Scriptures demonstrate clearly that there is room for our failure and sin in our pursuit of God. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3). His grace “is sufficient” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I’m not saying that when you mess up, it means you were never really a genuine Christian in the first place. If that were true, there would be no one who follows Christ.
The distinction is perfection (which none will attain on this earth) and a posture of obedience and surrender, where a person perpetually moves toward Christ. To call someone a Christian simply because he does some Christian-y things is giving false comfort to the unsaved. But to declare anyone who sins “unsaved” is to deny the reality and truth of God’s grace.
………………………………………
Offering LeftoversGod wants our best, deserves our best, and demands our best.
……………
For years I gave God leftovers and felt no shame. I simply took my eyes off Scripture and instead compared myself to others. The bones I threw at God had more meat on them than the bones others threw, so I figured I was doing fine.
It’s easy to fill ourselves up with other things and then give God whatever is left. Hosea 13:6 says, “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” God gets a scrap or two only because we feel guilty for giving Him nothing. A mumbled three-minute prayer at the end of the day, when we are already half asleep. Two crumpled-up dollar bills thrown as an afterthought into the church’s fund for the poor. Fetch, God!
……………………………
God is holy. In heaven exists a Being who decides whether or not I take another breath. This holy God deserves excellence, the very best I have. “But something is better than nothing!” some protest. Really, is it? Does anyone enjoy token praise? I sure don’t. I’d rather you not say anything than compliment me out of obligation or guilt. Why would we think God is any different?
……………………………….
No wonder Jesus says He will spit lukewarm people out of His mouth!
Hear me clearly in this, because it is vital—in fact, there is nothing more important or eternal: Are you willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants? Do you believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in your life? Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made?
If the answer to those questions is yes, then let your bet match your talk.
True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity.
I know that this whole swimming-upstream, pursuing-Christ, taking-up-your-cross, counting-the-cost thing isn’t easy. It’s so hard, in fact, that Jesus said “the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Like the parable of the sower, don’t assume you are the good soil; don’t assume you are one of the few on the narrow way.
You can read this entire chapter at this link: http://www.ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/features/17801-serving-leftovers-to-a-holy-god
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
THE RISK TAKING CHURCH
THE RISK TAKING CHURCH
An older man was getting on a train and couldn’t find his ticket. The conductor knew him and told him not to worry that he was sure he would find it and that he could go ahead and get on the train. The conductor’s kindness did not put him at ease. He said, “My dear man, my problem is not ‘Where is my ticket?’ but rather ‘Where am I going?’
Unfortunately we are too often just like that. We move forward through life unsure of how to respond to the changing situations in world around us. The problem often is that we have no clear direction or picture of where we are going. We lack a defined destination. We lack vision.
… without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:6-10
Sherlock Holmes and Watson were camping one night. In the middle of the night Sherlock Holmes awoke and looked up at the stars. He asked, "Watson, what do you see". Watson looked up and said "stars". Yes, but what do these stars tell you. Watson said "Cosmologically they tell me that we are part of a large universe – that we are one of billions and billions of planets. Theologically they tell me that we have a great God who made all of it. Meteorologically they tell me that the sky is clear and we will have good weather tomorrow. Temporally they tell me that it is the middle of the night and we should be sleeping! Sherlock, what do they tell you." "Well," he replied, "they tell me that someone has stolen our tent".
Let’s look at "what do we see?" As you think back over the past year and look at your own life and the direction of this church what do you see? Where are we as a church going? In terms of vision there are 3 different types of churches (and people):
1. The Under-taking Church – looking back
The undertaking church is one that is always looking backwards. All that people ever talk about are the “good old days”. They miss what is happening today because they are always looking back to yesterday. Decisions in this kind of church are based on what has worked in the past – if it was good enough for them it is good enough for us. (Think KJV versus newer translations. Pre-1960 hymns versus contemporary music as in Fannie Crosby versus Chris Tomlin).
Someone once wrote - Poor eyes limit your sight; poor vision limits your deeds.
While you can learn from the past, you can’t live there. You have to live and adapt to where you are or you will perish. Too many churches today are spending their time and resources lamenting the past when they should be adapting to the future. What has worked in the past may not work in the present because the audience has changed.
The gospel must be preached afresh and told in new ways to every generation, since every generation has its own unique questions. The gospel must constantly be forwarded to a new address, because the recipient is repeatedly changing his place of residence.
While it is possible for a church to be always looking back it is also true for a person. How do we look at our walk with Christ? Are we only remembering the GLORY DAYS of our ministry or do we feel the best years of our life are yet to come?
It is impossible to serve God yesterday. You cannot live off yesterday’s bread. It does not matter how God has used you in the past – what is important is how will He use you in the future? A person or church that tries to walk looking backward is bound to fall.
2. The Care-taking Church – looking present
The care-taking church is always concerned with pressing issues. It is so busy and there are so many needs that it’s focus is on immediate issues. It seems to always be in maintenance mode, just trying to keep it’s head above the water. Decisions in this kind of church are based on immediate assets. The number one questions is always “do we have the money now to support this”?
In Matthew 15:32-33 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
A care-taking church is realistic and comfortable. As long as the services are good and the needs are met and the people are happy then all is well. If it isn’t broken then don’t fix it. The problem is that they walk by sight and not faith.
Likewise it is easy to slip into the care-taking mode in our Christian walk. Certainly many of us have experienced this at work. When the work for the day is so great that you cannot see tomorrow coming then you are in trouble. We need to have a greater vision as individuals of God’s plan and purpose in our lives. Do our prayers reflect God’s greater glory? Are our thoughts on today or can we see the big picture. One very successful pastor said of his church, “We make changes before we HAVE to make changes. If the congregation or the staff getting ‘to comfortable’ or complacent we make changes.”
3. The Risk-taking church – looking to the future
The risk taking church is always looking forward. They believe that the best is yet to come. They invest all they have today so that they can be all that God wants them to be tomorrow. Risk taking churches seek to be cutting edge. They want to see how God is moving and to use all available technology, music, programs, etc. to make Christ known.
One of the reasons that we don’t take risks is fear of failure. However failure is just a part of life and is often a prerequisite to success. If you aren’t failing some then you may not be trying! If we as a church want to move forward with vision then we must accept the fact that there will be times in the future that we may fail along the way.
Jonas Salk attempted 200 unsuccessful vaccines for polio before he came up with one that worked. Somebody asked him one time, "How did it feel to fail 200 times trying to invent a vaccine for polio?" This was his response: "I never failed 200 times at anything in my life. My family taught me never to use that word. I simply discovered 200 ways how not to make a vaccine for polio."
By faith Noah went and build and ark. Think about this. He invested everything he had in something that seemed completely impossible. Can you imagine building a boat in your back yard in a day when there were no cranes that could move it! Though he could not see or understand it, he based his life on God’s word and was willing to wait 120 years for the promise to be fulfilled. Noah’s vision was based on what he had been told by God.
By faith Abraham left his home and went to the promised land. Though he was living in a tent he saw the future city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. He believed God and based his life on that vision.
What destroys perspective is our tendency to measure ministry on too small a scale. We lose the wide-angle view because we’re focused on the close-up. Using a microscopic lens, even a harmless spider looks like a hairy, horrible monster. Most of us would never clean cobwebs from the house if we focused on the close-up view of spiders.
Jesus was a risk taker. He entrusted the salvation of the world to group of weak and frightened and often confused men. But through God’s power and vision they changed the world. Instead of looking at past or trusting in the present they saw God’s future church and boldly went forward to make it happen.
Where is our vision? How big is our faith? In which direction are we looking? Are we willing to lay everything on the line for God? Are we motivated by what has happened in our life, by what we presently have or are we open for God to use us in ways that we have never been used before? Is our vision for our life and family limited to immediate needs? We don’t need to miss out on what God is doing – we need to join Him.
As you look to the future of our church, what do you see?
An older man was getting on a train and couldn’t find his ticket. The conductor knew him and told him not to worry that he was sure he would find it and that he could go ahead and get on the train. The conductor’s kindness did not put him at ease. He said, “My dear man, my problem is not ‘Where is my ticket?’ but rather ‘Where am I going?’
Unfortunately we are too often just like that. We move forward through life unsure of how to respond to the changing situations in world around us. The problem often is that we have no clear direction or picture of where we are going. We lack a defined destination. We lack vision.
… without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:6-10
Sherlock Holmes and Watson were camping one night. In the middle of the night Sherlock Holmes awoke and looked up at the stars. He asked, "Watson, what do you see". Watson looked up and said "stars". Yes, but what do these stars tell you. Watson said "Cosmologically they tell me that we are part of a large universe – that we are one of billions and billions of planets. Theologically they tell me that we have a great God who made all of it. Meteorologically they tell me that the sky is clear and we will have good weather tomorrow. Temporally they tell me that it is the middle of the night and we should be sleeping! Sherlock, what do they tell you." "Well," he replied, "they tell me that someone has stolen our tent".
Let’s look at "what do we see?" As you think back over the past year and look at your own life and the direction of this church what do you see? Where are we as a church going? In terms of vision there are 3 different types of churches (and people):
1. The Under-taking Church – looking back
The undertaking church is one that is always looking backwards. All that people ever talk about are the “good old days”. They miss what is happening today because they are always looking back to yesterday. Decisions in this kind of church are based on what has worked in the past – if it was good enough for them it is good enough for us. (Think KJV versus newer translations. Pre-1960 hymns versus contemporary music as in Fannie Crosby versus Chris Tomlin).
Someone once wrote - Poor eyes limit your sight; poor vision limits your deeds.
While you can learn from the past, you can’t live there. You have to live and adapt to where you are or you will perish. Too many churches today are spending their time and resources lamenting the past when they should be adapting to the future. What has worked in the past may not work in the present because the audience has changed.
The gospel must be preached afresh and told in new ways to every generation, since every generation has its own unique questions. The gospel must constantly be forwarded to a new address, because the recipient is repeatedly changing his place of residence.
While it is possible for a church to be always looking back it is also true for a person. How do we look at our walk with Christ? Are we only remembering the GLORY DAYS of our ministry or do we feel the best years of our life are yet to come?
It is impossible to serve God yesterday. You cannot live off yesterday’s bread. It does not matter how God has used you in the past – what is important is how will He use you in the future? A person or church that tries to walk looking backward is bound to fall.
2. The Care-taking Church – looking present
The care-taking church is always concerned with pressing issues. It is so busy and there are so many needs that it’s focus is on immediate issues. It seems to always be in maintenance mode, just trying to keep it’s head above the water. Decisions in this kind of church are based on immediate assets. The number one questions is always “do we have the money now to support this”?
In Matthew 15:32-33 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
A care-taking church is realistic and comfortable. As long as the services are good and the needs are met and the people are happy then all is well. If it isn’t broken then don’t fix it. The problem is that they walk by sight and not faith.
Likewise it is easy to slip into the care-taking mode in our Christian walk. Certainly many of us have experienced this at work. When the work for the day is so great that you cannot see tomorrow coming then you are in trouble. We need to have a greater vision as individuals of God’s plan and purpose in our lives. Do our prayers reflect God’s greater glory? Are our thoughts on today or can we see the big picture. One very successful pastor said of his church, “We make changes before we HAVE to make changes. If the congregation or the staff getting ‘to comfortable’ or complacent we make changes.”
3. The Risk-taking church – looking to the future
The risk taking church is always looking forward. They believe that the best is yet to come. They invest all they have today so that they can be all that God wants them to be tomorrow. Risk taking churches seek to be cutting edge. They want to see how God is moving and to use all available technology, music, programs, etc. to make Christ known.
One of the reasons that we don’t take risks is fear of failure. However failure is just a part of life and is often a prerequisite to success. If you aren’t failing some then you may not be trying! If we as a church want to move forward with vision then we must accept the fact that there will be times in the future that we may fail along the way.
Jonas Salk attempted 200 unsuccessful vaccines for polio before he came up with one that worked. Somebody asked him one time, "How did it feel to fail 200 times trying to invent a vaccine for polio?" This was his response: "I never failed 200 times at anything in my life. My family taught me never to use that word. I simply discovered 200 ways how not to make a vaccine for polio."
By faith Noah went and build and ark. Think about this. He invested everything he had in something that seemed completely impossible. Can you imagine building a boat in your back yard in a day when there were no cranes that could move it! Though he could not see or understand it, he based his life on God’s word and was willing to wait 120 years for the promise to be fulfilled. Noah’s vision was based on what he had been told by God.
By faith Abraham left his home and went to the promised land. Though he was living in a tent he saw the future city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. He believed God and based his life on that vision.
What destroys perspective is our tendency to measure ministry on too small a scale. We lose the wide-angle view because we’re focused on the close-up. Using a microscopic lens, even a harmless spider looks like a hairy, horrible monster. Most of us would never clean cobwebs from the house if we focused on the close-up view of spiders.
Jesus was a risk taker. He entrusted the salvation of the world to group of weak and frightened and often confused men. But through God’s power and vision they changed the world. Instead of looking at past or trusting in the present they saw God’s future church and boldly went forward to make it happen.
Where is our vision? How big is our faith? In which direction are we looking? Are we willing to lay everything on the line for God? Are we motivated by what has happened in our life, by what we presently have or are we open for God to use us in ways that we have never been used before? Is our vision for our life and family limited to immediate needs? We don’t need to miss out on what God is doing – we need to join Him.
As you look to the future of our church, what do you see?
Monday, October 4, 2010
“Facing Your Giants”
“Facing Your Giants”
1 Samuel 17:40-51
The giants we face today may be unemployment, abandonment, sexual abuse, depression, bills, grades, alcohol, pornography, a career, a mistake or it could even be the future.
What answers does God have to our real life giant struggles? Actually, the name of the lesson is half of the battle. We must face the giant. No hiding, no running away, no cowering in fear.
Let’s look at the Bible story of a boy and his battle with the giant.
I. The Odds Are Against You.
The young, beardless boy kneels by the brook. He gets mud on his knees. The flowing water cools his hand. He is searching for rocks. Stones. Smooth stones. The kind that will fit in a shepherd’s pouch, the ones that will just the right size for his shepherd’s sling. Just the ones he needed to bring down a lion, a bear, or, in this case, a giant.
Goliath towers above them all: over nine feet tall in his bare feet (What kind of football or basketball contract could he have gotten), wearing 125 pounds of armor, and snarling like the main contender at a World Wide Wrestling Federation championship night. He wears a size 20 collar, a 101/2 hat, and a 56-inch belt. Can’t even imagine what his sandal size! His boasts echo through the canyon. “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” (1 Sam. 17:10 NIV). In other words give me your best shot.
What odds did David have against his giant? (Goliath’s armor probably weighed as much as David.) Better odds perhaps than you give yourself against yours. Your Goliath doesn’t carry sword or shield; he waves blades of unemployment, abandonment, sexual abuse, or depression. Your giant doesn’t parade up and down the hills of Elah; he prances through your office, your bedroom, your classroom. He brings bills you can’t pay, grades you can’t make, people you can’t please, alcohol or drugs you can’t resist, pornography you can’t refuse, a career you can’t escape, a past you can’t shake, and a future you can’t face.
How long has he stalked you? Goliath’s family was an ancient foe of the Israelites. Joshua drove them out of the Promised Land three hundred years earlier. Saul’s soldiers saw Goliath and mumbled, “Not again. My dad fought his dad. My granddad fought his granddad.”
You’ve groaned similar words. “I’m becoming a workaholic, just like my father.” “Divorce rips through our family tree like a tornado.” “My mom couldn’t keep a friend either. Is this ever going to stop?” When Saul and his men heard the Philistines’ challenge, they were terrified (1Sam. 17:11).
With all the giants we must face, where is our focus?
II. Do You See God?
You know Goliath. You recognize his walk and wince at his talk. You’ve seen your Godzilla. The question is, is he all you see? You know his voice – but is it all you hear? David saw and heard more. David’s first discussion, although it was about Goliath, was on the Lord. “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he defy the armies of the living God?” (1Sam. 17:26) David shows up discussing God. The soldiers mentioned nothing about him, the brothers never spoke his name, but David takes one step onto the stage and raises the subject of the living God. He does the same with King Saul: no chitchat about the battle or questions about the odds. Just a God-birthed announcement: “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine” (1 Sam 17:37).
No one else discusses God. David discusses no one else but God. A subplot appears in the story. More than “David versus Goliath,” this is “God-focus versus giant-focus.” David sees what others don’t and refuses to see what other do. All eyes, except David’s, fall on the brutal, hate-breathing hulk. All compasses, except David’s, are set on the polestar of the Philistine. All journals, but David’s, describe day after day in the land of the Neanderthal. The people know his taunts, demands, size, and strut. They have majored in Goliath.
David majors in God. He sees the giant, mind you; he just sees God more so. Look carefully at David’s battle cry: “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” (1Sam. 17:45)
David sees the armies of God. And because he does, “David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him (Goliath).” (1Sam. 17:48).
III. The Battle Is The Lord’s
David’s brothers cover their eyes, both in fear and embarrassment. Saul sighs as the young Hebrew races to certain death. Goliath throws back his head in laughter, just enough to shift his helmet and expose a square inch of forehead flesh. David spots the target and seizes the moment. The sound of the swirling sling is the only sound in the valley. Swish. Swish. Swish. The stone is released from the sling and hits the giant at the only venerable spot. (Do you suppose the hadn of God may have actually guided this “missile”.); Goliath’s eyes cross and legs buckle. He crumples to the ground and dies. David runs over and yanks Goliath’s sword form its sheath and cuts off his head.
You might say that David knew how to get a head of his giant. When was the last time you did the same? How long since you ran toward your challenge? We tend to retreat, duck behind a desk of work or crawl into a bottle of distraction or hide out behind some chemical. For a moment, a day, or a year, we feel safe, insulated, anesthetized, but then the work runs out, the liquor wears off, or the high is gone, then we hear Goliath again.
Try a different tack. Rush your giant with a God-saturated soul. Amplify God and minimize Goliath. Download some of heaven’s unsquashable resolve. Giant of Divorce you are not entering my home! Giant of depression? It may take a lifetime, but you won’t conquer me. Giant of alcohol, bigotry, child abuse, insecurity…you’re going down. How long since you loaded your sling and took a swing at your giant?
One might read David’s story and wonder what God saw in him. The fellow fell as often as he stood, stumbled as often as he conquered. He stared down Goliath, yet sneaked a peek at Bathsheba; defied God mockers in the valley, yet joined them in the wilderness. An Eagle Scout one day. buddies with the Mafia the next. He could lead armies but couldn’t manage a family. Raging David. Weeping David. Bloodthirsty. God-hungry. Eight wives. One God.
Acts 13:22 reminds us that God said that “David was a man after God’s own heart.” A man after God’s own heart? That God saw him as such gives hope to us all. David’s life has little to offer the unstained saint. Straight-A souls find David’s story disappointing. The rest of us find it reassuring. We ride the same roller coaster. We alternate between swan dives and belly flops, soufflés and burnt toast. In David’s good moments, no one was better. In his bad moments, could one be worse? The heart God loved was a checkered one. We need David’s story. Giants lurk in our neighborhoods. Rejection. Failure. Revenge. Remorse. Giants. We must face them. Yet we need not face them alone.
Focus first, and most, on God. The times David did, giants fell. The days he didn’t, David did.
IV. Focus on God Not GIANTS
David didn’t ask a bunch of questions about Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Just “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (v.26). No inquiries about Goliath’s skill, age, social standing, or IQ. David asks nothing about the weight or the sword of the size of the spear.
No one thought he could defeat the giant – certainly not his brothers. "Why have you come down here?, they asked. King Saul told him that Goliath “has been a fighting man from his youth." You don’t have a chance. He’s a “pro” and “you are only a boy”. But David gives much thought to God. As we read David’s words again, there are nine references to the Lord. God-thoughts outnumber Goliath-thoughts nine to one. How does this ratio compare with yours? Do you ponder God’s grace nine times as much as you ponder your guilt? Is your list of blessings nine times as long as your list of complaints? Is your mental file of hope nine times as thick as your mental file of dread? Are you nine times as likely to describe the strength of God as you are the demands of your day?
Conclusion: The whole matter may be summed up with the following:
Focus on giants – you stumble.
Focus on God – your giants tumble.
Lift your eyes, giant slayer. The God who made a miracle out of David stands ready to make one out of you.
The majority of this lesson is based on Max Lucado’s Book – Facing Your Giants
1 Samuel 17:40-51
The giants we face today may be unemployment, abandonment, sexual abuse, depression, bills, grades, alcohol, pornography, a career, a mistake or it could even be the future.
What answers does God have to our real life giant struggles? Actually, the name of the lesson is half of the battle. We must face the giant. No hiding, no running away, no cowering in fear.
Let’s look at the Bible story of a boy and his battle with the giant.
I. The Odds Are Against You.
The young, beardless boy kneels by the brook. He gets mud on his knees. The flowing water cools his hand. He is searching for rocks. Stones. Smooth stones. The kind that will fit in a shepherd’s pouch, the ones that will just the right size for his shepherd’s sling. Just the ones he needed to bring down a lion, a bear, or, in this case, a giant.
Goliath towers above them all: over nine feet tall in his bare feet (What kind of football or basketball contract could he have gotten), wearing 125 pounds of armor, and snarling like the main contender at a World Wide Wrestling Federation championship night. He wears a size 20 collar, a 101/2 hat, and a 56-inch belt. Can’t even imagine what his sandal size! His boasts echo through the canyon. “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” (1 Sam. 17:10 NIV). In other words give me your best shot.
What odds did David have against his giant? (Goliath’s armor probably weighed as much as David.) Better odds perhaps than you give yourself against yours. Your Goliath doesn’t carry sword or shield; he waves blades of unemployment, abandonment, sexual abuse, or depression. Your giant doesn’t parade up and down the hills of Elah; he prances through your office, your bedroom, your classroom. He brings bills you can’t pay, grades you can’t make, people you can’t please, alcohol or drugs you can’t resist, pornography you can’t refuse, a career you can’t escape, a past you can’t shake, and a future you can’t face.
How long has he stalked you? Goliath’s family was an ancient foe of the Israelites. Joshua drove them out of the Promised Land three hundred years earlier. Saul’s soldiers saw Goliath and mumbled, “Not again. My dad fought his dad. My granddad fought his granddad.”
You’ve groaned similar words. “I’m becoming a workaholic, just like my father.” “Divorce rips through our family tree like a tornado.” “My mom couldn’t keep a friend either. Is this ever going to stop?” When Saul and his men heard the Philistines’ challenge, they were terrified (1Sam. 17:11).
With all the giants we must face, where is our focus?
II. Do You See God?
You know Goliath. You recognize his walk and wince at his talk. You’ve seen your Godzilla. The question is, is he all you see? You know his voice – but is it all you hear? David saw and heard more. David’s first discussion, although it was about Goliath, was on the Lord. “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he defy the armies of the living God?” (1Sam. 17:26) David shows up discussing God. The soldiers mentioned nothing about him, the brothers never spoke his name, but David takes one step onto the stage and raises the subject of the living God. He does the same with King Saul: no chitchat about the battle or questions about the odds. Just a God-birthed announcement: “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine” (1 Sam 17:37).
No one else discusses God. David discusses no one else but God. A subplot appears in the story. More than “David versus Goliath,” this is “God-focus versus giant-focus.” David sees what others don’t and refuses to see what other do. All eyes, except David’s, fall on the brutal, hate-breathing hulk. All compasses, except David’s, are set on the polestar of the Philistine. All journals, but David’s, describe day after day in the land of the Neanderthal. The people know his taunts, demands, size, and strut. They have majored in Goliath.
David majors in God. He sees the giant, mind you; he just sees God more so. Look carefully at David’s battle cry: “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” (1Sam. 17:45)
David sees the armies of God. And because he does, “David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him (Goliath).” (1Sam. 17:48).
III. The Battle Is The Lord’s
David’s brothers cover their eyes, both in fear and embarrassment. Saul sighs as the young Hebrew races to certain death. Goliath throws back his head in laughter, just enough to shift his helmet and expose a square inch of forehead flesh. David spots the target and seizes the moment. The sound of the swirling sling is the only sound in the valley. Swish. Swish. Swish. The stone is released from the sling and hits the giant at the only venerable spot. (Do you suppose the hadn of God may have actually guided this “missile”.); Goliath’s eyes cross and legs buckle. He crumples to the ground and dies. David runs over and yanks Goliath’s sword form its sheath and cuts off his head.
You might say that David knew how to get a head of his giant. When was the last time you did the same? How long since you ran toward your challenge? We tend to retreat, duck behind a desk of work or crawl into a bottle of distraction or hide out behind some chemical. For a moment, a day, or a year, we feel safe, insulated, anesthetized, but then the work runs out, the liquor wears off, or the high is gone, then we hear Goliath again.
Try a different tack. Rush your giant with a God-saturated soul. Amplify God and minimize Goliath. Download some of heaven’s unsquashable resolve. Giant of Divorce you are not entering my home! Giant of depression? It may take a lifetime, but you won’t conquer me. Giant of alcohol, bigotry, child abuse, insecurity…you’re going down. How long since you loaded your sling and took a swing at your giant?
One might read David’s story and wonder what God saw in him. The fellow fell as often as he stood, stumbled as often as he conquered. He stared down Goliath, yet sneaked a peek at Bathsheba; defied God mockers in the valley, yet joined them in the wilderness. An Eagle Scout one day. buddies with the Mafia the next. He could lead armies but couldn’t manage a family. Raging David. Weeping David. Bloodthirsty. God-hungry. Eight wives. One God.
Acts 13:22 reminds us that God said that “David was a man after God’s own heart.” A man after God’s own heart? That God saw him as such gives hope to us all. David’s life has little to offer the unstained saint. Straight-A souls find David’s story disappointing. The rest of us find it reassuring. We ride the same roller coaster. We alternate between swan dives and belly flops, soufflés and burnt toast. In David’s good moments, no one was better. In his bad moments, could one be worse? The heart God loved was a checkered one. We need David’s story. Giants lurk in our neighborhoods. Rejection. Failure. Revenge. Remorse. Giants. We must face them. Yet we need not face them alone.
Focus first, and most, on God. The times David did, giants fell. The days he didn’t, David did.
IV. Focus on God Not GIANTS
David didn’t ask a bunch of questions about Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Just “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (v.26). No inquiries about Goliath’s skill, age, social standing, or IQ. David asks nothing about the weight or the sword of the size of the spear.
No one thought he could defeat the giant – certainly not his brothers. "Why have you come down here?, they asked. King Saul told him that Goliath “has been a fighting man from his youth." You don’t have a chance. He’s a “pro” and “you are only a boy”. But David gives much thought to God. As we read David’s words again, there are nine references to the Lord. God-thoughts outnumber Goliath-thoughts nine to one. How does this ratio compare with yours? Do you ponder God’s grace nine times as much as you ponder your guilt? Is your list of blessings nine times as long as your list of complaints? Is your mental file of hope nine times as thick as your mental file of dread? Are you nine times as likely to describe the strength of God as you are the demands of your day?
Conclusion: The whole matter may be summed up with the following:
Focus on giants – you stumble.
Focus on God – your giants tumble.
Lift your eyes, giant slayer. The God who made a miracle out of David stands ready to make one out of you.
The majority of this lesson is based on Max Lucado’s Book – Facing Your Giants
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Am “I” a Lukewarm Christian?
Until I read the chapter titled “Profile of Lukewarm” from the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, I would never thought of myself as “lukewarm”. There several adjectives I could probably use to describe my Christianity but lukewarm would not have been one. I am normally not lukewarm about anything – either I am all out or I don’t care. No in between for me! But reading this made me take a long hard look at myself. So maybe this lesson is just for me but y’all get to hear it and maybe reflect on yourself.
Would you describe yourself as totally in love with Jesus Christ? Or do the words halfhearted, lukewarm, and partially committed fit better?
The Bible says to test ourselves, so in the lesson today let’s examine what halfhearted, distracted, partially committed, lukewarm people can look like. As we look at these examples, let’s take a searching, honest look at our lives. Not who we want to be one of these days, but who we are now and how we are living today.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go. "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men'" (Isa. 29:13).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE give money to charity and to the church ... as long as it doesn't have an impact on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? Jesus observed a woman giving her two “pennies” at the temple, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives. Jesus said "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). And "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Rev. 3:1).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Paul writes "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Rom. 6:1-2).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins" (James 4: 17).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven" (Matt. 10:32-33).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren't as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. "The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get'" (Luke 18:11-12
LUKEWARM PEOPLE say they love Jesus, and that He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn't really possible for the average person; it's only for pastors and missionaries and radicals. Jesus said: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matt. 22:37-38
LUKEWARM PEOPLE love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love or others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better (or worse) athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,…… If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matt. 5:43-47
LUKEWARM PEOPLE will serve God and others, but there are limits to how for they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give. See story of rich ruler in Luke 18:21-25.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today's to-do list, this week's schedule, and next month's vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come. Paul writes: “Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven." (Phil. 3:18-20). And, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Col. 3:2).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be "good enough" without it requiring too much of them.
They ask, "How far can I go before it’s considered a sin?" instead of "How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit?"
They ask, "How much do I have to give?" instead of "How much can I give?"
They ask, "How much time should I spend praying and reading my Bible?" instead of "I wish I didn't have to go to work, so I could sit here and read longer!"
LUKEWARM PEOPLE feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, and live in America. Just as the prophets in the Old Testament warned Israel that they were not safe just because they God’s “chosen people”, so we are not safe just because we wear the label Christian and live in America. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven , but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren't very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn't be more wrong.
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. …. First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. ……. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matt. 23:25-28).
This profile of the lukewarm is not an all-inclusive definition of what it means to be a Christian, nor is it intended to be used as ammunition to judge your fellow believers' salvation. Instead, as 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, it is a call to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves”. We are all messed-up human beings, and no one is totally immune to the behaviors described in the previous examples. However, there is a difference between a life that is characterized by these sorts of mentalities and habits and a life that is in the process of being radically transformed.
Would you describe yourself as totally in love with Jesus Christ? Or do the words halfhearted, lukewarm, and partially committed fit better?
The Bible says to test ourselves, so in the lesson today let’s examine what halfhearted, distracted, partially committed, lukewarm people can look like. As we look at these examples, let’s take a searching, honest look at our lives. Not who we want to be one of these days, but who we are now and how we are living today.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go. "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men'" (Isa. 29:13).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE give money to charity and to the church ... as long as it doesn't have an impact on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? Jesus observed a woman giving her two “pennies” at the temple, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives. Jesus said "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). And "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Rev. 3:1).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Paul writes "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Rom. 6:1-2).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins" (James 4: 17).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven" (Matt. 10:32-33).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren't as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. "The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get'" (Luke 18:11-12
LUKEWARM PEOPLE say they love Jesus, and that He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn't really possible for the average person; it's only for pastors and missionaries and radicals. Jesus said: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matt. 22:37-38
LUKEWARM PEOPLE love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love or others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better (or worse) athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,…… If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matt. 5:43-47
LUKEWARM PEOPLE will serve God and others, but there are limits to how for they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give. See story of rich ruler in Luke 18:21-25.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today's to-do list, this week's schedule, and next month's vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come. Paul writes: “Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven." (Phil. 3:18-20). And, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Col. 3:2).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be "good enough" without it requiring too much of them.
They ask, "How far can I go before it’s considered a sin?" instead of "How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit?"
They ask, "How much do I have to give?" instead of "How much can I give?"
They ask, "How much time should I spend praying and reading my Bible?" instead of "I wish I didn't have to go to work, so I could sit here and read longer!"
LUKEWARM PEOPLE feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, and live in America. Just as the prophets in the Old Testament warned Israel that they were not safe just because they God’s “chosen people”, so we are not safe just because we wear the label Christian and live in America. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven , but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).
LUKEWARM PEOPLE probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren't very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn't be more wrong.
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. …. First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. ……. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matt. 23:25-28).
This profile of the lukewarm is not an all-inclusive definition of what it means to be a Christian, nor is it intended to be used as ammunition to judge your fellow believers' salvation. Instead, as 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, it is a call to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves”. We are all messed-up human beings, and no one is totally immune to the behaviors described in the previous examples. However, there is a difference between a life that is characterized by these sorts of mentalities and habits and a life that is in the process of being radically transformed.
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