Been just too busy this year to update the blog much.
Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas season celebrating the birth of Jesus who came to this world to live and die and thus became the Reason for the season.
May you discover the reality of the Christ of Christ-mas.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
PRIDE: THE ROOT AND ESSENCE OF SIN
"THE FACTS OF THE MATTER"
"A weekly letter of encouragement to business and professional men and women"
December 09, 2009
PRIDE: THE ROOT AND ESSENCE OF SIN
I just learned of a friend of mine (who took a church from nothing to 1200 people in three years) who has fallen into sexual immorality. Over the years he has been secretly plagued with deeply-rooted unresolved issues, which in his pride he has consistently refused to divulge, deal with, and be held accountable for. It was these root issues that eventually led to his undoing.
I finally got him on the phone, having escaped with his wife to the Caribbean , “Dwight, it is hell. I may not have a marriage. Our lives are changed forever.” In our brief but intense conversation he said nothing about defacing the Name of God or about the 1200 people he had deeply offended. No, it was all about him and his discomfort; his embarrassment. In a word, raw, untamed pride.
So just what is pride? It is the very root and essence of sin. And how does it manifest itself? By putting ourselves rather than God at the center, as manifested by our boasting, high-mindedness, arrogance, and drawing attention to our skills, accomplishments, possessions or position. At its root is rebellion against God in that we take unto ourselves the honor and glory that is his due. This is precisely what King Herod did, and it cost him his life: “[King] Herod…delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:21-23 – Selected) Is there any doubt that "God opposes the proud"? (James 4:6)
The insidious nature of pride and God’s concern that it not control us is brought home in his dealing with the Apostle Paul. God had given him extraordinary revelations and knew that if he did not injure him, he would loose him to pride. “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” After pleading with God three times – without success - to remove the thorn, [God] “said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Paul’s conclusion? “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:1-10 – Selected)
God warned Israel of pride that could easily engulf them with the “success” he would give them after crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” (Deut 8:17, 18) Why the warning? Because, God emphatically instructs us, “I will not yield my glory to another.” (Isa. 48:11b)
QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK YOURSELF IN EVALUATING YOUR “PRIDE QUOTIENT”:
- Are the words, “I am sorry,” and “I am wrong” part of my vocabulary? (Matt. 23:12)
- Whom do I really credit for my success? God or myself? (Psa. 33:16-19; Zech 4:6)
- What is my attitude toward the less fortunate; the less accomplished; the less attractive? Disdain? Judgmentalism? Avoidance? Or compassion? (Matt. 9:36; Lk. 18:9-14)
- In conversation, do I purposely step back from the limelight, or do I maneuver the focus toward myself?
- Is my planning and decision-making bathed with prayer and the counsel of godly people? Or do I plow ahead on my own? (Prov 15:22; 20:18; James. 4:13-16)
- Am I resting in who I am in Christ, or am I still trying to prove myself and impress others? (Eph. 2:4-9)
Because pride is such a menacing force for all of us, an exercise you might consider is praying your way through the following passages: John 13:1-17; Luke 18:9-17; Philippians 2:5-8.
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
R. Dwight Hill
Friday, December 4, 2009
How to invest your life
By Rick Warren
There are three ways you can live your life. You can waste it. You can spend it. Or you can invest it. We call those who waste their lives foolish. We call those who spend their lives average. We call those who invest their lives leaders.
Jesus uses one of his most famous parables – the Parable of the Talents – to help us learn how to be leaders, the kind of people who invest our life rather than waste or spend it. Here are seven principles to take from this parable that can help you invest your life in a way that counts.
- The principle of ownership In the Parable of the Talents, the master represents God. He owns it all. He is the one who entrusts what he owns to his servants. Matthew 25:14 (NLT) says, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.” It was his property to entrust.
That’s the way it is with us as well. Everything we have really belongs to God. Since he made it all, he owns it all. Psalm 24:1a (NLT) says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Everything we have is on loan from God – even your talents. You never really own anything. You just get to use it while you’re here. Whatever God has given you to help you do ministry, it isn’t really yours.
If you’re going to invest your life in ministry, you’ve got to realize this before you can go any further.
- The principle of allocation This story in Matthew is where we get the English word talent. It originally meant a unit of measurement. But this story has been told so much throughout the past 2,000 years that it has come to mean what we typically think of as talent. It can be anything God has entrusted to us – abilities, resources, opportunities, or whatever else you’ve been given.
We’ve all been entrusted with different “talent.” Nobody is talentless. Pastor, to invest your life like God wants you to, you’ve got to acknowledge that he has given you certain abilities, opportunities, and resources that he hasn’t given others.
- The principle of accountability The master expected the servants to use what he had given them. Matthew 25:19 (NLT) says, “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.” One day God will settle accounts with you, too. He has made an investment in you, and he will want a return.
God will ask you one day, “What did you do with what you were given?” You better be ready for that question! It’s the final exam question you need to study every day of the rest of your life.
- The principle of utilization The parable also teaches that it’s wrong to bury your talents. God gives them for us to use. It’s a sin not to do so. The third servant in this story did just that. While the other two invested their gifts and doubled their master’s talents, the third buried his. He didn’t even get simple interest. He didn’t even try.
Pastor, you can’t please God by playing it safe. Notice the master’s reaction. He said, “You lazy, wicked servant.” Most of us wouldn’t consider what the guy did as wicked. He didn’t do anything! But Jesus says that’s wicked. You can’t please God by playing it safe. You must take risks. Hebrews 11:6a (NLT) says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” If you don’t take risks, you don’t need faith.
What risks have you taken with the talents God has given you? Remember, God would rather have you fall flat on your face for him in ministry than not even try.
- The principle of motivation Fear kept the third servant from using his talent. He says in verse 26a, “I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth.” You and I don’t use our talents because of fear as well. Three types of fear keep us from being effective in ministry: self-doubt, self-pity, and self-consciousness. What do all three of those fears have in common? All mean that you’re focusing on “self.”
Those dwelling in self-doubt refuse to risk failure. Those dwelling in self-pity feel hopeless and powerless to use what they’ve been given. Those dwelling in self-consciousness worry more about what other people will think of them than what their Creator might think. God doesn’t care about the mistakes you might make; the mistakes you have made; or what your family, friends, and peers think. He wants to know, “Will you use what I’ve given you to make a difference in the world?”
Instead of lesser motivations, be motivated by the desire to glorify God through your ministry. It’s a better motivation than fear any day.
- The principle of application The servant who didn’t use his talent lost it. In verse 28a the Bible says, “Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the 10 bags of silver.” That doesn’t sound fair to most of us. It sounds like he’s taking from the rich and giving to the poor. [kc: I think it's a typo and should be "It sounds like He's taking from the poor and giving to the rich"] But God has the right to take away anything that I don’t use to invest for him.
One time I received a letter from a guy who took our membership class. He said, “I had it made. I had a company that had 1,200 percent profit in about four years, a 9,000 square foot home, nice cars…I wasn’t using it for the Lord, and I didn’t give him the glory, and I lost it all. I went through this period of depression, I found the church, and now God has shown me the answers. And I’m rebuilding my life.”
If you don’t use what God has given you in the right way, you’ll lose it. It’s a universal principle. If you don’t use your muscles, you’ll lose them – that’s atrophy. We need to use our abilities and resources for God.
- The principle of compensation If you use what God gives you wisely, you’ll be compensated. In verse 23 the master says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”
The master rewarded the faithful servants through three ways: affirmation, promotion, and celebration. Those rewards are waiting for us when we use well what we’ve been given. As you’re faithful, God will affirm your ministry over and over again. Then, as these verses teach us, be ready for the greatest celebration you’ve ever experienced!
SADDLEBACK SAYINGS
“Never waste energy trying to be well-known. Today’s hero is tomorrow’s zero. Work on character and leave your reputation to God.” – Rick Warren
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
THE GRAND ILLUSION, SEDUCTION, AND REALITY
The Grand Illusion today is that those who thumb their nose at God, ignore his injunctions, and go after what they want, any way they want it, are the real winners in life. Often they are the beautiful, gifted people who enjoy life’s privileged pleasures – all with seemingly painless ease. And I, this struggling pilgrim of Christ, sweat it out making house payments, staying out of sin, raising my kids biblically, and living a life of integrity before God in my business affairs. In a word, I try to color inside the lines. And often, I do it with little appreciation, recognition, or reward. Asap, the Psalmist observes these seemingly free spirits, who appear to soar above us mortals:
· “They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
· They aren't troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else.
· They wear pride like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty.
· These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
· They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
· They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth…Look at these arrogant people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.” (Psa. 73:4-9,12 NLT)
The Grand Seduction: I have to admit that there are times when I am a bit envious of them! Asap continues:
· “Does God realize what is going on…Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?
· Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
- But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
- Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.” (Psa. 73:2,3, 21,22 NLT
The Grand Reality: Asap concludes by putting it all in perspective:
- They are under God’s judgment: “So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrors. Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life…But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.” (Psa. 73:16-20,27 NLT
- God will lovingly guide me through my earthly sojourn: “Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever…But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” (Psa. 73:23-26, 28 NLT)
PRAYER: “Lord, amidst the crushing seductions and pressures of the world that would sweep me away into the mainstream of self-indulgence, grant me the grace to maintain your eternal perspective in order to remain true to you and the God-given convictions you have impressed upon my heart. Whatever the cost. Amen. “
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
R. Dwight Hill
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Why does God allow pain?
By Rick Warren
Pastor, I bet if there’s one question you get more than any others, particularly when you’re ministering to people in times of crisis, it’s “Why does God allow pain?” I can’t count the times I’ve been asked that question. So when you’re asked that question, here are four answers you can give people. - God has given us free will.
In Genesis we learn that we were made in the image of God. But how so? God gave us choice. We can choose to do what’s good or what’s evil, to accept God or reject him. Why did God give us that choice? He didn’t want a bunch of puppets. He didn’t have to do that. He could have forced us to worship, serve, and love him. But he wanted us to love him voluntarily. You can’t say you love somebody unless you have the opportunity to not love him.
Free will isn’t only a blessing. Sometimes it’s a burden. Sometimes we make dumb choices. Those choices have all kinds of painful consequences in our lives. I can choose to experiment with drugs. If I get addicted, that’s my fault. I can choose to be sexually promiscuous. If I get a disease, that’s my fault. God doesn’t want us to have this kind of pain, but he allows us to face the consequences of our choices.
Not only do we have free will, but everyone else does as well. Sometimes we get hurt because of other people’s bad choices. We’ve all been hurt by someone else at some point in life. You’ve probably asked yourself, “Why didn’t God prevent it?” He could have. He just would have needed to take away that person’s free will. But here’s the dilemma. He would have needed to take away yours as well!
- God uses pain to get our attention.
Pain is a warning light. It tells us something is wrong. Pain isn’t your problem. It’s a symptom. It’s God’s megaphone. As you’ve heard before, God whispers to us in our pleasure, but he shouts to us in our pain. Proverbs 20:30 says, “Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.”
A number of years ago I had a pair of shoes that I loved. They were made out of deerskin and were real soft and smooth. They were great! But after awhile, I got holes in the soles. Yet they still looked good on top. So I wore them anyway. I just had to be sure that when I sat on stage, I kept my feet on the ground. I wasn’t motivated to buy new shoes until there were seven days of rain in a row, and I had to put up with soggy shoes several days in a row. My wet feet motivated me to changed! Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 7:9, “I am glad not because it hurts you, but because the pain turns you to God.” Sometimes it takes pain to get us to do what God wants us to do.
Remember the story of Jonah? Jonah was going one way and God said, “I want you to go the other way.” So he provided a typical Mediterranean cruise for him – a whale! And, at the bottom of the ocean, Jonah said, “When I had lost all hope I once again turned my thoughts to the Lord.” God uses pain to get our attention.
- God uses pain to teach us to depend on him.
You don’t know that God is all you need until God’s all you got. Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (TLB): “We were crushed and overwhelmed and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves but that was good for then we put everything into the hands of God who could save us and he did help us.”
If you never had a problem, you’d never know God could solve it. God allows pain to teach you to depend on him. The Bible says in Psalm 119:71: “It was the best thing that could have happened to me for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.” The truth is, some things we only learn through pain. Depending on God is one of those things.
- God allows pain to give me a ministry to others.
Pain prepares you to serve. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT), “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” Everybody needs recovery of some type. Nobody’s perfect. Who can better help an alcoholic than somebody who has struggled with alcoholism? Who can better help somebody dealing with the pain of abuse than someone who was abused themselves? God wants to use and recycle the pain in our lives to help others, but we’ve got to be open and honest about it.
God did this with Kay and me. The first three years of our marriage were really bad. I understand the guy who says he is miserable and wants out of marriage. I understand because I’ve been there! But through the help of a Christian counselor, Kay and I worked through those problems and now have a great marriage. A few years ago I did a Sunday morning sermon series on marriage where I talked about a different problem we worked through each week. It was a 12-week series, but it could have been 50. God uses your pain to help other people.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Later On
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. —Romans 8:18
It seems there are two kinds of people in this world: those who have an eternal perspective and those who are preoccupied with the present.
One is absorbed with the permanent; the other with the passing. One stores up treasure in heaven; the other accumulates it here on earth. One stays with a challenging marriage because this isn’t all there is; another looks for happiness in another mate, believing this life is all there is. One is willing to suffer poverty, hunger, indignity, and shame because of “the glory which shall be revealed” (Rom. 8:18); another believes that happiness is being rich and famous. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Abraham had an “other world” perspective. That’s what enabled him to give up a piece of well-watered land by the Jordan (Gen. 13). He knew that God had something better for him later on. The Lord told him to look in every direction as far as he could see and then said that his family would someday have it all. What a land grant! And God promised that his descendants would be as numerous “as the dust” (v.16).
That’s an outlook many people can’t understand. They go for all the gusto right now. But God’s people have another point of view. They know that God has something better later on! — David H. Roper
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today. —Miller
Live for Jesus, and you’ll live for eternity.
It seems there are two kinds of people in this world: those who have an eternal perspective and those who are preoccupied with the present.
One is absorbed with the permanent; the other with the passing. One stores up treasure in heaven; the other accumulates it here on earth. One stays with a challenging marriage because this isn’t all there is; another looks for happiness in another mate, believing this life is all there is. One is willing to suffer poverty, hunger, indignity, and shame because of “the glory which shall be revealed” (Rom. 8:18); another believes that happiness is being rich and famous. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Abraham had an “other world” perspective. That’s what enabled him to give up a piece of well-watered land by the Jordan (Gen. 13). He knew that God had something better for him later on. The Lord told him to look in every direction as far as he could see and then said that his family would someday have it all. What a land grant! And God promised that his descendants would be as numerous “as the dust” (v.16).
That’s an outlook many people can’t understand. They go for all the gusto right now. But God’s people have another point of view. They know that God has something better later on! — David H. Roper
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today. —Miller
Live for Jesus, and you’ll live for eternity.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Developing a plan to beat temptation
Simple yet useful questions to ask.
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By Rick Warren
Pastor, temptations can take down any one of us, at any time. We’re human. I’m guessing not a day goes by that a pastor doesn’t have his ministry implode because of falling to temptation. The people sitting in our worship services this weekend are just as vulnerable. The truth is, beating temptation requires a plan. You’ve heard the saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” That’s critically accurate for battling temptation. Each of us has unique patterns to how we live. You have a unique fingerprint, thumbprint, eye print, footprint, and voice print. Nobody’s heart has ever beat just like yours. That’s true of you emotionally and spiritually too. Certain things tempt you more than other things. We may have similar temptations, but they come at us in different ways depending on our personality, background, and other factors.
For instance, I’ve never been tempted to smoke. It just hasn’t interested me. I can’t stand the smell. But food is a huge temptation for me. I like to eat!
We need to know our own pattern of temptation because the devil knows it. He knows what uniquely tempts you. Proverbs 5:6 says, “The immoral person does not care about the path of life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t even realize where it leads.” If you don't know your path of temptation, you’re headed for destruction.
To figure out what your temptation pattern is, ask yourself these five questions.
- When am I most tempted?
If you look carefully, you’ll notice that you are tempted on certain days more than others. For instance, on Monday morning when you go back to the office, you may be tempted to be frustrated, short- tempered, and irritated with people. On Friday you may be tempted to unwind from a tough week in a way you shouldn’t. And on Saturday morning you may be tempted to be lazy, waste time, or be irresponsible. What are you tempted to do – or not do –on different days of the week?
You’re also tempted more at certain times of the day – and you need to know what those times of day are. Maybe you’re tempted in the later afternoon when your blood sugar is low and you’re irritable. Or you may be tempted whenever it’s late at night and everyone else is in bed.
I can handle any diet until noon. I have great self-control until noon. But after lunch and after dinner, I’m a goner. I’m most tempted to overeat between 7:00 p.m. and midnight. I can eat more calories in snacks between 7:00 p.m. and midnight than I ate in breakfast, lunch, and dinner combined. It may be a different time for you, but you need to know it.
- Where am I most tempted?
Maybe you’re most tempted in a certain restaurant. Or you’re most tempted when you go to the local gas station and see a certain kind of magazine on the shelves. Or maybe you’re tempted when you’re in your neighbor’s house. If you know where you’re tempted, stay away. It’s that simple. If you don’t want to get stung, stay away from the bees. There’s no place you can go that’s more important than avoiding temptation.
- Who am I with when I’m tempted?
Some people are more tempted when they’re alone. They’re tempted when they think nobody is watching. Others are tempted when they’re with other people, usually certain people. They’re tempted when they’re out with “the guys” or “the girls.” Some people are the most tempted when they’re around strangers. They think, nobody knows who I am. I can do whatever I want. Others are tempted with family. You’ll act in certain ways with your family that you wouldn’t dare do in public.
A good plan to stop temptation will take into account the people you’re with when you’re tempted. You may or may not be able to completely avoid those people, but you can make sure you’re ready for those situations. You can have friends pray for you when you’re in situations like that. And you can be on your guard.
- What temporary benefits do I get when I give in?
Sin always has a temporary payoff. You wouldn’t do it if it didn’t. If sin had the pain of a root canal, it wouldn’t be a problem. There’s pleasure in sin. The Bible says it’s fun. But the pleasure is short-term. When you sin, you’re trading short-term pleasure for long-term damage and destruction. It’s not a good deal.
You've got to figure out what you’re getting when you give in to temptation. Why are you doing it? Sometimes you give in for comfort. Other times you give in to relieve stress. Some people are just looking for excitement. Ask yourself, “When I give in to temptation, do I feel more loved, accepted, or popular?” Then you need to look for healthy ways to get those kind of feelings.
- How do I feel right before I’m tempted?
You need to know your emotional triggers. Maybe you get so frustrated that you don’t know what to do and you give in to temptation. Maybe you get mad and that leads to your temptation. Know the emotions that make you vulnerable to temptations. There are good and bad ways to deal with any emotion. Learn some of the good ways to deal with your problem emotions.
Four ways pastoring today is different than 30 years ago
Times are a-changing.
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Use of technology
One of the biggest shifts is the use of technology. With the age of the Internet, pastors found themselves with a whole new world in which to communicate with their congregations, share their messages, and interact with their world. Today, many pastors use email, Twitter, blogging, and Facebook as tools for pastoring.
A pastor in Denver, Colorado, describes Facebook and Myspace as an effective way to keep up with members of his church. On a Sunday morning, he may ask a member how they’re doing. They’ll claim everything is great, but Facebook will reveal a completely different story. Because the pastor is friends on Facebook, he has the ability to bring up the issue online and in person. The idea of virtual pastoring is becoming more prevalent.
A community of believers
Another trend that is emerging in many churches is a shift from a monologue to a dialogue approach to leadership. Rather than a single person taking the pulpit and carrying the responsibilities, communities are developing a more inclusive and experiential fellowship where the church body responds as a body. Often this translates into a team approach to leadership and fulfilling the roles – pastor, teacher, prophet – of a church.
Within this setting, some pastors of even large congregations are finding themselves as connectors. They are constantly raising up new believers, encouraging active participation, and engaging members to serve and worship as followers of Jesus. This dedication to building a community of believers may mean that a pastor recommends a particular counselor rather than trying to counsel individuals himself. As a result, the pastor can encourage members to pursue their passions and develop the gifts God has given them.
Entrepreneurial hat
A number of young pastors describe themselves as wearing an entrepreneurial hat. They recognize that some of the things that were working in the church are no longer, and they’re committed to developing new approaches, practices, and tactics. They’re willing to take risks, try new things, and think outside the box in the way they share the gospel and build community.
Innovation is a hallmark of many pastors wearing the entrepreneurial hat. Whether growing a network of multi-site churches, planting a new church in an under-reached area, or using technology to draw people into the church, they are willing to go where others haven’t gone before in order to reach those who haven’t heard the Gospel before.
Spiritual shopping
One of the challenges that is emerging with young pastors is the spiritual shopping of many believers and seekers. Because of the high mobility of our culture, people are constantly on the move. The idea of living in the same town, let alone the same area of town, is becoming a foreign concept for millions. Meanwhile, the consumerism found throughout our culture is seeping into the church.
Christians are becoming choosy about church and their spiritual shopping sprees are challenging for church leaders. If a church isn’t meeting a person’s needs, they’re likely to leave and simply keep on shopping. Or if a person is challenged in an area where they need to grow, they may opt for the easy solution: switch churches. The result is that many pastors are struggling to keep church members long enough to grow them into disciples of Christ.
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By Margaret Feinberg
Over the last 30 years, the job descriptions for pastors have shifted. While preaching and teaching are still standards for most pastors, some church leaders are discovering that their roles are evolving as the expectations and needs of their congregations change. What is different about younger evangelical pastors today than a generation before them? Here are a few trends to consider:Use of technology
One of the biggest shifts is the use of technology. With the age of the Internet, pastors found themselves with a whole new world in which to communicate with their congregations, share their messages, and interact with their world. Today, many pastors use email, Twitter, blogging, and Facebook as tools for pastoring.
A pastor in Denver, Colorado, describes Facebook and Myspace as an effective way to keep up with members of his church. On a Sunday morning, he may ask a member how they’re doing. They’ll claim everything is great, but Facebook will reveal a completely different story. Because the pastor is friends on Facebook, he has the ability to bring up the issue online and in person. The idea of virtual pastoring is becoming more prevalent.
A community of believers
Another trend that is emerging in many churches is a shift from a monologue to a dialogue approach to leadership. Rather than a single person taking the pulpit and carrying the responsibilities, communities are developing a more inclusive and experiential fellowship where the church body responds as a body. Often this translates into a team approach to leadership and fulfilling the roles – pastor, teacher, prophet – of a church.
Within this setting, some pastors of even large congregations are finding themselves as connectors. They are constantly raising up new believers, encouraging active participation, and engaging members to serve and worship as followers of Jesus. This dedication to building a community of believers may mean that a pastor recommends a particular counselor rather than trying to counsel individuals himself. As a result, the pastor can encourage members to pursue their passions and develop the gifts God has given them.
Entrepreneurial hat
A number of young pastors describe themselves as wearing an entrepreneurial hat. They recognize that some of the things that were working in the church are no longer, and they’re committed to developing new approaches, practices, and tactics. They’re willing to take risks, try new things, and think outside the box in the way they share the gospel and build community.
Innovation is a hallmark of many pastors wearing the entrepreneurial hat. Whether growing a network of multi-site churches, planting a new church in an under-reached area, or using technology to draw people into the church, they are willing to go where others haven’t gone before in order to reach those who haven’t heard the Gospel before.
Spiritual shopping
One of the challenges that is emerging with young pastors is the spiritual shopping of many believers and seekers. Because of the high mobility of our culture, people are constantly on the move. The idea of living in the same town, let alone the same area of town, is becoming a foreign concept for millions. Meanwhile, the consumerism found throughout our culture is seeping into the church.
Christians are becoming choosy about church and their spiritual shopping sprees are challenging for church leaders. If a church isn’t meeting a person’s needs, they’re likely to leave and simply keep on shopping. Or if a person is challenged in an area where they need to grow, they may opt for the easy solution: switch churches. The result is that many pastors are struggling to keep church members long enough to grow them into disciples of Christ.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
DISCIPLINE AND SELF-CONTROL
August 19, 2009
Good Morning!
“People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.” 1
Like it or not, discipline and self-control are basic to spiritual growth and maturity: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness…But the fruit of the Spirit is…self-control” (I Tim. 4:7b NAS; Gal. 5:22a, 23b).
If we in our world of touchy-feely me-centered Christianity resent and resist restrictions in the name spiritual liberty, we may want to consider St. Paul ’s analogy of spiritual maturity to two great Greek festivals, the Olympic and Isthmian games: “You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself…“ (I Cor. 9:24-27 Msg. Trans.). (See 2 Tim 2:5)
Paul implores us to “run to win.” Unlike the Greek athletes, ours is for an imperishable prize: “…God…has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (I Pet. 1:3, 4; 2 Tim. 4:7, 8 - Selected).
Athletes in training gain control over their minds and bodies and place themselves on a strict regimen. Paul, in like manner put himself on a rigorous routine of discipline, lest he be shelved (in terms of effective service.) (I Cor. 9:27) In Romans 8:13 the Apostle gives us the means by which winning over the flesh is possible: “If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
The reality is that the imperishable requires discipline and self control just as the perishable: “…Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us” (Heb. 12:1b NLT). As followers of Christ, whatever good we may accomplish, whether in education, business, the arts, our marriage, sports, our walk with God - you name it, can only be achieved through these twin virtues as we are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. (See Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16)
Many of us started out on our pilgrimage with Christ with enthusiasm and a deep sense of devotion. Somewhere along the way however, we “broke training” as the flesh, the world, our daily concerns and personal interests - and laziness, choked our spiritual growth: “…The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Mk. 4:19). (See 1 Jn. 2:15, 16)
Look around you at your fellow believers. Many are slaves to their bodies, which tell their minds what to do. Their impulse is to eat and drink what they want, when they want; to sleep as they please; to indulge in whatever entertainment crosses their path, etc. It behooves us to consider Paul’s caution: "Everything is permissible for me--but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me--but I will not be mastered by anything” (I Cor. 6:12 ). (See I Cor. 10:23)
QUESTION: So tell me, my fellow brother or sister in Christ, how are you doing in the discipline and self-control departments? Do you view yourself as a person of excellence? Do you respect yourself? Are you choosing to prioritize and focus your life? Are you choosing to order and discipline your mind and your world so that you make time for God, your kids, your spouse, and serving others? Jesus, our model and standard, had a reputation for excellence: "He has done everything well" (Mk. 7:37). How about you?
1 D. A. Carson , For the Love of God
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
R. Dwight Hill
Good Morning!
“People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.” 1
Like it or not, discipline and self-control are basic to spiritual growth and maturity: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness…But the fruit of the Spirit is…self-control” (I Tim. 4:7b NAS; Gal. 5:22a, 23b).
If we in our world of touchy-feely me-centered Christianity resent and resist restrictions in the name spiritual liberty, we may want to consider St. Paul ’s analogy of spiritual maturity to two great Greek festivals, the Olympic and Isthmian games: “You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself…“ (I Cor. 9:24-27 Msg. Trans.). (See 2 Tim 2:5)
Paul implores us to “run to win.” Unlike the Greek athletes, ours is for an imperishable prize: “…God…has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (I Pet. 1:3, 4; 2 Tim. 4:7, 8 - Selected).
Athletes in training gain control over their minds and bodies and place themselves on a strict regimen. Paul, in like manner put himself on a rigorous routine of discipline, lest he be shelved (in terms of effective service.) (I Cor. 9:27) In Romans 8:13 the Apostle gives us the means by which winning over the flesh is possible: “If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
The reality is that the imperishable requires discipline and self control just as the perishable: “…Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us” (Heb. 12:1b NLT). As followers of Christ, whatever good we may accomplish, whether in education, business, the arts, our marriage, sports, our walk with God - you name it, can only be achieved through these twin virtues as we are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. (See Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16)
Many of us started out on our pilgrimage with Christ with enthusiasm and a deep sense of devotion. Somewhere along the way however, we “broke training” as the flesh, the world, our daily concerns and personal interests - and laziness, choked our spiritual growth: “…The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Mk. 4:19). (See 1 Jn. 2:15, 16)
Look around you at your fellow believers. Many are slaves to their bodies, which tell their minds what to do. Their impulse is to eat and drink what they want, when they want; to sleep as they please; to indulge in whatever entertainment crosses their path, etc. It behooves us to consider Paul’s caution: "Everything is permissible for me--but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me--but I will not be mastered by anything” (I Cor. 6:12 ). (See I Cor. 10:23)
QUESTION: So tell me, my fellow brother or sister in Christ, how are you doing in the discipline and self-control departments? Do you view yourself as a person of excellence? Do you respect yourself? Are you choosing to prioritize and focus your life? Are you choosing to order and discipline your mind and your world so that you make time for God, your kids, your spouse, and serving others? Jesus, our model and standard, had a reputation for excellence: "He has done everything well" (Mk. 7:37). How about you?
1 D. A. Carson , For the Love of God
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
R. Dwight Hill
Thursday, August 13, 2009
FOUR TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR WALK WITH GOD
"THE FACTS OF THE MATTER"
"A weekly letter of encouragement to business and professional men and women"
August 12, 2009
Good Morning!
LET ME ASK YOU FOUR TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR WALK WITH GOD:
In an age of casual Christianity and mediocre spirituality, it behooves us to take careful stock of our lives, asking the penetrating, hard questions, with the understanding that one day we will give an account to a holy God who reminds us that “without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14) “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5) (See Matt. 5:20; 2 Cor. 5:9, 10)
Are you going deep with God? By that I mean, are you studying God’s word regularly, carefully, and in depth? How about memorizing key passages and praying them into your life? Are you internalizing quality spiritual material in the vein of Elizabeth Elliott, Richard Foster, Cynthia Heald, C. S. Lewis, George McDonald, Henry Nouwen, J. I. Packer, John Piper, John Stott, A. W. Tozier, Dallas Willard, and Philip Yancy, etc? Or are you only reading light weight, quick fix religious fast food caliber material that is so prevalent today? Are you choosing to associate with men and women of spiritual substance, who challenge you to the core to be hard after God; to be great for God?
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart…Train yourself to be godly…Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth...He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Jer. 29:13;1 Tim. 4:7b; 2 Tim 2:15; Pro. 13:20 )
Do you possess a passion for holiness? By that I mean a passion for Christlikeness. An exercise to help you intelligently answer that question is to prayfully review Galatians 5:19-23 as to where you really stack up. Tell me, do you gravitate toward what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise? (Phil. 4:8) Or are you inclined toward that which is sensual, pride-based, and materialistic? Does your heart truly yearn for God? Does your daily schedule and check book strongly suggest that the knowledge of and service to the Holy One is your top priority?
“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God… One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple…To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” (Psa. 84:2; 27:4; Pro. 8:13)
Are you a broken vessel before God? Or does your pride rule your life? Are you grieved over your attraction to sin? Do you have a tendency to react whenever someone crosses you, challenges your authority, or corrects you? Do you secretly pride yourself on your achievements, ministry, financial success, and social status? If you are truly honest, are you focused primarily on yourself or on serving others?
“The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise… All who fear the Lord will hate evil. That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech…Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Psa. 51:17 NLT; Pro. 8:13; Phil. 2:3, 4)
Are you intentionally engaging with the lost (the “unconvinced”) with a view toward influencing them toward Christ? Or are you hunkered down in your holy huddle, safe among the churched? "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men…When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some… " (Matt. 4:19; Lk. 14:12-14; I Cor. 9:22b)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
R. Dwight Hill
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
FEAR
FEAR (Alarmed concern, anxiety, apprehension, consternation, dread, fright, panic, terror, timidity, trepidation, unease)
Fear is like back pain: Paralyzing. Immobilizing. Consuming. Certainly it is not God’s idea of how we are to live our lives. Rather, it is God’s intention that we be free from fear: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline...I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears…” (Isa.41:10; 2 Tim. 1:7a; Psa. 34:4)
The raw truth about fear is that it is the absence of faith in not believing God:
· [Jesus] said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mk. 4:40)
· “[Jesus] replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matt. 8:26)
· “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psa. 112:7)
What is it that we fear the most?
* Failure: “I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground…” (Matt. 25:254b) (See Psa. 42:5; Isa. 31:1)
* The future: “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psa. 112:7)
* People: Isaac lied to Abimelech that his wife was his sister. (Gen 26:1-11) (See Gen. 12:20-20; 20; Pro. 29:25)
* That God is not with us: “O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.” (Psa. 30:7) (See Psa. 10:1; 13:1; 143:7)
Even some of the best people in the Scriptures stumbled in fear. For example:
* Elijah, after courageously confronting and destroying the prophets of Baal, fearfully runs from Jezebel, who threatens his life. (I Kin. 18:16-19:3)
* Peter boasts that he will lay down his life for Christ and then fearfully denies him. (Jn. 13:37; 18:15-27)
The Enemy of our soul wants us immobilized by fear. God, however, implores us to trust him and be free from fear:
* “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you." (Deu. 3:22)
* “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Jos.. 1:9) (See Jos.. 1:5-9)
* "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." (Isa. 35:4a)
* “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psa. 46:1,2) (See Jos.. 8:1; Matt. 10:28; Psa. 23:4; 1 Jn. 4:18)
* “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn. 14:27)
May I entreat you to join the company of courageous people who believed God and overcame their fears:
* Peter and John defied the authorities’ prohibition in witnessing for Christ. (See Act. 4:7-13; 5:17-32)
* Paul in facing trial and probable death: "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem , not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” (Act. 20:22-24)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
R. Dwight Hill
Fear is like back pain: Paralyzing. Immobilizing. Consuming. Certainly it is not God’s idea of how we are to live our lives. Rather, it is God’s intention that we be free from fear: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline...I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears…” (Isa.41:10; 2 Tim. 1:7a; Psa. 34:4)
The raw truth about fear is that it is the absence of faith in not believing God:
· [Jesus] said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mk. 4:40)
· “[Jesus] replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matt. 8:26)
· “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psa. 112:7)
What is it that we fear the most?
* Failure: “I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground…” (Matt. 25:254b) (See Psa. 42:5; Isa. 31:1)
* The future: “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psa. 112:7)
* People: Isaac lied to Abimelech that his wife was his sister. (Gen 26:1-11) (See Gen. 12:20-20; 20; Pro. 29:25)
* That God is not with us: “O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.” (Psa. 30:7) (See Psa. 10:1; 13:1; 143:7)
Even some of the best people in the Scriptures stumbled in fear. For example:
* Elijah, after courageously confronting and destroying the prophets of Baal, fearfully runs from Jezebel, who threatens his life. (I Kin. 18:16-19:3)
* Peter boasts that he will lay down his life for Christ and then fearfully denies him. (Jn. 13:37; 18:15-27)
The Enemy of our soul wants us immobilized by fear. God, however, implores us to trust him and be free from fear:
* “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you." (Deu. 3:22)
* “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Jos.. 1:9) (See Jos.. 1:5-9)
* "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." (Isa. 35:4a)
* “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psa. 46:1,2) (See Jos.. 8:1; Matt. 10:28; Psa. 23:4; 1 Jn. 4:18)
* “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn. 14:27)
May I entreat you to join the company of courageous people who believed God and overcame their fears:
* Peter and John defied the authorities’ prohibition in witnessing for Christ. (See Act. 4:7-13; 5:17-32)
* Paul in facing trial and probable death: "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem , not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” (Act. 20:22-24)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
R. Dwight Hill
Saturday, July 25, 2009
How to prepare for worship
Engage Both Heart and Mind in Worship
John Ortberg and Pam Howell
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
There's an old joke among Meyers-Briggs users. Question: what happens when a passionate, hyper-expressive, exquisitely emotional feeler meets a logical, hyper-rational, Mr. Spock-type thinker?
Answer: they get married.
Too often deep thinking and profound feeling never meet in the one place they are most needed: in worship. How can we worship in ways that both engage the mind and touch the heart?
Learn more with a five-session course on Worship.
Some churches specialize in generating emotion. The platform people are expert at moving worshipers to laughter or tears. Attenders gradually learn to evaluate the service in terms of the emotion they feel.
In time, however, the law of diminishing returns sets in. Prayers are offered in highly emotive style and bathed in background music. Stories have to get more dramatic, songs more sentimental, preaching more histrionic, to keep people having intense emotional experiences.
Such worship is often shallow, sometimes artificial, and rarely reflective. Little attention is given to worshiping with the mind. It produces people who have little depth or rootedness. They may develop a "zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10:2). They become worship junkies, searching for whichever church can supply the best rush.
This is Scarecrow worship: it would be better if it only had a brain.
On the other hand, some churches focus keenly on cognitive correctness. They recite great creeds, distribute reams of exegetical information, craft careful prayers ahead of time. And yet the heart and spirit are not seized with the wonder and passion that characterize those in Scripture who must fall on their faces when they encounter the living God. No one is ever so moved that she actually moves.
This is tragic because, as Dallas Willard writes, "to handle the things of God without worship is always to falsify them."
Those who attend such services may be competent to spot theological error, but the unspoken truth is they're also a little bored. Their worship is dry—it does not connect with their deepest hurts and desires. Rarely does it generate awe or healing, and never raucous joy.
This is Tin Man worship: if it only had a heart.
Some attempts to bring head and heart together have led not to the glimmering Emerald City, but to the Wicked Witch's forbidding dungeon guarded by drones. At times we've gotten it backwards, managing to combine in a single service the thoughtfulness usually associated with chandelier-swinging Pentecostals with the emotional expression of Scottish Presbyterians.
There must be a better way. How can we pursue worship that links well-ordered minds to overflowing hearts?
Yellow brick makers
People have the tendency to approach worship as consumers. The focus is on my experience, sitting back with arms folded and saying to those leading worship, "Wow me." Do something to grab my attention, catch my interest. They assume worship is like watching a movie; it's something I critique afterward.
Can you imagine the Israelites, freshly delivered from slavery, before a mountain that trembles violently with the presence of God (Exod. 19), muttering: "We're leaving because we're not singing the songs we like. Like that tambourine song, how come they don't do that tambourine song anymore?"
"I don't like it when Moses leads worship; Aaron's better."
"This is too formal—all that smoke and mystery. I like casual worship."
"It was okay, except for Miriam's dance—too wild, not enough reverence. And I don't like the tambourine."
No, Scripture doesn't read like that. The people were filled with awe and wonder and trembling and hope and fear, because there in the middle of nowhere, before this bunch of ex-slaves, was God.
Getting a head start
In our day—when the beauty of liturgical traditions, the freedom of charismatic expression, and the intellectual rigor of the Reformation are being cross-fertilized—we have a wonderful opportunity to pursue worship that balances intellect and passion.
We must address the issue head-on, so we often challenge our congregation:
1. Prepare yourself to worship
Football players prepare for the big game. Sales people prepare for a big pitch. And worshipers should prepare to worship, both mind and heart. We frequently tell our worship attenders that they should prepare at home and even in the car enroute to the service.
2. Invest yourself fully in each moment we're together, regardless of how you feel.
Too often in worship people experience what psychologists speak of as mindlessness. They go on autopilot. Worshipers need to be taught not to wait for something to grab their attention. They need to say to God, "I'm fully present—listening, praising, confessing, responding—every moment of worship. I offer myself fully to you."
3. Learn to make the most of the service.
Some people need to be encouraged to become freer in their expressiveness. It can be like when someone hits a home run. The stadium erupts with celebration: hugs, high fives, roars of joy, blowing kisses, arms raised in triumph.
Some worshipers need to say something like this: "I'm not going to raise my hands way up like that in church. After all we're not celebrating a home run. But since we are celebrating that Jesus died for my sins, saved me from hell, overcame my guilt, was raised from the dead, and will share his triumph with me through eternity, maybe I'll at least put my hands in my lap with palms up."
On the other hand, some may become so expressive that they create a distraction. They need clear, gentle (sometimes not-so-gentle) reminders to balance their desire for expressiveness with what will help the body of Christ.
The single most important aspect of balanced worship, though, is making sure our hearts and minds are fully engaged and devoted. When this happens, moments will come when worshipers feel and understand God in ways no one could have planned.
John Ortberg and Pam Howell
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
There's an old joke among Meyers-Briggs users. Question: what happens when a passionate, hyper-expressive, exquisitely emotional feeler meets a logical, hyper-rational, Mr. Spock-type thinker?
Answer: they get married.
Too often deep thinking and profound feeling never meet in the one place they are most needed: in worship. How can we worship in ways that both engage the mind and touch the heart?
Learn more with a five-session course on Worship.
Some churches specialize in generating emotion. The platform people are expert at moving worshipers to laughter or tears. Attenders gradually learn to evaluate the service in terms of the emotion they feel.
In time, however, the law of diminishing returns sets in. Prayers are offered in highly emotive style and bathed in background music. Stories have to get more dramatic, songs more sentimental, preaching more histrionic, to keep people having intense emotional experiences.
Such worship is often shallow, sometimes artificial, and rarely reflective. Little attention is given to worshiping with the mind. It produces people who have little depth or rootedness. They may develop a "zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10:2). They become worship junkies, searching for whichever church can supply the best rush.
This is Scarecrow worship: it would be better if it only had a brain.
On the other hand, some churches focus keenly on cognitive correctness. They recite great creeds, distribute reams of exegetical information, craft careful prayers ahead of time. And yet the heart and spirit are not seized with the wonder and passion that characterize those in Scripture who must fall on their faces when they encounter the living God. No one is ever so moved that she actually moves.
This is tragic because, as Dallas Willard writes, "to handle the things of God without worship is always to falsify them."
Those who attend such services may be competent to spot theological error, but the unspoken truth is they're also a little bored. Their worship is dry—it does not connect with their deepest hurts and desires. Rarely does it generate awe or healing, and never raucous joy.
This is Tin Man worship: if it only had a heart.
Some attempts to bring head and heart together have led not to the glimmering Emerald City, but to the Wicked Witch's forbidding dungeon guarded by drones. At times we've gotten it backwards, managing to combine in a single service the thoughtfulness usually associated with chandelier-swinging Pentecostals with the emotional expression of Scottish Presbyterians.
There must be a better way. How can we pursue worship that links well-ordered minds to overflowing hearts?
Yellow brick makers
People have the tendency to approach worship as consumers. The focus is on my experience, sitting back with arms folded and saying to those leading worship, "Wow me." Do something to grab my attention, catch my interest. They assume worship is like watching a movie; it's something I critique afterward.
Can you imagine the Israelites, freshly delivered from slavery, before a mountain that trembles violently with the presence of God (Exod. 19), muttering: "We're leaving because we're not singing the songs we like. Like that tambourine song, how come they don't do that tambourine song anymore?"
"I don't like it when Moses leads worship; Aaron's better."
"This is too formal—all that smoke and mystery. I like casual worship."
"It was okay, except for Miriam's dance—too wild, not enough reverence. And I don't like the tambourine."
No, Scripture doesn't read like that. The people were filled with awe and wonder and trembling and hope and fear, because there in the middle of nowhere, before this bunch of ex-slaves, was God.
Getting a head start
In our day—when the beauty of liturgical traditions, the freedom of charismatic expression, and the intellectual rigor of the Reformation are being cross-fertilized—we have a wonderful opportunity to pursue worship that balances intellect and passion.
We must address the issue head-on, so we often challenge our congregation:
1. Prepare yourself to worship
Football players prepare for the big game. Sales people prepare for a big pitch. And worshipers should prepare to worship, both mind and heart. We frequently tell our worship attenders that they should prepare at home and even in the car enroute to the service.
2. Invest yourself fully in each moment we're together, regardless of how you feel.
Too often in worship people experience what psychologists speak of as mindlessness. They go on autopilot. Worshipers need to be taught not to wait for something to grab their attention. They need to say to God, "I'm fully present—listening, praising, confessing, responding—every moment of worship. I offer myself fully to you."
3. Learn to make the most of the service.
Some people need to be encouraged to become freer in their expressiveness. It can be like when someone hits a home run. The stadium erupts with celebration: hugs, high fives, roars of joy, blowing kisses, arms raised in triumph.
Some worshipers need to say something like this: "I'm not going to raise my hands way up like that in church. After all we're not celebrating a home run. But since we are celebrating that Jesus died for my sins, saved me from hell, overcame my guilt, was raised from the dead, and will share his triumph with me through eternity, maybe I'll at least put my hands in my lap with palms up."
On the other hand, some may become so expressive that they create a distraction. They need clear, gentle (sometimes not-so-gentle) reminders to balance their desire for expressiveness with what will help the body of Christ.
The single most important aspect of balanced worship, though, is making sure our hearts and minds are fully engaged and devoted. When this happens, moments will come when worshipers feel and understand God in ways no one could have planned.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
ODB: One Passion
July 15, 2009
One Passion
READ: Luke 14:25-35
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. —Luke 14:26
Nechayev, a 19th-century disciple of Karl Marx who had a role in the assassination of Czar Alexander II, wrote: “The revolutionary man . . . has no personal interests, no business affairs, no emotions, no attachments, no property, and no name. Everything in him is wholly absorbed in the single thought and the single passion for revolution.” Although his motives and goals were wrong, Nechayev’s statement shows the singlemindedness of commitment.
Jesus wanted true commitment from His disciples. In Luke 14, we read that large crowds joined Him as He traveled toward Jerusalem (v.25). Perhaps these casual followers considered themselves to be His true disciples, but Jesus taught that following Him was more than just knowing facts about Him. He explained what it really meant to be His disciple when He defined the cost of discipleship: Nothing, not love for father or mother or even one’s own life, was to take precedence over loyalty to Jesus (vv.26-33). His disciples (then and now) must acknowledge that if God is to be primary in their lives, possessions and even social relationships have to be secondary.
Jesus calls His followers to be absorbed in a single, exclusive thought and passion—Him. — Marvin Williams
Set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray!
While the world perishes, we go our way
Purposeless, passionless, day after day;
Set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray! —Cushman
Our love for Jesus is the key to spiritual passion.
One Passion
READ: Luke 14:25-35
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. —Luke 14:26
Nechayev, a 19th-century disciple of Karl Marx who had a role in the assassination of Czar Alexander II, wrote: “The revolutionary man . . . has no personal interests, no business affairs, no emotions, no attachments, no property, and no name. Everything in him is wholly absorbed in the single thought and the single passion for revolution.” Although his motives and goals were wrong, Nechayev’s statement shows the singlemindedness of commitment.
Jesus wanted true commitment from His disciples. In Luke 14, we read that large crowds joined Him as He traveled toward Jerusalem (v.25). Perhaps these casual followers considered themselves to be His true disciples, but Jesus taught that following Him was more than just knowing facts about Him. He explained what it really meant to be His disciple when He defined the cost of discipleship: Nothing, not love for father or mother or even one’s own life, was to take precedence over loyalty to Jesus (vv.26-33). His disciples (then and now) must acknowledge that if God is to be primary in their lives, possessions and even social relationships have to be secondary.
Jesus calls His followers to be absorbed in a single, exclusive thought and passion—Him. — Marvin Williams
Set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray!
While the world perishes, we go our way
Purposeless, passionless, day after day;
Set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray! —Cushman
Our love for Jesus is the key to spiritual passion.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Five components of a healthy marriage
By Rick Warren
Years ago I read this letter written to Dear Abby:
“Do all marriages go stale after 25 years? Ours has. My husband and I don’t seem to have much to talk about any more. We used to talk about our kids. But now they’re grown and gone, and we really don’t have anything to converse about. I have no major complaints with my husband. But the old excitement is gone. We watch a lot of television. And we read. And we have friends. But when we’re alone together, it’s pretty dull. We even sleep in separate bedrooms now. Is there someway to recapture the old magic?”
– The Song has Ended
How incredibly sad! Too many marriages in our churches are struggling because the romance has died. Looking around, there is a disturbing trend that plays itself out in most troubled marriages. They go from fiery romance to reality to rut to resentment to regret. Before long, divorce comes.
Pastor, the marriages in our churches – including our own – are either growing together or drifting apart. There’s no middle ground. Your church has a unique opportunity to encourage healthy, growing marriages. How do flat marriages rekindle their romance? The same way Jesus tells us to rekindle our love for him in Revelation 2:4-5. Jesus says, “You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen? Repent and do the things you did at first.”
First, you remember the good times. You do again what you did when you first fell in love. Then, you repent or deliberately change how you treat your spouse. But what are those actions that you “did at first”? Married people did five things when they first fell in love. And they’ll need to do it again if they are going to recapture that romance: attention, affirmation, affection, adventure, and accordance (spiritual oneness) they had when they first fell in love.
1. Attention: The very first sign that you were falling in love was that you noticed that someone was paying attention to you – and you started to pay attention to that someone. Do you remember how much attention you paid your mate before you were married? You wrote notes. You made phone calls. You spent hours talking together. You sent cards. You bought flowers. You brought gifts. You said over and over again, “You have my total and undivided attention.”
What happened after you got married? Instead of saying, “I'll get that for you,” we started saying, “Get it yourself!” We became complacent in our relationship and took one another for granted. But if you’re going to rekindle the romance, you’ve got to make time for each other and pay attention to each other. If you don’t, you’re headed for trouble.
2. Affirmation: The quickest way to put spark back into your marriage is to start focusing on your spouse’s strengths instead of their weaknesses. Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Give encouragement to each other. Keep strengthening each other.” Everybody wants to be admired, appreciated, and looked up to. We fall in love with people who admire us.
You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s so true. “Treat your husband like a king and he will treat you like a queen.” Very simple yet profound. We tend to become what others expect of us.
Verbalize your love for your spouse every day. If you will verbalize your love, you will begin to feel that love you once had.
3. Affection: Remember how affectionate you and your spouse were during your courting days? In fact, you can always tell who the unmarried couples are. They can’t keep their hands off each other. Unfortunately, after the wedding, the touching and tenderness stop in so many marriages. All marriages need large amounts of hugging, kissing, caressing, and other forms of non-sexual touch.
Ephesians 5:19 (Amplified) says, “Husbands ... be affectionate!” It is a command. Husbands, if you’re not doing this, you’re sinning. Some say, “I'm just not naturally affectionate.” So what? Change! It’s not in your genes. You learned the behavior from your background. You can learn to be affectionate.
4. Adventure: Most marriages are dull. Ecclesiastes 9:9 says, “Enjoy life with your wife.” I’ve read that the number one cause of affairs is boredom. Are you fun to live with? You had adventure when you were romancing your spouse. But you’ve probably lost that sense of adventure. Everything is predictable. Predictability kills a marriage.
Unfortunately, most of us define fun as what you do after you’ve got all your work finished. But you never get all your work finished! The work is never done. Even after you retire, you still have got work to do. As a result, you don’t have any fun in your marriage – and you wonder why the feelings have died.
You need at least one date a week. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be at night. (Kay and I have done them on Monday mornings.) But regardless, do something you like to do together. And do it without the kids. Schedule it – every week – so you can’t back out when your schedule gets tight.
5. Accordance (spiritual oneness): The key to fellowship with your mate is for both of you to live in God’s presence. When you and your wife are both committed to Christ and what he’s doing in the world, you’ll be naturally drawn together. Spiritual unity enhances romance. I ended up proposing to Kay while we were praying together. I felt so close to her – our hearts were knit together – that I figured we might as well join our lives together. Prayer joins you together. And then there is the natural desire to show physical affection, physical oneness, when you are spiritually one.
God wants you to have oneness. Romance was God’s idea. The Bible says two shall become one – intellectually, emotionally, physically, recreationally, and spiritually. When you are only having oneness in three of those areas, your marriage isn’t fully what God wants it to be. But when you and your spouse connect in all five areas, that’s when you find real, honest oneness.
Do you and your spouse pray together? Do you do ministry together? Do you share what God is doing in your life with your spouse, and visa-versa? Make those things a part of your time together, and romance will return.
Copyright © 2009 Rick Warren
Years ago I read this letter written to Dear Abby:
“Do all marriages go stale after 25 years? Ours has. My husband and I don’t seem to have much to talk about any more. We used to talk about our kids. But now they’re grown and gone, and we really don’t have anything to converse about. I have no major complaints with my husband. But the old excitement is gone. We watch a lot of television. And we read. And we have friends. But when we’re alone together, it’s pretty dull. We even sleep in separate bedrooms now. Is there someway to recapture the old magic?”
– The Song has Ended
How incredibly sad! Too many marriages in our churches are struggling because the romance has died. Looking around, there is a disturbing trend that plays itself out in most troubled marriages. They go from fiery romance to reality to rut to resentment to regret. Before long, divorce comes.
Pastor, the marriages in our churches – including our own – are either growing together or drifting apart. There’s no middle ground. Your church has a unique opportunity to encourage healthy, growing marriages. How do flat marriages rekindle their romance? The same way Jesus tells us to rekindle our love for him in Revelation 2:4-5. Jesus says, “You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen? Repent and do the things you did at first.”
First, you remember the good times. You do again what you did when you first fell in love. Then, you repent or deliberately change how you treat your spouse. But what are those actions that you “did at first”? Married people did five things when they first fell in love. And they’ll need to do it again if they are going to recapture that romance: attention, affirmation, affection, adventure, and accordance (spiritual oneness) they had when they first fell in love.
1. Attention: The very first sign that you were falling in love was that you noticed that someone was paying attention to you – and you started to pay attention to that someone. Do you remember how much attention you paid your mate before you were married? You wrote notes. You made phone calls. You spent hours talking together. You sent cards. You bought flowers. You brought gifts. You said over and over again, “You have my total and undivided attention.”
What happened after you got married? Instead of saying, “I'll get that for you,” we started saying, “Get it yourself!” We became complacent in our relationship and took one another for granted. But if you’re going to rekindle the romance, you’ve got to make time for each other and pay attention to each other. If you don’t, you’re headed for trouble.
2. Affirmation: The quickest way to put spark back into your marriage is to start focusing on your spouse’s strengths instead of their weaknesses. Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Give encouragement to each other. Keep strengthening each other.” Everybody wants to be admired, appreciated, and looked up to. We fall in love with people who admire us.
You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s so true. “Treat your husband like a king and he will treat you like a queen.” Very simple yet profound. We tend to become what others expect of us.
Verbalize your love for your spouse every day. If you will verbalize your love, you will begin to feel that love you once had.
3. Affection: Remember how affectionate you and your spouse were during your courting days? In fact, you can always tell who the unmarried couples are. They can’t keep their hands off each other. Unfortunately, after the wedding, the touching and tenderness stop in so many marriages. All marriages need large amounts of hugging, kissing, caressing, and other forms of non-sexual touch.
Ephesians 5:19 (Amplified) says, “Husbands ... be affectionate!” It is a command. Husbands, if you’re not doing this, you’re sinning. Some say, “I'm just not naturally affectionate.” So what? Change! It’s not in your genes. You learned the behavior from your background. You can learn to be affectionate.
4. Adventure: Most marriages are dull. Ecclesiastes 9:9 says, “Enjoy life with your wife.” I’ve read that the number one cause of affairs is boredom. Are you fun to live with? You had adventure when you were romancing your spouse. But you’ve probably lost that sense of adventure. Everything is predictable. Predictability kills a marriage.
Unfortunately, most of us define fun as what you do after you’ve got all your work finished. But you never get all your work finished! The work is never done. Even after you retire, you still have got work to do. As a result, you don’t have any fun in your marriage – and you wonder why the feelings have died.
You need at least one date a week. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be at night. (Kay and I have done them on Monday mornings.) But regardless, do something you like to do together. And do it without the kids. Schedule it – every week – so you can’t back out when your schedule gets tight.
5. Accordance (spiritual oneness): The key to fellowship with your mate is for both of you to live in God’s presence. When you and your wife are both committed to Christ and what he’s doing in the world, you’ll be naturally drawn together. Spiritual unity enhances romance. I ended up proposing to Kay while we were praying together. I felt so close to her – our hearts were knit together – that I figured we might as well join our lives together. Prayer joins you together. And then there is the natural desire to show physical affection, physical oneness, when you are spiritually one.
God wants you to have oneness. Romance was God’s idea. The Bible says two shall become one – intellectually, emotionally, physically, recreationally, and spiritually. When you are only having oneness in three of those areas, your marriage isn’t fully what God wants it to be. But when you and your spouse connect in all five areas, that’s when you find real, honest oneness.
Do you and your spouse pray together? Do you do ministry together? Do you share what God is doing in your life with your spouse, and visa-versa? Make those things a part of your time together, and romance will return.
Copyright © 2009 Rick Warren
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Growing strong through Our Excellence for His Glory
Philippians 1:12-21
Eld (Dr) Chuah Seong Peng
Introduction: Our Excellence for His Glory
HLCE commitment to excellence (Philippians 4:4, 8-9)
We believe that excellence honours God and inspires people. Our God who is a God of excellence gave his best – his one and only Son for us (Romans 8:32).
Therefore, we are committed to pursue excellence in all that we do to glorify him.
What does it mean to reveal God’s glory through our excellence?
Glory
Glory in Hebrew is ‘kabod’. It gives an idea of heaviness, weightiness, worthiness.
Glory of God refers to revelation of God in his nature, character and presence.
God’s glorious Presence was felt by the people at the foot of Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19:17-19. God reveals his glory through the expression of his character to Moses in Exodus 34:6.
In the NT, Jesus Christ is the outshining example of his divine glory
Hebrew 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful words. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven.”
God’s glory is revealed most fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Today His people are called to reveal his glory to the world
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God who said, “let light shines out of darkness,” made his light shines in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
The glory of God in the face of Christ is to be seen and reflected in the church today. It is to be seen in the words and deeds of the disciples (Matthew 5:17).
Excellence
Excellence is often equated with doing the best, producing the best results. There is a danger of doing excellence that is result-orientated (Kiasuism) and doing excellence for excellence sake that can be a form of idol worship. So what does it mean to give our excellence for God’s glory?
Our Excellence for His Glory - An Example from Paul
Philippians 1:12-21 Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
The church in Philippi Acts 16:6-39
In Philippi, Lydia was converted, Paul and Silas were throne into jail because Paul delivered the slave girl who was possessed by a spirit and caused the owner to lose his fortune telling trade. As a result, the jailer and his household were saved.
Paul’s yardstick for excellence that glorifies God is when the Gospel is advanced.
As long as the Gospel is advanced, God is glorified! It is not about how well he is doing.
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”
‘what has happened to me’
Acts 21:17-28:31
Paul was arrested in Jerusalem temple because the Jews were upset he brought in the Gentiles and desecrated the temple; the Romans thought he was the Egyptian outlaw on their most wanted list who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert. He was remanded in prison for two years under Governor Felix in Caesarea because Felix was playing favor to the Jews. After Felix was succeeded by Festus, the chief priest and the Jews leaders again appealed for him to be transferred to Jerusalem to face charges in their attempt to kill him. Paul managed to appeal to be transferred to Rome to face Caesar. On the way the ship was wrecked and they were stranded in Malta for three months before they were able to go to Rome. In Rome Paul was put under house arrest.
‘Advanced’ = furtherance
Means being a pioneer in advancing the work of God. It is a Greek military term referring to the army engineers who go before the troop to open the way into new territory.
As far as Paul is concerned, his primary motive in whatever he does in life is to do it excellently to advance the Gospel and bring glory to God.
The Gospel refers to the good news
The coming of His kingdom as Jesus proclaimed in:
Mark 1:15 “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor… to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
The Gospel refers to the coming of the kingdom in every aspect of our lives to do what we are called to show his love to everyone. It is not merely the sharing of the words of salvation or getting people converted to Christ. It is not only about personal salvation, it is also about ‘proclaiming freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor’. It is bringing in the reign of God into our lives to glorify Him.
Paul gave his excellence for God’s glory in ALL situations
* In chain.
* Facing critics.
* Going through crisis of life and death.
Paul gave his excellence in chained
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Paul wanted to go to Rome as a preacher of the gospel; instead, he was in Rome as a prisoner. Nevertheless, the prison cannot stop Paul from giving his excellence for His glory! As a result of his imprisonment, the gospel was shared to the prison guards and those around. The brothers in the Lord also were encouraged to be bold to share the gospel.
Paul gave his excellence when faced with his critic
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Paul has his vision set on things above. He did not allow personal feeling or issues to cloud his vision of the glory of the Lord. He is totally committed to advance the Gospel to give his excellence for God’s glory.
Paul gave his excellence for God when going through crisis of life and death
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Paul did not know how his trial was going to turn out. He has no idea if he would be released when he wrote this letter. Yet he was all ready to commit himself totally to the Lord and his cause. He was even ready to die for what he has called to do as long as Christ’s name is exalted.
For many, Paul’s troubles may look like failure; but for Paul these were opportunities to be excellence for his glory because the gospel was advanced! He was a pioneer of the Gospel in all situations.
The secret of Paul
The power of prayer and the Holy Spirit
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Paul can continue to rejoice in all circumstances and give his excellence for his glory because he was sure of the help from prayer of the saints and the power of the Holy Spirit at work to ensure his salvation to the end.
Single-mindedness for God’s glory
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
For Paul, it’s all about God and not himself! Paul has the single-mindedness of doing his best to bring glory to God. It’s all about God’s glory and reputation and not himself! His eyes are on God and not himself. His heart is for God and God only.
What can we learn?
The excellence that could give God the glory to advance the Gospel is:
Not our best effort or our greatest achievement, but our best state, the best that we could be.
Our best effort and success can only draw credit to ourselves, but not glory to God.
It is when we realize that we are living in His strength, and we cannot help but say, “The Lord is good! Glory be to Him!” It has to be a situation when everyone must recognize that this is clearly the hand of God working in and through us.
Our best state is not what we could be in ourselves, but one where we have given ourselves completely to Him and put our trust in Him-
It is when everyone around us recognizes the grace and the power of God at work in us, enabling us to act and respond in a way that truly reflects His divine character and power. And they cannot help but exclaimed, “Hallelujah! Glory be to God!”
It is when we can truthfully say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
It is when we proclaim with Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!” and “In Christ alone, I place my trust.”
Some pioneers of faith who gives their hearts completely to God
Margaret Brand, a pioneer of Christian faith, who lived a balance career, family and faith, gave her excellence for the glory of God.
* Self-trained world expert on Leprosy on eye.
* With the late Dr. Paul Brand (d. 2003), raised a family of six children in India.
* Christian Medical College in Vellore, S. India, for approximately 18 years.
* 22 years as Chief of Ophthalmology at Gillis W. Long National Hansen’s Disease Center.
* Dr. Margaret, now 85, is officially retired, but maintains a busy schedule, speaking and traveling around the world.
According to Margaret Brand, a pioneer of Christian faith,
“It is the grace of God, which is available to everyone, that has enabled me to accomplish what I have done, and His grace that has overruled many of my foolish mistakes.”
“Our disappointments are God’s appointment for us!”
It is in such situations that we can give our excellence to for his glory when we respond to his call to advance the gospel and be a pioneer of the Christian faith.
‘Chained’ by circumstances – Susannah, Mrs. Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Book Fund”
Early in their married life, Susannah became an invalid but her burden to share in her husband’s ministry took her to start the “Book Fund”, a work of faith that supported thousands of pastors who were too poor to buy books. She began only by sharing with them her husband’s book and God took her burden and developed it into a great ministry even though she was home bound for 15 years.
When Susannah became chronically ill and was often confined to bed, discouraged and confused, Susannah cried out to God. Later, she would write, ” . . . the moment we come into any trial or difficulty, our first thought should be, not how soon can we escape from it, or how we may lessen the pain we shall suffer from it, but how can we best glorify God in it . . .”
But how could Susannah glorify God or minister with her husband while confined to a sick room?
In the summer of 1875, Charles completed the first volume of his book, Lectures to My Students. He gave a proof copy to Susannah and asked her opinion of it. After reading it, she said, “I wish I could place it in the hands of every minister in England.” Charles quipped, “Then why not do so; how much will you give?”3
Susannah took the challenge seriously. She had, on a whim, been saving crown pieces as she happened to get them. When she counted them out, there were exactly enough coins to buy 100 copies of the new book. Charles announced in his magazine that 100 copies of Lectures to my Students would be mailed to poor pastors at no charge. Orders flooded in for the books from English ministers, many of whom were so strapped for money that they hadn’t bought a new book in years. Susannah mailed out the books and received dozens of grateful letters in thanks. Some pastors wept when the precious volumes arrived. Spurgeon announced the results in the next issue of his magazine and asked his readers to help continue the work. Donations poured in. Though they never again asked for funds, enough money continued to trickle in over the years to distribute hundreds of thousands of theological books.
Susannah often worked from her sick bed, keeping track of the finances and corresponding with pastors. A room in their home was dedicated to storing and shipping books. As long as Susannah was well enough, volunteers would come in once every two weeks to help pack books for shipping.
Charles later wrote about the effect the labor involved in the book fund had on his wife. “Our gracious Lord has ministered to His suffering child in the most effectual manner when He graciously led her to minister to the necessities of His servants. . . . Let every believer accept this as the inference of experience: that for most human maladies, the best relief and antidote will be found in the self-sacrificing work for the Lord Jesus.”
She was a splendid manageress and a supporter of Spurgeon’s Pastors’ College
By means of rigid economies, quite a substantial amount was saved towards the support and education of the first student, the success of this effort leading to the foundation of the Pastors´ College. “I rejoice,” says Mrs. Spurgeon, ‘“to remember how I shared my beloved´s joy when he founded the Institution, and that together we planned and pinched in order to carry out the purpose of his loving heart; it gave me quite a motherly interest in the College, and ‘our own men.´
Do we feel ‘in chain’ to someone that pull us down or prevent us from serving him?
Susanna Wesley could be ‘in chain’ by her 19 children, but she was not!
She drew her inner strength from her belief in God. With single mind, she sees her difficult situations as God-given opportunities for furtherance of the Gospel. She shared,
"Help me, Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the church... nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that every where I am in Thy Presence."
"I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified."
“My excellence for His glory” is a choice
Our unstoppable determination for His holiness! It involves a choice!
Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest shared,
“To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning. It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of the will at that point. An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering.”
“When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God he doesn’t know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point – He does know.”
What should our responses be?
“Shut out every other thought that keep yourself before God for this one thing only – my utmost for his highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone.”
How does God prepare and grow us to that state?
Experiencing God!
Blackaby shared about the steps God grows us through experiencing him in our love relationship with Him. Oswald Chambers shared something similar in this light when he said,
“But before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God’s gentle nudges.”
It is a process of growth
We need to go through the process of growth in our experience with God. To look at the process that God lovingly and graciously subject us to, to bring to fruition the end product that He so desires to see in us, come to…HLCE Camp 2009
The theme: Our Excellence for His Glory
1. Experiencing His Comfort in our Trials (1:3-11).
2. Experiencing His Victory in our Setbacks (2:1-17).
3. Experiencing His Power in our Frailty (3:12-4:18).
4. Experiencing His Eternity in our Mortality (5:1-21).
We will be taken through the process of how Paul experience God’s grace that worked powerfully in him and help to strengthen and build him up to do excellently to glorify God in his life.
Let us go to the camp and learn to give Our Excellence for His Glory!
To God be all praise and glory! Amen.
_______________________________________________________________
HLCE Audio Sermons Online are on the web
at http://www.hlce.org.my
©HLCE 2000-2006
Eld (Dr) Chuah Seong Peng
Introduction: Our Excellence for His Glory
HLCE commitment to excellence (Philippians 4:4, 8-9)
We believe that excellence honours God and inspires people. Our God who is a God of excellence gave his best – his one and only Son for us (Romans 8:32).
Therefore, we are committed to pursue excellence in all that we do to glorify him.
What does it mean to reveal God’s glory through our excellence?
Glory
Glory in Hebrew is ‘kabod’. It gives an idea of heaviness, weightiness, worthiness.
Glory of God refers to revelation of God in his nature, character and presence.
God’s glorious Presence was felt by the people at the foot of Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19:17-19. God reveals his glory through the expression of his character to Moses in Exodus 34:6.
In the NT, Jesus Christ is the outshining example of his divine glory
Hebrew 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful words. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven.”
God’s glory is revealed most fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Today His people are called to reveal his glory to the world
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God who said, “let light shines out of darkness,” made his light shines in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
The glory of God in the face of Christ is to be seen and reflected in the church today. It is to be seen in the words and deeds of the disciples (Matthew 5:17).
Excellence
Excellence is often equated with doing the best, producing the best results. There is a danger of doing excellence that is result-orientated (Kiasuism) and doing excellence for excellence sake that can be a form of idol worship. So what does it mean to give our excellence for God’s glory?
Our Excellence for His Glory - An Example from Paul
Philippians 1:12-21 Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
The church in Philippi Acts 16:6-39
In Philippi, Lydia was converted, Paul and Silas were throne into jail because Paul delivered the slave girl who was possessed by a spirit and caused the owner to lose his fortune telling trade. As a result, the jailer and his household were saved.
Paul’s yardstick for excellence that glorifies God is when the Gospel is advanced.
As long as the Gospel is advanced, God is glorified! It is not about how well he is doing.
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”
‘what has happened to me’
Acts 21:17-28:31
Paul was arrested in Jerusalem temple because the Jews were upset he brought in the Gentiles and desecrated the temple; the Romans thought he was the Egyptian outlaw on their most wanted list who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert. He was remanded in prison for two years under Governor Felix in Caesarea because Felix was playing favor to the Jews. After Felix was succeeded by Festus, the chief priest and the Jews leaders again appealed for him to be transferred to Jerusalem to face charges in their attempt to kill him. Paul managed to appeal to be transferred to Rome to face Caesar. On the way the ship was wrecked and they were stranded in Malta for three months before they were able to go to Rome. In Rome Paul was put under house arrest.
‘Advanced’ = furtherance
Means being a pioneer in advancing the work of God. It is a Greek military term referring to the army engineers who go before the troop to open the way into new territory.
As far as Paul is concerned, his primary motive in whatever he does in life is to do it excellently to advance the Gospel and bring glory to God.
The Gospel refers to the good news
The coming of His kingdom as Jesus proclaimed in:
Mark 1:15 “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor… to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
The Gospel refers to the coming of the kingdom in every aspect of our lives to do what we are called to show his love to everyone. It is not merely the sharing of the words of salvation or getting people converted to Christ. It is not only about personal salvation, it is also about ‘proclaiming freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor’. It is bringing in the reign of God into our lives to glorify Him.
Paul gave his excellence for God’s glory in ALL situations
* In chain.
* Facing critics.
* Going through crisis of life and death.
Paul gave his excellence in chained
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Paul wanted to go to Rome as a preacher of the gospel; instead, he was in Rome as a prisoner. Nevertheless, the prison cannot stop Paul from giving his excellence for His glory! As a result of his imprisonment, the gospel was shared to the prison guards and those around. The brothers in the Lord also were encouraged to be bold to share the gospel.
Paul gave his excellence when faced with his critic
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Paul has his vision set on things above. He did not allow personal feeling or issues to cloud his vision of the glory of the Lord. He is totally committed to advance the Gospel to give his excellence for God’s glory.
Paul gave his excellence for God when going through crisis of life and death
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Paul did not know how his trial was going to turn out. He has no idea if he would be released when he wrote this letter. Yet he was all ready to commit himself totally to the Lord and his cause. He was even ready to die for what he has called to do as long as Christ’s name is exalted.
For many, Paul’s troubles may look like failure; but for Paul these were opportunities to be excellence for his glory because the gospel was advanced! He was a pioneer of the Gospel in all situations.
The secret of Paul
The power of prayer and the Holy Spirit
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Paul can continue to rejoice in all circumstances and give his excellence for his glory because he was sure of the help from prayer of the saints and the power of the Holy Spirit at work to ensure his salvation to the end.
Single-mindedness for God’s glory
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
For Paul, it’s all about God and not himself! Paul has the single-mindedness of doing his best to bring glory to God. It’s all about God’s glory and reputation and not himself! His eyes are on God and not himself. His heart is for God and God only.
What can we learn?
The excellence that could give God the glory to advance the Gospel is:
Not our best effort or our greatest achievement, but our best state, the best that we could be.
Our best effort and success can only draw credit to ourselves, but not glory to God.
It is when we realize that we are living in His strength, and we cannot help but say, “The Lord is good! Glory be to Him!” It has to be a situation when everyone must recognize that this is clearly the hand of God working in and through us.
Our best state is not what we could be in ourselves, but one where we have given ourselves completely to Him and put our trust in Him-
It is when everyone around us recognizes the grace and the power of God at work in us, enabling us to act and respond in a way that truly reflects His divine character and power. And they cannot help but exclaimed, “Hallelujah! Glory be to God!”
It is when we can truthfully say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
It is when we proclaim with Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!” and “In Christ alone, I place my trust.”
Some pioneers of faith who gives their hearts completely to God
Margaret Brand, a pioneer of Christian faith, who lived a balance career, family and faith, gave her excellence for the glory of God.
* Self-trained world expert on Leprosy on eye.
* With the late Dr. Paul Brand (d. 2003), raised a family of six children in India.
* Christian Medical College in Vellore, S. India, for approximately 18 years.
* 22 years as Chief of Ophthalmology at Gillis W. Long National Hansen’s Disease Center.
* Dr. Margaret, now 85, is officially retired, but maintains a busy schedule, speaking and traveling around the world.
According to Margaret Brand, a pioneer of Christian faith,
“It is the grace of God, which is available to everyone, that has enabled me to accomplish what I have done, and His grace that has overruled many of my foolish mistakes.”
“Our disappointments are God’s appointment for us!”
It is in such situations that we can give our excellence to for his glory when we respond to his call to advance the gospel and be a pioneer of the Christian faith.
‘Chained’ by circumstances – Susannah, Mrs. Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Book Fund”
Early in their married life, Susannah became an invalid but her burden to share in her husband’s ministry took her to start the “Book Fund”, a work of faith that supported thousands of pastors who were too poor to buy books. She began only by sharing with them her husband’s book and God took her burden and developed it into a great ministry even though she was home bound for 15 years.
When Susannah became chronically ill and was often confined to bed, discouraged and confused, Susannah cried out to God. Later, she would write, ” . . . the moment we come into any trial or difficulty, our first thought should be, not how soon can we escape from it, or how we may lessen the pain we shall suffer from it, but how can we best glorify God in it . . .”
But how could Susannah glorify God or minister with her husband while confined to a sick room?
In the summer of 1875, Charles completed the first volume of his book, Lectures to My Students. He gave a proof copy to Susannah and asked her opinion of it. After reading it, she said, “I wish I could place it in the hands of every minister in England.” Charles quipped, “Then why not do so; how much will you give?”3
Susannah took the challenge seriously. She had, on a whim, been saving crown pieces as she happened to get them. When she counted them out, there were exactly enough coins to buy 100 copies of the new book. Charles announced in his magazine that 100 copies of Lectures to my Students would be mailed to poor pastors at no charge. Orders flooded in for the books from English ministers, many of whom were so strapped for money that they hadn’t bought a new book in years. Susannah mailed out the books and received dozens of grateful letters in thanks. Some pastors wept when the precious volumes arrived. Spurgeon announced the results in the next issue of his magazine and asked his readers to help continue the work. Donations poured in. Though they never again asked for funds, enough money continued to trickle in over the years to distribute hundreds of thousands of theological books.
Susannah often worked from her sick bed, keeping track of the finances and corresponding with pastors. A room in their home was dedicated to storing and shipping books. As long as Susannah was well enough, volunteers would come in once every two weeks to help pack books for shipping.
Charles later wrote about the effect the labor involved in the book fund had on his wife. “Our gracious Lord has ministered to His suffering child in the most effectual manner when He graciously led her to minister to the necessities of His servants. . . . Let every believer accept this as the inference of experience: that for most human maladies, the best relief and antidote will be found in the self-sacrificing work for the Lord Jesus.”
She was a splendid manageress and a supporter of Spurgeon’s Pastors’ College
By means of rigid economies, quite a substantial amount was saved towards the support and education of the first student, the success of this effort leading to the foundation of the Pastors´ College. “I rejoice,” says Mrs. Spurgeon, ‘“to remember how I shared my beloved´s joy when he founded the Institution, and that together we planned and pinched in order to carry out the purpose of his loving heart; it gave me quite a motherly interest in the College, and ‘our own men.´
Do we feel ‘in chain’ to someone that pull us down or prevent us from serving him?
Susanna Wesley could be ‘in chain’ by her 19 children, but she was not!
She drew her inner strength from her belief in God. With single mind, she sees her difficult situations as God-given opportunities for furtherance of the Gospel. She shared,
"Help me, Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the church... nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that every where I am in Thy Presence."
"I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified."
“My excellence for His glory” is a choice
Our unstoppable determination for His holiness! It involves a choice!
Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest shared,
“To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning. It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of the will at that point. An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering.”
“When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God he doesn’t know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point – He does know.”
What should our responses be?
“Shut out every other thought that keep yourself before God for this one thing only – my utmost for his highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone.”
How does God prepare and grow us to that state?
Experiencing God!
Blackaby shared about the steps God grows us through experiencing him in our love relationship with Him. Oswald Chambers shared something similar in this light when he said,
“But before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God’s gentle nudges.”
It is a process of growth
We need to go through the process of growth in our experience with God. To look at the process that God lovingly and graciously subject us to, to bring to fruition the end product that He so desires to see in us, come to…HLCE Camp 2009
The theme: Our Excellence for His Glory
1. Experiencing His Comfort in our Trials (1:3-11).
2. Experiencing His Victory in our Setbacks (2:1-17).
3. Experiencing His Power in our Frailty (3:12-4:18).
4. Experiencing His Eternity in our Mortality (5:1-21).
We will be taken through the process of how Paul experience God’s grace that worked powerfully in him and help to strengthen and build him up to do excellently to glorify God in his life.
Let us go to the camp and learn to give Our Excellence for His Glory!
To God be all praise and glory! Amen.
_______________________________________________________________
HLCE Audio Sermons Online are on the web
at http://www.hlce.org.my
©HLCE 2000-2006
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Title: Faith and Dying
Date: Jun 26, 2009
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: John 16:33, John 14:27, John 11:25-27
Is the name Jean-Francois Gravelet familiar to you? Better known as The Great Blondin, he was the first man to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope, an event he repeated many times. The story is told that once he pushed a wheelbarrow across the Falls and then returned with the wheelbarrow loaded with a 100-lb sack of flour. He subsequently asked the crowd if they thought he could push a man across.
When they shouted, "yes," he asked for a volunteer. Silence.
Faith is more than just assent. When you face death, you do not want to guess, hope or speculate. You want to know. And that's where Jesus comes in.
What Does God Say?
"Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?" (John 11:25-26, NLT).
Martha's brother had just died. Jesus was asking Martha if she believed that He could raise her brother from the dead.
* Why would Jesus ask Martha that question?
* How do you think Martha responded?
"Yes, Lord," she told Him, 'I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God'" (John 11:27, NIV).
My Thoughts
Do you think that Jesus was teaching not only Martha but also us through His question?
Did Martha really believe in her heart that Jesus could and would raise her brother from the dead?
What about you? When it comes to death and dying, where is your faith? Notice that Jesus does not say that everyone has the hope of never perishing, but only those who believe in Him--those who have taken Jesus to be their Savior, taken God to be their Heavenly Father and have taken the Holy Spirit to be their guide. To those people, Jesus promises eternal life and declares that death is only a brief doorway to resurrection and the beginning of eternity with Him.
My Part
Watching someone cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope would be scary. Riding in a wheelbarrow while someone pushed it over a tightrope strung across the Falls would be terrifying. But facing death and having no assurance would be even more dreadful. In fact, dreadful beyond words. That's why the truth Jesus teaches here is so significant and can affect our lives for eternity.
"Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?'"? (John 11:25-26, NLT).
Do you believe? Do you trust Jesus with all your heart; do you have the assurance that He will keep His Word? Then you can face death and dying knowing that you will live eternally with your Savior.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NLT). "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27, NLT).
Take a moment to thank Jesus that you can have such an assurance.
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: John 16:33, John 14:27, John 11:25-27
Is the name Jean-Francois Gravelet familiar to you? Better known as The Great Blondin, he was the first man to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope, an event he repeated many times. The story is told that once he pushed a wheelbarrow across the Falls and then returned with the wheelbarrow loaded with a 100-lb sack of flour. He subsequently asked the crowd if they thought he could push a man across.
When they shouted, "yes," he asked for a volunteer. Silence.
Faith is more than just assent. When you face death, you do not want to guess, hope or speculate. You want to know. And that's where Jesus comes in.
What Does God Say?
"Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?" (John 11:25-26, NLT).
Martha's brother had just died. Jesus was asking Martha if she believed that He could raise her brother from the dead.
* Why would Jesus ask Martha that question?
* How do you think Martha responded?
"Yes, Lord," she told Him, 'I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God'" (John 11:27, NIV).
My Thoughts
Do you think that Jesus was teaching not only Martha but also us through His question?
Did Martha really believe in her heart that Jesus could and would raise her brother from the dead?
What about you? When it comes to death and dying, where is your faith? Notice that Jesus does not say that everyone has the hope of never perishing, but only those who believe in Him--those who have taken Jesus to be their Savior, taken God to be their Heavenly Father and have taken the Holy Spirit to be their guide. To those people, Jesus promises eternal life and declares that death is only a brief doorway to resurrection and the beginning of eternity with Him.
My Part
Watching someone cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope would be scary. Riding in a wheelbarrow while someone pushed it over a tightrope strung across the Falls would be terrifying. But facing death and having no assurance would be even more dreadful. In fact, dreadful beyond words. That's why the truth Jesus teaches here is so significant and can affect our lives for eternity.
"Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?'"? (John 11:25-26, NLT).
Do you believe? Do you trust Jesus with all your heart; do you have the assurance that He will keep His Word? Then you can face death and dying knowing that you will live eternally with your Savior.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NLT). "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27, NLT).
Take a moment to thank Jesus that you can have such an assurance.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Precious Gift
Once upon a time, when God had finished making the world, he wanted to leave behind a piece of His own divinity, a spark of His essence, a promise to man of what he could become, with effort. He looked for a place to hide this precious gift because, He explained, what man could find too easily would never be valued by him.
"Then you must hide this gift on the highest mountain peak on earth," said one of his counselors.
God shook His head, "No, for man is an adventuresome creature and he will soon enough learn to climb the highest mountain peaks.
"Hide it then, O Great One, in the depths of the earth."
"I think not," said God. "for man will one day discover that he can dig into the deepest parts of the earth."
"In the middle of the ocean then, Master?"
God shook His head. "I've given man a brain, you see, and one day he'll learn to build ships and cross the mightiest oceans."
"Where then, Master?" cried His counselors.
God smiled, "I'll hide it where every man and woman will be able to find it if they look sincerely and deeply enough. I'll hide it in their heart."
Sunday, June 21, 2009
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK…
“BLESSED ARE THE MEEK…” (Matt. 5:5a)
In the marketplace of power and control, the very thought of meekness comes off as insipid and ineffectual. After all, it is the assertive types, not the docile, compliant, and timid that make things happen in the commercial center of ideas, action and leadership!
Well guess what? Jim Collins in his monumental work, Good to Great discovered in his research that the best CEOs – what he calls “Level 5 leaders” – combine extreme passion for a cause with deep humility and a sense of teamwork. Without humility a man cannot learn, because the first step to learning is the realization of our own ignorance. Perhaps a paraphrase of “Blessed are the meek…” (Matt. 5:5a) could be, “Blessed is the man who has the humility to know his own ignorance, his own weakness, and his own need.”1 The biblical concept of meekness does not connote weakness. It is power put under control. Powerful King Solomon reminded us that a person without meekness is “like a city that is broken into and without walls” (Pro. 25:28). “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, then he who captures a city” (Pro. 16:32 ). An unbroken colt is of little use. Wind and people out of control prove to be destructive. Meekness appropriately measures out its resources.
It would serve us well to keep in mind that poverty of spirit (Matt. 5:3 of last week’s “Facts”) focuses on our sinfulness, while meekness (Matt. 5:5) focuses on God’s holiness, and that the basic attitude of humility underlies both virtues.
Frank and Sarah come to mind when I think of meekness. Frank has a PhD from one of our blue chip universities and masterfully leads a mid-sized company of excellence. I first got to know Frank many years ago when he helped me put up a basketball hoop for my 9 year old son, the day our family moved to town. He was hungry for discipleship. Sarah, now in her late 80’s, has for many years been the quintessential business leader in her city, and continues to quietly influence leaders to practice excellence, ethics and good governance. Years ago I remember discovering Sarah on her knees at her church, cleaning toilets that she observed had been overlooked, in preparation for a one day conference. Both Frank and Sarah reflect their deep inner core of biblical values as they speak with passion and conviction in measured tones. Both, by their powerful, “meek” presence command monumental respect and influence in their community.
Biblical examples of powerful leaders embracing the quality of meekness would include:
Christ who twice drove out the money changers (Jn. 2:14, 15; Matt. 21:12 , 13), yet meekly sacrificed himself for others, serves as an example for us to follow: “...Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps…He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God” (I Pet. 2:21a, 23). This gentle Jesus, the One who spoke the worlds into being, humbly rode a donkey into Jerusalem as the coming King (Matt. 21:5).
Moses who in righteous anger smashed the tablets upon learning of the golden calf, was “… more humble than any other person on earth” (Num. 12:3; Exo. 32:19).
David who had the opportunity to kill Saul but refused stating, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord" (I Sam. 24: 5, 6).
QUESTION: What answer would I receive if I were to ask those closest to you if you are perceived as kindly, patient, moderate, humble, and measured? What would they have to say about being pushy, manipulative, easily irritated, in a hurry, wound tight, arbitrary, harsh, proud or supercilious? The reason we need to ask these difficult questions lies in the gravity of Jesus’ statement: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3b, 4).
1 Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)
R. Dwight Hill
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