Sermon on the Mount - Part 7

 Today I want to look at verses 13-16, once again focusing on who Jesus was speaking to, and on the context of the entire message. 

Matthew 5:13-16

(13)“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
 (14)“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  (15)or do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  (16)In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus has just finished what we call the beatitudes, where He has detailed what it would look like for someone who truly knew and understood what God desires from them. Pretty much everything He detailed is what is not found in the current Jewish practice. There are the two groups that He is speaking to, the Jewish leaders who probably gathered in one area, and the common Jews, who likely were spread in to other areas. The leaders kept their distance from the common people, partly because of wanting to be ceremonially clean, but also I believe because they genuinely thought themselves better than them. 

So in my mind, what I see as Jesus speaks these verses, is a deliberate turning away from the leaders and turning toward the rest of the crowd. So often when we hear these verses we focus on the words salt and light. While these words are critical to the understanding of these verses, in my mind, as Jesus speaks these words, He is emphasizing the word "you." As in you, the everyday people, are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. People are not going to come to Jesus because some leader is good at following rules or memorizing Scripture. Now, they might listen to them because they don't want to go to hell, and they think that is the pathway, but is that really what it means to be a disciple of Jesus? They might listen to them because they are a good speaker, have great stories, or tell them what their itching ears want to hear, but is that really what it means to be a disciple of Jesus? Ihey might listen to them because that is how they were brought up, or because they don't want to be disrespecful, but is that really what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?  I've seen this post where people treat faith like is it some kind of eternal fire insurance, that by making Jesus Facebook famous we are witnessing to the world. Was that Jesus' goal, to go viral? Is that what Jesus meant when He told us to go and make disciples? That is so easy, so much easier than having to carry my cross. 

I cringe a little when people think that they have fulfilled their obligation to God by saying a prayer or getting baptized, and then maybe inviting people to church. Maybe instead of talking about how great our church is, we need to be living like we have a great Savior! Maybe that is why we have to have such huge buildings that sit empty most of the time, and give our time and money to great programs and speakers, because if people really knew me, I doubt that would convince them to come to Jesus. Maybe that is why we seem to focus more on what God can do for you rather than what He has already done in Jesus.

If we are going to take Jesus at His word, you are what gives the world its flavor, you are the light that shines to reveal Jesus, not buildings or programs or preachers, you. Right? (Note: I am not saying that we cannot use these things, but if the first part of the equation is not you, then we seem to be missing the most important part.)

Edited 2/4/2022

A Musical Interlude

As I go through the Sermon on the Mount, this song keeps coming to mind. 

Before listening to this song, I want to put you in a frame of mind as to how I interpret it.

The title of the song is Religion, and I believe that is what he is singing about. He is not speaking of losing his faith, but of breaking the hold that religion has over him. So when he says, "but the truth I uncovered, the pressure I'm under to please you has gone away," he is not taking to God but to the pressure and rules of religion. I'll let you take it from here, enjoy.

Sermon on the Mount - Part 6

Today I want to look at verses 10-12, focusing on who Jesus was speaking to, and on the context of the entire message. 

Matthew 5:10-12

(10)“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(11)“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  (12)Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

There is a definite change of message going on with these last few "Blessed are..." statements. We seem to go from attitudes we need to possess to a statement of coming persecution. I suppose in some ways it is still about attitude, but this takes it to another level.

One question that comes to mind is, where will the persecution come from? I think we expect it to come from the world, from those who don't know Jesus. But what would this audience think, and what was Jesus trying to convey?

I think one answer is the world. For whatever reason, the general response to Christianity from those who do not know Jesus is one of hostility. It is not enough for them to not believe, they often seem offended that you might believe as well. Maybe this has something to do with the way that some approach belief and evangelism, and that is a subject for another post perhaps. In fact, even among believers, we generally do not tolerate those of different beliefs. But I again, that is a subject for another time.

But I also see a second source of persecution, which is from within the Jewish leadership. Where did the original persecution of Christians come from? It came from the very group Jesus first reached out to, the Jews. More specifically, the Jewish leaders. I believe that Jesus is speaking to the masses, future disciples  potentially, not only warning them about coming persecution, which they probably expect to be coming from their oppressors, the Romans. But they don't see the other group that is oppressing them, their leaders. Read Jesus' words in Matthew 10:17-18, "Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles." Notice the location of the persecution, their synagogues. 

Sad  thing is, I believe that this is just as true today as it was then. We have left the religion of the Garden of Eden, and have replaced it with one that requires us to fall in line, to obey and not question. In an age when the Scriptures are more accessible than ever, do we take the time to try and read and understand them, or do we follow the leadings of those in charge and look down upon any who dare to question them? Should we not read these words regarding persecution and apply them not only to the government of the country, but also the leadership of the church? Not that we live in rebellion to any and all leadership, but that we approach things with open eyes and open ears. As Jesus said, "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matt 10:16)

"for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  (vs 12) Another clue as to where the persecution would come from. In all things remember, you are not alone. Remember Elijah, who was fleeing persecution to the point that he asked God to take his life? (I Kings 19:4) Then God provided for him, and spoke to him, not in a mighty storm or earthquake or fire, but in a whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-12) Which leads me to question, where I am looking for God? In the mighty buildings and programs and things of this world? I am reminded of the saying, "What you win them with is what you win them to." If we win them with comfort, are we winning them to comfort, so that if and when things become uncomfortable, their "faith" does not have an answer for this, and they leave their "faith." Or, are we looking for God in a manger? Are we listening for a whisper that causes us to draw near in order to be able to hear? And what does the voice say to him? It asks a question, one that I believe God would also ask of us, "What are you doing here?" (1 Kings 19:13) When Elijah answers, he tells God that he is the only one left and they are seeking to kill him too, which, by the way, is not an answer to the question God asked. Then God graciously reveals to him that he is not alone, there are " seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal." (1 Kings 19:18)

This whole idea of persecution seems so distant. Maybe we hear about it from time to time, but maybe not. Jesus must have thought it important for us to know about, for this is not the only time he speaks about it. But it certainly is not a popular thought. It is not something one wants to talk about if they are seeking to gather a huge following. But I don't think Jesus ever gave thought to what would make Him more popular.  

Edited 2/4/2022

Sermon on the Mount - Part 3

 I see the Sermon on the Mount as the manifesto of the ministry of Jesus. Not that Jesus is seeking to bring something new, but rather a resetting of God's intention. 

Matthew 5:17,18

(17)“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (18)For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

The corruption of God's intention for relationship with man started in the Garden when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, and it has not stopped since. It certainly did not stop with the advent of the Gospel. From the book of Acts on, much of the New Testament deals with correcting issues of  corruption of the Gospel. It did not take long for the sinful ways of man to enter into the church. Even as early as the book of Acts, we see issues such as Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) and Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:18-24). In Corinthians we find sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1,2). In Galatians we have the preaching of a different gospel (Galatians 1:6). The list goes on.

Yet I get the feeling that many believe that finally, 2,000 plus years later, we finally have it figured out. Well, at least our denomination does. (That's sarcasm by the way)

Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Why these words? Or perhaps more importantly, what is being mourned? Who or what has died? 

Romans 6:1,2  What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Does the mourning that Jesus is speaking of here have anything to do with our own death? Not our physical death, but the death of our old self, the putting away of our past way of life and now walking in newness of life? Some might argue, why would we mourn the death of our old self? But I believe it is healthy to do that. We should see the destructive force of that old way of living, and all of the misery it caused both for ourselves and those we love, and work through the emotions that go with that that we might be set free from a return to that life. (Matthew 12:43-45)

Again, I am reminded of the 12 Steps of AA:

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character

Do you see a mourning process here, because I do. First, we take an honest look at our past way of life. Then we admit where we were wrong and how it played out in our actions. We see the path and toll of destruction we have forged. Next, we lay that old self on the altar before God, closing the casket and sealing it up. If that isn't a reason to be mourning, what is? So now, being at rock bottom, gasping for breath, mourning over the death of our own past, we are finally ready to go to God and ask Him to bury that person. Step 7:

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

You don't have to know the steps to go through the process. Maybe you didn't write out an inventory, or share it with another, but did you not see the destruction? Do you not see your need for a Savior?

Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to finding a treasure in a field. (Matthew 13:44) Once found, the man saw the value of the treasure, and sold all that he had to possess it. Did this man mourn over some of what he had to lose in order to gain that treasure? I would imagine he did. It is difficult for me to think about selling ALL I own to possess anything. All my tools? All my Legos? All my trinkets and family memories? I might do it, but I would definitely miss some of those things. That is what the man in the parable did, he sold ALL he had because he saw the greater value in possessing the treasure. He mourned the loss of his present possessions, but the value of what he would now possess is where he found comfort.

Jesus talks about dying to ourselves often. He tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him. Is this not an invitation to our own death? What more powerful image could He have chosen that to tell us to pick up our cross? Did some picture the times they had seen men on the side of the road who were on Roman crosses? This was not an uncommon sight. Jesus did this, I believe, knowing that He would have to perform this very act Himself! When you pick up your cross, it is only for one reason, to carry it to the place of your crucifixion. Think about that. Can you imagine the thoughts running through your head as you walk down the street toward the pain and suffering that you know lies ahead? Would you not be mourning your own death? 

Jesus tells us to love everyone and pray for those who persecute us. Do you not have to die to yourself to perform such an act? Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" My thought is, how can you truly love even those who persecute you, and pray for them, if you have not first died to yourself that you might live for Christ? And why would you choose to do such a thing unless you see the beauty and value of who Christ is and what it is he offers? 

Don't many preach a different gospel today? Have we not watered down and emasculated the gospel message when we say that salvation is simply a matter of belief (head knowledge) that Jesus is Lord, and that accepting His as Savior simply means praying a prayer or even being baptized in His name? If we have not recognized the death that we must die, and what the newness of life is that we must now live in, and mourned that death, if we have not laid aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, (Hebrews 12:1), if we have do not believe that there is no treasure greater than the salvation found only in Jesus, should we really call ourselves saved? 

Edited 2/3/2022

1 Thess 2:9-12

SCRIPTURE

1 Thess 2:9-12

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

COMMENT

How opposite is this of the church today. Today, preachers sit on pedestals. We honor (dare I say worship?) them. They are our Christianity. What they say is what we believe. What they do is what we do. Yes, we expect a lot out of them. But that is the result when they are your belief system. So we treat them gingerly. At least until they offend us. What should the church look like? Here are some thoughts.

Rather than one individual studying the Scriptures to tell us how to believe, maybe everyone studies them. Wouldn't that be novel? I recall taking a survey for a game we were going to play with the youth, a Family Feud type of game. We surveyed the congregation for answers. One question was, "Who is your favorite Bible King?" Number one answer was King James. I was talking with someone the other day who stated, "Well Jesus was not perfect either. He must have sinned as a child." Yet the Bible says that in order for Him to be the atonement for our sins, He must be perfect. But let's forget about the average pew-warmer for a moment, let's talk about preachers and what they sell. Things like "Your Best Life Now" clear the shelves and build mansions for the author. Want a better prayer life, then pray in Circles, just like Mark Batterson does. I am not only offended by the people who write this trash, but by the preachers to promote it, help sell it, hold "Bible" studies around it or preach from it.

What if preachers were just one of us? What is we didn't have extravagant buildings and budgets and programs to sell Jesus to the masses? What if we were all in the trenches and just needed someone more experienced to encourage us, rather than live it our for us? What would a church like that say to the world?  What if we did it like it was written in the book of 1 Thessalonians?

Who Is It? (Matthew 21:28-32)

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

COMMENT

I believe the first step in understanding this parable is to consider the audience to whom it was spoken. Since Jesus had just been questioned about His authority by the chief priests and elders as to where He got His authority, I assume He is still speaking mainly to them, and then perhaps to the crowd as well.

I think the next step would be to determine who are the characters in the parable. Who is the first son, and who is the second? The second son gives his father lip service only. He says he will do as the father asks, but then does as he pleases. In Jesus's eyes, this would be the chief priests and elders. Jesus talks about how they have ears, but do not hear. In most of the parables that he tells, they are the bad examples, and one would find it difficult to see any change in that here. They honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. (see Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8,9) The first son is the one who actually does what the father has desires, although not at first. Again, if we look at the overall message that I believe Jesus is constantly coming back to, this is an issue of repentance. The first son must change his mindset for a reason. Perhaps, having had time to consider his actions in light of all that his father has done for him, he sees the error of his choice and changes his course. In other words, he repents. Therefore, it is not about the obedience in doing what his father has asked (sacrifice), but it is the change of heart (mercy) that matters. (Matthew 9:13) So when they (the Pharisees and leaders) stand in judgement, and those who they have preached against and despised (the sinners of the world) are granted salvation, they have no excuse, God's judgment is righteous.

That is going to be a harsh realization for many. Fortunately, there is still time to repent. That is the gospel.

The Value of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:44-46)

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

COMMENT

I want to address these verses because I believe that they hold a critical part to understanding the Gospel. If the Gospel is the good news that Jesus has paid the price for our sins, then what does that really mean to us? Some would say that we just need to accept this fact and we are saved. Some include baptism as a part of that process. Others add repentance, sinner's prayers or a combination of what has been said. But I want to focus on the reaction to finding the kingdom that should be a part of our salvation. And I will even go so far as to say, if a similar reaction is not a part of your salvation,

Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, which a man found, then hid in a field. In his joy, he sells all he has and purchases that field. So a man finds something of great worth. Something that is much more valuable than all that he already possesses. We know this, because he sells all that he already possesses to obtain the field. I believe that this is what repentance is all about. When we are willing to turn from one set of values to another. In selling all that he owned, he likely parted ways with some near and dear items. But these items he now considered worthless in comparison to the treasure that he had found. Jesus also compared the kingdom of heaven to a pearl of great worth, where again, a man sold all that he had to possess it.

What does possessing the kingdom mean to us? Is it merely a matter of salvation? Is it merely a matter of  not spending eternity in hell? Perhaps if that is all that possessing the kingdom is, then you do not grasp the meaning of the kingdom of heaven. I recall Matt Chandler saying something along the lines of "Heaven is not a place for those who do not want to go to hell, it is a place for those who love God." Not sure it that is the exact quote, but I think this parable makes that point. Jesus said that first and foremost is that we love the Lord God with ALL our heart, soul, and mind. What does the Gospel message mean to you, and what will you give in exchange for it?

Wise and Foolish Builders - Matthew 7:24-28

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 7:24-28

COMMENTS

When looking at this passage, one must realize that it is not a stand-alone parable, but rather a conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, and should be interpreted in that light.

Some notes about the story. There are 2 men, one who is considered foolish and one who is considered wise. On the outside, they look the same. The comparison is to two houses.The difference is not in the houses themselves, but in the foundation of said houses. You cannot see the basis of the foundation merely by looking at the house, although it is interesting to note that if the house is surrounded by sand, it is most likely built on sand and if it is surrounded by rock, it is most likely built on rock.

The foundation on the rock is the one who hears and does the words Jesus has been preaching. Again, start with the beatitudes and continue up to this parable, His words talk about an attitude behind the actions. You can be proud and give, but Jesus says the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom. You can live in sin and still go to church, but Jesus says the pure in heart shall see God. You can live the whole package, and yet still not have salt in your character or shine a light in the darkness. You can give an offering, but still harbor anger. You can be pure in body and speech, but lust is still present. The list goes on... Unless the heart is producing the behavior, it is not built on the rock, but perhaps just a white-knuckle attempt to avoid the punishment of hell.

The foolish man looks just like the wise man on the outside. Maybe he does not cuss, gives to charity, goes to church, mows his lawn every week, drives an SUV, etc. But the foundation of the actions are weak, or perhaps even non-existent. Many are trying to pay a debt to God that they cannot pay. It is through surrender to Christ that one achieves salvation, not deeds or good works. Yet the ironic thing is, that surrender should and must lead us to deeds and good works! Perhaps this is why it is said that God loves a cheerful giver. He loves the one whose sacrifice is a sacrifice of praise and not an obligation or attempt to pacify God's wrath.

Thoughts on Aaron Rodgers interview with Danica Patrick

• Aaron was intrigued by Matt Hawk because he was a Christian, yet he swears and he loves and coaches sports. Makes me wonder what kind of Christians he had interaction with prior to meeting this guy. While cursing is not something I prefer to hear Christians (or anyone else for that matter) do, it is an imperfection that many Christians possess. As far as loving and coaching sports, if he thought that was out of bounds for Christians, no wonder he has struggled with faith as it was portrayed to him.
• I love how he sees his mission trips as "really meaningful." But again, in light of how he perceived Christianity, I would love to know 2 things: ONE-What was your reason for going on these trips? TWO: How has this experience impacted your spirituality today?
• I understand your not having connection with certain Christian groups, especially if your view of Christianity growing up was skewed. It is hard to separate what we learned about Christianity growing up and what Jesus really taught about how his followers should live. I appreciate your efforts to search out what it really means to be a spiritual being. 
• I question your statement that "rules and regulations and binary systems don't really resonate with me." Sounds like your upbringing was at least somewhat legalistic, if not very strongly legalistic. I question if you really had a balanced view of Christianity. I also though, think it is dangerous to reject God because those things do not resonate with you. I can't get out of a ticket by telling an officer, "That speed limit really does not resonate with me."
• If you look at Jesus, and you look at the church you went to on Sunday mornings, the two don't match up. Jesus did not reject the outcast, in fact, he rejected those who looked down on the outcast. Sounds like your Monday evenings were more in line with that than your church experience.
• I agree with your distaste for a binary system like the one you described. But the picture of the the Christian in the Bible is not like what you experienced. You describe those who take pride in their position with God. The Bible speaks of approaching God with humility, with fear and trembling. We love God and we love others because of God's grace and love for us. We don't look down on anyone because of their sin. Anyone. 
• Again, approaching God in humility goes along with your statement, "I don't know how you can believe in a god who wants to condemn most of the planet." In your view, it seems that God has created us just to destroy us. But perhaps rather than wonder why God does not save all, humility says "Why would He save any?" Look what we have done, how we have rejected Him and His righteousness. The fact that He would send Jesus to die for even one who would accept Him then takes on an amazing facet of grace.
• You mention only 144,000 being saved. Is that what your church taught?

Aaron, I can resonate with some of your feelings. I have had a variety of church experiences, many of which have not been pleasant or representative of Jesus. But I pray that as you continue to dig into what truth is, you will be led to see that perhaps your current views about God and religion are not in line with what is taught by Jesus, his disciples, and the Bible.

Put 'em up!

Authority in the Church is not meant to be wielded as a weapon.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (p. 184). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Fear. It paralyzes. It causes us to do things we might not otherwise do. We feel boxed into a corner and we just want to fight our way out. Perhaps we react first, then think.

Leadership in the church begins with following. Ironic, isn't it? If you don't truly see yourself as a follower first, I question if leadership is for you. Jesus always saw himself as a follower of God first. So even in those times of confrontation, you see a sense of purpose and compassion. I think of his encounter with Nicodemus. How frustrating that must have been for Jesus. For Nicodemus claimed to be a teacher of Israel, but did not grasp the concepts Jesus spoke of. Sure, these were not the concepts that the Jewish leaders understood the Scriptures to teach, but they were apparently the ones God intended.

I think back to my time at University Christian Church in Muncie. As I read some old posts lately, I was reminded of the meeting with the elders. How they dictated everything to accomplish their purposes. Made accusations but felt above the need to verify their accusations. Or even in some cases understand their accusations. It was about fear. Probably fear of another split. Had they chased others out before? Probably, but in different ways. Those who stayed stayed for one another.

Fear. It paralyzes.

Rethinking Church

00:41  What does the word of God say about the church?

Chan offers 4 things that embodies the church of the Scriptures. They are...

1. Love. Family/sacrificial love
2. Getting the message out (a priority)
3. Gathered - focused on communion and community
4. Equipping and Training took place

Is that the church you see today? 

I love when he compares the church of today verses the church of the Scriptures, saying it is like going to the movies instead of going to the gym. (around 03:50) 

Is there a better way to do church? As one who struggles with the institutional church, I am always interested in hearing new ideas. And I have a deep respect for Francis Chan. But is this a viable answer? Is building house churches and then regularly splitting them up better than what is in place now? The jury is out for me right now. Any thoughts?

You can't handle the truth!

Wouldn't it throw the whole industry of church marketing for a loop if our churches were truly defined by the cross? (Ch. 8)

Yesterday I spoke of how we tend to focus on words like "salvation," and sometimes this takes our eyes off of other words like "gospel" and 'power." I speak for myself, because this is something I am guilty of. But this quote takes it a step farther than just what I personally do.

Let me ask you, what drew you to your church? For many is it a program that met a personal need. While that is great, is that what we see in the Bible? Yes, there were times when Jesus healed someone, and that person's life was changed, and they followed Him. But there were also times when Jesus said hard things, and in doing so drove people away. Where does that fit in a church's marketing strategy?

So what if we threw out marketing strategies, and focused on living a gospel driven life? Could God handle it if instead of a kickin' band drawing in the younger crowd, we had some kickin' sermons that challenged people, were Bible centered (so we would have to talk about other subjects besides sex), and both lifted us up and cut our hearts? Yes, I think God could handle it, but could we?

Peter, have you misplaced the keys to the kingdom again?

Seeking to be relevant, the church too can become a shopping mall of false promises that yields despair or self-righteousness, rather than faith and the fruit of the Spirit. (Ch. 6)

I will say that what I see going on in churches is my biggest struggle right now. Having attended one church for 8 years, but then getting involved with leadership and seeing what the actions and attitudes were behind closed doors was a struggle. A serious struggle. A minister embezzling funds, poor treatment of people who just want to serve, blind eyes turned to serious issues, and an attitude that said, "God put us in charge, you need to deal with it." A culminating moment for me at this place was a weekend leadership retreat. Upon realizing that very little time had actually been spent in prayer, the lead minister stated, "That's okay, because we are doing God's work." Yikes!

Our next experience was even worse. We had dared to question something the minister had said during our small group discussion, and were called before the eldership. No one was allowed to speak on our behalf, it was a closed meeting. Even the minister himself was not at the meeting. Lots of lies and accusations, but nothing can be challenged if those who made the accusations are not present. Nor was anyone else at the meeting allowed to attend. But they had t-shirts that said "Be the church." And folks were encouraged to wear them as they did a once a year service project for the community.

So now we sit in relative silence, worshiping in a church that is so large, I doubt they would notice if we disappeared. Participating in a Sunday School class with a group of good people, but feeling like we are on the outside looking in. That statement in the above quote, "false promises that yields despair," I can relate to that. So desperately hungering for a gospel-centeredness that seems to be unreachable.

I won't give up on Jesus, I won't give up on church, but it is a struggle right now.

Which curtain shall I choose, Monty?

...the law makes sense to us already; the gospel has to be told by heralds. (Ch. 1)

Human nature. We all have it by virtue of being human. So why is it that we look at the human nature of the Pharisees, and can wag a finger at them, while not realizing that those same human tendencies exist within us?

The law makes sense. Give me something tangible that I can see and hold on to. None of that blind faith stuff for me. Tell me what kind of movies to watch, how long to wear my hair, where to draw the line with my girlfriend, etc. Give me details!

Having a law just makes sense to us. But the gospel frees us from the law. We are not saved by the law, we are saved from the law. Now we become a law unto ourselves. (Paraphrase of a Matt Chandler quote.) That law is not written on tablets of stone, but on our hearts!

Enter the gospel. Not written on tablets of stone, but heralded by angels, Jesus himself, the disciples and Apostles, and hopefully you and me!

Or maybe you could just give a something to hold on to. A tract or Bible with all of the important verses highlighted. Or just a list of the top ten rules. That I can handle so much better.

Gospel: Problem or Solution?

Blog Post found here.

Content of post:

If you died after not having chemotherapy, you died not because of the absence of chemo, but because of the cancer. Thus men suffer God’s wrath not because they didn’t hear the gospel, but because they’re sinners rebelling against a holy God—the gospel is the solution, not the problem.

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In today's modern (at least American) world, it is all about blame. I recently was reading some comments people were making about Common Core. One gentleman blamed our poor performance in education on the fact that some people believe dinosaurs walked with humans. Really? That explains it? Or is the real answer found in his answer in the fact that we arrogant Americans can't believe that other people or cultures might have a better way of doing some things? It is this arrogant line of thinking that in the '70's and '80's led us to such great advances at the Chevy Vega and Ford Pinto, opening the door for the quality minded Japanese to make huge advances into the auto industry. And now what is on of the slogans of one of our largest auto makers? "Quality is Job One."

We want to blame the gospel for the problems it creates, when the gospel is pure and holy, and does not create problems, it solves THE problem of humanity. But just like with anything, it can be abused or misused in the hands of sinful men.

Maybe that is why humility is such an important quality for the true Christian. Maybe that is why the Bible is more concerned with our inward focus, and not the outward one. Maybe that is why before we can remove that obvious, dog-gone plank from another, we need to worry about getting rid of that annoying speck in our own eye. The one that makes us squint and rub our eyes till they are red and we can't see clearly out of them. Cause if we could see clearly, we might see that that isn't a plank after all.

Can evangelism be taught?

Here is a line from a previous post found here that I thought warranted further comment.

Witness has changed from relationship to salesmanship.

What are we drawing people to, Jesus or something else?

Should people even need to take evangelism classes? If we need to be taught to share what we already have, do we really have it? Sure, we need to be solid in the foundations of our faith. But that is what the church should be preaching about every week.

What is evangelism? Sharing Jesus. Why do we do it? Because we love Him. How do we do it? It should be the overflow of a heart that loves Him. It is not about just getting people to come to church, nor is it about numbers or our success. It is not about winning an argument or having the most logical thought process. It should be a natural, a result of the faith that dwells in our heart.

But what do we see? We see smiling, soft-spoken people with huge churches, mega-book deals, and fat wallets. Kinda blows that narrow road thing out of the water, doesn't it? Many times we see such leaders fall, because it never really was about Jesus now, was it?

If we really want to solve some of the issues that plague the church, perhaps a return to relationship is in order. Perhaps a commitment is what is needed, and not a commercial.

If we look at Jesus, He was not the best salesman. He allowed the Rich Young Ruler to walk away. And isn't that the kind of person that most preachers or parishioners would not want to lose. Many times Jesus let people walk away. That is because he was not trying to sell them something. He offered to give them something that some wanted nothing to do with. And when that happened, he did not try to box them in with logic, or beat them over the head with morality. He simply let them walk away and continued to look for those who were broken or open to his message.

I don't think I've ever seen an evangelism class like that, have you?

Participation to Observation

From a previous post, I want to comment on the idea that...

Worship has changed from participation to observation.

I think for many people, worship is something that is done on Sunday morning, period. No wonder some look at heaven and want to put it off as long as possible. Ten thousand years of singing His praise, and still no less days than before. That really hits home as we count down to the end of the school year! Six more days, then we get a break! But ten thousand years and we still are no closer to the end!

But what if worship is more than Sunday morning? What if worship is what defines us and our relationship to God? What if worship is how I eat, work, talk, rest, play, and basically how I engage with every part of life? Then worship defines me and worship is a part of me. Then I don't just worry about the part(s) of my life I give to God, but I give it all to him. (This is one of the reasons I don't agree with the concept of the tithe, where we give 10% and keep 90%. Doesn't it all belong to Him?)

So worship is not something I do, it is part of who I am. Think of Paul, singing out praises in prison. Was it Sunday morning and time for worship, or was this just who Paul was? If you don't know, try reading some of his writings! "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, again I say REJOICE!" I don't know how this can be done outside of worship, do you?

Celebration to Ceremony

This is one statement from a list on my last post that I would like to chew on a bit more. There may be others to come.

 The Lord's Supper has changed from a celebration to a ceremony.

Is this a valid statement or not? To answer this, we must look to the early church, what did the breaking of bread mean to them? Did they pass around a plate full of crackers? No, they had a meal. They shared life together.

Yet from the start, it became corrupted. Some where always the first in line to get the best food, others drank more than enough and even became drunk. That was not the purpose! If you're that hungry, eat a snack first!

The Lord's Supper was instituted in a somber moment, when Jesus ate the Last Supper with the 12. But it took on a different meaning after His resurrection. It was now a memorial of the greatest event in history, of Christ's victory over death and sin. A memory of His suffering, yes, but also of His glory. How can such an event be remembered and not be celebrated? But is that what we do when we partake? Some do for sure, but others? Where do the majority land? Where do I land?

It is easy to fall into the routine. That is the reasoning for some not partaking in the Lord's Supper on a weekly basis, but rather doing it monthly or quarterly. But in truth, are they any better off when it comes to just performing a ceremony. Paul warns us to examine ourselves prior to partaking. What is our reasoning, our motivation? Where do we stand before our God and in relation to our fellow Christians? That sounds like something I need on a daily basis!

Everything changes over time...

Blog Post found here.

In this post the author sites another blog's list of how things in the church have changed over time. Change is not always a bad thing, but it is not always a good thing either. Here is the list.

•  The Lord's Supper has changed from a celebration to a ceremony. 
• Worship has changed from participation to observation. 
• Witness has changed from relationship to salesmanship. 
•  Leadership has changed from servanthood to professionalism. 
•  Mission has changed from being missionaries to supporting missionaries. 
• Body life has changed from edification to entertainment. 
•  Buildings have changed from functional to sacred. 
• Child care has changed from the hands of parents to the hands of strangers

I find this an excellent source of fodder for conversation. And look forward to a some specific posting over some or maybe even all of these, sharing from my experiences over time. Could be interesting!

Huh?

Galatians 2:3-5

Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

In verses 1 and 2, Paul seemed to be questioning if he were doing the right thing, preaching the right gospel. I understand this, because the gospel that Paul was preaching was counter-intuitive. It just makes sense that we owe God, and that we should have to do something to pay that debt. We should desire to earn God's favor, because we are not perfect. There must be some element of the law that we can still cling to.

But not even Titus was compelled to be circumcised. If the Jews were going to keep any element of the law in place, it would seem circumcision would be a logical choice. It was instituted by God and labeled them, set them apart. Titus was a Greek, not a Jew. One would think that he would want ot make sure that he was safe, that he was a part of the "in" group. Why not be circumcised, if for no other reason than to play it safe? But Titus was confident that not only was no such action needed, it would be a hindrance to his faith. This was a part of hte freedom that Titus had found in Christ. Not a freedom to do anything that he wanted, but a freedom that meant he was not bound to the fruitless requirements of a legalistic system that couldn't fix the problem of sin.

Others observed this, and couldn't comprehend it. Or they simply did not want to give up the control that it gave to them. Sure, Christ saves, but they wanted the debt and allegiance of others to continue. Remember the later church's idea of indulgences? Same principle. You can be free in Christ! Now follow us in obedience to these laws and freedom will be yours.

Huh?

Our freedom in Christ does free us from the law, but it does so in order that our service to Christ will be a response of love that honors him. That is the truth that Paul wanted to preserve! No one suffered more for the cross than Paul, but he did it not out of obligation to a set of rules. He did it as a response to what Christ had done for him.