We are in the midst of revival services at Oakland this week. I have determined in my own mind not to call it "Revival" as is the tradition in our church and many others, as a series of meetings and true biblical revival are two separate things. We have been praying for that spark of true revival to be lit at Oakland, but that decision to pursue God's way is on us, so that He may send it. But I do find these meetings useful, as a different voice can echo things that have been taught, and sometimes the impact can be felt more through another than through the pastor.
Last night Rev. Chuck McKnight delivered a Spirit led message on what a true church looks like, and I thought I'd share his outline with you. The text is First Thessalonians 1:1-10:
The Appearance of a True Church
1) A true church is ENLIGHTENED: v. 4 speaks of a church grounded in the things of God. They have the knowledge of the truth and their sure election. They have a faith grounded in the word of God, and confidence in the promises of God.
2) A true church is EMPOWERED: v. 5 speaks of how a true church impacts the world, not through methods, or music or man-centered things, but rather through the power of God and the Holy Spirit. We are incapable of accomplishing anything for God apart from Christ(John 15).
3) A true church is ENERGETIC: v. 3 speaks of the church at Thessalonica's works of faith and labor of love. If a church is truly living for God it will not be lazy, but rather, excited and eager to do the work of God. They will look to serve, not be served.
4) A true church is EVOLVING: v. 9 tells us of repentance. Their is no way we can claim to be children of God indwelt and filled by the Holy Spirit and their not be radical change in our lives. The true church will continually turn from the things of the flesh and the world and become more Christlike.
5) A true church is an EXAMPLE: v. 7 says this clearly. When we leave the 4 walls of our church building we will live like a Christian, not like the world. Hypocrisy is one of the biggest sins in the church, as we often do not practice what we preach and claim to believe.
6) A true church is EVANGELISTIC: v. 8 praises this church for sounding the gospel not only locally but to "every place." A true church will have a deep burden to see others come to the same saving faith that they have. They will be actively engaging the world planting the seeds of faith. A true church does not reside comfortably within itself, it goes and makes "disciples." A church that does not do this is merely a gathering place for like minded people.
7) A true church is ENDURING: v. 10 says they wait and look expectantly to the coming of Jesus Christ. But in the meantime they faithfully do the work of the Lord. Their is no quit, just determined grit.
Does your church meet these expectations? I must admit as Oakland heard these words last night we do not. If a church does not mirror these qualities a change of heart is definitely needed. For you see, these things, are totally dependent upon us. Are we willing to live, worship and witness as Christ has commanded. Will we show true biblical love for God and others? If we do, revival can come. If we are not, well.......we can continue to have meetings every Sunday and Wednesday, but in God's eyes, we are not a true church.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Problem with Pride
Isaiah 14:13-14, "You have said in your heart, 'I will ascend unto heaven, I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit enthroned on the mount of the assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'"
When we think of original sin, we most often go to the garden at Eden, and Adam and Eve. Eve is deceived and eats of the forbidden "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." Adam then chooses to join her in the transgression. But original sin occurred long before this, in the glories of heaven. It was here in eternity past that Satan, as described in these verses from Isaiah, decided in his heart that he would be God. Satan's sin, pride. And if we take a long look at most sins in our lives, pride can be found at the root of them all.
Pride is simply defined for the Christian as ourselves and our wants coming before God and others. What Jesus calls the greatest commandment instructs us to "love the Lord God with all of your heart, and all of your soul, and all of your mind, and all of your strength, and to love others as yourself." When pride enters the picture we come first. What we want matters most, and the things of God are shuttled to the side. When we have this attitude, we are just like Satan. We place ourselves above God and others. God's order of priority is Him, others, us. When we are prideful, we come first, and we make ourselves an idol. We take the place of God.
The bible tells us in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Pride closes our minds to the things and ways of God. It is the root of selfishness, a lack of love, unforgiveness and the desire to be served instead of being a servant. Whenever we believe we are entitled to something simply because of who we are, we are behaving pridefully. If we look at things and we have a my way or the highway attitude, we are guilty of pride. As a Christian, its is not our call to do things our way, or even our churches way, but rather, to do it God's way. When we look at any decision or situation, our question must always be 'what would God want here." Not what I want.
I am convinced that everyone on some level deals with the pride problem. We all have areas of our life where we are vulnerable to the same temptations Satan was. But as a child of God, with the power of the Holy Spirit within us, if we are truly seeking God's will, our prideful ways will be revealed so that we can repent. If we spend the time we should in God's word, God's will is almost always revealed. If we seek His face in prayer in a humble spirit, not giving Him a list of the things we want, He will speak to us through that same Holy Spirit, who will convict us of our sin.
The bible tells us "God detests the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Do we want His grace, or His scorn. If we desire His grace, we must come to Him as He says, and our lives should reflect His order; Him, others, us. Unless that is our mind and heartset, pride has entered our life. In Isaiah 14:15 we see the result of Satan's pride, "But you are brought down to Sheol(the grave), to the depths of the pit." Satan would not repent of his sin of pride, will we? We must ask ourselves one simple question: Is my focus on myself, or God's kingdom? It we want what we want no matter what, pride has overtaken us.
When we think of original sin, we most often go to the garden at Eden, and Adam and Eve. Eve is deceived and eats of the forbidden "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." Adam then chooses to join her in the transgression. But original sin occurred long before this, in the glories of heaven. It was here in eternity past that Satan, as described in these verses from Isaiah, decided in his heart that he would be God. Satan's sin, pride. And if we take a long look at most sins in our lives, pride can be found at the root of them all.
Pride is simply defined for the Christian as ourselves and our wants coming before God and others. What Jesus calls the greatest commandment instructs us to "love the Lord God with all of your heart, and all of your soul, and all of your mind, and all of your strength, and to love others as yourself." When pride enters the picture we come first. What we want matters most, and the things of God are shuttled to the side. When we have this attitude, we are just like Satan. We place ourselves above God and others. God's order of priority is Him, others, us. When we are prideful, we come first, and we make ourselves an idol. We take the place of God.
The bible tells us in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Pride closes our minds to the things and ways of God. It is the root of selfishness, a lack of love, unforgiveness and the desire to be served instead of being a servant. Whenever we believe we are entitled to something simply because of who we are, we are behaving pridefully. If we look at things and we have a my way or the highway attitude, we are guilty of pride. As a Christian, its is not our call to do things our way, or even our churches way, but rather, to do it God's way. When we look at any decision or situation, our question must always be 'what would God want here." Not what I want.
I am convinced that everyone on some level deals with the pride problem. We all have areas of our life where we are vulnerable to the same temptations Satan was. But as a child of God, with the power of the Holy Spirit within us, if we are truly seeking God's will, our prideful ways will be revealed so that we can repent. If we spend the time we should in God's word, God's will is almost always revealed. If we seek His face in prayer in a humble spirit, not giving Him a list of the things we want, He will speak to us through that same Holy Spirit, who will convict us of our sin.
The bible tells us "God detests the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Do we want His grace, or His scorn. If we desire His grace, we must come to Him as He says, and our lives should reflect His order; Him, others, us. Unless that is our mind and heartset, pride has entered our life. In Isaiah 14:15 we see the result of Satan's pride, "But you are brought down to Sheol(the grave), to the depths of the pit." Satan would not repent of his sin of pride, will we? We must ask ourselves one simple question: Is my focus on myself, or God's kingdom? It we want what we want no matter what, pride has overtaken us.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
After weeks without a computer, I'm able to blog again, and this verse has been speaking rather loudly to me. I've come to the conclusion that if the church is to begin again to live as Christ intended us too, we must begin practicing what Paul preaches here. So let's take a closer look:
Paul uses the word beseech here. It means to exhort or counsel, but can also mean to beg. I find it ironic that even in Paul's day preachers were having to beg God's people to live as God tells us too. Paul beseeches, he begs us, by the mercies of God. What are the mercies of God? Well Paul lays these out in the first 11 chapters of Romans. They include God's love, as demonstrated through the gift of His Son and His death on the cross while we were yet sinners(Rom 5:8). God's grace is clearly part of His mercies(Rom 5:15) as is His imputed righteousness(Rom 5:17).
Basically, what Paul is telling us is, look: I should not have to beg you but I will, and I implore you by citing all that God has done for you, the sacrifice that He has made for you, the mercy He has bestowed on you, to listen to what I have to say. You can never repay God for all He has done for you, but God does have expectations of you, so listen.
Paul says our entire body; heart, mind, soul, arms, legs, mouths, ears, all of it. Every part of our being should be presented to God as a living sacrifice; an ongoing, continual, giving of everything you have freely given to God. When we see the word sacrifice, we think of the giving of a life, as in the ceremonial sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament for the forgiveness of sin. Paul says we should view ourselves as that sacrificial lamb, willing to surrender every part of our lives, to our Lord and Savior. Paul did this, read 2 Corinthians 11:22-33.
Jesus said the same thing when He spoke of the cost of discipleship, "deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me." When the bible speaks of being "crucified with Christ" and "dying to Christ," it speaks of a living sacrifice. This is the path to being holy, and acceptable to God.
Can we be holy? Well, the bible says "Be holy, for I am holy." It is a command of God. But none of us are capable of perfect holy living. So we must understand we are made holy through faith in Jesus Christ. Through His blood and His sacrifice His holiness is imputed(credited to our account) to us and we are seen as holy by the Father when we are in the Son. But that does not exempt us from living holy lives. This is where living our lives as a living sacrifice comes in.
And we need to understand, as Paul says, this is our reasonable service, our reasonable act of worship. This is not exceptional, but expected, and should describe the lives of the everyday, average Christian. Remember the words of Jesus: Anyone who is not willing to "deny" themselves, "pick up their cross and follow Him," is not "worthy" to be His "disciple."
Does this type of sacrificial life describe you? I must admit as this verse has permeated my soul, I have found myself falling short of this standard. I am not as holy as I should be. So my reasonable act of service is to become holier. As we look at the state of Christianity and the church, while we know we may fall short, can we all surrender to Him more fully and resolve to become holier every day? If we can, there is hope still for Christ's body impacting this wicked, lost world. If we cannot...hell will become more full everyday. The choice is ours.
After weeks without a computer, I'm able to blog again, and this verse has been speaking rather loudly to me. I've come to the conclusion that if the church is to begin again to live as Christ intended us too, we must begin practicing what Paul preaches here. So let's take a closer look:
Paul uses the word beseech here. It means to exhort or counsel, but can also mean to beg. I find it ironic that even in Paul's day preachers were having to beg God's people to live as God tells us too. Paul beseeches, he begs us, by the mercies of God. What are the mercies of God? Well Paul lays these out in the first 11 chapters of Romans. They include God's love, as demonstrated through the gift of His Son and His death on the cross while we were yet sinners(Rom 5:8). God's grace is clearly part of His mercies(Rom 5:15) as is His imputed righteousness(Rom 5:17).
Basically, what Paul is telling us is, look: I should not have to beg you but I will, and I implore you by citing all that God has done for you, the sacrifice that He has made for you, the mercy He has bestowed on you, to listen to what I have to say. You can never repay God for all He has done for you, but God does have expectations of you, so listen.
Paul says our entire body; heart, mind, soul, arms, legs, mouths, ears, all of it. Every part of our being should be presented to God as a living sacrifice; an ongoing, continual, giving of everything you have freely given to God. When we see the word sacrifice, we think of the giving of a life, as in the ceremonial sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament for the forgiveness of sin. Paul says we should view ourselves as that sacrificial lamb, willing to surrender every part of our lives, to our Lord and Savior. Paul did this, read 2 Corinthians 11:22-33.
Jesus said the same thing when He spoke of the cost of discipleship, "deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me." When the bible speaks of being "crucified with Christ" and "dying to Christ," it speaks of a living sacrifice. This is the path to being holy, and acceptable to God.
Can we be holy? Well, the bible says "Be holy, for I am holy." It is a command of God. But none of us are capable of perfect holy living. So we must understand we are made holy through faith in Jesus Christ. Through His blood and His sacrifice His holiness is imputed(credited to our account) to us and we are seen as holy by the Father when we are in the Son. But that does not exempt us from living holy lives. This is where living our lives as a living sacrifice comes in.
And we need to understand, as Paul says, this is our reasonable service, our reasonable act of worship. This is not exceptional, but expected, and should describe the lives of the everyday, average Christian. Remember the words of Jesus: Anyone who is not willing to "deny" themselves, "pick up their cross and follow Him," is not "worthy" to be His "disciple."
Does this type of sacrificial life describe you? I must admit as this verse has permeated my soul, I have found myself falling short of this standard. I am not as holy as I should be. So my reasonable act of service is to become holier. As we look at the state of Christianity and the church, while we know we may fall short, can we all surrender to Him more fully and resolve to become holier every day? If we can, there is hope still for Christ's body impacting this wicked, lost world. If we cannot...hell will become more full everyday. The choice is ours.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Evidence of Salvation
In the United States fully 90% of our population professes to believe in God. According to the bible, if we have faith, a heartfelt belief in God(Jesus Christ), certain things will have happened to us. Scripture says we have passed from death to life. We have been born again, not a natural birth, but a spiritual new birth from heaven. We have become a new creation "in Christ." When these things happen, according to the bible, the Holy Spirit, God Himself, indwells us, comes to live within us. So the question must be asked; if God now lives within us, can we remain the same, or will their be radical change in our lives?
In the gospel of Luke, in chapter 18:18-25 and 19:1-10 we see a portrait of 2 men. Both of these men share a common characteristic, they are rich. The first man we encounter in Luke 18 is called "the rich young ruler." He comes to Jesus believing he is righteous, and asks Jesus how he can inherit eternal life. Jesus asks him; have you committed adultery? Honored your father and mother? Committed murder? Stolen from anyone? The young man responds, "all these things I have kept from my youth."
This young man believes he has met God's standard of living by the law. He believes himself to be a believer in God. But Jesus is going to expose his hypocrisy. Jesus tells him in v. 22, he has just one other thing to do. Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give it to the poor, and once he does this he will have treasure in heaven and can follow Jesus. The biblical record shows that the young man became very sorrowful. He had kept most of the law, but his money was more important to him than following God.
James tells us in his epistle if we break one part of the law, we are as guilty as if we had broken all of it. This young man had broken the first commandment; "You shall have no other God's before Me." Money, possessions, wealth were his god. He could not separate himself from that which ruled his life. Money is a powerful god. Jesus said of the rich, "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle that for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." This young man professed God, yet worshipped money. He was not changed.
The second rich man we meet in Luke 19, and his name is Zacchaeus. He is filthy rich, a chief tax collector. Tax collectors were despised in Israel. They were Jews who had sold their soul for riches. And they made their money by cheating others. They were outcasts in the Jewish culture who could not even come to the temple for worship. Zacchaeus also worships money, not God.
He also desires to see Jesus. He wants to see Jesus, so when Jesus comes to his hometown of Jericho, he fights the crowd to get a glimpse of Him, but being a small man he cannot overcome the crowd. So Zacchaeus rushes ahead of Jesus and climbs a tree, so he can see over the crowd when Jesus passes.
Much to Zacchaeus's surprise, Jesus sees him in the tree and calls him by name, saying he needs to stay with him tonight. The bible says Zacchaeus comes down the tree and received Jesus "joyfully." The religious Jews condemn Jesus for consorting with such a grievous sinner. While the bible does not state it, the 2 clearly go to Zacchaeus's home, and something amazing happens there.
In Luke 19:8 we see Zacchaeus tell Jesus that he will give half his goods, half his wealth, to the poor. And everyone he cheated of money he will restore what he has taken with interest, according to Mosaic law in Leviticus 6:5-6. Basically, he is giving away everything he has, just as Jesus had instructed the rich young ruler to do. Their has been a radical change in Zacchaeus, why?
Luke 19:9 has Jesus saying, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham." Zacchaeus has been saved. He has been "born again" a "new creation" in Jesus Christ. He is changed and their is no going back. This is the evidence of salvation. Zacchaeus has repented of his sins because he has turned to Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 tells us of what repentance is. Here Paul recognizes these believers for their repentance, as they have "turned to God from idols." They have turned to God from sin. This is the first act of a saved person. This is the evidence the Holy Spirit indwells them and salvation has occurred. You cannot turn from your sinful nature until you first turn to God. Friends, if we claim to be saved, change will occur. There is no way God can be inside of us and we not be radically changed. In your life, is their this evidence of salvation?
In the gospel of Luke, in chapter 18:18-25 and 19:1-10 we see a portrait of 2 men. Both of these men share a common characteristic, they are rich. The first man we encounter in Luke 18 is called "the rich young ruler." He comes to Jesus believing he is righteous, and asks Jesus how he can inherit eternal life. Jesus asks him; have you committed adultery? Honored your father and mother? Committed murder? Stolen from anyone? The young man responds, "all these things I have kept from my youth."
This young man believes he has met God's standard of living by the law. He believes himself to be a believer in God. But Jesus is going to expose his hypocrisy. Jesus tells him in v. 22, he has just one other thing to do. Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give it to the poor, and once he does this he will have treasure in heaven and can follow Jesus. The biblical record shows that the young man became very sorrowful. He had kept most of the law, but his money was more important to him than following God.
James tells us in his epistle if we break one part of the law, we are as guilty as if we had broken all of it. This young man had broken the first commandment; "You shall have no other God's before Me." Money, possessions, wealth were his god. He could not separate himself from that which ruled his life. Money is a powerful god. Jesus said of the rich, "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle that for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." This young man professed God, yet worshipped money. He was not changed.
The second rich man we meet in Luke 19, and his name is Zacchaeus. He is filthy rich, a chief tax collector. Tax collectors were despised in Israel. They were Jews who had sold their soul for riches. And they made their money by cheating others. They were outcasts in the Jewish culture who could not even come to the temple for worship. Zacchaeus also worships money, not God.
He also desires to see Jesus. He wants to see Jesus, so when Jesus comes to his hometown of Jericho, he fights the crowd to get a glimpse of Him, but being a small man he cannot overcome the crowd. So Zacchaeus rushes ahead of Jesus and climbs a tree, so he can see over the crowd when Jesus passes.
Much to Zacchaeus's surprise, Jesus sees him in the tree and calls him by name, saying he needs to stay with him tonight. The bible says Zacchaeus comes down the tree and received Jesus "joyfully." The religious Jews condemn Jesus for consorting with such a grievous sinner. While the bible does not state it, the 2 clearly go to Zacchaeus's home, and something amazing happens there.
In Luke 19:8 we see Zacchaeus tell Jesus that he will give half his goods, half his wealth, to the poor. And everyone he cheated of money he will restore what he has taken with interest, according to Mosaic law in Leviticus 6:5-6. Basically, he is giving away everything he has, just as Jesus had instructed the rich young ruler to do. Their has been a radical change in Zacchaeus, why?
Luke 19:9 has Jesus saying, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham." Zacchaeus has been saved. He has been "born again" a "new creation" in Jesus Christ. He is changed and their is no going back. This is the evidence of salvation. Zacchaeus has repented of his sins because he has turned to Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 tells us of what repentance is. Here Paul recognizes these believers for their repentance, as they have "turned to God from idols." They have turned to God from sin. This is the first act of a saved person. This is the evidence the Holy Spirit indwells them and salvation has occurred. You cannot turn from your sinful nature until you first turn to God. Friends, if we claim to be saved, change will occur. There is no way God can be inside of us and we not be radically changed. In your life, is their this evidence of salvation?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Where Are We 9 Years After 9/11?
I was still asleep when my phone rang 9 years ago and my dad told me to turn on the TV, we were under attack as a nation. I remember tuning in as the first twin tower burned in time to see the second plane, or rather missile, collide with the second tower. The rest of that day and really the next week is a blur. 24/7 news coverage ratings soared as all of us as Americans anxiously awaited news from the site of the greatest mass murder in our history. 9 years have passed since then, so where exactly are we?
Are we safer, or more at risk? We're still engaged in a seemingly endless war in Afghanistan. We have ended so-called military operations in Iraq although 50,000 of our troops remain there. Radical Islam is still radical and their stated aim is to destroy us, Israel and our culture. Iran appears within grasp of a nuclear weapon. The Palestinian people say they will not recognize the Jewish state of Israel dooming any potential agreement in the middle east. Islam is quickly becoming a prominent and in some cases dictating minority in many European nations. While we have avoided Islamic attacks, Europe has not. Pakistan, already a nuclear power, appears ripe for Islamic takeover. If you draw a cartoon of Mohamed your are an infidel worthy of death. If you burn a Koran, worldwide violence is threatened it is so offensive, yet if you build an Islamic mosque where Muslims attacked us in the name of Allah it is not. Bibles are burned by our military and no one whispers a peep in Afghanistan. Where exactly are we, better off or worse off?
We have not endured a major attack by Islam in the United States since 9/11. We have had a Muslim army officer gun down innocents, and several bombers and other plots that have been foiled. Usama Bin Laden still is free, Saddam Hussein is dead. Attempts to appease Islam have been greeted with even greater boldness on the religions part. They are not the problem, we are, in spite of their refusal to distance themselves from the so-called radicals in their ranks. So where exactly are we?
Well, 9 years after 9/11/01, we are pretty much exactly where we were then. Islam is still the greatest physical threat to our existence and way of life. And you know what, we need to accept this. This is not going to change. You cannot negotiate with or appease someone who says their goal is to destroy you. There is no peace to be had. Until Jesus Christ returns for His own we will be in a battle, both physical and spiritual, with Islam. Will we publicly acknowledge this, no. Will that change the fact it is the truth, no. For as long as we are alive or on this earth, Islam, all of it until the so-called moderates officially distance themselves publicly and consistently from the "radicals," will be our enemy. Pessimistic, maybe. Realistic, yes.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies, so we must love them as God loves us. But we also must remain prepared and proactive in our own self defense. Where are we after 9 years? Exactly where we were on 9/11/01. At war with a belief system that has sworn to destroy us. That's not going to change, no matter how much we give. Will we as a nation ever accept this? Probably not, but that does not change the truth.
Are we safer, or more at risk? We're still engaged in a seemingly endless war in Afghanistan. We have ended so-called military operations in Iraq although 50,000 of our troops remain there. Radical Islam is still radical and their stated aim is to destroy us, Israel and our culture. Iran appears within grasp of a nuclear weapon. The Palestinian people say they will not recognize the Jewish state of Israel dooming any potential agreement in the middle east. Islam is quickly becoming a prominent and in some cases dictating minority in many European nations. While we have avoided Islamic attacks, Europe has not. Pakistan, already a nuclear power, appears ripe for Islamic takeover. If you draw a cartoon of Mohamed your are an infidel worthy of death. If you burn a Koran, worldwide violence is threatened it is so offensive, yet if you build an Islamic mosque where Muslims attacked us in the name of Allah it is not. Bibles are burned by our military and no one whispers a peep in Afghanistan. Where exactly are we, better off or worse off?
We have not endured a major attack by Islam in the United States since 9/11. We have had a Muslim army officer gun down innocents, and several bombers and other plots that have been foiled. Usama Bin Laden still is free, Saddam Hussein is dead. Attempts to appease Islam have been greeted with even greater boldness on the religions part. They are not the problem, we are, in spite of their refusal to distance themselves from the so-called radicals in their ranks. So where exactly are we?
Well, 9 years after 9/11/01, we are pretty much exactly where we were then. Islam is still the greatest physical threat to our existence and way of life. And you know what, we need to accept this. This is not going to change. You cannot negotiate with or appease someone who says their goal is to destroy you. There is no peace to be had. Until Jesus Christ returns for His own we will be in a battle, both physical and spiritual, with Islam. Will we publicly acknowledge this, no. Will that change the fact it is the truth, no. For as long as we are alive or on this earth, Islam, all of it until the so-called moderates officially distance themselves publicly and consistently from the "radicals," will be our enemy. Pessimistic, maybe. Realistic, yes.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies, so we must love them as God loves us. But we also must remain prepared and proactive in our own self defense. Where are we after 9 years? Exactly where we were on 9/11/01. At war with a belief system that has sworn to destroy us. That's not going to change, no matter how much we give. Will we as a nation ever accept this? Probably not, but that does not change the truth.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Desperate for God
As we look across the landscape of our nation today, are we desperate for God? Is He the place where we look for our answers exclusively? Is He the solution to anything that burdens our soul? Are we leaning upon Him alone for our sustenance and provision? Are we trusting in His word and His will? The answer to me is obvious; no we are not. We look to political, or economic, or self-improvement, believing we can solve the problems in our lives. What we lack is a true desperation for God in our lives. We live in the most blessed, prosperous, affluent nation in the history of planet earth and so we are self sufficient. What we need is the attitude of the psalmist in Psalm 42:1-5. Does this describe us?
Spiritual Desperation
Psalm 42:1-2, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"
The psalmist here is in a desperate place. He compares himself to a deer being hunted, out of breath, scorched with thirst, fleeing from danger, and in verse 2 he cries out to God. But notice something here; the psalmist checks himself. He does not cry out to just God, but to the Living God. The One True God. The only One who can answer his plea of desperation. He longs to appear before God in the temple, have his sins cleansed and forgiven. He thirsts for the Living Water, the word, and the safety of God's protection and provision. Does this describe us? On any given Sunday only 20% of the population of the United States is in a Christian church.
Spiritual Embarrassment
Psalm 42:3, "My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, where is your God?
Have you ever been in a place before God where your only answer was to bitterly weep? Peter knew this, after he denied Christ for the third time. These are tears of repentance. The psalmist hears the cry of the world; Hebrew! Where is your God! Your God! Who calls you His chosen people, yet continually has to discipline you because of disobedience and idolatry. Your God! Who has you taken into captivity and slavery, as you have not followed Him and His Law.
Is the cry not the same today; Church! Where is your God? Your God! Who created humanity in His image, yet your nation kills the unborn in the millions every year. Your God! Who says that divorce apart from adultery is sin, yet the church has as high a divorce rate as the world. Your God! Who gave you His completed word the bible, the word in the flesh Jesus Christ, yet false teachings are not only tolerated but often embraced in the name of unity. Your God! Who says "I alone am God", yet we are a nation and people of idols. Where is He! Why does He not show Himself! Where is His power and strength! His righteousness and goodness! Does this describe us? Are we as ashamed as the psalmist regarding God's lack of apparent power due to His dead and lukewarm body and our darkened nation?
Spiritual Nostalgia
Psalm 42:4, "When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast."
The psalmist longs for the day when God's people and His nation followed Him in joy and obedience. His soul is poured out with the desire to see a return to these days. Is ours? Do we sincerely long for the days when America was undoubtedly a Christian nation? Founded upon the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob and His Son Jesus Christ. When one's social life revolved around fellow believers who surrounded us. When going to church was the norm, instead of the exception. When God was preeminent in our lives? Do we want a return to those days?
Spiritual Hope
Psalm 42:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him! For the help of His countenance."
The psalmist has turned to the only place he could, and thus, the desperation is turned to hope. He knows that with God, "all things are possible." He knows, God's will, will be done. Doubt has become confidence, and helplessness, hope. Does this describe us? If we as God's church are to impact our nation in a true return to God, let us ask 4 questions from these verses:
v.1-2: Are we willing to acknowledge before God that we are helpless without Him, and turn from our sin and idols, recognizing Jesus Christ as the only answer?
v. 3: Are we willing to acknowledge that the only thing standing between a true movement of God is us, through our disobedience, sin and compromise?
v. 4: Do we long for the days when God was lifted up as the foundation for our beliefs, and we were unashamed, steadfastly proclaiming Him and Him only?
v. 5: Are we willing to place our hope in the blessed hope, Jesus Christ, and only Him?
Do we truly desire a heaven sent revival? Or are our hearts hardened due to self sufficiency and selfishness? Let us heed the words of psalmist. Let us be desperate for Jesus knowing confidently He is the answer to every problem we and our nation face.
Spiritual Desperation
Psalm 42:1-2, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"
The psalmist here is in a desperate place. He compares himself to a deer being hunted, out of breath, scorched with thirst, fleeing from danger, and in verse 2 he cries out to God. But notice something here; the psalmist checks himself. He does not cry out to just God, but to the Living God. The One True God. The only One who can answer his plea of desperation. He longs to appear before God in the temple, have his sins cleansed and forgiven. He thirsts for the Living Water, the word, and the safety of God's protection and provision. Does this describe us? On any given Sunday only 20% of the population of the United States is in a Christian church.
Spiritual Embarrassment
Psalm 42:3, "My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, where is your God?
Have you ever been in a place before God where your only answer was to bitterly weep? Peter knew this, after he denied Christ for the third time. These are tears of repentance. The psalmist hears the cry of the world; Hebrew! Where is your God! Your God! Who calls you His chosen people, yet continually has to discipline you because of disobedience and idolatry. Your God! Who has you taken into captivity and slavery, as you have not followed Him and His Law.
Is the cry not the same today; Church! Where is your God? Your God! Who created humanity in His image, yet your nation kills the unborn in the millions every year. Your God! Who says that divorce apart from adultery is sin, yet the church has as high a divorce rate as the world. Your God! Who gave you His completed word the bible, the word in the flesh Jesus Christ, yet false teachings are not only tolerated but often embraced in the name of unity. Your God! Who says "I alone am God", yet we are a nation and people of idols. Where is He! Why does He not show Himself! Where is His power and strength! His righteousness and goodness! Does this describe us? Are we as ashamed as the psalmist regarding God's lack of apparent power due to His dead and lukewarm body and our darkened nation?
Spiritual Nostalgia
Psalm 42:4, "When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast."
The psalmist longs for the day when God's people and His nation followed Him in joy and obedience. His soul is poured out with the desire to see a return to these days. Is ours? Do we sincerely long for the days when America was undoubtedly a Christian nation? Founded upon the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob and His Son Jesus Christ. When one's social life revolved around fellow believers who surrounded us. When going to church was the norm, instead of the exception. When God was preeminent in our lives? Do we want a return to those days?
Spiritual Hope
Psalm 42:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him! For the help of His countenance."
The psalmist has turned to the only place he could, and thus, the desperation is turned to hope. He knows that with God, "all things are possible." He knows, God's will, will be done. Doubt has become confidence, and helplessness, hope. Does this describe us? If we as God's church are to impact our nation in a true return to God, let us ask 4 questions from these verses:
v.1-2: Are we willing to acknowledge before God that we are helpless without Him, and turn from our sin and idols, recognizing Jesus Christ as the only answer?
v. 3: Are we willing to acknowledge that the only thing standing between a true movement of God is us, through our disobedience, sin and compromise?
v. 4: Do we long for the days when God was lifted up as the foundation for our beliefs, and we were unashamed, steadfastly proclaiming Him and Him only?
v. 5: Are we willing to place our hope in the blessed hope, Jesus Christ, and only Him?
Do we truly desire a heaven sent revival? Or are our hearts hardened due to self sufficiency and selfishness? Let us heed the words of psalmist. Let us be desperate for Jesus knowing confidently He is the answer to every problem we and our nation face.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labor Day
Luke 10:2, "Then He(Jesus) said to them, 'The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'"
Labor Day in America is a day when we salute the working man and woman. It's a holiday from work for the one who works hard for a living. It's the opening of college football season, the last unofficial weekend of the summer, a much needed and appreciated day off. But in the work of the Lord, is their a break?
For many Christians the work of the Lord is simply passed over because of our work in the world, or simple neglect. In Luke 10:2, Jesus tells us that the harvest, the reaping of souls for the kingdom of God, is truly great. However, their is a problem. God's kingdom does now have enough workers to bring in all that could be harvested.
Bill Bright, the late founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, after years of study revealed some alarming figures. In his research, Bright found that only 2% of Christians are actively involved in sharing their faith. Only 2 in 100 Christians are burdened with the lost to the point they will tell people of Jesus as a regular part of their life. The harvest is indeed "great," but the "laborers are few."
It's been said many times regarding witnessing, we are God's chosen instrument to fulfil this work. Their is no plan B. We are the one's commanded by God to "go" and "make disciples." Sadly, few of us are actually going. And thus few disciples are being made. The harvest sits in the field awaiting to be brought to the storehouse. Souls who need to hear the gospel of Christ, are decaying in the field that is the world. And many simply seem not to care.
Their will come a day when this time of harvest is over. One of the more haunting verses in the bible to me is Jeremiah 8:20. Here the Lord tells us, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended. And we are not saved." This verse seems to communicate the cry of those who are left after the harvest, who because of the lack of workers, were never brought in from the field.
So what is the answer for this? Well, we speak of this problem alot. In my denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, we have a new denominational focus upon reaching the lost called the "Great Commission Resurgence." We as a denomination have decided upon many structural changes and spending more money in areas that are less permeated by the gospel. But should not the first step be to follow Jesus's instructions in Luke 10:2?
The first thing that is needed for the harvest to be great, are the workers to bring it in. Jesus tells us we are to ask the "Lord of the harvest," the Father Himself, to provide workers. We can talk about evangelism and discipleship all we want, but until we earnestly lift up this request to God in prayer, will we ever have the workers needed to truly reach the whole world?
Over the last few weeks I've heard many of my peers stating something I've been saying for months now. That we will never have a "Great Commission Resurgence" until we first have a "Greatest Commandment" resurgence. Until we love God first, and are able to love "others" as ourselves, we will never have the burden for the lost we should have.
In Luke 19:10 Jesus explains His mission here on earth. He says that "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." We must come to the realization that Jesus no longer walks this earth, and that we are the body of Christ. This is our mission. Will we embrace it out of our love for God and each other, or continue to see the harvest rot in the field? A lost world is waiting for our decision.
Labor Day in America is a day when we salute the working man and woman. It's a holiday from work for the one who works hard for a living. It's the opening of college football season, the last unofficial weekend of the summer, a much needed and appreciated day off. But in the work of the Lord, is their a break?
For many Christians the work of the Lord is simply passed over because of our work in the world, or simple neglect. In Luke 10:2, Jesus tells us that the harvest, the reaping of souls for the kingdom of God, is truly great. However, their is a problem. God's kingdom does now have enough workers to bring in all that could be harvested.
Bill Bright, the late founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, after years of study revealed some alarming figures. In his research, Bright found that only 2% of Christians are actively involved in sharing their faith. Only 2 in 100 Christians are burdened with the lost to the point they will tell people of Jesus as a regular part of their life. The harvest is indeed "great," but the "laborers are few."
It's been said many times regarding witnessing, we are God's chosen instrument to fulfil this work. Their is no plan B. We are the one's commanded by God to "go" and "make disciples." Sadly, few of us are actually going. And thus few disciples are being made. The harvest sits in the field awaiting to be brought to the storehouse. Souls who need to hear the gospel of Christ, are decaying in the field that is the world. And many simply seem not to care.
Their will come a day when this time of harvest is over. One of the more haunting verses in the bible to me is Jeremiah 8:20. Here the Lord tells us, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended. And we are not saved." This verse seems to communicate the cry of those who are left after the harvest, who because of the lack of workers, were never brought in from the field.
So what is the answer for this? Well, we speak of this problem alot. In my denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, we have a new denominational focus upon reaching the lost called the "Great Commission Resurgence." We as a denomination have decided upon many structural changes and spending more money in areas that are less permeated by the gospel. But should not the first step be to follow Jesus's instructions in Luke 10:2?
The first thing that is needed for the harvest to be great, are the workers to bring it in. Jesus tells us we are to ask the "Lord of the harvest," the Father Himself, to provide workers. We can talk about evangelism and discipleship all we want, but until we earnestly lift up this request to God in prayer, will we ever have the workers needed to truly reach the whole world?
Over the last few weeks I've heard many of my peers stating something I've been saying for months now. That we will never have a "Great Commission Resurgence" until we first have a "Greatest Commandment" resurgence. Until we love God first, and are able to love "others" as ourselves, we will never have the burden for the lost we should have.
In Luke 19:10 Jesus explains His mission here on earth. He says that "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." We must come to the realization that Jesus no longer walks this earth, and that we are the body of Christ. This is our mission. Will we embrace it out of our love for God and each other, or continue to see the harvest rot in the field? A lost world is waiting for our decision.
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