Revelation 2:8-11, "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things say the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: I know your works, tribulation, and poverty(but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation 10 days. Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear, what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."
No Condemnation
When studying the 7 churches of Revelation, we must understand, that their is application to the day in which the letters were written to these churches, but also one for us today. The first thing we notice with the church at Smyrna is their is no call to repentance, no condemnation at all from Jesus. In the following 3 letters we will see harsh words from our Savior, but here we see nothing but encouragement and praise.
Notice the words used to describe what this church would endure, tribulation and poverty. They were materially poor and lived lives full of trouble, yet Jesus said they "are rich." Rich how? Rich with spiritual blessings from God for remaining faithful in trying times. In fact, Jesus tells them these tests are tests of their faithfulness, of what they were willing to endure for Christ, and the bible tells us we will endure these same tests. James 1:2-4 tells us, "My breathren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect(complete) work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
Our Journey with Christ
One of Satan's most effective lies is that once a person is saved by Christ, that everything in their life will be wonderful, no troubles at all. We as Christians know nothing could be farther from the truth, as the bible clearly tells us so, but Satan perpetrates this lie and many others to get people to doubt God, and drift away from Him. If their is one certain truth in truly walking with Christ, it is this: Our road is not easy, and many minefields are present in our progression of drawing nearer to Christ. As I have stated earlier in this series, each of us is either progressing toward Jesus, or in a state of regression away from Him. The Christian life will be a trying life, but as James tells us, these trials, these tests, are to strengthen us and make us more complete in our faith. The church at Smyrna, often called the persecuted church, had many trials it would have to endure. We also will be asked, if we truly are going to stand for God and live the life He has called us to live, to suffer and endure trials by fire, by persecution.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:12, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Their is an awful lot of meat in that short verse. But this is the lot of living a life for God. Jesus said in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." And in verses 20-21 we learn the reason for this hate, "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.'" My goodness! Trials, tribulations, poverty, persecution, hate. This is the life of someone who chooses to follow God? Yes, according to the bible, it is. Not all of the time, but we can surely expect some if not all of these things in our lives if we are truly progressing in our walk with Christ.
For His Name's Sake
We will suffer these things, because Jesus suffered these things. " A servant is not greater than his master." If we are standing for God, loving Him with all of our heart, our life will be seen by the world, and worldly, carnal people, with hatred. But it's not us they hate, but rather the One we stand for, Jesus. In John 15:22 Jesus says. "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin." Jesus was hated by the world, as we will be also, because we represent God. And God, in His word, condemns their sinful lives. The bible, and a Christian living a godly life, exposes the sin that exists in the world. And worldly people resent their sin being exposed, and their desperate need for a Savior so that their sin can be forgiven.
In our lives if we are to be progressing in our faith, we must be "crucified with Christ." The alternative is to turn away from the things of God, and back to the things of the world. But be encouraged my friends, with us during these trials and tribulations is the One who promises to "never leave us or forsake us." He tells us "do not fear." When we endure these trials and tribulations patiently leaning on the One who did so before us, our witness is never more powerful. . Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, and with comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also will you partake of the consolation."
If we are to live for Christ, we also must suffer for Christ. This is part of the progression in living godly in an ungodly world. The consequnces in our personal walk with Christ, and in the lives of our churches, of not doing so are stark. Tomorrow we will begin looking at 3 consecutive churches, and in our case representing an individual believer, who do not suffer the trials well. The picture I will paint is not pretty, but I believe is accurate in describing the lives of far too many Christians and churches across our nation. God bless and have a Jesus filled day.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Leaving Our First Love-Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7,(NKJV) "To the angel(messenger) of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, having found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from it's place-unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '
We've been discussing the "heart" issue that seems to permeate the church of Jesus Christ today. Jesus Himself gives the diagnosis of the problem, "you have left your first love." Ephesus is the key to understanding the progression or regression that will occur in the life of every Christian. On the surface the church at Ephesus seems to be a model church. They are hard working, patient, moral(cannot bear evil) and sound of doctrine(test false teachers-apostles such as the Nicolaitans). They do all of this in the name of Christ(for My name's sake). Yet, beneath the outward appearance, their is a huge problem. They have left their "first love."
What Does This Mean?
According to the "Greatest Commandement," our first love must be God,"Love the Lord God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength." Ephesus was a church(and remember we are the church, not a building) that was busy for God and stood for His word. Yet they did this from a corrupt heart. Their motive for doing these things did not stem from a love for God. And the lesson is this: Anytime we attempt to serve God from anything but a pure motive(love for Him) we cannot truly serve God, and instead serve from our fleshly motives. We lack the power of God to truly acomplish the work of God, and as a result cannot fulfill the "Greatest Commandment." If God is not our "first love," we are not capable of loving our neighbors as ourselves. That sort of love is supernatural and we are only capable of showing it through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As a result churches and Christians who serve like the church at Ephesus become inwardly focussed(upon themselves) instead of showing the love of Christ to our lost world. This attitude of the heart sadly describes far more churches and Christians than it does not. We acquire a "country club" mentality where church becomes all about us, instead of winning a lost world and making disciples who will do the same. We can be as busy as termites in trying to serve the Lord but if our focus is not fully upon Him, we serve in vain, as the power of God is not present in our service. Service is important, and doctrine is certainly important, but motive is more important according to Jesus in His letter to Ephesus.
The Lessons of the Seven Churches
As we take a look at each of the seven churches we will see either the progression a believer makes if they maintain their pure motives and love of God, or the regression that will inevitably occur in a believers and churches life if we rely upon the flesh, our efforts, instead of wholly loving God. As we stated earlier, Ephesus is the key to understanding this. If our motive is not pure, sin will creep in, and "the wages of sin is death." The lesson of Ephesus is that without our "first love, " progression is impossible and regression will surely occur.
Jesus's letters to the 7 churches may be the most relevant teachings in the bible for us today. They are so very relevent because Jesus in these letters tells us of the state of His church right before the rapture occurs(Revelation 4:1). And when Jesus speaks of the condition of His church, He is speaking of us, as we are the church. Yesterday we stated that we are proceeding with the belief that their are representatives of each of the 7 churches within the body of Christ today. With that belief that means that each of us is either progressing in our walk with Christ by living out the "Greatest Commandment" or regressing because we have left our first love. We are either all in, or we are not.
Recipe for Revival
Jesus's cure for leaving our "first love" is simple. Remember from where we have fallen, repent and return to our first works(living and practicing the "Greatest Commndment."). In other words, start putting God first in our lives again and regain the fire and love for God that enveloped us when we first came to Him through Jesus. Without our "first love," we cannot truly serve and glorify God, as we seperate ourselves from His power. Whether we are progressing or regressing in our walk with Christ, their will be a cost. Tomorrow we will see the cost of progressing with Christ, and in the following days we will see the cost of regression that will occur if our heart is not right with God. Join us tomorrow as we look at the church of Smyrna and what we can expect if we remain faithful to our "first love," Jesus Christ. Have a great Lord's Day and God bless.
We've been discussing the "heart" issue that seems to permeate the church of Jesus Christ today. Jesus Himself gives the diagnosis of the problem, "you have left your first love." Ephesus is the key to understanding the progression or regression that will occur in the life of every Christian. On the surface the church at Ephesus seems to be a model church. They are hard working, patient, moral(cannot bear evil) and sound of doctrine(test false teachers-apostles such as the Nicolaitans). They do all of this in the name of Christ(for My name's sake). Yet, beneath the outward appearance, their is a huge problem. They have left their "first love."
What Does This Mean?
According to the "Greatest Commandement," our first love must be God,"Love the Lord God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength." Ephesus was a church(and remember we are the church, not a building) that was busy for God and stood for His word. Yet they did this from a corrupt heart. Their motive for doing these things did not stem from a love for God. And the lesson is this: Anytime we attempt to serve God from anything but a pure motive(love for Him) we cannot truly serve God, and instead serve from our fleshly motives. We lack the power of God to truly acomplish the work of God, and as a result cannot fulfill the "Greatest Commandment." If God is not our "first love," we are not capable of loving our neighbors as ourselves. That sort of love is supernatural and we are only capable of showing it through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As a result churches and Christians who serve like the church at Ephesus become inwardly focussed(upon themselves) instead of showing the love of Christ to our lost world. This attitude of the heart sadly describes far more churches and Christians than it does not. We acquire a "country club" mentality where church becomes all about us, instead of winning a lost world and making disciples who will do the same. We can be as busy as termites in trying to serve the Lord but if our focus is not fully upon Him, we serve in vain, as the power of God is not present in our service. Service is important, and doctrine is certainly important, but motive is more important according to Jesus in His letter to Ephesus.
The Lessons of the Seven Churches
As we take a look at each of the seven churches we will see either the progression a believer makes if they maintain their pure motives and love of God, or the regression that will inevitably occur in a believers and churches life if we rely upon the flesh, our efforts, instead of wholly loving God. As we stated earlier, Ephesus is the key to understanding this. If our motive is not pure, sin will creep in, and "the wages of sin is death." The lesson of Ephesus is that without our "first love, " progression is impossible and regression will surely occur.
Jesus's letters to the 7 churches may be the most relevant teachings in the bible for us today. They are so very relevent because Jesus in these letters tells us of the state of His church right before the rapture occurs(Revelation 4:1). And when Jesus speaks of the condition of His church, He is speaking of us, as we are the church. Yesterday we stated that we are proceeding with the belief that their are representatives of each of the 7 churches within the body of Christ today. With that belief that means that each of us is either progressing in our walk with Christ by living out the "Greatest Commandment" or regressing because we have left our first love. We are either all in, or we are not.
Recipe for Revival
Jesus's cure for leaving our "first love" is simple. Remember from where we have fallen, repent and return to our first works(living and practicing the "Greatest Commndment."). In other words, start putting God first in our lives again and regain the fire and love for God that enveloped us when we first came to Him through Jesus. Without our "first love," we cannot truly serve and glorify God, as we seperate ourselves from His power. Whether we are progressing or regressing in our walk with Christ, their will be a cost. Tomorrow we will see the cost of progressing with Christ, and in the following days we will see the cost of regression that will occur if our heart is not right with God. Join us tomorrow as we look at the church of Smyrna and what we can expect if we remain faithful to our "first love," Jesus Christ. Have a great Lord's Day and God bless.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Heart Transplant
Yesterday, in mentioning the Southen Baptist initiative, The Great Commission Resurgence, we decided to look deeper than restructring and recommitment and discern the true root of our problem in the church: The believers heart. This series is not a condemnation of believers but a challenge for each of us to examine our hearts to see if we have our priorities right. To live the "Greatest Commandment", "To love the Lord God with all of our heart, with all of our soul, with all of our mind, and with all of our strength. And to love your neighbor as yourself." This is a supernatural type of love, that can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit."
A New Heart
God writes through the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 36:22-27(NKJV), "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God: "I do not do this for your sake. O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, " says the Lord God, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and you will keep My judgments and do them."
This scripture is written with a specific application to the nation of Israel regarding God's end times plans for His chosen people, but it has practical application to believers of all ages. In fact, it is an excellent description of what occurs when we choose to believe in Christ and are saved. All of our filthiness is removed and God gives us a new heart by placing His Spirit within us. If this has occurred the bible says we have been "born again," a "new creation" in Christ. "Old things have passed away and behold, all things have become new." We are converted and should have a consuming desire to follow God and keep His statutes. To indeed hear and obey the "Greatest Commandment." So why, in so many Christians, does this transformation seem incomplete or not evident at all?
Our First Love
Backslidden or lost? As I've searched the scriptures for the answer to this quesion, they have revealed to me their are only 2 answers. Many Christians are either backslidden into a sinful lifestyle or they were never saved in the first place. I'm not here to judge hearts, as only the Lord can do that, so we will procede with the presumption that many Christians have fallen back into the worldliness and sinfulness of their past. Quite honestly, this is the only answer as to why God's church, Christ's body, exists in the powerless state it seems to today. Paul writes of the end times church in 2 Timothy 3:5, that it will exist "having a form of godliness but denying it's power." We have a power outage in churches and Christians today, and if we are truly saved the only answer for this must be we've turned our hearts from the Lord, in favor of the world and the lusts of the flesh.
Zechariah 4:6 says, "...This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, ' says the Lord of hosts." We as Christians quench and grieve the Holy Spirit through our disobedience and practicing sinful lifestyles. This is not to say we will not sin, as we will. But when sin overcomes us and we practice it in our lives, the power of God is muted in our lives and churches. If we are not truly practicing the "Greatest Commandment, " we fall away from God and become backslidden, seperated from the power of God. The world looks at us, and all it sees is the world.
Jesus issued a warning regarding this in the book of Revelation chapters 2-3. In His letters to the 7 churches His first letter is to the church at Ephesus. In that letter Jesus tells them they have left their "first love," Him. Tomorrow we will begin taking a look at these letters Christ gave to His church as a whole, represented in these 7 churches. These are in fact Christ's last words to His body, the church. We will examine these letters acknowledging that in the body of Christ, their are representatives(in the lives of individual Christians) of each of these churches. In looking at Christ's words in this way we will seek to establish the effects of a Christian leaving their first love, and the God given remedy to return to Him. I hope you'll join me in this journey in self examination as we strive to live the life that Christ sacrificed His life for us to live. God bless and see you tomorrow.
A New Heart
God writes through the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 36:22-27(NKJV), "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God: "I do not do this for your sake. O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, " says the Lord God, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and you will keep My judgments and do them."
This scripture is written with a specific application to the nation of Israel regarding God's end times plans for His chosen people, but it has practical application to believers of all ages. In fact, it is an excellent description of what occurs when we choose to believe in Christ and are saved. All of our filthiness is removed and God gives us a new heart by placing His Spirit within us. If this has occurred the bible says we have been "born again," a "new creation" in Christ. "Old things have passed away and behold, all things have become new." We are converted and should have a consuming desire to follow God and keep His statutes. To indeed hear and obey the "Greatest Commandment." So why, in so many Christians, does this transformation seem incomplete or not evident at all?
Our First Love
Backslidden or lost? As I've searched the scriptures for the answer to this quesion, they have revealed to me their are only 2 answers. Many Christians are either backslidden into a sinful lifestyle or they were never saved in the first place. I'm not here to judge hearts, as only the Lord can do that, so we will procede with the presumption that many Christians have fallen back into the worldliness and sinfulness of their past. Quite honestly, this is the only answer as to why God's church, Christ's body, exists in the powerless state it seems to today. Paul writes of the end times church in 2 Timothy 3:5, that it will exist "having a form of godliness but denying it's power." We have a power outage in churches and Christians today, and if we are truly saved the only answer for this must be we've turned our hearts from the Lord, in favor of the world and the lusts of the flesh.
Zechariah 4:6 says, "...This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, ' says the Lord of hosts." We as Christians quench and grieve the Holy Spirit through our disobedience and practicing sinful lifestyles. This is not to say we will not sin, as we will. But when sin overcomes us and we practice it in our lives, the power of God is muted in our lives and churches. If we are not truly practicing the "Greatest Commandment, " we fall away from God and become backslidden, seperated from the power of God. The world looks at us, and all it sees is the world.
Jesus issued a warning regarding this in the book of Revelation chapters 2-3. In His letters to the 7 churches His first letter is to the church at Ephesus. In that letter Jesus tells them they have left their "first love," Him. Tomorrow we will begin taking a look at these letters Christ gave to His church as a whole, represented in these 7 churches. These are in fact Christ's last words to His body, the church. We will examine these letters acknowledging that in the body of Christ, their are representatives(in the lives of individual Christians) of each of these churches. In looking at Christ's words in this way we will seek to establish the effects of a Christian leaving their first love, and the God given remedy to return to Him. I hope you'll join me in this journey in self examination as we strive to live the life that Christ sacrificed His life for us to live. God bless and see you tomorrow.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Great Commission Resurgence
The Southern Baptist Convention last spring voted ovewhelmingly to appoint a task force to examine and make recommendations to the convention regarding several issues, primarily concerning us as Christians fulfilling the "Great Commission" given to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:16-20. Dr. Ronnie Floyd, pastor of First Baptist Church in Springdale, Arkansas was appointed as chair of the task force, which includes many highly respected Southern Baptists. The task force is due to release a progress report this month and issue the full document in May.
I believe we should as convention periodically evaluate how we do things. I believe a task force such as this, with so many wise men, can be useful in doing just that. But I also believe with all of my heart that our problems lie far deeper than a restructuring, re-emphasis or re-focussing. Our problem, is a heart condition. I do not think their is anyway any Christin can deny this. We can teach evangelism, encourage discipleship and preach on obedience all we want, but ultimately, it is a decision we each make from the heart. Will we have a burden for lost people, or not? Will we truly begin biblical discipleship, or not? Will, in our love for Christ, obeying Him be the most important thing in our life, or not? While I believe many useful things will come from the findings of this task force, these questions are the one's we really need to be asking of ourselves.
Where is Our Heart?
John MacArthur, in his blog "Grace to You," had a statistic that while extremely alarming and discouraging, I believe reveals our main issue as God's church(includes all true believers). In his February 2 blog(can link off of this page) Dr. MacArthur cited research which revealed that 95% of professing Christians had never led one person to Christ. 95 of 100 believers had never led a family member, friend, neighbor, acquaintance or complete stranger to Christ. Their is only one answer for this sad state of evangelism in the church, and it's this: The majority of that 95% has never even tried to lead someone to Christ. It is not a burden upon our hearts to tell others, even our loved ones, of Jesus. This reveals a heart problem of biblical proportions in the body of Christ. The conclusion we are forced to draw is that we, as the true church(once again all true believers), have fallen far short of the "Great Commission" that Jesus gave us, to go into the world and win the lost and make disciples of them. So the question we must ask ourselves, is why?
Over the next several days this is the issue we will be exploring. We will do this by looking to the bible, God's holy, inspired, inerrant, immutable word. We will be searching for the cause of the state of the church today and listening to God for the answers. This is not an attempt to belittle the work that the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force is currently embarking on, but an attempt to look deeper. As much as I look forward to hearing what this task force will say, I do not believe a document or restructuring is the answer to our problems. I believe the only answer lies in the power of God through His Holy Spirit, and in the individal hearts of believers.
Revival
Revival is one of the most misunderstood words in our churches today. Revival, with the root word being revive, is to bring something or someone back from a state of lifelessness. We cannot experience true revival in our world until we first experience it in our churches. And to experience true revival in our churches we must experience revival in our individual hearts. The esteemed late evangelist of years gone by D.L. Moody put it this way. "If we want to experience a God sent, Holy Spirit driven revival, draw a circle on the floor. Then step into it and say 'It starts here.'" God through His holy word tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." While revival is a sovereign act of God, here He clearly lays out the conditions He expects to exist before He will send it. And those conditions are dependent upon us.
Join me over the next several days as we explore through the bible the reasons we do not see revival in America today, and look to God's word for the answers He gives us. Your imput is appreciated.
I believe we should as convention periodically evaluate how we do things. I believe a task force such as this, with so many wise men, can be useful in doing just that. But I also believe with all of my heart that our problems lie far deeper than a restructuring, re-emphasis or re-focussing. Our problem, is a heart condition. I do not think their is anyway any Christin can deny this. We can teach evangelism, encourage discipleship and preach on obedience all we want, but ultimately, it is a decision we each make from the heart. Will we have a burden for lost people, or not? Will we truly begin biblical discipleship, or not? Will, in our love for Christ, obeying Him be the most important thing in our life, or not? While I believe many useful things will come from the findings of this task force, these questions are the one's we really need to be asking of ourselves.
Where is Our Heart?
John MacArthur, in his blog "Grace to You," had a statistic that while extremely alarming and discouraging, I believe reveals our main issue as God's church(includes all true believers). In his February 2 blog(can link off of this page) Dr. MacArthur cited research which revealed that 95% of professing Christians had never led one person to Christ. 95 of 100 believers had never led a family member, friend, neighbor, acquaintance or complete stranger to Christ. Their is only one answer for this sad state of evangelism in the church, and it's this: The majority of that 95% has never even tried to lead someone to Christ. It is not a burden upon our hearts to tell others, even our loved ones, of Jesus. This reveals a heart problem of biblical proportions in the body of Christ. The conclusion we are forced to draw is that we, as the true church(once again all true believers), have fallen far short of the "Great Commission" that Jesus gave us, to go into the world and win the lost and make disciples of them. So the question we must ask ourselves, is why?
Over the next several days this is the issue we will be exploring. We will do this by looking to the bible, God's holy, inspired, inerrant, immutable word. We will be searching for the cause of the state of the church today and listening to God for the answers. This is not an attempt to belittle the work that the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force is currently embarking on, but an attempt to look deeper. As much as I look forward to hearing what this task force will say, I do not believe a document or restructuring is the answer to our problems. I believe the only answer lies in the power of God through His Holy Spirit, and in the individal hearts of believers.
Revival
Revival is one of the most misunderstood words in our churches today. Revival, with the root word being revive, is to bring something or someone back from a state of lifelessness. We cannot experience true revival in our world until we first experience it in our churches. And to experience true revival in our churches we must experience revival in our individual hearts. The esteemed late evangelist of years gone by D.L. Moody put it this way. "If we want to experience a God sent, Holy Spirit driven revival, draw a circle on the floor. Then step into it and say 'It starts here.'" God through His holy word tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." While revival is a sovereign act of God, here He clearly lays out the conditions He expects to exist before He will send it. And those conditions are dependent upon us.
Join me over the next several days as we explore through the bible the reasons we do not see revival in America today, and look to God's word for the answers He gives us. Your imput is appreciated.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Rasslin' with God
On the old TV show WKRP in Cincinnati, their was an episode with an unscrupulous preacher who was a former professional wrestler. This rassler turned preacher had a Sunday morning radio show on the beleaguered radio station. He hocked merchandise(including John the Baptist steak knives) and had 3 women who recounted his every word as back up singers. One of his sayings was that, "God was going to put you in a Hungarian headlock," at least that''s how I remember it.
So, have you ever wrestled with God? While the TV episode was a farce, most of us have had times where we have struggled against God and literally fought His will in our life. We are not alone in this, as a great man of the bible also once wrestled with God. We read this account of Jacob in Genesis 32:24-34.
Jacob had just freed himself from the clutches of Laban after 20 years of servitude and was returning home to the land promised him by God to confront his brother Esau, after fleeing Esau 20 years earlier in fear for his life. Jacob had been slowly but surely moving toward God but he was never able to finally give in and surrender with a broken spirit, in full submission to his Lord. Jacob seperates himself from his family for some alone time in preperation for his dealings with Esau when he is encountered by "a Man" whom he winds up wrestling with all night. Hosea 12:1-5 tell us this "Man" Jacob struggled with was indeed Jehovah God.
The "wrestling" match (not sure if a Hungarian headlock was used) was basically a draw until the "Man" touches Jacob's hip socket and cripples him. In Genesis 32:26 it reads, "And He(God) said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' But he(Jacob) said, 'I will not let you go until you bless me.'" Jacob had fought with God unwilling to give in. But finally, after God had broken him, Jacob gives in and will not let go of the Lord until he receives a blessing.
How to Win with God
Jacob is declared the winner of this wrestling match in verse 28 where we are told that Jacob prevailed. How did Jacob do this? Simple. He gave in, and clutched to God with all his might. When Jacob finally decided to hold tightly to the things of God and not let go, he was declared the winner. As the apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12, it is when we are "weak" before God, that we truly are "strong." The only way to win with God, is to surrender to Him and His will.
At a place Jacob named Peniel(literally the Face of God) Jacob's will was finally broken, and he finally submitted to God, and truly became God's man. Jacob, whose name means usurper, had resisted God's full will for him his entire life. But when he finally gives up the fight, he wins. He is now no longer Jacob, the usuprper, as Jacob had usurped God's will for most of his life in favor of his own. Now, God gives him a new name. That new name, Israel, literally "God's fighter." Jacob has finally reached the point where he's going to give up his will, his control of his life, in favor of allowing God to lead him.
God wants to lead each and everyone of us. He wants us to voluntarily follow Him, submit our will to His. He wants us to do this of our own accord, but if need be, He will try to break us. Just as He did Jacob. What is their in your life that you are wrestling with God with right now? Let us learn from the lesson of Jacob, that their is only one way to win with God. We must submit our will, to His. Or else a Hungarian headlock will be applied by the the Lord.
So, have you ever wrestled with God? While the TV episode was a farce, most of us have had times where we have struggled against God and literally fought His will in our life. We are not alone in this, as a great man of the bible also once wrestled with God. We read this account of Jacob in Genesis 32:24-34.
Jacob had just freed himself from the clutches of Laban after 20 years of servitude and was returning home to the land promised him by God to confront his brother Esau, after fleeing Esau 20 years earlier in fear for his life. Jacob had been slowly but surely moving toward God but he was never able to finally give in and surrender with a broken spirit, in full submission to his Lord. Jacob seperates himself from his family for some alone time in preperation for his dealings with Esau when he is encountered by "a Man" whom he winds up wrestling with all night. Hosea 12:1-5 tell us this "Man" Jacob struggled with was indeed Jehovah God.
The "wrestling" match (not sure if a Hungarian headlock was used) was basically a draw until the "Man" touches Jacob's hip socket and cripples him. In Genesis 32:26 it reads, "And He(God) said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' But he(Jacob) said, 'I will not let you go until you bless me.'" Jacob had fought with God unwilling to give in. But finally, after God had broken him, Jacob gives in and will not let go of the Lord until he receives a blessing.
How to Win with God
Jacob is declared the winner of this wrestling match in verse 28 where we are told that Jacob prevailed. How did Jacob do this? Simple. He gave in, and clutched to God with all his might. When Jacob finally decided to hold tightly to the things of God and not let go, he was declared the winner. As the apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12, it is when we are "weak" before God, that we truly are "strong." The only way to win with God, is to surrender to Him and His will.
At a place Jacob named Peniel(literally the Face of God) Jacob's will was finally broken, and he finally submitted to God, and truly became God's man. Jacob, whose name means usurper, had resisted God's full will for him his entire life. But when he finally gives up the fight, he wins. He is now no longer Jacob, the usuprper, as Jacob had usurped God's will for most of his life in favor of his own. Now, God gives him a new name. That new name, Israel, literally "God's fighter." Jacob has finally reached the point where he's going to give up his will, his control of his life, in favor of allowing God to lead him.
God wants to lead each and everyone of us. He wants us to voluntarily follow Him, submit our will to His. He wants us to do this of our own accord, but if need be, He will try to break us. Just as He did Jacob. What is their in your life that you are wrestling with God with right now? Let us learn from the lesson of Jacob, that their is only one way to win with God. We must submit our will, to His. Or else a Hungarian headlock will be applied by the the Lord.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
What is Worship?
What is worship? Is it a solemn occasion where we revere God through liturgy and creeds? Or, is it a traditional effort where we sing hymns and are "preached" the word? What about an energetic experience where a live band plays and God's people shout with joy? Today I propose to you, it can be all of these. And, it can be none of these. To truly understand worship we must look to the bible and see what God says on the subject.
So What is Worship?
In studying the bible their is a principle known as the "law of first mention." It's a practice where we look to see where was the first time God mentions a certain biblical principle, understanding that when God mentions something for the first time, special insight can be gained about a subject. In the bible, the first place the word worship occurs is in Genesis 22:5. Here it reads(NKJV), "And Abraham said to his young men, 'Stay here with the donkey, the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.'" To set the scene, this is the chapter where God has instructed Abraham to take his "only son" Issac and offer him to the Lord as a burnt offering, as a sacrifice. So what is worship? Well, if we apply the principle of the "law of first mention, " true worship, biblical worship, is centered around our trust, our obedience toward and sacrifice for God. And remember, in the New Testament, Jesus clarifies that obedience is a direct reflection of our love for Him(John 14:15, 23).
God has just instructed Abraham to kill his beloved son Issac as an act of obedience and an offering, and Abraham trusts God and is willing to comply. In fact, Abraham trusts God to the point that he has faith that both he and Issac will return to his men that he left below. That even if God does demand this sacrifice, He can restore Issac and fulfill the promises He has made to both men. I ask you a question: Is our love for Christ as exhibited through our obedience for Him, our willingness to sacrifice for Him, our trust, our faith in Him so strong, that we are willing to do whatever He asks?
Biblical Worship versus Man Centered Worship
Friends, these are the basic elements of truly worsipping God. We must understand, worship is not about how we feel, it's not about us. It's not about a style and it's not about a place. True worship, biblical worship, is totally focussed upon God. True worship is about coming to God broken, willing, totally trusting Him from our heart. A true worship experience involves us giving our all, for Him. Can this type of worship occur in any of the settings listed above. Yes, it can. But sadly, far too many times we make worship about us, and not God.
In far to many of our churches we focus our worship on things we enjoy or even more dangerously, the things of the world; a technological stage show, a worship style, a certain preacher, a group of people we enjoy. While their is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things, if they are the reason we worship some place, our heart is not right with God. It's all about us. True worship, biblical worship is wholly(you might say Holy) about God. It does not occur on Sunday morning only, but in our everyday walk with Christ. We worship God in "Spirit and truth" when we: Hear and obey His commands, daily sacrifice our wants and desires for His wants and desires, and faithfully trust Him to keep His word. In Genesis 22 Abraham exhibits all of these qualties and God provides a ram for the sacrifice, sparing Issac, and blessing Abraham.
So, have you worshipped God today?
So What is Worship?
In studying the bible their is a principle known as the "law of first mention." It's a practice where we look to see where was the first time God mentions a certain biblical principle, understanding that when God mentions something for the first time, special insight can be gained about a subject. In the bible, the first place the word worship occurs is in Genesis 22:5. Here it reads(NKJV), "And Abraham said to his young men, 'Stay here with the donkey, the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.'" To set the scene, this is the chapter where God has instructed Abraham to take his "only son" Issac and offer him to the Lord as a burnt offering, as a sacrifice. So what is worship? Well, if we apply the principle of the "law of first mention, " true worship, biblical worship, is centered around our trust, our obedience toward and sacrifice for God. And remember, in the New Testament, Jesus clarifies that obedience is a direct reflection of our love for Him(John 14:15, 23).
God has just instructed Abraham to kill his beloved son Issac as an act of obedience and an offering, and Abraham trusts God and is willing to comply. In fact, Abraham trusts God to the point that he has faith that both he and Issac will return to his men that he left below. That even if God does demand this sacrifice, He can restore Issac and fulfill the promises He has made to both men. I ask you a question: Is our love for Christ as exhibited through our obedience for Him, our willingness to sacrifice for Him, our trust, our faith in Him so strong, that we are willing to do whatever He asks?
Biblical Worship versus Man Centered Worship
Friends, these are the basic elements of truly worsipping God. We must understand, worship is not about how we feel, it's not about us. It's not about a style and it's not about a place. True worship, biblical worship, is totally focussed upon God. True worship is about coming to God broken, willing, totally trusting Him from our heart. A true worship experience involves us giving our all, for Him. Can this type of worship occur in any of the settings listed above. Yes, it can. But sadly, far too many times we make worship about us, and not God.
In far to many of our churches we focus our worship on things we enjoy or even more dangerously, the things of the world; a technological stage show, a worship style, a certain preacher, a group of people we enjoy. While their is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things, if they are the reason we worship some place, our heart is not right with God. It's all about us. True worship, biblical worship is wholly(you might say Holy) about God. It does not occur on Sunday morning only, but in our everyday walk with Christ. We worship God in "Spirit and truth" when we: Hear and obey His commands, daily sacrifice our wants and desires for His wants and desires, and faithfully trust Him to keep His word. In Genesis 22 Abraham exhibits all of these qualties and God provides a ram for the sacrifice, sparing Issac, and blessing Abraham.
So, have you worshipped God today?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Evangelism Methodology
I spent an ice storm weekend(rare here in SC) conversing with several friends about evangelism and how we as Christians should go about it. Their are many wonderful tools for teaching someone methods to evangelize, among them are "Way of the Master," "Faith" and"Evangelism Explosion." Most Christians have attended some form of training regarding reaching the lost in our world. While all can be useful their is no one way to present the gospel, and quite honestly, each situation is different.
From the Bible
We have many examples in the bible: Their is the direct approach of Jesus with His diciples where He simply told them "Follow Me." The conversational approach Jesus applied in John chapter 4 with the Samaritan woman at the well. The relational approach that Paul employed in Athens in Acts 17. Peter confronted his breathren with the stark truth in Acts 2. Then their is the servant evangelism of Dorcas in Acts 9 that was so important to the community there that God had Peter raise her from the dead. Whether it be a church structured program or a biblical example, the most important thing is that we boldly share Jesus with those who don't know Him. That we be intentional about sharing our faith and the Good News. If we do this faithfully, we can be sure that we will be persecuted and ridiculed, even by some in the church. But if we call ourselves Christians, we honestly have no choice. It's already been settled in heaven, that we are to be Christ's witnesses and "preach the Gospel to every creature," we call this divine command the "Great Commission"(Matthew 28:16-20). It doesn't matter how, it just matters that we do.
Just Do It
We must tell others of Jesus, how He, "being without sin," died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins, so that we could be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God. We must tell our families that He was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead on the third day, as the guarantee of our future resurrection. We must tell our friends and neighbors that without Jesus, their is no heaven to be gained, only hell to endure, and these destinations are eternal. We must tell! It doesn't matter how, but........it does matter when. So I'll ask you, as I close this first entry; When was the last time you shared Jesus with someone? Jesus IS coming back! Who do you know, that does not know Jesus?
From the Bible
We have many examples in the bible: Their is the direct approach of Jesus with His diciples where He simply told them "Follow Me." The conversational approach Jesus applied in John chapter 4 with the Samaritan woman at the well. The relational approach that Paul employed in Athens in Acts 17. Peter confronted his breathren with the stark truth in Acts 2. Then their is the servant evangelism of Dorcas in Acts 9 that was so important to the community there that God had Peter raise her from the dead. Whether it be a church structured program or a biblical example, the most important thing is that we boldly share Jesus with those who don't know Him. That we be intentional about sharing our faith and the Good News. If we do this faithfully, we can be sure that we will be persecuted and ridiculed, even by some in the church. But if we call ourselves Christians, we honestly have no choice. It's already been settled in heaven, that we are to be Christ's witnesses and "preach the Gospel to every creature," we call this divine command the "Great Commission"(Matthew 28:16-20). It doesn't matter how, it just matters that we do.
Just Do It
We must tell others of Jesus, how He, "being without sin," died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins, so that we could be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God. We must tell our families that He was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead on the third day, as the guarantee of our future resurrection. We must tell our friends and neighbors that without Jesus, their is no heaven to be gained, only hell to endure, and these destinations are eternal. We must tell! It doesn't matter how, but........it does matter when. So I'll ask you, as I close this first entry; When was the last time you shared Jesus with someone? Jesus IS coming back! Who do you know, that does not know Jesus?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)