My sermon series for the new year is "Relevance." It's funny, our worship leader asked if I had misspelled it. He asked if I meant "Reverence." I asked several colleagues of mine if they had any material on relevance. One responded by saying the church doesn't have to be relevant. She is counter-culture and will never be in the position of being relevant to the world. I feel as if she MUST be relevant. True, there will be those who will deny (and we're seeing that right now) the purpose of the church and its existence. But if it doesn't maintain some kind of relevance, why bother?
Several years ago I heard David Barton, a well-known historian, speak on the affect of the church on our government in our early years as a country. He explained that when a legislative matter came up, the state and federal legislature would ask the pastors of the nation what the Bible said on the matter. Pastors would research the issue, preach a sermon on the topic, then the body would debate and vote on the matter. We've come a long way since those days. Rarely, if ever, are the Scriptures searched to see if something should be enacted into law.
As I see it, the church has two problems. One is arrogance. I feel as if we have taken the same position as the Israelites. We are God's people. He loves us and us only. Leave us alone. We're drawing the circle smaller and smaller so no one else can get in. So, STAY OUT!!
The second problem I see is there is increasingly no difference between the world and the church. Although Scripture is very clear concerning our relationship with the world, we just can't seem to let go. We worship together on Sunday and act one way, then go to work on Monday and act another way. Some will lie and cheat and say, "It's just business." Others will forget their marriage vows and say "Oh, it's just a little teasing." Still others will drink until drunk and call it networking. And others will back-stab and step on their colleagues as they climb the corporate ladder.
By being relevant, we aren't changing the message of the gospel. We are just trying to make the gospel what it was intended to be in the first place....practical in everyday life. Instead of going to church, we need to BE the church. We need to not be afraid because God has promised us He would be with us. A good definition of godliness is always knowing the presence of God. His presence should make us bold.
I recently read about a lady who hosted Elizabeth Elliot. If you remember, Elizabeth Elliot is the lady whose husband was murdered by natives in South America. He and his team were trying to spread the gospel to those who had never heard it before. Instead, they met their demise. Later, Mrs. Elliot went back to those same people who had killed her husband and lived among them and taught them the gospel. This lady asked her what she could do to be a better wife, mother, and servant of Jesus. Mrs. Elliot thought for a moment and then replied, "Do the next thing."
We have no idea what the "next thing" is. But we can commit to trusting God knowing that He knows what the next thing is. In order to be relevant in this world, we must commit to doing what Jesus called us to be...salt and light. Light to disperse the darkness in this evil world. And salt to preserve the goodness of what we find around us.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
God Won't Give Us More Than We Can Handle
I've been teaching a class on Sunday mornings on things the Bible doesn't say. I admit, I stole the material from Rick Atchley. But it is good stuff. Last Sunday I talked of the common phrase that we use that says, "God will never give me more than I can handle." Where does it say that? A quick look at the verse we use is I Corinthians 10:13:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
There it is. Does that sound remotely like God won't give us more than we can handle? He said He would provide a way out of sin, but not of burdens. In fact, a quick survey of Scripture tells us there will be suffering. Ask Job about this. Ask Paul.
Paul says there were times in his life when he just couldn't handle what life handed out to him. In II Corinthians 1:8 listen to what he says:
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
See that? He said they suffered far beyond their ability to endure. They had more than they could handle. I received a call this week from a deal soul who believed the original premise (God won't give you more than you can handle) was gospel. The problems she had in life were handled just by repeating that mantra. I feel like I destroyed her faith. I read her the passage from II Corinthians, but I added verse 9 and 10 which says:
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
She seemed a little disappointed. But she was relying on herself and not God. God says, when all else has failed, when there is nowhere else to turn, it's God who will save us. And Paul calls it "gracious favor" here. When talking about his thorn in the flesh, he says, "God's grace is sufficient."
God didn't say he wouldn't give us more than we could handle. He did say, I will handle it for you if you just let go. It reminds me of an song we sing...."He is able, more than able......."
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
There it is. Does that sound remotely like God won't give us more than we can handle? He said He would provide a way out of sin, but not of burdens. In fact, a quick survey of Scripture tells us there will be suffering. Ask Job about this. Ask Paul.
Paul says there were times in his life when he just couldn't handle what life handed out to him. In II Corinthians 1:8 listen to what he says:
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
See that? He said they suffered far beyond their ability to endure. They had more than they could handle. I received a call this week from a deal soul who believed the original premise (God won't give you more than you can handle) was gospel. The problems she had in life were handled just by repeating that mantra. I feel like I destroyed her faith. I read her the passage from II Corinthians, but I added verse 9 and 10 which says:
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
She seemed a little disappointed. But she was relying on herself and not God. God says, when all else has failed, when there is nowhere else to turn, it's God who will save us. And Paul calls it "gracious favor" here. When talking about his thorn in the flesh, he says, "God's grace is sufficient."
God didn't say he wouldn't give us more than we could handle. He did say, I will handle it for you if you just let go. It reminds me of an song we sing...."He is able, more than able......."
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
The Change
We're all resistant to change. A friend of mine took a graduate class in ergonomics after which he decided to implement all things he had learned. His big mistake was the changes he made were in the kitchen. He used all of his expertise to put the dishes where the dishes should be and the glasses where the glasses should be. He even rearranged the drawers. Only problem, that was his wife's domain. You don't mess with the arrangement of the kitchen especially if the wife set it up the way SHE wanted it. Needless to say, everything was returned to its initial place regardless of the fact it may have made more sense to put it somewhere else.
Change is a part of life. All of us look very different from the way we looked on the day of our birth. We've changed! Isn't learning changing? You learn certain facts and then you learn to apply them. In problem solving you learn to apply what you have learned to change certain things. Change not only is a fact of life, we must change to survive.
Jesus entered the world and everything changed. Shepherds couldn't contain themselves, but had to go to Jerusalem once they were told by the angel hosts that the Messiah had been born. Magi travelled many miles just to see the Holy One of God. Herod murdered all the little boys of Bethlehem because of his fear of the Christ. Simeon sees the baby Jesus in the temple and praises God and tells Him that He can now let him die. The prophetess, Anna, calls the child "the redemption of Israel." Twelve years later Jesus comes to Jerusalem and is left behind by His parents. They return only to find Him discussing spiritual matters with the teachers. The Bible says they were amazed at His understanding. Literally, the Greek language means "to lose one's wits" or "to go out of one's mind." That's the kind of effect he had on them. But the one that always gets me is when the chief priests and Pharisees send the temple guard to arrest Jesus. They come back empty handed. When questioned, their response is an interesting one. They reply, "No one ever spoke the way this man does."
So what does all of this mean? My point is this. When you come face to face with Jesus, you are changed. If your life isn't different because of your relationship with Jesus, then you never really had a relationship with Him at all. I'll end with this passage from II Corinthians 3:12-18:
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Change is a part of life. All of us look very different from the way we looked on the day of our birth. We've changed! Isn't learning changing? You learn certain facts and then you learn to apply them. In problem solving you learn to apply what you have learned to change certain things. Change not only is a fact of life, we must change to survive.
Jesus entered the world and everything changed. Shepherds couldn't contain themselves, but had to go to Jerusalem once they were told by the angel hosts that the Messiah had been born. Magi travelled many miles just to see the Holy One of God. Herod murdered all the little boys of Bethlehem because of his fear of the Christ. Simeon sees the baby Jesus in the temple and praises God and tells Him that He can now let him die. The prophetess, Anna, calls the child "the redemption of Israel." Twelve years later Jesus comes to Jerusalem and is left behind by His parents. They return only to find Him discussing spiritual matters with the teachers. The Bible says they were amazed at His understanding. Literally, the Greek language means "to lose one's wits" or "to go out of one's mind." That's the kind of effect he had on them. But the one that always gets me is when the chief priests and Pharisees send the temple guard to arrest Jesus. They come back empty handed. When questioned, their response is an interesting one. They reply, "No one ever spoke the way this man does."
So what does all of this mean? My point is this. When you come face to face with Jesus, you are changed. If your life isn't different because of your relationship with Jesus, then you never really had a relationship with Him at all. I'll end with this passage from II Corinthians 3:12-18:
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
The Word Became Flesh
John doesn't even mention it. He begins with John the Baptist preparing the way and then the temptation of Jesus. Matthew does, but not until he establishes the Jewishness of Jesus. Luke does, but he first tells the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and the birth of John the Baptist. John, however, goes back to the very beginning--to the creation. He starts his books just like Genesis. "In the beginning..." I would encourage you to go right now and read John 1:1-18.
Once you have done that, notice several words with me. The first is WORD.
WORD--"In the beginning the Word..." The word in the original language is logos. To the ancient mystic it encompassed everything. It was life itself. It was everything under a rational structure. It was physics and math all combined into something that made sense. John uses the term to describe Jesus. Jesus is the reason. Jesus is everything. Even Paul tries to describe Jesus in Colossians 1 by saying, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." He goes on to say, "...in him all things hold together." My assumption is, outside of Him all things fall apart.
LIFE--John 1:4 says that in Word was life. Not physical life. Not the heart beating and the brain functioning. But the best that life has to offer. Even Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." John 10:10. It's the peace that passes understanding. It's the joy that comes when all else around us is falling apart.
LIGHT--There's nothing worse than trying to walk in darkness. Ask any parent who gets up in the middle of the night to check on his/her child. They are able to find the Lego with their foot every time. Light dispels darkness, not the other way around. Jesus is that light and He calls on us to let our lights shine. Paul says in Philippians 2:14, 15--"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like starts in the universe."
FLESH--This is perhaps the most amazing term in this passage. The word became flesh. The Message paraphrases it this way, "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." When God wanted us to see what He was like, He sent Jesus to become flesh. The apostles pled with Jesus to see God. He told them if they had seen Him, they had seen God. The Hebrew writer calls Jesus the "exact representation of his being." All man, all God. Hard to fathom, isn't it?
But the sad thing about all this is that Jesus came and His own didn't see Him. Only a few smelly shepherds were witnesses. Some mystics came, but His birth was generally missed. John said, "He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not recognize him." Another version said, "...but his own received him not."
May that never be said of us.
Once you have done that, notice several words with me. The first is WORD.
WORD--"In the beginning the Word..." The word in the original language is logos. To the ancient mystic it encompassed everything. It was life itself. It was everything under a rational structure. It was physics and math all combined into something that made sense. John uses the term to describe Jesus. Jesus is the reason. Jesus is everything. Even Paul tries to describe Jesus in Colossians 1 by saying, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." He goes on to say, "...in him all things hold together." My assumption is, outside of Him all things fall apart.
LIFE--John 1:4 says that in Word was life. Not physical life. Not the heart beating and the brain functioning. But the best that life has to offer. Even Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." John 10:10. It's the peace that passes understanding. It's the joy that comes when all else around us is falling apart.
LIGHT--There's nothing worse than trying to walk in darkness. Ask any parent who gets up in the middle of the night to check on his/her child. They are able to find the Lego with their foot every time. Light dispels darkness, not the other way around. Jesus is that light and He calls on us to let our lights shine. Paul says in Philippians 2:14, 15--"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like starts in the universe."
FLESH--This is perhaps the most amazing term in this passage. The word became flesh. The Message paraphrases it this way, "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." When God wanted us to see what He was like, He sent Jesus to become flesh. The apostles pled with Jesus to see God. He told them if they had seen Him, they had seen God. The Hebrew writer calls Jesus the "exact representation of his being." All man, all God. Hard to fathom, isn't it?
But the sad thing about all this is that Jesus came and His own didn't see Him. Only a few smelly shepherds were witnesses. Some mystics came, but His birth was generally missed. John said, "He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not recognize him." Another version said, "...but his own received him not."
May that never be said of us.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
The Tomb is Empty
One of the greatest joys of my preaching life has been to be able to talk of Jesus resurrection. So many times we focus on His death and burial, but the most important thing was His resurrection. Paul says so in I Corinthians 15:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and hat he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. vss. 3-8
There are those who say the resurrection is a myth. Let me offer four things that settle the issue in my mind. First, it was claimed that the apostles stole Jesus body. If that were the case, then why weren't the guards killed. The loss of a prisoner was a capital offense. Life for life. Instead, the Bible says the guards were paid to say that. Second, if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, why didn't the officials produce a body? That would have ended all speculation there. Three, did you see all the people to whom Jesus appeared? Peter, the Twelve, five hundred brothers, James, the apostles, and then to Paul himself. It would be hard to dispute that many eye witnesses. Fourth, if this was all a hoax, why did the Twelve allow themselves to be martyred? Why would you die for a hoax?
In John's account of the resurrection, the word "saw" or some form of it is used three times. Yet in the Greek language three different words are used.
V. 5--"Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there but he did not go in." The Greek word for "saw" there is to see without understanding. He was puzzled.
V. 6--"Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there." This time the word "saw" means that it was examined for the purpose of investigation. The word is the word we get our word "theory" from. That makes sense, doesn't it? Peter has his own theory about what happened.
V. 8--"The other disciple who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw and believed." This time, the word "saw" means to perceive with understanding. He got it! Jesus was alive! He remembered all the times Jesus told them what was to happen. How many times had he heard it? But now it clicks!
Doesn't this describe our Christian walk, our journey? We see Jesus and we really don't understand Him. We don't know why He would love someone like us. Then we start to delve into His word and start to examine our lives and to reason why He would die for us. Then, finally it clicks. Although we may not completely understand, we fall at His feet and proclaim Him as our Lord.
The resurrection was the theme of the early church and it should be ours. Paul said it's the gospel on which we make our stand. And Paul makes a bold proclamation that excites me and should excite you, too. He says these words:
"By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also." I Corinthians 6:14
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and hat he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. vss. 3-8
There are those who say the resurrection is a myth. Let me offer four things that settle the issue in my mind. First, it was claimed that the apostles stole Jesus body. If that were the case, then why weren't the guards killed. The loss of a prisoner was a capital offense. Life for life. Instead, the Bible says the guards were paid to say that. Second, if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, why didn't the officials produce a body? That would have ended all speculation there. Three, did you see all the people to whom Jesus appeared? Peter, the Twelve, five hundred brothers, James, the apostles, and then to Paul himself. It would be hard to dispute that many eye witnesses. Fourth, if this was all a hoax, why did the Twelve allow themselves to be martyred? Why would you die for a hoax?
In John's account of the resurrection, the word "saw" or some form of it is used three times. Yet in the Greek language three different words are used.
V. 5--"Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there but he did not go in." The Greek word for "saw" there is to see without understanding. He was puzzled.
V. 6--"Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there." This time the word "saw" means that it was examined for the purpose of investigation. The word is the word we get our word "theory" from. That makes sense, doesn't it? Peter has his own theory about what happened.
V. 8--"The other disciple who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw and believed." This time, the word "saw" means to perceive with understanding. He got it! Jesus was alive! He remembered all the times Jesus told them what was to happen. How many times had he heard it? But now it clicks!
Doesn't this describe our Christian walk, our journey? We see Jesus and we really don't understand Him. We don't know why He would love someone like us. Then we start to delve into His word and start to examine our lives and to reason why He would die for us. Then, finally it clicks. Although we may not completely understand, we fall at His feet and proclaim Him as our Lord.
The resurrection was the theme of the early church and it should be ours. Paul said it's the gospel on which we make our stand. And Paul makes a bold proclamation that excites me and should excite you, too. He says these words:
"By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also." I Corinthians 6:14
Monday, November 23, 2015
Why Are We Afraid of Thanksgiving?
I know what your first reaction to that question is. "I'm not afraid of Thanksgiving. I love it!" So why do we jump across it like a narrow stream in the forest? Summer ends and we set our sights on Halloween. Then the next thing you see are commercials for Christmas. Christmas trees start showing up in the stores. Santa is on television. The radio starts playing Christmas music. the listings are given for all he Christmas movies to be shown on your favorite television stations. And all the new movies come out when At Christmas!
A friend of mine teaches 4th grade music. She recently said this on Facebook:
"...I think these 4th graders deserve to be heard. My intention was just to teach them "Over the River and Through the Woods," but that led to a discussion of what families used to do together during holidays before television. I was not prepared for the anger. Student after student described begging their parent(s) to turn off the television on Thanksgiving so they could do something together. Some of these were kids who like to be seen as tough. They said that their begging did no good, and that their parents replied, "This is what we do on Thanksgiving." They started talking together about ways to sabotage the TV watching, including unplugging it, smashing it, and setting it on fire. When I asked them what they wished their families would do on Thanksgiving, here is what they said: 1. Play games together. 2. Go around the room and say nice things about each other. 3. Give thanks for the things we have. Food for thought..."
Admit it. Most of us are excited for Thanksgiving for two, maybe three reasons. Reason #1. Food. We could make a list right now of what we'll be eating for the Thanksgiving meal. Turkey, possibly ham, dressing, cranberry salad, green beans, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pecan or pumpkin pie...or both. We eat until we can eat no more. Then we eat the leftovers fir the next several days.
Reason #2. Time off. Time off from work or school. A long weekend. Naps. Between meal snacks. Another nap.
Reason #3. And this one isn't for everyone, but I'll say it in one word.....football. My wife and I ate with a family one time who would eat and then not eat dessert until the Dallas Cowboys scored. (Lately, that's been a long time!)
But why are we afraid to verbalize our thoughts and feelings? Why can't we look our family, our friends in the eye and sincerely thank them for what they mean in your life?
Part of this, I think, is an admission that I need you. That we need each other. We live in a "pull yourself up by your bootstrap" mentality that says, "I am strong. I am tough. You can't bring me down." To be thankful is to admit that the score isn't even. Someone pays for something that is your expense. You nearly get into a brawl because you don't want them paying for your meal or your car repair or the labor costs you have incurred.
My brother-in-law tore out a deck on the back of my house once when I couldn't help. When I asked him what I could do to repay him, he brushed it off and said, "You don't understand. I LIKE doing this."
I had one of my elders who would compliment me on something I had done...a program, a sermon, a speaker I had invited in. I would deflect the praise as best I could. Then he would look at me and say, "Just say, 'thank you.'"
Don't try to do anything this Thanksgiving holiday except to say, "Thank you." Thank God. Thank your parents if they're still around. Thank your children. Thank your friends. Don't do anything else. Just say, "Thank you."
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
A friend of mine teaches 4th grade music. She recently said this on Facebook:
"...I think these 4th graders deserve to be heard. My intention was just to teach them "Over the River and Through the Woods," but that led to a discussion of what families used to do together during holidays before television. I was not prepared for the anger. Student after student described begging their parent(s) to turn off the television on Thanksgiving so they could do something together. Some of these were kids who like to be seen as tough. They said that their begging did no good, and that their parents replied, "This is what we do on Thanksgiving." They started talking together about ways to sabotage the TV watching, including unplugging it, smashing it, and setting it on fire. When I asked them what they wished their families would do on Thanksgiving, here is what they said: 1. Play games together. 2. Go around the room and say nice things about each other. 3. Give thanks for the things we have. Food for thought..."
Admit it. Most of us are excited for Thanksgiving for two, maybe three reasons. Reason #1. Food. We could make a list right now of what we'll be eating for the Thanksgiving meal. Turkey, possibly ham, dressing, cranberry salad, green beans, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pecan or pumpkin pie...or both. We eat until we can eat no more. Then we eat the leftovers fir the next several days.
Reason #2. Time off. Time off from work or school. A long weekend. Naps. Between meal snacks. Another nap.
Reason #3. And this one isn't for everyone, but I'll say it in one word.....football. My wife and I ate with a family one time who would eat and then not eat dessert until the Dallas Cowboys scored. (Lately, that's been a long time!)
But why are we afraid to verbalize our thoughts and feelings? Why can't we look our family, our friends in the eye and sincerely thank them for what they mean in your life?
Part of this, I think, is an admission that I need you. That we need each other. We live in a "pull yourself up by your bootstrap" mentality that says, "I am strong. I am tough. You can't bring me down." To be thankful is to admit that the score isn't even. Someone pays for something that is your expense. You nearly get into a brawl because you don't want them paying for your meal or your car repair or the labor costs you have incurred.
My brother-in-law tore out a deck on the back of my house once when I couldn't help. When I asked him what I could do to repay him, he brushed it off and said, "You don't understand. I LIKE doing this."
I had one of my elders who would compliment me on something I had done...a program, a sermon, a speaker I had invited in. I would deflect the praise as best I could. Then he would look at me and say, "Just say, 'thank you.'"
Don't try to do anything this Thanksgiving holiday except to say, "Thank you." Thank God. Thank your parents if they're still around. Thank your children. Thank your friends. Don't do anything else. Just say, "Thank you."
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
Monday, November 16, 2015
The Lord's Prayer
By reading the title of this blog you might think that the subject of the day is from Matthew 6 which begins, "Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." Really this prayer should be aptly named the Model Prayer. When Jesus' disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray, He used that example.
However, in John 17 I think we find the real Lord's Prayer. Virtually, within hours Jesus will be taken as prisoner and crucified. His thoughts in this prayer are truly phenomenal. I don't want to spend a lot of time in this post in the first part of this prayer. It's the last seven verses I want to spend the bulk of our time.
At the first He told us that knowing God was eternal life. He really doesn't talk of Himself much, but really the success of the mission He has come to fulfill and what lies ahead for His disciples. He spends the next part praying for His disciples.
What strikes home in this prayer is the last part. He says, "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." I wrote this in my Bible. "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for Jim." You should do the same. Write your name in there. Jesus prayed for you. What's remarkable is Jesus prayed for you over 2000 years ago. Perhaps that prayer is just now being answered by God. It's fulfillment is coming in your life today.
This is a good lesson for us. Our timeline is much shorter than God's. We want results. We want to see an answer and see it NOW! But can we pray a prayer that will have an effect in another 2000 years? Are you willing to make a commitment to pray for those whom you will never know. Perhaps it's a great grandchild or a nation searching for their God. Maybe it will be a plea for someone on a spiritual journey many years in the future. You keep praying the prayer. Our God is faithful. His answer may come long after we're gone.
He prays for our unity. "That will never happen," you might say. Why not? If Jesus prayed it, it can happen. Perhaps if we stopped worrying about everyone else and what they are doing and concentrate on our mission, maybe we might achieve some unity. I've noticed that most people who want to complain about my work are really not doing anything in the kingdom. Or maybe we should be praying for those who complain about what you're doing and complaining that you aren't doing things their way. I try to work by the Gamaliel rule. I've written about this before. Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin. When some of the apostles were brought in and told not to preach in the name of Jesus, Gamaliel told his colleagues to leave them alone. If their work was of God, there was not stopping it. If it was from somewhere or someone else, it would die out. Good advice.
Finally, Jesus prayed that the love God had for Him would be in us. He asked us to be the love in this old nasty world. When there is hate, he calls us to love. He called on us to carry out His mission....the mission of God's overwhelming, unfailing love.
If Jesus thinks these thoughts, this prayer is worth praying, shouldn't we be doing everything within our power to fulfill His thoughts?
However, in John 17 I think we find the real Lord's Prayer. Virtually, within hours Jesus will be taken as prisoner and crucified. His thoughts in this prayer are truly phenomenal. I don't want to spend a lot of time in this post in the first part of this prayer. It's the last seven verses I want to spend the bulk of our time.
At the first He told us that knowing God was eternal life. He really doesn't talk of Himself much, but really the success of the mission He has come to fulfill and what lies ahead for His disciples. He spends the next part praying for His disciples.
What strikes home in this prayer is the last part. He says, "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." I wrote this in my Bible. "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for Jim." You should do the same. Write your name in there. Jesus prayed for you. What's remarkable is Jesus prayed for you over 2000 years ago. Perhaps that prayer is just now being answered by God. It's fulfillment is coming in your life today.
This is a good lesson for us. Our timeline is much shorter than God's. We want results. We want to see an answer and see it NOW! But can we pray a prayer that will have an effect in another 2000 years? Are you willing to make a commitment to pray for those whom you will never know. Perhaps it's a great grandchild or a nation searching for their God. Maybe it will be a plea for someone on a spiritual journey many years in the future. You keep praying the prayer. Our God is faithful. His answer may come long after we're gone.
He prays for our unity. "That will never happen," you might say. Why not? If Jesus prayed it, it can happen. Perhaps if we stopped worrying about everyone else and what they are doing and concentrate on our mission, maybe we might achieve some unity. I've noticed that most people who want to complain about my work are really not doing anything in the kingdom. Or maybe we should be praying for those who complain about what you're doing and complaining that you aren't doing things their way. I try to work by the Gamaliel rule. I've written about this before. Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin. When some of the apostles were brought in and told not to preach in the name of Jesus, Gamaliel told his colleagues to leave them alone. If their work was of God, there was not stopping it. If it was from somewhere or someone else, it would die out. Good advice.
Finally, Jesus prayed that the love God had for Him would be in us. He asked us to be the love in this old nasty world. When there is hate, he calls us to love. He called on us to carry out His mission....the mission of God's overwhelming, unfailing love.
If Jesus thinks these thoughts, this prayer is worth praying, shouldn't we be doing everything within our power to fulfill His thoughts?
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