I struggled with this question a lot more when I was a pastor and had a say in the planning of a service of worship. I went to church this Sunday, Memorial Day and the question of how much should we recognize holiday in our services came up again in my mind.
We call it a "worship service" yet the service I went to this morning, I would say that at least 80% of the service was in reference to our country, how our country is going down the toilet or prayers for our veterans. I don't want to sound ungrateful for our soliders. I really do appreciate the sacrifice they make for us. I know I wouldn't like going to Iraq or Afghanistan and appreciate that they do, in intense situations to stop terrorist and hateful people from doing things like 9/11/01. Yet, is a worship service really the place to focus on veterans?
I struggled as a pastor about how much the service should be altered to mention those holidays such as Veterans or Memorial Day, Father's Day or Mother's Day. If I am in the middle of a sermon series, should I change the sermon for that Sunday? Many people would be expecting a sermon related to the holiday rather that just my systematically going through a text and not recognizing the season. The fact is, that church is not done in a bubble, but in a community and holidays are a part of that.
There was also a reference to Benjamin Franklin as bein a christian. The pastor stated that some called him a deist, but that he was definitely a christian. I thought to myself "have you tried reading a Jeffersonian Bible?" Jefferson took out every spiritual and supernatural reference to Christ in his bible and all the miracles. If they were believers, they weren't believers as I would define them. Most of what I have heard about Franklin, he was a womanizer who liked to drink. Granted, I appreciate his efforts also for our country, but I didn't go to church to worship or thank him.
There is also a real possibility if I am going to be totally honest, that I am looking for an excuse not to go back to church. It makes me uncomfortable these days and that makes me a little sad. I feel more exhausted than when I went in to the service. I look around and wonder to myself who the trouble makers are instead of thinking of them as brother and sisters in Christ.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
The churches in Revelations
I mentioned in my earlier post that I went to a bible study last Wednesday. The topic was regarding the churches in Revelations, particularly the church in Smyrna. There are several different thoughts about these churches and what they mean and why they were singled out.
1. These were literal churches that John had particular messages to at the time. These churches may have been churches that John had a relationship with. Historically, it is thought that John had a strong connect to the church in Ephesus, which is mentioned first here.
2. These churches represent 7 church ages in the history of the church. Often when you hear this view the speaker will say that we are in the Laodicean period, which is the lukewarm church that Jesus had nothing good to say to.
3. These churches are symbolic of many of the problems the church would face. The number 7 is thought to be a significant number and a divine and perfect number, signifying completion.
I would say that there is a good likelihood that all the above is true. We can adopt and take note of the blessings as well as the warnings to these churches. For example, the church in Ephesus, though it was a very productive, strong church is said to have lost their first love. Revelations 2:4. Can the church today, learn a lesson from that? I would think there may not be a more important lesson that we can learn. That God wants more than just activity, but a strong relationship with us. It was so important, in fact, that Jesus threatened to remove "your lampstand" or "your church" from its place if they did not return to their first love. That is pretty serious. Keep in mind they weren't guilt of flagrant sin, but leaving their first love.
Like a lot of relationships, we have ups and downs in our spiritual life. The important thing is that we realize we have a responsibility to cultivate our love relationship with God. It is not just the pastors job or the music minister's job or someone's elses job to write a lesson or preach a sermon or something like that. It is a matter of day and night, consistently, pursuing God and a renewed, vibrant relationship with Him.
"I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples." Psalm 77:11-14
1. These were literal churches that John had particular messages to at the time. These churches may have been churches that John had a relationship with. Historically, it is thought that John had a strong connect to the church in Ephesus, which is mentioned first here.
2. These churches represent 7 church ages in the history of the church. Often when you hear this view the speaker will say that we are in the Laodicean period, which is the lukewarm church that Jesus had nothing good to say to.
3. These churches are symbolic of many of the problems the church would face. The number 7 is thought to be a significant number and a divine and perfect number, signifying completion.
I would say that there is a good likelihood that all the above is true. We can adopt and take note of the blessings as well as the warnings to these churches. For example, the church in Ephesus, though it was a very productive, strong church is said to have lost their first love. Revelations 2:4. Can the church today, learn a lesson from that? I would think there may not be a more important lesson that we can learn. That God wants more than just activity, but a strong relationship with us. It was so important, in fact, that Jesus threatened to remove "your lampstand" or "your church" from its place if they did not return to their first love. That is pretty serious. Keep in mind they weren't guilt of flagrant sin, but leaving their first love.
Like a lot of relationships, we have ups and downs in our spiritual life. The important thing is that we realize we have a responsibility to cultivate our love relationship with God. It is not just the pastors job or the music minister's job or someone's elses job to write a lesson or preach a sermon or something like that. It is a matter of day and night, consistently, pursuing God and a renewed, vibrant relationship with Him.
"I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples." Psalm 77:11-14
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Church Service last night
For those of you who know me and know a little about my past, you know that I have issues about the church. I pastored two churches between 2001-2006 and saw first hand some of the pettiness and mean spiritedness of the church. I am still licking my wounds from this. So, for the last year or so I have not been in church. I think the experience that I have had has forever changed my feelings about the church. So, this was a big experience that I went to a prayer service and bible study last night.
I will say that I picked that church last night because I have met the pastor previously and he does seem to care about his congregation. His comments during prayer service indicate to me that he realizes who is sick and in need of extra care. That does seem to be missing in many congregations these days when the bottom line is money and power. But, I will also say that I felt very anxious being back in church, even though I was not asked to do a thing. It brings back some painful memories I would rather forget.
As I have been thinking about this for some time the question arises in my mind, why even bother going to a church? Part of the answer I think is that we don't go to church simply because of or despite the people there. At least in part, we should go because God deserves to be worshipped and honored. If I do nothing else during the service time, perhaps it gives me time to reflect on Him and then we really can't say that the time was completely wasted. For whatever it says to people about going to church, it says that I had the choice on this day where to go and I chose to honor God by at least having the chance of worshipping or thinking about him. If others do not use it as an opportunity to do this then that is their fault and not mine.
Does this mean that next week I am going to be teaching a Sunday School lesson again or sitting on a committee. No, it doesn't. Stronger words come to mine, but since this is a spiritual blog I will leave it at that. I think there are lessons to be learned from the past. Perhaps I was a little too naive about the nature of people and needed to grow up in my thinking. Perhaps the fear is not completely misplaced that there are people in the church that truly are wolves in sheeps clothing. I think of the words of Solomon that there is a season for everything. Hopefully, this is a season of healing and learning for me.
I think the other lesson to be learned from this is to open yourself up is to be vulnerable. To hide is safe, but it is also a place where we do not live life to the fullness. To risk loving others, to risk caring again, means to risk being hurt again. This is a scary business, this caring about people. It reminds me of a book written by author Denise George called "Becoming Tender in a Tough World". Denise talks about an experience where she goes to the zoo during the winter. There was an animal there who was standing near the area where people walk by. I forget exactly what kind of animal it was at the moment. She talks about how the animal stuck its neck out for Denise to pet it. In that moment, when the animal stuck its neck out, it is vulnerable. But, to not do so means it will never be touched.
I worked as a chaplain in a nursing home between 1998-2001. There was a bird that was kept in the lobby for the residents along with a fish tank. The bird had a habit of putting his head outside the cage and holding it there for the residents to pet its head. Someone could have easily come also and hurt the bird. Sometimes we get hurt also when we take that risk. The question is, is it worth it to try?
I will say that I picked that church last night because I have met the pastor previously and he does seem to care about his congregation. His comments during prayer service indicate to me that he realizes who is sick and in need of extra care. That does seem to be missing in many congregations these days when the bottom line is money and power. But, I will also say that I felt very anxious being back in church, even though I was not asked to do a thing. It brings back some painful memories I would rather forget.
As I have been thinking about this for some time the question arises in my mind, why even bother going to a church? Part of the answer I think is that we don't go to church simply because of or despite the people there. At least in part, we should go because God deserves to be worshipped and honored. If I do nothing else during the service time, perhaps it gives me time to reflect on Him and then we really can't say that the time was completely wasted. For whatever it says to people about going to church, it says that I had the choice on this day where to go and I chose to honor God by at least having the chance of worshipping or thinking about him. If others do not use it as an opportunity to do this then that is their fault and not mine.
Does this mean that next week I am going to be teaching a Sunday School lesson again or sitting on a committee. No, it doesn't. Stronger words come to mine, but since this is a spiritual blog I will leave it at that. I think there are lessons to be learned from the past. Perhaps I was a little too naive about the nature of people and needed to grow up in my thinking. Perhaps the fear is not completely misplaced that there are people in the church that truly are wolves in sheeps clothing. I think of the words of Solomon that there is a season for everything. Hopefully, this is a season of healing and learning for me.
I think the other lesson to be learned from this is to open yourself up is to be vulnerable. To hide is safe, but it is also a place where we do not live life to the fullness. To risk loving others, to risk caring again, means to risk being hurt again. This is a scary business, this caring about people. It reminds me of a book written by author Denise George called "Becoming Tender in a Tough World". Denise talks about an experience where she goes to the zoo during the winter. There was an animal there who was standing near the area where people walk by. I forget exactly what kind of animal it was at the moment. She talks about how the animal stuck its neck out for Denise to pet it. In that moment, when the animal stuck its neck out, it is vulnerable. But, to not do so means it will never be touched.
I worked as a chaplain in a nursing home between 1998-2001. There was a bird that was kept in the lobby for the residents along with a fish tank. The bird had a habit of putting his head outside the cage and holding it there for the residents to pet its head. Someone could have easily come also and hurt the bird. Sometimes we get hurt also when we take that risk. The question is, is it worth it to try?
Friday, May 21, 2010
Daniel's Prayer as a Model
I was reading a sermon by Charles Spurgeon at this web site
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/history/spurgeon/web/ss-0028.html
It talks about the prayer of Daniel in Daniel 9 and was preached by Spurgeon on September 25, 1870. He brings up many good points of this prayer that are a good example to us. He mentions Daniels persistence, his humility and intensity. So many times people do not pray with any intensity. Daniel prayed after he studied the book of Jeremiah and realized that the time for the Jews to go back to the holy land was approaching. He realized that God was preparing to do something great and wanted to prepare for it.
I think God often uses delays at times in prayer to prepare us for what he wants to give us. If you have ever had a prayer list for things you have prayed for, you may notice that at times some things you pray for are answered almost immediately. There will also be things that will take months or years or even decades to see answers for. I think sometimes God delays because he is trying to build us into something. He is trying to build within us a commitment to pray whether we see answers or not. Are we going to take God at his word or are we only going to pray in the good times? Do we really believe that he hears us and is able to answer?
I don't think that most people really do believe much in the power of prayer. I think if we truly did then people would not use prayer as a method last of all. We try to do things in our own strength, then if it does not work we go to God in prayer. Maybe our first request should be that God would break a spirit of self-sufficiency in the church so that God can use us? Maybe when christians get tired of their pews being empty and their lives lost in their effectiveness to be any kind of witness at all then we will fall on our knees and really start getting serious about prayer. God has a right to withhold his blessings, but he is a good God who delights to answer us. The problem is not at his end!
One thing that we should do is what Daniel did and prepare ourselves for God to do something. Jesus told the people to repent for the kingdom of God was at hand. Repentance was also key in every revival since then of the church. The church had to be in a position where it could receive, with humility, what God wanted to give. So, when people repent they work on getting into a right relationship with God and with others. It is impossible to do one without the other. So, not only would people get right with God, but then they would go to people who they hated or had spoken against or lied to and made things right. They would confess their sins to each other and make things right. They would pay back debts that they owed, they would give back what was stolen much like Zaccheus (Luke 19:8) did when he came down from the tree after seeing Jesus. He had stolen from people, but after seeing Jesus he gave back with interest. It was proof that God had indeed touched his heart. So, our first step in seeing God do something great is to get right with each other and to repent.
". . .to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. . ." Eph 3:20
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7
Other references: Luke 18:1-8; Luke 11:5-13; John 14:14; John 15:7; John 17
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/history/spurgeon/web/ss-0028.html
It talks about the prayer of Daniel in Daniel 9 and was preached by Spurgeon on September 25, 1870. He brings up many good points of this prayer that are a good example to us. He mentions Daniels persistence, his humility and intensity. So many times people do not pray with any intensity. Daniel prayed after he studied the book of Jeremiah and realized that the time for the Jews to go back to the holy land was approaching. He realized that God was preparing to do something great and wanted to prepare for it.
I think God often uses delays at times in prayer to prepare us for what he wants to give us. If you have ever had a prayer list for things you have prayed for, you may notice that at times some things you pray for are answered almost immediately. There will also be things that will take months or years or even decades to see answers for. I think sometimes God delays because he is trying to build us into something. He is trying to build within us a commitment to pray whether we see answers or not. Are we going to take God at his word or are we only going to pray in the good times? Do we really believe that he hears us and is able to answer?
I don't think that most people really do believe much in the power of prayer. I think if we truly did then people would not use prayer as a method last of all. We try to do things in our own strength, then if it does not work we go to God in prayer. Maybe our first request should be that God would break a spirit of self-sufficiency in the church so that God can use us? Maybe when christians get tired of their pews being empty and their lives lost in their effectiveness to be any kind of witness at all then we will fall on our knees and really start getting serious about prayer. God has a right to withhold his blessings, but he is a good God who delights to answer us. The problem is not at his end!
One thing that we should do is what Daniel did and prepare ourselves for God to do something. Jesus told the people to repent for the kingdom of God was at hand. Repentance was also key in every revival since then of the church. The church had to be in a position where it could receive, with humility, what God wanted to give. So, when people repent they work on getting into a right relationship with God and with others. It is impossible to do one without the other. So, not only would people get right with God, but then they would go to people who they hated or had spoken against or lied to and made things right. They would confess their sins to each other and make things right. They would pay back debts that they owed, they would give back what was stolen much like Zaccheus (Luke 19:8) did when he came down from the tree after seeing Jesus. He had stolen from people, but after seeing Jesus he gave back with interest. It was proof that God had indeed touched his heart. So, our first step in seeing God do something great is to get right with each other and to repent.
". . .to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. . ." Eph 3:20
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7
Other references: Luke 18:1-8; Luke 11:5-13; John 14:14; John 15:7; John 17
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Your ideal church
If you were in need of a new church home, I wonder what would be the qualities of the church that you would want for your home church? Or do you just walk into a church and feel at home and decide to join it? Do you even think that going down the isle and putting your name on a church roll is important? Or do you think it is enough that we are members of the church if we are believers? I have heard that several times in some denominations.
I was Methodist growing up and then switched to Baptist when I was around 17 years old. I don't remember putting a lot of thought into it when I switched. Nor did I think it would necessarily be a life time decision. I was working at a clothing store called J.Branum, which at the time was going out of business. A friend of mine went to Champion Forest Baptist down the road from the church. So, after work I would drive down FM 1960 to where the church was and go to the evening service. I really didn't think it was that big of a deal at the time.
I joined primarily because that was where I was consistently growing and learning about my faith that summer. I enjoyed the sermons. Pastor Shook, whose son now preaches in the Woodlands, was a really grounded and good man. Though I did feel a little lost in the mass of people there every Sunday. It was almost like a lot of little churches in one. Then, in seminary, I going Wedgwood Baptist Church in Ft.Worth and worked with the youth and eventually was Sunday School Director there. Despite that, there was a lot of time I did not feel very connected in some ways to the church, like something was missing.
Now, I feel like I should probably get back into the church, but don't know where to start looking. I have really had some bad experiences with the church. It seems to me that there is a lot of judgmental attitudes in the church that should not be there. There is a lot of hypocrisy which makes me wonder what Jesus would think of his church today. It also makes me wonder how many real christians there are in the church. There is a parable that Jesus told called the "Tares and the Wheat". I think I may have mentioned it on this blog better. I talks about the tares growing with the wheat until the end time when God will separate them. This is the church today. Both look the same at one stages of their growth, but eventually one grows and matures and the other does not. How many christians do you know who claim to be believers, have prayed some kind of prayer, but have no fruit in their lives?
That brings me to another point which I will leave for another post about the salvation prayer and the Lordship of Jesus.
So, what is important about a church that would make you consider joining? Theology, music, children's program, friendliness, size? What do you think?
I was Methodist growing up and then switched to Baptist when I was around 17 years old. I don't remember putting a lot of thought into it when I switched. Nor did I think it would necessarily be a life time decision. I was working at a clothing store called J.Branum, which at the time was going out of business. A friend of mine went to Champion Forest Baptist down the road from the church. So, after work I would drive down FM 1960 to where the church was and go to the evening service. I really didn't think it was that big of a deal at the time.
I joined primarily because that was where I was consistently growing and learning about my faith that summer. I enjoyed the sermons. Pastor Shook, whose son now preaches in the Woodlands, was a really grounded and good man. Though I did feel a little lost in the mass of people there every Sunday. It was almost like a lot of little churches in one. Then, in seminary, I going Wedgwood Baptist Church in Ft.Worth and worked with the youth and eventually was Sunday School Director there. Despite that, there was a lot of time I did not feel very connected in some ways to the church, like something was missing.
Now, I feel like I should probably get back into the church, but don't know where to start looking. I have really had some bad experiences with the church. It seems to me that there is a lot of judgmental attitudes in the church that should not be there. There is a lot of hypocrisy which makes me wonder what Jesus would think of his church today. It also makes me wonder how many real christians there are in the church. There is a parable that Jesus told called the "Tares and the Wheat". I think I may have mentioned it on this blog better. I talks about the tares growing with the wheat until the end time when God will separate them. This is the church today. Both look the same at one stages of their growth, but eventually one grows and matures and the other does not. How many christians do you know who claim to be believers, have prayed some kind of prayer, but have no fruit in their lives?
That brings me to another point which I will leave for another post about the salvation prayer and the Lordship of Jesus.
So, what is important about a church that would make you consider joining? Theology, music, children's program, friendliness, size? What do you think?
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Aliens and Strangers
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-4
Some translate the words of Jesus here in verse 2 as "dwelling places" instead of rooms and some may say "mansion", but basically it seems to mean that Jesus was telling his disciples that they would one day once again dwell with him. This place that Jesus would create for them was especially made for them. Jesus was telling them after telling Peter that he could not follow him at this time (John 13:36). In fact, he told Peter that he would deny he even knew him (John 13:38).
A commentary from Dr.Lightfoot, suggests that Numbers 10:33 was symbolic of this period of time when the ark of God went before the people for three days to seek out a resting place for them. I think that is an interesting interpretation since much of the Old Testament foreshadows the New, but I am not sure if I agree or not. Jesus did not seek out a resting place, but rather prepared. This resting place we will all know just as the disciples did. It is interesting to think about what it will look like? What will Jesus look like? What will it feel like to finally be free from the presence of sin and death and pain? What will it be like to know that fullness of fellowship with God that we cannot experience here on earth? Will we wonder at our surroundings at all or be caught up solely on the presence of God?
Early believers and even early American believers understood the idea that as christians were are foreigners on this earth. I had an experience where I did not even leave the U.S. once and felt like a foreigner. I was to meet our youth at a swim park in downtown Houston. As I was driving up near the park, I noticed for several blocks all the signs changed to Korean. All the people in the community were Korean or at least Asian. I thought to myself that I had driven so far I literally drove out of the country! It is a little disorienting being in a foreign land where all the signs and customs are not ones you are use to. Likewise, the Bible states that this is not our home as believers. We are not to love the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17)because they are passing away. But, rather our hope and home is in heaven, reserved for you. This may be why at times some believers feel "homesick" for a time when God will wipe away every tear and death will no longer exist.
This reminds me of the passage in Hebrews 11 about the heros of faith. "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised, they only saws them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13-16, NIV
Some translate the words of Jesus here in verse 2 as "dwelling places" instead of rooms and some may say "mansion", but basically it seems to mean that Jesus was telling his disciples that they would one day once again dwell with him. This place that Jesus would create for them was especially made for them. Jesus was telling them after telling Peter that he could not follow him at this time (John 13:36). In fact, he told Peter that he would deny he even knew him (John 13:38).
A commentary from Dr.Lightfoot, suggests that Numbers 10:33 was symbolic of this period of time when the ark of God went before the people for three days to seek out a resting place for them. I think that is an interesting interpretation since much of the Old Testament foreshadows the New, but I am not sure if I agree or not. Jesus did not seek out a resting place, but rather prepared. This resting place we will all know just as the disciples did. It is interesting to think about what it will look like? What will Jesus look like? What will it feel like to finally be free from the presence of sin and death and pain? What will it be like to know that fullness of fellowship with God that we cannot experience here on earth? Will we wonder at our surroundings at all or be caught up solely on the presence of God?
Early believers and even early American believers understood the idea that as christians were are foreigners on this earth. I had an experience where I did not even leave the U.S. once and felt like a foreigner. I was to meet our youth at a swim park in downtown Houston. As I was driving up near the park, I noticed for several blocks all the signs changed to Korean. All the people in the community were Korean or at least Asian. I thought to myself that I had driven so far I literally drove out of the country! It is a little disorienting being in a foreign land where all the signs and customs are not ones you are use to. Likewise, the Bible states that this is not our home as believers. We are not to love the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17)because they are passing away. But, rather our hope and home is in heaven, reserved for you. This may be why at times some believers feel "homesick" for a time when God will wipe away every tear and death will no longer exist.
This reminds me of the passage in Hebrews 11 about the heros of faith. "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised, they only saws them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13-16, NIV
Thursday, May 13, 2010
What God Hates
"Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished more severely." Mark 12:38-40 NIV
Jesus seemed to save his most condemning words not for the harlots or tax collectors, but for a group of people collectively called the "teachers of the law" this included the Pharisees and the religious leaders of the Jewish people. In looking at what he condemned them for, I have broken this down into three main areas
The first issue is pride- it seemed they really wanted to be first. They wanted to have a place of honor at the ceremonies of their day. From what I have seen, many religious leaders are still like this. They want to be acknowledged at conferences or in their associations or parishes as being important. The Bible warns repeatedly that this kind of pride is one of the worst of all possible sins. (See Proverbs 8:13, 11:13 and 16:18)
I was talking with a client today about some past pains and issues that she has. She commented that she did not want to make the same mistakes again. While it is noble not to want to make mistakes, I commented to her that I noticed no nail scars in her hands. Since that is not the case and she is not perfect, she will continue to make mistakes. It is part of being human to sometimes do and say stupid things. We all make mistakes. A prideful person has a difficult times saying things like "I am sorry" or "I was wrong". Or seeing that they may not be quite a bright or smart as they think they are. I told my client that the important thing is not to try and not make any mistakes ever again, but being willing to admit when you do. Being willing to ask for forgiveness. Being willing to say "That was stupid of me, I am sorry." It takes some humility to say you were wrong. A prideful person has a tough time doing that.
The second thing that I see in this passage is greed. Jesus told us that we are to seek the kingdom and His righteousness first and then all these things will be added to you. But, many people, many religious leaders even, get hung up on reaping material things. Jesus tells a story of a man in Luke 12 who was rich. He wanted to tear down the barns that he had to build larger ones, so he could save what he had and enjoy it. But, that very night, in the middle of all his plans, his life was required of him. Jesus warns us "Be on your guard against greed, a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Unfortunately, we cannot take any of it with us.
The third thing is self-righteousness. The Pharisees saw themselves at having arrived and being teachers who did not themselves need to be taught. Jesus told them that he did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Those who are a part of God's kingdom all have this in common, faith in God to save them. In order to have faith in God to save them, you must first realize you are lost. If you don't ever acknowledge your need or have an attitude of self-sufficiency then you will never arrive at a place where you will look up and realize that your redemption is not something you can manufacture yourself. It is a gift of grace from God and not something you deserve.
Jesus seemed to save his most condemning words not for the harlots or tax collectors, but for a group of people collectively called the "teachers of the law" this included the Pharisees and the religious leaders of the Jewish people. In looking at what he condemned them for, I have broken this down into three main areas
The first issue is pride- it seemed they really wanted to be first. They wanted to have a place of honor at the ceremonies of their day. From what I have seen, many religious leaders are still like this. They want to be acknowledged at conferences or in their associations or parishes as being important. The Bible warns repeatedly that this kind of pride is one of the worst of all possible sins. (See Proverbs 8:13, 11:13 and 16:18)
I was talking with a client today about some past pains and issues that she has. She commented that she did not want to make the same mistakes again. While it is noble not to want to make mistakes, I commented to her that I noticed no nail scars in her hands. Since that is not the case and she is not perfect, she will continue to make mistakes. It is part of being human to sometimes do and say stupid things. We all make mistakes. A prideful person has a difficult times saying things like "I am sorry" or "I was wrong". Or seeing that they may not be quite a bright or smart as they think they are. I told my client that the important thing is not to try and not make any mistakes ever again, but being willing to admit when you do. Being willing to ask for forgiveness. Being willing to say "That was stupid of me, I am sorry." It takes some humility to say you were wrong. A prideful person has a tough time doing that.
The second thing that I see in this passage is greed. Jesus told us that we are to seek the kingdom and His righteousness first and then all these things will be added to you. But, many people, many religious leaders even, get hung up on reaping material things. Jesus tells a story of a man in Luke 12 who was rich. He wanted to tear down the barns that he had to build larger ones, so he could save what he had and enjoy it. But, that very night, in the middle of all his plans, his life was required of him. Jesus warns us "Be on your guard against greed, a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Unfortunately, we cannot take any of it with us.
The third thing is self-righteousness. The Pharisees saw themselves at having arrived and being teachers who did not themselves need to be taught. Jesus told them that he did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Those who are a part of God's kingdom all have this in common, faith in God to save them. In order to have faith in God to save them, you must first realize you are lost. If you don't ever acknowledge your need or have an attitude of self-sufficiency then you will never arrive at a place where you will look up and realize that your redemption is not something you can manufacture yourself. It is a gift of grace from God and not something you deserve.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
God With Us
I was reading a passage the other day about how Jesus fell asleep in the boat as the disciples rowed to the other side of the Lake of Galilee. Apparently a storm came up and the disciples were worried that they would perish in this storm. As fishermen, they knew that storms did kill people from time to time. They woke Jesus up and asked if he was not concerned about this. Jesus wakes up, looks around and hushes the storm and it grows still. It says the disciples said, "Who is this that the waves and the wind obey him?"
I was thinking about this passage because I think how like we are to the disciples. We find ourselves in real situations that are dangerous and we wonder why God does not act. We may even say in our prayers, "God, Why are you so quiet?" or "Why don't you act?" It appears that God does not care about our situation or concerns. Our faith is tested and tried. Fortunately, for the disciples, they were able to see that Jesus was near them even though he was asleep. They could go and wake him up and he responded rather quickly when doing so. But, some are no so fortunate.
It reminds me of a young woman who I saw as chaplain one weekend which working as a chaplain intern in Raleigh. This lady had just had twin girls born after only 23 weeks of pregnancy. Their lungs were not fully developed and they died after she gave birth. I know, because it is the habit of the chaplaincy program to bring the babies to the room so the family can see them if they request it while still in the hospital. On that morning, it was my job to go down to the morgue, pick up the babies and take them to the families room. Being a father myself, it was difficult to do. I don't want to be in the morgue in the first place and sure not to pick something up!
My impression of that young lady was that she was emotionally spent. She simply did not have anything left to give. In fact, when the babies were brought to the room she barely looked at them. It was the role of everyone else in the room to get a chance to see them. Here was a time that was suppose to be joyful and it was turned to gloom. She may very well of asked the same question "Why are you sleeping when we are perishing?"
I don't know why things always happen the way they do. But, when I was a child I had the illusion that I lived in a safe world. I thought my parents had all the answers. I thought things always worked in a logic manner. It wasn't until later that I realized that safety is an illusion. Horrible things happen to very good people. People lose their jobs, their insurance, their homes and sometimes children. We don't live in a safe world. We live in a world where even Jesus had to go to the cross and suffer and die. The message of the cross is not just about redemption, but about how God is "with us". God is not subjectively sitting off somewhere with an uncaring attitude unaware of our sufferings. God is the God who came down to take on human flesh, to suffer, to experience thirst, poverty, the feeling that he had "nowhere to lay his head." If this world is not a safe place then God also shared in that suffering, so he can relate to us.
"Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushioin. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?' He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be Still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to the disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Mark 4:38-41
I was thinking about this passage because I think how like we are to the disciples. We find ourselves in real situations that are dangerous and we wonder why God does not act. We may even say in our prayers, "God, Why are you so quiet?" or "Why don't you act?" It appears that God does not care about our situation or concerns. Our faith is tested and tried. Fortunately, for the disciples, they were able to see that Jesus was near them even though he was asleep. They could go and wake him up and he responded rather quickly when doing so. But, some are no so fortunate.
It reminds me of a young woman who I saw as chaplain one weekend which working as a chaplain intern in Raleigh. This lady had just had twin girls born after only 23 weeks of pregnancy. Their lungs were not fully developed and they died after she gave birth. I know, because it is the habit of the chaplaincy program to bring the babies to the room so the family can see them if they request it while still in the hospital. On that morning, it was my job to go down to the morgue, pick up the babies and take them to the families room. Being a father myself, it was difficult to do. I don't want to be in the morgue in the first place and sure not to pick something up!
My impression of that young lady was that she was emotionally spent. She simply did not have anything left to give. In fact, when the babies were brought to the room she barely looked at them. It was the role of everyone else in the room to get a chance to see them. Here was a time that was suppose to be joyful and it was turned to gloom. She may very well of asked the same question "Why are you sleeping when we are perishing?"
I don't know why things always happen the way they do. But, when I was a child I had the illusion that I lived in a safe world. I thought my parents had all the answers. I thought things always worked in a logic manner. It wasn't until later that I realized that safety is an illusion. Horrible things happen to very good people. People lose their jobs, their insurance, their homes and sometimes children. We don't live in a safe world. We live in a world where even Jesus had to go to the cross and suffer and die. The message of the cross is not just about redemption, but about how God is "with us". God is not subjectively sitting off somewhere with an uncaring attitude unaware of our sufferings. God is the God who came down to take on human flesh, to suffer, to experience thirst, poverty, the feeling that he had "nowhere to lay his head." If this world is not a safe place then God also shared in that suffering, so he can relate to us.
"Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushioin. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?' He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be Still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to the disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Mark 4:38-41
Friday, May 7, 2010
Some thoughts about Jesus
Jesus said, "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take up your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Mark 2:10-12
I am using my imagination a little when I looked at verses like this and try and think about what it was like to see Jesus heal a man who was a paralytic like this. I imagine Jesus got tired, thirsty, weakened by the relentless pursuit of the Pharisees and judgment of others on his ministry. There was the constant demand of those sick and those who thought they were well.
I imagine Jesus, looking at the crowd. The Pharisees, the one who should believe him that don't. The hostile glare of their self-righteousness. The bite of their jealous feelings about his success and the attention he got from the crowd that they had never gotten. The crowd, the plan faces of men and women who live around poverty and have no savings. They took the time out to come see him, though the are neglecting fields and animals and jobs to do so. It costs them something to be there, but nobody seems to care. They stand and watch Jesus and are amazed, at his teaching and at his power.
It got to the point at times when the crowd grew that Jesus could hardly find room to sit down. He would ask his disciples for a boat to be ready, so he would have a place to preach from. It also made a handy way to amplify his voice off the waters. These are the same people who followed John the Baptist and heard him preach. Some where baptized by him and now he is in prison. Their hope was in him and now it is in Jesus. But, not all of them are there for Jesus. Some came just to be entertained. It isn't everyday you see someone raise someone from the dead or blast away at the Pharisees. It was entertaining and fulfilling and maybe even you get a free meal out of it. Sounds a little like some churches today doesn't it?
Jesus said from time to time that he knew his own sheep. The fame or glory that he received from the large groups did not go to Jesus' head for one minute. John 2:24 says "But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, but he knew what was in a man." He also knew that despite the crowds, most did not understand his true purposes, nor did his disciples at the time. That is why he often repeated himself that he would suffer, be rejected and die and then be raised up. But, it seems even this was hidden from the disciples until he was raised up. The miracle is that Jesus knew and yet came anyway. He knew that though there would be crowds, only a remnant would remain true. But, he knows his own. He knows those who truly love him and want to follow him. John 10:14-15 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep."
"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 receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God-" John 1:10-12
I am using my imagination a little when I looked at verses like this and try and think about what it was like to see Jesus heal a man who was a paralytic like this. I imagine Jesus got tired, thirsty, weakened by the relentless pursuit of the Pharisees and judgment of others on his ministry. There was the constant demand of those sick and those who thought they were well.
I imagine Jesus, looking at the crowd. The Pharisees, the one who should believe him that don't. The hostile glare of their self-righteousness. The bite of their jealous feelings about his success and the attention he got from the crowd that they had never gotten. The crowd, the plan faces of men and women who live around poverty and have no savings. They took the time out to come see him, though the are neglecting fields and animals and jobs to do so. It costs them something to be there, but nobody seems to care. They stand and watch Jesus and are amazed, at his teaching and at his power.
It got to the point at times when the crowd grew that Jesus could hardly find room to sit down. He would ask his disciples for a boat to be ready, so he would have a place to preach from. It also made a handy way to amplify his voice off the waters. These are the same people who followed John the Baptist and heard him preach. Some where baptized by him and now he is in prison. Their hope was in him and now it is in Jesus. But, not all of them are there for Jesus. Some came just to be entertained. It isn't everyday you see someone raise someone from the dead or blast away at the Pharisees. It was entertaining and fulfilling and maybe even you get a free meal out of it. Sounds a little like some churches today doesn't it?
Jesus said from time to time that he knew his own sheep. The fame or glory that he received from the large groups did not go to Jesus' head for one minute. John 2:24 says "But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, but he knew what was in a man." He also knew that despite the crowds, most did not understand his true purposes, nor did his disciples at the time. That is why he often repeated himself that he would suffer, be rejected and die and then be raised up. But, it seems even this was hidden from the disciples until he was raised up. The miracle is that Jesus knew and yet came anyway. He knew that though there would be crowds, only a remnant would remain true. But, he knows his own. He knows those who truly love him and want to follow him. John 10:14-15 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep."
"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 receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God-" John 1:10-12
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Heart of Worship
I was listening to Michael W.Smith's CD called "Worship" this morning. It really has some beautiful songs on it. The second song on the cd is called "The Heart of Worship". But, the whole cd basically is about worship, prayer and experiencing the presence of God.
The more I read the Bible and particularly the gospel, the more I wish I had lived during the times of Jesus and saw him for myself. I would have loved to have heard him and heard what the disciples did not write down about what He said. I would have loved to have seen Lazarus come out of the tomb. I would have loved to have seen how Jesus related to people in everyday life. Or to have taken a stroll with him around the Sea of Galilee.
So many people want to make things complicated about religion and faith. But, what it really comes down to is your personal relationship with Jesus. We add things on to the gospel sometimes in sermons and books that aren't truly there. Even pictures of Jesus aren't completely accurate. He didn't probably have a long mane of hair. The book of Isaiah describes Jesus as a "man of sorrows" and having no majesty or external beauty that would draw attention to him. I would think though that there wasn't something about the soul and spirit of Jesus that set him apart.
The more I read the Bible and particularly the gospel, the more I wish I had lived during the times of Jesus and saw him for myself. I would have loved to have heard him and heard what the disciples did not write down about what He said. I would have loved to have seen Lazarus come out of the tomb. I would have loved to have seen how Jesus related to people in everyday life. Or to have taken a stroll with him around the Sea of Galilee.
So many people want to make things complicated about religion and faith. But, what it really comes down to is your personal relationship with Jesus. We add things on to the gospel sometimes in sermons and books that aren't truly there. Even pictures of Jesus aren't completely accurate. He didn't probably have a long mane of hair. The book of Isaiah describes Jesus as a "man of sorrows" and having no majesty or external beauty that would draw attention to him. I would think though that there wasn't something about the soul and spirit of Jesus that set him apart.
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