Towards the end of this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam referred to the Beatitudes as signs of the kingdom life. That is, people whose lives reflect the Beatitudes are people who will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Our pastor, in emphasizing the role of peace (see Matthew 5:9) as a catalyst for repairing relationships, gave the following warning: “This is not a time to take risk with position.” It's an especially important warning for those of us who regularly attend church out of routine. We are called to examine ourselves, to know where we are in the faith, to know where we stand on issues of compassion and justice, and to exude peace: being peaceful, peaceable, and peacemakers.
It is an imitation of Jesus, the Prince of Peace who is also the Repairer of the Breach. In this pursuit of peace, our hearts cannot make room for gossip and dissension. If peace is the status quo, then we should expect to see peace evidenced in our relationships. If peace is absent from our relationships, then we cannot claim to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jesus has been urging Bronx Bethany to catch this wave of His passion, which He has poured into our community for months. It is our kairos moment. My prayer is that we will joyfully obey His call.
Lord, make us instruments of Your peace.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
It Feels Like Eternity.
The parables in Luke 15 are an allegory to the kingdom life. One of the interesting aspects of the kingdom life is that it reminds us of the reality of “the already”, though it is “not yet”.
An example of the 'already and not yet' is demonstrated in our day-to-day living. During the sermon, Pastor Sam referenced Matthew 25. The explanation Jesus gives of the sheep and the goats moves beyond the scope of parables, and speaks to our present reality as a harbinger of eternity.
There is a corollary that Jesus gives to us: “As much as you did this to the least... you have done it to Me.” A lack of compassion for the lost is also a lack of compassion for Jesus. Our ignoring the plight of the poor is also our ignoring of Jesus. Apathy in the face of injustice is also apathy in the face of Jesus.
And the harbingers are found not in the dark corners of the world, but in the community where Light is the order of the day. “Lord, didn't we?” It is the spiritually gifted, the leaders, the ones empowered by God to heal and deliver. Though armed with apostolic power, they live in a present reality of disinterest in the rescue process. Luke 15 compels them, as William Booth was constrained in his day, to “go for souls and go for the worst”... but the disinterested manage to flourish in ministry without ever leaving the ninety-nine in pursuit of the wandering one. And, eventually, heaven pours out its recompense. The Savior says, “I never knew you”, and we are banished from His kingdom forever.
So, we are urged to examine ourselves on this side of eternity. The indicator of our position in Christ is not found in our effectiveness in prayer, preaching, music ministry, nor apostolic anointing. It is found in the heart.
Are you really living the kingdom life?
An example of the 'already and not yet' is demonstrated in our day-to-day living. During the sermon, Pastor Sam referenced Matthew 25. The explanation Jesus gives of the sheep and the goats moves beyond the scope of parables, and speaks to our present reality as a harbinger of eternity.
There is a corollary that Jesus gives to us: “As much as you did this to the least... you have done it to Me.” A lack of compassion for the lost is also a lack of compassion for Jesus. Our ignoring the plight of the poor is also our ignoring of Jesus. Apathy in the face of injustice is also apathy in the face of Jesus.
And the harbingers are found not in the dark corners of the world, but in the community where Light is the order of the day. “Lord, didn't we?” It is the spiritually gifted, the leaders, the ones empowered by God to heal and deliver. Though armed with apostolic power, they live in a present reality of disinterest in the rescue process. Luke 15 compels them, as William Booth was constrained in his day, to “go for souls and go for the worst”... but the disinterested manage to flourish in ministry without ever leaving the ninety-nine in pursuit of the wandering one. And, eventually, heaven pours out its recompense. The Savior says, “I never knew you”, and we are banished from His kingdom forever.
So, we are urged to examine ourselves on this side of eternity. The indicator of our position in Christ is not found in our effectiveness in prayer, preaching, music ministry, nor apostolic anointing. It is found in the heart.
Are you really living the kingdom life?
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Love Is For Everyone.
One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, He was being carefully watched. (Luke 14:1)
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear Him. (Luke 15:1)
Some of us are watchers. In Luke chapter 14, we are told that Pharisees and teachers of the law were watching to see whether Jesus would heal a sick man who was at the Pharisee's house. Rather than having compassion on the sick man, and rather than rejoicing at the man's being healed, they harbored contempt in their hearts.
Jesus asked them a question: “If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?” (Luke 15:5) Amazingly, no one answered. They remained silent in the face of being asked to consider two things highly valued in their culture: legacy (having sons) and property (having cattle).
You see this lame man? He's part of My property and part of My legacy. And I have chosen to free him.
Some of us are hearers. Luke chapter 15 begins by showing us Jesus's audience: religious experts, and religious novices. The people classified as “sinners” were positioning themselves to hear from God, and those who were experts complained in their hearts.
To the hearers, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God. And though He spoke in parables, each parable reinforced a concept that the “sinner” can grasp. Lost things can be searched for and found. Wanderers can be brought back home. Prodigals can be restored.
You see this lost soul? He is important to Me. And I have chosen to seek him out and claim Him for My kingdom.
And here we are. Jesus is present, and He has some things to tell us. Will we listen? Or will we just watch?
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear Him. (Luke 15:1)
Some of us are watchers. In Luke chapter 14, we are told that Pharisees and teachers of the law were watching to see whether Jesus would heal a sick man who was at the Pharisee's house. Rather than having compassion on the sick man, and rather than rejoicing at the man's being healed, they harbored contempt in their hearts.
Jesus asked them a question: “If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?” (Luke 15:5) Amazingly, no one answered. They remained silent in the face of being asked to consider two things highly valued in their culture: legacy (having sons) and property (having cattle).
You see this lame man? He's part of My property and part of My legacy. And I have chosen to free him.
Some of us are hearers. Luke chapter 15 begins by showing us Jesus's audience: religious experts, and religious novices. The people classified as “sinners” were positioning themselves to hear from God, and those who were experts complained in their hearts.
To the hearers, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God. And though He spoke in parables, each parable reinforced a concept that the “sinner” can grasp. Lost things can be searched for and found. Wanderers can be brought back home. Prodigals can be restored.
You see this lost soul? He is important to Me. And I have chosen to seek him out and claim Him for My kingdom.
And here we are. Jesus is present, and He has some things to tell us. Will we listen? Or will we just watch?
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Life Of The Party!
In the parables of the lost coin, lost sheep, and lost son, we see that there is a pattern of leaving off from the secure majority in order to focus attention on the one who is lost.
It’s a pattern we Christians sometimes have a problem with. We, like the older brother in Luke 15, respond harshly to the kingdom’s display of extravagant joy over the lost soul who is found and returned to fellowship. We act as if the prodigal has been given special treatment, forgetting that we ourselves also were rescued from the kingdom of darkness and given an inheritance in the kingdom of God.
Or, like the ninety-nine sheep, we may see our shepherd leave us on our own as he pursues the one who has gone wayward. We may want to ask, What about me? Why don’t you ask me how I’m doing?, rather than being grateful for our position in Christ, and being concerned for the fate of our lost brother or sister.
Luke 15 advises us that our response should be in line with the responses of the searchers who found what was lost. Rejoice! Be glad! Celebrate! Follow heaven’s example, where even angels rejoice over a sinner who repents.
Happy Tuesday! Let's celebrate the new souls that will join the kingdom of God today!
It’s a pattern we Christians sometimes have a problem with. We, like the older brother in Luke 15, respond harshly to the kingdom’s display of extravagant joy over the lost soul who is found and returned to fellowship. We act as if the prodigal has been given special treatment, forgetting that we ourselves also were rescued from the kingdom of darkness and given an inheritance in the kingdom of God.
Or, like the ninety-nine sheep, we may see our shepherd leave us on our own as he pursues the one who has gone wayward. We may want to ask, What about me? Why don’t you ask me how I’m doing?, rather than being grateful for our position in Christ, and being concerned for the fate of our lost brother or sister.
Luke 15 advises us that our response should be in line with the responses of the searchers who found what was lost. Rejoice! Be glad! Celebrate! Follow heaven’s example, where even angels rejoice over a sinner who repents.
Happy Tuesday! Let's celebrate the new souls that will join the kingdom of God today!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Life Vest.
This week, we'll take more time to reflect on the kingdom of heaven. The sermon yesterday began with a review of Luke 15. The parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son remind us of how interested God is in redeeming lost people.
What does it mean to make a diligent search? Pastor Sam gave the example of a woman who, while diligently searching for lost money, refused to take time to speak to a neighbor. The urgency of the search took priority over all other things, even the good thing of conversing with a colleague. And, ultimately, the intensity of the search led to an intense joy at having found what was lost.
I'd encourage us all to re-read Luke 15. Though it is a familiar chapter to many Christians, we have an opportunity to allow God to graciously speak to us again by His word. So I hope we'll read it with hearts open to the Holy Spirit.
The kingdom of heaven has a vested interest in the redemption of mankind. What are we vested in?
What does it mean to make a diligent search? Pastor Sam gave the example of a woman who, while diligently searching for lost money, refused to take time to speak to a neighbor. The urgency of the search took priority over all other things, even the good thing of conversing with a colleague. And, ultimately, the intensity of the search led to an intense joy at having found what was lost.
I'd encourage us all to re-read Luke 15. Though it is a familiar chapter to many Christians, we have an opportunity to allow God to graciously speak to us again by His word. So I hope we'll read it with hearts open to the Holy Spirit.
The kingdom of heaven has a vested interest in the redemption of mankind. What are we vested in?
Friday, August 24, 2012
Sipping Alchemic Mixtures.
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. (Romans 1:22-23)
It’s a backwards theology. Instead of men praying “Lord, make me more like You,” their heart-cry is “Lord, I’m going to make You more like me.”
It’s a source of confusion, to Christians and to non-Christian onlookers, when denominations rescind or re-write their code in order to accommodate practices which God has expressly spoken against.
One of the more obvious examples of this occurs in churches and seminaries which ordain practicing lesbians and gays. In the effort to promote civil rights, these institutions have been brought to a point where they must choose to ignore canon in favor of political correctness. This becomes a tricky thing during the transition: ask the Episcopals, whose Book of Common Prayer still indicates that marriage is an office expressed by the union of one man and one woman, but whose current poster child is Gene Robinson, a man who has chosen union with another man.
A less obvious example, though, is the practice of worship itself. In many churches, the service of worship has deteriorated into a sort of concert designed to attract crowds and boost emotions. There is this pattern of spending sixty or ninety minutes on “blessing” the crowd with music and drama. Where is the word of God? Where is the altar call? Where are the prayers? Hasn't God told us to serve Him, and not ourselves?
This may sound like a harsh commentary. However, it is not. It’s simply a small drop of saltwater in a very big ocean. In recalling previous blogs on the subject of Jesus as the only way, the only truth, and the only life, we would be remiss if we didn’t consider His opinion on the subject. And in John 3:16, we are shown that everlasting life is gained through our believing in this Only One. The believing is expressed through our love, and through our service. Put another way, the way we behave is an indication of what we really believe in our hearts.
Pastor Sam used the word dilution to describe the plight of the church, and it’s a great word to use. We have tossed out the biblical revelation of who God is and what God wants, and have replaced it with our own estimation of what we want God to be. Hence the self-serving nature of “worship” services. Hence the radical restructuring of denominational guidelines and by-laws. This has become our golden calf, fashioned by our own hand, to which we sing the songs of Zion as if that calf were God.
Is there a solution for dilution? Well, the Lord knows those who are His. And the Lord knows the intents of our hearts. And the Lord continues to love and woo and warn us… to a point. The solution is to heed the warning, while there is time, and return wholeheartedly to God.
That’s not a difficult formula to follow.
It’s a backwards theology. Instead of men praying “Lord, make me more like You,” their heart-cry is “Lord, I’m going to make You more like me.”
It’s a source of confusion, to Christians and to non-Christian onlookers, when denominations rescind or re-write their code in order to accommodate practices which God has expressly spoken against.
One of the more obvious examples of this occurs in churches and seminaries which ordain practicing lesbians and gays. In the effort to promote civil rights, these institutions have been brought to a point where they must choose to ignore canon in favor of political correctness. This becomes a tricky thing during the transition: ask the Episcopals, whose Book of Common Prayer still indicates that marriage is an office expressed by the union of one man and one woman, but whose current poster child is Gene Robinson, a man who has chosen union with another man.
A less obvious example, though, is the practice of worship itself. In many churches, the service of worship has deteriorated into a sort of concert designed to attract crowds and boost emotions. There is this pattern of spending sixty or ninety minutes on “blessing” the crowd with music and drama. Where is the word of God? Where is the altar call? Where are the prayers? Hasn't God told us to serve Him, and not ourselves?
This may sound like a harsh commentary. However, it is not. It’s simply a small drop of saltwater in a very big ocean. In recalling previous blogs on the subject of Jesus as the only way, the only truth, and the only life, we would be remiss if we didn’t consider His opinion on the subject. And in John 3:16, we are shown that everlasting life is gained through our believing in this Only One. The believing is expressed through our love, and through our service. Put another way, the way we behave is an indication of what we really believe in our hearts.
Pastor Sam used the word dilution to describe the plight of the church, and it’s a great word to use. We have tossed out the biblical revelation of who God is and what God wants, and have replaced it with our own estimation of what we want God to be. Hence the self-serving nature of “worship” services. Hence the radical restructuring of denominational guidelines and by-laws. This has become our golden calf, fashioned by our own hand, to which we sing the songs of Zion as if that calf were God.
Is there a solution for dilution? Well, the Lord knows those who are His. And the Lord knows the intents of our hearts. And the Lord continues to love and woo and warn us… to a point. The solution is to heed the warning, while there is time, and return wholeheartedly to God.
That’s not a difficult formula to follow.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Stabbing At Maples.
The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’. (Psalm 14:1)
This past Sunday, Pastor Sam brought out an important aspect of this verse. The denial of God is not something that the fool says with his lips: rather, it is something asserted in his heart, the seat of his emotions and will.
How do we know what someone really believes? By the way they act. The actions of man are, at their core, an expression of the beliefs and intents of his heart.
Early in the sermon, we were reminded that we cannot love the world and love God simultaneously. Why? Because the world will sap away our possibility of loving God. And our pastor’s use of the word “sap” is apropos. In the process of creating maple syrup, a tap is placed into a maple tree. The sap from the tree slowly drips into a container placed below the tap, and eventually enough sap is collected for bottles of syrup to be packaged and shipped all over the world. But it’s a slow process.
In like manner, the world saps away our love for God over an extended period of time. The process begins slowly: a barely perceptible series of decisions that show where our heart really is. So we enter the church building, but we never actually attend the service because we’re “busy” having tea in the kitchen, or chatting it up in the hallway with a friend. We dutifully read our Bible, but because it is duty and not passion we fail to meditate upon what we’ve read, and the words do not transform us. We trade in the hard work of prayer for the easy work of watching television. Instead of speaking life and salvation into the nations, our day is absorbed in talking and texting and trysts. But, because we have walked into Bronx Bethany’s doors, we think we’re all right.
Guess what? We are not all right. And this is not my personal indictment. It is what the Bible warns us to avoid: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These things absorb the time, passion, and desire that God wants us to pour into Him and His kingdom.
What can we do? Well, we can spend more time with the Lord. Converse with Him. Meditate on His word and consider implications it holds for us as believers. Review the sermon notes from last Sunday and capture insights we may have missed the first time around. Ignore the calls of the world, which will always draw us away from our Lord.
Pastor Sam shared a truth that may help us as we assess our standing in Christ: “Worship is mediated internally, but expressed externally”, and the expression is not through the music, nor even through one’s physical presence in a church building. It is expressed through our day-to-day activities, the true reflection of the state of our hearts.
“Take the world, but give me Jesus.” Lord, help us to love you exclusively.
This past Sunday, Pastor Sam brought out an important aspect of this verse. The denial of God is not something that the fool says with his lips: rather, it is something asserted in his heart, the seat of his emotions and will.
How do we know what someone really believes? By the way they act. The actions of man are, at their core, an expression of the beliefs and intents of his heart.
Early in the sermon, we were reminded that we cannot love the world and love God simultaneously. Why? Because the world will sap away our possibility of loving God. And our pastor’s use of the word “sap” is apropos. In the process of creating maple syrup, a tap is placed into a maple tree. The sap from the tree slowly drips into a container placed below the tap, and eventually enough sap is collected for bottles of syrup to be packaged and shipped all over the world. But it’s a slow process.
In like manner, the world saps away our love for God over an extended period of time. The process begins slowly: a barely perceptible series of decisions that show where our heart really is. So we enter the church building, but we never actually attend the service because we’re “busy” having tea in the kitchen, or chatting it up in the hallway with a friend. We dutifully read our Bible, but because it is duty and not passion we fail to meditate upon what we’ve read, and the words do not transform us. We trade in the hard work of prayer for the easy work of watching television. Instead of speaking life and salvation into the nations, our day is absorbed in talking and texting and trysts. But, because we have walked into Bronx Bethany’s doors, we think we’re all right.
Guess what? We are not all right. And this is not my personal indictment. It is what the Bible warns us to avoid: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These things absorb the time, passion, and desire that God wants us to pour into Him and His kingdom.
What can we do? Well, we can spend more time with the Lord. Converse with Him. Meditate on His word and consider implications it holds for us as believers. Review the sermon notes from last Sunday and capture insights we may have missed the first time around. Ignore the calls of the world, which will always draw us away from our Lord.
Pastor Sam shared a truth that may help us as we assess our standing in Christ: “Worship is mediated internally, but expressed externally”, and the expression is not through the music, nor even through one’s physical presence in a church building. It is expressed through our day-to-day activities, the true reflection of the state of our hearts.
“Take the world, but give me Jesus.” Lord, help us to love you exclusively.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Say it Again, Man.
A discussion of division in the heart of the believer would be incomplete without mentioning Judas Iscariot.
Over the few years I've been blogging, this Judas seems to have gained a regular spot in the rotation. Each time I think the Judas thing is done with, he comes around again. Who, or what, was Judas? He was a believer in Jesus. He was a bonafide participant in ministry, performing signs and wonders along with the other disciples. He was a gifted administrator, trusted to handle the financial aspects of Jesus's ministry.
But, like Solomon, Judas had a divided heart. Judas followed after Jesus, and Judas followed after money. The love of money drove Judas to sell out his Lord for thirty pieces of silver.
During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam summed up Judas's fate: in the attempt to simultaneously hang on to Jesus and hang on to money, Judas lost everything. The Scripture is true: “No man can serve two masters.” (See Matthew 6:24)
Why does God keep reminding Bronx Bethany of Judas?
I have a theory, which may be wrong, but here it is. Judas Iscariot was a person, but he is also representative of a spiritual attitude. The Judas Iscariot attitude is built on a faulty logic that goes something like this:
As a member of the body of Christ, I have spiritual gifts given to me by the Holy Spirit.
Because I have these spiritual gifts, I can bless the church even though I am sinful.
Because I am a blessing to the church, and my gifts have not been removed, my spiritual gifts are a sufficient covering for my sinfulness.
Since my gifts are a sufficient covering for my sinfulness, there's no need for me to ever repent.
There is a comment made by Peter, which we see early in the book of Acts: “Concerning Judas... he was a full participant in the ministry.” (See Acts 1:15-17) If Jesus did not remove Judas from ministry, that should be a clue to us that full participation in ministry is not a sign of righteousness. It is not a sign that we love Jesus exclusively. And it is not a sign that God is condoning our sinfulness.
The call to repentance has gone out again. Will we plead to Christ for forgiveness? Or do we think we're doing fine with our balancing act of spiritual power and sinful practices?
Judas's sad life warns us again. Let's take heed.
Over the few years I've been blogging, this Judas seems to have gained a regular spot in the rotation. Each time I think the Judas thing is done with, he comes around again. Who, or what, was Judas? He was a believer in Jesus. He was a bonafide participant in ministry, performing signs and wonders along with the other disciples. He was a gifted administrator, trusted to handle the financial aspects of Jesus's ministry.
But, like Solomon, Judas had a divided heart. Judas followed after Jesus, and Judas followed after money. The love of money drove Judas to sell out his Lord for thirty pieces of silver.
During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam summed up Judas's fate: in the attempt to simultaneously hang on to Jesus and hang on to money, Judas lost everything. The Scripture is true: “No man can serve two masters.” (See Matthew 6:24)
Why does God keep reminding Bronx Bethany of Judas?
I have a theory, which may be wrong, but here it is. Judas Iscariot was a person, but he is also representative of a spiritual attitude. The Judas Iscariot attitude is built on a faulty logic that goes something like this:
As a member of the body of Christ, I have spiritual gifts given to me by the Holy Spirit.
Because I have these spiritual gifts, I can bless the church even though I am sinful.
Because I am a blessing to the church, and my gifts have not been removed, my spiritual gifts are a sufficient covering for my sinfulness.
Since my gifts are a sufficient covering for my sinfulness, there's no need for me to ever repent.
There is a comment made by Peter, which we see early in the book of Acts: “Concerning Judas... he was a full participant in the ministry.” (See Acts 1:15-17) If Jesus did not remove Judas from ministry, that should be a clue to us that full participation in ministry is not a sign of righteousness. It is not a sign that we love Jesus exclusively. And it is not a sign that God is condoning our sinfulness.
The call to repentance has gone out again. Will we plead to Christ for forgiveness? Or do we think we're doing fine with our balancing act of spiritual power and sinful practices?
Judas's sad life warns us again. Let's take heed.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Solomon, Ashtoreth, and Molek.
During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam shared a very scary analogy concerning God's assessment of division in worship.
It is the analogy of a man who, being away from home, bought his wife flowers as an indicator of how much he missed her while away. However, the reality is that the man intentionally left home in order to spend time with a mistress. The flowers were a fraudulent offering, because the man's heart was not exclusively devoted to his wife.
In Scripture, we see that King Solomon was a prime example of a man with a divided heart. This division was evident spiritually and physically. Solomon divided his attention between a thousand women whom he kept as wives and concubines. These women, in turn, caused Solomon to divide his attention between the worship of God and the worship of idols.
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done. (First Kings 11:1-6)
“As Solomon grew old... Solomon did evil”. There seems to have been, over a period of years, a process in which Solomon drifted away from his devotion to God. Solomon never had a moment where he made a declaration of rejection of God. Rather, he added to his life another set of “gods” in violation of God's command to love Him exclusively. And God identified Solomon as one who did evil in His eyes.
Our God is a jealous God. And, just as He gave His best for us out of love, He expects that we will reciprocate. If we give anything less, our worship of Him becomes as fraudulent an offering as that of the man who buys gifts for his wife while continuing an affair.
How ironic that Solomon, whom God gifted with a wealth of wisdom, suffered from such a poverty of soul. And how sad that Solomon's error spans the ages, as Christians compromise their faith by worshiping God on Sunday morning and someone else on Sunday afternoon. If you are in that category, the Lord urges you to repent now.
We are called to full devotion;
No other lover but You, dear Lord,
No other thing will take Your place.
Capture each heart, strength, mind, emotion!
Saturate us in Your matchless grace.
It is the analogy of a man who, being away from home, bought his wife flowers as an indicator of how much he missed her while away. However, the reality is that the man intentionally left home in order to spend time with a mistress. The flowers were a fraudulent offering, because the man's heart was not exclusively devoted to his wife.
In Scripture, we see that King Solomon was a prime example of a man with a divided heart. This division was evident spiritually and physically. Solomon divided his attention between a thousand women whom he kept as wives and concubines. These women, in turn, caused Solomon to divide his attention between the worship of God and the worship of idols.
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done. (First Kings 11:1-6)
“As Solomon grew old... Solomon did evil”. There seems to have been, over a period of years, a process in which Solomon drifted away from his devotion to God. Solomon never had a moment where he made a declaration of rejection of God. Rather, he added to his life another set of “gods” in violation of God's command to love Him exclusively. And God identified Solomon as one who did evil in His eyes.
Our God is a jealous God. And, just as He gave His best for us out of love, He expects that we will reciprocate. If we give anything less, our worship of Him becomes as fraudulent an offering as that of the man who buys gifts for his wife while continuing an affair.
How ironic that Solomon, whom God gifted with a wealth of wisdom, suffered from such a poverty of soul. And how sad that Solomon's error spans the ages, as Christians compromise their faith by worshiping God on Sunday morning and someone else on Sunday afternoon. If you are in that category, the Lord urges you to repent now.
We are called to full devotion;
No other lover but You, dear Lord,
No other thing will take Your place.
Capture each heart, strength, mind, emotion!
Saturate us in Your matchless grace.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Surface-to-Air Missile.
God loves Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene.
I am convinced of that love because of Scripture. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…”. Because we are included in the world, we are included in His love.
In addition to the scriptural evidence, we also experience God’s love through His rhema word to us from week to week. Our pastors and guest speakers consistently bring the word of God to us our community, and we are constantly encouraged to draw ever nearer to the One who loves us.
From time to time, Bronx Bethany becomes the recipient of an unmistakable warning from the Lord. And that, too, is evidence of God’s love for us. He sends His word, like a guided missile, to reach us at the core of our being and to shake us out of our complacency and complicity.
In yesterday’s service, we received an unmistakable warning: Destroy the idols.
Pastor Sam shared a revelatory word from God which challenged us to re-think the way we understand Scripture. And as we read the canon from Genesis through Revelation, we can see God’s concern for how we love Him, and for how we demonstrate His love to others.
If we, created with the capacity to love exhaustively, do not love God exclusively, then we leave the door of our heart wide open for the sin of idolatry to be manifested. Pastor Sam pointed to the historical books (Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles) as examples: kings of Israel were judged based not on their war records or economic innovation, but on their devotion to God.
So as we go through this week, we’ll take another look at what God has said concerning love, obedience, and idolatry. For today, let’s close with a few cautionary verses from First John chapter 2.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever. (First John 2:15-17)
I am convinced of that love because of Scripture. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…”. Because we are included in the world, we are included in His love.
In addition to the scriptural evidence, we also experience God’s love through His rhema word to us from week to week. Our pastors and guest speakers consistently bring the word of God to us our community, and we are constantly encouraged to draw ever nearer to the One who loves us.
From time to time, Bronx Bethany becomes the recipient of an unmistakable warning from the Lord. And that, too, is evidence of God’s love for us. He sends His word, like a guided missile, to reach us at the core of our being and to shake us out of our complacency and complicity.
In yesterday’s service, we received an unmistakable warning: Destroy the idols.
Pastor Sam shared a revelatory word from God which challenged us to re-think the way we understand Scripture. And as we read the canon from Genesis through Revelation, we can see God’s concern for how we love Him, and for how we demonstrate His love to others.
If we, created with the capacity to love exhaustively, do not love God exclusively, then we leave the door of our heart wide open for the sin of idolatry to be manifested. Pastor Sam pointed to the historical books (Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles) as examples: kings of Israel were judged based not on their war records or economic innovation, but on their devotion to God.
So as we go through this week, we’ll take another look at what God has said concerning love, obedience, and idolatry. For today, let’s close with a few cautionary verses from First John chapter 2.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever. (First John 2:15-17)
Friday, August 17, 2012
Stop Staring At Me.
During this past Sunday's pastoral prayer, Pastor Sam made a prophetic appeal: "Stop looking at other people."
The Lord has warned us to not focus on the faults of others. Even as we engage in the ministry of salvation and deliverance, we must take heed to the counsel of God spoken through the apostle Paul: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
Further, the Lord has warned us not to focus on the futures of others. We see the account of Peter: after Jesus gave Peter a prophetic word concerning the end of his life, Peter responded by asking for information on the disciple John. Jesus's response, in essence, was to tell Peter to mind his own business. "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (John 21:22)
This is a potentially virulent issue at Bronx Bethany. Though we are not a large church, we are a church with plenty of high-profile congregants to look at. As was said some years ago, every row could be a church board. It's tempting to watch other people, critiquing their spiritual walk and/or ministry track, instead of seeking God about our own standing with Him.
So God has graciously spoken to us, again. Let's take heed to His loving rebuke. Let's keep our gaze on Him.
O happy day that fixed my choice on Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice, and tell its raptures all abroad.
'Tis done, the great transaction's done-- I am my Lord's and He is mine;
He drew me and I followed on, charmed to confess the voice divine.
Now rest, my long-divided heart, fixed on this blissful center, rest;
Nor ever from thy Lord depart, with Him of every good possessed.
High heaven, that heard the solemn vow, that vow renewed shall daily hear,
Till in life's latest hour I bow, and bless in death a bond so dear. (P. Doddridge)
The Lord has warned us to not focus on the faults of others. Even as we engage in the ministry of salvation and deliverance, we must take heed to the counsel of God spoken through the apostle Paul: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
Further, the Lord has warned us not to focus on the futures of others. We see the account of Peter: after Jesus gave Peter a prophetic word concerning the end of his life, Peter responded by asking for information on the disciple John. Jesus's response, in essence, was to tell Peter to mind his own business. "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (John 21:22)
This is a potentially virulent issue at Bronx Bethany. Though we are not a large church, we are a church with plenty of high-profile congregants to look at. As was said some years ago, every row could be a church board. It's tempting to watch other people, critiquing their spiritual walk and/or ministry track, instead of seeking God about our own standing with Him.
So God has graciously spoken to us, again. Let's take heed to His loving rebuke. Let's keep our gaze on Him.
O happy day that fixed my choice on Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice, and tell its raptures all abroad.
'Tis done, the great transaction's done-- I am my Lord's and He is mine;
He drew me and I followed on, charmed to confess the voice divine.
Now rest, my long-divided heart, fixed on this blissful center, rest;
Nor ever from thy Lord depart, with Him of every good possessed.
High heaven, that heard the solemn vow, that vow renewed shall daily hear,
Till in life's latest hour I bow, and bless in death a bond so dear. (P. Doddridge)
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Rest. Stop.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Our guest speaker, Jo Ann Richards, compressed these verses into a simple invitation: “Just come and rest.”
The above verses become more profound when considered in the light of Luke 1:37, which we reflected on yesterday. Our Lord God, for whom nothing is impossible, invites us to live as He lives. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.” What can we learn from Him? How to love; how to forgive; how to serve; how to pray; how to speak in faith; how to respond to critics; how to stay focused on tasks. Because nothing is impossible with God, it is possible for us to bear the yoke our Teacher places upon us.
The voice of the apostle Paul speaks in agreement. Our light and momentary afflictions are not to be compared to the glory we will experience (Second Corinthians 4:17); God's grace is sufficient for us (Second Corinthians 12:9); we are called to put on the full armor of God, clothing ourselves in key aspects of His character (Ephesians 6:11-20).
So in the face of afflictions, we bear the yoke and experience rest. The heavy load of the world is counterbalanced by the light burden of submission to Christ. How amazing that the light burden consumes our attention! The struggles of life seem so insignificant as we look in the face and eyes and body of Jesus. The Lover of our souls, the One who has won our hearts, pours a rest into our spirits that defies logic.
World of woe, watch us rest in spite of you. We have chosen to carry a better burden.
Our guest speaker, Jo Ann Richards, compressed these verses into a simple invitation: “Just come and rest.”
The above verses become more profound when considered in the light of Luke 1:37, which we reflected on yesterday. Our Lord God, for whom nothing is impossible, invites us to live as He lives. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.” What can we learn from Him? How to love; how to forgive; how to serve; how to pray; how to speak in faith; how to respond to critics; how to stay focused on tasks. Because nothing is impossible with God, it is possible for us to bear the yoke our Teacher places upon us.
The voice of the apostle Paul speaks in agreement. Our light and momentary afflictions are not to be compared to the glory we will experience (Second Corinthians 4:17); God's grace is sufficient for us (Second Corinthians 12:9); we are called to put on the full armor of God, clothing ourselves in key aspects of His character (Ephesians 6:11-20).
So in the face of afflictions, we bear the yoke and experience rest. The heavy load of the world is counterbalanced by the light burden of submission to Christ. How amazing that the light burden consumes our attention! The struggles of life seem so insignificant as we look in the face and eyes and body of Jesus. The Lover of our souls, the One who has won our hearts, pours a rest into our spirits that defies logic.
World of woe, watch us rest in spite of you. We have chosen to carry a better burden.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Believing Is Seeing.
“What God has said will be accomplished in Jesus’s name.” – Jo Ann Richards, ethnomusicologist
The third folk song shared by Ms. Richards during last Sunday’s message was based on Luke 1:37: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
The Luke passage appears in the context of an announcement that morphed into an explanation. The angel Gabriel had informed Mary that she would be the bearer of the Christ, then addressed her confusion by explaining the process by which the Holy Spirit would cause a virgin to conceive. Gabriel then gave Mary a profound example of God’s power: “Your cousin Elisabeth has conceived a son in her old age” (see Luke 1:36).
Our God has the power to override biology.
Ms. Richards, in introducing the folk song, mentioned two accounts from the book of Daniel. She first mentioned the account of Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den. In the midst of King Darius experiencing his own distress at the edict he’d signed, the pagan king makes an incredible statement of faith: “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16). The next morning, Daniel confirmed Darius’s statement of faith: “My God has sent his angel and hath shut the lions’ mouths” (see Daniel 6:22).
Our God has the power to override instinctive behaviors.
The second account mentioned by Ms. Richards was of the friends of Daniel (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) being thrown into a furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. Their punishment for not obeying the king was preceded by their own statement of faith: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (see Daniel 3:17). Their statement of faith was confirmed by the king, who testified of their deliverance: “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (See Daniel 3:25).
Our God has the power to override the laws of physics and physiology.
Guess what? Our God also has the power to override speech and language, denominational politics and posturing, plants and trees, time and space, and anything else we might think of. He does this not on a whim, but to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfectly turned toward Him (see Second Chronicles 16:9).
Is your heart perfect towards our God and King? Then trust Him to deliver you. Have faith and believe.
The third folk song shared by Ms. Richards during last Sunday’s message was based on Luke 1:37: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
The Luke passage appears in the context of an announcement that morphed into an explanation. The angel Gabriel had informed Mary that she would be the bearer of the Christ, then addressed her confusion by explaining the process by which the Holy Spirit would cause a virgin to conceive. Gabriel then gave Mary a profound example of God’s power: “Your cousin Elisabeth has conceived a son in her old age” (see Luke 1:36).
Our God has the power to override biology.
Ms. Richards, in introducing the folk song, mentioned two accounts from the book of Daniel. She first mentioned the account of Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den. In the midst of King Darius experiencing his own distress at the edict he’d signed, the pagan king makes an incredible statement of faith: “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16). The next morning, Daniel confirmed Darius’s statement of faith: “My God has sent his angel and hath shut the lions’ mouths” (see Daniel 6:22).
Our God has the power to override instinctive behaviors.
The second account mentioned by Ms. Richards was of the friends of Daniel (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) being thrown into a furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. Their punishment for not obeying the king was preceded by their own statement of faith: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (see Daniel 3:17). Their statement of faith was confirmed by the king, who testified of their deliverance: “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (See Daniel 3:25).
Our God has the power to override the laws of physics and physiology.
Guess what? Our God also has the power to override speech and language, denominational politics and posturing, plants and trees, time and space, and anything else we might think of. He does this not on a whim, but to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfectly turned toward Him (see Second Chronicles 16:9).
Is your heart perfect towards our God and King? Then trust Him to deliver you. Have faith and believe.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Reservations.
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
After Jesus invites Himself to dinner at the home of the tax collector Zacchaeus, the man makes two promises to Him: first, to care for the poor; and second, to make restitution to the households from which Zacchaeus had wrongfully taken assets.
It is perhaps appropriate that ethnomusicologist Jo Ann Richards used this verse in one of her folk song compositions. Like Zacchaeus, the music industry has a history of pulling artistic resources from the poor and marginalized. And, also like Zacchaeus, the industry has many persons who, though well off financially, are lost spiritually and relationally.
The response of the Lord Jesus is not to ignore sinners, but to call them to repentance. The criticism of the crowd, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner” (see Luke 19:7), did not deter Jesus from being a transformative influence in the life of Zacchaeus.
Is there an unsaved person in your circle of influence who “wants to see who Jesus is” (see Luke 19:3)? If God has opened the door, I encourage you to ignore the crowd's criticisms. Seek to bring deliverance to those who, though rich by the world's standards, have recognized that they are spiritually impoverished. They, like us, need to be saved.
Would you be like Jesus? Then seek and save the lost.
Dark, indeed, the past has been, Nothing but thy blood can save me;
Yet in mercy take me in, Nothing but thy blood can save me.
No! No! Nothing do I bring,
But by faith I’m clinging to thy cross, O Lamb of God!
Nothing but thy blood can save me. (Richard Slater)
After Jesus invites Himself to dinner at the home of the tax collector Zacchaeus, the man makes two promises to Him: first, to care for the poor; and second, to make restitution to the households from which Zacchaeus had wrongfully taken assets.
It is perhaps appropriate that ethnomusicologist Jo Ann Richards used this verse in one of her folk song compositions. Like Zacchaeus, the music industry has a history of pulling artistic resources from the poor and marginalized. And, also like Zacchaeus, the industry has many persons who, though well off financially, are lost spiritually and relationally.
The response of the Lord Jesus is not to ignore sinners, but to call them to repentance. The criticism of the crowd, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner” (see Luke 19:7), did not deter Jesus from being a transformative influence in the life of Zacchaeus.
Is there an unsaved person in your circle of influence who “wants to see who Jesus is” (see Luke 19:3)? If God has opened the door, I encourage you to ignore the crowd's criticisms. Seek to bring deliverance to those who, though rich by the world's standards, have recognized that they are spiritually impoverished. They, like us, need to be saved.
Would you be like Jesus? Then seek and save the lost.
Dark, indeed, the past has been, Nothing but thy blood can save me;
Yet in mercy take me in, Nothing but thy blood can save me.
No! No! Nothing do I bring,
But by faith I’m clinging to thy cross, O Lamb of God!
Nothing but thy blood can save me. (Richard Slater)
Monday, August 13, 2012
Gold? Standard.
On Sunday our guest speaker was ethnomusicologist Jo Ann Richards. She presented several songs that she composed in the style of traditional Jamaican folk music. The texts of these songs were reflective of various Scripture verses.
The first song she presented was an echo of last week's sermon: John 14:6-- Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Sister Jo Ann gave an interesting theory, in light of this verse, concerning the belief that streets in heaven are paved with gold. She posited that the streets are paved with gold not because of the value of the gold, but because the value of Jesus far exceeds any other. If Jesus is indeed all we need, then of what value is gold? It is simply another common thing. It is no longer worthy of being fashioned into jewelry, nor is it worthy of being a standard for currency. It can be trampled upon without a second thought, because Jesus is our all in all.
I pray that He is everything to you.
Jesus, give us grace to love You with a love that will make the things of this earth "grow strangely dim." We long to see Your Glory.
The first song she presented was an echo of last week's sermon: John 14:6-- Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Sister Jo Ann gave an interesting theory, in light of this verse, concerning the belief that streets in heaven are paved with gold. She posited that the streets are paved with gold not because of the value of the gold, but because the value of Jesus far exceeds any other. If Jesus is indeed all we need, then of what value is gold? It is simply another common thing. It is no longer worthy of being fashioned into jewelry, nor is it worthy of being a standard for currency. It can be trampled upon without a second thought, because Jesus is our all in all.
I pray that He is everything to you.
Jesus, give us grace to love You with a love that will make the things of this earth "grow strangely dim." We long to see Your Glory.
Friday, August 10, 2012
You Are The One I Praise...
As was said this past Sunday by our pastor, Jesus has been “accorded a place in society as a great man.” The secular world seems enamored enough with His parables, His teachings, His miracles.
But this same Jesus has made some claims about Himself. He's not just another "great man". He is God. He is Lord. And He loves us! And He is jealous for us! And we have no other entrance into Glory, except through Him.
Some questions:
Do we love Jesus, and extol Him above all else?
Is our love for Him expressed in our obedience to His commands?
Have we given Jesus exclusive rule over our lives?
Let's continue to worship the Lord Jesus, Savior of our souls.
But this same Jesus has made some claims about Himself. He's not just another "great man". He is God. He is Lord. And He loves us! And He is jealous for us! And we have no other entrance into Glory, except through Him.
Some questions:
Do we love Jesus, and extol Him above all else?
Is our love for Him expressed in our obedience to His commands?
Have we given Jesus exclusive rule over our lives?
Let's continue to worship the Lord Jesus, Savior of our souls.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
I Can't Recant.
During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam spoke about the differences between empirical evidence and forensic evidence. He reminded us of the statements of Thomas, who said he would not accept his fellow disciples' testimony of having seen the resurrected Christ.
What did Thomas want? Empirical evidence. “Unless I see the wounds from the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the wounds from the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it!” (John 20:25) In an incredibly gracious gesture, Jesus obliged him. “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe." (John 20:27)
But the commendation of God is not gained from our demand for empirical evidence. If we have heard and know the word of God, we can't say things like "Well if God didn't want me to go to that place, then He would have prevented my car from working." See Thomas? He had walked with Jesus for the three years of His earthly ministry, and yet his demand for empirical evidence was evaluated by Jesus as unbelief. If we base our Christian walk on empirical evidence, we will bear the same rebuke.
There is a better proof of the truth of Jesus's claims: Forensic evidence. The testimony of witnesses through the ages who, in faith, took hold of the word of God and never let go. Hebrews chapter 11 lists some of the horrible deaths experienced by Christian martyrs. These men and women, convinced of the deity of Christ Jesus, chose to die rather than to recant their faith.
From then to now, we Christians are called to live by what we believe. But if we "have to see it to believe it", then where is the role of faith, which Scripture tells us is "the evidence of things not seen"?
Lord Jesus, help us to believe what You have said concerning Yourself. Help us to reject the urge for empirical data. We crave Your commendation, which is earned by belief and obedience. Give us grace to receive You by faith. Give us courage, by Your Spirit's power, to be witnesses of Your grace to the world.
What did Thomas want? Empirical evidence. “Unless I see the wounds from the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the wounds from the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it!” (John 20:25) In an incredibly gracious gesture, Jesus obliged him. “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe." (John 20:27)
But the commendation of God is not gained from our demand for empirical evidence. If we have heard and know the word of God, we can't say things like "Well if God didn't want me to go to that place, then He would have prevented my car from working." See Thomas? He had walked with Jesus for the three years of His earthly ministry, and yet his demand for empirical evidence was evaluated by Jesus as unbelief. If we base our Christian walk on empirical evidence, we will bear the same rebuke.
There is a better proof of the truth of Jesus's claims: Forensic evidence. The testimony of witnesses through the ages who, in faith, took hold of the word of God and never let go. Hebrews chapter 11 lists some of the horrible deaths experienced by Christian martyrs. These men and women, convinced of the deity of Christ Jesus, chose to die rather than to recant their faith.
From then to now, we Christians are called to live by what we believe. But if we "have to see it to believe it", then where is the role of faith, which Scripture tells us is "the evidence of things not seen"?
Lord Jesus, help us to believe what You have said concerning Yourself. Help us to reject the urge for empirical data. We crave Your commendation, which is earned by belief and obedience. Give us grace to receive You by faith. Give us courage, by Your Spirit's power, to be witnesses of Your grace to the world.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Know-And-Tell.
In John 3:16 the verse begins, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son”. Jesus’s entrance into the earthly realm as an infant went largely unnoticed by the majority of people in that time. (see Matthew chapters 1 and 2.) But God went beyond Bethlehem and informed, through nature, a small group of wise men from the East. “We have seen His star and have come to worship Him,” (see Matthew 2:1-2). God loved the world, and the Magi showed up as a proof of His love. It was as if God said, Yes, I will speak to these wise men in a language they understand. Their culture speaks of a star announcing the birth of the King of the Jews, and I have given them the sign they were seeking.
About thirty years later, as we see in John 14:6, Jesus announced His deity in a geographical location that touches the world. This time, it is not announced to the sages through astronomy. Instead, it is shared through a common lingua franca. As Pastor Sam shared, all lands known at that time were able to communicate for the purposes of trade. And, all trade routes had to pass through Jerusalem. By confirming His deity during His time in Jerusalem, Jesus positioned His word to be shared throughout the known world.
And this is why He can say “no one comes to the Father except by Me.” He is the conduit. Africa, Asia, Australia, Americas... all must reckon with a tiny strip of land in Palestine, where Jesus made His claim as the Only option for mankind.
Do you know Him? Tell the world.
About thirty years later, as we see in John 14:6, Jesus announced His deity in a geographical location that touches the world. This time, it is not announced to the sages through astronomy. Instead, it is shared through a common lingua franca. As Pastor Sam shared, all lands known at that time were able to communicate for the purposes of trade. And, all trade routes had to pass through Jerusalem. By confirming His deity during His time in Jerusalem, Jesus positioned His word to be shared throughout the known world.
And this is why He can say “no one comes to the Father except by Me.” He is the conduit. Africa, Asia, Australia, Americas... all must reckon with a tiny strip of land in Palestine, where Jesus made His claim as the Only option for mankind.
Do you know Him? Tell the world.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Unigenite...
Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
On this past Sunday, Pastor Sam carefully unpacked this single verse. And it is good to be careful when unpacking verses like this, because verses like this have the potential to explode. As he said, and I paraphrase here, the above verse is a dangerous one to quote in the twenty-first century because it carries an exclusionary, exclusive tone. But there it is, in the canon, so we have to deal with it.
For anyone who is Christian, this reality of “the way, the truth, the life” is at the core of our faith. And it is Jesus- not Pastor Sam, not the denomination, not our personal opinion, but Jesus Himself- it is He who says, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 carries the echo of John 3:16, another verse that speaks of the exclusive nature and status of Jesus. As “only begotten Son” (see John 3:16) He is identified as unique, one-of-a-kind, with no other option available. He is the Only One. In the same manner, Jesus informs us in John 14:6 that He is the Only Way, the Only Truth, the Only Life. There is no other option available.
So, in light of this, we can never say “Jesus and…”. It’s not Jesus and Mommy, nor Jesus and Buddha, nor Jesus and Mary, nor Jesus and the Pastor (the uppercase “P” is deliberate, as an indicator of those who in fact deify their pastors). It’s only Jesus. Exclusionary and exclusive, because no one else can do what He does for us.
Who else has been crucified for our sins? Who else has made a way for our salvation? Who else is seated at the right hand of the Father? Who else can say, “If you have known me, you will know my Father too” (see John 14:7)?
Jesus, the Only Unique.
On this past Sunday, Pastor Sam carefully unpacked this single verse. And it is good to be careful when unpacking verses like this, because verses like this have the potential to explode. As he said, and I paraphrase here, the above verse is a dangerous one to quote in the twenty-first century because it carries an exclusionary, exclusive tone. But there it is, in the canon, so we have to deal with it.
For anyone who is Christian, this reality of “the way, the truth, the life” is at the core of our faith. And it is Jesus- not Pastor Sam, not the denomination, not our personal opinion, but Jesus Himself- it is He who says, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 carries the echo of John 3:16, another verse that speaks of the exclusive nature and status of Jesus. As “only begotten Son” (see John 3:16) He is identified as unique, one-of-a-kind, with no other option available. He is the Only One. In the same manner, Jesus informs us in John 14:6 that He is the Only Way, the Only Truth, the Only Life. There is no other option available.
So, in light of this, we can never say “Jesus and…”. It’s not Jesus and Mommy, nor Jesus and Buddha, nor Jesus and Mary, nor Jesus and the Pastor (the uppercase “P” is deliberate, as an indicator of those who in fact deify their pastors). It’s only Jesus. Exclusionary and exclusive, because no one else can do what He does for us.
Who else has been crucified for our sins? Who else has made a way for our salvation? Who else is seated at the right hand of the Father? Who else can say, “If you have known me, you will know my Father too” (see John 14:7)?
Jesus, the Only Unique.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Proof Of Purchase.
One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you— by night they are coming to kill you.” But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me. (Nehemiah 6:10-14)
As we near the end of this week, let's walk a bit further into the book of Nehemiah. While Pastor Martha focused her sermon on the early chapters, we read in subsequent chapters that the opposition to Nehemiah's work grew stronger. The more he achieved, the more angry his detractors became.
Taunting didn't work, military threats didn't work, and political threats didn't work. So, Nehemiah's enemies tried a new approach. They paid spiritual leaders to lie to Nehemiah and attempt to turn him away from the work that God had called him to. On the surface, Shemaiah's counsel seemed logical: Nehemiah, you should hide in God's house where it's safe. But Nehemiah maintained his stance, offering the same response he had given to his other enemies: Why should I stop doing what God has called me to do?
It's so important for us to hear from God for ourselves, because our enemies will even seek to use spirituality in an attempt to derail our calling and purpose. The New Testament echoes this tactic: "But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed." (Matthew 27:20)
May God help us all to be readers, hearers, and doers of His word.
May His voice prevail above all others.
May we remain cognizant of the enemy's attempts to derail the work of the Lord.
God, give us grace to obey You and carry out Your will.
As we near the end of this week, let's walk a bit further into the book of Nehemiah. While Pastor Martha focused her sermon on the early chapters, we read in subsequent chapters that the opposition to Nehemiah's work grew stronger. The more he achieved, the more angry his detractors became.
Taunting didn't work, military threats didn't work, and political threats didn't work. So, Nehemiah's enemies tried a new approach. They paid spiritual leaders to lie to Nehemiah and attempt to turn him away from the work that God had called him to. On the surface, Shemaiah's counsel seemed logical: Nehemiah, you should hide in God's house where it's safe. But Nehemiah maintained his stance, offering the same response he had given to his other enemies: Why should I stop doing what God has called me to do?
It's so important for us to hear from God for ourselves, because our enemies will even seek to use spirituality in an attempt to derail our calling and purpose. The New Testament echoes this tactic: "But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed." (Matthew 27:20)
May God help us all to be readers, hearers, and doers of His word.
May His voice prevail above all others.
May we remain cognizant of the enemy's attempts to derail the work of the Lord.
God, give us grace to obey You and carry out Your will.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
"What Has God Said?"
Then I said to them, “You see the problem that we have: Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on! Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.” Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project. But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard all this, they derided us and expressed contempt toward us. They said, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” (Nehemiah 2:17-19)
Ah, it’s all too familiar. God burdens us to pray about a particular issue, His Spirit reveals to us a plan of action, we move forward in obedience… and we are criticized. As the book of Nehemiah progresses, we learn that Sanballat and Tobias were intentional and aggressive in their attempts to prevent the Jerusalem gates and walls from being rebuilt. How did Nehemiah respond? With simple, unassuming persistence. He did not give in to the lies, threats, and negative comments of his critics, but instead persuaded his workers to stay focused and complete the task they’d begun.
Nehemiah’s persistence was grounded in a realization that God had spoken to him clearly and specifically. We would do well to follow Nehemiah’s example. The prayers, intercessions, and fastings brought an awesome result: the intercessor is the one who will move to answer the prayers. We see this modeled in Scripture in the lives of our Lord Jesus, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, Elijah, and others. Each moved forward in obedience to God, each had their critics, and each was integral in God's plan of deliverance for His people through the ages. We are in good company.
Has God spoken? Then act on His word, without fear. He will give you strength to bring the good work into completion.
Ah, it’s all too familiar. God burdens us to pray about a particular issue, His Spirit reveals to us a plan of action, we move forward in obedience… and we are criticized. As the book of Nehemiah progresses, we learn that Sanballat and Tobias were intentional and aggressive in their attempts to prevent the Jerusalem gates and walls from being rebuilt. How did Nehemiah respond? With simple, unassuming persistence. He did not give in to the lies, threats, and negative comments of his critics, but instead persuaded his workers to stay focused and complete the task they’d begun.
Nehemiah’s persistence was grounded in a realization that God had spoken to him clearly and specifically. We would do well to follow Nehemiah’s example. The prayers, intercessions, and fastings brought an awesome result: the intercessor is the one who will move to answer the prayers. We see this modeled in Scripture in the lives of our Lord Jesus, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, Elijah, and others. Each moved forward in obedience to God, each had their critics, and each was integral in God's plan of deliverance for His people through the ages. We are in good company.
Has God spoken? Then act on His word, without fear. He will give you strength to bring the good work into completion.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Quiet Man.
So I came to Jerusalem. When I had been there for three days, I got up during the night, along with a few men who were with me. But I did not tell anyone what my God was putting on my heart to do for Jerusalem… I continued up the valley during the night, inspecting the wall. Then I turned back and came to the Valley Gate, and so returned. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had been doing, for up to this point I had not told any of the Jews or the priests or the nobles or the officials or the rest of the workers. (from Nehemiah 2:11, 12, 15, and 16)
When I had been there for three days…
Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, but there was a three-day gap between his arrival and his survey of the damage done to the city walls and gates. What was he doing? We can infer, based on the first chapter of Nehemiah, that he was in communion with God. And we can say, with assurance, that he was not in conversation with man. In the passage above, Nehemiah shares three things that he did not tell:
-“I did not tell anyone what God was putting on my heart…”
-“The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had been doing…”
-“I had not told any of the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, or the rest of the workers…”
I got up during the night…
Nehemiah approached his task of rebuilding the walls and gates without fanfare. Though a few men accompanied him on his night tour of the city, Nehemiah remained silent: only he knew the task that God had assigned to him, and he did not disclose God’s plan until after his survey of the land was completed.
As Bronx Bethany approaches the last five months of our theme “Engaging Transformational Prayer… Experiencing Transformational Provision”, it is appropriate that we be reminded of the scope of transformational prayer. The book of Nehemiah reminds us that transformational prayer is supported through the related disciplines of mourning, fasting, intercession, silence, watching, and waiting. In the face of devastating news on the home front, what else can we do? What better options are there to obtain God’s blueprint for problem-solving?
Let’s have some quiet time.
When I had been there for three days…
Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, but there was a three-day gap between his arrival and his survey of the damage done to the city walls and gates. What was he doing? We can infer, based on the first chapter of Nehemiah, that he was in communion with God. And we can say, with assurance, that he was not in conversation with man. In the passage above, Nehemiah shares three things that he did not tell:
-“I did not tell anyone what God was putting on my heart…”
-“The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had been doing…”
-“I had not told any of the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, or the rest of the workers…”
I got up during the night…
Nehemiah approached his task of rebuilding the walls and gates without fanfare. Though a few men accompanied him on his night tour of the city, Nehemiah remained silent: only he knew the task that God had assigned to him, and he did not disclose God’s plan until after his survey of the land was completed.
As Bronx Bethany approaches the last five months of our theme “Engaging Transformational Prayer… Experiencing Transformational Provision”, it is appropriate that we be reminded of the scope of transformational prayer. The book of Nehemiah reminds us that transformational prayer is supported through the related disciplines of mourning, fasting, intercession, silence, watching, and waiting. In the face of devastating news on the home front, what else can we do? What better options are there to obtain God’s blueprint for problem-solving?
Let’s have some quiet time.