GodMath: Me, Plus Three, Carry The One.

 "His friends: four of them. One of them couldn't manage it." (Pastor Sam)

During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared the account of the paralytic. Let’s revisit the story (Luke 5:17-26), and consider a few points of reflection.

Now it happened that on one of those days, while Jesus was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting nearby (who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem), and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just then some men showed up, carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They were trying to bring him in and place him before Jesus. But since they found no way to carry him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down on the stretcher through the roof tiles right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Then the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their hostile thoughts, he said to them, “Why are you raising objections within yourselves? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralyzed man – “I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher and go home.” Immediately he stood up before them, picked up the stretcher he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all, and they glorified God. They were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen incredible things today.” 

Pastor Sam shared with us that, from time to time, gaining access to the grace of God can be a challenge.

v  The person in need of God’s grace might not have enough spiritual strength to pursue it on his own. Just as the paralytic needed other people to carry him, we may need several people to help us bring one person to God’s throne of grace. Sometimes we work as a team to bring the person to church, and sometimes we work as a team to bring the essence of the church (love, healing, deliverance, etc.) to the person.

v  The person in need of God’s grace might be set back by human obstacles. Sometimes our zeal for protocol and our desire for comfort reveals that we are more interested in process than in people. When we neglect the need of others in order to preserve some sort of physical or cultural status quo, we run the risk of blocking the way to salvation and deliverance.

v  The person in need of God’s grace might be set back by spiritual obstacles. Because the devil holds an interest in keeping hell well populated, he will do anything to prevent people from encountering God. The Lord has said that He is present in community, so it is in our best interest for community to be involved in the redemptive process. It is a powerful thing when a group is able to pray in agreement for the spiritual and physical well-being of an individual.

v  The person in need of God’s grace might be set back by natural/physical obstacles. Just as the paralytic and his friends had to navigate their way through the crowd, we too may find ourselves in positions where being present in community requires us to sit in tightly packed church pews and to navigate through crowds. Though it may be a little uncomfortable and/or inconvenient, our desire is to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to be present and engaged in the corporate worship experience.

Lord Jesus, You know that I am not strong enough to bring my paralyzed friend to You by myself. Please give me courage to ask for the help I need. Please send me friends who are strong in the faith and who are willing to, as our pastor said, “do the heavy lifting” of intercession and practical assistance for the sake of Your great name. 

Some people brought me to You, and I am so grateful that they did! Help me, and the friends you send me, to band together and do the same for someone else.

The Spectacle Of Grace.

During Sunday’s English-language sermons, Pastor Sam referenced the famous (or, perhaps, infamous) pericope adulterae.

Pastor Sam noted that the account of the adulterous woman is one of those passages in the Bible with a "disclaimer" of sorts. Most modern bibles will have the entire passage in brackets, along with a footnote indicating that this passage was probably not part of the earliest manuscripts. But, somewhere along the way, the passage became included in the canon. It is canon for us, this story of a woman scapegoated by religious leadership but rescued by Jesus. And the passage is not so much about her adultery: it is really about the incredible grace of our Lord and Christ, who imparted forgiveness and dignity to a disgraced, hurting soul. Our prayer, of course, is that we will follow His lead and become agents of grace—even in situations where condemnation seems appropriate.

Let’s revisit the passage, found in John 7:53 – 8:11, and reflect on a few points.

And each one departed to his own house. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery.

They made her stand in front of them and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.

Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up straight and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

• The experts in the Law and the Pharisees interrupted Jesus’s teaching and put the woman in front of the audience, making her the center of attention instead of Him. Are we making the mistake of turning people’s attention away from the truths of God in order to highlight the flaws of human beings?
• They brought the adulterous woman into the community of faith to attempt corporate condemnation. How are we relating to persons who, though sinful, have found their way into the community that can offer them new life in Christ?
• Jesus said to the woman, “I do not condemn you… do not sin any more.” Do our words, actions, and body language reflect hearts of compassion, or hearts bent on condemnation?

Lord Jesus, sinless One, uniquely qualified to throw stones, thank You for not stoning us though we deserve it! You have shown us that it is love, not condemnation, which transforms the hearts of men. Give us grace to love… Your grace, Your love, imparted to us and demonstrated through us, for the sake of Your great name. Amen.

"Motions" Sickness.

Though my normal blog posts contain sermon reflections, I was so struck by Pastor Sam's pre-sermon prayer (during Sunday's 7:45 service) that I want us to spend today's post considering what he prayed in those few minutes before the sermon introduction. I think that my motivation to do this might be tinged with a measure of guilt: that is, his prayer touched a tender spot in my heart-- the knowledge of my shortcomings and showboating and failures in ministry work. My instances of falling short, our instances of missing the mark, are nothing to be proud of. But I believe that our pastor's prayer offered an opportunity not just for corporate confession, but also offered keys to move us towards repentance and spiritual growth.

Here is the essence of our shortcomings (acts that require confession and repentance):

• Some of us are "going through the motions" of worship. We aren't really engaged in seeking and practicing the presence of God. We're just running through our church/ministry routines, memorized and perfected over time, but the Spirit of the Lord is not being sought as we worship.
• Some of us are engaged in "mask-wearing". We are hiding behind the veneer of worship arts instead of confessing our shortcomings, sharing our sufferings, and acknowledging our deep need for God. [Please note that when I refer to "worship arts" I mean the community's engagement in worship, not just the engagement of persons tasked with leading worship.]
• Some of us are modeling the behavior of Adam and Eve after the fall. We are present in the garden made by God, but have opted to stop communicating with Him. Instead of running to the One who can truly cover us (epikalupto: Romans 4:8 and Psalm 32:1), we try to cover ourselves.

What is the heart-prayer of the believer?

• We desire not just ritual, but relationship with God in and through Christ Jesus.
• We reject mask-wearing and embrace the risk of transparency before God and man.
• Instead of hiding like Adam and Eve after the fall, we choose to walk in the light of Christ.

Pastor Sam's prayer reminded us that the act of surrendering to God is part of what identifies us as authentic members of a saved community. It is a community that enjoys communion-- the ultimate intimacy with Christ. We give ourselves completely to Him, and He freely works in and through us.

Today, we pray in line with our pastor's prayer: Lord God, burn in us! Shine through us, so that the world will see the reflection of where we have been: we have been with You. 

We are not just going through the motions.

Space (And Time) Invaders!

As we close out our week of reflections on Pastor Joy's sermon, let's consider one last thought (paraphrased here):

God may reveal His plan long before it's fulfilled. The waiting time is a purging time, pruning time, and preparation time.

When Pastor Joy gave us this word, I had two immediate internal reactions:

1) Yeah, God revealed some things years ago and I'm still waiting to see them manifested.

2) I don't know how much more pruning I can take; I feel like there's nothing left but stump.

But, as I thought a bit longer, I found myself encouraged. If Joseph endured and overcame not only his sufferings, but also the temptation to take revenge on his persecutors, then I can do the same. So can you.

It's funny. We like to sing "Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary pure and holy, tried and true," but sometimes we get upset if God's prep schedule is longer than we're willing to wait... and we get even more upset if people ruin our lives in the process. But God loves us! His way, which is perfect, is not designed to frustrate us. His word is sent to bolster us and to give us strength to endure, even if our world is turned upside down while we wait for revelation to become fulfillment.

Here's a little project for today:

*Write down the thing(s) that God has promised you that (to date) remain unfulfilled.

*Write down the name(s) of the individual(s) who are actively working against the word(s) that God gave you.

*Forgive the person (or persons), and thank God for working out His perfect will in each of you.

*Wait on the Lord's timing and placement. What He has said, He will do.

Pastor Joy shared, "Absolutely nothing comes to us unless it crosses God's desk." There is such a thing as Divine delay. There is such a thing as ordained opposition. Does it feel good? Of course not. But we can remain hopeful in God; at His appointed time, He will bring His word to pass.

Saints, be encouraged. God will give you His grace to endure the purging, pruning, and preparation.

Engagement Party.

Today, let's reflect on some of the points shared by Pastor Joy (paraphrased here):

• We are not just people who pray; we are people who have a life of prayer.
• The devil is relentless in pursuing us. We must be relentless in pursuing God.
• God overrides our natural inclination towards unforgiveness.
• The closer we are to God, the more empowered we are to pursue holiness and promote healing.

Questions:

*Are we engaged in a life of prayer? (First Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18)
*Do we make the pursuit of God's presence a habit? (Psalm 5:1-8)
*Have we committed ourselves to the demonstration of authentic forgiveness? (Matthew 6:12-15)
*Can we describe ourselves as being a people who draw close to God? (James 4:4-10)

Lord God, may our prayer walk always match up with our prayer talk.

Biting The Hand That Needs You?

Joseph needed the love and support of his family.
Joseph received unhealthy favoritism from his father and jealous rage from his brothers.

Joseph needed a mentor to help him adjust to life as a slave in a strange land.
Joseph received unhealthy attention from an adulterous woman bent on corruption and seduction.

Joseph needed exoneration from false accusation.
Joseph received a prison sentence, and the one man positioned to appeal for Joseph's deliverance forgot about his plight for a full two years.


The story of Joseph is familiar to many of us who have been attending church and/or reading the Bible for a long time. But, God has a way of taking the familiar old words and painting them in new light. Pastor Joy opened our eyes to the level of spiritual maturity resident in the life of this young seventeen year old whose early adulthood was marked by abuse, separation, and hardships imposed by family and society.

Our pastor shared that we pursue intimacy with God regardless of where we are; Joseph was still connected to the Lord even though his circumstances were not good. Joseph certainly evidenced a life of closeness to God. Instead of being angry and bitter, Joseph showed compassion and concern toward the very people who abused him.

What about us? Do we pursue intimacy with God regardless of our station in life? Is our life marked with God-infused holiness, forgiveness, and love? Do we, as Christ instructed, love our enemies and pray for our persecutors?

Loving our haters in our own strength is an impossible task. But with the Spirit of God resident in us, we can easily operate in love... His love.

Lord, fill us with Your Spirit, so that we can authentically forgive and love those who conspire to hurt us.

Rejecting Bitterness... Embracing Holiness.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Joy shared with us that holiness is not self-imposed; it is God-infused.

When we are fully committed to developing a growing relationship with God, then we have the privilege of experiencing His presence and peace no matter where we are.  Our private communion with Him is evidenced in the way we live. Our pastor noted that Christians whose prayers are sporadic are powerless and miserable: they are saved, but they are sick.

In the life of Joseph, we see that his relationship with God empowered him to live a life of holiness and compassion. Joseph’s choice to embrace God-infused holiness was not dependent on his circumstance: as a slave, as a prisoner, and as second in command to Pharaoh, Joseph’s connection to God remained constant.

v  “I won’t sin against God by doing such a terrible thing.” (Genesis 39:9b)

v  “I cannot do this on my own; it is God who gives the power to interpret dreams.” (Genesis 40:8b and 41:16)

v  “You sold me into Egypt, but God sent me here to save lives.” (Genesis 45:5)

v  “I live in the fear of God. You meant to harm me, but God has made it turn out for the best and all these people are saved. Don’t be afraid.” (Genesis 50:20-21a)

Though Joseph’s life was hard and unfair, he did not give in to bitterness. Instead, he found his peace in God. Are we able to rest in God, even though our circumstances are horrible?

Lord, give us grace to be in constant communion with You, even when we are disowned, downcast, and disenfranchised. We reject the seeds of bitterness and embrace Your holiness.

Some Pray. Some Prey.

In Genesis 39 we have the account of Joseph's brief tenure in the house of Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. It is in this chapter that we read of Joseph's challenges with Potiphar's wife. After repeatedly failing to seduce Joseph, she eventually lied to her servants and her husband, falsely accusing Joseph of attempted rape. Her story was believed. Joseph, the seventeen year old slave purchased by Potiphar, was imprisoned. He was not released from prison until he was thirty years old.

Pastor Joy accurately described Potiphar's wife as a wicked woman. And, for some strange reason, several congregants found Pastor Joy's description to be funny. They laughed out loud.

What is funny about sexual harassment?
What is funny about an older adult attempting to seduce a minor?
What is funny about persons in power falsely accusing the disenfranchised and voiceless?
What is funny about wickedness?

Why the laughter?

At the beginning of the sermon our pastor gave a brief summary of the spectrum of Christianity (from spiritual infancy through spiritual maturity). And, interestingly, her summary may hold the explanation as to the immature reaction of the laughing congregants. They laughed because they are spiritual infants. Guess what? We really can't be angry at persons who exhibit immature behavior. It's the nature of immaturity. Spiritual infants, like physical infants, need time and training to grow up.

The distinction between the mature and immature Christian is never chronological. The spectrum is spiritual, and the evidence is behavioral.

The immature pursue wickedness while the mature pursue holiness.

The mature understand the importance of integrity and obedience to God while the immature relentlessly press for self-indulgence and temporal pleasure.

But there's more to consider. Pastor Joy noted that some in the community of faith have been "Christian" for decades, yet are exhibiting the traits of spiritual infancy. They are old chronologically speaking, but are still babies spiritually speaking. This gives us cause for deep concern. Why? Because, in effect, the "decades-old infant" is a type of Potiphar's wife-- a source of inappropriate thoughts and actions, a destroyer of the weak-minded, and an agent in support of Satan's agenda-- equipped with position and power. That is scary.

"As Potiphar's wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or to even be in the same room with her." (Genesis 39:10)

Pastor Joy asked a question that we must ask ourselves: "Where are we on the spectrum from spiritual infancy to spiritual adulthood?"

Are you praying? Or are you preying?

You Send Pain... I Maintain.

Pastor Joy was our speaker for this past weekend's English-language services. Her sermon, titled "PRAYER: The Power To Pursue Holiness And Promote Healing", provided insights on the role of prayer in the life of Joseph.

Our pastor shared with us that Joseph lived a life of God-infused holiness. In a decades-long experience of hardships and betrayals, he remained steadfast in his decision to walk in obedience to God. His ability to endure hardships, forgive betrayers, and live peaceably was not gained in his own strength, but was gained because he maintained a close relationship with God.

The life of Joseph is recorded starting in Genesis chapter 37, then continues from chapters 39 through 50. I would encourage us to make the effort to read through these chapters, making note of Joseph's crisis moments, his response to each crisis, and the incredible favor of God in his life.

Today, let us take encouragement in Joseph's testimony:

"You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that He could save all these people, as He is now doing." (Genesis 50:20)

Dear Lord, thank You for Joseph's enduring example of how to conduct ourselves in the face of crisis. We are pleased to learn of You through him.

Done!

Pastor Andy's reference to Cory Booker's speech at the Global Leadership Summit had many of us leaving the church repeating a two-word directive: "Do something!"

...but what?

As we wrap up our week of reflections on Pastor Andy's sermon (based on Matthew 9:35-38), let's consider four things he shared that we can do:

We demonstrate God's love in the way we build relationships.
We are called to never abandon our connection to Christ Jesus.
We model the love of God by modeling the holiness of God.
We lead the way in providing leadership to the vulnerable.

As our pastor shared, there is a process we undergo when we "do something". We pray and trust God to equip us for the work He has birthed in us. And, for those of us who are not yet sure of what that "something" is, we trust God to show us what He wants us to do.

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truths, and teach me: for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

Read It And Reap.

Jesus called His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits so they could cast them out and heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. (Matthew 10:1)

"He called the twelve disciples. Now He's calling us." -Pastor Andy

As Pastor Andy spoke on Matthew 9:35-38, he said, "Make sure you're in before you go out." In other words, we don't engage in ministry endeavors unless we have full assurance of God's presence in (and His call on) our lives. Our pastor was not speaking randomly. In Matthew 10 we have a clear account of the rules of engagement for calling and for harvest protocol, and that process begins with the knowledge of having been called by Christ to show His love to the world.

I conducted a small pilot study with 25 lay leaders back in 2008. Of the 23 persons who completed the study, 11 of them were not engaged in any form of Bible study. Yesterday morning, I heard on a radio show that someone else had done a large-scale research study which showed that 41 percent of Christians do not read Scripture on a regular basis. My prayer is that we all will develop an increasing desire for reading Scripture. After all, how can we live out God's agenda if we never look at the blueprint He provided?

What a shame it would be if we failed to read Chapter Ten of Matthew, which contains the ultimate case study in evangelism.

Here are ten key points from Chapter Ten:

• Jesus calls twelve disciples by name and gives them apostolic authority.
• He instructs them concerning where they should travel and what their sermon topic should be.
• He urges them to engage in healing and deliverance ministry.
• He tells them to not carry money or extra clothes, because their needs will be provided for as they work.
• He speaks to them about how to find suitable lodging and how to exit unsuitable lodging.
• He instructs them in depth concerning how to conduct themselves in an atmosphere of persecution.
• He warns them of what will happen, and at the same time encourages them to not be afraid.
• He tells them that faithfulness in ministry is non-negotiable.
• He instructs them concerning evangelism and family conflict. 
• He reminds them that they, as disciples, are an extension of His love and action in the world.

I pray that today we'll find time to read the whole chapter. It might be helpful to begin reading from the end of Matthew 9 (Pastor Andy's text), then continuing from there. [You can link here to read from Matthew 9:35 through Matthew 10:42.]

Pastor Andy's quote bears repeating. "Make sure you're in before you go out."

Lord, give us grace and assurance to know that we are called-- and equipped-- to work the harvest. Amen.

This Is How We Work It.

Ask the Lord of the harvest to thrust out workers into His harvest. (Matthew 9:38)

Today, let's consider another point Pastor Andy shared in regard to Matthew 9:38:

"The problem is not the harvest: it's the workers. We should pray for God to show us how to work the harvest."

Our pastor gave the analogy of sugar cane harvesting in two different countries. In one of the countries, fires are set as part of the harvest protocol (in order to kill snakes and scorpions). The other country does not set fires, because snakes and scorpions are not native to that region. Harvest protocol is never generic. It is specific to the crop, the region, the weather, and other factors.

The same principle holds true for the Lord's harvest. As we reflect on the call of Christ Jesus to attend to His harvest, we are fully dependent on His instructions concerning how to engage the harvest protocol. The Lord knows the spiritual landscape of this earth, and the Lord reveals specific strategies for each of His workers. Appealing to the Lord of the harvest is a much more effective church development strategy than, for instance, the "it-worked-for-Joe's-church-so-let's-try-it-out-here" approach.

Our God knows everything. We can ask Him anything. Let's make a practice of doing just that.

Lord, show us how to work Your harvest protocol here, in the field where You have placed us. Amen.

Do You Know What This Church Needs?

Ask the Lord of the harvest to thrust out workers into His harvest. (Matthew 9:38)

Pastor Andy said a number of profound things during his sermons this past weekend. Let's consider a quote from his message shared during The Key (Bronx Bethany's Saturday night service):

"Pray to the Lord of the harvest. Why pray? Because the world is complex and lives are intertwined."

We pray to the Lord because He knows what to do.
We pray to the Lord because He knows the nuances of each harvest field.
We pray to the Lord because He can untangle every complication.

Our pastor shared an example of his own challenges in a previous church. As he and members of his congregation prayed to the Lord of the harvest, the Lord instructed them to initiate events that were ultra-radical for the time and setting. Services were cancelled. Off-site events were developed. Their efforts reaped a harvest... and their efforts revealed the "tares among the wheat" (see Matthew 13:24-30), opening opportunities for the spiritual landscape to be cleared so that authentic healing could occur.

Not everyone is interested in launching God's church development plan, particularly when the plan requires stepping out of the box and doing things that have never been done before. There is a stronghold named "Tradition", and it dies hard. Are you praying, as the Lord instructed, "God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven"?  He just might tell you that His will requires a sacrifice of the familiar.

My dear husband Leon, from time to time, prays a short and necessary prayer: "Lord, deliver us from routine. Surprise us."

Amen. That is what we need, and that is what God does. Bronx Bethany, keep praying.

"Every Kind" Means Every Kind.

Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. (Matthew 9:35)

Bronx Bethany's ministry theme is Pursuing Holiness... Promoting Healing. It is the desire of our church to be found in agreement with what Christ Jesus did while He walked the earth. In keeping with that desire, let's consider a few points.

1. Sometimes, staying in step with God's program requires that we disappoint persons who enter our doors with some other agenda. Though you might see an occasional bus trip, we are not a "bus trip" church. Though you might see an occasional bake sale, we are not a "bake sale" church. We are a church that will encourage you to develop your spiritual self. Read. Study. Learn. Pray. And in this process of spiritual development, our hope is that the learning is not selfish. We want it to be a means by which you'll be better equipped to share Christ in your sphere of influence.

2. There is the temptation to trade teaching, preaching, and healing for some more lucrative venture. There is no problem with having concerts, doing seminars, or selling cupcakes, as long as these things are not the main thing. The main thing, as the Lord has reiterated through His word and through several of our pastors, is the person and work of Jesus made real in our time. So we teach, we preach, and we serve as healing agents. If we do nothing else, we do these three things.

3. How do we heal "every kind of disease and every kind of sickness"? Pastor Andy gave specific examples of the role of healing ministry in the life of the Christian. This ministry is grounded in the work of prayer and fasting, and is sustained in authentic relationship with Christ. (See Matthew 17:14-21 and Acts 19:11-17) Acts 19:12 shows us that there are both physical and spiritual sources of sickness. As Nazarenes, we believe that God has no problem with His children asking for sick people to be healed. So we ask.

4. To the oft-asked question "What if we pray and God says no?", Scripture helps us with the example of David and Bathsheba's first child, who died despite David's efforts to procure healing through fasting and prayer (see Second Samuel 12:13-23). As long as there is the chance of life, we pray earnestly. If God says no, then we continue to live in obedience and gratitude for His presence and rulership. We continue to trust God.

Read.
Study.
Learn.
Pray.
Teach.
Preach.
Heal.

In The Bronx, And In The World.

Bronx Bethany is on the move!

This weekend we prayed for our teams of missionaries who will be doing summer ministry at our daughter churches in Colombia. Several members of our pastoral staff will be taking turns traveling with the teams, spending one, two, or four weeks on mission. One of those pastors, Pastor Andy, was our speaker for this past weekend's English-language services.

Pastor Andy spoke on a short passage that reveals the compassionate love of Christ for the people of the world. Tomorrow we will begin reflections on the sermon. For today, let's take time to re-read the verses and consider a few statements.

Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness.When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:35-38)

• God has a three-fold agenda concerning true evangelism: teaching, preaching, and healing.
• True evangelism cannot occur where compassion is absent.
• Prayer is a prerequisite to true evangelism.

God's Word Of Encouragement: Don't Be Afraid.

"You of little faith, why are you so fearful? In these words we must hear all the disappointment of Jesus Christ in His disciples and all His love for them. Do you still not know that you are in God's hands, that where I am, God is? Why are you so fearful? Be of good courage, strong, firm, adult, sure, confident, not shaking with fear. Don't hang your heads; don't complain about what bad times these are... I am in the boat. And Christ is here, too, in the nave of this church. So why not hear Him and believe Him?"

(From "Overcoming Fear", a sermon on Matthew 8:23-27, preached by Dietrich Bonhoeffer January 15, 1933)

NYC/CPT: BBCN/Hope City!

We at Bronx Bethany remain grateful to God for the life and ministry of Reverend David Slinger, his family, and his ministry colleagues. As we wrap up our reflections from Pastor David's sermons last weekend (Genesis 12:1-5), let's remember a few statements he shared (paraphrased here):

• When God speaks, His problem becomes our problem. He calls us to compassion and accountability.
• Are we prepared to do whatever it takes to satisfy God?
• Do we trust God in every endeavor?
• The source of our livelihood is Christ Jesus. 
• The Spirit of God is continually having conversation with us. We are made for His pleasure, not for the pleasure of the church or the pastor or anyone else.
• Whatever God says, we do. He is in control.
• When God says we need to go, we don't go alone. The Triune God goes with us.

Lord, You have called us not only to hear Your word, but to act upon Your word. Give us ears to hear, minds to understand, hearts to obey, hands to work, feet to go where You send us, and grace to endure. Amen.

Consider Abram's Example.

During last week’s Saturday night service, Pastor David shared that God calls us, then He prepares us for His kingdom: it is a call for each of us, not just pastors.

This is a repeated theme in Scripture. Canon records a long parade of ordinary, untrained people called to be prophetic voices in their time. We are surprised at God’s demonstration of favor to men and women we would be inclined to dismiss as unqualified (or undeserving) of His commendation.

And, this is a repeated theme in modern life. God, true to His character, continues to call the ordinary and the untrained to step into His grand plan for the world’s salvation, healing, and deliverance. For those of us who have said yes to Him, we have the constant joy of marveling at His ability to work in and through us.

The call of God experienced by Abram (Genesis 12:1-5) can also be experienced by us: God has called you, and me, to support His agenda. He has promised to train and equip us for His projects. And, amazingly, He then commends us for the work that was only made possible by His presence and power. It’s a sweet deal.

Will you say yes to Him?

Wait. Gain.

Our guest speaker for last weekend, Reverend David Slinger, shared an important thought with us: “When God speaks, then we do.”

In postmodern church culture, we often throw this clause into reverse. We first decide to do a number of projects (without having asked God to help us know what to do), then we ask God to speak a word of approval over the things we have set into motion.

Have we lost the art of listening for the instructing voice of God? Have we lost the desire to wait on Him?

Pastor David noted that it is likely Abram was already familiar with the voice of God. When faced with the instruction to leave his hometown, Abram immediately obeyed and left (Genesis 12:1-5). Canon does not record any sort of debate between Abram and the voice of God. It seems that Abram knew God’s voice well, and was therefore quick to trust and obey His word.

On this side of the cross, some of us are fortunate to have the written word of God readily available. We are able to read what God has said concerning much of our day-to-day living, and therefore we are without excuse in the moments we move without considering what God has already said. We hear God’s voice as we read His word.

In addition to reading, though, we can be hearers of God’s voice by listening for the promptings and direction of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: “When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all that is true. He will not speak of His own will, but he will speak whatever He hears and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13) We hear God’s voice as His Spirit speaks to our hearts.

I am listening to what God is saying! He speaks shalom to His people if they convert to Him wholeheartedly and refuse to relapse into foolishness. (see Psalm 85:8)

Gainfully Employed!

Our guest speaker, Pastor David, shared a thought regarding Genesis 12:1-5 that I’d like us to consider for today:

God saw that Abram had potential. But God moves us beyond just having potential. He wants us to go out and do what He has equipped us to do. It is why He sent us the Paraclete.

Pastor David pointed out the fact that God had options. God could have chosen one of Abram’s siblings. He could have bypassed Abram’s entire clan and chosen some other person or household to carry His agenda. But, God chose Abram, and Abram chose to obey the call. Guess what? God still has options.

God has chosen us. And, like Abram, we have a choice. We can choose to obey, trusting God, or we can choose to do nothing concerning His call on our lives.

God wants us to do something. The curse of the church universal is the practice of maintaining a community and culture of enthusiastic spectators. What was the appeal of Christ? “Pray the Lord of the harvest, that He might send workers.” (see  Luke 10:2)  There is a particular condemnation reserved for the soul who, in the face of being supplied and equipped by God to work, subverts His work by doing nothing (as noted in the parable of the talents).

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? (James 2:14-16)

Lord, hear us as we worship You… see us as we obey You... help us as we work for You.

Pack Your Bags!

What a weekend! The Bronx Bethany community was blessed with a return visit from Reverend David Slinger and his family, who came to us all the way from Cape Town, South Africa. Pastor David was the guest speaker for all four of our weekend services.

Pastor David spoke on a passage that is familiar to many of us: Genesis chapter 12:1-5, in which we find the account of the call of Abram. For today, let us take time to re-read the verses:

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father’s household to the land that I will show you. Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing. I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name.” So Abram left, just as the Lord had told him to do, and Lot went with him. (Now Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran.) And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they left for the land of Canaan. They entered the land of Canaan.

• "Go out from your country... then I will make you into a great nation": Do you think Abram would have received the promise if he had not obeyed God's command to go? Why or why not?
• Is there something the Lord has asked you to go and do? Have you obeyed Him?

Keep Reminding Me Of Who I Am To Be!

Our prayer and the song of our hearts: Lord, make us salt and light for the glory of Your kingdom.

(Photo Credit: flickr.com)

The "Dark-Light" Of The Soul?

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12, New International Version)

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14, New International Version)

"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!"  (Matthew 6:22-23, New Living Translation)

What if the "light" within us is darkness? Can persons be so lost, so far from the plumb line, that they are functioning as children of light when in fact they are lovers of darkness?

Yes. Remember the plea of the condemned soul: "But Lord, didn't we do many mighty works in Your name?" (see Matthew 7:21-23)

Today, let's consider the comments of a few Christian scholars concerning Matthew 6:23... with earnest prayers for the help of God concerning the state of our own souls. Spirit of God, give us grace to hear and obey You!

From Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary (italics mine):

"Worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, [than] under the cloak of a profession of religion... Christ counsels to make our best things the joys and glories of the other world, those things not seen which are eternal, and to place our happiness in them... It is our wisdom to give all diligence to make our title to eternal life sure through Jesus Christ, and to look on all things here below, as not worthy to be compared with it, and to be content with nothing short of it. The worldly man is wrong in his first principle; therefore all his reasonings and actions therefrom must be wrong. It is equally to be applied to false religion; that which is deemed light is thick darkness. This is an awful, but a common case; we should therefore carefully examine our leading principles by the word of God, with earnest prayer for the teaching of his Spirit. A man may do some service to two masters, but he can devote himself to the service of no more than one. God requires the whole heart, and will not share it with the world. He who holds to the world and loves it, must despise God; he who loves God, must give up the friendship of the world." 

From Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible (italics mine):

But if thine eye be evil,.... If thou art of a sordid disposition, of an avaricious temper, if the sin of covetousness prevails over thee,

thy whole body will be full of darkness: thy judgment will be so influenced by that sordid principle, that thou wilt not be able to discern what is agreeable to the law of God, or human reason; what is fitting to be done for thyself, for God, or for thy fellow creatures; all the powers and faculties of thy soul will be enslaved by it, and all be intent upon, and employed in the gratification of it: thy mind will be always sad and sorrowful, harassed and distressed; and thy estate, and condition, will be most miserable and uncomfortable:

if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! as it is in the body, so it is with the mind; as when the eye, the light of the body, is put out by any means, all the members of the body are in entire darkness; so when the light of reason in the mind is so far extinguished by any prevailing iniquity, particularly the sin of covetousness, so that it is wholly influenced and governed by it, what irregular actions is it led into! What deeds of darkness does it perform! and what will be the consequence of it, but utter and eternal darkness, if grace prevent not! 

From the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary (italics mine):

But if thine eye be evil—distempered, or, as we should say, If we have got a bad eye.

thy whole body shall be full of darkness—darkened. As a vitiated eye, or an eye that looks not straight and full at its object, sees nothing as it is, so a mind and heart divided between heaven and earth is all dark.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!—As the conscience is the regulative faculty, and a man's inward purpose, scope, aim in life, determines his character—if these be not simple and heavenward, but distorted and double, what must all the other faculties and principles of our nature be which take their direction and character from these, and what must the whole man and the whole life be but a mass of darkness? 

J.I. Loves J.I.

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, Amplified Bible)

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. (Philippians 3:18, Amplified Bible)

Pastor Martha shared with us about our responsibility to shine as lights in the world. But what do we say about someone like Judas Iscariot? He was empowered to minister the gospel of Christ Jesus. He was a key member of "the core"-- that group of twelve men hand-picked by Jesus to teach, preach, and heal. His ministry was effective and authentic. As the apostle Peter said in Acts 1:17 (Weymouth New Testament), "For Judas was reckoned as one of our number, and a share in this ministry was allotted to him."

And what do we say about the Judas spirit in our own lives and ministries? There are women and men who hold key posts in Christian service, but whose hearts harbor a deep love for self above their love for God. Perhaps we should just say what Peter said: They are one of our number. A share in the ministry has been granted to them. That is the truth. But Peter said something else in Acts chapter 1. He made a brief reference to Psalm 109:8: "Let his days be few, and let another take his office and charge." Such is the consequence for the chronically unrepentant: not administered by us, but by God Himself. (For the full measure of what Peter was saying, read Psalm 109 in its entirety.)

Paul also carried this theme in the book of Philippians. Though that particular letter is famous for Paul's exhortations to be joyful, Paul makes it clear that there are persons whose conduct has broken his heart. Yet, in the letter, Paul does not wallow in sorrow. He instead calls for the people of God to follow after godliness. "I am not perfect, but Christ has taken hold of me! So I keep running towards the prize. I haven't arrived, but I forget the past and move on to what lies ahead... I want you to follow my example and learn from others who closely follow the example we set for you. I warned you that some people are enemies of the cross of Christ; they are headed for hell! They worship their own appetites... all they think about are the things of this world. But we are citizens of heaven, eagerly waiting for our Savior, Christ Jesus." (see Philippians 3:12-20)

We are called to shine as lights in the world. Let us pray prayers of deliverance for those in our ministries who have preferred the darkness of their own comforts over the glorious cross of Christ. And let us pray for ourselves, lest we fall into the same trap.

Christ's Light/My Life.

Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Martha asked us a question (paraphrased here): How can we be "the light of the world" if we continue to embrace actions that block the light from shining?

Matthew 5:15 is clear. Jesus says, "No one would light a lamp and then put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand where it can give light to everyone in the house." Our pastor reminded us that the imagery of lamp and lampstand is reiterated by Jesus in the parable of the lost coin. In that parable, the woman lights a lamp and diligently searches the entire house for the one lost coin. Light shines; light reveals. It is not designed to be hidden, covered, nor smothered.

Pastor Martha shared that there are persons who claim to be Christians, but their Christ-light has been hidden, figuratively speaking, under clay pots. There are clay pots of fear, embarrassment, intimidation, love of sin, avoidance of persecution, and other things that lead a Christian to choose to cover their light and instead reflect (or emit) darkness.

Thankfully, we serve a God of grace and mercy. For those of us who have made an art form of embracing the dominion of darkness, we have an opportunity today to choose to embrace the glorious gospel of Christ Jesus, who is our Light and the Light of the world.

Yes! We are residents of the Great City on the hill: spiritual Zion, where Christ has called us to shine as lights. Lord, we will live as authentic reflections of Your glory. We will not hide Your light.

Salt, Mined.

Today we continue our reflection on Matthew 5:13.

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Martha asked a question (paraphrased here): Are we using the salt we've been given?

Our pastor reminded us of the ministry of Jesus. After His water baptism, He spent 40 days in the wilderness as ministry preparation. Then, He returned into mainstream society with a three-fold ministry focus: teaching, preaching, and healing. That is our example. That is the model we follow. That is our salt.

Pastor Martha also shared that we cannot just remain seated. We are called to go out and proclaim.

There is an old saying in Christendom: You are the only Bible some people will ever read. In a postmodern age where religion is viewed as "take-it-when-I-please-leave-it-when-I-please", we are called to demonstrate consistent, authentic identification with Christ Jesus and the word He has given to us.

In resisting the temptation to respond with lines like "I'm not a pastor, therefore I don't have to teach", a look through the book of Acts will buoy us with the examples of several men and women who, unordained, followed Jesus's three-fold ministry focus. The Holy Spirit is present to empower and instruct the people of God, and it is He who leads us to action: not according to our personal whims, but according to His Divine agenda.

Lord, place us at the center of Your Divine agenda for today. We are present and attentive; we await Your guidance. We crave the empowerment of Your Spirit, so that the world will benefit from our expressions of Your love.

Please, Allow Me.

Salary: from the Latin salarium. Stipend; originally "soldier's allowance for the purchase of salt". (from Etymonline)

You are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13a)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Martha shared with us that the word salary originally referred to salt as a form of pay for Roman soldiers. In essence, the soldiers were rewarded for their labor with a means by which to preserve their families and land.

We who are co-laborers with Christ have been rewarded with a special position of favor and responsibility: we are the salt of the earth. We are the ones called to preserve families and lands. We do this not through our own efforts, but by means of the spiritual gifts that the Spirit of Christ has given to us.

But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. (Matthew 5:13b)

Our designation as the salt of the earth can be lost if we neglect our calling to be a preserving element. Some years ago another of our pastors made the point (paraphrased here) that if we decide to stay clumped with other "salt grains" and never pour ourselves into the lives of people who need our encouragement, prayers, or assistance, then we have failed to be useful in the kingdom of God.

Every morning God is gracious; He gives. Today, He has given us grace and authority to function as salt in the earth. With His help we will be the healing and preserving agents in our homes, workplaces, schools, businesses, and wherever else He chooses to place us.

You are the salt of the earth. Go spend that allowance!

Salt. See?

It is always a joy to experience Fifth Sundays at Bronx Bethany! These are special Sundays when our community engages in worship with simultaneous translation between Spanish and English. Yesterday, Pastor Martha shared with us from Matthew chapter 5.

For today, let's re-read the key verses and consider a few questions:

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

• How does your life show the world that you are "the salt of the earth"?
• Why would someone "light a lamp and put it under a bowl"? 
• Is it easy to perform good deeds for others? Why or why not?