Today, let's consider one of the men Pastor Richie spoke of during his sermon.
In Hebrews 11:5, the writer tells us that Enoch was translated: that is, he did not die a physical death. He walked so closely with God, and was so pleasing to God, that God opted to skip natural law and allow Enoch to enter His glorious presence without having died.
How closely do you walk with God?
Earlier this week, I was reminded of the reality each Christian experiences: Christ, in us. The Lord of the universe chooses to make His dwelling place among us. (That is, if we let Him: He won't force Himself upon us.)
So, if the power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in me (see Romans 8:5-11), then what sort of life do I live? How do I approach the crises and challenges that come my way? What is my response when God speaks?
Friends, we have nothing to be afraid of. God loves us, and when He asks us to receive His word by faith we can trust Him. It really is that simple. Have faith in God.
Give in a spirit of trusting faith.
Love in a spirit of trusting faith.
Yes, God, I can take You at Your word. It's not just a line from a song, it's the way I live my life in You.
See you online next week, my friends.
Showing posts with label Hebrews 11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hebrews 11. Show all posts
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Get "IF" Out Of Me!
Today, let's step back and take a "big-picture" look at the chapter Pastor Richie preached from this past Sunday.
Hebrews 11, which we sometimes refer to as 'the faith chapter', is filled with examples of men and women who demonstrated their faith. That is, they heard what God said and they believed Him. If I can take this a little further, they believed Him in the face of no tangible evidence available to corroborate what God had said. And, if I might even step out a bit farther with this, some lived and died believing Him, even though they never saw the answer with their own eyes. How does the writer say it? "These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise..." (Hebrews 11:39).
One of the dangers we face is that we sometimes equate faith with rescue, or conquest, or deliverance; something like "If I have faith I will get what I want, I won't get hurt, I will experience ease and peace." But the Hebrews passage is built on the promise of God, not our personal gain. God speaks and we agree with what He has said. So, for example, Noah and his household went into the ark. My guess is that it was not easy to build, and that it was not easy to endure the months of waiting for the waters to recede. But Noah didn't give God a clause or a rider. Noah just said yes to the command of God.
How many times have we said "if" to God?
'God, if you would just fill my husband with Your Spirit.' 'God, if you could just wait until my daughter finishes high school, then I'll do what You asked.' 'God, if You could preserve my reputation: I don't want to be ridiculed.'
And then we come into service and sing "Yes, Lord, completely yes...". Do we really mean yes? Is it a complete yes, or a conditional yes?
Friends, let's not play games. Time is too short. If you are one of those who's only embraced Christianity for what you can get out of it, may I implore you to consider instead what God can get out of you? Your love? Your loyalty? Your obedience? Your willingness to suffer for the sake of His name?
Lord, forgive us for those times our lips have sung 'yes', but our hearts did not speak 'yes'. We repent, and from now on we promise to speak the truth with our lips and in our hearts. Please help us, by Your Spirit, to agree with You by faith. In Jesus's name, Amen.
Hebrews 11, which we sometimes refer to as 'the faith chapter', is filled with examples of men and women who demonstrated their faith. That is, they heard what God said and they believed Him. If I can take this a little further, they believed Him in the face of no tangible evidence available to corroborate what God had said. And, if I might even step out a bit farther with this, some lived and died believing Him, even though they never saw the answer with their own eyes. How does the writer say it? "These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise..." (Hebrews 11:39).
One of the dangers we face is that we sometimes equate faith with rescue, or conquest, or deliverance; something like "If I have faith I will get what I want, I won't get hurt, I will experience ease and peace." But the Hebrews passage is built on the promise of God, not our personal gain. God speaks and we agree with what He has said. So, for example, Noah and his household went into the ark. My guess is that it was not easy to build, and that it was not easy to endure the months of waiting for the waters to recede. But Noah didn't give God a clause or a rider. Noah just said yes to the command of God.
How many times have we said "if" to God?
'God, if you would just fill my husband with Your Spirit.' 'God, if you could just wait until my daughter finishes high school, then I'll do what You asked.' 'God, if You could preserve my reputation: I don't want to be ridiculed.'
And then we come into service and sing "Yes, Lord, completely yes...". Do we really mean yes? Is it a complete yes, or a conditional yes?
Friends, let's not play games. Time is too short. If you are one of those who's only embraced Christianity for what you can get out of it, may I implore you to consider instead what God can get out of you? Your love? Your loyalty? Your obedience? Your willingness to suffer for the sake of His name?
Lord, forgive us for those times our lips have sung 'yes', but our hearts did not speak 'yes'. We repent, and from now on we promise to speak the truth with our lips and in our hearts. Please help us, by Your Spirit, to agree with You by faith. In Jesus's name, Amen.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Able Abel.
Let's continue our reflections on this past Sunday's sermon.
Pastor Richie's phrase, "Abel was able...", is something we can think about for ourselves.
Abel was able to offer the best, the first, the most excellent. Of course some of you might be recalling that Pastor Sam mentioned a similar thing back in January. So, if the Spirit of God is speaking to you about your offerings to Him, take note: He is speaking again, and the core of His message has not changed.
God wants your firstfruits, not your leftovers.
God wants an offering that requires sacrifice.
God wants you to consider His mandates as more important than your personal preferences.
God wants you to obey Him.
Friends, what shall we do? Shall we say yes to God at the cost of our own reputation and agenda and comfort, or shall we continue to do our own thing and ask God to bless our weak imitation of His program?
Give Him everything. When you do, He will surprise you with His generosity. We're not talking about money, and we're not talking about "if-I-give-Him-offerings-He'll-give-me-material-stuff". We are speaking of the fulness of the Spirit, the very presence of God, being in You and equipping you to do great works for Him. That is the generosity of God, to pour Himself into us and use us for His glory. That is the great, undeserved, amazing gift we have been given by Him. But, in order to accept that gift, we have to give ourselves fully to Him. Will you do that?
Lord, I know that in myself I have nothing to offer. But, with Your Spirit working in me, You can give me the capacity to do amazing things for You and for the glory of Your name. Please help me to be willing to let go of the things that cannot save me and cannot help me. Please help me to embrace You, Christ, to take up my cross and follow You. You have spoken; I am listening; I will obey You no matter what. I love You. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.
Pastor Richie's phrase, "Abel was able...", is something we can think about for ourselves.
Abel was able to offer the best, the first, the most excellent. Of course some of you might be recalling that Pastor Sam mentioned a similar thing back in January. So, if the Spirit of God is speaking to you about your offerings to Him, take note: He is speaking again, and the core of His message has not changed.
God wants your firstfruits, not your leftovers.
God wants an offering that requires sacrifice.
God wants you to consider His mandates as more important than your personal preferences.
God wants you to obey Him.
Friends, what shall we do? Shall we say yes to God at the cost of our own reputation and agenda and comfort, or shall we continue to do our own thing and ask God to bless our weak imitation of His program?
Give Him everything. When you do, He will surprise you with His generosity. We're not talking about money, and we're not talking about "if-I-give-Him-offerings-He'll-give-me-material-stuff". We are speaking of the fulness of the Spirit, the very presence of God, being in You and equipping you to do great works for Him. That is the generosity of God, to pour Himself into us and use us for His glory. That is the great, undeserved, amazing gift we have been given by Him. But, in order to accept that gift, we have to give ourselves fully to Him. Will you do that?
Lord, I know that in myself I have nothing to offer. But, with Your Spirit working in me, You can give me the capacity to do amazing things for You and for the glory of Your name. Please help me to be willing to let go of the things that cannot save me and cannot help me. Please help me to embrace You, Christ, to take up my cross and follow You. You have spoken; I am listening; I will obey You no matter what. I love You. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Mea Culpa.
This past Sunday, Pastor Richie spoke from the "faith hall of fame" text, Hebrews 11. In our reflections this week we'll consider the examples of Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham. For today, though, let's park at a statement shared by Pastor Richie during his introduction (and I paraphrase here): "The world has relegated faith to anticipation of only personal blessings."
Wow. We are guilty as charged. An evening of "Christian" television programming would certainly imply that it's all about what God can give us. Faith for a house, faith for a husband, faith for a healing. But that's not what the Hebrews 11 passage is pointing at: we instead should demonstrate a faith that indicates our belief in what God has said.
So, what has God said? What is God's agenda? What has God asked you to do?
"Abel, bring your best offering."
"Enoch, walk with Me."
"Noah, build an ark."
"Abraham, leave your homeland."
These men demonstrated their faith in God by obeying His commands.
What about you?
Wow. We are guilty as charged. An evening of "Christian" television programming would certainly imply that it's all about what God can give us. Faith for a house, faith for a husband, faith for a healing. But that's not what the Hebrews 11 passage is pointing at: we instead should demonstrate a faith that indicates our belief in what God has said.
So, what has God said? What is God's agenda? What has God asked you to do?
"Abel, bring your best offering."
"Enoch, walk with Me."
"Noah, build an ark."
"Abraham, leave your homeland."
These men demonstrated their faith in God by obeying His commands.
What about you?