Tag: change

Evangel

Evangel

28 September 2020

Luke 1:68–80; Ephesians 4:7–16

Many years ago, there was campaign against man-caused forest fires. The campaign “starred” a little bear cub that, while burned, survived a man-caused forest fire. The tagline for the campaign was, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”

From a strict understanding, of course, it’s not just you that can prevent forest fires. It’s you and everyone else around whose behavior contributes to the amount of man-caused forest fires. Of course, you can only prevent forest fires when you are the contributor of the originating fire.

That was the beauty of the campaign. Ultimately, it was just you that can prevent forest fires, it was you and your friends and everyone else working together to prevent man-caused forest fires.

What, you may be asking yourself, have to do with Zechariah’s Holy Spirit-driven prophetic speech over an infant John the Baptist? Re-read it, and where it says, “you, child…” say, “me, [your name]…”

Just like the campaign starring Smokey the Bear, it wasn’t just John the Baptist who was called to go before Jesus. Each and every one of us is called to “go before” Jesus in our daily lives.

How that works in each person’s life will, for most, remain a mystery. However, when we live out a faithful life that witnesses to the power, grace, and love of Jesus Christ, we go before Jesus. Once we are asked a why or how question about our lives, then we get to announce Jesus.

You probably never thought of yourself as John the Baptist. That’s probably a good thing, for none of us can be another person, nor did God call us to be that way. We are not called to be John the Baptist.

You are probably not called to eat wild locusts and honey. Nor are you probably called to wear a hairy coat. We are called to follow in the “spirit of” John the Baptist by proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ.

When we think of evangelism, we generally think about sharing Jesus with people who don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Perhaps, however, we are just as called to share Jesus with those in the Body of Christ (the church).

Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the varying roles within the body. The overarching goal is, “…unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son…” He wrote that to Christians.

Our (good) desire to reach people who don’t know Jesus may well have obscured something essential. We need to continue to evangelize (i.e., tell the Good News about Jesus) each other.

※Questions※

1) Where and how do you see yourself evangelizing those that do not yet know Jesus? How about those who already declare they know Jesus?

2) What scares you most evangelizing? Does that fear change depending on whether they are already or not yet believers?

3) What are some ways evangelizing is (or should be) performed within the body of believers?

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, guide our hearts to always be evangelizing one another. Amen.

2020-09-27
Who Is Family?

Psalm 2; Acts 13:32–41; Galatians 4:1–8

I was Luke Skywalker for Halloween. I was attired like he was when we first see him in Star Wars (now re-titled “Episode IV: A New Hope”). Needless to say, I was excited to see The Empire Strikes back a few years later. Then my world was shaken. My hero, Luke Skywalker, had his arm chopped off and Darth Vader (the archetypal bad guy) reveals that he is Luke Skywalker’s father.

(the scene of Luke trying to escape Darth Vader who reaches out his hand and says, “Luke…I am your father…,” and Luke screams, “NO!”)

Granted, Leia was more shocked when she learned that she was Luke Skywalker’s sister and thus also the daughter of Darth Vader, whom she would have been raised to oppose (though I will say that the acting of both Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher left a lot to be desired for that scene).

There are likely many of us who would say they have not had such a revisionist event in their lives. If you were raised in the church from childhood, coming to know Jesus Christ is not the same life-altering experience as it could have been.

This is not the case with all, for some wandered away in their hearts while still showing up in the building and mouthing the words. Others walked out, cursing, drinking, smoking, or whatever other issue that some church person got all offended about. Some of these indeed did have that life-altering experience, which is why they came back to the family of God.

For those, though, whose encounter with Jesus was life-trajectory-altering this glimpse of a truly messed-up family dynamic (from Star Wars) makes sense. While not the seemingly negative change of being identified with the galaxy’s number 2 most evil and hated person, coming to identify oneself as a child of the creator of everything is definitely a change for many.

For those of a more intellectual bent, we can assent to Jesus being Lord and Savior, and even assent to being a child of God. The emotional switch to go from assent to embrace (mind to heart) can be significantly altering.

For those of a more emotional bent, we can have a heart that loves Jesus, and is grateful that he is Lord and Savior. Our hearts will be formed (whether twisted or beautiful) by our family/life history, and the change to embrace the fullness of being a child of God can be almost impossible as our hearts are stuck in their ways (hearts often being harder to change than minds).

The significance of this is that many, even most, of “the church” body may not have had that experience. This makes it hard to reach people for whom this experience will have to happen for them to come and know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Often, all we can do is pray and be ready to be there when their world shifts.

※Questions※

1) Who do you identify with the most, the intellectual, the emotional, or the trajectory-altered? Why?

2) Why is it important to understand how much of a change—just on an emotional and intellectual level—is being “asked” of those who do not yet know, or need to come back and know, Jesus?

3) How does understanding what was a brand-new way of life, thinking, and belong meant to the early church (i.e., in Acts and Galatians) impact or should impact how we in the church today operate and think?

※Prayer※

Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and as children of God the Father, help us to gain and/or never lose the life transformational understanding of what a relationship with you means. Amen.

2020-09-25
Cryptic Inheritor

Genesis 29:16–30; Genesis 49:29–33; Galatians 3:27–29

Having been to many cemeteries over the years, whether in the US or abroad, it can be amazing to see what people do as monuments. A war leader or emperor may have one. Rich and noble families would often have such a monument, collecting the family remains throughout history. It isn’t new, by any stretch. David and many of his descendants were buried near one another.

Abraham may or may not have intended to buy a family burial plot, but it ended up being such for a few generations. What is peculiar about Jacob’s time is that his favorite wife, Rachael, was not buried there. His first wife, Leah, who wasn’t the preferred one, was the one buried there, and where Jacob would be buried alongside.

Family land has been fought over long before Jesus walked the earth. Even today, families fight over land and property fraying (if not destroying) family ties and loyalties. In some places, the national lines that divide governments attempt to divide families, yet instead, the family ties override the national division.

The bitter part of all of this is that people often fight over that which is dead and gone. Other times, their plans (buried with Rachael the favorite) are overridden by circumstances (buried with second best).

All the battles and all the woes are only for a time. As much as an inheritance (even the simple family burial plot) may seem important at the time, it more often magnifies the pettiness of worldly affairs. Dust-to-Dust.

That has long been one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith…this world is not your home. Or, said another way, your true inheritance is not here.

Paul calls out this inheritance as something that crosses blood, and culture, and nation, and class, and gender. This imperishable seed of Abraham is not just something to grasp, it has already been given.

※Questions※

1) When you hear “inheritance” what is the first thing that comes to mind?

2) Why do Christians often fight over earthly inheritance or money when they have the imperishable inheritance?

3) How might a daily reminder of your eternal inheritance change how you interact with others in the world? What can you do to put that reminder front-and-center in your life?

※Prayer※

God, may we keep our eternal home perpetually in mind, along with all those with whom we want to share it. Amen.

2020-09-15
Things Change

Exodus 20:1–6; Numbers 21:4–9; 2 Kings 18:1–4

The Ten Commandments has been a political and religious hot potato for years. There are a number of times various parties have used the Ten Commandments to score political points. There have been those that state that the Ten Commandments are what the Constitution is based on. Some have even made, it seems, a political career about Ten Commandment statues and placements.

Many Christians (cultural and actual) have claimed if we were to just follow the Ten Commandments, we would be fine. Yet, in the case of the statue above, the Ten Commandments seemed to have become more of an idol, rather than a definer of a relationship with God.

In the Ten Commandments, God directs that the Israelites should not create an object of worship that resembles something created. This is so that people are not deceived by stone and wood, and that their hearts pursue the God who creates all and is uncreated.

Something strange happens later. God directs Moses to create the bronze serpent. This is an object made to resemble a created being. Depending on how one interprets the Ten Commandments, this directive violates the Ten Commandments.

The nuance is that the bronze serpent was not meant to be worshiped. It was a symbol of God’s healing, grace, and mercy, and a reminder that the Israelites were reliant upon God. The living serpents were a punishment. The bronze serpent a tool of healing and a symbol of grace and mercy.

However, as many good things do, the good became bad. The symbol of God’s grace, mercy, and healing became the exact kind of object that was prohibited by the Ten Commandments…an object of worship.

There are many good things in the world. Many of them (trees, mountains, animals, etc.) have become objects of worship and have been elevated in human thinking to the level of a god. This perversion of their nature does not make them bad, just as the perversion of the bronze serpent did not make it automatically bad.

The story of the bronze serpent, however, is a morality tale that any God-follower should pay attention to. There are many who appear to hold the Scriptures, the Ten Commandments, the church in a way that is worship. This is where a non-church attender could reasonably say, “I can worship God in the middle of a stream, better than in a building with a whole bunch of hypocrites.”

The moral of the story is that anything that was once good can become bad. Something that once led us to God can become our god instead. Something that used to give us the language to talk about God can become a barrier to share the story of God.

This is a serious matter. It also is not a new issue. One of the gifts that the Reformation gave us (along with many not-so-good things) is the concept of Semper Reformanda, always reforming. In other words, we should always be looking for anything—even the stuff we think is good—that keeps us from or inhibits our relationship with God.

※Questions※

1) What does reform mean to you?

2) What can you think of that is objectively good, but can also inhibit a healthy relationship with God?

3) Why is the story of the bronze serpent important to your life as a follower of Jesus and a member of Christ’s Body on Earth (the church)?

※Prayer※

Heavenly Father, help us to chisel away any hardness or edge or characteristic that prevents us from fully following and worshiping you. Amen.

2020-09-14
Protected

Protected

6 September 2020

Amos 7:10–17; Habakkuk 2:2–17

Critique and criticism sound very similar. They are often confused and misused. That they have the same root certainly doesn’t help. Critique and criticism, however, have different intents.

Critique is a thoughtful analysis of something with pointers provided for improvement. The pointers are intended to perfect one’s craft and are meant for self-improvement by the recipient.

Criticism is often less thoughtful and often a more emotional commentary of something. Unlike critique, the starting point is negative and is less about improving the other and more about lifting up the self.

The harsh words of the prophets were often viewed as criticism. Though there was anger and grief in the words (for God was angry and grieving), the intent was never the destruction of the Israelites or Jews. The intent was always to have them improve by throwing away their false worship and disregard of God.

The harshness came from the constant ignoring that occurred. The Israelites and Jews never seemed to be convinced by gentle and loving words. Before we criticize them, however, we need to critique ourselves.

One of the traits of humanity is the automatic assumption that critique is criticism. This is more a reflection of our own tendencies to criticize rather than critique. This is an important thing to recognize, for this also means we are often not open to improvement.

Our Christian walk is significantly impacted by this, as it means we are not open to even the Holy Spirit guiding us into all Truth, let alone feedback from our faith community. Our progressive sanctification (becoming more holy, or more like God) hinges on the surrendering of our will, and, perhaps more importantly, our ego and super-ego (to use Freud’s terms).

The human tendency is to protect our ego and super-ego. We don’t want to change. We want others to change, but not us. Any change we experience, we want to be without pain.

We all understand intellectually that this is unreasonable while we still seek to protect ourselves. In egotistical self-defense, we will assume that any critique is actually criticism and an attempt to harm us. We can look at social media, normal media, and see that exact behavior played out.

The Israelites were no different. They wanted to grab onto a dream the Jerusalem and the Promised Land were protected spaces and that they would come to no harm. They held onto this despite the surrounding threats.

By sending the prophets, he sought to help them see the error of their ways. Instead, they tell Amos to not prophesy against Israel. Habakkuk announced their egotistical ways and they opposed him.

※Prayer※

Lord Jesus, as we read about the lives of others in the Scriptures, help us to see our own failures in a brighter light than theirs, and guide us into the righteous life with you. Amen.

※Questions※

1) Think of the cultural issues currently surrounding us. Are we really all that different than the Israelites?

2) If the things around are being allowed by God, how should we be viewing them?

3) Thinking of critique and criticism, how can you improve your ability to receive and deliver critique, especially concerning spiritual matters?

2020-09-05
I Said, You Say

Exodus 4:10–17; Matthew 25:14–30

Moses is highly regarded in Jewish circles. As the bringer of the Law, his place in their history is unassailable. The first 5 books of the Bible also being attributed to him also helps.

Moses was (and is) viewed as the greatest prophet from a Jewish perspective. Yet, Moses was human. Moses did human things. Moses had human failings.

In today’s passage, we see that Moses really was trying to avoid his calling. Was he trying to avoid the Pharaoh? Maybe. Was he afraid? Probably. Was he “poor” of speech? Probably.

Moses pleads to escape God’s call on him. He didn’t want to be the one. “Please send someone else.”

How many times have you said that about helping others? How about speaking Christ into the lives of others? We often say to ourselves; God will send someone better than me.

God calls us for a time and place, and the call may change as the times and places change. Not only are there times we avoid the call, there are also times we hold onto a call whose time has passed.

There is something to notice. “Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses…” That is not the most comforting thing to hear. Making God angry is generally an unwise move.

Even though God is angry with Moses, God still condescends to him by assigning his brother Aaron as the mouthpiece. The co-mission goes forward.

Even Moses allowed his fear and apprehension to turn him from God’s mission. No one is immune to fear. We just have to find in our hearts the strength the trust God.

※ Prayer ※

Lord, help us to embrace the unique mission and ministry that you have given us. Amen

※ Questions ※

1) What is your current commission from God? If you are not aware of it, set aside some time today to prayerfully ask God what the commission is…and give God the space to answer it.

2) Why do you think that God allows Aaron to speak for Moses even though it was Moses’ commission?

3) Think about what you know about Moses. Put times in Moses’ life against each of the servants noted in the Parable of the Talents. Which life event of Moses to you apply to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd servant?

2020-08-30
It’s All About…

Psalm 5; 2 Corinthians 10:7–18; James 1:22–27

In this internet age, getting oneself out in front of potential employers has become a big issue. Whether it is the applicant or the HR Manager, differentiating is an issue.

Out of this has come the concept of a “personal brand”. In many regards, it often seems that personal branding is all about boasting and shining the spotlight on oneself. There is training for one’s “personal brand”.

Boasting isn’t all bad. By definition, boast means to have a strong affirming opinion of or confidence in a person. In black and white, that looks like a very positive. Already, we can see an issue.

The definition of boasting is not often the one we use. Our general definition (though the context may change that) is that it is groundless or overly inflated opinion of another, but usually oneself.

The Hebrew actually goes along well with the “official” definition. Often, such as in Psalm 5, it is translated as exult or praise and with God usually being the subject of it. That is very reasonable.

Even in the Greek, the issue is the same. What we miss through the written word is the modifier: empty, shallow, false, or something else. We will imply or infer when we hear or speak of “boasting”, but we often mislead others when we rely on inference or implication.

When Paul is talking about boast, the context is crucial to understanding what he means. It is also incredibly important that we see the “emptiness” that Paul is referring to. The false measurement that the nameless are comparing themselves to is…themselves.

Or, if we take James’ words into account, people who forget who they really are and then measure themselves by a false image.

Boasting, as said earlier, isn’t necessarily bad. It is groundless boasting that is the issue. People can boast for others (think of a job or personal references). However, the danger in boasting is the foundation upon which it is based.

When Paul talks about boasting in the Lord, that’s a pretty safe foundation. Yet, when Paul talks about it, it is more along the lines of “look what God did” rather than “look at what God did through me.” Still, either one is better than “look how well I did.”

※Prayer※

Lord, let our hearts be humble towards others and you. Amen.

※Questions※

1) Is there a difference between bragging and boasting?

2) How does the mirror concept of James help understand the concept that Paul is trying to convey?

3) Taking the opening definition of boasting and comparing it to our “street” understanding of it, what other words can you think of that have something similar? How might they affect how you read Scripture?

2020-08-26
Substantial Character

Daniel 6:1–24; Philippians 2:3–16

Adventure! Drama! Let’s see the big scene!

Daniel and the Lion’s Den is a dramatic story. No question about that. It’s a great one for kids.

Daniel, himself, is a great character. Daniel has great character. If you read the story carefully, you’ll notice something interesting. Daniel only has spoken words at the end when he assures Darius that all is well.

This also speaks to Daniel’s character. As much as the Book of Daniel is Daniel’s story, the Book of Daniel is about God’s plan and redemptive action regarding the people of Judah in their time of exile.

Daniel (along with others) was called to work for the kingdom they were in (for the Generations community, that was the topic of the last two sermons). He was called to work for the benefit of the kingdom. He was not called to gain power.

※ Why do we often think we must have “power” to change things or make things better? ※

Daniel did gain power. However, he did not act as if it was his to do with as he pleased. This contrasts with the two other administrators and all the satraps.* who sought greater power and control of their own. As Daniel was successful as a leader for the empire, pursuing their own success and power was then not working for the empire.

As we watch the unfolding of political events around the world (not just the US), all too often people use the emotions of others to draw people it…to gain power and influence. Most of the bureaucrats that are often maligned are putting aside their gain to their best (as they understand it) for their nation.

Does that mean there aren’t any “bad actors”? Of course not! It does mean there are likely as many “bad actors” as there are anywhere else, or as few. Yet, a cabal like the one portrayed here is really beyond the US system (despite the conspiracy theories, yes, I’m stepping in a minefield).

However, culturally, it was normal. In fact, there are still examples of it today throughout the world. Thus, the best witness that Daniel could be (the one he was called to) was to serve God well through the place and time he was.

※What is the witness of this time and place for you? ※

Daniel truly embodies the Christ-like characteristics of unselfish ambition looking to the benefits of Darius and the Median empire. His character was so resolute that even his adversaries recognized it.

Daniel became a true and devout servant of the empire, even going so far as to submit to being setup. Daniel maintained his integrity and his faithful witness, despite the efforts of those around him.

While perhaps only for a brief time, Darius honored Daniel’s faith and the God Daniel served. All this building up to even a greater witness.

Imagine that. Being quiet, gentle, unassuming, and working for the benefit of others was Daniel’s greatest witness.

These same characteristics apply to Jesus. As Paul noted, Jesus set aside being God to serve the created. While not literally exiled from Heaven (unlike others), Jesus was in exile. Jesus was now in one heart with the created.

Jesus surrendered in grace and mercy to a system and peoples (Jews and Romans) that unjustly crucified him. Jesus did it for all people. He was looking out for everyone else’s interests.

※What does Paul’s ending words in this passage tell you about Paul’s heart? ※

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, shape and mold us to be humble people that seek the welfare of others so that we are a faithful witness of your work in our lives. Amen.

* not including Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, more commonly called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

2020-08-22
Stirring

Isaiah 43:8–13; Romans 11:13–29

What or who are you fighting for? If you are not fighting for God, then are you fighting for an idol?

Often Christians dismiss the Israelites of the Old Testament as the clueless. They were the people that didn’t get it. This view seems to be reinforced by Jesus’ words, yet were they really that clueless?

They valued the word of God. They valued traditions. They valued theology. They valued being Jewish. These values, it seems, were more a barrier between them and God, rather than

How much are we just like them? Would we really recognize Jesus on the street or the internet?

Christians have been accused of being blind and deaf to Jesus. This has come from Christians and it has come from the world. We are often quick to dismiss these words, rather than contemplate them.

We are human. We will be blind. We will be deaf. In many ways, that is how we are able to go through life without losing our minds or succumbing to fear.

There really isn’t a prescription so that we all know and can all be certified to be Christians. That would be nice. It takes practice. It takes a lot of practice.

The statistics are showing that many churches will not recover post-COVID. Some are saying that only 30% will return. Imagine your church only having 30% of its people.

Perhaps this will be the winnowing that the church needs.

This is along the same line of thought, though different, that Paul had regarding his fellow Jews. He knew they were passionate about the word of God, tradition, theology. They still had a heart problem.

Paul wanted the Jews to look at the Gentiles and want what they have, freedom in grace and mercy. In addition, the Gentiles (along with the Jews that became Christian) began to develop a community of faith and trust that transcended culture and blood.

We Christians, though, have now been around long enough that we have developed tradition, a love of God’s word that doesn’t necessarily include reading it, and we have theology.

We are likely now at the point where we need a Paul to get us stirred up. We need to be what Paul wanted the Jews to be…jealous for God.

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, may we be stirred up for your plan and glory. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What does it mean to be jealous for God?

2) Why can love for God’s word an incomplete understanding of the word of God in our lives?

3) Why do you think people won’t return? What can we change to encourage people to stay and return?

2020-08-17
Calling One; Calling All

Luke 3:7–16; 2 Peter 1:3–15

What is calling? For pastors, their calling is…being a pastor. Even how “being a pastor” changes depending on character, passions, and context.

However, due to the influence of the Roman Catholic church (statement not fault-finding), most Protestant traditions (there are some exceptions) use the word “calling” for only one “calling”…being a pastor.

There was some famous person who once wrote that a butcher lovingly caring for his customers (including not swindling them and giving them quality) was a greater giver of grace and love than a pastor (supposedly, this was Martin Luther, but no quote could be found).

A butcher as a greater herald of grace than a pastor? Yes. Now, in earlier ages, apprenticeship to one’s father or to another usually meant that one’s career was set for life. Farms and herds were passed down generation to generation. For a time, businesses were the same.

In that context, calling was to something “greater” than one’s apprenticeship and it was usually to the church. However, in our context, that is no longer the case. One’s career isn’t limited. While it is still uncommon, people do regularly change trades or careers. Thus, re-examining “calling” has become essential.

The soldiers and tax collectors that John spoke to were likely in the habit of extorting extra money due to their power. John told them to be satisfied with their set (i.e., official) wages. In such a place, a soldier or tax collector doing such would be a powerful witness.

When Peter talks about calling, he is more referring to the call to follow Christ, yet the concept of “calling” still fits. Calling indeed refers to following Jesus and in Jesus’ steps. Yet, at the same time, each of us has our own path to walk.

Where you are is where you are called. How that works for you and anyone is between you (or them) and God. What isn’t a question is that you are called to bear witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the reconciliation between humanity and God through that.

Sometimes it will be speaking into their pain. Sometimes it will be not doing something others do. Sometimes it will be encouragement. Sometimes (though less often and with great care) it will even be goading them.

You are called to bear witness. You are called to testify. You are called to lead others to Jesus. You are called to do this where and when you are right now.

※Prayer※

God, give us wisdom and discernment to see our calling and to faithfully fulfill it. Amen.

※Prayer※

1) Where are called right now? Is that different than it was a year ago?

2) How do you know you are called right now to where you are? What does that mean in regards to how you live your life?

3) Why is it critical that all Christians understand their calling? Why is it critical to understand where “pastors” and “spiritual leaders” are not called in your life?

2020-08-05