It is interesting to look at Biblical text from a variety of views. I am reading Matthew 10 and it could be viewed as a job description of sorts. It describes the job ahead ... the compensation ... the challenges ... the authority under which the work is done ... warnings about how the job will be evaluated by both the friendly and unfriendly ... it describes impossible tasks and both rewards and punishment of doing the job right. Paul might (in 1 Corinthians 2) describe this job description as part of God's foolishness that is contra to everything worldly and in tune with everything Godly. If you read the job description you might think "Why would anyone agree to do that?"
So it is with those who would be Christ followers. I have a friend in Montgomery who is involved with youth ministry. She doesn't get paid well ... she doesn't get much support ... she isn't appreciated like she probably deserves ... but she continues. Why? Because she loves the kids and she has a servant heart. I have talked lots with those in youth ministry and have found that my friend is the rule ... not the exception. This scenario is happening all around the country and is epidemic. As I read Matthew 10 it ends with a phrase that convicts me ... "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42. When I think about "the least of these" our youth come to mind. They are seeking God ... they are asking questions ... they are hungry and thirsty to hear the Good News of God's Word ... they often have no guidance from home ... they see the world around them and (like most older folks I know) know something is wrong. They seek ways to follow God and live in the plan God has for them but they have learned to distrust many of their adult role models. Again, why?
I think the answer (or at least one of them) lies in Matthew 10. They hear of a simple Gospel that leads to difficulty, hardship and even suffering ... all for a cause worth the effort. Then they look around and see comfort ... fear of hardship ... a church that hires people to deal with the messiness of life ... and they hear everything we are saying (be careful little mouth what you say). The fact of the matter is, they see our fear of jumping into their messiness in stark contrast to a Jesus who ran to the messiness of life (and to the messy people).
Your church will not be one of those who runs away from the messiness of our youth or of our adults. We will be looking at creative solutions to ministering to our youth and college kids because we don't consider the do-nothing alternative a viable one. We will do what Jesus asked when He understood that doing ministry was sometimes lonely ... "He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:37-38). It is probably no accident that these are the two verses preceding Jesus sending out disciples in Matthew 10. And it is a call to each of us who say we are followers and disciples ... to follow and disciple! What say you?
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Directions
Tomorrow I will be riding to Montgomery, Millbrook and Nashville on a mini-vacation ... then Sunday I will be preaching both services at Prattville 1st United Methodist Church in Prattville, Alabama. It will be a bit of a homecoming and I will meet old and new friends, see my grand kids and I will miss my flock here in Santa Rosa Beach. To get the places I am going I will be driving Lee's car and using the GPS on my phone. Other travelers will come to these locations by bus, plane and other modes of travel.
As I was thinking about this I wondered how people reach the place where they meet and develop a life-long relationship with Jesus Christ? For some this will be an event. For others it will be a process that may take months or years. In any case, it is our primary calling to lead people to that place. My journey went a bit like this ...
When I was 9 I gave my life to Christ at a Baptist church in Charlotte. I had little clue what that moment actually meant and received little directional guidance from that church. Thankfully I had some home guidance that was solid and cumulative over the years. At 34 I finally reached that place where I had the heart, head and soul knowledge that all came together in what I would call a true faith decision and I was baptized into the faith with my son and daughter in Louisiana. I would count that as my true faith decision. I am not alone. John Wesley served as an Anglican pastor for years ... was a religious person ... was actually an ordained minister ... and even served as a missionary in Georgia until one day, at age 35, his heart was 'strangely warmed' and he too reached that place of salvation and conversion. Millions have come to know Jesus because of what God did with John Wesley, and his conversion is directly connected to my conversion as we share similar experiences in our conversion/salvation experience. But without the foundation of learning, serving, family and church I don't think either of us would have reached that place where we became the people God could use for His Kingdom work.
Some of you tell me you had different experiences and directions. While I am thankful for those who led and taught me in those early years (and I am truly thankful for Godly parents who upheld God's direction at home) I am truly indebted to a pastor named Jimmy Pyles who taught, preached, modeled and led me to a place of true faith. He is the reason I am a pastor ... and he was a solid foundation for my family in a little church in Louisiana. I so recall the value and necessity of those who taught me during that time I was watching, listening, learning and observing. It is interesting ... the people that taught me the faith were not the 'religious' people who pushed me down the 'Roman Road' or fed me the Christian 'cliche' of the week.' They were those who stopped from their busy life and taught me ... spent time with me ... engaged me in conversation ... took the time to break down theology into bite sized chunks that I could digest and save for that day when God called me. I think John Wesley would say the same about those who influenced him. In fact, a group of Moravians who were unafraid of God's provision during a terrible storm showed John that his faith needed a gut check. I also believe Jesus knew this key to faith when he told amazing stories ... gave people the truth whether they wanted it or not ... and generally avoided much of the 'church-speak' we somehow believe is effective.
Are you needing direction? God says we can come to him by bus, plane, car or on foot ... just come empty handed, empty-hearted and ready to be filled. I, our staff and hopefully our worship will tell you the truth in a way that challenges you to process what Jesus said. I pray that you will come (as I did when I was 34 years old) to a place of humility when I realized my path ... my direction ... my plan ... was clearly not working. My pastor told me about a God with a plan for me and a path I could follow. He didn't ask me to wash up before I came in the door. He didn't profess the holiness of liturgical hoops I needed to jump through to be saved. He just said God loved me where I was and that I didn't need to fear the journey forward ... God had a plan and a way. Thank you, Jimmy! You told me and showed me Jesus. You prayed for me and my family. You didn't feed me Christian one-liners. You reflected Jesus to me. I will try to do the same for my flock too! And thank you Jesus for sending Jimmy to me right at the perfect time.
As I was thinking about this I wondered how people reach the place where they meet and develop a life-long relationship with Jesus Christ? For some this will be an event. For others it will be a process that may take months or years. In any case, it is our primary calling to lead people to that place. My journey went a bit like this ...
When I was 9 I gave my life to Christ at a Baptist church in Charlotte. I had little clue what that moment actually meant and received little directional guidance from that church. Thankfully I had some home guidance that was solid and cumulative over the years. At 34 I finally reached that place where I had the heart, head and soul knowledge that all came together in what I would call a true faith decision and I was baptized into the faith with my son and daughter in Louisiana. I would count that as my true faith decision. I am not alone. John Wesley served as an Anglican pastor for years ... was a religious person ... was actually an ordained minister ... and even served as a missionary in Georgia until one day, at age 35, his heart was 'strangely warmed' and he too reached that place of salvation and conversion. Millions have come to know Jesus because of what God did with John Wesley, and his conversion is directly connected to my conversion as we share similar experiences in our conversion/salvation experience. But without the foundation of learning, serving, family and church I don't think either of us would have reached that place where we became the people God could use for His Kingdom work.
Some of you tell me you had different experiences and directions. While I am thankful for those who led and taught me in those early years (and I am truly thankful for Godly parents who upheld God's direction at home) I am truly indebted to a pastor named Jimmy Pyles who taught, preached, modeled and led me to a place of true faith. He is the reason I am a pastor ... and he was a solid foundation for my family in a little church in Louisiana. I so recall the value and necessity of those who taught me during that time I was watching, listening, learning and observing. It is interesting ... the people that taught me the faith were not the 'religious' people who pushed me down the 'Roman Road' or fed me the Christian 'cliche' of the week.' They were those who stopped from their busy life and taught me ... spent time with me ... engaged me in conversation ... took the time to break down theology into bite sized chunks that I could digest and save for that day when God called me. I think John Wesley would say the same about those who influenced him. In fact, a group of Moravians who were unafraid of God's provision during a terrible storm showed John that his faith needed a gut check. I also believe Jesus knew this key to faith when he told amazing stories ... gave people the truth whether they wanted it or not ... and generally avoided much of the 'church-speak' we somehow believe is effective.
Are you needing direction? God says we can come to him by bus, plane, car or on foot ... just come empty handed, empty-hearted and ready to be filled. I, our staff and hopefully our worship will tell you the truth in a way that challenges you to process what Jesus said. I pray that you will come (as I did when I was 34 years old) to a place of humility when I realized my path ... my direction ... my plan ... was clearly not working. My pastor told me about a God with a plan for me and a path I could follow. He didn't ask me to wash up before I came in the door. He didn't profess the holiness of liturgical hoops I needed to jump through to be saved. He just said God loved me where I was and that I didn't need to fear the journey forward ... God had a plan and a way. Thank you, Jimmy! You told me and showed me Jesus. You prayed for me and my family. You didn't feed me Christian one-liners. You reflected Jesus to me. I will try to do the same for my flock too! And thank you Jesus for sending Jimmy to me right at the perfect time.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Depth
Do you want our church to be a deep, lasting, loving and difference-making influence in our community? I know I would be honored to be used by God in that way. But to accomplish this goal, we need depth.
As I watch both US Olympic basketball teams I see other countries with some great players. In the games with the US they hold their own for awhile and sometimes are able to get the upper hand. But in the end (at least most of the time) the US is relentless. How can we do this? We have more good players on the squad than any other team. We have depth.
Good News has depth. We have loads of talented adults who could be part of our ministry team. Sunday I spoke about Paul telling Timothy to "throw yourself into the game." Our talented adults could do this. They could come into the game and say "How can I help us win? How can I be a part of difference-making for children and youth? How can God use me in the battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of our children?" Here's the problem ... to help the the team we must join the team. Here are some places you can make our team better ...
Be part of our Joy Club ministry on Wednesday afternoons. With your help we will be able to serve 80+ children each week ... at current volunteer levels we will need to turn kids and families away. In Olympic terms we have the talent to be in the podium for a medal but without depth we won't be able to make the finals in an event God has appointed us to win.
So ... you aren't into children? OK ... become a volunteer with our youth. They will challenge you, grow you, frustrate you and bless you with their view of life and the world. Our Youth Pastor is three volunteers short ... yet we know God has called us to field a winning team. We have lots to do ... just not many willing to be used and be the doers. Our depth needs your help.
I write this blog knowing that some of you will say "Yes ... somebody should help but I am so busy ... I sure hope someone helps Josh and Dayna." Some of you will say (with your inaction) what is said so often throughout our county ... our state ... our country. I would rather be home watching someone else invest and sacrifice for the 'win.' I'll stay on the sidelines while others try to win one for the home team.
I want to leave you with a verse and a question. The verse follows Jesus sending out his 'team' called disciples. People liked the team and wanted to be part of the team, but on their terms. Jesus knew that to have a 'team' He needed people who were willing to invest ... be led by the team leader ... be followers ... be willing to be used however they were going to be most useful to the overall goal. I won't add commentary here ... I just ask you to think about how God would like to use you. Here are Jesus' words from Luke ...
"As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62 NLT
As I watch both US Olympic basketball teams I see other countries with some great players. In the games with the US they hold their own for awhile and sometimes are able to get the upper hand. But in the end (at least most of the time) the US is relentless. How can we do this? We have more good players on the squad than any other team. We have depth.
Good News has depth. We have loads of talented adults who could be part of our ministry team. Sunday I spoke about Paul telling Timothy to "throw yourself into the game." Our talented adults could do this. They could come into the game and say "How can I help us win? How can I be a part of difference-making for children and youth? How can God use me in the battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of our children?" Here's the problem ... to help the the team we must join the team. Here are some places you can make our team better ...
Be part of our Joy Club ministry on Wednesday afternoons. With your help we will be able to serve 80+ children each week ... at current volunteer levels we will need to turn kids and families away. In Olympic terms we have the talent to be in the podium for a medal but without depth we won't be able to make the finals in an event God has appointed us to win.
So ... you aren't into children? OK ... become a volunteer with our youth. They will challenge you, grow you, frustrate you and bless you with their view of life and the world. Our Youth Pastor is three volunteers short ... yet we know God has called us to field a winning team. We have lots to do ... just not many willing to be used and be the doers. Our depth needs your help.
I write this blog knowing that some of you will say "Yes ... somebody should help but I am so busy ... I sure hope someone helps Josh and Dayna." Some of you will say (with your inaction) what is said so often throughout our county ... our state ... our country. I would rather be home watching someone else invest and sacrifice for the 'win.' I'll stay on the sidelines while others try to win one for the home team.
I want to leave you with a verse and a question. The verse follows Jesus sending out his 'team' called disciples. People liked the team and wanted to be part of the team, but on their terms. Jesus knew that to have a 'team' He needed people who were willing to invest ... be led by the team leader ... be followers ... be willing to be used however they were going to be most useful to the overall goal. I won't add commentary here ... I just ask you to think about how God would like to use you. Here are Jesus' words from Luke ...
"As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62 NLT
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Team Effort
As I watched the Olympics today I marveled at the events that involved teams. Rowing ... volleyball ... basketball ... swimming relays ... even gymnastics. Each person is a part of the event and each person's contribution is important. Each person must pull their weight if victory is to be achieved. Check this out:
"God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful" 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 The Message
As I read this passage it reminds me of the team concept. I love the part that says "each person is given something to do that shows what God is." As I think about this I am reminded of the team effort we saw in church this morning ... if you missed it you missed a blessing of adults, youth and children modeling worship and showing us little reflections of God. If you were there you know exactly what I am talking about. I wonder ... what would our team ... our expression of God's goodness ... be like if we all played our part ... were present in the place to which we are called ... were actively saying, "What can I do today to make this the most amazing Sunday worship ever!" One of our members said to me one day "If your pastor asks you to do something , you say yes if at all possible." OK ... your pastor is asking you to do something. Honor God by participating in your church wherever possible ...using your gifts ... asking how you can be used by God. The old song says ... "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me, Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me." I think God would really be honored if we sang that song and really meant the lyrics. What do you think? Pastor Randy
"God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful" 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 The Message
As I read this passage it reminds me of the team concept. I love the part that says "each person is given something to do that shows what God is." As I think about this I am reminded of the team effort we saw in church this morning ... if you missed it you missed a blessing of adults, youth and children modeling worship and showing us little reflections of God. If you were there you know exactly what I am talking about. I wonder ... what would our team ... our expression of God's goodness ... be like if we all played our part ... were present in the place to which we are called ... were actively saying, "What can I do today to make this the most amazing Sunday worship ever!" One of our members said to me one day "If your pastor asks you to do something , you say yes if at all possible." OK ... your pastor is asking you to do something. Honor God by participating in your church wherever possible ...using your gifts ... asking how you can be used by God. The old song says ... "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me, Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me." I think God would really be honored if we sang that song and really meant the lyrics. What do you think? Pastor Randy
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The Thrill of Victory
This Sunday kicks off our series on looking at Scriptural references to athletics. We are both acknowledging the Olympics and remembering the numerous illustrations in God's Word about applying athletic principles to our faith journey (or race). But we will be careful that our words will not stray from the meaning and application of Scripture.
When I was growing up I remember the commercial for the ABC Wide World of Sports (also what they ran for the Olympics) was "The Thrill of Victory ... the Agony of Defeat." I always liked the video they ran for the agony part of the equation. It was a dude crashing off the end of a ski jump. It made me always note in my mind never to get on a ski jump ... this way I would avoid the agony part.
But I want this series (which will run until the week after school begins) to be positive so I will be speaking about the things we can do to be victorious in our faith ... in our lives ... in our walk (or race) of life. The Bible has a lot to say about this and has lots of solid advice and applications which will help those of us who run the race slow or those who run fast. To "kick" this off I am sending a link to a Max Lucado book called "You Are Special" ( http://www.aikentdc.org/You_Are_Special.pdf ). It will take you 10 minutes to read. Will you invest 10 minutes in learning how you can live as a victor in a 'victim-mentality' world? In the book the characters deal with some very real life issues. Some characters in the book receive accolades for being fast, pretty, strong or being able to jump high. Others receive bad marks (dots) that identify them as inferior, guilty, of poor quality, and losers. I love the advice this book gives the main character ... "Go to your maker and find out what He thinks about you." The Psalms use the word "refuge" 23 times, telling us that we have a place to go when we need victory over the things we face in life. One of these (below) tells us a place of hope when we are surrounded on all sides and oppressed. We go to our refuge (God) and to a source of hope (God's Word).
Psalm 119:114 ... "You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope."
Read the Psalm. Read Max Lucado's short story (and don't be too proud to read what you may think is a children's story). Think about the characters in the Bible and in the story. Which character are you now? Which character do you think God desires you to be? I believe that the thrill of victory isn't as far away as you think. Scripture (Romans 10:8) says that God's Word is near ... that it abides on the lips of His people and in the hearts of the faithful. It is not far away where we cannot see it or reach it. It is a present help in times of trouble. For victory, I encourage you to go there. Listen ... hear ... follow ... live ... be victorious! Pastor Randy
When I was growing up I remember the commercial for the ABC Wide World of Sports (also what they ran for the Olympics) was "The Thrill of Victory ... the Agony of Defeat." I always liked the video they ran for the agony part of the equation. It was a dude crashing off the end of a ski jump. It made me always note in my mind never to get on a ski jump ... this way I would avoid the agony part.
But I want this series (which will run until the week after school begins) to be positive so I will be speaking about the things we can do to be victorious in our faith ... in our lives ... in our walk (or race) of life. The Bible has a lot to say about this and has lots of solid advice and applications which will help those of us who run the race slow or those who run fast. To "kick" this off I am sending a link to a Max Lucado book called "You Are Special" ( http://www.aikentdc.org/You_Are_Special.pdf ). It will take you 10 minutes to read. Will you invest 10 minutes in learning how you can live as a victor in a 'victim-mentality' world? In the book the characters deal with some very real life issues. Some characters in the book receive accolades for being fast, pretty, strong or being able to jump high. Others receive bad marks (dots) that identify them as inferior, guilty, of poor quality, and losers. I love the advice this book gives the main character ... "Go to your maker and find out what He thinks about you." The Psalms use the word "refuge" 23 times, telling us that we have a place to go when we need victory over the things we face in life. One of these (below) tells us a place of hope when we are surrounded on all sides and oppressed. We go to our refuge (God) and to a source of hope (God's Word).
Psalm 119:114 ... "You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope."
Read the Psalm. Read Max Lucado's short story (and don't be too proud to read what you may think is a children's story). Think about the characters in the Bible and in the story. Which character are you now? Which character do you think God desires you to be? I believe that the thrill of victory isn't as far away as you think. Scripture (Romans 10:8) says that God's Word is near ... that it abides on the lips of His people and in the hearts of the faithful. It is not far away where we cannot see it or reach it. It is a present help in times of trouble. For victory, I encourage you to go there. Listen ... hear ... follow ... live ... be victorious! Pastor Randy
Friday, July 6, 2012
Freedom to What?
Paul has a way of putting things that gets our attention. This may be because of his brashness and directness. It may be because he was of impeccable (in his day) scholarly/apostolic pedigree. It may be because Paul endured much for the faith and his 'dues' are meaningful to those of us who appreciate hard work. But I think the major reason Paul's words enter our hearts is that the Holy Spirit has imparted these Scriptural words with both authority and life ... the life breathed by God about our Savior Jesus.
This month as we study the concept of freedom it is worth looking at several directions to this freedom thing. We have talked about being given freedom from the bondage of the law ... freedom from the thousands of Pharisaical rules ... freedom from Satan's accusations that bring guilt (though not from the conviction of the Holy Spirit) ... freedom from a life directed at self ... freedom from the idols of our time ... and freedom from death that brings eternal separation from God. Today I want to share a short verse from Paul's writings that tell us we are free from bondage of the popular so that we are free to live in the beauty of God's Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 10:23 says ... "You say, “I am allowed to do anything”, but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial." I saw a paraphrase of this on a t-shirt that said, "Everything that is popular is not profitable ... everything that is profitable is not popular." I liked the way the shirt gets to the essence of Paul's words. In our area there is incredible pressure to seek and be popular. There are events, places, and people that are "must see." I ask why? Why are we so drawn to shadows of life when we are offered life itself from our Savior? Why should being seen in the right place be better than living life under the protective wing of Jesus?
I was our with my nephew last week as we paddled along a creek in Walton County. What we saw couldn't be bought. Last Sunday one of our young families brought their 4 month old son to church for the first time. He smiled up at me and I shared a priceless moment. I spoke on the phone with a lady who was about to lose her only brother. She would have given up every fashionable event ... every posh meal ... every celebrity sighting ... for some more time with her brother. We settle for too few of those moments when we really have a chance to live, selling them out to a world that offers fireworks that explode and vanish into thin air. Maybe we should take another look at the popular and look closely to see if those pastimes are worth the value we place upon them. After all ... everything that is popular isn't profitable! Pastor Randy
This month as we study the concept of freedom it is worth looking at several directions to this freedom thing. We have talked about being given freedom from the bondage of the law ... freedom from the thousands of Pharisaical rules ... freedom from Satan's accusations that bring guilt (though not from the conviction of the Holy Spirit) ... freedom from a life directed at self ... freedom from the idols of our time ... and freedom from death that brings eternal separation from God. Today I want to share a short verse from Paul's writings that tell us we are free from bondage of the popular so that we are free to live in the beauty of God's Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 10:23 says ... "You say, “I am allowed to do anything”, but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial." I saw a paraphrase of this on a t-shirt that said, "Everything that is popular is not profitable ... everything that is profitable is not popular." I liked the way the shirt gets to the essence of Paul's words. In our area there is incredible pressure to seek and be popular. There are events, places, and people that are "must see." I ask why? Why are we so drawn to shadows of life when we are offered life itself from our Savior? Why should being seen in the right place be better than living life under the protective wing of Jesus?
I was our with my nephew last week as we paddled along a creek in Walton County. What we saw couldn't be bought. Last Sunday one of our young families brought their 4 month old son to church for the first time. He smiled up at me and I shared a priceless moment. I spoke on the phone with a lady who was about to lose her only brother. She would have given up every fashionable event ... every posh meal ... every celebrity sighting ... for some more time with her brother. We settle for too few of those moments when we really have a chance to live, selling them out to a world that offers fireworks that explode and vanish into thin air. Maybe we should take another look at the popular and look closely to see if those pastimes are worth the value we place upon them. After all ... everything that is popular isn't profitable! Pastor Randy
Monday, July 2, 2012
Long Road
It seems that we live in a push-button world (or probably more a 'mouse-click' world). We want to look it up quickly. We seek and find a website that affirms what we think so we dig deeper into a hole that takes us nowhere. Dr. Ben Witherington addressed this in a conversation and stated that we live in a time where our informational access is a million miles wide and an inch deep. He also stated that we are in unprecedented (at least in the modern era) time of Biblical illiteracy.
Let me flesh this out. By informational shallowness I mean that there are ideas and theories that are offered with little scholarly backup just because people like what they say. Rob Bell's assertion that hell (in the classical sense) does not exist ... he just likes a God that doesn't do that sort of thing. A book on Hebrews is being circulated that asserts that the author really didn't mean that the Jewish sacrificial system was inadequate and superseded by Christ ... the 'new' idea (which in the early Church was called heresy) is that God somehow was mistaken over this idea that Jesus was a 'once for all' sacrifice that is totally sufficient and totally complete (Jesus' words from the cross ... "it is completed/fulfilled/finished"). Both 'new' ideas are really not new (the early Church called them false teachings and heretical). They accept the popular but put aside the real/correct/Scriptural concept.
By Biblical illiteracy I am suggesting that few are critically looking at Scripture and listening for what God said to the original audience and what God (thus) is saying to us. I have a friend who claims to have been given special revelation from the Holy Spirit, therefore shutting down any argument about scholarship ... real meanings ... historical context ... and what that Scripture really means to people living in 2012. Fact is, when we are honest about seeking God's truth, that truth does not change over time ... as The Revelation states, we worship the God who was, is and is to come. As a conclusion to our teaching on essentials and an expression of what the early Church wrote down as 12 (interesting number) concepts that were essential for new believers, here is the Apostles Creed. It reminds us (all from Scripture) what is truly foundational:
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: GOD CREATED IT ALL
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: GOD PROVIDED A SAVIOR
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: THE SAVIOR WAS FULLY GOD AND FULLY/PERFECTLY HUMAN
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: THE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS MADE
5. The third day he rose again from the dead: GOD DEFEATED HELL/DEATH ... HE IS RISEN
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: JESUS IS EXALTED AND RESIDES WITH THE FATHER
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: JESUS IS RULER
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost: GOD'S SPIRIT LIVES AND INDWELLS GOD'S PEOPLE/CHURCH
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: THERE IS ONE CHURCH WHICH IS UNIVERSALLY UNDER GOD'S AUTHORITY, PROVISION, POWER AND CARE
10. The forgiveness of sins: JESUS' SACRIFICE WAS MADE ONCE FOR ALL PEOPLE/SINS
1l. The resurrection of the body: JESUS WAS RESURRECTED AND HIS HEIRS WILL FOLLOW
12. And the life everlasting. Amen. WE ARE BEING BROUGHT TO GOD'S PLACE TO LIVE ETERNALLY WITH HIM
While the road back to our foundation might be long, it is not impossible if we stick to essentials, give grace on the non-essentials and calling false teachings what they are ... false, rebellious and divisive. What do you think? Pastor Randy
Let me flesh this out. By informational shallowness I mean that there are ideas and theories that are offered with little scholarly backup just because people like what they say. Rob Bell's assertion that hell (in the classical sense) does not exist ... he just likes a God that doesn't do that sort of thing. A book on Hebrews is being circulated that asserts that the author really didn't mean that the Jewish sacrificial system was inadequate and superseded by Christ ... the 'new' idea (which in the early Church was called heresy) is that God somehow was mistaken over this idea that Jesus was a 'once for all' sacrifice that is totally sufficient and totally complete (Jesus' words from the cross ... "it is completed/fulfilled/finished"). Both 'new' ideas are really not new (the early Church called them false teachings and heretical). They accept the popular but put aside the real/correct/Scriptural concept.
By Biblical illiteracy I am suggesting that few are critically looking at Scripture and listening for what God said to the original audience and what God (thus) is saying to us. I have a friend who claims to have been given special revelation from the Holy Spirit, therefore shutting down any argument about scholarship ... real meanings ... historical context ... and what that Scripture really means to people living in 2012. Fact is, when we are honest about seeking God's truth, that truth does not change over time ... as The Revelation states, we worship the God who was, is and is to come. As a conclusion to our teaching on essentials and an expression of what the early Church wrote down as 12 (interesting number) concepts that were essential for new believers, here is the Apostles Creed. It reminds us (all from Scripture) what is truly foundational:
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: GOD CREATED IT ALL
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: GOD PROVIDED A SAVIOR
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: THE SAVIOR WAS FULLY GOD AND FULLY/PERFECTLY HUMAN
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: THE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS MADE
5. The third day he rose again from the dead: GOD DEFEATED HELL/DEATH ... HE IS RISEN
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: JESUS IS EXALTED AND RESIDES WITH THE FATHER
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: JESUS IS RULER
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost: GOD'S SPIRIT LIVES AND INDWELLS GOD'S PEOPLE/CHURCH
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: THERE IS ONE CHURCH WHICH IS UNIVERSALLY UNDER GOD'S AUTHORITY, PROVISION, POWER AND CARE
10. The forgiveness of sins: JESUS' SACRIFICE WAS MADE ONCE FOR ALL PEOPLE/SINS
1l. The resurrection of the body: JESUS WAS RESURRECTED AND HIS HEIRS WILL FOLLOW
12. And the life everlasting. Amen. WE ARE BEING BROUGHT TO GOD'S PLACE TO LIVE ETERNALLY WITH HIM
While the road back to our foundation might be long, it is not impossible if we stick to essentials, give grace on the non-essentials and calling false teachings what they are ... false, rebellious and divisive. What do you think? Pastor Randy
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