Acts 9:43: "Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon."
Despite the persecution that Peter received from the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Peter's ministry was a powerful display of God's glory working through him. The account of the healing of the crippled beggar in Acts 3 is tremendously impactful, for one sees Peter telling the beggar that he has nothing to give to him but the Name of Jesus Christ. As Peter reached out to grab the right hand of the handicapped man, he commanded that the man be healed through the power of the Name of Jesus; instantly, the man was healed and followed the apostle to the temple "walking, leaping, and praising God" (Acts 3:8). The people at the temple were amazed at such a miraculous healing of a man who had been crippled since his birth.
In Acts 9, we again find Peter engaged in ministry, now with the people in Lydda (a city about 30 miles north of Jerusalem). As Peter walked through the community, he encountered a man who was disabled and bedridden. Peter called out to the man, named Aeneas, and said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Instantly, the man arose, to the astonishment of the people there. The Scripture tells us that many in the towns of Lydda and Sharon saw the evidence of the healing and "turned to the Lord."
Peter then was summoned to Joppa, a seaport city about 11 miles northwest of Lydda, by two disciples concerned for the life of a dear disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas). After making the three hour journey to the city, Peter found that Dorcas had died, and her body had been prepared for burial. As the friends and family of Dorcas wept for the loss of Dorcas, Peter sent everyone out of the room and called out to the Lord for supernatural healing. Knowing in his spirit that it was God's will to raise Dorcas from the dead, Peter called out to the woman to rise from the dead. Immediately, she opened her eyes and sat up. Peter then called out to Dorcas' friends to come and see what God had done in raising their dear friend from the dead. In response, "many people believed in the Lord" (Acts 9:42).
What is fascinating is the brief account that follows in verse 42, for we find that the apostle Peter stayed "for some time with a tanner named Simon." Joachim Jeremias in his book, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, states that a tanner was one of the most despised trades at that time. The reason for its disrepute was the involvement of animal waste used in the tanning process. So repugnant was the profession, that a wife of a tanner had the right to divorce her husband due to the intolerable environment in which the tanner worked. In fact, the oral tradition permitted the wife to divorce her husband even if she went into the marriage knowing that her husband was a tanner. This "exception" was rather profound given that women had little right to divorce their husbands; it was the husbands who were given that "right" by the oral law of that time.
We can assume that Peter had become a highly respected person in the community, due to the miraculous healings that had occurred in the area. And Joppa was a fairly prosperous area, due to its port trading. Thus, Peter likely would have had a number of offerings to stay in the more prominent homes of the region. He could have had the choicest lodging and food while he ministered in the region; however, he instead chose to reside with one of the most despised people in the area. This says a lot about how Peter had matured in His relations with the Lord. Peter was not in need of the perks that went along with ministry; rather, he saw the opportunity to minister to one who would have been shunned by many in the community. And the fact that he stayed with Simon the Tanner for "some time" leads us to believe that this was not just an overnight publicity stunt. Peter genuinely desired to fellowship with this outcast, and he wanted the people in the community to know that the power of Christ working through him was not for his own glory but ultimately for the glory of the One True God. He also wanted the people to understand that everyone has intrinsic value and is important in the kingdom of God.
There is a good word for us here. As we are ministering to others, we need to be mindful of everyone within the kingdom, and not play favorites based upon their prominence in culture. We are called to love everyone and not necessarily gravitate to those who might have more to offer us personally. As God does not show favoritism, so too we are called to treat everyone with respect and value all irrespective of the circumstances in which we find them. In the next chapter of Acts (10), Peter would leave Joppa for Caesarea and would encounter a Roman centurion named Cornelius; rather than separating himself from the gentile (a common practice in Judaism), Peter would share the gospel with this Roman soldier, leading to his salvation. Peter again interjected the truth that God desires all men to come to a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" (10:34-35). May we remember that all men are loved by God, and may we be ever determined to be an agent of blessing to all by respecting everyone with whom we come in contact.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Godly Fathers, Where Are You?
Proverbs 20:7: "The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him."
Having been in pastoral ministry for 10 years now, I sadly have observed the relational fallout that has occurred in the lives of individuals who have been neglected and abused by their ungodly fathers. It seems that the lives of these adults, who as children were disillusioned by the lack of Godly character in their fathers and the resultant dysfunction of the home, are spiraling out of control into the abyss of spiritual and emotional despondency. The lack of familial consistency, stability, and honor in the home has bred within these individuals innumerable insecurities that were birthed in the upheaval of the impressionable years of these once-children-now-adults' lives; and now, many of these adults struggle with depression and the need for affirmation, affection, and hope for the future. There is a sense of alienation and undesirableness in their spirits, and these feelings of unworthiness seem to manifest themselves in psychosocial abnormalities. Many of these folks bear the curse of their detached, ungodly fathers in the following ways:
-Lack of motivation: believing that their efforts will not be affirmed and are hence inconsequential.
-Poor spousal selections: concluding that they must settle relationally for anyone who will display affection since they are unworthy to receive love from most people with whom they come in contact.
-Underachievement: failing to take achievement risks for fear of failure, as these failures may reaffirm their unworthiness.
-Dysfunctional behavior and poor relational skills: seeing the ungodliness of their fathers as normative and thus repeating the inappropriate behavior in their own lives. This may be manifest in their own neglect of their own children, coupled with their quest for self-adulation to the detriment of everyone else.
-Substance abuse: attempting to detach from the pain that has come from years of parental neglect.
-Anxiety disorders: believing that the world is not a safe place and therefore struggling with being able to trust that they can be protected in their environment.
-Lack of intimacy: an unwillingness to get close with others, believing that others will disappoint them just like their fathers.
-Controlling behavior: feeling so out of control that they develop an overbearing, controlling disposition towards others (children of alcoholic fathers are notorious for this).
Tragically, the list could continue indefinitely. The hope is that the scripture cited above will be a good word of direction for fathers. If dads would lead a righteous life of obedience and submission to the Lord . . . if they would live lives completely committed to God . . . if their actions would be consistent with a life pledged to the Lord and His commands . . . if they would minister to their children by spending time with them and loving them . . . . if they would commit to love and affirm their wives . . . . and if they would demonstrate Godly integrity and consistency with everyone in whom they have contact, then their children will be blessed, not only in their early years of development, but in their adult years as well.
James Dobson has said, "there is one person-one man that every child longs to look up to, to emulate, to know that he or she can count on when the chips are down. He is the one that all children, in the deep reaches of their hearts, want most as a hero. Dad." (See A Father, A Hero, pg 9). This principle is reaffirmed in Proverbs 17:6: "Parents are the pride of their children." Fathers are to bless their children by providing unconditional love, unconditional affirmation, stability, integrity, and security in the home. To fail to do this will rot the spirits of their children, and few will recover from such neglect.
As fathers, let's be men who are passionate for the Lord and decidedly committed to our families. When we live righteous lives, our Lord will be honored, and we will provide the greatest gifts that we could ever give to our children . . . the gifts of love, honor, and security.
Having been in pastoral ministry for 10 years now, I sadly have observed the relational fallout that has occurred in the lives of individuals who have been neglected and abused by their ungodly fathers. It seems that the lives of these adults, who as children were disillusioned by the lack of Godly character in their fathers and the resultant dysfunction of the home, are spiraling out of control into the abyss of spiritual and emotional despondency. The lack of familial consistency, stability, and honor in the home has bred within these individuals innumerable insecurities that were birthed in the upheaval of the impressionable years of these once-children-now-adults' lives; and now, many of these adults struggle with depression and the need for affirmation, affection, and hope for the future. There is a sense of alienation and undesirableness in their spirits, and these feelings of unworthiness seem to manifest themselves in psychosocial abnormalities. Many of these folks bear the curse of their detached, ungodly fathers in the following ways:
-Lack of motivation: believing that their efforts will not be affirmed and are hence inconsequential.
-Poor spousal selections: concluding that they must settle relationally for anyone who will display affection since they are unworthy to receive love from most people with whom they come in contact.
-Underachievement: failing to take achievement risks for fear of failure, as these failures may reaffirm their unworthiness.
-Dysfunctional behavior and poor relational skills: seeing the ungodliness of their fathers as normative and thus repeating the inappropriate behavior in their own lives. This may be manifest in their own neglect of their own children, coupled with their quest for self-adulation to the detriment of everyone else.
-Substance abuse: attempting to detach from the pain that has come from years of parental neglect.
-Anxiety disorders: believing that the world is not a safe place and therefore struggling with being able to trust that they can be protected in their environment.
-Lack of intimacy: an unwillingness to get close with others, believing that others will disappoint them just like their fathers.
-Controlling behavior: feeling so out of control that they develop an overbearing, controlling disposition towards others (children of alcoholic fathers are notorious for this).
Tragically, the list could continue indefinitely. The hope is that the scripture cited above will be a good word of direction for fathers. If dads would lead a righteous life of obedience and submission to the Lord . . . if they would live lives completely committed to God . . . if their actions would be consistent with a life pledged to the Lord and His commands . . . if they would minister to their children by spending time with them and loving them . . . . if they would commit to love and affirm their wives . . . . and if they would demonstrate Godly integrity and consistency with everyone in whom they have contact, then their children will be blessed, not only in their early years of development, but in their adult years as well.
James Dobson has said, "there is one person-one man that every child longs to look up to, to emulate, to know that he or she can count on when the chips are down. He is the one that all children, in the deep reaches of their hearts, want most as a hero. Dad." (See A Father, A Hero, pg 9). This principle is reaffirmed in Proverbs 17:6: "Parents are the pride of their children." Fathers are to bless their children by providing unconditional love, unconditional affirmation, stability, integrity, and security in the home. To fail to do this will rot the spirits of their children, and few will recover from such neglect.
As fathers, let's be men who are passionate for the Lord and decidedly committed to our families. When we live righteous lives, our Lord will be honored, and we will provide the greatest gifts that we could ever give to our children . . . the gifts of love, honor, and security.
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Earth is Trembling
Proverbs 30:21: "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress."
To use the imagery of "trembling" for the earth in response to these egregious examples, reveals the level of utter disdain that each of these areas brings.
A servant who becomes a king, presumably lacks the experience and the maturity to handle the overwhelming position of leadership. Without the benefit of acute leadership abilities, this ruler will be taken advantage of by other national leaders or even his own subjects to the detriment of his kingdom. He also in time may allow his esteemed position to become an enticement for a power-hungry, tyrannical, and self-absorbed disposition to the detriment of his followers. This inept leader may celebrate his new found affluence and esteem unaware that his kingdom is in danger; and frankly he does not care, for he enjoys the ceremonial pomp and adulation that is given to him. Thus, his lack of giftedness in leadership may sink his nation politically and economically, causing widespread skepticism and hostility among his subjects. Eventually, the animosity towards the unqualified ruler may lead to insurrection and overthrow. It is an equation for national disaster, and for this the earth trembles.
A fool who is full of food is a painful presence to others, for he is likely to think himself worthy of his plenty. He is self-absorbed in his affluence, and he prides himself in his prosperity, even if that prosperity was acquired through the manipulation of others. This fool will become so overbearing in his conceit, that he will think himself to be worthy of exaltation. He also will be less inclined to motivate himself to continual self-improvement (after all, his belly is full of food); instead, in his lethargy, he will become slack and in the end will lose the very prosperity that he once enjoyed. Eventually, this "self-made" man will become a liability upon his community, for he foolishly will lose all that he had acquired and will become destitute. Tragically, this fool will not take ownership for his misfortune, but he will look to others as the culprits for his demise. The fool's ever-increasing bitterness at his circumstances will be most difficult to those around him, and for this the earth trembles.
A married woman is designed by the Sovereign Lord to be loved and cherished by her husband. God so wired women this way in order that He might teach humanity on a spiritual level that His bride, the Church, needs unconditional love from her Husband, the Lord Almighty. As the Church craves the love and affection of her Husband, so too the wife needs the focused love and adoration of her beloved. When a wife is deprived of these blessings over a long period of time, she likely will become bitter and depressed; and it is with great sorrow that others observe the neglect that she receives from her husband. When the one relationship that should be the bastion of intimacy and love becomes instead the forum for spousal shunning and deprivation, the earth trembles in disgust.
Finally, when a maidservant displaces her mistress, there is upheaval in the household. Possibly, the maidservant had become so envious of her mistress' position in the home, that she plotted the demise of her mistress so that she could assume such an esteemed position. Maybe the maidservant wanted the husband of the home, or the material wealth, or the position of authority in the home; nevertheless, the maidservant secretly schemed her way into the position of her superior. This maidservant destroys the home in which she serves because she is not content in her position as servant; instead, she covets what her mistress has and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Such betrayal in the home is utterly destructive, and for this the earth trembles.
As we look to the commonality in each of these examples, we can find that the global trembling is the result of people who displace loving others for their own insatiable desire for self-exaltation. Whether it is a servant who permits his elevated position of king to lead to his arrogance, or a fool who prides in his material accomplishments, or a husband who is too absorbed in himself that he neglects his wife, or a maidservant who is willing to destroy her mistress to get her position, all situations are motivated by the idolization of "self."
God desires that all men would demonstrate selfless love towards each other, being an agent of blessing to others even before oneself. Tragically, the world is filled with personalities that crave personal desires above their fellow man (even God himself). This egocentricity has led to the accumulation of the global problems that we see today, and these problems will continue as long as mankind is absorbed in his own appetites to the detriment of others.
So, we should not be surprised that the earth "trembles." It will continue to do so until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To use the imagery of "trembling" for the earth in response to these egregious examples, reveals the level of utter disdain that each of these areas brings.
A servant who becomes a king, presumably lacks the experience and the maturity to handle the overwhelming position of leadership. Without the benefit of acute leadership abilities, this ruler will be taken advantage of by other national leaders or even his own subjects to the detriment of his kingdom. He also in time may allow his esteemed position to become an enticement for a power-hungry, tyrannical, and self-absorbed disposition to the detriment of his followers. This inept leader may celebrate his new found affluence and esteem unaware that his kingdom is in danger; and frankly he does not care, for he enjoys the ceremonial pomp and adulation that is given to him. Thus, his lack of giftedness in leadership may sink his nation politically and economically, causing widespread skepticism and hostility among his subjects. Eventually, the animosity towards the unqualified ruler may lead to insurrection and overthrow. It is an equation for national disaster, and for this the earth trembles.
A fool who is full of food is a painful presence to others, for he is likely to think himself worthy of his plenty. He is self-absorbed in his affluence, and he prides himself in his prosperity, even if that prosperity was acquired through the manipulation of others. This fool will become so overbearing in his conceit, that he will think himself to be worthy of exaltation. He also will be less inclined to motivate himself to continual self-improvement (after all, his belly is full of food); instead, in his lethargy, he will become slack and in the end will lose the very prosperity that he once enjoyed. Eventually, this "self-made" man will become a liability upon his community, for he foolishly will lose all that he had acquired and will become destitute. Tragically, this fool will not take ownership for his misfortune, but he will look to others as the culprits for his demise. The fool's ever-increasing bitterness at his circumstances will be most difficult to those around him, and for this the earth trembles.
A married woman is designed by the Sovereign Lord to be loved and cherished by her husband. God so wired women this way in order that He might teach humanity on a spiritual level that His bride, the Church, needs unconditional love from her Husband, the Lord Almighty. As the Church craves the love and affection of her Husband, so too the wife needs the focused love and adoration of her beloved. When a wife is deprived of these blessings over a long period of time, she likely will become bitter and depressed; and it is with great sorrow that others observe the neglect that she receives from her husband. When the one relationship that should be the bastion of intimacy and love becomes instead the forum for spousal shunning and deprivation, the earth trembles in disgust.
Finally, when a maidservant displaces her mistress, there is upheaval in the household. Possibly, the maidservant had become so envious of her mistress' position in the home, that she plotted the demise of her mistress so that she could assume such an esteemed position. Maybe the maidservant wanted the husband of the home, or the material wealth, or the position of authority in the home; nevertheless, the maidservant secretly schemed her way into the position of her superior. This maidservant destroys the home in which she serves because she is not content in her position as servant; instead, she covets what her mistress has and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Such betrayal in the home is utterly destructive, and for this the earth trembles.
As we look to the commonality in each of these examples, we can find that the global trembling is the result of people who displace loving others for their own insatiable desire for self-exaltation. Whether it is a servant who permits his elevated position of king to lead to his arrogance, or a fool who prides in his material accomplishments, or a husband who is too absorbed in himself that he neglects his wife, or a maidservant who is willing to destroy her mistress to get her position, all situations are motivated by the idolization of "self."
God desires that all men would demonstrate selfless love towards each other, being an agent of blessing to others even before oneself. Tragically, the world is filled with personalities that crave personal desires above their fellow man (even God himself). This egocentricity has led to the accumulation of the global problems that we see today, and these problems will continue as long as mankind is absorbed in his own appetites to the detriment of others.
So, we should not be surprised that the earth "trembles." It will continue to do so until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Lip Service Is No Service To God
Luke 6:46-49: "So why do you call me 'Lord' when you don't obey me? I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me. It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
One of the groups with whom Jesus had continual conflict were the Pharisees. These were religious zealots that were great at ceremonial show in Jewish culture, but their hearts were consumed with the exaltation that came with such pomp, rather than true praise for the Almighty God. The members of the Pharisaic group were great at praising the Lord in public (see Matthew 23), but their hearts were full of idolatry (the worship of themselves).
In the first verses of Luke 6, the Pharisees were angry with Jesus because He had healed a person with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath. Jesus was not playing by the rigid rules that the Pharisees had put into place to exalt their control and privilege over the people. After Jesus shared the Beatitudes with His disciples, He began to teach them the difference between those who were the true followers of God and those who were not. Jesus told His hearers that the truest evidence of a genuine follower was the spiritual fruit produced by the person; namely, a person who had the blessing of Christ within his heart would produce goodness for the Lord's kingdom. Those who did not have Christ might possibly put on a good show of spirituality, but the goodness of the Lord would be noticeably absent.
Jesus then shared that the litmus test for the true believer would be demonstrated in the trials and tribulations of life. The one who truly had come to a relationship with Christ and was obedient to Him as Lord would demonstrate spiritual fruit irrespective of the difficulties of life. He would be able to remain committed to the Lord, because He had set His hope (His foundation) upon the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. No painful experience would be able to thwart His focused allegiance to the One True God; rather, that believer would be strengthened in his resolve, for his faith was anchored in the Lord.
What is telling from the cited passage is that the true believer will dig deep below the superficial layers of his life to set the foundation. Digging deep suggests that the person has received the offering of Christ's grace by earnestly seeking Him above all other persons and things. This process is no mere cordiality, but a passionate pursuit of the Lord. Like a person who takes on the painstaking task of digging deep to find the truest bedrock for his foundation, so too the true believer faithfully seeks the Lord and submits to Him as Master. The Word tells us that a person who seeks God with His whole heart will in fact find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
When the painful trials of life come his way, the true believer knows that God is the Sovereign Lord who reigns supreme and uses all circumstances for His ultimate glory. Thus, as that person has surrendered himself to the Lordship of Christ, he will follow Him with absolute loyalty irrespective of the circumstances that befall him.
Conversely, the one who speaks his allegiance to the Lord, but has not been transformed by the awesome grace of Christ, is one who has built his life upon the shallow, shaky sand of himself. Although he has great lip service for the Lord, his truest disposition is revealed when tribulation comes his way. That is, when the trials of life are introduced, this person shows through his behavior that Christ is not his anchor. Many times, we will see that presumed believers will disavow their allegiance to the Lord or they will begin to live lifes of chronic rebellion against the Lord in response to the calamites of life. What is telling is that this person may have had a superficial "religiosity" but no intimacy with the Lord. Whereas he may have attended church each Sunday, noticeably absent is the evidential fruit of a truly transformed life.
We would do well to hear these words of the Savior, and examine ourselves to see to which foundation we have fixed ourselves. Have we dug deeply into the soil of life and placed our faith in Christ as our Sure Foundation, or have we placed our faith in ourselves? Do we merely have a form of spirituality through spoken word and yet lack the substantive fruit that reveals that we have been truly transformed by the grace of Christ? We will know our answer when the difficulties of life come our way (and they're coming!). I have always believed that the truest test of our relationship with Christ is revealed in times of temptation and tribulation. When you enter these valleys, examine your foundation. You may find that you need to surrender your life to God as your personal Lord. We can learn much from the hymn, The Solid Rock, for it tells us a most important truth: "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand."
One of the groups with whom Jesus had continual conflict were the Pharisees. These were religious zealots that were great at ceremonial show in Jewish culture, but their hearts were consumed with the exaltation that came with such pomp, rather than true praise for the Almighty God. The members of the Pharisaic group were great at praising the Lord in public (see Matthew 23), but their hearts were full of idolatry (the worship of themselves).
In the first verses of Luke 6, the Pharisees were angry with Jesus because He had healed a person with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath. Jesus was not playing by the rigid rules that the Pharisees had put into place to exalt their control and privilege over the people. After Jesus shared the Beatitudes with His disciples, He began to teach them the difference between those who were the true followers of God and those who were not. Jesus told His hearers that the truest evidence of a genuine follower was the spiritual fruit produced by the person; namely, a person who had the blessing of Christ within his heart would produce goodness for the Lord's kingdom. Those who did not have Christ might possibly put on a good show of spirituality, but the goodness of the Lord would be noticeably absent.
Jesus then shared that the litmus test for the true believer would be demonstrated in the trials and tribulations of life. The one who truly had come to a relationship with Christ and was obedient to Him as Lord would demonstrate spiritual fruit irrespective of the difficulties of life. He would be able to remain committed to the Lord, because He had set His hope (His foundation) upon the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. No painful experience would be able to thwart His focused allegiance to the One True God; rather, that believer would be strengthened in his resolve, for his faith was anchored in the Lord.
What is telling from the cited passage is that the true believer will dig deep below the superficial layers of his life to set the foundation. Digging deep suggests that the person has received the offering of Christ's grace by earnestly seeking Him above all other persons and things. This process is no mere cordiality, but a passionate pursuit of the Lord. Like a person who takes on the painstaking task of digging deep to find the truest bedrock for his foundation, so too the true believer faithfully seeks the Lord and submits to Him as Master. The Word tells us that a person who seeks God with His whole heart will in fact find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
When the painful trials of life come his way, the true believer knows that God is the Sovereign Lord who reigns supreme and uses all circumstances for His ultimate glory. Thus, as that person has surrendered himself to the Lordship of Christ, he will follow Him with absolute loyalty irrespective of the circumstances that befall him.
Conversely, the one who speaks his allegiance to the Lord, but has not been transformed by the awesome grace of Christ, is one who has built his life upon the shallow, shaky sand of himself. Although he has great lip service for the Lord, his truest disposition is revealed when tribulation comes his way. That is, when the trials of life are introduced, this person shows through his behavior that Christ is not his anchor. Many times, we will see that presumed believers will disavow their allegiance to the Lord or they will begin to live lifes of chronic rebellion against the Lord in response to the calamites of life. What is telling is that this person may have had a superficial "religiosity" but no intimacy with the Lord. Whereas he may have attended church each Sunday, noticeably absent is the evidential fruit of a truly transformed life.
We would do well to hear these words of the Savior, and examine ourselves to see to which foundation we have fixed ourselves. Have we dug deeply into the soil of life and placed our faith in Christ as our Sure Foundation, or have we placed our faith in ourselves? Do we merely have a form of spirituality through spoken word and yet lack the substantive fruit that reveals that we have been truly transformed by the grace of Christ? We will know our answer when the difficulties of life come our way (and they're coming!). I have always believed that the truest test of our relationship with Christ is revealed in times of temptation and tribulation. When you enter these valleys, examine your foundation. You may find that you need to surrender your life to God as your personal Lord. We can learn much from the hymn, The Solid Rock, for it tells us a most important truth: "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand."
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Watch Out, Church!
Isaiah 40:6b,8: "All men are like grass . . . . the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
This chapter of the book of Isaiah is a proclamation of the exaltation of the Lord, who alone reigns supreme in the universe, and who is coming in ineffable glory to redeem His people. With Messianic overtones, chapter 40 has everything to do with the glory of the Lord and His provision of salvation to humanity. Also notable is the revelation that man is in fact not a co-laborer with God but is utterly dependant upon Him for life and grace. Man is not able through his own attainments to make an impression upon the Holy God; rather, man needs to approach the throne of God with contrition and humility, knowing that God alone is Sovereign and alone is due praise and honor. When man begins to think that he is endowed with certain abilities to draw personal exaltation, then he truly has erred in his understanding of himself in regard to the Almighty. Compared to the righteousness of God, we are nothing; we are as the grass of the field that withers and dies. It is the Word of the Lord that is exalted and "stands forever." Of course we know from John 1 that the Word became flesh and tabernacled among humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. All praise and honor are due the Lord, for He is Sovereign, He is Holy, and He is our Redeemer.
As I was reading through this passage of Scripture, I was troubled with the disposition of the modern Church. As I have read through newspaper advertisements or have watched church services on television, I have noticed that many church congregations are implementing spiritual "hooks" to attract people to their services. Some would use gift cards to draw people to their services, others would embellish their services with all the bells and whistles of experientialism. Even modern sermons have displaced the propositional truths of Scripture with "feel good" stories to give its hearers the warm, fuzzy feelings that make them happy. It seems as if the Church has displaced the exaltation of Christ with the need for organizational growth and viability. Even in its worship, the Church seems to be more concerned with methodology over substance. The Church has displaced its praise of the One True God with its need to become culturally impressive, drawing ever more attendees (and their contributions) in order that they might become an impressive, self-sustaining entity independent of any need for God. Although the Church propagates its worship of God, it's as if the Church has asserted through its behavior that the god worshipped is itself.
Whereas cultural relevance has its place in the methodology of the Church (i.e. making the Church identifiable with its culture through worship styles, community activities, etc.), the fear is that the proverbial pendulum has swung so far in the other direction that methodology has become the chief end. Churches now believe that their congregations will grow exponentially in attendance if enough attractions are offered. No longer is there the insatiable desire for the Word of God; now the Church has become a monolithic organization that feeds on its own abilities to attract people through effective marketing strategies.
Again, Isaiah 40 is a reminder to us that our glory is like the grass of the field that grows today and tomorrow withers and dies. We as the Church should not think too highly of ourselves that we believe we alone are able to produce an abundant harvest of believers through our own impressive marketing strategies. Whereas cultural relevance has its place, it is God and God alone who draws men unto Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit (see I Corinthians 12:3).
Therefore, we as the Church must remember that we are utterly dependent upon the Lord for our viability (Acts 17:28). He alone is the One who "sits enthroned above the circle of the earth" (40:22). There is no one who can be considered His equal (40:25). And it is His Word that is powerful and effective in aiding the Church in accomplishing its chief end . . . which is to glorify God alone. If we are expecting spiritual revival to break forth in our churches, we would do well to reorient any notions that such revival is accomplished through ourselves. Revival only will come when we capitulate ourselves and our churches to the Lord and tune our spiritual ears to His Eternal Word to us.
This chapter of the book of Isaiah is a proclamation of the exaltation of the Lord, who alone reigns supreme in the universe, and who is coming in ineffable glory to redeem His people. With Messianic overtones, chapter 40 has everything to do with the glory of the Lord and His provision of salvation to humanity. Also notable is the revelation that man is in fact not a co-laborer with God but is utterly dependant upon Him for life and grace. Man is not able through his own attainments to make an impression upon the Holy God; rather, man needs to approach the throne of God with contrition and humility, knowing that God alone is Sovereign and alone is due praise and honor. When man begins to think that he is endowed with certain abilities to draw personal exaltation, then he truly has erred in his understanding of himself in regard to the Almighty. Compared to the righteousness of God, we are nothing; we are as the grass of the field that withers and dies. It is the Word of the Lord that is exalted and "stands forever." Of course we know from John 1 that the Word became flesh and tabernacled among humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. All praise and honor are due the Lord, for He is Sovereign, He is Holy, and He is our Redeemer.
As I was reading through this passage of Scripture, I was troubled with the disposition of the modern Church. As I have read through newspaper advertisements or have watched church services on television, I have noticed that many church congregations are implementing spiritual "hooks" to attract people to their services. Some would use gift cards to draw people to their services, others would embellish their services with all the bells and whistles of experientialism. Even modern sermons have displaced the propositional truths of Scripture with "feel good" stories to give its hearers the warm, fuzzy feelings that make them happy. It seems as if the Church has displaced the exaltation of Christ with the need for organizational growth and viability. Even in its worship, the Church seems to be more concerned with methodology over substance. The Church has displaced its praise of the One True God with its need to become culturally impressive, drawing ever more attendees (and their contributions) in order that they might become an impressive, self-sustaining entity independent of any need for God. Although the Church propagates its worship of God, it's as if the Church has asserted through its behavior that the god worshipped is itself.
Whereas cultural relevance has its place in the methodology of the Church (i.e. making the Church identifiable with its culture through worship styles, community activities, etc.), the fear is that the proverbial pendulum has swung so far in the other direction that methodology has become the chief end. Churches now believe that their congregations will grow exponentially in attendance if enough attractions are offered. No longer is there the insatiable desire for the Word of God; now the Church has become a monolithic organization that feeds on its own abilities to attract people through effective marketing strategies.
Again, Isaiah 40 is a reminder to us that our glory is like the grass of the field that grows today and tomorrow withers and dies. We as the Church should not think too highly of ourselves that we believe we alone are able to produce an abundant harvest of believers through our own impressive marketing strategies. Whereas cultural relevance has its place, it is God and God alone who draws men unto Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit (see I Corinthians 12:3).
Therefore, we as the Church must remember that we are utterly dependent upon the Lord for our viability (Acts 17:28). He alone is the One who "sits enthroned above the circle of the earth" (40:22). There is no one who can be considered His equal (40:25). And it is His Word that is powerful and effective in aiding the Church in accomplishing its chief end . . . which is to glorify God alone. If we are expecting spiritual revival to break forth in our churches, we would do well to reorient any notions that such revival is accomplished through ourselves. Revival only will come when we capitulate ourselves and our churches to the Lord and tune our spiritual ears to His Eternal Word to us.
Monday, September 8, 2008
With Whom Do You Associate?
Genesis 23:12: "Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land and he said to Ephron in their hearing, 'Listen to me, if you will. I will pay you the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.'"
After Abraham's wife, Sarah, died at the age of 127, Abraham needed to plan the burial of his deceased spouse. Not owning property in God's promised land, the patriarch petitioned Ephron the Hittite to purchase a cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre to bury his wife.
Interestingly, the Hittites affirmed Abraham as a "mighty prince among (them)." Ephron and the other Hittites were wise enough to know that divine favor was upon Abraham, for he had acquired great numbers of sheep, cattle, camels, donkeys, and servants (see Genesis 12:16), and the Hittites wanted to enter into an alliance with the patriarch in order to benefit from this blessing. For this reason, the Hittites offered the choicest of their tombs for Abraham as a free gift.
Abraham respectfully declined their offer, wanting instead to pay full price for the cave of Ephron at Machpelah. But a second time, Ephron insisted Abraham take the field as a gift. Again in response, Abraham bowed in respect to the Hittites, but he would not take the property as a gift . . . only a payment of the full purchase price would do. This exchange continued until the price was declared and Abraham paid the 400 shekels of silver for the property. The Hittites then publicly deeded the field and cave to Abraham so that he could bury his wife. I'm sure that the dialogue was awkward at best; here these people seemingly were extending their graciousness to Abraham only to find that the offering of free land was not being welcomed.
As one first reads through this account in Genesis, one might conclude that Abraham was treating the Hittites' generosity with contempt; however, one must remember that the Hittites were a pagan people who did not honor the Lord. Abraham knew that his taking of this land would only give these pagans license to expect favors in return. They might even want to intermarry with Abraham's family in order that they might tap into the blessings that the patriarch had received from "his God." Abraham knew that unholy alliances with pagans would only increase the chance of his descendants turning away from the One True God, so he respectfully declined the repeated offers of the Hittites to receive the choice land as a gift.
This account is a good word for those of us who have surrendered ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Whereas we are assimilated into the world and live among believers and pagans alike, we must be discerning as to the level of relations that we have with those who do not honor the Lord. This mandate is most significant in the area of dating/marriage. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14 addresses this concern: "Do not be yoked with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? . . . . What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" Throughout Scripture, one reoccurring theme in the life of the Jewish nation is their spiritual demise after forming unholy alliances with pagans. Never do we find God's people growing in their intimate fellowship with the Sovereign Lord after intermarrying with wicked nations; rather, the covenant people would end up becoming as wicked as the people with whom they chose to associate. This truth is explicitly shared with us in I Corinthians 15:33: "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'"
As Christians, we are called to be the reflective light of truth to the world; this necessitates that we interact with the world in order that we can share the precious message of the Gospel with those who have no relationship with Christ. Still, me must establish boundaries when it comes to intimate associations with those who have not surrendered themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. To fail to set these boundaries would only lead the Christian down the path of recalcitrance that eventually would estrange him from a right relationship with the Lord.
After Abraham's wife, Sarah, died at the age of 127, Abraham needed to plan the burial of his deceased spouse. Not owning property in God's promised land, the patriarch petitioned Ephron the Hittite to purchase a cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre to bury his wife.
Interestingly, the Hittites affirmed Abraham as a "mighty prince among (them)." Ephron and the other Hittites were wise enough to know that divine favor was upon Abraham, for he had acquired great numbers of sheep, cattle, camels, donkeys, and servants (see Genesis 12:16), and the Hittites wanted to enter into an alliance with the patriarch in order to benefit from this blessing. For this reason, the Hittites offered the choicest of their tombs for Abraham as a free gift.
Abraham respectfully declined their offer, wanting instead to pay full price for the cave of Ephron at Machpelah. But a second time, Ephron insisted Abraham take the field as a gift. Again in response, Abraham bowed in respect to the Hittites, but he would not take the property as a gift . . . only a payment of the full purchase price would do. This exchange continued until the price was declared and Abraham paid the 400 shekels of silver for the property. The Hittites then publicly deeded the field and cave to Abraham so that he could bury his wife. I'm sure that the dialogue was awkward at best; here these people seemingly were extending their graciousness to Abraham only to find that the offering of free land was not being welcomed.
As one first reads through this account in Genesis, one might conclude that Abraham was treating the Hittites' generosity with contempt; however, one must remember that the Hittites were a pagan people who did not honor the Lord. Abraham knew that his taking of this land would only give these pagans license to expect favors in return. They might even want to intermarry with Abraham's family in order that they might tap into the blessings that the patriarch had received from "his God." Abraham knew that unholy alliances with pagans would only increase the chance of his descendants turning away from the One True God, so he respectfully declined the repeated offers of the Hittites to receive the choice land as a gift.
This account is a good word for those of us who have surrendered ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Whereas we are assimilated into the world and live among believers and pagans alike, we must be discerning as to the level of relations that we have with those who do not honor the Lord. This mandate is most significant in the area of dating/marriage. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14 addresses this concern: "Do not be yoked with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? . . . . What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" Throughout Scripture, one reoccurring theme in the life of the Jewish nation is their spiritual demise after forming unholy alliances with pagans. Never do we find God's people growing in their intimate fellowship with the Sovereign Lord after intermarrying with wicked nations; rather, the covenant people would end up becoming as wicked as the people with whom they chose to associate. This truth is explicitly shared with us in I Corinthians 15:33: "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'"
As Christians, we are called to be the reflective light of truth to the world; this necessitates that we interact with the world in order that we can share the precious message of the Gospel with those who have no relationship with Christ. Still, me must establish boundaries when it comes to intimate associations with those who have not surrendered themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. To fail to set these boundaries would only lead the Christian down the path of recalcitrance that eventually would estrange him from a right relationship with the Lord.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Treating God's Grace as Insignificant
Hebrews 10:29: “How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of Grace?”
Chapter 10 of the book of Hebrews is a celebration of the mighty redemptive work of Jesus Christ in making holy those who would respond to His offering of grace. Because of His amazing love for us, the Savior through His salvation is making perfect forever those who have been called to be holy (Hebrews 10:14). And this gift of spiritual purification grants us the privilege of approaching God “in full assurance of faith” (10:22).
Tragically, there will be those who will hear the gospel message and perhaps respond to it with some level of emotive assent; yet their presumed faith is short-lived as they begin to treat the blood of Christ as unholy. The word for unholy is koinos, where we get the word common. This lack of awe is made manifest in the person who goes through the motions of spirituality and its ritual observances, yet he fails to surrender to the One True God and the power of His transforming grace. Submission to God as one’s Lord and Savior has been forsaken for self, and this lack of surrender is evidenced in the insatiable desire to satisfy one’s personal will above God and His offering of grace. Whereas this person would proclaim himself a follower of Christ, his spirituality is consumed with the pursuit of his own godhood.
This contemptuous attitude toward the Son of God (i.e. treating Him and His salvation as nothing special) results in no bestowal of grace; rather that person can expect God’s judgment, made manifest by His eternal raging fire of wrath upon the reprobate for all eternity (10:27). This is why the Scripture declares that “it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31). God’s offering of grace through His own sacrificial death and resurrection in effect protects us from God Himself, and those who treat His offering as insignificant will receive the full measure of His Divine retribution.
May we all, through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, appreciate the preciousness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and may we respond to this amazing grace with a heart of sincere allegiance and appreciation.
Chapter 10 of the book of Hebrews is a celebration of the mighty redemptive work of Jesus Christ in making holy those who would respond to His offering of grace. Because of His amazing love for us, the Savior through His salvation is making perfect forever those who have been called to be holy (Hebrews 10:14). And this gift of spiritual purification grants us the privilege of approaching God “in full assurance of faith” (10:22).
Tragically, there will be those who will hear the gospel message and perhaps respond to it with some level of emotive assent; yet their presumed faith is short-lived as they begin to treat the blood of Christ as unholy. The word for unholy is koinos, where we get the word common. This lack of awe is made manifest in the person who goes through the motions of spirituality and its ritual observances, yet he fails to surrender to the One True God and the power of His transforming grace. Submission to God as one’s Lord and Savior has been forsaken for self, and this lack of surrender is evidenced in the insatiable desire to satisfy one’s personal will above God and His offering of grace. Whereas this person would proclaim himself a follower of Christ, his spirituality is consumed with the pursuit of his own godhood.
This contemptuous attitude toward the Son of God (i.e. treating Him and His salvation as nothing special) results in no bestowal of grace; rather that person can expect God’s judgment, made manifest by His eternal raging fire of wrath upon the reprobate for all eternity (10:27). This is why the Scripture declares that “it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31). God’s offering of grace through His own sacrificial death and resurrection in effect protects us from God Himself, and those who treat His offering as insignificant will receive the full measure of His Divine retribution.
May we all, through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, appreciate the preciousness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and may we respond to this amazing grace with a heart of sincere allegiance and appreciation.
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