Could It Be That We Have It Backwards?

We have a tendency to make everything difficult.  Part of the reason for this is the fact that we do things backwards.  God tells us to do something one way, and we do it another.  He equips us to minister, and we wait for something else.  When Jesus sent out Twelve, He not only gave them clear instruction, but He also gave them what they needed to succeed.  The Bible says, ”He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits.  He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a walking stick: no bread, no traveling bag, no money in their belts” (Mark 6:7-8, HCSB). 

I find it interesting that Jesus gave them His authority and told them to take nothing else.  We, on the other hand, tend to take everything else and ignore His power and authority.  Christ has commissioned us (Matthew 28:18-20), and has given us His power (Acts 1:8), yet we wait for other things.  Everything else is more essential than what we have in Christ.  We want pristine buildings and magnificent media presentations, impressive worship performances and cutting edge technology.  Somehow, we think that all the material things will help us in a spiritual struggle (Ephesians 6:12).  On an individual level, we want the perfect opportunity – one without risk or chance.  Something within our comfort zone.  It doesn’t always work that way.  We simply need to go in the knowledge that Jesus is with us.  We have His power and authority.  Other stuff is nice, but it’s no replacement for what He has already given to us.

What Disney Could Teach The Church

A few weeks ago, my family and I were fortunate enough to visit Disney World on our vacation.  We had a great time.  In between all the sights and the sounds, I noticed something.  The people who worked at the parks really enhanced the experienced.  The way the conducted themselves made a real difference, particularly in an era where attentiveness and customer service seem to be lost arts.

So, I began to think about church life.  I wondered, what could Disney teach us about interacting with the people who walk through our doors?  For one, the folks at Disney seemed glad we came.  We weren’t an inconvience to them.  We didn’t steal their parking spot or sit in their seat.  Too many churches treat guests like outsiders at best and intruders at worst.  It’s no wonder that they seldom make a return visit.  I wonder what kind of impression we could make on people if we genuinely were happy to see them?

Second, people took the time to interact with us.  They were not too busy to meet our needs.  How many times have people walked into our churches to be greeted by greeters who are more interested in yesterday’s ball game than them?  How often do new people walk down our halls or sit in our pews without ever receiving any attention whatsoever?  Just as tragically, how frequently do we ignore or mistreat people when we venture outside the walls of the church?  Disney seemed to understand that while their product was a mouse, their business was people.  We’re in the people business too.

Third, the employees with which we dealt knew what they were doing.  Virtually everyone we spoke with had the answers we needed.  Many of us, one the other hand are filled with uncertainty of all kinds.  Functionally, we don’t know where a second grader goes to Sunday School, or where to go to find out.  We don’t know who’s handling the sign-ups for the youth trip next month (or where to find out).  We probably don’t even know the names of the people in the pew next to us.  Doctrinally, we don’t know much about the basics of our faith.  We sort of just shrug anytime someone asks something of us.  Practically, many of us couldn’t help someone find the book of John, let alone the God it proclaims.  People have questions.  They’re looking for answers.  It would do us well to take the time to know what we need to know.

Finally, the people with whom we dealt seemed to really believe in what they were doing.  Yes, it was a job.  For some, it was their first.  For others, maybe just something to fill the void.  Nonetheless, they all seemed to know they were part of something special.  As part of the family of God, we are so blessed to be a part of something great.  We should live in a way that communicates that wonderful blessing.  People should be able to look at us and see that we are a part of something special.

The Scripture simply reminds us, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10, HCSB).  Let’s be sure to treat people in a way that enhances their experience.  Let’s show that we care about who they are and what’s going on in their lives.  Let’s be sure we have the answers to their questions, and we demonstrate that we are a part of something special.  When we do, I’m sure people will leave wanting more of what we have.

Why VBS?

Our church began its Vacation Bible School this week.  Many would ask why we still have one.  It takes a tremendous amount of energy and effort.  People have put a great deal of time into preparing to teach, decorating rooms, and inviting families.  People have spent countless hours praying for this event.  Some would suggest that it’s a lot of effort to put towards kids that the skeptic says we’ll never see again.  Some would even suggest that we may be doing more harm than good because some children may make an insincere, emotional decision and rest in some false sense of security.

I am the first to recognize some of the pitfalls of something of this nature.  With that said, however, there are a few reasons why I believe it’s important for us to do VBS.  For one, it rallies people to a cause bigger than themselves.  This week is really like any other in our church’s calendar.  As I mentioned above, scores of people put in an incredible amount of time.  Designers and builders design and build.  Prayer warriors pray.  Teachers teach.  Sounds a lot like the body working the way that it should to me (Romans 12:3-8).

Second, it shows the love of Christ to children and their families.  In the world that we live in, so many families are fractured and overwhelmed.  Perhaps no institution in our society is under more assault than the family.  And, tragically, children often pay the price.  We have the opportunity to remind the children of our community that God loves them and that we love them.  For some of them, it may be the only time they get a chance to hear something like that.  At the same time, we can touch their parents and grand-parents with a biblical message of hope and love.

In the course of loving these children and their families, we have the opportunity to share the gospel of Christ with them.  Again, I understand what some may say about the sincerity of someone’s decision.  But, if someone (be it a child or an adult) asks to surrender his or her life to Jesus, and can express a basic understanding of sin and salvation, is it not our responsibility to help them in that decision? 

My own testimony bears this out.  I come from an unchurched family.  As a child, I would occasionally attend a Vacation Bible School in our community.  One year I walked an aisle, said a prayer, and went home and proclaimed I “had a white heart”.  I was sincere, but ignorant.  My family never went to church after that, and even though I sporadically might have attended, I was hardly a disciple.  Years later, I became concerned about my relationship with God, and asked my parents if we could go to church.  While attending a church (interestingly one of a different denomination than the one where I went to VBS), I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior.  At the very worst, my childhood VBS experience was a gospel seed planted that was harvested a decade later. 

That’s our hope and prayer every year when we enter into this venture.  That lives will be touched.  Perhaps today.  Or maybe ten years from now when a young adult will be prompted by the Sprit of God to respond to God’s grace and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  That’s why we do this.  May God bless us in these efforts once again.

Challenges to the Faith

It’s interesting to me that everyone in the culture (and especially the media) wants to raise all sorts of ruckus when Christians step outside their boundaries (which in most cases means allowing their Christian convictions to carry beyond the walls of the church).  But, there is very little said when the State infringes upon the free exercise of religion.  According to FoxNews (read the story here), the city of San Diego has shut down a home Bible study, and demanded that the host family apply for a permit.  The permit apparently costs thousands of dollars.  The city’s justification?  The home Bible study was an “unlawful use of land.”

There may be more to this story than meets the eye.  Time will tell if that is the case.  With that said, however, we live in a time when more and more Christians are facing challenges, and even oppression in practicing their faith.  Although this is tragic, we should not be surprised (or even dismayed) by this.  Jesus told His followers that this would indeed happen.  He said,

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love [you as] its own.  However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.  Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.  If they kept My word, they will also keep yours.  But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me” (John 15:18-21, HCSB).

We should not be surprised that there is a hostility towards the gospel by those that have not accepted it.  We should pray for those that persecute us (Matthew 5:44).  We should pray that the gospel penetrate the society around us.  Paul faced opposition in His ministry and sought the prayers of the Thessalonian Christians to help him deal with it.  He wrote, “Finally, pray for us, brothers, that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith.  But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3, HCSB).

Life and ministry is not always easy.  Standing strong for Christ can be challenging.  We can be sure that despite the fact that some do not have faith, God is faithful.  He will guide His people through trial and triumph alike.  Let us pray that His will be done (Matthew 6:10) and His word be proclaimed (Acts 4:29). 

 

The Irony of Faith and Free Speech

There are a lot of thing that people are passionate about.  For some it’s politics.  Democrats versus Republicans, liberals versus conservatives, MSNBC versus FoxNews.  People get worked up about politics and political opinions.  They are passionate about what they believe, and they freely voice their opinions.  Other people get worked up over sports.  Yankees versus Red Sox, Bears versus Packers, Ohio State (go Bucks!) versus Michigan.  Die-hards bleed their team colors.  They care a lot about their teams and how they do.  And, they’ll tell you about it if they get a chance.

Obviously, people also get excited about religious beliefs.  What’s interesting to me is that in the passionate exchange of ideas regarding Christianity, a lot of people get in an uproar when Christians actually participate and talk about faith in Jesus.  The emerging attitude is that Christianity is fine as long as you keep it within the walls of the church.  Don’t talk about Jesus too loud in the public arena because someone may get offended.  God forbid that a teenager excited about Jesus wears a tee-shirt to school proclaiming his faith in Christ.  It’s a border-line crime when a grade-schooler talks about baby Jesus around Christmas time.  Just recently, the U.S. military had to issue strong denials of an Al-Jazeera report that U.S. military personnel was “proselytizing” (sharing Christ with) Afghan Muslims (which is against the law in Afghanistan.  You can read the article here).   And as you probably know, Miss California Carrie Prejean has come under an all-out media assault because she dared reference her faith in response to a question (read Steve Camp’s take on this at his site.  It’s really worth checking out.  Read it here).

Why is it there is never any concern about reproaches made against Christianity?  It seems like it’s always the other way around.  Anyone can say what they want about Jesus except that He died for our sins, rose from the grave, and is the way to an eternal relationship with God (John 14:6).  Why is it that it’s perfectly acceptable to voice a favorable opinion of any other religious viewpoint except Christianity?  I mean if it’s proper to expound on Islam, why not on Christianity?  Are not both constitutionally protected observances?  Does not the right to free speech extend to adherents of all faiths?  The more time marches on, the more it seems like the faith that prompted the Founders to include protections for free speech and free religious expression may very well be the one now excluded from them.

What We Can Learn from the News

It seems like every day we see another story that reminds us of just how broken we truly are.  Parents murdering their children, shooting rampages in nursing homes, and unmitigated greed and corruption dominate our news cycles.  It’s all so tragic.  For many of us, we just turn off the television or shut down the computer without thinking too much about what we just witnessed.  But, if we pause for just a moment and ponder what’s happening around us, we might learn a thing or two.

All of these stories remind us of the broken condition of man.  Humanity does a lot of wonderful things.  We are also capable of some horrible things.  The Bible tells us that each one of us are broken and corrupt in our sin (Romans 3:23).  We all are far from perfect.  And, while many of us are shocked by what we encounter in the news, we need to remind ourselves that in our fallen state, we are all capable of the same sort of behavior.  The Apostle Paul says, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature” (Romans 7:18, NLT).

Since we are broken in our sin, we need help.  We cannot fix ourselves.  Only God can really deal with our greatest need.  James quotes the book of Proverbs when he writes, “God opposes the proud, but favors the humble” (James 4:6, NLT; see also Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5).  We need to humble ourselves and allow God to have control of our lives.  In our pride, we become so self-sufficient.  We believe that we can do it all.  We feel like we have no need for God.  In reality, our self-sufficiency is part of the trap created by our sin.  We do indeed need God.  His grace can change us.  He can make us whole.  We just need to let Him.

Today’s headlines also remind us that we need to do a better job getting out the message of hope.  We are surrounded by hurting, broken people.  Some are overwhelmed by the reality of their lives.  Others feel like there is no where to turn for real answers.  Yet others are so caught up vigorously pursuing their own agendas that they are missing what life is really all about.  For those of us who have accepted Christ and follow Him, we need to be busy touching people’s lives with the love of God.  We need to lovingly engage our culture while avoiding the dangers of becoming immersed in it.  We need to let others know that there is a God who loves them and gave His Son to redeem them.  The Bible says, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news” (Romans 10:15, NLT)!

The news can be a daunting thing.  It can really overwhelm us if we let it.  The next time we see something that shocks us, we need to stop and realize something.  It’s grace that keeps us from being in the headlines, and it’s grace that can change them.

A Concern for the Masses

I recently had a conversation with my son about the Electoral College.  In it, we talked about the sheer number of people who live in dense population areas.  That conversation reminded me of the fact that most of us live surrounded by people.  All around us are men, women, and children.  Many of these need to be touched by the grace of God.

As the book of Jonah concludes, Jonah is sulking.  God’s judgment did not fall on Ninevah like the prophet had hoped.  Furthermore, Jonah’s shade tree had collapsed, and he was sitting in the blistering heat.  He is not a happy camper.  God confronted Jonah about his priorities.  He said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly.  But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city” (Jonah 4:10-11, NLT)?

I wonder how many of us complain about all the problems in our lives, only to ignore the plight of the thousands of people around us every day.  How many of the countless faces we see each day need the hope and peace of Jesus?  God’s compassion was in the right place.  He was concerned about the people of Ninevah.  He is also concerned about the men and women of our cities and towns.  Jonah’s concern was on himself.  I wonder where our concern is.

Keeping Our End of the Bargain

From time to time on Sundays, I like to post a thought from one of our services.  I don’t like posting entire sermons or the like, but just a quick thought.  In the book of Exodus, we read of God laying down the ground rules for His relationship with His people.  He has delivered them from captivity in Egypt.  He has miraculously provided food and water for them.  He has even won battles for them.  Now, He tells them, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel” (Exodus 19:5-6, ESV).

A couple of things jump out at us.  For one, Israel was to obey all that God said.  They were to do things His way and keep  their part of the bargain.  A covenant was sort of like a contract.  Israel had to honor her agreement.  God in turn called them His treasured possession.  They belonged to Him and He cherished them.  Furthermore, they were to be a kingdom of priests.  That is, they were to represent God to all the peoples around them.  Finally, they were to be a holy nation.  Simply stated, they were to be a people set apart in their faith and practice.  They were to be different.  Throughout her history, Israel struggled with the idea of being distinct and set apart.  Many times, she blindly imitated those around her. 

We too must be a holy people who represent God to the people around us.  Peter writes, “You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession” (1 Peter 2:9, NLT).  We too must be distinct from the world around us while trying to reach the world around us.  Is it possible that in our efforts to reach the world, we have become too much like the world?  Through the years, we have continually softened our message and our conduct.  In many ways, we are indistinguishable from the very people we are trying to reach.  We must be different.  We must be holy.  We are special to God.  He calls us to obedience and a life of distinction.  Let’s strive to keep our end of the bargain.

Specialty Shoes

When I was a kid, shoe buying wasn’t the all-day experience it is now.  Back then, shortly after fire was invented, there seemed to be two kinds of shoes.  There were dress shoes and there were tennis shoes.  Or, as my mom described them, “good shoes” and “play shoes.”  Now, you walk in to buy a pair of tennis shoes and stand in front of a wall with sub-categories and flow charts.  Cross-traininers, basketball, tennis, walking, and running shoes (what, no standing shoes?) are all options.  Once you pick a category, you get into the breakdowns of the breakdowns.  High-top, low-top, mid-top, no top, leather, nylon, air soles, gel, on and on and on.  Shoes have become so specialized.

Continuing to look at what we need to stand firm in our hand to hand engagement with the evil one, Paul reminds us to put the right things on our feet.  He writes, “and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15, ESV).  Roman soldiers wore special shoes that enabled them to move and to stand with stability.  Their shoes had spikes in the bottoms of them to dig into the ground and give them traction.  They were a precursor to the modern football cleat.

As believers, we are to stand firm in the peace that comes from knowing Christ.  We are not to be tossed around by every wave and speculation that presents itself.  Paul writes that we are to ”no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14, ESV).  A growing relationship with Jesus gives us a certain stability. 

Standing firm in that peace, we then are to be prepared to tell others about who Jesus is and what He has done.  We have the wonderful opportunity to let the people in our lives know the difference He can make.  The prophet Isaiah writes, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news” (Isaiah 52:7, ESV).  The gospel of Jesus is indeed “good news.”  As a matter of fact, that’s what the word “gospel” literally means.  It’s good news we can share.

We must be ready to take advantage of the opportunities we have.  In the New Testament, Peter tells us, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV).  Every day we have chances to point people to Jesus.  A distraught co-worker.  An overwhelmed neighbor.  A frustrated classmate.  A questioning spouse.  All of these are opportunities.  Make the most of them.  Be prepared to tell someone about the peace that’s available in Jesus.  After all, it will probably be easier than buying a new pair of shoes.

Making Disciples or Growing Churches

Every now and then, God really shakes me up.  It usually happens when I’m in a car traveling somewhere (and no, it has nothing to do with my driving).  Recently, God really challenged me regarding my priorities.  As a pastor, I often find myself obsessing over some aspect of church life.  There are sermons to prepare for, people in the hospital to see, and administrative duties to be done.  In addition, there is all of the leading, mentoring, and vision casting that comes with your name being on the sign.  Through it all, there is the constant challenge of reaching people with the gospel. 

Just recently, in one of those moments of obsessing about the state of the church, God really spoke to me.  He challenged me to quit worrying about growing the church and start focusing on making disciples.  Now, I want to throw a few disclaimers in here before we go any farther.  For one, I fully realize a lot of people frequently (myself included) use these terms synonymously.  We often use church growth, evangelism, and making disciples interchangeably.  Secondly, in no way is this a statement against the concept of church growth.  A church should grow.  It should grow numerically, spiritually, and missionally.

With that said, let’s look at two statements Jesus made.  Both of them are found in the gospel of Matthew.  One in the middle of the book, and the other at the end.  As Jesus and His disciples entered Casesera Philippi, they engaged in a conversation about His identity.  Jesus asked the twelve what the masses were saying.  He then became very personal and asked them directly who they thought He was.  Peter speaks up quickly and boldly.  He says, “You are the Christ,  the Son of the living God”(Matthew 16:16, ESV).  Jesus commends him and then proclaims, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it“(Matthew 16:17-18, ESV, emphasis added).

We could spend a lot of time and energy talking about Peter’s confession, who is the rock, and the revelation, but that is for another time and another place.  I want to focus on what Jesus says about the church.  Notice again that He says, “I will build my church.”  He doesn’t call Peter to build it.  He doesn’t challenge the disciples to build it.  He proclaims that He will build it.  He will build it and nothing, not even Hell itself, will overcome it.

The second statement I want us to focus on is a familiar one.  After the resurrection, Jesus encounters the disciples in Galilee.  Jesus gives them their (and our), famous marching orders.  He says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV, emphasis added).  Without bogging down in a lengthy discussion of Greek grammar, we simply need to understand that the one command in the entire “Great Commission” is the one “to make disciples.”  We are to reach people with the gospel message and teach them to grow in Christ.

With these two statements, we see quite a contrast.  Jesus will build His church, but we are to make disciples.  What happens when we forget who does what?  When we build a church, we draw a crowd.  We see people respond to felt needs, be they friendship, programs, music, or personalities.  We find ourselves in an ever-widening pool that never deepens.  In the minds of many in the crowd, depth was not part of the agreement.  It didn’t come with the invite card.  As time goes on, our frustration begins to grow.  Crowds are restless and aren’t real stable.  As the crowd fluctuates, we bounce from method to method, fad to fad.  All of this is done looking for that one new tool that can keep the effort fresh.  Still no depth.  Eventually, we get tired of the puddle.

Realize once again that I am not trying to be critical of a church’s evangelism efforts, nor am I suggesting they aren’t important.  I am simply trying to remind us who actually grows the church, and what happens when we try to wrestle that responsibility away from Him.  When we place that burden on our shoulders, we build a crowd that cannot stand up to the impact of a low pressure front or win the battle with a ringing alarm clock, let alone withstand the gates of Hell.

It is our responsibility to make disciples.  As mentioned earlier, that begins by reaching people with the gospel of Christ.  I’m not sure the method matters (as long as it’s biblical and ethical), but we must engage others with the truth of the claims of Christ.  We would do well in that conversation to remember terms and concepts like love, faith, grace, and repentance.  It is also our responsibility to lead those who are following Christ to grow in a deeper relationship with Him.

Jesus will indeed build His church, and it will prevail just as He said it would.  We need to leave that to Him.  We need to begin to do what He called us to do – reach people with gospel, teach them all that He has taught us, and baptize them into a local body of believers.  He can build the church.  We’ll try to make disciples.