"Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;" (Hebrews 5:8, NRSV)
Does this make you uncomfortable? He learned to be obedient thru suffering. Does that mean I have to learn obedience thru suffering? I really don’t like suffering. I would prefer to live without it.
The book of Hebrews gives us a picture of a human Jesus. Not a sinful Jesus, but one that suffers with us and for us. Jesus is just like us in that he doesn’t like to suffer, but does so because he knows what He has to accomplish. If I know the price I would have to pay to achieve the things that I want would I be willing to suffer for it, or do I just want everything handed to me on a silver platter (okay, it doesn’t have to be silver—it just needs to be handed to me)?
The problem with that statement is “to accomplish the things I want”; it should be accomplish the things the Father wants. Jesus didn’t suffer because he wanted to or that it was His plan, but He did so because it was the Father’s plan and he obeyed his Father.
Lord, help me to obey you and to follow your plan so that I may glorify you in all things—even in my suffering.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
The Demand of Grace
"Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls." (James 1:21, NRSV)
How often I forget the Word that God has implanted on my heart? I take it for granted. I do not realize the power it has for this world and for my life. It is not a magical power that the words hold onto themselves, but the truth and the reality of the One behind the words that bring them power. The Word of God implanted in my soul has the power to save souls, has the power to heal people from the misery of the friendship of this world.
"But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves." (James 1:22, NRSV)
James immediately reminds that we must respond to this implanted powerful word, the gift of God. The power of the Word demands a response of action—of doing. Because I have received this word, the generous gift that saved my soul, I am to spread this word through my actions. I am to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, act justly, and spread this saving and powerful word to all those that have ears.
Grace demands action. God’s grace for me demands my action for Him and His world.
How often I forget the Word that God has implanted on my heart? I take it for granted. I do not realize the power it has for this world and for my life. It is not a magical power that the words hold onto themselves, but the truth and the reality of the One behind the words that bring them power. The Word of God implanted in my soul has the power to save souls, has the power to heal people from the misery of the friendship of this world.
"But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves." (James 1:22, NRSV)
James immediately reminds that we must respond to this implanted powerful word, the gift of God. The power of the Word demands a response of action—of doing. Because I have received this word, the generous gift that saved my soul, I am to spread this word through my actions. I am to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, act justly, and spread this saving and powerful word to all those that have ears.
Grace demands action. God’s grace for me demands my action for Him and His world.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Grace or Works?
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." (Ephesians 2:8-10, NRSV)
Paul seems confused. One hand we are told that we are saved by grace and not by our works, yet on the other hand we are told we have been created for good works. Which is it, Paul?
The answer is both. Paul is very clear, we cannot be saved by our works, and there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Paul compares it to death. In our sin, we are dead—by definition dead people cannot do anything. However, only by the gracious and generous will of God can we be brought back to life. We do not earn this new life, we can’t we are dead—we unable to do anything.
However, once we created in new life in Jesus—He has a plan for us—to do good works. Not our own works, by God’s purpose and works. We are to be his hands and feet in his word. We have been created for a purpose—we have been saved for a purpose. Not for our glory but for God’s glory.
Grace or works? The answer is we have been saved by grace to do God’s good works.
Paul seems confused. One hand we are told that we are saved by grace and not by our works, yet on the other hand we are told we have been created for good works. Which is it, Paul?
The answer is both. Paul is very clear, we cannot be saved by our works, and there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Paul compares it to death. In our sin, we are dead—by definition dead people cannot do anything. However, only by the gracious and generous will of God can we be brought back to life. We do not earn this new life, we can’t we are dead—we unable to do anything.
However, once we created in new life in Jesus—He has a plan for us—to do good works. Not our own works, by God’s purpose and works. We are to be his hands and feet in his word. We have been created for a purpose—we have been saved for a purpose. Not for our glory but for God’s glory.
Grace or works? The answer is we have been saved by grace to do God’s good works.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Patience is Love
"But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8-9, NRSV)
"and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation." (2 Peter 3:15a, NRSV)
I am not known for my patience. I wish I was but I not. I get aggravated by having to standing in lines and wait. I get frustrated when my computer doesn’t respond to every click and command right away. And forget about delays on the internet—waiting for something to download. Things can’t be fast enough for me.
I get impatient with my children too. Frustrated how long it takes them to listen or follow a simple command. Instead of just being in the moment with them, and helping them accomplish the task, I throw up my hands and let out a grunt. (a noise by the way my sons have learned to mimic when they get impatient—one of the traits you wish they wouldn’t learn). So in my impatience I teach my kids to be impatient.
God is patient. That is just who He is. He cannot not be patient. But His patience is for our benefit. He is patient because he loves us, not wanting any to perish. He gives us time to respond and repent. He gives us time to respond to His love. God is patient because He loves. Being patient with someone is loving them. Yikes, I have got a lot to learn.
Lord, my I be a father that is patient with my children, and my I be a child that sees the love and patience of my Heavenly Father. Thank for you loving me and waiting for me.
"and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation." (2 Peter 3:15a, NRSV)
I am not known for my patience. I wish I was but I not. I get aggravated by having to standing in lines and wait. I get frustrated when my computer doesn’t respond to every click and command right away. And forget about delays on the internet—waiting for something to download. Things can’t be fast enough for me.
I get impatient with my children too. Frustrated how long it takes them to listen or follow a simple command. Instead of just being in the moment with them, and helping them accomplish the task, I throw up my hands and let out a grunt. (a noise by the way my sons have learned to mimic when they get impatient—one of the traits you wish they wouldn’t learn). So in my impatience I teach my kids to be impatient.
God is patient. That is just who He is. He cannot not be patient. But His patience is for our benefit. He is patient because he loves us, not wanting any to perish. He gives us time to respond and repent. He gives us time to respond to His love. God is patient because He loves. Being patient with someone is loving them. Yikes, I have got a lot to learn.
Lord, my I be a father that is patient with my children, and my I be a child that sees the love and patience of my Heavenly Father. Thank for you loving me and waiting for me.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Why I Have a Velvet Elvis
I am not particularly a fan of Elvis—he is a little before my time, but I have been influenced by his fans, namely one of my pastors who was a big Elvis fan, and had a handful of sermons that he would preach about Elvis on the anniversary of his death.
As a long-time youth minister, you collect things—particularly items that make kids thing you are cool or just a little bit off (you want to keep kids on their toes). Well, one day, a good friend found an old Velvet Elvis in a garage sale and thought it would be a hoot to give it to me.
Part of me hangs it on the wall of my Pastor’s Study just because it is funny. Part of me hangs it on the wall to offset the other elements of ego on the wall (diplomas and such). Part of me hangs it on the wall to start conversation with people—it is a good ice-breaker. But mostly, I hang it on the wall to remind me of the mission God has given us
So how can Elvis, the King, remind me of God’s mission for me?
"Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things." (Acts 17:22-25, NRSV)
Did you know that Elvis Presley made more Gospel albums than Rock albums? Did you know that Elvis came from a family that was deeply religious—Pentecostal background—and the hip movements and gyrations he performed on stage he learned and in his church growing up? Did you know that Elvis often would perform “How Great Thou Art,” during his concerts, and that after the end of all his rehearsals and recording he would make people sing a hymn with him. Did you know that just before he died he made a promise to make only Gospel albums for the rest of his life.
Yet, the church pushed Elvis away, instead of clinging on to a person that had the ability and ear of so many people, the church railed against him and condemn him.
While Elvis Presley was a teen cataclysm with millions of American girls screaming at the sight of him, his own church viewed Presley's gyrations on stage as an affront, labelling it the Devil's work and a mocking of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Presley records were condemned as wicked and Pentecostal preachers thumped their pulpits with Bibles, warning congregations to keep heathen rock and roll music out of their homes and away from their children's ears (especially the music of "that backslidden Pentecostal pup, Elvis Presley"). People who decades later would be considered part of the religious right spoke out vigorously against Presley including Cardinal Spellman. In its weekly periodical, the Roman Catholic Church added to the criticism in an article titled "Beware Elvis Presley."[1]
What if the church instead of pushing Elvis away, latch on to him and used his arena of influence to further spread the gospel? Imagine a church this isn’t afraid of a few warts and is willing to be all things to all people. Imagine a church that is more interested in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, than its own public appearance.
The Apostle Paul on Mars Hill did just that. He wasn’t afraid of learning the culture or engaging it. In fact, Paul thought it his mission to learn and engage the culture so that we may engage people with the Gospel.
The picture of Elvis is a reminder of the failure of the church to grasp onto the opportunities that God provides. So often we put things into boxes of sacred and secular, instead of realizing we are all in the secular box in which God is trying to make sacred.
Let us not depend on our own wisdom and plan, but let’s see how God works and join Him in His plan—even if it might include someone as outrageous as Elvis.
[1] Wikipedia.org
As a long-time youth minister, you collect things—particularly items that make kids thing you are cool or just a little bit off (you want to keep kids on their toes). Well, one day, a good friend found an old Velvet Elvis in a garage sale and thought it would be a hoot to give it to me.
Part of me hangs it on the wall of my Pastor’s Study just because it is funny. Part of me hangs it on the wall to offset the other elements of ego on the wall (diplomas and such). Part of me hangs it on the wall to start conversation with people—it is a good ice-breaker. But mostly, I hang it on the wall to remind me of the mission God has given us
So how can Elvis, the King, remind me of God’s mission for me?
"Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things." (Acts 17:22-25, NRSV)
Did you know that Elvis Presley made more Gospel albums than Rock albums? Did you know that Elvis came from a family that was deeply religious—Pentecostal background—and the hip movements and gyrations he performed on stage he learned and in his church growing up? Did you know that Elvis often would perform “How Great Thou Art,” during his concerts, and that after the end of all his rehearsals and recording he would make people sing a hymn with him. Did you know that just before he died he made a promise to make only Gospel albums for the rest of his life.
Yet, the church pushed Elvis away, instead of clinging on to a person that had the ability and ear of so many people, the church railed against him and condemn him.
While Elvis Presley was a teen cataclysm with millions of American girls screaming at the sight of him, his own church viewed Presley's gyrations on stage as an affront, labelling it the Devil's work and a mocking of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Presley records were condemned as wicked and Pentecostal preachers thumped their pulpits with Bibles, warning congregations to keep heathen rock and roll music out of their homes and away from their children's ears (especially the music of "that backslidden Pentecostal pup, Elvis Presley"). People who decades later would be considered part of the religious right spoke out vigorously against Presley including Cardinal Spellman. In its weekly periodical, the Roman Catholic Church added to the criticism in an article titled "Beware Elvis Presley."[1]
What if the church instead of pushing Elvis away, latch on to him and used his arena of influence to further spread the gospel? Imagine a church this isn’t afraid of a few warts and is willing to be all things to all people. Imagine a church that is more interested in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, than its own public appearance.
The Apostle Paul on Mars Hill did just that. He wasn’t afraid of learning the culture or engaging it. In fact, Paul thought it his mission to learn and engage the culture so that we may engage people with the Gospel.
The picture of Elvis is a reminder of the failure of the church to grasp onto the opportunities that God provides. So often we put things into boxes of sacred and secular, instead of realizing we are all in the secular box in which God is trying to make sacred.
Let us not depend on our own wisdom and plan, but let’s see how God works and join Him in His plan—even if it might include someone as outrageous as Elvis.
[1] Wikipedia.org
Monday, March 06, 2006
Opportunities for Communion
I just watch a video of a guy that set up a folding card table in different public places. He placed himself in a mall, outside a fast food restaurant, in a public market, a park, outside a subway entrance. On this table, he placed a bright pink piece of paper that read in Bold black letters, “COMMUNION”. In addition he placed on the table a loaf of the best smelling and tasting bread that you could buy. He had broken the bread into two pieces. Next to the broken bread was a clear wine glass filled with the best wine that he could buy. This gentleman sat behind the table in a chair wanting for people to engage this visual peculiarity. This man was offering communion, he was inviting people to a relationship with Jesus.
In the video, most people walked on by without even noticing the table, some look at him, but didn’t even slow down. Some people slowed down and smiled, but kept walking by. Some people even hovered a bit, but never got too close to engage. Some even stop to talk to the person, but when offered the bread and wine, refused. Then just one person eventually engaged the person, took the bread and wine and thanked the man.
What a fantastic image of what God has done for us. There God is at the fast food place, the mall, the public park, everywhere we go, offering all of us a relationship with Him—a chance to commune with Him. How many of us engage this offer and accept it freely as it is freely given.
Let us be a people that engages in every moment and let us be a people that commune with God.
In the video, most people walked on by without even noticing the table, some look at him, but didn’t even slow down. Some people slowed down and smiled, but kept walking by. Some people even hovered a bit, but never got too close to engage. Some even stop to talk to the person, but when offered the bread and wine, refused. Then just one person eventually engaged the person, took the bread and wine and thanked the man.
What a fantastic image of what God has done for us. There God is at the fast food place, the mall, the public park, everywhere we go, offering all of us a relationship with Him—a chance to commune with Him. How many of us engage this offer and accept it freely as it is freely given.
Let us be a people that engages in every moment and let us be a people that commune with God.
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