Sometimes in our lives we need to get back to the fundamentals. We get so focused on the intricacies of our lives or professions that we become sloppy in the things that matter most. It's the same reason that NBA players still work on ball handling, free-throws and footwork in the post. If you look at all the great players of the past you will see that they never took these building blocks for granted. Take Michael Jordan for instance, he could jump high and dunk from the free throw line but every year he was selected to the All-Defensive team and never dribbled off his foot during "crunch time". This is the same guy who was cut from his high school team his freshman year. He understood the importance of the basics.
As Christians we need to have an undying affection for the fundamentals. In the book of John chapter one is the Gospel. Verses 1-18 give us these important building blocks:
1. Jesus was in the beginning. John draws from Genesis to say that God has always done his creative work through the Son (cf. 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2 ). Jesus is the purpose for this world. God worked through the Son to create, redeem a people and end this world for His glory.
2. Jesus is the light that darkness could not overcome. Just as when God created the heavens and earth he ended the dark void by speaking light. The world was never the same. Jesus is the light of grace and truth that the darkness of evil and sin cannot overcome.
3. The world was made through Jesus but it did not know him. John says he came even to his people (Jews) and they didn't even know him. The world did not recognize it's king.
4. All who believe he gives the right to become children of God who are not born of blood or the will of the flesh or the will of man but of the will of God. It was God's will that Jesus die on the cross, it is this same sovereign God who calls us to his family.
5. Because Jesus became flesh, we have witnessed His glory from the Father full of truth and grace, we have received that grace upon grace and He has made the Father known.
God is unveiling this big epic story. It's about Jesus who was there when it began. He became flesh to die for our sins so that He could redeem His people and show the glory of the Father. He currently resides at the right hand of the father as the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God who will take the scroll and end this world for His namesake. So that those who believe will be children of God. It's the basics that make us who we are and it's the basics that should stir our spirit. C. J. Mahaney once said that if a message or book does not point you to the cross then it has missed it's mark. Please never lose your passion for reading, talking and hearing about what Christ has done for us. It's fundamental.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
I'm Tired of Us
I'll be the first one to say that change in the church is needed. I am all for a revolution that puts away old irrelevant rituals and religion. It's way past time for an "Extreme Makeover". But while that is going on I think we are missing the real reason people don't go to church.
The reason that people don't go to or leave the church is Christians. Yep, you and I and everyone else who professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We have become "world repellant". We are hypocritical, judgmental, hyper-conservative, non-inclusive, closed minded, incredibly insincere and every other Pharisee laden characteristic that Christ points out.
It amazes me that we are ready to give financial advice when our finances are in disarray. We want to tell people how to love their spouse and parent their children when our homes are in shambles. We want to paint broad strokes like working mom's don't love their kids as much as women who stay at home or if a woman gets an epidural during delivery she is less of a woman. Oh, you’re a Christian, you must be a republican. Here is common thought, "oh, you’re a Christian, so you'll be my friend until I tell you that I'm not going to your Bible study or your church. I know that's what you care about, another notch in your; "I got someone saved belt." This is what the world thinks of us. From where I stand, they're right.
Now am I not assuming that sin will not permeate the church. What I am saying is that it's not Jesus, church buildings or the Gospel that prevents the world from hearing the message. It's those of us who unwilling to live a transparent life. We need to seek to be open with our lives or our sin. Be willing to say "hey, I know what you’re going through, my husband and I went through the same thing and here is how we made it". Here is where the difference should take place. Instead of saying "Oh that's too bad, I'll pray you." You have nothing to lose by living a transparent life because you only have to be accountable to God.
We also need to be better in loving each other. Jesus says "They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another". Not our pride driven theological or doctrinal debates. Not our pride driven "our church is cool" mentality. Not our pride in the "our church is bigger than your church" mentality but our LOVE for one another.
Lastly we need to be real in our relationships with non-Christians. We need to show that we are representatives of Jesus who never compromised who he was but loved tax collectors, prostitutes, people who were so full of sin that the Pharisees wouldn't even touch them (literally). Non-Christians need to know that we genially care for them the way Christ cares for us not just waiting for the inevitable "invitation". Effective evangelism takes place when your life shows the benefits of a life in Christ; peace, patience, love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Right now, we have image problems and I’m tired of us.
The reason that people don't go to or leave the church is Christians. Yep, you and I and everyone else who professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We have become "world repellant". We are hypocritical, judgmental, hyper-conservative, non-inclusive, closed minded, incredibly insincere and every other Pharisee laden characteristic that Christ points out.
It amazes me that we are ready to give financial advice when our finances are in disarray. We want to tell people how to love their spouse and parent their children when our homes are in shambles. We want to paint broad strokes like working mom's don't love their kids as much as women who stay at home or if a woman gets an epidural during delivery she is less of a woman. Oh, you’re a Christian, you must be a republican. Here is common thought, "oh, you’re a Christian, so you'll be my friend until I tell you that I'm not going to your Bible study or your church. I know that's what you care about, another notch in your; "I got someone saved belt." This is what the world thinks of us. From where I stand, they're right.
Now am I not assuming that sin will not permeate the church. What I am saying is that it's not Jesus, church buildings or the Gospel that prevents the world from hearing the message. It's those of us who unwilling to live a transparent life. We need to seek to be open with our lives or our sin. Be willing to say "hey, I know what you’re going through, my husband and I went through the same thing and here is how we made it". Here is where the difference should take place. Instead of saying "Oh that's too bad, I'll pray you." You have nothing to lose by living a transparent life because you only have to be accountable to God.
We also need to be better in loving each other. Jesus says "They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another". Not our pride driven theological or doctrinal debates. Not our pride driven "our church is cool" mentality. Not our pride in the "our church is bigger than your church" mentality but our LOVE for one another.
Lastly we need to be real in our relationships with non-Christians. We need to show that we are representatives of Jesus who never compromised who he was but loved tax collectors, prostitutes, people who were so full of sin that the Pharisees wouldn't even touch them (literally). Non-Christians need to know that we genially care for them the way Christ cares for us not just waiting for the inevitable "invitation". Effective evangelism takes place when your life shows the benefits of a life in Christ; peace, patience, love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Right now, we have image problems and I’m tired of us.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Zephaniah 3:17 Part 2
2. Mighty - The God of creation, the Red Sea, the Great I Am, the God of Abraham, the God of Resurrection and the God of Revelation. This all powerful creator and sustainer of all thngs is the God that Zephaniah's prophesy speaks. This God is always present and uses his might for saving souls. Imagine, a God with everything at his disposal and he chooses to use his power for saving sinners from distruction and seperation. I am broken and taken aback by this very thought.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Zephaniah 3:17 part 1
Zephhaniah 3:17 speaks to the very heart of God. Specifically to 8 characteristics.
1. Present - "The Lord God is in your midst". God is ever present you can't hide from Him. We could view this in 2 different ways. Either this makes us nervous because when you sin he is there or when the world has let you down and you're desperate, he is there. How is it then that we have times when we feel distant from God? Why do I have "dry" times? If God is omnipresent the problem must lie within us. Maybe it's condemnation or persistant sin natures. Could be both as a result of unrepentance. Either way the distance is created by our own heart condition not because God has abandoned you or has taken vacation
1. Present - "The Lord God is in your midst". God is ever present you can't hide from Him. We could view this in 2 different ways. Either this makes us nervous because when you sin he is there or when the world has let you down and you're desperate, he is there. How is it then that we have times when we feel distant from God? Why do I have "dry" times? If God is omnipresent the problem must lie within us. Maybe it's condemnation or persistant sin natures. Could be both as a result of unrepentance. Either way the distance is created by our own heart condition not because God has abandoned you or has taken vacation
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Monday, March 03, 2008
How did I get here?
I think the reason I am here right now doing what I'm doing is because God has ordained it and it's in line with his purpose. I wholeheartedly believe that my God is sovereign and is never surprised by anything. He is not reactive. I don't believe that anything, god or whatever dared him to create this world with only his voice.
In Dallas a speaker was describing how God always glorifies himself. Speaking of the cross he said that if you were there that day you would have deemed that scene as the worst time in history. But as we look on it now it is the salvation in which we derive our love, hope and joy. The pinnacle time in history. The watershed moment for man.
I was for forced to look at my life. What event had I seen as horrible? The thing that came to my mind was the death of my dad. Dad and I were close and I don't remember a day without him until I went to college. Everybody liked him. On Friday October 2nd, 1987 at my brother's football game, he had his first and last heart attack. When the sun came up the next day I tried to will it back down because I didn't want to face a world without my dad in it.
Twenty years later here I am, a completely different man. One who wholeheartedly loves and trusts in Jesus. I was saved then but had no idea what God really had in store for me. You see I love my life. A great marriage, two really great and unique kids, two amazing grand kids and a life filled with friends who genuinely love me. Do I know what my kids and grand kids missed out on by not knowing my dad, sure. Even now I think to myself if dad could have seen that we would have had one of those big belly laughs that leaves you needing a nap.
The truth is if dad were still alive I would not be here now. God's story is playing out. So as I look back twenty years I see that time a little differently. God is holy, pure and perfect and He has a plan for my life. I may still mourn the death of my father but now I also rejoice.
In Dallas a speaker was describing how God always glorifies himself. Speaking of the cross he said that if you were there that day you would have deemed that scene as the worst time in history. But as we look on it now it is the salvation in which we derive our love, hope and joy. The pinnacle time in history. The watershed moment for man.
I was for forced to look at my life. What event had I seen as horrible? The thing that came to my mind was the death of my dad. Dad and I were close and I don't remember a day without him until I went to college. Everybody liked him. On Friday October 2nd, 1987 at my brother's football game, he had his first and last heart attack. When the sun came up the next day I tried to will it back down because I didn't want to face a world without my dad in it.
Twenty years later here I am, a completely different man. One who wholeheartedly loves and trusts in Jesus. I was saved then but had no idea what God really had in store for me. You see I love my life. A great marriage, two really great and unique kids, two amazing grand kids and a life filled with friends who genuinely love me. Do I know what my kids and grand kids missed out on by not knowing my dad, sure. Even now I think to myself if dad could have seen that we would have had one of those big belly laughs that leaves you needing a nap.
The truth is if dad were still alive I would not be here now. God's story is playing out. So as I look back twenty years I see that time a little differently. God is holy, pure and perfect and He has a plan for my life. I may still mourn the death of my father but now I also rejoice.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Really
What is up with this stupid weather? I knew when I moved from Virginia Beach back to KC that there would be winter. However, I moved to KC not Butte, Montana!!!!!!
Anyway, I am coming off a very good weekend at Passion Dallas so I have decided to start putting my thoughts and studies for all to see. Please comment and let me know what you're thinking.
Anyway, I am coming off a very good weekend at Passion Dallas so I have decided to start putting my thoughts and studies for all to see. Please comment and let me know what you're thinking.
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