Posted by David on October 6, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
Most people see that question as a horrible question. We DO NOT like to ask it or answer it. About the only time most of us willingly ask or answer that question is when we are with people “who share our personal passion.”
Why regard that question as horrible? (1) We fear someone will take advantage of us. (2) We fear someone will expect more than we can do. (3) We fear we will get into circumstances or situations we cannot get out of. (4) We fear someone will mistake our concern for commitment. (5) We fear we might be exploited. (6) We fear we may become an “opportunity” rather than a person. (7) We fear feeling used and deceived.
We fear. Note often our response to an opportunity to help is more likely to produce fear rather than compassion. We are more likely to feel fear instead of compassion. Our focus is more likely to be, “Do they care about me?” rather than, “Do I care about them?”
Jesus wanted to help. Did he help everyone? No. Did he help those that asked? Sometimes, but not always. Often his response was determined by others’ motives. Did he help the hopeless with enormous needs? Frequently. Outcasts in dire need often received his compassion and help.
Did fear determine who he helped? No. Did some take advantage of him? Yes. Did some expect things he could not give? Yes. At times was he in extremely awkward circumstances? Yes. Did some mistake his concern for compassion? Yes. Did some attempt to exploit him? Yes. Did the motives of others deceive him? Never. Did others’ bad motives or attempts to exploit him cause him to quit caring, to quit expressing compassion? Gratefully, I can say never.
Jesus never said, “I am tired of people being ‘down and out’ before they seek my help. I am tired of people asking for my help when they finally realize they have no where else to turn.” Consider the statement found in Hebrews 4:14-16.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Jesus specializes in helping those with weaknesses. He specializes in helping those who need mercy. He wants us to realize our weaknesses and need for mercy. Then, he wants us to approach “the throne of grace” in confidence.
We have problems and needs. Jesus has mercy and grace. His compassion is our help.
Posted by David on September 29, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
This Sunday morning Brad Pistole and I will discuss the Congregational Family Needs Analysis. The elders request everyone to fill one out the following Sunday (October 6). [Yes, the analysis will be available to those who cannot be here October 6.] It is totally anonymous. The only information about your person requested is your age group (a multiple choice request). It is intentionally anonymous so each person can express himself or herself freely and honestly.
It has twenty-five (25) questions. Twenty-four (24) are multiple choice questions. The last question: “Additional comments.” Many should complete the survey in less than 20 minutes.
The basic objective is to gather information that will assist the elders and staff. It will help us address the spiritual needs of more people as classes, support groups, special events, etc., are planned. Without this information, we often plan on the basis of “what we think your spiritual needs are” rather than what you know your spiritual needs to be.
Often you are challenged to realize that members of this congregation have many differing spiritual needs. While all Christians have some similar needs (repentance, increasing faith, greater commitment and devotion, etc.), most Christians have needs unique to his or her situation. The combination of what is happening in one’s family; among one’s peers; in one’s work; in one’s educational process; in one’s severest temptations; in one’s greatest discouragements; in one’s most acute disappointments; in one’s harshest trials; and in one’s greatest fears make each of us unique.
What may be of powerful encouragement to one Christian may be meaningless to another Christian. What may powerfully motivate one Christian may leave another Christian unmoved. Spiritual maturity in Christ follows many paths. This information will help us improve the encouragement given each baptized believer as he or she travels his or her path. We want each of us to be closer to God a year from now than we are at this moment–regardless of how close to God each of us is now.
With a dialogue method, Brad and I will seek to help you memorably focus on the importance of the Congregational Family Needs Analysis. Jesus taught Jews and Samaritans. Paul taught Jews and Gentiles. Many of the early evangelists taught those who worshipped God and taught those who worshipped idols. The paths to faith in Jesus Christ often required different routes. Want a biblical example? Read the sermon in Acts 2 and the sermon in Acts 17. Note the differences in preaching to a Jewish audience and an audience who worshipped the gods.
God’s Christ is adequate for all groups, though each group is different. Help us plan for God’s Christ to meet your spiritual needs.
Posted by David on September 15, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
Last Sunday morning I shared this thought: we must not discourage God’s influence in our lives. Along with several Bible statements, I called this one to your attention:
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
Consider this part of the statement: “… by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” The “sealed” Paul used illustrated the fact that Christians at Ephesus must not “grieve the Holy Spirit” whom God allows to live in His people. It referred to a well known practice in that day. Persons of position or importance possessed signet rings. These rings made imprints. An imprint declared something was a person’s or from him.
For example, when such a person wanted to send a private letter to someone, he “sealed” the letter. Sealing wax was softened by heat, closed the message, and was imprinted [while soft] with his insignia. When the wax hardened, a broken “seal” was obvious.
What was the insignia’s purpose? It said several things. (1) “This is from me.” (2) “I intend this message for you personally.” (3) “This message belongs to me. It is my property given to you.” It protected a private, personal message.
Consider the contrast. A message not sealed belonged to anyone who wished to read it. They did not have our modern forms of mail service. Often a message passed from person to person before final delivery. If unsealed, everyone handling it could have it read. Ownership of the message was questionable. (A great way to start false rumors!)
I think Paul made this point to those Christians: “You are God’s property, and God verifies that fact. His seal is the Holy Spirit’s presence in your lives.” What did God’s seal verify? (1) It verified they were God’s because they were in Christ. (2) It verified that their relationship with God was individual and personal. (3) It verified that their lives, their existence were God’s property. They BELONGED to God!
What was their responsibility? They must understand they belonged to God. God’s ownership was to be obvious in them internally — in heart, in emotions, in dedication. God’s ownership was to be obvious in them externally — in words spoken, in behavior, in habits. No one associating with them should fail to be aware that they belonged to God!
This statement includes an extremely important encouragement. God was at work in their lives. His influence actively worked in them to move them closer and closer to God. God’s influence within them must not be discouraged. They must not want to discourage His influence. Why? This influence meant THEY WERE NOT ALONE!
The person in Christ is not on his or her own! WE ARE NOT ALONE!
Posted by David on September 8, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
I am amazed at how often I transform joyous blessings into agonizing drudgery. That seems to be characteristic of Americans. Too many Americans believe the “ideal life” combines no responsibility with sufficient money to be self-centered. Unfortunately, too many Christians confidently accept this conviction without thought.
I truly enjoy what I do. I always have felt blessed to do what I do. My age reminds me that a radical change is coming. Because of “the passing of time” I physically will not be able to do what I enjoy doing. What a strange thought!
If life’s only purpose is to be selfish and self-centered, life has no purpose. If all a person has to think about or consider is “me,” that person’s life is horribly empty. If “my” existence revolves around “my” pleasures and “my” desires, “I” am mixing the ingredients for a recipe of disaster. Consider:
Taking the garbage out is preferable to having no garbage.
“Having to work” is preferable to having no job.
Wearing clothes that are not “in” is preferable to wearing rags.
Having to attend school is preferable to not being able to read.
Mowing the grass is preferable to having no home.
Having “less than ideal” health care is preferable to having no health care.
Working is preferable to not eating.
Use your own life and experiences to expand this list. I have heard about people who ate other’s garbage to prevent starvation. I have lived where there were no jobs, where some people wore rags, where many people could not read, where many people had no home, and where some people went a lifetime without seeing one doctor.
In two completely different contexts this summer I talked with individuals who (a) came from impoverished third world countries and (b) were visiting the U.S.A. for the first time. I asked both the same question and received from both the same answer. Question: “What most impresses you about this country?” Answer: “Your infrastructure. You actually can see what your taxes do.”
Amazing! Not the food, the houses, the wealth, the pleasures, nor the lifestyles, but our use of taxes to create infrastructure! When was the last time you were thankful for our infrastructure? When was the last time you were grateful for the way our taxes are spent?
Perhaps we cannot be grateful for such things unless we live where there is little infrastructure, and we never see anything constructive produced by taxation.
By the way, when was the last time you felt deep gratitude for God’s forgiveness?
Posted by David on September 1, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in the Roman province of Galatia. Christians there dedicated to spiritual peace, spiritual development, and unity in Christ must have been extremely discouraged. Their preoccupation with “putting out fires” among Christians left little time or energy to devote to peace, development, and unity.
Some Jewish Christians from Judea attacked Paul’s message to them [the message that converted them!]. They declared Paul’s misunderstanding of the gospel produced a flawed message (1:6-2:10). Paul told non-Jews they could be saved through Christ without coming to him through Judaism. These Christians from Judea said Paul was horribly wrong. They told Galatian Christians (a) they were not saved and (b) their sins were not forgiven. Certainly they could be saved and forgiven. However, they were told that was possible only if they approached Christ by learning to do things the Jewish way.
To make matters more discouraging, the leading Jewish apostle visited non-Jewish Christians in Antioch of Syria (2:11-14). At first his visit was wonderful! He had table fellowship with non-Jewish Christians just as he did with Jewish Christians.
However, when he learned Jewish Christians from Judea were coming to Antioch, he ceased table fellowship with non-Jewish Christians. He feared the Jewish Christians who were coming. Insulting these non-Jewish Christians was not enough! He convinced other Jewish Christians there (including Barnabas, a Jewish missionary to non-Jewish people!) to end their table fellowship with non-Jewish Christians. How depressing to all Christians who were not Jews!
Additional discouragement: some non-Jewish Christians there did not understand the essential importance of allowing God’s Spirit to bear fruit in their lives. Their lifestyle still was determined by physical desires instead of spiritual commitment (see chapter 5).
As he closed, Paul wrote, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:9,10).
Devotion to doing good because of our faith in God and Christ still exhausts us.
- Evil is always present.
- Injustice is always obvious.
- “Good” people make terrible mistakes.
- “Evil” people continuously create pain and struggle.
- Needs continuously overwhelm best efforts.
- Nothing is “fixed” or “resolved” permanently.
So why try? “We are just plain tired!” Ah, but we forget. What? We do not do good because we can permanently “fix” everything in this world. We do good because God does good, and we are God’s children. This world is temporary. God’s home is not.
Posted by David on August 25, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
Everyone has them. Children, men, and women have them. Single, married, divorced, and grieving people have them. Good people, indifferent people, and evil people have them. Teens, adults of all ages, even elderly people have them. Parents with children at home and parents with grown children have them. Healthy people, sick people, poor people, middle class people, and rich people have them.
The only requirement for having struggles is life. If you are alive, you have struggles. The issue is always the same: “How will I deal with my struggles?” The issue is never, “Will I have struggles?”
The human reaction to struggle is strange. “Mine” are “real” and “unavoidable.” “Yours” are “unnecessary.” If “I” were “you,” “I” would not struggle. However, if “you” were “me,” “you” could not cope with “my” struggles.
If you inquire about my struggles, I will do one of three things. (a) I will deny that I have any struggles. I might even be offended that you imply that I do. Your inquiry may be considered an intrusion. (b) I might express appreciation for your concern while minimizing my struggles. I might even indicate that something breaking my heart is no more than a minor irritation I occasionally notice. (c) Or, I may throw myself a pity party at your expense. I might exaggerate my problems. I might magnify my insecurity. I might do all I can to make you feel sorry for me.
Christians do a less than desirable job of declaring Jesus’ messages about struggles. The ability to cope is not found in denying or exaggerating the fact that we each confront problems. People can help, but people are neither the ideal nor complete answer.
After noting the fickleness and blindness of many people, Jesus offered hope: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
On the last night of his physical life, he said this to the twelve: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Jesus does not cause our struggles to “evaporate.” He gives us strength to cope with them.
Posted by David on August 18, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
The first weekend in August, Joyce and I attended Jabulani Africa. The occasion was a celebration of 100 years of mission work on the continent of Africa. Attending provided us many blessings. Those blessings included having time with people we had not seen in years, meeting people in person we only knew by name, listening to spiritually mature African Christians and American Christians frankly discuss difficult challenges, and being encouraged by the worship and lessons.
In the early 1970s when we lived and taught in West Africa, such an occasion was beyond imagination! We could not envision (during our lifetime) that spiritually mature Christians from Africa would come to America for such an occasion! Christians from twenty-six African nations were present. Each evening the featured speakers were African Christians. (There are congregations of the church in thirty-six of the fifty-six African nations.)
Things have changed! Some of the congregations are as large as West-Ark. Some of the congregations have elders. Some of the congregations are sending trained missionaries to other African nations. Many places in Africa are quite receptive to Christian teachings. If one considers the entire range of influences our world recognizes as evangelical Christian influence, there is more evangelical Christian activity on the African continent than there is in North America. If Africa is not yet the center of Christian activity for our world, it soon will be.
Two interesting pleas were made by spiritually mature, trained African brothers. The first: do not send us your American issues. Please do not use American perspectives to impose solutions on African problems. The second: let’s be partners and work together in our outreach throughout Africa. We understand the African mindset, and we have resources not available to you. Allow us to have input, and let us work together as partners.
West-Ark indirectly had an important presence at Jabulani. A young lady who grew up in West-Ark, Kendra Parker Cutsinger [Joe and Terri Parker’s daughter] was an important “behind the scene” coordinator in Jabulani’s preparations and helped “make things happen” during the four-day gathering. Jim Wilson shared excellent, practical information concerning medical missions. He emphasized that the focus of medical missions was to assist evangelism in its outreach.
May God always help us look and see beyond ourselves.
Posted by David on August 11, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
We live in a selfish country existing in a selfish world. In specific ways, all countries and all ages have been selfish. Christianity began in a “me” centered society located in a “me” centered empire. Perhaps saying we are a selfish society indicates no more than this: today’s selfishness continues a long history of human selfishness in every age.
Evil always makes people selfish. Eve ate the forbidden fruit to have God’s knowledge of good and evil. Cain killed his brother Abel. Israel built a golden calf in the wilderness. Israel worshipped the Baals in Canaan. The rich young ruler asked Jesus the “right” question. Ananias and Sapphira lied about their gift. They all thought what they did was to their advantage.
Selfishness motivated all of them, and resulted in horrible consequences. What appeared to be “good for me” was disastrous. Sometimes fear produces selfishness. Sometimes pleasure produces selfishness. Sometimes the desire for advantage produces selfishness.
We live in a sexually saturated society that makes sexual pleasure an American god. Our commercials, our television programs, our movies, and our Internet all have a significant sexual component.
The more devoted we become to this god, the more selfish we become. It is not the unselfish relationship of successful marriage many seek. It is the “rightful” pursuit of personal gratification many demand. As hunger for selfish sexual excitement grows, marriage disintegrates, divorce is common, and pornography is a constitutional “right.”
The most devastating result of sexual selfishness is abortion. For some, discovery of a pregnancy is a worrisome inconvenience threatening “my” lifestyle. For others, the discovery of a pregnancy is a time of horrible fear and major anxiety. In both situations, there is a “simple solution” — abortion. One person endures the “inconvenience” of abortion and feels little.
Another person fearfully submits to an abortion and never forgives herself for destroying a life. Christians have a dilemma. We are anti-abortion. Yet, we are pro-forgiveness. Please do not allow the god of sexual pleasure to seduce you. Selfish gratification at the altar of the god of sex kills.
God did not give us the gift of sexual intercourse to be selfish. If worshipping at the altar of the god of sex resulted in a pregnancy and abortion, learn about God’s forgiveness. Repent and forgive yourself by accepting God’s forgiveness. Let Him heal your heart and conscience with His forgiveness.
Posted by David on August 4, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
Representing God is extremely difficult. No, representing God is impossible. Representing Jesus Christ, God’s son, is extremely difficult. God is beyond our ability to comprehend. Jesus spent time on earth as a human. Our common bond of humanity with Jesus enables us to partially relate to Jesus. However, his dependence on God was absolute, and that is beyond our ability to comprehend.
One of our greatest challenges in representing God and Jesus Christ is the challenge of understanding God’s balance between compassion and condemnation. In compassion is opportunity for forgiveness. In condemnation is opportunity for rejection. Human repentance determines if forgiveness or rejection occurs. Some who benefit from compassion refuse to repent. Some who are condemned do repent.
The congregation representing God and Jesus Christ accepts two equal responsibilities regarding evil. The first is show compassion to people. The second is to condemn evil. Doing both in ways that represent God and Jesus Christ is extremely difficult.
Some see no difficulty. Yet, the difficulty obviously arises. Those who primarily show compassion can in compassion condone evil. Those who primarily condemn can in condemnation show no feeling for others’ struggles. Humans do a poor job of finding and clinging to the ability to be compassionate toward people while condemning evil. We do not quickly see, acknowledge, or honor God’s balance between compassion and condemnation. We are poor at realizing when to do what.
The Pharisees were quite judgmental. To them, most everything was “black” or “white.” It was merely a matter of knowing God’s law and applying it to the situation. Jesus drove them crazy. He ate with those “with whom a godly person does not associate” (Matthew 9:10-13). He offered a divorcee the water of life (John 4) and allowed a sexually sinful woman to touch him (Luke 7:37-50). Compassion for people often served as his motivation (Matthew 14:14). He often forgave a person’s sins (Matthew 9:1-8).
This “unacceptable” behavior drove the Pharisees “ballistic”! Jesus and the Pharisees agreed about what the law said. They disagreed over the law’s priorities. That disagreement never ends! Most spiritual disagreements are not over what God’s word says, but over its priorities.
Only Jesus can show us God’s priorities. Only Jesus can teach us that every person is a person before God, not a problem or a statistic. Only Jesus can teach us that God loves each person and will do everything for others He does for us.
Representing God is impossible! Representing Jesus Christ is extremely difficult!
Posted by David on July 28, 2002 under Bulletin Articles
Very early in life I was fascinated by people’s thought process. I remember in my teen years consciously seeking to understand people whose thought process significantly differed from mine. When others used information common to each of us to think different thoughts, I was fascinated. I cannot give a reason for this fascination. I have no idea why it began early, nor why that observation was important to me.
People process information in different ways. Some processing procedures are radically different. We do not all “think” alike when presented identical information. Early in adult life I realized if I carefully listened to understand another’s thinking, the likelihood significantly increased that he or she would listen to my thinking in a sincere attempt to understand me.
No one understands the thinking of others unless he or she learns to listen to understand. Listening to understand does not mean we listen to agree. People have reasons for their thought process. Even people with whom we disagree begin their thought process in a different context with a different set of priorities.
Understanding others who think differently than “I” begins with “my” willingness to understand how they process information. A vast difference separates listening to understand and listening to make counter arguments, or listening for weaknesses, or listening to dominate, or listening to win, etc. More than 50% of communication is listening to understand. We each respond differently to the person who “understands me.”
Within the foundation of many marital conflicts, parent-child conflicts, family conflicts, and congregational conflicts is a rejection of responsibility to understand another’s thinking when he or she processes information differently. How many conflicts could be significantly improved or resolved if each person in the conflict knew he or she was understood?
If significant progress occurs in today’s world to strengthen (1) families and (2) congregations, we must accept the responsibility to understand the thinking of people who process information differently. If we accept that challenge, we will move toward our Lord’s objectives and our God’s intents. If we do not, family and congregational relationships will continue to degenerate into impersonal associations.
The fact that another processes information differently than “I” is not evidence that “I” am good and he or she is bad. God’s highest good cannot be achieved by forcing others to use “my” thought process. God’s highest good is achieved by everyone in Christ respecting and understanding each other’s thought process. God is not the God of a single thought process. God is the God of all thought processes. For the Christian, each thought process results in surrendering to God through Jesus the Christ.
