Posted by David on December 6, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
We live in a confidence filled society! We can make most anything permanently okay! Really? How often does such confidence plunge us into deep trouble?
A water main breaks. It is strategically located to deprive us of all water. We have difficulty reporting the problem (no quick fix). Finally, the proper people look at the situation and diagnose the problem (good!). However, there are no parts on hand (bad!). No one knows where to look for the parts (terrible!). The water delivery system is so old the parts have to be made (awful!). Being in control of needed water was just an illusion. Do you have any idea of how many things must be washed? Hauled water lately?
An extensive ice storm comes. A strategically located pole snaps, falls, breaks the lines, and ruins the transformer as the domino effect pulls service from your house. Instantly, you are without electricity (bad!). Because of the demand produced by the storm, there are no poles available (worse!). In the priority system, situations that can be fixed easily are first, and situations that require a lot of work are last (much worse!). Sadly, no one even can guess when your power might be restored (you have got to be kidding!). How many times did you turn light switches on? With what results? Do you feel in control?
Your job ceases and your 401(k) must be your safety net. The local economy nosedives to the depths, and your job is not returning. You look for work, and there are ten applicants for every job opening. Stress evaporates health, but you cannot afford medical help. Feel in control?
The only certainty is a date with God. Depend on Him. Let Jesus’ coming be a true time of celebration, not merely another demonstration that we have no control.
Posted by David on November 22, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
What determines how you live and use life Monday through Saturday? What values determine what you do, what principles determine who you are, what motives govern your decisions? Do you just “follow the routine” and “go through the motions” of the day-the Monday routine, the Thursday routine, the Saturday routine? Do you have to know what day it is to know what you are supposed to do? Or, is your life just a constant blur-a continual running and trying to catch up with what you should do next?
At times we are so trapped by our “right now” schedules, we forget who we are. We have a hat rack for job hats, school hats, extracurricular hats, fun hats, and social hats. We live in the hope of having a hat for the occasion. Our lives can be a reaction to the momentary situation instead of deliberately being “who I am.”
If the situation determines who we are and what we do, likely several things determine our identity and actions-society, expedience, the need at the moment, the opportunity of the moment, the desire of the moment, the “over-powering” influence of the moment, the chance to escape, etc.
If that is your way to seek to survive, what is your Sunday routine? Is Sunday a “situation” that demands that you “blow a kiss” in the direction of religious responsibility so you can say, “We are not complete pagans!”? Is Sunday your attempt to let the sleeping giant (God) sleep, so you can tiptoe around Him and not attract His attention?
There are basic things the giant (God) wants for you, and He is not asleep! He wishes to teach you who you are and how to live so you can experience life’s fullness. Make Sunday a “thank-you” time spent with your spiritual family to count blessings-the end of a week, well spent because you continue to be a “you” that you-and others-respect.
Posted by David on November 15, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
The above scriptural quotation contains the words of the Apostle Peter in Acts 10 as he spoke to Cornelius. Before this, Peter had three visions about the visit, a message from the Spirit, and a confirmation that Cornelius was a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the Jews. With all of this verification, Peter did not Get It.
It was not until after Peter arrived at Cornelius’ home, spoke to Cornelius, and saw the group Cornelius had assembled to hear Peter that Peter finally Got It. In verse 36 Peter said, “I most certainly understand …” Here was an Apostle who found it very difficult to Get It because God acted in a manner that was beyond his comprehension (and the comprehension of most other Jewish Christians and Jewish non-Christians). Before this incident he knew that God was interested only in Jews and proselytes (gentile converts to Judaism). Had the suggestion been made prior to this incident that God was interested in a gentile who was not a proselyte, Peter would have said, “No way! God just does not function like that!”
Wonder if it will take until Judgment for many Christians to Get It. Wonder if we, like Peter, fail to grasp something obviously of concern to God because our view of God excludes him doing “something like that.”
The bad news: Getting It quite often is not at all simple! Why? Too often, like Peter, we are conditioned by past views not to “Get It.” Quite often we do not Get It because we never thought about God as we focused on His word.
The good news: The fundamental of Getting It means God loves you-no matter who you are, no matter what you have done, and no matter where you came from. God loves you because you are you! All you need to do to return God’s love is to live in Christ. Get It?
Posted by David on November 8, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
I was quite conscientious as a preacher about staying “up-to-date” as I presented classes and sermons. Little is more ignorant than a preacher claiming to know when he does not have a clue.
Around 1990 much was said about available information doubling by 2000. My reaction: “No way! That must be a mistake! I cannot keep up now!” I was drowning in information! All I learned was how little I knew! The more information I grasped, the more my ignorance exploded!
In my youth, a good mule promptly responded to voice commands, a jersey milk cow supplied us with lots of cream, the new inventions of gravity-flowed cold water and kerosene stoves served us, telephones had “party lines,” families had one car, school had research books and slide rules, and teachers lectured as the “authorities.”
I still struggle with computers. My use of a cell phone is laughable. “Texting” is non-existent. Birds twitter. No wonder I surrendered to the world of “change” by the year 2000-remember how the millennium might bring everything to a standstill? (Yes, I filled my bathtubs with water before I went to a New Year’s Eve party!)
Laugh at me if you wish (I frequently laugh at me), but do you have any idea of how much your life will change by 2025?
The one thing that will never change is the Gospel story. God is the origin of life. We messed up everything. God sent Jesus to undo the mess we made. By resurrection, Jesus became our Savior. If we place our trust in what God does for us through Jesus, two things happen: (1) We change the way we live and who we are. (2) God has us covered even though we still make messes-He calls it forgiveness.
Is that a matter of faith? Yes! It always will be! Yet, Jesus is the Christ, and that never changes! No matter what is said or done, Jesus remains the changeless one! A Christ-less Christianity is not possible! Without Jesus Christ, there is no Christianity!
Posted by David on November 1, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
Choosing to belong to Christ is a simple but difficult decision. Wanting to belong is simple, but living for Christ on a daily basis is commonly difficult. Choosing baptism is simple if you believe in Christ and turn from your sins. The challenge is to live for him day in and out in all our relationships, in all our situations, and in all our involvements.
If it were just a matter of developing a “going to church” habit, that is simple. Show up, be there, and endure. If that is all that is involved, Christianity would be a simple task. “Do it, and forget it.”
However, Christian commitment is not that simple. The Bible commitment is never described as a “membership” or an “attendance.” It is a lifestyle-involving sacrifice and servitude. It is a choice, and if the circumstances are considered, an inconvenient choice. It is a choice that focuses on who you are as a person, and the person you wish to be.
Christianity (following Christ) demands we decide “who we are.” Frankly, that is a decision most of us would rather not make. We had rather our family, our involvements, our indulgences, our jobs, our associations, or our situations make that choice. In fact, most of us would rather be many persons and merely adapt “who we are” to the circumstance we happen to be in at that moment.
No, we are not talking about being obnoxious as we with a mean spirit confront everyone we encounter. We are talking about “being” and “sharing” because we have the courage to be! In this society (and in many others) it is what we are coupled with what we share that attracts people to our God and our Savior. Being is much more deliberate and demanding than merely saying. “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those in opposition if perhaps God may grant them repentance …” 2 Timothy 2:24, 25
Posted by David on October 25, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
In Jesus’ physical life, lamps were very small-most household lamps would fit in the palm of a hand. They did not use kerosene (non-existent), but a simple wick that absorbed olive oil or something similar. The lamp would burn for a few hours as it provided a dim light that enabled people to move about a room at night. One did not light a lamp to cover it or put it at the lowest possible elevation. It was placed on a lampstand (usually about 4 feet high) near the center of the room. With that small light, people could see to move about without bumping into things or tripping.
Jesus’ point-a lamp is lit to provide light. If light is not wanted, do not light the lamp. A lamp is lit to allow people to see-so use the light to let people see!
People are Christians because they wish to be Christians! Such people have decided that Christianity is the way to live. They are not Christians to hide the fact that they follow Jesus. They are focused on the light he provides in order to avoid the pitfalls of life.
We do not “trick” a man or woman into following Jesus Christ. We convince people that life is best lived by avoiding unnecessary bruises and falls! We show people that following Jesus allows him to be our light, and that is the best way to move about life.
Will following Jesus remove all the dangers of the blackened room we know as life? No! It only removes the unnecessary bruises and stumbles. When we understand that there is more to life than the “now of darkness,” we realize there are some unavoidable hurts that are worth the pain. Pain resulting from faith in Jesus produces rewards worthy of the pain! There is an enormous difference in pain worth the suffering and unnecessary, useless pain! All decisions/acts have consequences. Worthy suffering and unnecessary pain stand in stark contrast!
Apply Jesus’ example in this way. Christians want to be Christians. Why? Christianity guides us as we navigate life. Jesus’ light teaches us how to live-now and later!
Posted by David on October 18, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
Our relationship with God is a faith relationship. We relate because we trust each other. Satan constantly tests and tries the quality of our trust.
“Wait a minute! I understand that we must trust God, but God trusting us sounds strange!” We generally refer to our trust as obedience (we do His will), though there are times when trusting God requires no specific act (such as believing God is there, God creates within us, God forgives an evil action, God keeps all His promises, etc.)
Yet, God also trusts us! He trusts us with His name, His reputation, His message, His will, etc. Those are not small things! Paul once wrote to some who claimed to represent God, “For THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written. (Romans 2:24, NASV) It is an enormous matter to suggest God says when actually we say, or to suggest, “This is God’s way!” when actually it is our way. To claim to represent God when we actually represent our desires is a huge mistake! Beware of willfully harming God’s reputation!
One of many ways we declare confidence in God is to trust that God knows how to care for us in each situation. That is not a simple confidence to have! As long as God physically cares for us in the way we wish to be cared for, it is easy to trust God-like a child trusting a parent. However, that is an extremely complex trust! (1) Do I trust God to seek my highest good when I do not physically wish to go there? (2) Do I trust God to care for me when I suffer because of the consequences of others’ mistakes? (3) Do I really trust that spiritual realities are above physical realties? (4) What if my trust in God results in physical suffering? (5) What if I do not understand how what is happening is in my best interest? (6) What if I see ungodly people physically better off than I am?
“Thank you, God, for Jesus! No one at Jesus’ cross thought You were winning! Yet, You took a death on a cross and made a Savior for us! Help me look, reflect, and trust!”
Posted by David on October 11, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
When the Christ-followers began in Acts 2, this movement began with a “bang”! Peter spoke to a huge, religious, Jerusalem crowd confirming that God raised Jesus from the dead and made him Lord. Some 3,000 responded, and the unconquerable movement began. These early converts in Jerusalem were certain that nothing could stop them!
At first, opposition cooperated. The movement diversified. Being godly involved more than believing God raised Jesus. Local congregations had problems. Jobs were lost. Christ-followers were arrested and killed. Christianity was ultimately unpopular!
A movement that began with a “bang” in Acts 2 staggered badly in Asia Minor in Revelation. A movement that seemed destined for greatness in Acts 2 struggled for survival in the times of Revelation. John wrote, “God in Christ won the victory! All you need to do is endure!”
In this country’s southern region, we often enjoyed convenience. Prosperity allowed us to build and maintain buildings, to produce and sustain programs, to have incredible outreaches, to acquire staffs, and to dream dreams that early members never imagined. Though there were struggles, often it was “convenient to struggle.”
Times ahead may not be convenient. This may be one of those strange periods when opportunity is abundant, but funding is restrictive. Convenience can be like an unneeded narcotic. If taken from us, we struggle-did convenience control our actions, or did faith control our actions? Did we function as we do because of convenience or because Jesus is Lord? Is existence about lifestyle, or is existence about eternity?
In these difficult times, may we encourage each other. May we support faith in each other. May we be a people of faith regardless of circumstances. May we attack hardship and uncertainty with faith. May we never worship the god of convenience! May Jesus Christ alone be our Lord-in all challenges and all circumstances! “Now” is not eternity!
Posted by David on October 4, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
When Paul penned those words, the Roman Empire was unsympathetic to Christianity. The predominant form of religion was some expression of idolatry. A common thing binding most idolatrous religions was a polytheistic thrust. Most forms of idolatry did not care how many gods a person worshipped. Worship of one idol did not exclude other idols. Thus doing good to “all men” included kindness, thoughtfulness, and helpfulness to people who worshipped idols. One principle of faith in Jesus Christ was defeating evil by doing good instead of by vengeance (Romans 12:17-21).
Christians were strange! The Roman Empire valued force! Defeat enemies by using force! The surrender of a defeated enemy was a wonderful thing! Doing good sought a willful cooperation; defeat sought an unwilling subjugation.
Christians were weird! Christians-slave or wealthy-regarded all who believed in Jesus as family! All believers were God’s family! Love motivated them to care for each other and those who did not believe. They threatened no one. One who included himself or herself in their ranks did so by personal choice. Anyone could belong. All, regardless of background, could be one of them. Though they believed in one God, they were kind to those who believed in many gods. Their morality was the weirdest known in that world!
Last Sunday was “Blue Jeans Sunday.” All colors of denim in all forms were worn-skirts, jeans, overalls, and jackets. The objective: to emphasize the biblical connection between worship and service. Between 200 and 250 served that afternoon. Cards were written, vans cleaned, linens at CURE folded, toys prepared for give away, quilts for earthquake victims in China made, and over 700 pairs of jeans collected for and delivered to the Hope Chest. There was a campus prayer walk, the yard of the new Lions For Christ house received massive help, and equipment manned-chain saws, a chipper, and a tractor with sweaty people dragging brush. When the day ended in a fellowship meal, the FULL price of the new property was contributed. God was honored, people were served, and we felt His life in us. We worked and gave to benefit people we have yet to meet! Young and old, different races, men and women worked side by side. We all were just Christians! God was glorified as we rediscovered the joys of Christian service.
Posted by David on September 27, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
… For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. However, not all men have this knowledge … (1 Corinthians 8:5-7, NASV)
Begin by reading Romans 14:1-12, 15:1-3, and 1 Corinthians 8. All this was written because Christians were confronting Christians in regard to proper worship practices.
Worship backgrounds in the first century differed with today’s Christian worship backgrounds. Then, whether Jewish or idolatrous, worship often involved a sacrifice, eating part of the sacrifice, and sharing the meal. Both the eating and the sharing were regarded to be worship acts (remember the Passover and the Lord’s Supper). Worship often involved feasting-sharing the sacrifice and the feast honored the god.
An argument erupted among Christians (imagine that!). Some were vegetarians because market meat may have been offered to an idol. Those understanding the concept of 1 Timothy 4:1-5 said a Christian could eat anything anywhere if God the Creator was thanked. Meat, sacred days, and other practices considered worship acts were involved.
Paul declared Christians could come to opposite conclusions in pursuit of the same objective. So, regardless of the conclusion reached, realize you all are servants of the Master. Servants serve. They do not judge fellow servants. Only the Master judges. Thus, each of you be ready to explain to God your motives and acts.
Then Paul said something quite contrary to many of our conclusions. God can and will cause Christians reaching opposite conclusions to stand in His approval. Each Christian has two responsibilities: (1) remember you are a servant, and (2) do not judge the religious convictions of another Christian.
