Bringing Down Walls Ephesians 2:11-22

The notes below are from a sermon I preached on Ephesians 2:11-22. Some of them are incomplete, but I hope that they are a blessing nonetheless. I preached this about 8 months ago. 

Intro—Walls take all kinds of forms. They can be tall, they can be short, they can be wide, they can be narrow, they can even span miles. Just think of some famous walls: Berlin Wall (built in the 60s, came down later 1989-90), Great Wall of China (parts are over 2000 years old, 13,000 miles long), Wall of separation between church and state, border wall, the Wall of the Jewish Temple, etc.

What is the purpose of a wall? It could be many things: Protection, enclosure, imprisonment, keeping others out, etc. Robert Frost—“Mending Wall”—“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall.” “Good fences make good neighors.”

One purpose for a wall is separation—a completion of a barrier keeping two groups apart. Our passage today deals with walls, and even though part of the focus is on a spiritual kind of wall, physical walls play a role. Look at Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:11-22.

When the walls come down, God’s temple can go up.

Point 1 Walls Cause Division: The Wall of Hostility (2:11-16)

Paul starts by distinguishing between Jews and Gentiles. It was an age old prejudice. The people of God vs. the others. God’s chosen vs. the excluded. Clean vs. unclean. There is no secret that in Paul’s day Jews and gentiles didn’t get along. Note how Paul describes the Gentiles here (2:11-12): uncircumcised, outside of Messiah (and the messianic promises), excluded from Israel, strangers/aliens to the covenants and promises (i.e., outside of Jewish world), and without hope and without God in the world. This is at least how some of the Jewish people understood gentiles. 

Look at the Temple: Holy of Holies, Holy Place, Court of the Jews, and Court of the Gentiles (where Jesus chases out the moneychangers). On the wall between the court of the Gentiles and the court of the Jews was a sign warning anyone who was not a Jew that they could die (perhaps by God’s hand) if they entered the court unworthily. These walls created division, they separated people, perhaps they even caused prejudice.

What walls separate us today? Walls of race, economics/income, politics, personal issues. Sometimes we build walls in an effort to “protect” ourselves, but we often end up in isolation. Sometimes we build walls by our selfish endeavors, we have a kingdom to protect so we build walls to keep the undesirable or competitor out.

How do we build those walls? We build them by excluding anyone we consider the “other”, the “gentile”, the “unclean”. Disagreement on protocol, disagreement on decisions, even the willingness and desire to focus on the past (how we used to do it) instead of listening to God about our future.

Walls separate—walls that may be a result of some form of hostility.

We disagree, so we build walls. We don’t want to mix with “those kind of people”, so we build walls. We think we know better than others, so we build walls. Soon we find ourselves walled in like a monastery. We are no longer in community, but we find ourselves isolated. Walls can isolate, and that isolation can cause division and hostility.

Don Harbuck once said that all these walls are really just one wall. “The wall is everywhere. All of us know about it. No age or age group has gone unshaped by its pernicious power. Its menacing power moves the length and breadth of human existence. What wall is it? Paul calls it the dividing wall of hostility. It is the wall that separates and fragments and isolates. It is the wall that keeps people apart. It makes them suspicious and distrustful of each other. It kills fellowship and breeds prejudice and spreads gossip and sets loose the dogs of war. It takes many forms but it always remains the same wall wherever we encounter it.”

Remember, when the walls come down, God’s Temple can go up.

My favorite words in this passage are in verse 13: “But now in Messiah Jesus”—here we have God’s great wrecking ball by which he brings down the walls of hostility that divide us.  Those who are far away—the people who did not know God, who were not part of God’s people, the unclean. Those who are near—those who think of themselves as “clean” or “in”.

In verses 14-16, Paul reminds us that God uses the blood of Jesus to bring together both groups of people. Think of the sacrificial system of Israel—without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. Consider the separation the wall of sin creates. The sacrificial system provided a temporary patch to deal with the separation of sin. Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice deals with it permanently. The wall of hostility has come down because of Jesus’ death. But it wasn’t just the demolition of a wall that was God’s goal, he also intended to take two disparate and even warring groups and make one new person out of them. When the walls come down, God’s temple can go up!

Note the corporate nature of this event. God isn’t simply saving individual souls to make them “clean,” God is reconciling groups to make ONE NEW PERSON out of them all. As Paul will go on in chapters 3 and 4 to discuss, the goal here is the building up of the body of Christ. The body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the people of God is indeed composed of individuals, but it is supposed to be a company of “peace”. The body of Christ is a corporate thing, not an isolated individual thing. To bring about peace (i.e. "shalom") requires at least two people, it requires a community.

Shalom—a sense of wholeness—humans cannot have that in isolation, but only in community! Jesus becomes the means by which the walls come down, the person whose sacrifice produces reconciliation, and the one who brings peace. It is non-negotiable, there is no other way.  The reconciliation of verse 16 is brought about by the death of hostility. The walls MUST come down or God’s temple will not go up. God will not build on YOUR personal favorite foundation. He will only build on the foundation of the death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. Jesus' death on the cross is the means by which hostility is defeated, the walls are torn down, and God’s temple is built. You cannot have it any other way.

Tozer says: "God never negotiates with men. Jesus Christ's death on the Cross put an end to any kind of negotiations. It is now Christ or nothing. It is God's Word or its entirety or nothing."  

What walls do we need to tear down (or better, where does Jesus need to come and tear down our walls by his sacrificial life and death)? Where do we need hostility to cease? Where do we need to repent and turn to the wrecking ball and architect of God (remember, Jesus’ earthly adopted father Joseph was a builder, and Jesus’ heavenly Father is a Creator)?

Jesus brings the walls down, but he is also the cornerstone on which the new Temple is built. When walls come down, God’s Temple can go up!

Point 2 God’s Foundation brings Unity: The Temple of God (2:17-22)

Two “peoples” of God: One made up of human ancestry (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.) the other created by the Holy Spirit. Both came into existence by God’s grace and promises. Circumcision of flesh vs circumcision of heart. One is a physical wall/demarcation, the other is spiritual. It is a matter of the heart.

There are two Temples in our passage: One made with human hands, one made by God; one that was stable, immovable, and had walls to separate people, one that is dynamic, active, and without walls—both commanded by God and by his promises. The Temple God desires is NOT a building or a specific group, it is a living, breathing, “going” entity/congregation that does not sit idle or look to the past. Look at Isaiah 66—where will God dwell? 

Paul tells us that God will dwell in a people who are built up on Jesus and without walls. You’ve heard of “Doctors without borders”, think of this as “God’s people without walls” or “The church without boundaries” or something similar.

2:17-18: Jesus proclaims shalom to ALL—those who are in and those who are not. There is no privileged position, since ALL need to hear the good news of Shalom from Jesus. Paul returns to “we” language in verse 18 and reminds us that WE ALL have access to God’s reconciliation, to God himself, as a result of what Jesus has accomplished. We can’t be the people we are called to be unless we come to the wall wrecker and temple builder—Jesus the Messiah. Outside of him there is no peace, no people, and no reconciliation. Paul reminds us that Jesus is the ONLY way to be a part of God’s temple. He tears down our walls and then builds us up. When the walls come down, God’s temple can go up!

2:19-20: When Jesus tears down our walls of hostility, he brings us into a family. We are not saved as lone ranger Christians to “go it” on our own. We are born into a community of people who allow Jesus to destroy their walls while relying on him to also build them up! Through Jesus, and him alone, we become God’s household built on God’s foundation and cornerstone. We cannot get there without help. Our walls hinder us, and we need Jesus to make us a “new creation”.

2:21-22: God’s Temple—built on Jesus, built for Jesus, full of God’s Spirit. You cannot claim to have God’s Spirit if you also build a wall between yourself and others.

Galatians 3:28: There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

When the walls come down, God’s Temple can go up.

God will not build his church with our walls, with our selfish plans, with our prejudices, with our hostilities. He will build it on selfless sacrifice. He will build it by tearing down walls of hostility and building on the death and resurrection of Jesus. If we do not have the right foundation, we will find our work failing.

When the walls come down, God’s temple can go up.

Conclusion:

So, how do we respond?

First—what walls of hostility do you have between you and God? Have you come to know his grace and mercy through Jesus? Are you angry at God for not doing things the way you want him to? Are you living in a past tense view of ministry and longing for the old ways when God has called you to move forward? His people, his body, his temple is not stationary, it is on the move! Ask Jesus to deal with your walls today. Repent of building your own temple and ask God to show you how to move forward. Call on him, he will respond.

Second—what walls of hostility do we have with others? We need to tear those down. We need to humble ourselves and serve others EVEN if they do NOT deserve it (as Jesus did in Phil 2). 

Third—a church cannot move forward if it is content to sit still and build its own little kingdoms and walls. Jesus said to seek God’s kingdom first, not our own isolated realms. What do we need to leave behind today to move forward with Jesus. What grudges are we holding, what walls are we building, where do we need to repent.

Finally—where do you need God’s Shalom? Where is reconciliation and a sense of well-being needed in your life today? Come to the wall wrecker and temple builder and let him deal with it. Ask him to destroy what is keeping you from reconciliation, and ask him to establish what will lead to Shalom.

Thank your for reading! 

Biblical Illiteracy: Clean Slate with Mark Tinsley

About a month ago I was privileged to be a part of a podcast on the Clean Slate show hosted by Mark Tinsley. We discussed the issues of biblical illiteracy in American churches and society and how to combat the problem. The podcast is about 40 minutes long, and the link is below. I would be honored to hear your comments. Thank you!

Clean Slate: Biblical Illiteracy

Feeling Worthless and the Power of Affirmation

"I just feel worthless," he said quietly.

It wasn't the way he said it that attracted my attention, but it was his demeanor. This was a person who was in some sense utterly defeated. Everything about him echoed his words. Worthless. Useless. Empty.

I wasn't sure at first how to respond. Sitting before me was a shell, an empty person who felt as though he had absolutely nothing to offer.

I tried to help. "You're not worthless, just look at all you've accomplished."

The words sounded hollow, almost accusatory. His eyes flashed, but it wasn't "life" coming in. It was genuine anger. I had misunderstood him.

"No, you don't get it. I have nothing to offer. I am worthless. I am done."

The words hung in the air like heavy fog, demanding an answer. I honestly didn't know what to say.

If you knew this man, you'd be surprised at his self-evaluation. He earned several degrees (some from prestigious universities and with well known professors). He taught thousands of people, and he mentored many who would ultimately follow in his academic footsteps. He had traveled to a variety of places. He married well and his children were healthy, intelligent, and well behaved. He had rebounded from a moral failure and rebuilt his life and reputation. He was respected by his peers. He "had it all" in a country where such an existence was supposed to be the "American dream".

I wanted to remind him of these things, but he sat there glaring. His red eyes and sad look reminded me of an old derelict building left standing too long that now leaned and threatened to fall over. The supports were gone, the shell was hollow, there was nothing left. How do you rebuild on such a foundation?

The person sitting before me was an encourager. Many times I saw him take last place so that others would be acknowledged and even honored. He prayed that his students would accomplish more than he, and they did! Oh my, how well his students had done! The man went out of his way to make sure others were served, to make sure that others had affirmation, that others were encouraged. He was a Barnabas, and people would flock to him to receive his ministry of encouragement.

Yet here he sat, downcast, done, empty . . . How do you encourage the empathetic man of encouragement who has run dry? Who is worthy of the task?

And then I had an idea. I looked into his eyes and his sad face, and I said, "You know, sometimes I wish I had your life."

He gave me an incredulous look, but I continued. "I can't count how many times I wished I could treat others as well as you treat them." Then I said, "I love you, and I can't imagine what this world would be like without someone like you."

The eyes that were wet with tears showed a few signs of life. A wry grin appeared on his face. Life was returning, and for a moment the derelict building began to look a bit like a stately home once again.

He didn't need a history lesson. He didn't need me to recount his glorious deeds. He simply need to be affirmed. He needed appreciation.

I didn't write this story to get you to feel sorry for this man (okay, maybe just a little), but I wrote this to be a reminder to us all. We need to be appreciated, we need to be affirmed. We all cry out to be loved.

You see, this person's story could be your story, it could be my story. Life has a way of draining us, and sometimes we aren't sure how to refill the well. Feelings of worthlessness can pile up, and we begin to compare ourselves to others (often unrealistically). "I'm not good enough. I don't have the stuff. I'm not needed."

Yet the truth is probably bigger than we realize, and a little affirmation can go a long way.

Take a moment today. Give some affirmation to someone who has encouraged you. Let people know that you appreciate them, and that you are thankful for their contribution to your life. Who knows, it could restore life . . . maybe even yours.

Thank you for reading!

Annual Father's Day Post

With today being Fathers' Day, I couldn't think of any better way to honor my Dad than to repost something I wrote some years ago.  You see, my Dad passed away in 2004, just before I had the privilege of coming to work for Liberty University.  My Dad's dream was that I would get to go to Liberty, but you would not believe how excited he was to know that I would be teaching there!

My Dad was quite a man, and almost everyone who ever met him loved him.  He could tell some of the funniest stories, but most of all he kept us connected to the history of his family.  To be honest, I miss him, and I would love an opportunity just to hear his stories all over again. Some of you never knew him, and I am genuinely sorry. He enriched the lives of so many with his infectious smile and easy generosity. I feel so much poorer without him, but I know he is with the Lord he loves so much. I love you, Dad.

I first wrote this in 2005, but it speaks volumes about my memories of my dad, Bobbie Eugene Percer, Sr. My dad was a hero to me in many ways, and I am terribly sorry that I never told him that to his face. At his funeral in 2004, literally hundreds of people stood in line for hours to tell us of the way my dad had blessed them. I heard stories of dad witnessing to people and leading them to the Lord, stories of dad giving money or clothes or time or work in order to help someone else find a better path in life, stories of my dad going out of his way to help others, etc. It humbled me. I had no idea how "big" a man my father was, how much of a blessing he was to many people. My dad left some mighty big shoes, and I hope I can be half the man he was. With that in mind, here is the first thing I wrote about my dad way back in 2005.

With Father's day coming up this weekend, I wanted to share some thoughts about my Father. You see, my father passed away in August 2004, and for many reasons thoughts of him have been central in my mind recently. I’m afraid I’m losing him.

Let me explain.

My dad wasn’t very active the last few years of life. Due to his own lack of proper care for his physical body and a host of problems with illness, the primary memory my children have of their grandfather is dad sitting in a big lounger watching TV and occasionally waking up long enough to tease them.

My children did not get to know my dad. Oh, my dad was never the most active guy in the world (I think I know where my own lack of activity comes from!), but he didn’t sit around a lot as I remember it. Dad coached baseball, football, basketball, if it had “ball” in the title, he learned it, played it, and probably coached it. My dad cared about folks that no one else wanted. He loved kids, especially his own. I once saw my dad kick a field goal from the 45 yard line (that’s a 55 yard kick, if you didn’t know!). I was in high school then, so dad was probably in his mid-40s. He could kick the ball further than the place kicker on our team.

I remember looking for dad’s vehicle to pull up at the football practice field. I don’t know if he knew that I saw him, but I looked for him to show up so I could perform for him. Dad didn’t get real excited about sports (that was mom’s job!), but you could tell when he was enjoying something. He had this infectious grin and mischievous smile that would literally light up his face. I heard that for almost 10 years after my younger brother graduated high school, dad would make his way to the practice field and sit in his car and watch the players go through their paces. For me, his watching was a comforting presence that reminded me that he was there if I needed him. Oh, I’ll admit that I didn’t “need” him as much as he would like, but it made me feel real good to know dad was there.

I miss him.

Sometimes in my work here, I think that dad is sitting in heaven, in his heavenly lounger, watching his boy perform. Oh, I’m not blindsiding running backs and quarterbacks any more, but I can’t help but think that dad is silently cheering for me. He sits there, intently studying me as I pace a classroom or teach a class or grade a paper. When I make a particularly brilliant play, he smiles that smile. Even when I don’t do so well, dad looks approvingly on his boy. I can see him, sitting there, a big glass of sweet tea on the table, a smile in his eyes, and joy in his heart. I want to make him proud, and I think he knows that.

My last words to my dad face-to-face were spoken around Easter of 2004. I don’t remember everything we discussed, but I remember putting my arm around his shoulders and looking into that face. His eyes were a bit dimmed by old age and sickness. But somewhere in those eyes I saw the place kicker kicking a field goal from the 45 yard line. I remember saying this to him, “Dad, I love you. I’ll see you later.” At his funeral in August 2004, the pastor asked me to pray at the grave site (actually, my mother asked me to do it). As I walked away from dad’s coffin, I touched the lid and said, “I love you, dad, see you later.”

I miss him, but thank God I will see him later. If your father is alive, call him up. Tell him you appreciate him and love him. Memories are great, but I’d love to have my dad here to hug again. He’s much better off, but I need his smile. Dad, I love you. See you later!

Thanks for reading!

Today's Topic--Freedom!

1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (NASU)

“Be not anxious! Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety. If our hearts are set on them, our reward is an anxiety whose burden is intolerable. Anxiety creates its own treasures and they in turn beget further care. When we seek for security in possessions we are trying to drive out care with care and the net result is the precise opposite of our anticipations. The fetters which bind us to our possessions prove to be cares themselves.” From The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Phil 3:19-21
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (NASU)

What does it mean to be free? That isn't really a rhetorical question.

In America we talk of "Freedom" as if it is a birthright or an entitlement. We all want our "rights" protected so that we can pursue whatever petty little thing it is that makes us feel better.

Is this freedom?

I mean, look around us--we are tied to our cares and our anxieties, we are chained to our possessions. We run around anxiously trying to protect the very things that often hold us in the very chains of bondage.

Why do we do that?

Why do we think that a new job, spouse, haircut, car, movie, boat, home, location, etc. will free us into the blissful realm of happiness?

I don't know that I can answer that, but I know a remedy.

HUMILITY

It doesn't come cheap, and it isn't easy to maintain, but humility will help us break free from bondage.

Look at the Bonhoeffer quote above, then read the passage from Philippians underneath it.

Paul tells us that our citizenship is in another country besides this earthly domain. We don't belong here. Since we don't belong, why do we waste our time buying into the stuff of this place? Why do we bind ourselves to the stuff of earth?

Those who are Christ followers have a home that is not this mundane, temporary place. We have a home that is not fully realized yet, but it is one in which we can live to some degree right now. We don't have to wait for Independence Day or Christ's return, we can live abundantly now.

Okay, enough preaching. Here's the deal. We were meant to be free with heavenly freedom. We were not meant to be chained up here. Jesus didn't live, die, and get out of the grave just so I could have the latest laptop or so that my kids could enjoy the newest video games.

Jesus lived so that he could grant us true freedom.

Tonio K sings a song that I think is appropriate here. The song is entitled "You will go Free." Enjoy!

you've been a prisoner
been a prisoner all your life
held captive in an alien world
where they hold your need for love to your throat like a knife
and they make you jump
and they make you do tricks
they take what started off as such an innocent heart
and they break it and break it and break it
until it almost can't be found

well i don't know when
and it don't know how
i don't know how long it's gonna take
i don't know how hard it will be
but i know
you will go free

you can call it the devil
call it the big lie
call it a fallen world
what ever it is it ruins almost everything we try
it's the sins of the fathers
it's the choices we make
it's people screaming without making a sound
from prison cells in paradise
where we're chained to our mistakes

well i don't know when
and it don't know how
i don't know how much it's gonna cost you
probably everything
but i know
you will go free

you can't see your jailer
you can't see the bars
you can't turn your head round fast enough
but it's everywhere you are
it's all around you
and everywhere you walk this prison yard surrounds you

but in the midst of all this darkness
in the middle of this night
i see truth cut through this curtain like a laser
like a pure and holy light
and i know i can't touch you now
and i don't want to speak too soon
but when we get sprung
from out of our cages baby
god knows what we might do

well i don't know when
and it don't know how
i don't know if you'll be leaving alone
or if you'll be leaving with me
but i know
you will go free

Be free.

Live humbly.

Do justice.

Thanks for reading!

Purpose or Pride? Some musings . . .

A few years ago I heard a sermon, but before the sermon the visiting preacher spent a good 10 or 15 minutes "selling" his book that was related to the topic of his sermon. As I listened to the preacher, I began to ask myself questions about the purpose of preaching and the church itself. I wrote the following notes in response to this moment of musing, and I thought I'd share them here. To be clear, I have not organized these. I simply wrote down some thoughts in a "stream of consciousness" style. I hope they are helpful.

Is our purpose the pronouncement of our accomplishments, or is it living for God's glory and fame? How does a Christian leader today straddle the fences of profound prophetic preaching and personal promotion? Should such a straddling exist? Whose kingdom really matters to us? 

I've been told that if you want to know what is important to a leader, listen to his conversation. He talks most about what matters most to him. Take a look at the book of Acts. What did the leaders of the early church talk about most? What seemed to be in the center of their attention?  

Here is some context on Acts: The leaders of the church experienced some persecution for preaching Jesus. The Sanhedrin (the Jewish Council) wanted to kill them (not for publishing or promoting a new book) for talking about and living for Jesus! The persecution that the church faced led to some phenomenal growth (both in numbers and in spirit).  

Do we want revival? Then we need to quit asking for more of God and start giving more of ourselves to him. Revival requires the quickening of the dead. In other words, something that is dead becomes alive. So, what is dead in us? Why don't we bring that to God, sacrifice it, give it to Jesus to resurrect. He alone can do it! What do we have that needs to be fanned back to life? Why not let the "Resurrection and the Life" do his work? 

The great need of the day is hearts fully devoted to God and his stuff. In Philippians 3, Paul lists a very impressive resume. Nonetheless he notes that it is less than "nothing" compared to Christ. He calls is a pile of manure, a bunch of crap. His publications, his promotions, his titles, his accomplishments, his highest points in life are counted as stuff to be flushed away! Think of it--our highest moments of achievement are just manure when compared to Jesus.  

What makes Jesus the Messiah so great? Go back to Philippians 2. Even though he was God, he humbled himself. He lowered himself, he became small to reach all, he emptied himself to fill others up, he became a servant even though he was really a king!  

Do we want revival? What has to be emptied? Where do we need to learn humility? Where do we need to learn to serve instead of striving to be "large and in charge"? If we want revival, we must first learn to humble ourselves and to serve others. Revival will not come via books, sermons, small groups, or tithes. Revival starts with humility. 

The story of Acts is the story of the church continuing the work of Jesus the Messiah to "destroy" the works of the devil. Jesus is out to bring an end to the work of our adversary the devil. Satan does not "counter-punch" as much as he flails blindly like a wounded beast who know his time is limited. He is undone, the cross has effectively destroyed his work. His flailing may in some sense have a strategy to it, but they are still the actions of a desperate and losing entity. He knows he can't win, so he tries to lie his way into stopping the work of God.  

Who do we want to be more like? That is the question. We can strut and bluff and pretend to be great, but then we are like the Great Pretender Satan. Or we can learn to walk humbly, to serve others, to lay down our lives in obedience to God, and in that way we can find ourselves more like Jesus. Do we want revival? Self-promotion won't get us there. Jesus understood that, the leaders of the early church understood it . . . will we? 

Thanks for reading!

The Results of the Incarnation

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil—flesh, sin, the grave, death.

In the incarnation, Jesus met flesh, and flesh lost (it will be transformed by resurrection).

In the wilderness temptation, Jesus met sin, and sin lost (the Tempter was met and overcome).

In the cross, Jesus met death, and death lost (death is waiting its ultimate destruction).

In the resurrection, Jesus destroyed the grip, fear, pain, and power of death (the power of death is sin, and sin has lost).

If Jesus met it, it has been overcome. God will put all things under his feet.

Victory is found in Jesus and in Jesus alone. No other foundation will suffice, and no other person can truly save us.

In Honor of the "Third Wheels" in Life

This post is for all those who so often feel like "third wheels" in life.

Sometimes you feel like you don't fit, or maybe like you are in a show without a recurring role, or you keep finding yourself in awkward moments, or maybe you think you're unnoticed or even unnecessary . . . take this to heart . . . no matter how small your part seems to you, it may loom pretty large for someone else. What seems like "small things" in your mind may yield big dividends in the life of another. 

God told his people to be careful not to despise the small things. God himself came as a helpless infant. Small investments can result in big dividends, and the "small thing" you do in the life of another person may have a bigger harvest than you realize. I understand, you want a bigger role, but what you may not see is how big your "small role" is to someone else. 

Give it your all, act faithfully towards God and others. Obedience to God is success, and ultimately that is what matters. He who is faithful in little will also be faithful in much. God sees, God knows, and the rest of us are thankful for your part in this adventure of faith. Blessings!

Thanks for reading! 

Hope for a Reluctant Prayer Warrior: How to Pray with Confidence, 1 John 5:13-17

Hope for a Reluctant Prayer Warrior—How to Pray with Confidence, 1 John 5:13-17; Luke 11:1-13

Intro—My issues with prayer—Let me start with a confession: I have never been what you might call a prayer warrior. In fact, my batting average at getting positive answers from God is not very high. Truth be told, I know I could do more in prayer. No doubt we all share a similar view. We are pretty sure that we don’t pray enough. Maybe when we do pray we aren’t real sure that we know what we are doing or that God will hear us. We lack confidence. Perhaps we don’t try to pray because we don’t think it will work. How can we develop confidence in prayer? Before answering that question, let’s define “prayer”.

Definition of Prayer: For many Christians prayer is a venture, an experiment. There is nothing very certain about it. We often pray because we do not know what else to do. Who of us has not at one time or another said, "Well, things have gotten so bad there's nothing else to do but pray," as though that were the final and last resort. (Ray Stedman)

Andrew Murray says, “Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. God’s voice in response to mine is its most essential part.” Prayer is a conversation with God. For it to be a proper conversation, both sides will talk and both sides will listen. For many Christians, it is the listening that creates the problem. We do not pay enough attention to God, but we often delight in telling him what we think he should do.

Pastor E. Stanley Jones: "If I throw out a boat hook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God." Proper prayer involves lining up with God, not trying to convince God to line up with us.  So, prayer is a dialogue, it is a conversation in which we talk to and listen to God. Prayer is based on a relationship, and prayer is fueled by relationships.

Prayer reveals relationship, Relationship Fuels Prayer

How then, can we pray with Confidence? John’s letter tells us three things that will enable us to pray with confidence: 1) Start with Assurance (our relationship with God through Jesus), 2) continue with Boldness (our acceptance by God allows us to come before him with freedom), and 3) finish with restoration and life (our dialogues with God should result in life and restoration for us and for others). Let’s unpack this a bit.

1 John 5:13—John ends his letter by letting his readers know his purpose. In the Gospel of John 20:30-31, John says that he wrote so that people may believe in Jesus the Messiah/the Son of God (i.e., the Incarnation) and that by believing receive eternal life in his name. In the letter, John’s purpose is to assure those who have put faith in the Incarnation.  His purpose is to give them confidence in their salvation.  Verse 13 states this purpose clearly.

Point 1—v. 13 Start with Assurance (our relationship with God through Jesus) John begins this section with a statement of assurance. He says that faith in the name of Jesus leads to confidence in salvation. He speaks of knowing our relationship to God. John uses some form of the word “know” in his short letter over 40 times. At least 8 of those uses are found in chapter 5. John seems to be saying that our confidence begins with our salvation and our salvation is something we can know. Throughout his book, John has given us indications of how we know we belong to God.

Assurance of salvation is based primarily on what Christ has done for us. We have confidence because God has provided salvation. God manifested his love for us in Christ, and that love is our assurance. Confident prayer begins with assurance in salvation/eternal life. Has your life been transformed by the salvation that only comes through a knowledge of Jesus? If so, then you have assurance that the God who saved is the God who will hear. Our Father hears us.

Prayer reveals relationship, relationship fuels prayer

If we are in Christ, if we are God’s children, if we have salvation through the life and death of Jesus, then we may have confidence in prayer. Our relationship with God through Jesus the Messiah provides access to the Father to make our request known. Because of salvation, we can be confident that our prayers may continue with boldness.

Point 2—vv. 14-15 Continue with Boldness (our acceptance by God allows us to come before him with freedom) Ray Stedman: “There is a great and ringing note of certainty there. Prayer is not an experiment, prayer is a certainty with John, a sure thing. He knows it works, and he knows how it works. That confidence is expressed by the word he chooses, boldness.”

1 John 5:1 reminds us that faith in Christ has resulted in our becoming children of God. This means that we have a family and a familiar relationship with God. As a child has special privileges with his or her parent, so we have the privilege of confidence as children of God. “Confidence”—this word means in some sense “freedom of speech” (cf. 1 John 2:28; 4:17 both regarding judgment). John is saying that because of our relationship with God as children, we can come into his presence to make our requests with boldness—we have confidence and freedom to speak directly to our Father.

Ray Stedman says that God delights in bold praying and in bold people—our prayer to God should be confident, bold, and certain because he loves us.

This confidence arises from two principles given in these verses:  the certainty of being heard (a promise) and the certainty of receiving (a qualification). The promise:  When we pray, God hears us and responds. We ask confidently (Hebrews 4:16). We come into his presence (the words “in him” in verse 14 could be rendered “before him”).  We come confidently into our Father’s presence to speak freely with him. We must ask him to respond. We have an audience, so we must talk to our Father and we must listen for and anticipate his response. Notice that several times in these two verses he talks about prayer in the context of asking and receiving. That’s the simplest and probably the best definition of prayer.

Prayer isn’t a magic lamp or a secret code by which we obtain all our wishes, but rather as Ray Stedman says, “Prayer is a means of obtaining the will of God, and is limited always by the will and purpose of God.”

That brings us to the Qualification—we must ask according to God’s will (cf. Matthew 6:10; John 14:13). John is not saying that we can get God to do whatever we want by adding the magic words “in Jesus’ name”. Prayer is not asking God to move towards us, but for God to move us towards him. Pastor E. Stanley Jones: "If I throw out a boat hook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God." Remember, James 4:3 reminds us that we can pray and ask improperly. In fact, James acknowledges that we often fail to receive answers to our prayers because we ask for selfish reasons.

John says that if we know we have eternal life through our relationship with God by faith in Christ, then we can be confident that our Father God will hear us when we pray. If God hears us, it then follows that like a good Father he will respond to us. But John goes a step further—not only does God hear us, but “we know that we have obtained the request made of him”. This sounds like we can be assured of a favorable response.

So, does God answer all your prayers with “Yes”? Yeah, me neither!

The problem goes back to that little phrase:  “according to his will”. This means we must line up with God—like Jesus in Gethsemane, we must make sure our hearts cry out “Not my will, God, but yours”—our focus must be on the best interests of God and his kingdom and not our selfish desires. We must not harbor un-confessed or habitual sin (Psalm 66:13). We must trust God for the answer (Matthew 21:22)—he will respond, but not always in the way we desire or expect! We must be sure to seek what God wants, for in doing so we will pray for what he longs to accomplish—we can only do this by spending time with God in his Word and in prayer. (Ray Stedman regarding the Sears catalog—“We could order anything we had the money to pay for, but it would have been utterly futile to have sent in an order for something that was not in the catalog. There was plenty we could order, but it was useless to ask for something they did not have. And so it is with prayer.”)

Prayer reveals relationship, relationship fuels prayer. Confident prayer keeps a relationship with God fresh. This kind of prayer may also have amazing results. A prayer life that is confident in one’s relationship with God and comes into God’s presence with boldness can result in restoration and life.

Point 3—vv. 16-17 Finish with Restoration and Life (our dialogues with God should result in life and restoration for us and for others) John now gives application to his lesson on praying according to God’s will by giving an example to his readers. Praying isn’t just about us, praying is for our brothers and sisters. We should pray confidently for each other. We should pray for restoration and life. Again, John gives a promise and a qualification here.

The promise—if we pray for a brother or sister who is not committing a sin unto death, then God will give them life. The qualification—the promise does not apply to the one committing a sin unto death.

A quick disclaimer: We tend to get tangled up in a discussion of what a “sin unto death” may be, but John assumes his readers know this already.  The point John seems to make here is that praying according to the will of God means that we should pray for each other, that we should pray for restoration and life for those committing sin. We have a responsibility to each other. Part of loving God is loving God’s children and praying for them. John doesn’t say, “If you see your brother or sister sinning, quickly get on the phone and talk to others about it!”  He doesn’t say, “Let the pastor know so that he can deal with it!”  No! John says, “Pray for your brothers and sisters and God will give them life.” We are brothers and sisters, not competitors. All sin is serious. You can’t be indifferent to sin if you love others.

If our prayers are for children of God who sin, then in what sense do they need “life”?  John says our prayers will result in life from God for those who commit sins not unto death. To answer that question is to continue on to the qualification—What is the sin unto death?

There are typically three responses to what the “sin unto death” may be: 1) Some specific sin that causes the person to die physically (cf. Moses, Achan, Uzzah, Ananias and Sapphira, the folks in 1 Corinthians 11); 2) The unpardonable sin, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit or rejecting Jesus; 3) The sin of the false teachers who denied the Incarnation and lived immoral and unloving lives.

It seems likely that the background for John’s comments here is to be found in 1 John 3:11-18 and the contrast between the children of God and the children of the devil. 1 John 3:14—”We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brothers.  He who does not love abides in death.” The sin unto death, at least in part, seems to be a persistent and intentional disobedience of Jesus’ command to love one another.  It is denying the love of Jesus and following the unloving example of the false teachers. 1 John 3:23—disregarding this command leads to death.

Regardless of the view one takes on this issue, John expects his readers to pray for one another especially when they fall into sin. So, when should we not pray? That is difficult to say, isn’t it?

Apparently there is a time in which prayer is no longer useful—note that John does not command us not to pray, but he seems to suggest that when a person reaches the point of “sin unto death” prayer will not help. We should respond, then, by continuing to pray unless we get some indication from the Spirit to cease praying. If all wrongdoing is sin, then praying for restoration of our brothers and sisters is the best starting point.

Prayer reveals relationships (with others) and relationships fuel prayer—how we relate to others can cause us to pray rightly or wrongly or it can cause us to pray with confidence as we show God’s love for others. Confident prayer results in restoration and life for those who sin. We cannot ignore the sin of others. We should pray for God to work in their lives.

Conclusion

How do we respond to this difficult passage? There seems to me to be only one response, we must become a people of prayer, and not just any prayer, but a confident prayer that comes from an assurance of our relationship with our Father through his Son, Jesus Christ. As E. M. Bounds says, “"What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but people whom the Holy Ghost can use – people of prayer, people mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through people. He does not come on machinery, but on people. He does not anoint plans, but people, people of prayer."

How does this look in everyday life?

Luke 1:1-13 could be a starting point—start with God, be specific with needs, pray for reconciliation and forgiveness, be persistent (Ask, Seek, Knock), and trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God. 

In other words:

First, we must be diligent in keeping our relationship with God current.  That requires time with God, with his Word, and with his people.

Second, we must pray.  We need to carve out time to meet with God in prayer.  This week set aside at least 10 minutes a day where you simply get with God to pray for others. 

Finally, we must avoid sin.  We need to live accountable lives with each other so that we can honor God.  Remember, everything we do reflects on the character of God.  Our lives are the best (or worst) witness for the grace of God in Jesus Christ.  How are we doing?

So, our batting average may be low. We may not see as many miracles or positively answered prayers as we’d like, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still pray with confidence. Following John’s lead, we know that Confident prayer begins with salvation, continues with a confident relationship, and results in restoration and life. Act on God’s promises and watch God work. He is responsible for completing it, we are responsible for joining him in it.

Remember, as Charles Spurgeon reminds us: "If they will not hear you speak, they cannot prevent your praying. Do they jest at your exhortations? They cannot disturb you at your prayers. Are they far away so that you cannot reach them? Your prayers can reach them. Have they declared that they will never listen to you again, nor see your face? Never mind, God has a voice which they must hear. Speak to Him, and He will make them feel. Though they now treat you despitefully, rendering evil for your good, follow them with your prayers. Never let them perish for lack of your supplications." (Metropolitan Pulpit, vol. 18, 263-264)

Advent 2018: Humble Service and Christmas Love

In the spirit of Hebrews 10:24, I offer the following words to incite others to love and good works. May we in this Christmas season find ourselves like our Lord wrapping a towel of humility around our collective waists as we pursue the greatest job ever—loving those God has loved in a way that they do not expect.

Remember, Jesus came as a child—a seemingly defenseless, helpless babe. He lived among us as a “normal” person—he worked with his hands, he talked to people, and he showed them love. He was human (in the “flesh” as John and Paul tell us), and in community with us he revealed to us the character of God: selfless love, humble service, and unmerited grace. Jesus also encouraged and admonished his followers to serve one another, to outdo one another in being kind and in service. "The one who serves is the greatest" says Jesus.

Do we really believe it? Often I don’t think so.

I am reminded of my call as a Christ-follower--I am to offer debt-free love and service to others with no expectation of reward. I am to love as Christ loves. I am to lay down myself so that someone else may live. I am to live simply so that others may simply live. That isn't the American dream, now is it. What person in our community has gone days without a hot meal? Who are the "little ones" in our neighborhoods who are wounded, hurt, dispossessed? Will we love Jesus enough to love them?

Steve Camp used to sing a song that said something like "Can we taste the tears that they cried?" The song deals with loving the unlovable, embracing those others avoid, touching the untouchable. Jesus did that. He walked right up to people with leprosy. He put his clean hands on their decaying flesh. He touched them. He loved them.

Remember when Jesus took a child and set the child in the midst of his disciples? He encouraged his disciples to develop a child-like tendency to trust God (see Matthew 18:1-6). He says to them "Whoever humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones to stumble . . ." Well, you probably remember the rest.

Earlier Jesus had told his disciples that to offer others even a "cup of cold water" in the name of Christ was considered a good thing to do.

Jesus also encouraged and admonished his followers to serve one another, to outdo one another in being kind and in service.

"The one who serves is the greatest" says Jesus.

Do we really believe it?

Who are the "little ones" in our areas who are wounded, hurt, dispossessed?

Will we love Jesus enough to love them?

Who are our modern day lepers? Are they the drug addicts? The alcoholics? The divorcees? The liberal democrats? The conservative republicans? The victim of cancer, aids, etc.? Are they the orphans of war? The ones left behind by our refusal to care?

Finding them isn't hard--they are out there.

Loving them is harder. They may even share a home with us.

May we learn today to offer debt-free love and service. Like Jesus may we learn to take joy in the smiles and laughter we receive. May we (like Jesus) even be willing to be killed by those we love and yet love them anyway. May we learn that humble service is greater than power, prestige, or position. May we love as Jesus loves us. May we humble ourselves to serve others in his love. Merry Christmas! 

Thanks for reading!

Advent 2018: Are We Ready for Hope? Reasons for Hope in Troubling Times

Three weeks ago I had the privilege of preaching on the first Sunday of Advent at Clover Baptist Church in Clover, VA. You may find the notes for my sermon below. Merry Christmas! 

Are we ready for Hope? Reasons for Hope in Troubling Times: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 21:25-36

Introduction: 

Today marks the first Sunday in the Advent season. For those churches who celebrate by following a liturgical calendar, the first Sunday of Advent is a time for lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath and discussing the idea of Hope. The concept of Advent as a season is established on the idea of expectation and preparation for the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, the Incarnation of God in flesh—that is, the first coming of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem. In the West we celebrate this day as December 25, Christmas day. Our American culture is skilled at anticipating Christmas. In fact, some may say we enter into a bit of overkill in that “anticipation”! We so engorge ourselves on Christmas spirit that we are bloated with the stress of the season, and nearly sick of Christmas music by the time the twelve days of Christmas actually arrive. Part of that is because this first “coming” of Jesus has already come, and we have attached a date to it. We know when to expect it, so we build up anticipation as we count down the days (maybe even the hours) until the event happens.

It was not always so. The first of our two texts (from Jeremiah) represents a time prior to this blessed first coming. The prophet Jeremiah had been imprisoned (33:1). The armies of Babylon, were advancing on Jerusalem. The streets of Jerusalem would soon be filled with the corpses of her people (33:4-5). Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment that put him in prison were coming true. For nearly 400 years, descendants of David had occupied the throne of Judah. God promised David's house and kingdom would endure before Him forever (2 Samuel 7:16). But soon the Babylonians would destroy David's city, burn Solomon's temple, and take David's heirs into exile. It was a time of trouble and distress, but not one without some hope. In the midst of catastrophe, Jeremiah spoke words of hope. He spoke of a restoration, which included the line of David. To a people soon to be devastated by loss, Jeremiah's prophecy offered promise, an anticipation of the hope of rescue. God was still faithful. The house of David might be cut down, but God can bring life out of death. A branch would sprout. God would send the Messiah. (READ Jeremiah 33:14-16)

The time of Jeremiah isn’t really unfamiliar to us. Although we get ready to celebrate the first coming of Messiah prophesied by Jeremiah, we also face times of trouble. Our world is not always a safe place. In fact, if you read the news it seems to get worse every day. In the spirit of those “end” times or troubled times, our second passage resounds like a thunderclap. In the middle of bows, ribbons, lights, cheery Christmas music, and the ongoing reminder that God sent his Son and became one of us, we also find ourselves in trouble or trials, a little distressed, feeling a bit like things are quickly falling apart. In Luke's Gospel, we find words from Jesus that we may pair up with the words of Jeremiah. Rather than speaking of a coming Messiah, a babe in a manger, or a “holy night” in which angles sing and shepherds and wise men rejoice, Jesus speaks of a time of shaking and judgment. This is an apocalyptic second coming of Messiah that will resound with God’s justice and holiness. When Messiah returns a second time, things will be a bit different. (Read Luke 21:25-36)

Both of these passages are delivered in a context of troubled times (current for the Jews in Jeremiah’s day and somewhat more distant for the recipients of Jesus’ words). Yet both passages also remind us that there is “hope”. That in this season of Advent (first or second), we can find reason for hope in spite of the trouble. Are we ready for hope?

Our passages today point us to three reasons for hope: 1) God’s timing is right, 2) God’s Word is reliable, and 3) God will rescue his people. If you are ready for some hope in troubled times, then let’s take a closer look at these.

Are we ready for hope? Hope can be found in reliance on God’s timing.

Point 1—God’s Time is Right: Days are coming (Jer)/there will be signs (Luke)

"But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, . . ." - Galatians 4:4 (HCSB)

"Jesus’ arrival during the Roman Empire’s Pax Romana (the peace of Rome) was perfect timing. The known world was united by one language of commerce. A network of global trade routes provided open access to the whole world. All of this guaranteed that the gospel could move rapidly in one tongue. No visas. No impenetrable borders. Only unhindered access to help spread the news of the Savior whose crucifixion fulfilled the prophecy of the Lamb who would be slain for our sins. All in God’s perfect timing!" - Joe Stowell (President of Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan)

"All history is in God's hand. He knows the best season for sending help to His church and new light to the world. Let us not be anxious about the course of events around us, as if we knew better than the King of kings what time relief should come." J. C. Ryle

If we think God has forgotten us, we need to think again. When the time is right, He’ll show up, and when He does, we’ll be amazed at His timing!

When the Jews faced exile in Babylon, God sent Jeremiah to prophesy not only doom and gloom, but also to speak of a future and a hope. In the time of Jesus, God fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah to send a branch. In the future, he will send this Son to establish an eternal kingdom based on the promise to David that seemed to end so long ago. In other words, the times are in his hands. What are we waiting for to which we think God is late in responding? Where are we thinking God is “missing the mark” in our lives? If his timing was right in all these things, why do we think he will be late now? Where is our hope?

Are we ready for hope? Hope comes from trusting God’s timing. God is on time and reliable. Hope also comes from a realization that God’s Word is reliable. He does what he says he will do! Are we ready for hope?

Point 2—God’s Word is Reliable: Fulfill the good word (Jer)/none of his words will pass away (Luke)

These verses remind us that God had not forgotten His promise or His people.

"The Bible is full of God’s promises to provide for us spiritually and materially, to never forsake us, to give us peace in times of difficult circumstances, to cause all circumstances to work together for our good, and finally to bring us safely home to glory. Not one of those promises is dependent upon our performance. They are all dependent on the grace of God given to us through Jesus Christ." - Jerry Bridges

Adoniram Judson: "The future is as bright as the promises of God."

The passages from Jeremiah and Luke represent a promise and a proclamation of what will last forever: Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s words and promises will never pass away. These are the words of Messiah Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God.  Even though the world may be cast into oblivion, the word of God remains. Jesus not only says what God wants us to hear, Jesus’ very life is the revelation and expression of what we need to know about God (John 1:18). Jesus explains God (and his plan) by both his Words and his life. Where is our hope placed? Do we rely on what God has said, or are we confused and conflicted by the terrifying “signs of the times” that take our minds off of jingling bells and Christmas wreaths and cause us to worry that things are going horribly wrong?

Are we ready for hope? Hope is found in trusting what God has said, but it also recognizes that God isn’t finished yet. If God’s Word is reliable, then we can count on the fact that God will rescue those who trust him. Are we ready for hope?

Point 3—God will Rescue his people: Justice and Righteousness (Jeremiah)/redemption draws near (Luke)

God will fulfill his Word, he will keep his promise. One part of that promise is rescue for those who trust in him. God will provide justice, righteousness, and redemption for all those who welcome the first coming of Jesus and look forward to his second coming!

What does it mean to live in hope and expectation?  It means we build ourselves up with hopes of what can be in the redemption promised in Jesus.  It involves making preparations and plans.  It involves living in particular ways so that we find ourselves prepared for what will happen when Messiah returns.

Christians should be a people yearning to keep hope alive, to see beyond what we see, to perceive something higher, and deeper and richer than what we can merely observe with our eyes. We are called as beloved children of God to push beyond just what we can see, into the things for which what we can hope. Paul reminds us, “Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25)

The hope that we are to have as Christians pushes us into some apparent yet wonderful absurdities—like the idea that God became one of us, he became a helpless baby. God became one of us and took on our sin and suffering. God even died for our sins, but then he got up out of the grave.

Christians who look at Jesus in the manger and say “Yes, that is what God looks like,” or gaze at Jesus hanging on the cross and declare, “There is God too,” may seem simply absurd, but at least our faith encompasses birth and death, life and suffering, and declares that none of it is outside of God.

Everyone in the human race wants a life that is fulfilling, a life that is full of purpose and complete. In Jeremiah’s time, the people were using the promise of the Davidic dynasty as an excuse to pursue what they wanted by looking everywhere but to God. Today we use technology or prosperity or even trouble as an excuse to look for fulfillment in things that do not honor our Creator. But that which we want will never be ours until we recognize that we need a right relationship with our creator that has been provided through the sacrifice of the Messiah Jesus. That is our rescue; that is our hope!

Christian hope is standing right in the middle of life, the middle of the signs of the end of the times, and raising our heads because even in the middle of it all we get a sense that our redemption, our rescue is drawing near. That is a powerful image—in the midst of the chaos, standing on our tiptoes to catch a glimpse of what is promised beyond what we can see.  In the midst of the madness leaning towards redemption, towards rescue, moving toward hope like the sun flower moves towards the sun as it travels across the sky. Our hope is in God’s ability to keep his promises in his time.

Are we ready for hope? Are we recognizing that God’s timing is right, his Word is reliable, and his rescue is sure? Are we ready for hope?

It is interesting to discover that for the Jews in the pre-Christian era hope in the coming of the Messiah—the one who was to restore the fortunes of Israel—was dependent on God, but also place a requirement his people to act, to respond to his promise. God required, even demanded, human action. God's promised people were not to wait passively for God to bring justice to the widow and the orphan, they were to make sure that the widow and the orphan were taken care of in real time.

As we prepare our hearts to welcome the incarnate Word, the new born babe in Bethlehem . . . as we get ready to celebrate the birth of Salvation and Hope . . . are we also preparing ourselves for his second coming? Are we anticipating his second advent with the same expectation and hope as we celebrate the first? Are we ready for hope to appear in the sky? Are we working with God to act as his agents until he returns?

Conclusion: How should we respond to these things?

Rely on God--trust him for our rescue, for our redemption, for our salvation

Respond with obedience—we should imitate Jesus, be the hands and feet of God

Find our hope in God’s right timing, God’s reliable Word, and God’s rescue.

Thanks for reading! 

Some Reasons for being Thankful: A Repost

I was reading through my blog, and I found the following post from a few years ago.  The list seemed rather appropriate for this month, so I thought I'd share it.  Here are some things to be thankful for according to David.

Psalm 138 

1 A Psalm of David. I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. 3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD, When they have heard the words of Your mouth. 5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD, For great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the arrogant He knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. 

Since we just celebrated Thanksgiving, and since I seem to hear some complaints lately (most of them coming from my own heart), I decided to post a list of things I am thankful for based off of some words from David. Psalm 138 above describes a Hymn of Thanksgiving. With David, I'd like to remind myself to be thankful for the following:

1. There is no God like the God of the Bible. The Triune God does not rely on his creation, nor is his subsistence dependent on it. He is above all things, and by him all things exist. In fact, Paul tells us in Colossians 1 that Jesus holds all things together and is the author of creation. Nothing exists outside of God's authority.  His sovereignty is unending and unlimited.

2. God's lovingkindness and truth are available to all of us. Jeremiah reminds us that God's mercy is new every morning. The Psalmist often reminds that God is patient and longsuffering, showing mercy and lovingkindness to many generations. His love is such that he gave his only Son (the only one of his kind), Jesus, the treasure of his heart. His lovingkindness not only gave us life, but it also provides us with all we need to live this life and to obey his ways. His mercy is amazing! His truth is convicting. God does not lie. He reveals truth inside humans, but he also makes truth known in nature itself. Even God's very attributes are observable in nature around us. God has made Truth known, and he is the very essence of Truth. All truth points to him, and he alone knows all truth exhaustively. His truth and lovingkindness lead to salvation and a proper relationship not only with this great God but with his creation as well.

3. God has given us a Word that will never fail. He has magnified, valued, advanced, enlarged, even exalted his Word above his own name. If the name of God is the name above all names, then his Word must be the Word above all words. He has revealed himself in Jesus who is the Logos, the Word of God in flesh, the exact representation of the image and character of God himself. The Word that God has provided for us is active, alive, and powerful. It can bring knowledge, life, and salvation. This Word explains, reveals, and interprets the very nature of God for us.  Jesus is the perfect revelation of God.  God has given us his Word!

4. God answers prayer. When we call on God, he is faithful to respond. And his response emboldens us and gives us courage. Conversation with God leads to conversion of our souls. His response to our requests shows his presence, his love, and his great kindness towards us. He hears when we call, and he responds.

5. God is friends with the humble, but he is an enemy to the proud. I am grateful that even though our God is high and exalted, he finds it satisfactory to dwell with those who are humble and lowly. He is not at home with those who think too highly of themselves, but he chooses to dwell with those who humble themselves to him.  Arrogance is an offense to the Creator of all (since none are above him), but the humble person finds audience with God.  He takes up residence among those who are humble and do not think too highly of themselves.  In fact, in chapter 2 of Philippians, Paul tells us that God humbled himself and served us.  If Jesus could humble himself, we should do so as well.

6. God will be with us in trouble. There is no obstacle or problem that can separate us from God (Romans 8:28-39). His love for us is never ending and his reach cannot be blocked. No matter the circumstances in your life, God is faithful. He will walk with his child in the midst of problems and provide what is needed to live a life of godliness even in hard circumstances (Psalm 23). He does not always deliver us from trouble, but he never abandons us in it. Like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, God is with us in the midst of our trials, troubles, or problems. He bears them with us, he walks with us, he gives us his joy in spite of our trouble, and he never fails.

7. God will complete the task he has begun (Phil. 1:6). He is faithful.  He will not forsake the works of his hands. He will accomplish all those things that pertain to his people. He will not fail. He is constant, kind, considerate. He will finish what he starts and will bring to pass all that he has promised (Isaiah 66:9). His Word is true, and he is faithful to complete it. Not a single stray mark of his Scripture will fail to happen. If God speaks it or if God begins it, it will be done in his time and by his outstretched hand. There is nothing too difficult for God, and he is worthy of our praise and our thanks!

Because of these things and so many others, I want to develop a grateful and thankful heart. May we all find comfort in God's character, Word, and love this season. May we give him the thanks and praise he deserves!

Thanks for reading!

Prayer for the Hurting

I was listening to some old music lately, and a group named Allies (made up of some former members of Sweet Comfort Band) sang a song entitled "A Prayer for the Children."  It is a haunting tune full of sympathy and anguish for those who hurt and are broken in this world.  In light of current events that continue to happen in this fallen and broken world--people being shot in public places, women being sold into sexual slavery, children being abandoned or turned into soldiers--I wanted to offer these lyrics (with some minor changes) as a prayer for those who are hurting.

We may never completely understand the pain that some face due to the wicked and violent actions of others, but we know sorrow and brokenness when we see it.  We come to realize (sometimes later than we hoped) that this world is not always what we expect, and the story that we hope will end with "happily ever after" sometimes simply ends with no happy or positive resolution in this world.

If you are facing hurt or pain or some kind of situation that has broken you or caused you harm, this prayer is for you.  May we all find healing for our brokenness, and may the Restorer and Healer of broken hearts hear our prayer.   Here are the lyrics to the song:

I see the children on the TV, asking, "Have you seen me?"
More little faces every day; they don't go away,
Torn from their world and out on their own, you can hear them calling,
Taken from home unto the unknown, so lost and alone.

Hear our voice, hear our cry,
Say a prayer for the children,
Heal the pain, heal our world,
Say a prayer for the children.

Suffering hearts bear all of the pain while the world is watching,
The innocent die and nothing is changed; it's always the same.

Hear our voice, hear our cry,
Say a prayer for the hurting,
Heal the pain, heal this world,
Say a prayer for the broken.

We pray for the broken, their voices are crying,
The hurt and the pain is too much for a wounded heart to bear,
We don't hold the answers, we can't find the reasons,
My God, can you hear us? - Please let us know that you're there.

Hear our voice, hear our cry, (hear our voice, hear our cry)
Say a prayer, (for the children)
Heal the pain, heal this world, (heal this world)
Say a prayer, (say a prayer for the broken)
Hear our voice, hear our cry, (hear our voice, hear our cry)
Say a prayer, (for the children)
Heal the pain, heal this world, (heal the pain, heal this world)
Say a prayer. (for the hurting)

Heal the pain, heal this world.

May the God of all grace grant healing and restoration to those who are broken and may the broken and resurrected life of Jesus be a balm to us.  He suffered, he lives, and he suffers with us in our brokenness.  May we soon realize his resurrection life and restoration as well.

If you know someone who is hurting, go to them, call on them, show them love.  Don't wait.  Help someone near you.  The world is broken enough, act in a way that would promote healing.

Isaiah 61:1-3 speaks volumes.  May the people of God be a people who announce his good news, who act in ways that resemble his Son, who embody the justice and grace of God.  Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

Thank you for reading!