“Do you really read the Bible every day?” Not often, but once in a while someone will ask me that question. My answer: “Yes, but not the whole thing!”
I do try to read early each morning before the busyness of the day begins. Sometimes I read quit a bit. Other times, a verse or phrase will capture me and I spend the time focusing on that one piece. Either way, my time with God in the Scriptures always is a blessing. This morning was no exception.
I’ve been sharing a series entitled: Holy Happiness. Now we are going to spend a few weeks looking at it from a different perspective: Un-Holy Happiness. This will be a lot of fun and very meaningful. But I wasn’t at ease with the series’ conclusion. Until this morning.
As I was reading the Bible, a particular little phrase caught my attention. When this happens, I just know that God wants me to stop reading for reading sake and spend some time thinking about this one part. So I did. And as I did, it came to me so clearly: “This is the capstone - the perfect concluding study - for this series on happiness!” I can’t give it to you now, I have to write it out first. But I can tell you this…
If I had not been doing my usual, daily Bible reading this would not have happened!
God is so good, and He loves us so much. And, He desires to communicate with us - to speak into our lives - regularly. He can, and does, through many avenues. But clearly one of the most common and most accessible, is through His Word: the Bible.
When we read, we give ourselves the opportunity to hear from Him. When we read regularly or daily, then we give ourselves the opportunity to hear from God regularly, even daily!
Don’t pass up such an incredible opportunity. Go find your Bible. Open it. Do a little reading. And do so regularly. Then be amazed as God speaks to you!
[If you are interested in reading the Holy Happiness series, click on the Life Issues tab and follow the link to that blog.]
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Death, Resurrection and My Body
Recently a dear lady approached me in tears. "My father recently passed away and my mom is really struggling. She knows the verses that say when we die we are with God, but she can't get over thinking of dad being in that casket in the ground. Could you maybe share something with me that would help me, help her?" In response to her request, I wrote the following. It's simple. But I pray it's also helpful.
Per our conversation last week, here are my thoughts about the sequence of events concerning all Christians, death, the resurrection and our physical bodies.
Each Christian has a physical body (often referred to in Scripture as “the flesh”) and a spirit. The physical body is temporary; not surviving into eternity. The spirit is the eternal part of us; the essence of our conscience, memories, thoughts, etc., that does survive physical death and exists throughout eternity in the presence of Christ.
At the moment a Christian physically dies their physical body, the flesh, ceases to function. This is what we commonly refer to as death. But as their physical body dies, the eternal part of that Christian (their spirit) immediately transfers into the presence of the Lord Jesus. We know this because of three key passages in the Bible.
(1) Luke 23
In Luke’s Gospel, chapter 23, we read of Jesus’ crucifixion. Beginning in verse 32, we are told that he was crucified between two criminals. Here is the relevant part of the event for our current conversation:
Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but his man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And [Jesus] said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43; emphasis added)
Notice the bolded and underlined word: Today. Both criminals were going to physically die that day, just as Jesus was. But the one who expressed faith was promised that he (his spirit, or eternal part) would be in paradise with Jesus that same day. Remember, for the Jews the day ended at sundown. So when Jesus said “Today you will be with Me…” He meant before the day ended…or literally, before sundown!
Clearly, this passage demonstrates that for those who have true, saving faith in Christ, when they die physically their spirit goes that moment to be with Christ.
(2) 2 Corinthians 5
In this passage Paul writes: "Yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)
Some translations, in place of the word “satisfied” use the phrase: “…we would prefer…” Re-read the verse inserting this phrase and you see Paul had a preference to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.
He understood that to physically die ushered one’s eternal spirit into God’s presence. And this was something he desired and preferred! Paul states his desire and preference even more clearly in the next passage.
(3) Philippians 1
For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ – which is far better...” (Philippians 1:21-24; emphasis added)
It is obvious that Paul believed physical death was a good thing. He said it was “gain” and “far better.” He did not say this because he just wanted to die; but rather, because he knew that physical death was simply a door leading a Christian into the joyful blessedness of Jesus’ presence.
All three passages reveal that physical death leads a Christian into Jesus’ presence immediately. One of my study bibles has this note on 2 Corinthians 5:8:
“…out of the body and at home with the Lord…” This describes the situation of a Christian after death, when he is no longer living in his “earthly house, a tent” (vs. 1). This is an intermediate state between death and resurrection and, apparently, a disembodied state; but it is not a limbo of oblivion, for the believer who has died is at home with his Lord, and that is preferable to our present life in the body.
So what of our physical body (our flesh)? What happens to it when we die? And what about the resurrected bodies we receive? Let me discuss this for a moment.
This physical body begins deteriorating long before death. We age; we lose strength, stamina and abilities we had when younger. The flesh wrinkles outwardly and parts begin “breaking” inwardly! Not a good situation.
At death, our spirit discards its broken-down shell. Our spirit flies free from pain, disease, and other ailments of the flesh. It flies into the presence of Christ. Per our customs and traditions, the flesh is either cremated or buried. It really makes no difference what happens to it, for we are not there! That flesh is not me any longer. Me – my essence, my thoughts, my memories, etc. – I am gone! You will find that eternal part of me in paradise!
Others present in paradise will be in spirit form and I will see them as such. Likewise, they will see me in my spiritual state. And we – all believers – will stay this way until the next major moment in God’s timeline of events; which is, the Rapture.
The Rapture is that moment when Christ returns in the air and raptures the church. We read of this in several places throughout the Scriptures. One of the most well-known passages is this:
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep [meaning: physically dead], so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Notice a couple of things from these verses.
a. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus (emphasis added). Those Christians who die before the rapture – those referred to as “fallen asleep” – are the ones God will bring with Him when He comes back. He can only bring them with Him because they already are in His presence! They are not with their physical bodies, waiting in some dark casket for His return. This confirms that for Christians, when physically they die, their spirit goes to be in God’s presence.
b. We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep (emphasis added). If the dead were in their graves awaiting Christ’s return, then I would say we who are still living have an advantage! But this is not the case. They are not waiting in the grave, they already are with Him. They have the advantage over us! They are with Christ in paradise! This is why Paul so desired to pass through death’s door
c. …and the dead in Christ will rise first. At the rapture, those spirits already with Christ who come back with Him will need physical bodies. They will need bodies because after the rapture and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (the celebration in heaven while the Tribulation is occurring on earth), all believers will return to earth and reign with Christ during His 1000 year, Millennial Reign. To do so, we will need bodies. So this phrase means that the physical bodies that the dead in Christ left behind when they died, will be reunited with their spirit. And then, those of us “who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
Two things happen as part of this Rapture moment. The dead, whose spirits are returning with Christ, have their physical bodies reunited with their spirits. And those Christians still alive on earth – flesh and spirit still together – are caught up with them to be with Jesus. We then all return to Heaven for a wonderful feast and celebration: the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
Someone might ask: “But what about those whose bodies were cremated? Or those with weakened or malfunctioning earthly bodies? Will they be reunited with these bodies?”
The answer is: Yes, and no! Yes, we will be reunited with our earthly flesh, the physical bodies that we inhabited while living. But also, no, they will not be exactly the same bodies.
Remember we are to reign with Christ as victors for 1000 years (whether this is literal or figurative, it is still a long time!). We need bodies up to the task. During this time of reigning, our flesh is still “earthly.” By that I mean: it is the physical body that we had on earth.
But that old, earthly, physical body will not be exactly as it was when we inhabited it. Now it will have good health and strength, so that we can reign with Him. In other words, we will have our flesh reunited with our spirit, but it will be a healthy, vibrant, stronger version of our former flesh! Therefore, even those who were cremated will have their earthly body, only healthier. For surely, God who created it all can reassemble the dust! Even so, this body is not our eternal body. That we receive later.
Once the 1000 year Millennial Reign is over, there is one, last great battle followed by the final judgment. At this judgment many things occur. One is that the earth, sky and stars we see and experience today will be judge by fire – literally burned up.
Then the new heavens and new earth are formed. At this time, the new Jerusalem descends and we enter this new creation and City of God for eternity.
And we do not enter with our “earthly” flesh. But it is at this time – as all of creation is being made new – that we will receive our new bodies as well. And with our spirits finally at home in their new, eternal bodies, we will walk streets of gold and dwell in the presence of the Almighty!
Truly Paul was right when he ended the 1 Thessalonians passage with this command: "Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Per our conversation last week, here are my thoughts about the sequence of events concerning all Christians, death, the resurrection and our physical bodies.
Each Christian has a physical body (often referred to in Scripture as “the flesh”) and a spirit. The physical body is temporary; not surviving into eternity. The spirit is the eternal part of us; the essence of our conscience, memories, thoughts, etc., that does survive physical death and exists throughout eternity in the presence of Christ.
At the moment a Christian physically dies their physical body, the flesh, ceases to function. This is what we commonly refer to as death. But as their physical body dies, the eternal part of that Christian (their spirit) immediately transfers into the presence of the Lord Jesus. We know this because of three key passages in the Bible.
(1) Luke 23
In Luke’s Gospel, chapter 23, we read of Jesus’ crucifixion. Beginning in verse 32, we are told that he was crucified between two criminals. Here is the relevant part of the event for our current conversation:
Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but his man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And [Jesus] said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43; emphasis added)
Notice the bolded and underlined word: Today. Both criminals were going to physically die that day, just as Jesus was. But the one who expressed faith was promised that he (his spirit, or eternal part) would be in paradise with Jesus that same day. Remember, for the Jews the day ended at sundown. So when Jesus said “Today you will be with Me…” He meant before the day ended…or literally, before sundown!
Clearly, this passage demonstrates that for those who have true, saving faith in Christ, when they die physically their spirit goes that moment to be with Christ.
(2) 2 Corinthians 5
In this passage Paul writes: "Yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)
Some translations, in place of the word “satisfied” use the phrase: “…we would prefer…” Re-read the verse inserting this phrase and you see Paul had a preference to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.
He understood that to physically die ushered one’s eternal spirit into God’s presence. And this was something he desired and preferred! Paul states his desire and preference even more clearly in the next passage.
(3) Philippians 1
For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ – which is far better...” (Philippians 1:21-24; emphasis added)
It is obvious that Paul believed physical death was a good thing. He said it was “gain” and “far better.” He did not say this because he just wanted to die; but rather, because he knew that physical death was simply a door leading a Christian into the joyful blessedness of Jesus’ presence.
All three passages reveal that physical death leads a Christian into Jesus’ presence immediately. One of my study bibles has this note on 2 Corinthians 5:8:
“…out of the body and at home with the Lord…” This describes the situation of a Christian after death, when he is no longer living in his “earthly house, a tent” (vs. 1). This is an intermediate state between death and resurrection and, apparently, a disembodied state; but it is not a limbo of oblivion, for the believer who has died is at home with his Lord, and that is preferable to our present life in the body.
So what of our physical body (our flesh)? What happens to it when we die? And what about the resurrected bodies we receive? Let me discuss this for a moment.
This physical body begins deteriorating long before death. We age; we lose strength, stamina and abilities we had when younger. The flesh wrinkles outwardly and parts begin “breaking” inwardly! Not a good situation.
At death, our spirit discards its broken-down shell. Our spirit flies free from pain, disease, and other ailments of the flesh. It flies into the presence of Christ. Per our customs and traditions, the flesh is either cremated or buried. It really makes no difference what happens to it, for we are not there! That flesh is not me any longer. Me – my essence, my thoughts, my memories, etc. – I am gone! You will find that eternal part of me in paradise!
Others present in paradise will be in spirit form and I will see them as such. Likewise, they will see me in my spiritual state. And we – all believers – will stay this way until the next major moment in God’s timeline of events; which is, the Rapture.
The Rapture is that moment when Christ returns in the air and raptures the church. We read of this in several places throughout the Scriptures. One of the most well-known passages is this:
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep [meaning: physically dead], so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Notice a couple of things from these verses.
a. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus (emphasis added). Those Christians who die before the rapture – those referred to as “fallen asleep” – are the ones God will bring with Him when He comes back. He can only bring them with Him because they already are in His presence! They are not with their physical bodies, waiting in some dark casket for His return. This confirms that for Christians, when physically they die, their spirit goes to be in God’s presence.
b. We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep (emphasis added). If the dead were in their graves awaiting Christ’s return, then I would say we who are still living have an advantage! But this is not the case. They are not waiting in the grave, they already are with Him. They have the advantage over us! They are with Christ in paradise! This is why Paul so desired to pass through death’s door
c. …and the dead in Christ will rise first. At the rapture, those spirits already with Christ who come back with Him will need physical bodies. They will need bodies because after the rapture and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (the celebration in heaven while the Tribulation is occurring on earth), all believers will return to earth and reign with Christ during His 1000 year, Millennial Reign. To do so, we will need bodies. So this phrase means that the physical bodies that the dead in Christ left behind when they died, will be reunited with their spirit. And then, those of us “who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
Two things happen as part of this Rapture moment. The dead, whose spirits are returning with Christ, have their physical bodies reunited with their spirits. And those Christians still alive on earth – flesh and spirit still together – are caught up with them to be with Jesus. We then all return to Heaven for a wonderful feast and celebration: the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
Someone might ask: “But what about those whose bodies were cremated? Or those with weakened or malfunctioning earthly bodies? Will they be reunited with these bodies?”
The answer is: Yes, and no! Yes, we will be reunited with our earthly flesh, the physical bodies that we inhabited while living. But also, no, they will not be exactly the same bodies.
Remember we are to reign with Christ as victors for 1000 years (whether this is literal or figurative, it is still a long time!). We need bodies up to the task. During this time of reigning, our flesh is still “earthly.” By that I mean: it is the physical body that we had on earth.
But that old, earthly, physical body will not be exactly as it was when we inhabited it. Now it will have good health and strength, so that we can reign with Him. In other words, we will have our flesh reunited with our spirit, but it will be a healthy, vibrant, stronger version of our former flesh! Therefore, even those who were cremated will have their earthly body, only healthier. For surely, God who created it all can reassemble the dust! Even so, this body is not our eternal body. That we receive later.
Once the 1000 year Millennial Reign is over, there is one, last great battle followed by the final judgment. At this judgment many things occur. One is that the earth, sky and stars we see and experience today will be judge by fire – literally burned up.
Then the new heavens and new earth are formed. At this time, the new Jerusalem descends and we enter this new creation and City of God for eternity.
And we do not enter with our “earthly” flesh. But it is at this time – as all of creation is being made new – that we will receive our new bodies as well. And with our spirits finally at home in their new, eternal bodies, we will walk streets of gold and dwell in the presence of the Almighty!
Truly Paul was right when he ended the 1 Thessalonians passage with this command: "Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
reVision stPete - PRAY
About 350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness. In the fourth year the people tried to impeach their town government!
Why? Because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?
Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision.
Lynn Anderson, writing about this event, made this point: “With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.”
Recently my heart has been afire with a new emphasis at our church… reVision stPete.
Vision is seeing. In your own life or in an organization, vision means seeing the future; seeing where you or the organization is headed; what you want to achieve and accomplish. It is this meaning of vision the writer had in mind when he wrote the verse in the Bible: “Where there is no vision – no long-term, future-seeing directive – the people perish.”
To re-vision then, means to see again; to re-visit the future of my life or of the organization, so one can either confirm or change the direction and resulting goals one desires to achieve and accomplish. To re-vision is to see again and ask: Are we doing well? Are we headed right?
Ask yourself, or your church: Are we doing well? Are we headed right? Can we do better?
The purpose for reVision stPete is to encourage each of us to participate in four actions that will help us have a clear vision of what Christ can do through us to impact our city. Let us keep in mind these words of Lynn Anderson: “With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.”
At the heart of reVision stPete is a plea. A plea from my heart, and I hope that as you hear about this, a plea that will arise in your heart as well. My plea, our plea to God, is for this… a refreshing new movement of God to sweep into our hearts, through our church, and out across St. Petersburg.
Notice we are asking God for something…
• refreshing – Fresca is refreshing; as is lemonade, iced tea, a cool glass of water, or jumping in a pool on a hot summer day.
• new – something different than the norm, not what we’ve experienced before.
• of God – so it’s supernatural, powerful…something awe-causing, jaw-dropping.
• that creates movement – it begins, then spreads; like a wild-fire across the dry plains.
reVision stPete includes four actions. The first of these is prayer.
We are being called to PRAY. We are asking God to do something special in our hearts, in our church and in our city! We are praying for two specific things:
1. Extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
2. Brokenness among God’s people.
If we see a refreshing new movement of God sweep into our hearts, through our church, and out across St. Petersburg, it will be because God sends an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us, which brings brokenness among His people.
Look briefly at each request. First, an…
1. Extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
What is an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit? What does it look like? Does God do such things today?
To the last question, the answer is, “Yes! God does, on occasion, still send an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” In fact, know this – write it down: Refreshing, new, movements of God always include an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
If something extraordinary begins to happen that is refreshing, new, clearly of God and then moves through His people and into the world around them… you can be sure the Holy Spirit is involved; and involved in a big way!
We see an example of this truth in Scripture. Read Acts 2:1-16. This event is known as Pentecost. Notice it has all four marks that also are part of our plea to God:
a. It was refreshing. The Holy Spirit filled the house and filled each of them. Peter, who had denied even knowing Jesus, stands before the crowd who had crucified Jesus and preaches Jesus! How could he do this; how could he change so much? Peter was refreshed!
b. It was new. Obviously, something new happened. Verse four tells us the most significant new thing that happened that day: “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” For the first time, the Holy Spirit did not just work among and around men; He indwelled them!
c. It was of God. Unlearned men stood up and preached Old Testament scripture and made accurate and perfect application of these passages to Jesus Christ – who is the fulfillment of each of the passages quoted. And they did so in languages they did not know! This happened so every person who heard could clearly understand the message and have an opportunity to receive the Gospel that very day! This obviously was of God.
d. It created movement. At that very moment the New Testament church was born and has continued across 2,000 years to us today – we are part of the same church movement.
So at Pentecost, when God sent an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a refreshing, new movement of God began. Study Pentecost carefully. For that is what an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit looks like!
Have you ever experienced something like that?
John Avant and the people of Brownwood, Texas have. They experienced an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and west Texas, and many other places, were impacted.
Would you like to experience such a movement of God? If so, then join me in this plea. PRAY, ask God for… a refreshing new movement of God to sweep into our hearts, through our church, and out across St. Petersburg (or your area). PRAY that we all would experience an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
But be careful; for there is a result that always accompanies extraordinary outpourings of the Holy Spirit that may frighten you. It is the second part of our prayer to God.
2. Brokenness among God’s people.
Take a moment and read Acts 2:41-47. From lives of greed, pride and self-interest to ones of joy, generosity and fellowship, these first Christians were changed. They were new, different than before. They had gladness in their hearts as they humbled themselves before the Lord and each other.
Multiple other Scriptures also show the results of extraordinary outpourings of the Holy Spirit. In all of these you see submission, confession, repentance and then as cleansed and forgiven believers, you see people with genuine joy, a new spring in their step – because they have experienced brokenness before God.
Have you ever experienced brokenness personally? Have you ever been in a church where God’s people were genuinely broken before Him?
Would you like to? Perhaps, many of us, if we were absolutely honest, would say, “No. I really don’t want to broken like that…it would be too embarrassing.”
If this is you, then there is your problem. There is our problem.
Listen, we will NEVER experience the extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit if we are unwilling to experience brokenness as God’s people. The Bible says: “The Lord is near the brokenhearted…” (Psalm 34:18a) “The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, you will not despise a broken and humbled heart.” (Psalm 51:17)
Brokenness is necessary for an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit – for genuine revival. The sad thing is, the really tragic thing is, some in the church are ok with never experiencing brokenness. And that breaks my heart; it breaks my heart for you.
If this is you – if you are one who refuses to be broken before God and with God’s people; if you are resolute in your stubbornness; if you are absolutely sure – you already know, beyond any doubt – that you are never going to allow yourself to be “embarrassed” like that…
Please, do one of three things:
Either, (1) PRAY. Ask God to soften your heart and bring you into a fresh, new, place in your relationship with Him. This would be my preference for you.
Or, (2) CONSIDER. Consider if the joy, the fellowship, the refreshing and renewed passion of God flowing through your life – consider if this might indeed be okay. Consider that experiencing an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the brokenness that requires, might be worth it. Just consider the possibility.
Oh, but dear friend; if you are resolute in your defiance. If you are absolutely unwilling to PRAY or even CONSIDER…then you must…
_______________ (You fill in the blank). What do you think the third option should be?
I thought it probably should be…
(3) GO. Go find another place where you won’t have to be challenged. Go find a place that will never ask you to allow God to break you so He can mold you and make you into the wonderful creation He has in mind. Go find a church – there are many – were repentance and brokenness are not valued; so you will never again be confronted with your need for both. Go. Go breath the stale air in some dead and dusty church.
You always can go somewhere else, but is that what you really want? It’s not what I want for you. Just the opposite. I want you to stay where you are. Because I know: even if you aren’t close to the fire, if you are nearby you can still be touched by its light and warmth. So stick around. Maybe God will change you yet! Just please, don’t interfere with God’s extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit!
Now for those who are willing to pray for an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the personal brokenness that requires, it’s okay if there are only a few of us who truly and deeply desire this. Remember Gideon.
Gideon started with over 30,000 men; the enemy had more than 300,000. For those of you who like to figure the odds: that’s 10:1. Or to put it in perspective, that means each of us has to fight 10 of theirs, all at once.
As bad as these odds are – and they are, this is bad – God said Gideon had too many! He whittled the number down to 300! Now the odds are: 1000:1. Each of us now has to defeat 1000 of their guys!
Now God was ready to demonstrate His power. You see, God can do more with 5 who are broken and committed, than He ever will do with even 5,000 who stubbornly refuse to be either.
It’s okay if those in the world, and some in the church, don’t want to be involved in this. It’s even okay if they sneer at us. Look at how some in the crowd at Pentecost responded to the disciples. Read Acts 2:12-13 and you will see that many sneered, thinking the disciples were drunk!
I’m convinced that as followers of Jesus, we need an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and we need to be broken, humble and honest before God and with each other! I need this. You need this. No matter what anyone else thinks.
So join with me and PRAY. PRAY for a refreshing new movement of God to sweep into our hearts, through our church, and out across St. Petersburg (and in your town).
PRAY specifically for an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
PRAY that I, as a pastor, will experience genuine brokenness.
PRAY that you will experience true brokenness too.
PRAY that our churches will be repentant and humble before God, so that He could lift us up and move through us to touch lives and change our cities with the Gospel!
You see, reVision stPete is not just a series of messages. It’s a new commitment. It’s birthed from a renewed desire to experience genuine revival. It’s not a program, but a priority, calling each of us to PRAY.
To pray so that we can – and so that we WILL – experience a refreshing, new movement of God in us, through us, and out from us into our city and around the world!
We have been challenged to pray. So now, let us pray together. I’m asking you, if you will make a commitment to pray this prayer, to begin praying it right now… with me… where ever you are!
Join me now in prayer.
Why? Because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?
Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision.
Lynn Anderson, writing about this event, made this point: “With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.”
Recently my heart has been afire with a new emphasis at our church… reVision stPete.
Vision is seeing. In your own life or in an organization, vision means seeing the future; seeing where you or the organization is headed; what you want to achieve and accomplish. It is this meaning of vision the writer had in mind when he wrote the verse in the Bible: “Where there is no vision – no long-term, future-seeing directive – the people perish.”
To re-vision then, means to see again; to re-visit the future of my life or of the organization, so one can either confirm or change the direction and resulting goals one desires to achieve and accomplish. To re-vision is to see again and ask: Are we doing well? Are we headed right?
Ask yourself, or your church: Are we doing well? Are we headed right? Can we do better?
The purpose for reVision stPete is to encourage each of us to participate in four actions that will help us have a clear vision of what Christ can do through us to impact our city. Let us keep in mind these words of Lynn Anderson: “With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.”
At the heart of reVision stPete is a plea. A plea from my heart, and I hope that as you hear about this, a plea that will arise in your heart as well. My plea, our plea to God, is for this… a refreshing new movement of God to sweep into our hearts, through our church, and out across St. Petersburg.
Notice we are asking God for something…
• refreshing – Fresca is refreshing; as is lemonade, iced tea, a cool glass of water, or jumping in a pool on a hot summer day.
• new – something different than the norm, not what we’ve experienced before.
• of God – so it’s supernatural, powerful…something awe-causing, jaw-dropping.
• that creates movement – it begins, then spreads; like a wild-fire across the dry plains.
reVision stPete includes four actions. The first of these is prayer.
We are being called to PRAY. We are asking God to do something special in our hearts, in our church and in our city! We are praying for two specific things:
1. Extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
2. Brokenness among God’s people.
If we see a refreshing new movement of God sweep into our hearts, through our church, and out across St. Petersburg, it will be because God sends an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us, which brings brokenness among His people.
Look briefly at each request. First, an…
1. Extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
What is an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit? What does it look like? Does God do such things today?
To the last question, the answer is, “Yes! God does, on occasion, still send an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” In fact, know this – write it down: Refreshing, new, movements of God always include an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
If something extraordinary begins to happen that is refreshing, new, clearly of God and then moves through His people and into the world around them… you can be sure the Holy Spirit is involved; and involved in a big way!
We see an example of this truth in Scripture. Read Acts 2:1-16. This event is known as Pentecost. Notice it has all four marks that also are part of our plea to God:
a. It was refreshing. The Holy Spirit filled the house and filled each of them. Peter, who had denied even knowing Jesus, stands before the crowd who had crucified Jesus and preaches Jesus! How could he do this; how could he change so much? Peter was refreshed!
b. It was new. Obviously, something new happened. Verse four tells us the most significant new thing that happened that day: “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” For the first time, the Holy Spirit did not just work among and around men; He indwelled them!
c. It was of God. Unlearned men stood up and preached Old Testament scripture and made accurate and perfect application of these passages to Jesus Christ – who is the fulfillment of each of the passages quoted. And they did so in languages they did not know! This happened so every person who heard could clearly understand the message and have an opportunity to receive the Gospel that very day! This obviously was of God.
d. It created movement. At that very moment the New Testament church was born and has continued across 2,000 years to us today – we are part of the same church movement.
So at Pentecost, when God sent an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a refreshing, new movement of God began. Study Pentecost carefully. For that is what an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit looks like!
Have you ever experienced something like that?
John Avant and the people of Brownwood, Texas have. They experienced an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and west Texas, and many other places, were impacted.
Would you like to experience such a movement of God? If so, then join me in this plea. PRAY, ask God for… a refreshing new movement of God to sweep into our hearts, through our church, and out across St. Petersburg (or your area). PRAY that we all would experience an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
But be careful; for there is a result that always accompanies extraordinary outpourings of the Holy Spirit that may frighten you. It is the second part of our prayer to God.
2. Brokenness among God’s people.
Take a moment and read Acts 2:41-47. From lives of greed, pride and self-interest to ones of joy, generosity and fellowship, these first Christians were changed. They were new, different than before. They had gladness in their hearts as they humbled themselves before the Lord and each other.
Multiple other Scriptures also show the results of extraordinary outpourings of the Holy Spirit. In all of these you see submission, confession, repentance and then as cleansed and forgiven believers, you see people with genuine joy, a new spring in their step – because they have experienced brokenness before God.
Have you ever experienced brokenness personally? Have you ever been in a church where God’s people were genuinely broken before Him?
Would you like to? Perhaps, many of us, if we were absolutely honest, would say, “No. I really don’t want to broken like that…it would be too embarrassing.”
If this is you, then there is your problem. There is our problem.
Listen, we will NEVER experience the extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit if we are unwilling to experience brokenness as God’s people. The Bible says: “The Lord is near the brokenhearted…” (Psalm 34:18a) “The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, you will not despise a broken and humbled heart.” (Psalm 51:17)
Brokenness is necessary for an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit – for genuine revival. The sad thing is, the really tragic thing is, some in the church are ok with never experiencing brokenness. And that breaks my heart; it breaks my heart for you.
If this is you – if you are one who refuses to be broken before God and with God’s people; if you are resolute in your stubbornness; if you are absolutely sure – you already know, beyond any doubt – that you are never going to allow yourself to be “embarrassed” like that…
Please, do one of three things:
Either, (1) PRAY. Ask God to soften your heart and bring you into a fresh, new, place in your relationship with Him. This would be my preference for you.
Or, (2) CONSIDER. Consider if the joy, the fellowship, the refreshing and renewed passion of God flowing through your life – consider if this might indeed be okay. Consider that experiencing an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the brokenness that requires, might be worth it. Just consider the possibility.
Oh, but dear friend; if you are resolute in your defiance. If you are absolutely unwilling to PRAY or even CONSIDER…then you must…
_______________ (You fill in the blank). What do you think the third option should be?
I thought it probably should be…
(3) GO. Go find another place where you won’t have to be challenged. Go find a place that will never ask you to allow God to break you so He can mold you and make you into the wonderful creation He has in mind. Go find a church – there are many – were repentance and brokenness are not valued; so you will never again be confronted with your need for both. Go. Go breath the stale air in some dead and dusty church.
You always can go somewhere else, but is that what you really want? It’s not what I want for you. Just the opposite. I want you to stay where you are. Because I know: even if you aren’t close to the fire, if you are nearby you can still be touched by its light and warmth. So stick around. Maybe God will change you yet! Just please, don’t interfere with God’s extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit!
Now for those who are willing to pray for an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the personal brokenness that requires, it’s okay if there are only a few of us who truly and deeply desire this. Remember Gideon.
Gideon started with over 30,000 men; the enemy had more than 300,000. For those of you who like to figure the odds: that’s 10:1. Or to put it in perspective, that means each of us has to fight 10 of theirs, all at once.
As bad as these odds are – and they are, this is bad – God said Gideon had too many! He whittled the number down to 300! Now the odds are: 1000:1. Each of us now has to defeat 1000 of their guys!
Now God was ready to demonstrate His power. You see, God can do more with 5 who are broken and committed, than He ever will do with even 5,000 who stubbornly refuse to be either.
It’s okay if those in the world, and some in the church, don’t want to be involved in this. It’s even okay if they sneer at us. Look at how some in the crowd at Pentecost responded to the disciples. Read Acts 2:12-13 and you will see that many sneered, thinking the disciples were drunk!
I’m convinced that as followers of Jesus, we need an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and we need to be broken, humble and honest before God and with each other! I need this. You need this. No matter what anyone else thinks.
So join with me and PRAY. PRAY for a refreshing new movement of God to sweep into our hearts, through our church, and out across St. Petersburg (and in your town).
PRAY specifically for an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
PRAY that I, as a pastor, will experience genuine brokenness.
PRAY that you will experience true brokenness too.
PRAY that our churches will be repentant and humble before God, so that He could lift us up and move through us to touch lives and change our cities with the Gospel!
You see, reVision stPete is not just a series of messages. It’s a new commitment. It’s birthed from a renewed desire to experience genuine revival. It’s not a program, but a priority, calling each of us to PRAY.
To pray so that we can – and so that we WILL – experience a refreshing, new movement of God in us, through us, and out from us into our city and around the world!
We have been challenged to pray. So now, let us pray together. I’m asking you, if you will make a commitment to pray this prayer, to begin praying it right now… with me… where ever you are!
Join me now in prayer.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Giving Hurts!
Over the last few weeks, I have shared a series of messages on the subject of Giving Away. For the first message in the series (and an explanation of how the series originated) see my post from Monday, September 12, 2011; entitled: “Give it ALL Away!”
The series is over. But we have learned that Giving Away never ends.
Recently, I have learned something equally important: Giving hurts! And sometimes, it hurts a lot.
I have been, and remain, so proud of North East Park for their heart – their desire and dedication – to Giving Away. We have given much and continue to do so. But recently, more than in the past, Giving Away has caused me some deep anguish and personal pain.
I know some in our fellowship have felt and will feel the same emotions. Maybe the cause was, or will be, different. But here’s the truth: if you live following God’s example and you practice Giving Away regularly, at some point it is going to hurt. You will feel pain.
And here’s something important about pain. Pain, especially prolonged pain, causes us to feel frustration, sometimes anger; and can lead to depression, despair and a real desire to quit…to just give up, or at least, to stop Giving Away.
But here is something else I’ve learned: The pleasure of Giving Away outweighs the pain! Always!
This was true for God.
As John 3:16 tells us, God “so loved the world that He gave…” His gift was Jesus; God come to earth in the flesh to take away the sins of the world. His gift was salvation; an opportunity to be declared righteous, eligible for Heaven. His gift was our adoption into His family.
God’s Giving Away provided you and me with some wonderful possibilities! But never forget the pain it caused Him.
Because He loves you and me, God got to watch His Son die a cruel, horrible death to pay for your sin and mine. Jesus got to experience the pain of physical suffering in an unimaginable way. More importantly, He experienced the pain of being separated from God. The Bible says God turned His back on Jesus as He hung on the cross; not even able to bear watching as our sin was placed upon Him.
You see, we received the blessings from God’s Giving Away. He experienced the pain.
But on the other side of the pain, there was joy! The Bible says: “…[Jesus] for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame…” (Hebrews 12:2)
God gave, so now He experiences the joy of you and me being able to become part of His family. He delights in us. Jesus is preparing a place for us to be with Him in glory – a place prepared with you specifically in mind. And we will get to be with Him. We will get to see Him, face to face, and walk through that Heavenly city with Him. And we shall reign with Him forever!
So much joy! Such a wonderful future awaits every true believer in the Lord Jesus!
And it is ALL possible, and it is ONLY possible, because God practices Giving Away in spite of the pain!
And so must I.
Yes, without a doubt, sometimes Giving Away is going to hurt. Sometimes it is going to hurt really bad. But that is okay. Because on the other side of Giving Away, on the other side of the pain, there is joy!
Joy inexpressible. A joy that may be experienced only by those who practice Giving Away!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Holy Happiness - What Makes You Happy?
Take a moment…think about this question: What makes you happy?
What’s your answer(s)? Now, a slightly different question: As a Christian, what should make you happy?
Where does our happiness as Christians come from…what is your source for Holy Happiness! Holy Happiness is not the same as emotional happiness. Emotions are like the tides at the shore; they rise and fall, often. Holy Happiness is what the Bible means when it uses the word blessed. This is a sense deep within you of joy, one the world cannot touch.
So now, back to our question. Does your happiness as a Christian come from…
- What you are?
- What you have?
- What you do?
- Or something else?
You can only pick one; which one would you pick?
I believe that happiness for Christians is derived from three actions.
1. Fear God
“How happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways!” (Psalm 128:1)
To understand this source of happiness for the saints we must understand a key concept in this verse. This verse states that happiness is for those who fear the Lord. If you want the happiness, you have to fear the Lord. Before you can fear the Lord, you have to understand what this phrase means…how it applies – how it’s lived out – in your daily walk.
So, what does fear the Lord mean to you? How do you demonstrate that you fear the Lord daily?
the fear of the LORD – no single English word conveys every aspect of this word, as used in this phrase. The meaning includes worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect to the covenant-keeping God of Israel.1
The second part of the verse seems to confirm that fear of the LORD includes obedience when it says “who walks in His ways!”
The first action which will help you experience and maintain Holy Happiness! in your walk as a Christian is to fear the Lord. This means to live each day in worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect.
Might we rightly sum this up by saying: humble submission? Happiness comes to us when we humbly submit to God each day.
2. Trust God
“ …and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.” (Proverbs 16:20b)
According to this verse, what is the second action we are to do if we want to be happy as Christians? Answer: trust God.
Certainly, everyone who claims to be a Christian would say, “Oh, yes. I trust God. I certainly do.”
But do we? Do you really trust God? Do you trust God always? What does real trust look like? How do you live – what do you do different – if you truly are trusting God?
To trust God is to walk each day with confidence in Him and conviction in me.
I trust Him. He has made promises and will not let me down. I may not have much trust in myself, or many others – and maybe rightly so – but I know He is trustworthy. In Him we can have absolute and total confidence. If we do, then we trust Him. And it shows in the way we live each day, and in the way we respond or react to circumstances that occur.
Instead of: “Woe is me! What am I going to do?” Our response will be: “Wow; that was surprising! But God is in control; what does He want me to do (if anything)?”
Trust means we have confidence in Him.
But also, this breeds a deep conviction in us: that He is trustworthy. A conviction that He will provide and guide in every situation; that He is worthy of our devotion, respect and obedience, no matter what happens; and because of this, I’m going to stay the course!
To have happiness as a Christian, we first must fear God, and second, we must trust God. Third, we must…
3. Obey God
“...you also should do just as I have done…if you know these things, you are blessed [happy] if you do them.” (John 13:12-17)
Jesus gave the disciples an example of leading and ministering by serving; and He, commanded that they do the same! He even stated that their blessedness, or happiness, would be based on their obedience. If they obeyed, then they would be happy. By the way, the reverse also is true: if they did not obey, then they would not find happiness!
Three easy ways to measure your obedience:
Understand: your level of obedience impacts your level of happiness as a Christian!
So ask yourself this question: Are you happy? Are you happy as a Christian?
If not, is it because you don’t fear God; or because you don’t trust God; or because you are not being obedient to God?
Fear, trust and obedience…we don’t usually associate these words with happiness.
That’s why this is entitled: Holy Happiness! We aren’t discussing the emotion of happiness; that fleeting, elusive feeling that comes and goes so quickly; that can be so hard to find, even harder to hang onto.
This is about the happiness only available to Christians. And how we can find it, hold onto it, and experience each and every day of our lives!
So again, what makes you happy?
Now – at least for the Christian – you know the answer.
[For the other posts in this series, please visit my Life Issues blog. A link is provided on the Life Issues button at the top of this blog.]
1 From the Bullet Notes section from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
What’s your answer(s)? Now, a slightly different question: As a Christian, what should make you happy?
Where does our happiness as Christians come from…what is your source for Holy Happiness! Holy Happiness is not the same as emotional happiness. Emotions are like the tides at the shore; they rise and fall, often. Holy Happiness is what the Bible means when it uses the word blessed. This is a sense deep within you of joy, one the world cannot touch.
So now, back to our question. Does your happiness as a Christian come from…
- What you are?
- What you have?
- What you do?
- Or something else?
You can only pick one; which one would you pick?
I believe that happiness for Christians is derived from three actions.
1. Fear God
“How happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways!” (Psalm 128:1)
To understand this source of happiness for the saints we must understand a key concept in this verse. This verse states that happiness is for those who fear the Lord. If you want the happiness, you have to fear the Lord. Before you can fear the Lord, you have to understand what this phrase means…how it applies – how it’s lived out – in your daily walk.
So, what does fear the Lord mean to you? How do you demonstrate that you fear the Lord daily?
the fear of the LORD – no single English word conveys every aspect of this word, as used in this phrase. The meaning includes worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect to the covenant-keeping God of Israel.1
The second part of the verse seems to confirm that fear of the LORD includes obedience when it says “who walks in His ways!”
The first action which will help you experience and maintain Holy Happiness! in your walk as a Christian is to fear the Lord. This means to live each day in worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect.
Might we rightly sum this up by saying: humble submission? Happiness comes to us when we humbly submit to God each day.
2. Trust God
“ …and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.” (Proverbs 16:20b)
According to this verse, what is the second action we are to do if we want to be happy as Christians? Answer: trust God.
Certainly, everyone who claims to be a Christian would say, “Oh, yes. I trust God. I certainly do.”
But do we? Do you really trust God? Do you trust God always? What does real trust look like? How do you live – what do you do different – if you truly are trusting God?
To trust God is to walk each day with confidence in Him and conviction in me.
I trust Him. He has made promises and will not let me down. I may not have much trust in myself, or many others – and maybe rightly so – but I know He is trustworthy. In Him we can have absolute and total confidence. If we do, then we trust Him. And it shows in the way we live each day, and in the way we respond or react to circumstances that occur.
Instead of: “Woe is me! What am I going to do?” Our response will be: “Wow; that was surprising! But God is in control; what does He want me to do (if anything)?”
Trust means we have confidence in Him.
But also, this breeds a deep conviction in us: that He is trustworthy. A conviction that He will provide and guide in every situation; that He is worthy of our devotion, respect and obedience, no matter what happens; and because of this, I’m going to stay the course!
To have happiness as a Christian, we first must fear God, and second, we must trust God. Third, we must…
3. Obey God
“...you also should do just as I have done…if you know these things, you are blessed [happy] if you do them.” (John 13:12-17)
Jesus gave the disciples an example of leading and ministering by serving; and He, commanded that they do the same! He even stated that their blessedness, or happiness, would be based on their obedience. If they obeyed, then they would be happy. By the way, the reverse also is true: if they did not obey, then they would not find happiness!
Three easy ways to measure your obedience:
- New Testament shows we are to be maturing/growing as disciples (all of us!). Are you being obedient? Are you doing what is required to grow and mature as a follower of Christ? Are you becoming a little bit more like Him each day, week, month and year?
- Oldie but a goodie: Are you obeying the Great Commandment? It’s even called: Commandment! How much easier does it have to be? This is not a suggestion or an “if you have the time or inclination!” “DO THIS!” God says. Are you loving God, and loving your neighbor as you love yourself.
- You can probably guess the last one… the Great Commission. Are you obediently telling others about Jesus and making new disciples?
Understand: your level of obedience impacts your level of happiness as a Christian!
So ask yourself this question: Are you happy? Are you happy as a Christian?
If not, is it because you don’t fear God; or because you don’t trust God; or because you are not being obedient to God?
Fear, trust and obedience…we don’t usually associate these words with happiness.
That’s why this is entitled: Holy Happiness! We aren’t discussing the emotion of happiness; that fleeting, elusive feeling that comes and goes so quickly; that can be so hard to find, even harder to hang onto.
This is about the happiness only available to Christians. And how we can find it, hold onto it, and experience each and every day of our lives!
So again, what makes you happy?
Now – at least for the Christian – you know the answer.
[For the other posts in this series, please visit my Life Issues blog. A link is provided on the Life Issues button at the top of this blog.]
1 From the Bullet Notes section from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Give It ALL Away!
Recently, my church gave space and time to a mission church. We made it possible for Movement Church to meet at a time and in a facility that very well suited their preferences. They've met a couple of times here and everything seems to be going good for them. I'm happy to be able to support a sister expression of the Body of Christ and their efforts to expand the Kingdom!
I've been asked by some of our members why we are doing this. "Why host a mission church? Why have Movement Church here?" Good question; fair question...and I believe the answer is a KEY, FUNDAMENTAL, ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL ELEMENT of the Christian Walk.
We are giving away.
My church and Movement Church share the same view of our city. When we look at St. Petersburg, Florida, we see a city in desperate need of what Jesus offers. We see need and we see hurting people. Mostly, we see people searching...and not knowing what they are searching for; and some not even knowing they are searching. And we both know, we have the answer - the Hope that all in this city need.
We are two expressions of the Body of Christ, in the same city, with the same view of the city. So, we are giving away.
But even beyond being like-minded, there is something else involved…we are meeting needs. Movement Church needed space near downtown St. Pete and time to grow and strengthen. We have space available at the times they wanted, and we are not too far from downtown. We are providing the space and time that will help meet their needs. We are giving away.
We have a need as well. God clearly has called my church to reach the northeast quadrant of this city. There are so few involved in Kingdom work in this area; we almost are alone in this vital effort. And there is no way we can reach all the people. But Movement Church can reach some. In fact, because of their uniqueness, they will reach some that we never would be able to reach. By helping them, we are helping ourselves accomplish our mandate. We are giving away.
We are GIVING AWAY; to help meet the needs of another; to help accomplish our mandate; and to see the Kingdom expand. The point is…WE ARE GIVING AWAY.
My church, North East Park, is gaining a reputation as a giver. I am so happy to be a part of a church that regularly gives away. Here are some examples of how we have been giving away:
1. We are hosting a Haitian congregation. They are different culturally, which has caused some friction at times. But that's okay. We've adjusted and learned through this; as have they. And because we are giving away, they have the opportunity to grow, strengthen and reach people in this city that we never will, nor ever would. We don't speak the language, and are not familiar with the culture.
2. We gave away our Family Life Pastor for several months to help a sister church in our county. He preached on Sundays and provided leadership after the previous pastor had left. As a result, a church was strengthened and excited once again for Kingdom work.
3. To the same church we next gave away our Evangelism/Small Group Pastor. He was providing the Wednesday Bible Study for them and they loved him so much he was called as their new Pastor. We didn't intend to send him to a new assignment! But God so ordained and we gave away. Sometimes giving away is costly.
4. Now, we are giving away our Family Life Pastor again. He is becoming part-time with us so that he can focus on a new project from God. Called the Pinellas Youth Project, it is a collaboration with CEF, FCA and Intervarsity to have a campus ministry on every elementary school, middle school, high school and college campus in Pinellas County!
5. I personally give away some of my time/attention/energy to help encourage, pray with and guide church planters in our quadrant (there now are four!) and other places. I give away time to fellow pastors and to missional efforts that involve our city and St. Petersburg, Russia, among many other activities.
6. My church gave away space for a Live Sent Conversation hosted here last month; and the 2 St Pete’s Missional event coming soon. We are hosting other associational, missional, etc., events - giving away what we have available for the cause of the Kingdom.
These are just a few examples of how, as a Pastor and a people, we are giving away!
To be honest, some (even in our own church) would say: “But, we don’t have it to give!” Ever heard that phrase? Can I change the inflection just a little, and a word or two?
I would put it this way: “We have it, TO give!”
God gave it to us, so we would give it away and be a blessing to others! It's all His anyway; nothing is really yours or mine. Money, houses, cars, talents, wisdom, etc., it is all God's property, for a time entrusted to your stewardship. It's not what you have, but what you do with it that is important.
I believe giving away ourselves and our resources, as God gives opportunity, pleases God very much. In fact, I KNOW this to be true because of something Jesus said. There is this little passage in Scripture – one we like to overlook and forget is even there – called the Return Principal!
JESUS: “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over – will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)
More than like-minded vision, more than meeting needs (theirs or ours); there is something deeper – a more profound reason for giving Movement Church time and space here on this campus, and for giving ourselves and resources away…OUR GIVING DETERMINES OUR RECEIVING!
Notice 2 things about our giving, and 3 about receiving:
1. We must give first, then receive. "Give and it will be given to you." We give first, then get the return. This requires a STEP of FAITH by us.
2. We give expectantly. God has made a promise, so as we give we expect Him to fulfill His word. This means we can give cheerfully, not just because we will receive a blessing, but because God loves us so much He will provide abundance for our lives! So don’t be stingy, miserly, or a hoarder. Give away.
3. Jesus said if we give well, we will receive abundantly: "a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over." That’s ABUNDANCE!
4. Jesus said this abundance would come easily. Literally, it will be "poured into your lap." You don't have to fret or worry, you don't need to sweat and make great effort; just give, and the reward is poured into your lap!
5. Most importantly, Jesus said the level of our giving determines the amount of our abundance. The measure you use determines the measure God uses! Use the smallest spoon, expect a small spoon of blessing returning to you. Use a dump truck, and wait for the results!
I believe God has a mountain of blessings He desires to shower upon us - to pour into our laps. But He is waiting and watching to see what we will do. And when we are miserly...when we use the tiniest of scoops to give away to another, then He uses a tiny scoop to reach into that mountain of blessings. How tragic!
This is the Return Principal. This is not about giving, as we generally think about it – though it certainly includes being a faithful tither and contributor to the church. But this is much bigger.
This is about GIVING all of yourself and all you have – giving it all away!
Does this work? Well, have you ever known God to not fulfill His promise? Of course it works; because God is faithful to do what He has promised. But just so you will know for sure, let me give you one recent example.
As a church, North East Park gave away two staff members. Without us looking for it, God is bringing us a new staff person – one who came unexpectedly – literally: poured into our lap! One who is a great fit for where we are currently as a church and where we are headed.
When we share, when we give away – God gives us back in abundance.
It truly is very simple: HOLD, & LOSE…or...GIVE, & RECEIVE!
I'm a giver. I’m leading our church to give away. Remember: We have it, TO Give! I would like for you to be one who gives away as well. You will be happier. You will be able to celebrate better what God is doing. And you will receive more in return.
Are you going to be a MISER? Or, a GIVER!
I've been asked by some of our members why we are doing this. "Why host a mission church? Why have Movement Church here?" Good question; fair question...and I believe the answer is a KEY, FUNDAMENTAL, ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL ELEMENT of the Christian Walk.
We are giving away.
My church and Movement Church share the same view of our city. When we look at St. Petersburg, Florida, we see a city in desperate need of what Jesus offers. We see need and we see hurting people. Mostly, we see people searching...and not knowing what they are searching for; and some not even knowing they are searching. And we both know, we have the answer - the Hope that all in this city need.
We are two expressions of the Body of Christ, in the same city, with the same view of the city. So, we are giving away.
But even beyond being like-minded, there is something else involved…we are meeting needs. Movement Church needed space near downtown St. Pete and time to grow and strengthen. We have space available at the times they wanted, and we are not too far from downtown. We are providing the space and time that will help meet their needs. We are giving away.
We have a need as well. God clearly has called my church to reach the northeast quadrant of this city. There are so few involved in Kingdom work in this area; we almost are alone in this vital effort. And there is no way we can reach all the people. But Movement Church can reach some. In fact, because of their uniqueness, they will reach some that we never would be able to reach. By helping them, we are helping ourselves accomplish our mandate. We are giving away.
We are GIVING AWAY; to help meet the needs of another; to help accomplish our mandate; and to see the Kingdom expand. The point is…WE ARE GIVING AWAY.
My church, North East Park, is gaining a reputation as a giver. I am so happy to be a part of a church that regularly gives away. Here are some examples of how we have been giving away:
1. We are hosting a Haitian congregation. They are different culturally, which has caused some friction at times. But that's okay. We've adjusted and learned through this; as have they. And because we are giving away, they have the opportunity to grow, strengthen and reach people in this city that we never will, nor ever would. We don't speak the language, and are not familiar with the culture.
2. We gave away our Family Life Pastor for several months to help a sister church in our county. He preached on Sundays and provided leadership after the previous pastor had left. As a result, a church was strengthened and excited once again for Kingdom work.
3. To the same church we next gave away our Evangelism/Small Group Pastor. He was providing the Wednesday Bible Study for them and they loved him so much he was called as their new Pastor. We didn't intend to send him to a new assignment! But God so ordained and we gave away. Sometimes giving away is costly.
4. Now, we are giving away our Family Life Pastor again. He is becoming part-time with us so that he can focus on a new project from God. Called the Pinellas Youth Project, it is a collaboration with CEF, FCA and Intervarsity to have a campus ministry on every elementary school, middle school, high school and college campus in Pinellas County!
5. I personally give away some of my time/attention/energy to help encourage, pray with and guide church planters in our quadrant (there now are four!) and other places. I give away time to fellow pastors and to missional efforts that involve our city and St. Petersburg, Russia, among many other activities.
6. My church gave away space for a Live Sent Conversation hosted here last month; and the 2 St Pete’s Missional event coming soon. We are hosting other associational, missional, etc., events - giving away what we have available for the cause of the Kingdom.
These are just a few examples of how, as a Pastor and a people, we are giving away!
To be honest, some (even in our own church) would say: “But, we don’t have it to give!” Ever heard that phrase? Can I change the inflection just a little, and a word or two?
I would put it this way: “We have it, TO give!”
God gave it to us, so we would give it away and be a blessing to others! It's all His anyway; nothing is really yours or mine. Money, houses, cars, talents, wisdom, etc., it is all God's property, for a time entrusted to your stewardship. It's not what you have, but what you do with it that is important.
I believe giving away ourselves and our resources, as God gives opportunity, pleases God very much. In fact, I KNOW this to be true because of something Jesus said. There is this little passage in Scripture – one we like to overlook and forget is even there – called the Return Principal!
JESUS: “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over – will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)
More than like-minded vision, more than meeting needs (theirs or ours); there is something deeper – a more profound reason for giving Movement Church time and space here on this campus, and for giving ourselves and resources away…OUR GIVING DETERMINES OUR RECEIVING!
Notice 2 things about our giving, and 3 about receiving:
1. We must give first, then receive. "Give and it will be given to you." We give first, then get the return. This requires a STEP of FAITH by us.
2. We give expectantly. God has made a promise, so as we give we expect Him to fulfill His word. This means we can give cheerfully, not just because we will receive a blessing, but because God loves us so much He will provide abundance for our lives! So don’t be stingy, miserly, or a hoarder. Give away.
3. Jesus said if we give well, we will receive abundantly: "a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over." That’s ABUNDANCE!
4. Jesus said this abundance would come easily. Literally, it will be "poured into your lap." You don't have to fret or worry, you don't need to sweat and make great effort; just give, and the reward is poured into your lap!
5. Most importantly, Jesus said the level of our giving determines the amount of our abundance. The measure you use determines the measure God uses! Use the smallest spoon, expect a small spoon of blessing returning to you. Use a dump truck, and wait for the results!
I believe God has a mountain of blessings He desires to shower upon us - to pour into our laps. But He is waiting and watching to see what we will do. And when we are miserly...when we use the tiniest of scoops to give away to another, then He uses a tiny scoop to reach into that mountain of blessings. How tragic!
This is the Return Principal. This is not about giving, as we generally think about it – though it certainly includes being a faithful tither and contributor to the church. But this is much bigger.
This is about GIVING all of yourself and all you have – giving it all away!
Does this work? Well, have you ever known God to not fulfill His promise? Of course it works; because God is faithful to do what He has promised. But just so you will know for sure, let me give you one recent example.
As a church, North East Park gave away two staff members. Without us looking for it, God is bringing us a new staff person – one who came unexpectedly – literally: poured into our lap! One who is a great fit for where we are currently as a church and where we are headed.
When we share, when we give away – God gives us back in abundance.
It truly is very simple: HOLD, & LOSE…or...GIVE, & RECEIVE!
I'm a giver. I’m leading our church to give away. Remember: We have it, TO Give! I would like for you to be one who gives away as well. You will be happier. You will be able to celebrate better what God is doing. And you will receive more in return.
Are you going to be a MISER? Or, a GIVER!
Friday, September 2, 2011
God's Gift
Ephesians 2:8-9
In the church we use words – terms – and we use them so much we begin to assume everyone knows what they mean. Well, certainly we should not assume people who aren’t regularly in church should know what the words mean. And probably, even those who are regulars, may not really know what some of the common “church words” mean, and how they are (or should be) important in their lives.
One of the most important of those words is: saved. We use it a lot in church. “I’m saved!” “Are you saved?” “Would you like to be saved today?”
But do you know what it really means? Here is how you can tell if you know what it really means:
• Do you understand what saved means well enough to explain it to someone else?
• Can you tell someone how to be saved?
Supposedly, one of the most important parts of being a Christian is that we are saved! One of the most important things we are supposed to do as Christians is “save” others!
How can we do that if we don’t really know what the term means? How can we even be sure we are saved ourselves?
If you struggle with answering any of these questions, if you have ever wondered if you are truly saved, if you have no idea how salvation really happens, or if it’s even important or not, then this for you! If you would like a concise definition of saved, then this is for you. If you would like to have a simple way of explaining to someone what being saved is, then you will appreciate this passage.
God inspired Paul to write a book to the Christians in Ephesus. In this little book we find a great definition/explanation of saved. The focus of Ephesians, chapter 2, is: SALVATION. And no passage better explains this idea than verses 8-9 of chapter 2.
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift - not from works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation (as defined in Webster’s Dictionary) means: preservation from destruction; rescue.
What a great definition!
Cars are stolen every day, all across the country. But one incident was rather unique. Police in one small town in California were staging an intense search for a stolen vehicle and its driver – even to the point of placing announcements on the local radio station to contact the thief. On the front seat was a box of crackers that, unknown to the thief, were laced with poison. The car owner had intended to use the crackers as rat bait. Now the police were more interested in apprehending the thief to save his life than to recover the car. So often when we run from God, we think it is to escape his punishment. But what we are actually doing is eluding his rescue.
Truly, God preserves us from destruction – He rescues us – when we are saved! This passage tells us how God chooses to do this. If you can remember three words, you will understand and be able to relate to another, all you need to know about being saved.
The first word to remember is…
I. GRACE
“For by grace you are saved…”
We must all understand this: God was not required to offer salvation to anyone. He is perfectly justified in condemning all to an eternity separated from Him.
Our birth as sinners, our actions – choosing to sin – both require punishment. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). Yet, God has offered an escape. He has offered a rescue. He offers preservation from destruction!
The very definition of saved is what God offers; and He does so “by grace.”
One of the most well-known verses in the Bible says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believed in Him would not perish, but be saved!” (John 3:16). Jesus is the way of escape. He is the means of rescue. God gave His Son Jesus so you and I, and anyone who would believe in Him, could receive preservation from destruction; through Jesus we could be saved!
He didn’t have to, but because He “so loves” you, He wanted to! God’s benevolence bestowed on the undeserving. That is GRACE; and by that, we can be saved.
Second word to remember is…
II. FAITH
“For by grace you are saved through faith…”
God’s part in someone being saved is GRACE. The person’s part – your part, my part, anyone’s part - is FAITH. Without FAITH you cannot be saved.
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
You absolutely must have and exercise FAITH to be saved. "Believe in your heart" – this is FAITH. It’s not something you see. It’s not something you hold; it’s not a math problem you solve; it’s not something you necessarily fully understand. It IS something you accept – you believe because God said it.
FAITH is believing; not hoping, but with confidence and conviction, believing. Not belief based on you or someone else, or anything of this world; but belief based on God, on His love and trustworthiness.
By the way, without FAITH it is impossible for you – or anyone – to please God.
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exist and rewards those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Some suggest that FAITH is foolish. They say it is the same as believing in spite of the facts; or believing when there is nothing to believe. Are they right? What is faith?
Biblical FAITH is not merely intellectually agreeing with the truth. The Bible says: “The demons also believe – and they shudder.” (James 2:19). Biblical FAITH means: believing God and acting accordingly. Actions based on your belief…this is true FAITH.
The third word to remember, in order to remember what being saved means, is…
"For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift.”
Did you notice: both parts of you being saved – God’s grace and your faith – are GIFTS from Him?
God gives you His GRACE; and He gives you the FAITH you need in order to believe. Truly, both the grace and the faith are a GIFT from God. God literally hands preservation from destruction to you. All you have to do is open your heart and accept His free GIFT…and be saved.
Being saved simply is this:
You have done nothing to earn salvation, either by being or doing “good.” All of mankind is equal before God as sinners, deserving punishment. No one may boast or point with pride to personal accomplishments in the area of SALVATION. For no one has accomplished anything here…it is all from God! He has done it all.
Now perhaps these three words will help us remember what it means to be saved; how to be saved; to make sure we are saved; and even how to help others be saved! Here it is in a nutshell:
By GRACE – God’s unmerited favor – you have been saved through FAITH – believing and acting based on your believing; and not of yourselves, it is all God’s GIFT to you!
The reformer, Martin Luther, once wrote:
It is one thing to say, "Christ is A Savior." It is quite another thing to say, "He is MY Savior." The devil can say the first; but only the truly saved can say the second.
Is Jesus YOUR Savior? Are you saved? Have you received God’s gift, His rescuing you from the punishment your sins deserve? Has this passage helped confirm that you are saved? Do you actively live based on faith – do you walk faithfully and obediently with Jesus each day?
Maybe you need to recommit yourself; at some point He saved you, but you’ve been doing your own thing. Not only is He your Savior – your rescuer – He is Lord. Commit to yield to Him; to follow Him.
These three words can help you share with someone else how they can be saved. How amazing would that be; to be used by God in such an amazing, eternity-impacting way? So commit to memory these three words. Truly this is...
One small passage that can give you assurance, and help you bring others to Jesus!
One of the most important of those words is: saved. We use it a lot in church. “I’m saved!” “Are you saved?” “Would you like to be saved today?”
• Do you understand what saved means well enough to explain it to someone else?
• Can you tell someone how to be saved?
How can we do that if we don’t really know what the term means? How can we even be sure we are saved ourselves?
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift - not from works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“For by grace you are saved…”
Our birth as sinners, our actions – choosing to sin – both require punishment. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). Yet, God has offered an escape. He has offered a rescue. He offers preservation from destruction!
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
You absolutely must have and exercise FAITH to be saved. "Believe in your heart" – this is FAITH. It’s not something you see. It’s not something you hold; it’s not a math problem you solve; it’s not something you necessarily fully understand. It IS something you accept – you believe because God said it.
Biblical FAITH is not merely intellectually agreeing with the truth. The Bible says: “The demons also believe – and they shudder.” (James 2:19). Biblical FAITH means: believing God and acting accordingly. Actions based on your belief…this is true FAITH.
- It means accepting as true the Biblical message that God by grace has provided rescue; has provided preservation from destruction, for you.
- It means acting on that belief by committing your life to Jesus, letting Him save you; then stopping any attempts to earn your own salvation.
- It means continuing to act on your belief by letting Jesus lead you as Lord each day…letting Him guide in every decision, letting Him determine what is right or wrong for you, and trusting Him in all things.
III. GIFT
- trustfully accepting from God what He has provided (even when you don’t totally understand what you are receiving); and,
- letting God give what He alone can provide (giving up on being able to provide rescue for yourself).
"it is God's gift - not from works, so that no one can boast."
It is one thing to say, "Christ is A Savior." It is quite another thing to say, "He is MY Savior." The devil can say the first; but only the truly saved can say the second.
Maybe you need to recommit yourself; at some point He saved you, but you’ve been doing your own thing. Not only is He your Savior – your rescuer – He is Lord. Commit to yield to Him; to follow Him.
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