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.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
These Three Things We Know
As John closes his first epistle, He assures the reader of three things we know...beyond any doubt, with complete assurance, we know and can trust these three things. The third of these is found in verse 20:
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true One. We are in the true One - that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
From this verse we know...
I. Messiah has come – vs. 20a
Jews had been waiting for centuries…Still, they wait for the long-promised Messiah. Believers know…No more waiting! He has come.
John 1:1,14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Truly, the Messiah has been here and left already. Hebrews 4:14: “He has passed through the heavens…” They missed Him then, and many are missing Him today!
Do you know Him? Do you believe and confess that the Messiah, Jesus, has come into the world?
Why did He come? Certainly to fulfill prophecy; but is there more? Why did Jesus come to earth? What did He accomplish by coming to earth?
We know…
II. Messiah has come and given us understanding – vs. 20b
understanding – is more than facts; knowledge is facts. Understanding is the ability to correctly put the facts together, to interpret the knowledge – the meaning of the facts – and apply in daily life.
More than just knowing some facts, understanding impacts living!
So what did Jesus help us understand? John says He came… “so that we may know the true God.”
Get this: Jesus came to help us not just know some facts about God; but so we would correctly put those facts together, interpret their meaning, and change our lives! He came so we could – think about this – so that, through the understanding He gives us, we could know God!
Through Jesus we can know God. Not just know about Him; but know Him, intimately, personally, totally. For God chose to reveal Himself to us through Jesus. Jesus said: “See Me, see the Father; know Me, know the Father;” and, “I and the Father are One.” Elsewhere, it is written of Him: “He is the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature.” (Hebrews 1:3a).
When the Messiah came among us, He gave us understanding so that we could know God.
Third, We know…
III. Messiah has come and reconciled us to God – vs. 20c
We are born sinners. Our sin separates us from God. An impassable barrier keeps all sinners away from Him, now and for eternity. That barrier is our sin; our unrighteousness.
What Jesus did was take our sin upon Himself on the cross; take our unrighteousness. He replaced it with His holy, Godly, perfect righteousness. So now, we can approach God; not as our judge, but as our Father! We are in God – part of the family, invited to sit at the family table, to interact with the Father of the Family. Protected and preserved by the Father.
No longer a part of the world, we are now royalty in glory! No longer dead, we have abundant life now, and eternal life in Heaven.
We have this access – this change – because of the Messiah. We are in God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus did this for us! Jesus accomplished this reconciliation because He is God: “I and the Father are one.” John says of Jesus: “He is the true God and eternal life.”
We know…
The Messiah has come!
He has given us understanding!
He has reconciled us to God!
Through Jesus we know God; we are “in” God; and, we have eternal life!
One day Peter and John were in the presence of the rulers, elders and scribes of Jerusalem. Also present were Annas, the high priest; Caiaphas, Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly family. This event is recorded in Acts 4.
Speaking of Jesus, Peter said to them that day: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
Jesus is the Savior, the Messiah. Those that day listening to Peter refused to believe. Tragically, many are still waiting for One who already has come.
How about you?
Do you believe Jesus is the Messiah; the One True God, come in the flesh? Have you received Him into your life? Have you received the understanding He brings and the reconciliation He provides?
If not, would you like to today? Do you sense God touching your heart, calling you to Himself? Respond to Him. Confess your belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.
If you have previously confessed your belief in Christ, are you living the life He requires? Are you applying the understanding and growing in that understanding each day? Do you need to confess, repent, rededicate yourself to living as a Child of the King?
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true One. We are in the true One - that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
From this verse we know...
I. Messiah has come – vs. 20a
Jews had been waiting for centuries…Still, they wait for the long-promised Messiah. Believers know…No more waiting! He has come.
John 1:1,14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Truly, the Messiah has been here and left already. Hebrews 4:14: “He has passed through the heavens…” They missed Him then, and many are missing Him today!
Do you know Him? Do you believe and confess that the Messiah, Jesus, has come into the world?
Why did He come? Certainly to fulfill prophecy; but is there more? Why did Jesus come to earth? What did He accomplish by coming to earth?
We know…
II. Messiah has come and given us understanding – vs. 20b
understanding – is more than facts; knowledge is facts. Understanding is the ability to correctly put the facts together, to interpret the knowledge – the meaning of the facts – and apply in daily life.
More than just knowing some facts, understanding impacts living!
So what did Jesus help us understand? John says He came… “so that we may know the true God.”
Get this: Jesus came to help us not just know some facts about God; but so we would correctly put those facts together, interpret their meaning, and change our lives! He came so we could – think about this – so that, through the understanding He gives us, we could know God!
Through Jesus we can know God. Not just know about Him; but know Him, intimately, personally, totally. For God chose to reveal Himself to us through Jesus. Jesus said: “See Me, see the Father; know Me, know the Father;” and, “I and the Father are One.” Elsewhere, it is written of Him: “He is the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature.” (Hebrews 1:3a).
When the Messiah came among us, He gave us understanding so that we could know God.
Third, We know…
III. Messiah has come and reconciled us to God – vs. 20c
We are born sinners. Our sin separates us from God. An impassable barrier keeps all sinners away from Him, now and for eternity. That barrier is our sin; our unrighteousness.
What Jesus did was take our sin upon Himself on the cross; take our unrighteousness. He replaced it with His holy, Godly, perfect righteousness. So now, we can approach God; not as our judge, but as our Father! We are in God – part of the family, invited to sit at the family table, to interact with the Father of the Family. Protected and preserved by the Father.
No longer a part of the world, we are now royalty in glory! No longer dead, we have abundant life now, and eternal life in Heaven.
We have this access – this change – because of the Messiah. We are in God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus did this for us! Jesus accomplished this reconciliation because He is God: “I and the Father are one.” John says of Jesus: “He is the true God and eternal life.”
We know…
The Messiah has come!
He has given us understanding!
He has reconciled us to God!
Through Jesus we know God; we are “in” God; and, we have eternal life!
One day Peter and John were in the presence of the rulers, elders and scribes of Jerusalem. Also present were Annas, the high priest; Caiaphas, Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly family. This event is recorded in Acts 4.
Speaking of Jesus, Peter said to them that day: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
Jesus is the Savior, the Messiah. Those that day listening to Peter refused to believe. Tragically, many are still waiting for One who already has come.
How about you?
Do you believe Jesus is the Messiah; the One True God, come in the flesh? Have you received Him into your life? Have you received the understanding He brings and the reconciliation He provides?
If not, would you like to today? Do you sense God touching your heart, calling you to Himself? Respond to Him. Confess your belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.
If you have previously confessed your belief in Christ, are you living the life He requires? Are you applying the understanding and growing in that understanding each day? Do you need to confess, repent, rededicate yourself to living as a Child of the King?
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A Significant Life
Prayer is not optional, but critical, for the Christian who desires a life with purpose and signficance.
No man can do a great and enduring work for God who is not a man of prayer; and no man can be a man of prayer who does not give much time to praying.1
Simply re-worded: Praying much gives much success in Kingdom work. I suppose the opposite would also be true: Praying little gives little success. Prayer indeed is the key to accomplishing something meaningful and important in the Lord's work.
Do you want to be used of God? Do you want to accomplish something meaningful and important? Do you want a life of significance? Then you must pray!
Will you be satisfied to end your life never having done much at all? Will a life wasted be your legacy; and will that be ok with you? If so, then you never need pray!
1 The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds (Radford, Virginia: Wilder Publications. 2008), pg. 23.
No man can do a great and enduring work for God who is not a man of prayer; and no man can be a man of prayer who does not give much time to praying.1
Simply re-worded: Praying much gives much success in Kingdom work. I suppose the opposite would also be true: Praying little gives little success. Prayer indeed is the key to accomplishing something meaningful and important in the Lord's work.
Do you want to be used of God? Do you want to accomplish something meaningful and important? Do you want a life of significance? Then you must pray!
Will you be satisfied to end your life never having done much at all? Will a life wasted be your legacy; and will that be ok with you? If so, then you never need pray!
1 The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds (Radford, Virginia: Wilder Publications. 2008), pg. 23.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Problems are Opportunities
Problems are opportunities, in disguise!
Do you believe this statement?
Chuck Swindoll (in One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, pg. 35) shares this thought:
Every problem is an opportunity to prove God's power. Every day we encounter countless golden opportunities, brilliantly disguised as insurmountable problems.
Don't be discouraged; don't be dismayed. Look beyond the disguise. Wonderful opportunities are awaiting you today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)