Those Who Have Ears to Hear

 I can't tell you how many times I have finished preaching a sermon on Sunday morning, only to find out that several people walked away with an entirely different meaning than what I had intended.  It doesn't happen every time, but often enough that I have begun to take notice.  It isn't that they heard something entirely opposite mind you; it's just that for them, a different emphasis came across.  I preach the same sermon, but other people interpret the message differently.  I believe this to be both profound and supernatural at the same time, and I will attempt to explain why.  

All of this begs the question: how do we hear God's Word?  Or to put it another way ... how do we interpret what God is trying to tell us?  When attempting to answer Biblical questions, it never hurts to use the Bible to interpret itself.  I am not talking about circular reasoning here (i.e.: I believe it because the Bible said it), but rather I'm talking about using key concepts in Scripture as a reference guide.  The Word itself tells us that all Scripture is God-breathed and fit for teaching and reproof.  So, let's use what Scripture says in one place to understand what God is talking about in another place.

Regarding our topic about hearing the Lord, let us begin with a passage from Proverbs 20:12.  It says this: "Ears that hear, and eyes that see - the Lord has made them both."  Here we see that not only is the Word a gift from God's heart to ours, but also that He grants us the very tools we need to understand what He is trying to tell us.

Furthermore, Matthew 11 relates a conversation that Jesus had regarding John the Baptist.  He is attempting to convince some of John's followers that he is the legitimate Messiah that God was going to send to the people.  Jesus then makes this odd statement in Matthew 11:15, "Whoever has ears, let them hear."  At first glance this may come across as a very strange thing to say, but many scholars agree that this simple statement is a directive for God's people to 'listen up.'  It is an imperative that directs those for whom a truth might apply, to make sure they don't miss it.  It's a wake up call to those who were lucky enough to be listening to one of Jesus' parables two-thousand years ago.  It's also a command for us to listen closely today.

You see, we can decide what truth we let into our hearts, and what we will choose to disregard.  We can harden our hearts like Pharoah, or we can choose to accept what God is trying to impart to us like Moses.  We keep our radio receiver set to "on," or we keep it set to the lowest volume level possible.

No doubt the Lord works on us during sermons and exegesis.  His Word searches our hearts and souls, isolates an issue, diagnoses it, and finally works to begin the healing process.  I can't remember how many times just the right sermon happened to come on the radio when I am driving somewhere and flipping past the different radio stations.  

It takes a certain type of determination to really understand what the Bible has to say about humanity and our role in God's kingdom.  It also takes study to make sure that we are properly comprehending what He has intended for us to do.  In fact, I believe many are led astray today by false preachers and false prophets because we suffer from Biblical illiteracy.  If we don't know what God actually said in the first place, then we can be easily led away from true revelation.

I believe that we often hear what we need on a personal level, because the same God that created the heavens and the Earth cares about us in a personal way.  Let that truth sink in for a moment.  We are all going through something different when we come to church on Sunday morning.  We listen to the pastor's proclamation intently, and then we might each take away something slightly different.  That is, as long as we have ears to hear (if we are tuned in).  

Continue to work on your spiritual listening skills.  Our relationship with God isn't unlike our Earthly relationships in that regard.  If we never take the time to call our friends and catch up, then we remain in the dark as to what they are doing.  Likewise, if we want to develop ears that can hear, we must dial up our Lord and Savior from time to time and have a chat.  

Scripture and preaching reveal truth handed down through the ages from the lips of God's prophets and disciples, but it is up to us to listen properly.  We are the ones who must make up our minds to actively engage with God's Word in ways that go beyond regular hearing.  We must focus with spiritual eyes and ears.

John 17:17 says, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."  This statement is taken from a very personal conversation that Jesus had with God the Father, asking Him to keep and protect his followers.  God's Word is in fact the same thing as truth spoken plainly.  

Be part of a church that partners with God to practicing listening with ears that can hear.  Listen to as many sermons as you can, test them against what the Scriptures actually say, and then bask in the revelation that God has given you.  

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All the World is my Parish

 John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, was fond of stating that "all the world is my parish."  He believed that we have a responsibility to people both inside and outside of the local church, to preach and teach the Gospel message.  Keep it simple, keep it relevant, and keep it faithful.  The societies Wesley founded as a revival movement within the Church of England eventually became the dominant form of the independent Methodist movement that continues to this day.  His reach continues to help people and make disciples even as we speak.  

 

Setting aside the schism that has formed inside of the current Methodist conference regarding same sex marriage for the moment, I believe that Wesley's original work is of innumerable value today.  He has also been quoted as telling people that we must deliver the "glad tidings of salvation" as well, to any and all who would listen.  In other words, the modern church must stand for something, and then in like fashion, make sure what we stand for is heard by all who are willing to comprehend.

So what do we stand for as a church?  This question can be answered in a multitude of ways, but I want to be certain that as a group of people, we show the love of Christ first and foremost.  Although different ministers and parishioners garner a wide variety of opinions as to what this looks like - I think we can begin with some Scripture to help clarify.

Ephesians 3:6 says, "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."  Those not of Jewish descent are thus included in what the apostle Paul calls the promise of Christ.  Tradition holds that Paul penned this letter from prison, no doubt under more than a bit of duress.  He wanted desperately to fulfill his mission by making sure that the Gentiles (the rest of us) knew that we were also loved by God just like Israel.  We have become accustomed to this truth today, but back then many thought it was a form of heresy.  

I believe one large aspect of Christ's love is simply to share the message that he died for.  Make sure the rest of the world knows his words and understands what they mean.  Isaiah 12:4 encourages us as such: "In that day you will say: 'give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name, make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.'"  

Psalm 105:1 further says, "Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name, make known among the nations what he has done."  It seems in no small way, we are to proclaim what God has done in the Bible and in our everyday lives.  Fortunately for us, I do not believe this necessarily means we must stake out a street corner and begin open-air preaching.  But it does mean that Christianity isn't a silent faith either.  It makes noise, moves around, and stirs things up sometimes.

Mature Christians who have been at this for a while also understand it can lead to persecution occasionally.  If we are lucky enough to live in America, then maybe this means we get made fun of from time to time.  If we live in other countries, it can literally mean life or death.  At any rate, understand that this comes with the territory.  2 Timothy 3:12 says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."  This is less of a warning than a truism; just keep it in the back of your mind while evangelizing.  Sometimes you will be treated unfairly.  

I suppose my advice is fairly simple.  If we want to adhere to Wesley's statement that all the world is my parish, then we must get busy proclaiming the love of Christ to those in the world.  For some this might mean speaking or formal teaching, yet for others it might simply mean a kind gesture or a well placed invitation to church on Sunday morning.  Whatever God is giving you to do, then pray over it, keep watch for the right opportunity, and then proclaim it.

If Jesus really does hold the keys to eternal salvation, then what a shame if we keep those keys to ourselves.  Instead, take them to the hardware store and make copies to be handed out as opportunities arise.  If there is a door to heaven, then help people walk through it.  Remember God loves them also.

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A Season of Loss

All is not well.  People can feel it in the air when they watch the nightly news, and when they look at all of the recent loss in our little community here in Southeast Iowa.  False platitudes like "keep your chin up" don't seem to work anymore (if in fact they ever did).  It's time to address the elephant in the room, and see if God has something to say for those who are truly grieving.  We feel the pervasive threat of something unwell stirring all around us, and it's natural to look to the Bible for an explanation.

Friends, family, and co-workers have passed away recently.  Some were quite young, with their entire lives ahead of them.  Whether it be cancer or COVID, the fact remains: families and churches are grieving.  

One thing that I take comfort in is that the Bible doesn't say we need to pretend that everything is okay.  We need not pretend to be strong when we aren't.  Psalm 73:26 says this, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  I think it is quite an accurate statement sometimes to say that God is the only constant in our lives, when all other things have failed us.  

Likewise Romans 8:22 says: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time."  And we can feel this groaning, can't we?  Earthquakes, tsunamis, severe storms all across the globe.  In fact I recall sheltering in the basement from a derecho in December last year.  Instead of snow and ice, we had wind and hail.  Almost like the Earth is grieving also.  

It is true to say that loss is a temporary state - it's only possible in this temporal and material realm.  Once in heaven, God promises us through Scripture that there will be no more crying or grieving, as that is the old order of things.  But while we are here on Earth, loss and grief are no less poignant.  There is often no medicine for this ailment.  All that remains to do is press on, placing one foot in front of the other.  It seems easier on some days, while nearly impossible on others.  

Grief has no shelf life, therefore it should not ever be dismissed.  We may hear something or see a picture twenty years later, and it all comes flooding back.  I remember watching home movies on old videotape with my family when I was much younger.  One scene showed my grandfather for just a quick moment (he had been gone for years at that point).  The entire room fell silent.  It was like we were all back at the funeral again.  When it comes to loss, time doesn't matter.

Sufficed to say, I don't think we really move on from loss, so much as we move forward with grief.  Someone wrote an article about this concept once, and I have adopted that phrasing.  I think it is quite true.  Grief isn't something that we just shake off; it changes us from the inside out.  That's kind of the point though, isn't it?  How else can we deal with a loved one who we can no longer call or write?  We have no other option but to be changed.  

And so we move forward as a community.  Many of us are walking on our journey of grief as if we are alone, but this isn't the case.  There are others who knew the person we knew, and who loved them as well.  They are still around to talk to, and to check in with.  We have stories and so do they ... and we can share them together in a risk free exchange of thoughts and memories.  Many will tell you that the deceased person is still there with you in your heart, but that is a platitude.  I think they are actually there in the shared space of grief and memory that exists only in community between people who knew and remembered that individual.  During these meetings, the one who passed on stirs alive once again in a certain type of way that cannot be replicated elsewhere.      

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  Notice that there is a directive couched within this piece of text.  It mentions us comforting others in the same way that God might comfort us.  We grieve as a community, or at least in fellowship together.  That is how we get through, and that is how we move forward I think.  There is simply no reason to be sad by ourselves.  

We become able to give help, only when we accept help.  I don't think anyone was ever meant to grieve in a vacuum.  But one thing remains certain - we are forever changed when someone we know and love leaves this Earthly realm.  Even the hope of salvation and eternal life seems only to go so far sometimes, at least in terms of our personal comfort.  They have gone to be with God the Father, now it is the duty of those who remain to press on.  The good news is we can do it together.

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A Faithful Remnant

The standard definition of the word remnant means a portion left over.  This begs the question of course, as to what composes this portion in the first place.  Another way to think of it is to ask what is the remnant being set aside from?  If we start with a Biblical perspective, however, I believe it becomes a lot easier to narrow down the topic at hand.  People who have devoted time to studying the Old Testament will tell you that it is an account of God attempting to set apart and preserve a remnant of His holy people, in spite of all of the various trials and conflicts that have plagued the Israelites throughout history.  God edifies them no matter how many times they rebel or disappoint Him.  And believe me, there were plenty of times when they fell short.    

Let's begin with a nod toward Isaiah 10:21-21, which talks about how God helps Israel stand up to the Assyrian army.  It says, "In that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.  A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God."

We see here that those who have been set aside from the rest of the pack can now be free to rely on God's guidance.  The Assyrians were no better at avoiding idol worship than anyone else, indeed, Scripture says they were worse in many ways.  The remnant of God's chosen people are called to be different; they are set apart.

If we visit the peculiar story of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see how God also works to set aside a small portion of the population once sin begins to run rampant.  To be accurate, only three survived this historical event.  Genesis 19 mentions how Abraham bargains with God to spare any righteous people who may happen to live in these two cities, prior to their destruction.  God agreed to spare the town if He could find at least fifty people who weren't corrupted.  No such luck.  The number of righteous eventually tapered down to only Lot and his daughters.  Even Lot's wife ignores God at the very end and becomes a pillar of salt for her disobedience.  

I think we can see that the remnant in the Bible really equates to a group of true believers.  Untarnished and set aside, they are kept holy and separate from whatever sin or apostasy happens to take hold at the time.  Believers of Christ are the remnant today as well.  We are small when compared to the entire world, but rest assured - no less important.

What are we being set apart from?  Take your pick.  Some have postulated that there is a recent falling away (or apostasy) in the modern church itself, that spans across all denominations and geographic locations.  Churches willing to sacrifice the tenants of their faith in order to bow to current cultural values and mores.  

There is sin prevalent in other areas as well.  Look at the greed on display in some of the banking practices here in the West.  Think about the sins against family and marriage such as pornography and sexual promiscuity outside of Biblical boundaries.  Or sins against children directly, such as abortion and human trafficking.  There is no shortage of things to which without God's direct intervention, there would be no remnant left to preserve.  

But Jesus grants us hope, doesn't he?  Our Lord has promised to return one day, and until then, his Holy Spirit remains behind to help guide and convict people here on Earth.  We need this accountability, and we need his forgiveness also.

When Jesus does in fact return, what kind of remnant will he find?  Let's look at Luke 18:8 quickly, to the parable of the persistent widow.  It describes the desperate situation of a widow who continually harangues a judge to grant her justice against an adversary.  Although the judge doesn't like her, he eventually grants her this wish, just so she will finally leave him alone.  

We then get this curious question from Jesus in Luke 18:8 which asks, "I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

This is a rhetorical question I think, but it does illustrate a certain concept when it comes to the remnant of Christ.  Namely, the idea of whether or not we (the believers) are ready.  Do we accept being set apart and made for something better?  Have we stayed faithful and true to God the Father until the return of the King?

Fortunately for you and I, we have help with this daunting task.  Dare I say that without God's help, it would be impossible to remain set apart.  Faith is a gift after all, and that not of our own doing.  It is a grace extended to us on the part of a Holy Savior to His struggling people.  Just like the Israelites in the desert, our world is lost right now.  Mired so often in sin, and unable to find the path which leads to the narrow gate and the offer of eternal salvation.  

Rest assured, God is our teacher and comforter, able to guide us through.  Be bold and courageous with the knowledge that you have been bought at a ransom and set aside to do great things.  Lean into the legacy you have been given.  Be the remnant, faithful and true.  

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Ministry on the Move

 What a different and strange religion Christianity would be if Jesus had directed us to build stronghold churches and then just wait for people to show up.  Yet in many ways, I believe this is what a lot of churches in the West are doing much of the time.  The old adage from a famous baseball movie rings in my head: "If you build it, they will come."  But are parishioners actually coming?  

It's fascinating when we look back at the life and times of our Lord and Savior.  For much of his life, God's son had a mobile ministry.  We recall that before Jesus was even born, his parents were called back to Bethlehem to the place of Joseph's ancestry in order to fulfill an order for the Roman census.  Each family had to return to their place of origin to be counted.  Although the Biblical text glosses over how difficult this must have been, some manuscript scholars have theorized it was close to a ninety-mile trip.  Mary was very pregnant, and this was before trains and automobiles.  The trip was difficult I'm sure, and the landscape was often dangerous.  

This story about traveling a long distance and then being turned away at the Inn ended up with the birth of a king in a manger of course, and for that we celebrate the Advent season every year.  The Gospel of Luke mentions their trip briefly.  Luke 2:4 says, "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David."  Something tells me that this young couple didn't have much of a choice in the matter.  When the Romans tell you to go somewhere - you go.

After Jesus got older and formally began his ministry, Biblical texts give an account of him traveling all over Galilee and going to churches and homes to preach.  Matthew 4:23 says, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."  

Once again, we have this notion that in order to get the word out ... Jesus had to move around and take the initiative.  He didn't wait for the people already in the synagogue or out on the streets to come to him; instead he went on a kind of sanctified tour.  It is also worth mentioning that he preached with such authority that it completely baffled the Jewish ruling party.  The Pharisees couldn't wrap their heads around how someone who hadn't studied with them could end up knowing so much about God.  Almost as if he had an inside scoop.

Think about your own situation today.  If you want something to happen, then you need to get up and get going.  If it's time to get a new job for example, then you start making phone calls and looking through job postings.  You often end up traveling for interviews as well.  Typically staying at home and sitting around doesn't lend itself well to engaging new horizons.  You have to move.  

Finally, you will notice also that Jesus' disciples and followers had the same challenge.  The book of Acts records the followers of Christ moving from place to place.  The Gospel accounts record that occasionally Jesus and his followers would become so overwhelmed from the work of ministry that they had to escape and get away to a 'quiet place' where the Lord could pray and meditate.  

The apostle Paul famously traveled around and began defending Christianity as well.  He stood before kings and procurators, always willing to testify and lend credence to God's incarnate son.  Sometimes this would even land him in prison, and once in a shipwreck!

It seems then, that effective ministry is always in motion.  Jesus led, and people followed.  No standing still, and no resting on their laurels.  People who work in ministry know that sometimes there is no rest for the weary, and there is no shortage of folks who need spiritual leadership and compassion.  Ministry will take as much as you are willing to give.  Jesus knew this also, and accounted for it with occasional, short rest periods.  

We are accostumed to hearing about the Great Commission.  Indeed, it is more or less the mission of the modern church.  Matthew 28:19-20 recounts this narrative quite well.  It says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Notice that we are told to go and do.   To make disciples and to baptize them in the name of Trinity.  This takes effort and time of course, but I think it also requires us to be mobile.  To evangelize while we are moving about in the public arena - not just waiting in church buildings for people to come visit.

We would have an entirely different religion if the Great Commission commanded us to "build it, and they will come."  This would be a faith of waiting and watching.  Instead, what we are called to do is be proactive in our approach.  Yes it is wonderful when people come to us, but think back to your own life for a moment. More often than not, didn't someone have to come after you first?

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A History of Keeping Power

 The concept of the elite and powerful has always fascinated me.  Just the idea that there is a sub-section of the population in almost every country that can literally buy their way out of trouble, or use their status to sway any group of people to side with them is remarkable.  We saw this depicted clearly in a recent streamed television series called "Dopesick," which documented some real life accounts of a large pharmacuetical company manipulating their way out of legal trouble again and again.  The Opiod crisis spawned several lawsuits from people addicted to painkiller medication, and this docu-drama showed how the head family of the company was able to successfully avoid almost each court appearance by paying off certain people.  

Not all people in power are corrupt of course.  In the Bible we have the account of King David, for example.  In several areas the Bible refers to David as God's annointed leader, and a man after God's own heart.  But by and large, I believe it is safe to say we ought to have a healthy skepticism regarding the super elite.

Enter in the case of the Herod family in the New Testament.  Many in this family line were put into positions of power, and wielded that power with force and murderous intent.  They also often struggled to keep power, as the Roman government was the true authority in most first century middle eastern provinces.  

We remember the story about Herod seeking to kill the infant Jesus shortly after learning that a prophet had been born.  Matthew 2:16 says, "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi."  

As evidenced from this Scripture (and others like it), Herod wasn't a good guy.  He was willing to use his power and office to murder children and try to kill God's son - all in an attempt to stay in power.  I wish I could say this doesn't go on today, but I believe it still does.  Take a quick look back at recent historical events like the holocaust and the civil war in Rwanda.  

Fast forward a bit to another Herod during the time of the apostles; Herod Agrippa I.  Scripture shows that this man was corrupt as well.  In fact, Acts 12 paints a picture of him murdering James, son of Zebedee in order to please the Jewish elites.  Herod Agrippa is also credited with imprisoning Peter, prior to the miraculous escape that happens later when God sends an angel to free him.

The repeating trope is evident: those in power often engage in both manipulation and wickedness to stay in charge.  This unfortunate fact permeates the twentieth century as well.  The record of events from World War I all the way through recent events in Afghanistan, often depict leaders engaging in national conflict over a power grab.  This is just the way things are.

Psalm 94:20-21 says: "Can a corrupt throne be allied with you -- a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?  The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death."  This held true for Jesus as well.  He was tortured and crucified as an innocent, perhaps the most innocent martyr of all time.

It is important to keep something in mind here.  The wicked will kill and destroy in order to preserve their way of life, but the righteous will fight to edify and protect.  It is two different ways of living out a leadership role.  The first seeks to punish and remove, the second way desires to build up and redeem.

Ruthless people often rise to power in our culture.  This happens in businesses, academic establishments, and even churches.  But know this: evil has it's day, but it never lasts forever.  Hitler had his moment in history and was eventually defeated.  Stalin had his reign for a while, and then his murderous tenure finally came to an end.  Only Godly things last forever.  Only churches and organizations build on His foundation will keep a lampstand lit for the kingdom of heaven.  The rest are only distractions - here today, then gone tomorrow.

The power of Jesus Christ is incorruptible and eternal.  There is no need to manipulate or coerce people to trust in Him.  We are free to accept or reject His gift of salvation and grace.  This is the exact opposite of how Herod and his family line used to operate.  They moved in the realm of fear and violence.  God acts with kindness and compassion.

But make no mistake; the Lord is not weak either.  Just because He left this Earth as a silent victim doesn't mean He will return that way.  The Bible says that during the second advent, the world will see His coming in the sky from the East to the West.  There will be no way to misinterpret who is in charge.  During this one moment in history, the right person will be in charge once and for all.  Sounds good to me.

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Take Me to Caesar

I can think of no greater defender of the Gospel message than the apostle Paul.  Prior to his radical conversion on the road to Damascus, Saul (as he was originally named) was on the forefront of the attack on Christ followers.  He was a Pharisee of the worst kind; both self-righteous and cruel.  As we know from later accounts however, Paul was forever changed by his encounter with the real Jesus.  And from that point forward, his life would never be the same again.  

Paul was no stranger to suffering and difficulty.  Often times he would find himself in chains or in prison, all to the glory of God.  On multiple occasions, he ended up defending Gospel truth by way of debate or exegesis.  In chapter 25 of the book of Acts, Paul even finds himself before a Roman procurator, attempting to defend himself against charges brought from the local Jewish ruling party.

Acts 25:10-11 says, "Paul answered: 'I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried.  I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.  If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die.  But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them.  I appeal to Caesar!'"  

In this peculiar moment, the apostle Paul throws himself at the mercy of the court.  He knows that being a Roman citizen grants him certain rights and privileges, so he decides to use that fact to acquire a meeting with Caesar himself.  A bold move for someone in chains, with half of the nation against him.  But Paul is nothing if not bold.

As it happened, Paul would first need to appear before King Agrippa prior to sailing to Rome and meeting Caesar.  This was something that the procurator Festus had promised Agrippa.  Let the reader here understand also, that Agrippa was more or less a "client king."  This means that the government installed him as a leader and king, but only in so much as he kept the peace.  The moment Agrippa lost favor with his Roman big brother, I suspect he would no longer be in charge.  This created a certain amount of tension during that time and in that area, as this lifestyle promotes a certain level of struggle in order to feel important and stay in charge.  Please the people, but not too much so that there is a revolt or an uprising.  In other words, he is not a true authority.

This begs the question for us today: to whom can we appeal as a true authority for our own lives?  Who can you and I go to in order to be certain we are treated fairly and with care one-hundred percent of the time?  If there is a God up there, then is it true to say that He is the only god (or the one true god)?  

Keep in mind that for many people in our country today, the God of the Bible isn't their go-to authority.  In truth, many don't hold the words of the Bible in any authority whatsoever, and I believe the symptoms of this are everywhere.  Scripture says that as time goes on - especially in these end times - people will become more unruly, and the love of most will grow cold (Matthew 24:12).  

During times like this, I believe it truly behooves us to seek out someone or something that we can rely on as a singular truth in all circumstances.  Something in our lives that we can count on to help guide our ship into calmer waters when the storms are raging.  

Let's look for a moment at the Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20.  It says, "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Most will look at this passage and take from it the idea that followers of Christ are to go out into the world, and baptize people to make disciples.  This is absolutely correct, by the way.  But focus for a moment on the first sentance - it says 'all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'  This is quite a statement.  If we are to believe this (and I think we surely can, or Jesus wouldn't have said it), then it sets up the son of God as the one true authority over all things.  

This means that not only does God command the Earth and the Universe around it, but that He has a calling on our lives as well.  We are not completely "free agents."  There are certain moral duties and obligations that we are called to live by.  Now you will note, that if someone or something calls us to behave a certain way, it also follows that it should be a two-way street I think.  Not necessarily that this being must also follow our desires, but rather that we can put our trust in this individual.  This is our reciprocation.  God is our superior ... our authority figure.  The one we can call on in times of difficulty, as well as times of great flourishing.

One more question remains, however.  Do we really believe this?  Can we throw ourselves on the mercy of the court like Paul when he called out to Caesar?  Will we allow God to be our superior?  It's an important question I think.  The outcome of our answer will either act to relieve us from the burden of thinking that we can't trust anyone, or it will enable us to relax and lean into a loving God.  

I invite you to lean in.  Take the leap of faith, and read through the Gospels again.  Take away from the Great Commission not only the concept that we must evangelize, but also the idea that we are helping convert people based on a real authority.  Not a power that comes from you and I, but from the throne of Zion and the prince of peace Himself.  God is no mere client king.    

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Who Can I Trust?

I once watched a documentary about politics, and the narrator listed each U.S. senator and congressman with a money amount next to their name.  The number signified the amount in contributions, donations, and lobbyist support.  His main point was simple; no one was above external influence or compromised integrity.  Leaders on both sides of the aisle were implicated.  After watching something like this, a person may begin to wonder quite honestly - who can I really trust?

I believe that each and every one of us are looking for two things in general: a person to put our trust and faith in, and a belief system that actually works.  The underlying driving force to search out these two things is a deep rooted desire to be able to trust in something.  

In our journey to understand what being trustworthy means, I believe that we must focus much of our energy on dismissing what author and pastor Timothy Keller refers to as the "view from nowhere."  In other words, Keller insists that there is no one out there (not even ourselves) who can honestly make accurate, non-biased assessments about everything all the time.  Everyone's view comes from a mixture of other views and external influences.  They all come from some other place (instead of nowhere).  And as such, our perspective is often blurred or slanted one direction or another, based on cultural values and mores. 

Indeed, the Bible says that if we follow our heart and our own desires all the time, it can often lead to a problematic outcome.  Proverbs 28:26 says, "Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe."   But whose wisdom are we really talking about here?  

Many of us have spent years investigating different belief systems.  I have a good friend in fact, who made it a personal assignment to go through each of the major world religions and study the different claims from each one.  Take Islam for example ... we see a certain type of perspective when it comes to God (Allah).  Their holy book the Quran often talks about following the rigid precepts and commands of a God who sometimes seems aloof and intimidating.  I remember feeling some degree of dread and fear after reading through the first few pages and suras (chapters) of the Quran myself.  I wanted to get a personal idea of what this religion taught. 

When tackling religions such as Mormonism or the Jehovah's Witnesses for example, there are other books and documents that are venerated in addition to God's revelation from the Bible.  The Book of Mormon and The Watchtower are the two main publications.  This might lead people to wonder how much is God's truth versus how much is from man's own biased perspective.  This is no reflection of the people who might hold to these different religions of course, I am speaking only of the belief systems themselves here (in an analytical way).  I don't think this should be offensive, as truth claims should be subject to scrutiny without censorship. 

But I think it is important to mention that when looking at the various world religions, typically the main concept put forward revolves around human beings earning our way up the spiritual ladder.  The more good works we do here on Earth, the faster we become Holy like God (see the Karma Wheel from Buddhism for example).  The better we behave, the more we increase our chances of attaining some type of higher self-actualization.  

Christianity, by contrast, is a worldview where this Holy and omniscient God actually takes the time and effort to come down off the ladder to be with us.  Rather than waiting until we are good enough, the God of the Bible says, "I'm coming to meet you where you are at."  This is good news, especially given the Christian concept that each and every one of us falls short in some way when compared to Jesus Christ.  We need a deity who recognizes this flaw, and takes the burden of sin onto  Himself.

But what happens when we look around the secular world for a person to trust and a belief system that works?  Do we not often feel betrayed at some point?  If we are being honest, I think most would admit that at times our friends, family, or even our spouse will occasionally let us down.  When it comes to belief systems, our political structure can sometimes fail us also.  If we look to non-religious  systems of thought, the same thing can occur.  Scientism and atheism can fall short, at least as it pertains to answering life's bigger questions like what does it all mean and why am I here.  Most modes of philosophy and reasoning get us only so far also.  

When we are let down in this way, people often feel disillusioned or lost.  What once had the potential to help and guide us begins to show weak spots, and if we are not careful it's easy to become complacent.  My advice is not to give up.  Life is a process of lessons and learning from our mistakes.  We take our successes and our failures and then we move forward.  As we become older and wiser, discerning who and when to trust something may become a bit easier (if we are lucky).  

Proverbs 3:5-6 states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  I used to have this Scripture taped to the top of my computer monitor at work for years.  The only reason I took it down was because I finally got a new office and a different screen one day.  Just the same, this phrase is also scored on my heart.  It helped get me through a particular time in my life when money was tight and my friends were few, and I was able to place my trust in even fewer people.

It is okay to trust God the Father.  The Bible uses the illustration of a branch in-grafted to the vine as a metaphor for you and I staying connected to the life giving olive tree that is Jesus.  Furthermore, Psalm 37:5-6 says, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."  

Who among us isn't ready to shine like the sun?  Begin trusting in the Creator today, and then be prepared to watch what He brings into your life tomorrow.  Although other human beings will let you down from time to time (and remember we do the same to them) - God is always there, and He is always good.  

 

 

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Solomon's Divided Heart

Who was Solomon from the Bible you might ask?  Many know him to be wise beyond his years.  It is true, he was king of Israel following his father David's reign - and also one of the wealthiest rulers of his time.  It is also worthy of note that King Solomon reigned for forty years after his succession to the throne.  He famously wrote the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, as well as the Song of Songs.  History records that he had seven-hundred wives and three-hundred concubines.  He was a busy man.  

There is something else about Solomon that people don't usually speak about however.  That is the fact that Scripture records him as having an unusually divided heart.  In fact, the Old Testament describes him as falling short  in two distinct ways.  The first way is the fact that he worked to furnish his own palace and make it luxurious first, allowing the temple church to sit unfurnished for years.  Though it isn't expressly mentioned that this angered God, the reader will notice that he completed work on his palace long before the temple (and that his palace was twice the size).  The second way that Scripture records Solomon's failing was the fact that his many foreign wives led him to worship false gods from their indigenous homeland. This included Baal, Ashtoreth, and Molek ... all referred to as "detestable" in Scripture. 

As you may have noticed, both of these dilemmas involve what I like to call 'spiritual distraction.'  The first comes by way of starting and stopping construction of God's Holy temple, and the second through a waning of dedication to the true God over time from outside influences.  The end result is the same here; Solomon had compromised his obedience to God.

It is very difficult to love God in a halfhearted manner.  Think how this applies to everything else in your life.  Those things that you are fully dedicated to often grow and blossom, while the areas in your life that get ignored and put on the back burner tend to fade away.  I suspect it is no different with our relationship to God the Father.  A divided heart when it comes to worship is reflected in our behavior and level of obedience.  

When we find ourselves straying from the righteous path, it becomes imperative to make our way back to the Lord as soon as possible.  1 Kings 8:57-58 says this, "May the Lord God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may He never leave us or forsake us.  May He turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors."     

It appears then, that we need God's help to make certain our hearts don't turn away.  What an odd thing to think about - the idea that we must even ask God for help, such that we don't decide to wander.  In the midst of the spiritual battle for our time and attention, the Bible seems to suggest that we had better be praying to the Lord so we don't become lukewarm.  Pray so that the values of the secular world don't begin to creep in and distort what we think and feel.

So what are the symptoms of a divided heart?  I think we can focus on just three things for the purposes of our lesson today.  Idolatry, spiritual complacency, and lack of peace.  

A divided heart shows itself well when it comes to idolatry.  Remember this means placing something at a level over and above God.  For example, when keeping up our home, our vehicles, or even managing money takes center stage in our lives instead of worship, our heart begins to stray from God's heart.  This disconnect then leads to a plethora of smaller inconsistencies in our life that people around us can eventually notice. 

Spiritual complacency sets in easily in situations like this as well.  We may apply the following working definition to complacency: a lack of intentionality or drive to actively seek out and nurture a relationship with the creator.  When this occurs, we begin to see a dropping off of church attendance and spending time in the Bible.  The things around us begin to replace the thing that created us.  

Finally, another symptom of a divided heart is lack of supernatural peace.  Without nurturing the undercurrent of staying in tune with God's will, we can get tossed about in life like a small boat in a storm.  Meandering here and there, never finding refuge in something greater than ourselves or our own selfish desires.  In effect, we have no real or lasting peace.  

Why not try something entirely different?  Solomon was also billed as an individual who was loved by God in spite of his shortcomings.  So are we.  Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."    

Understanding this truth and applying it to your life has a cascade effect.  It allows the concept that if you keep God first in your life (and reject the divided heart lifestyle), He will eventually deliver to you everything you could ever want anyway.  The difference is that they will all be good and holy things, as opposed to the material things that the world can offer.  It is the difference between life as you know it, and life as it could be.  

Think about this for a moment - would you stay in a halfhearted relationship with someone?  Have you ever been part of a one-way friendship for example, where all the effort comes from you?  Not much fun, is it?  Not quite what you had envisioned for yourself I would suspect.  I think it works the same way with God.  He wants all of us, not just a little part once in a while on Easter or Christmas.  But rather our waking mind, body, and soul all the time.  This is what the Christian symbol of the cross is really about.  Jesus went to his crucifixion so that we could be one with the Father.  If he thought it best to sacrifice everything so that we could spend eternity with him, then we may take it as important.  

Seek after God first in all that you do, then step back and watch what happens in your life.  You may just find that all of those things that took up so much of your time begin to fade into the background, and more important things begin to take the forefront.  Things like peace, love, kindness, and patience.  The types of things that a divided heart cannot provide.  

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Watching God at Work

In the book of Exodus in the Bible, there is an account of Moses walking into a tent to speak directly with God about how to lead the Israelites.  It was called the tent of meeting (eventually referred to as the Tabernacle), and it was always a certain distance outside of the main camp.  What a curious thing it must have been for Moses to actually hear the audible voice of God and get advice directly from Him.  The Scripture also says that a pillar composed of clouds would show up each time this happened - it has been referred to as the glory cloud in later generations.  It further says that God would speak to Moses 'as if to a friend.'  Astonishing, isn't it?  The creator of all things choosing to speak directly with mortal man. 

Exodus 33:9-10 says, "As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses.  Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent."   The Israelites watched and waited as Moses received instruction from the Almighty.  What a sight it must have been to see the cloud, and come to the realization that God was with them in physical form. 

It should be noted at this point, that Moses was allowed access where others were not, and this was due to the unfortunate incident with a golden calf statue.  The reader will remember that on one of Moses' excursions up Mt. Sinai, the people left behind on the ground decided he was gone too long.  So, in their collective mind, it sounded like a good idea to build a false idol made of melted gold, such that they had something visible to worship.  Aside from showing an immature faith and a lack of patience by these people, the Bible also says that this action angered God greatly.  From that point on, only Moses was allowed into the tent of meeting - at least for a while.

We love to watch what God is doing, don't we?  We enjoy the idea that He may be speaking to certain people here and there through the Holy Spirit.  But it always seems more comfortable to watch and wait from our own tents I think.  It's much safer that way.  Let the pastor or the priest or the deacon go out and receive divine instructions, then they can bring it back to camp later.  Maybe we can even see the faint outline of the glory cloud from a distance if we squint.  

God eventually promises to deliver the Israelites into the Promised Land with Joshua at the helm, and we should want to go also (at least metaphorically).  We want to see what God is up to, to know what He wants for our lives and for our churches.  Exodus further talks about God's presence in this way: "Then Moses said to Him, 'If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.  How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?'" (Ex 33:15-16).

Strangely enough, God decides to agree to this request.  So, I believe the question for us today could be phrased as such: where is God's presence at work today?  I think that we can answer this successfully in three ways.  God is present with us in churches, in the mission field, and in His people.  In all of these ways - if you look closely enough - you will see His love expressed through both faith and action.

The Bible says the gates of hell will not prevail against the church.  I take this to mean that no matter what is going on around us, we will still have at least the teaching of the Christian church to fall back on.  It will be communicated in some way, even in the end times during severe persecution and martyrdom.  God will be at work in what the church is doing, and who they are serving.

The second idea is that God will be present on the mission field.  This can occur of course to those for whom the Lord has pressed upon their hearts to travel over seas and build homes and cultivate farmland.  For these 'harvest workers,' you can never spend enough time in other countries where the faith is just beginning to take hold.  It is rewarding beyond compare for those whose heart points in this direction.  To hear them recount experiences in the field can be both mesmerizing and contagious. 

Still we must not forget, the mission field can also be right here at home.  Our neighbors, our schools, and the people in them all need Jesus.  For some, evangelizing takes place just down the block, as opposed to a thousand miles away.  May the Lord bless both these types of mission work, and give us the courage it takes to talk about Christ in this day and age.

Finally, I do think that the presence of God shows up in the hearts and minds of His loyal followers and believers.  When one person forgives another for example, the divine nature is on direct display for all to see.  It is most definitely not human nature to forgive, much less to do so easily and quickly.  No, I'm afraid that most of us, if left to our own devices, would rather hold on to a grudge or hurt feeling until the very end.  But with God in the mix, we are commanded to forgive as many times as it takes.  It is truly God at work. 

All of this leads to the fact that we can see the glory cloud in front of the tent of meeting occasionally.  And when this happens, we may feel a nudge to go out and be a part of it.  But sometimes, that little voice in the back of our mind tells us to just hang back a bit, and let someone else respond.  Maybe the pastor will volunteer or the elders will go and see ... we will just wait for their report.  We will just watch from our tents; it's safer that way.  Besides, I'm really busy with other things in my life.  It's hard enough to get to worship service on Sunday, let alone anything else. 

My advice is to walk with God into the Promised Land.  Follow the pillar of cloud in conjunction with the church, mission field, or the people.  You might be surprised where it takes you.  One thing remains certain however - if you never leave the threshold of your own tent, then most likely nothing miraculous or faith sustaining will ever happen.  Instead, you will keep wondering what God wants from your life and where your place in this world might be.  You will never leave the confines of the dugout and step out onto the ball field. 

You get an inkling of something special and supernatural from time to time, because you can see something over there that resembles divine activity.  But it's hard to make out from a distance.  Easier to watch the other people trust God.  But if we live this way all the time, we will miss out on countless divine opportunities that were put in our path since the dawn of time, before we were even conceived.  We will forfeit our chance to partner with a loving and caring God ... we will give up our own personal Mt. Sinai experience.  We will continue being content with a golden calf instead. 

 

 

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Coming to a Spiritual Standstill

Most of you probably know that classes have resumed across the country for children of all ages.  And this of course, means back to school shopping.  Hence the reason I found myself in a car with my family, speeding down the Interstate on our way to one of the local outlet malls.  It was time to look for both clothing and school supplies.  My wife and I had planned to spend a little bit too much money, as well as toting two tired kids around from store to store.  All of that is very normal considering the circumstances.  What we hadn't counted on, however, was to be part of a large traffic jam that same day. 

Two semi-trucks ended up in an accident about two miles ahead of our exit in route to the shopping mall.  One was in the ditch, and the other was split in half!  I'm not sure what caused it, but you can imagine the chaos that ensued thereafter.  Fortunately, I don't remember any fatalities being reported that day.  We were stuck at a complete standstill for almost three hours.

During that time, people were getting out of there motionless vehicles and talking to each other, wondering if we were ever going to get to our destinations.  Add to this the fact that it was almost one-hundred degrees outside, and the result was miles and miles of grouchy motorists forced into gridlock.  Traffic was moving freely in the opposite direction of course.  I eyed each passing car with jealousy from my own motionless vehicle.  One by one they drove by, gawking at us like we were animals in a zoo surrounded by plate glass windows.

It reminded me of how some people conduct themselves on the faith journey that God has assigned them.  I suspect a good many people become stranded along the way, falling prey to distraction or even some garden variety idol worship.  I believe that Scripture supports the idea that we should stay active and moving when it comes to our faith.  Not that we can't have lulls or respites here and there, but for the most part, I think that an active faith requires forward momentum.  

We should stay in motion while we pursue the things of God; we need to make sure our "vehicles" are in drive and not neutral.  Worse yet, some have shifted their car into park ... they are at a dead standstill, completely giving up on spiritual growth.  Just as the fleet of SUV's and minivans were stuck that day on the Interstate, so are those who cannot seem to be bothered with an intentional and vibrant faith.  

They are stuck in traffic, content to wait until someone cleans up the accident up stream, and only then begin the slow crawl to whatever the next exit might have in store for them.  Like passengers on a stranded cruise ship, as long as the food and wine keeps coming - we are often content to stay on the sand bar. 

Every once in a while though, someone may look up from their dashboard or smart phone to look at all the cars whizzing by at sixty miles per hour in the other lane.  But before long, it's back to shifting the vehicle into park.  No growth, and no forward motion.  

There are two Scriptures that I want to quote today to help illustrate this spiritual standstill.  Proverbs 8:35 says, "For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord."  2 Timothy 4:7 says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  

Although these two passages were written years apart by two different authors, they convey basically the same sentiment.  They talk about the importance of movement and motion in order to engage with God.  Proverbs 8 mentions actively seeking after the Lord, and 2 Timothy 4 here talks about finishing a race.  Keep seeking, and keep running the race.  At any point in time, we have the ability and the calling to shift our vehicles from neutral into drive.  We need not settle for being stuck in traffic and becoming spiritually stagnant.  

No doubt God wants us to fully engage with Him.  There are countless Scriptures asking us to follow His commandments and remain in His love.  This is an active and intentional endeavor.  If He is seeking after us, why not seek after Him as well?  

Partner with God so as to realize the plans He has for your life - not to mention the lives of those around you.  Once you start to let Him in, it can create a ripple effect not unlike throwing a pebble into a pond.  If people see the Jesus inside of you, then they might be encouraged to shift their own cars into drive as well.  Life is so much more than just going through the motions until we get to our next exit.  If you see the ripple from across the pond, then take the time to go and see what all the fuss is about. 

I want to give you one more Scripture to think about.  Psalm 127:1-2 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.  In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves."  

Let's face it - a life without God is often an empty pursuit.  Much of the time we can end up at a standstill, wondering just how much of what we have accomplished in the secular world might be in vain.  

Consider instead, moving in conjunction with the Holy Spirit on a faith walk prepared especially for you by a loving God, who desires nothing more than to spend time together.  Get up, get moving, and get to church.  Become one of those cars speeding by from the other lane on the Interstate.  

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