Today's thought:
Romans 6:3-4, "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
On the wall of President Lyndon Johnson's White House office hung a framed letter written by General Sam Houston to Johnson's great-grandfather, Baines, more than 100 years earlier. Baines had led Sam Houston to Christ. Houston was a changed man, no longer coarse and belligerent but peaceful and content.
The day came for Houston to be baptized—an incredible event for those who knew him. After his baptism, Houston offered to pay half the local minister's salary. When someone asked him why, he said, "My pocketbook was baptized too."
We may not like the idea of dying to self, dying to sin, dying to our wishes, wants and purposes but that is exactly what Christ calls us to when he says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). We see the death of self—rightfully so—as complete, irrevocable, possibly painful. But without this death we can not be born into the living hope God has called us (1 Peter 1:3).
But we all must die one day or another. The Christian, in the wisdom God has given us through Christ, chooses to get it over with now so he will not have to go through it later. That later death will only be death. But now, if we are willing to die, we are born into life. Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). If you do believe this it changes everything for us. Not just what we don't do but what we will do. It is a complete death. But here is the gospel paradox: it is through death that life comes. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Life that comes from death seems like a paradox but it is true.
Geologists said that the eruption of Mt Saint Helens was equivalent to 20,000 atomic bombs going off at once. Everything for hundereds of square miles was laid to waste at once. Every living creature died. Everything—flora, fauna animals. But a fascinating thing took place months later. Biologists flying around in planes observing the destruction began to notice areas where clumps of grass were sprouting. What they noticed is that the clumps of grass were in the shapes of animals—elk, bear, rabbits, ground squirrels. Where an animal had died new life began.
A paradox but true. "The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." Die to live. Deny yourself daily, take up your cross and live for God and you will live through God—a life that will never end, an abundant life.
Prayer: Father God, we do not like to think of death but by the death of our Savior, Jesus, we can have life and through the death of the self, which comes from faith, we do have life. May we see that simple truth that as death is complete so your Lordship over us is complete. We thank you that death is not the end but the beginning of the life you have for us and that life is abundant life in Jesus Christ in whose name we pray, amen.
I am a Christian...
Today's thought:
Matthew 9:10-13, "While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eatwith tax collectors and sinners?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
When I heard what he said I winced, "You Christians are such 'Holier than thou,' types." I smiled sadly. "No," I said. "we're just so pathetic that we're desperate enough to admit how much we need God."
There is this bizarre perception, this age old myth, that Christians have some sort of superiority complex. Once you know some genuine Christians this becomes laughable. The 'holier than thou' types of Jesus' day were the religious leaders, the Pharisees, and Jesus blasted this group more than any other. In fact it was the only group He did attack. "You brood of vipers..." (Matthew 23:33). "You whitewashed tombs..." (Matthew 23:27). Jesus said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Not much has changed in 2000 years. Jesus is still looking for the pathetic, the broken, the head cases, the addicts, the helpless sinners, the homeless and the hopeless. That's how come He found us, we Christians.
Actually, what they really mean to point to is the exclusive claims of Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). But there is an important difference between Jesus exclusive claims ("I am the only way to God")—which would be true if He was who he said He was because truth is exclusive by nature—and Jesus inclusive offer of salvation. Remember how pathetic we are and you'll understand how easy it was to dismiss the other law based faiths with their myriad of laws, rules and regulations that we haven't got a chance to keep. If you understand who we are you understand why karma doesn't sit well with us. After all, we don't need some moral law we can't keep. We've tried to change ourselves a million times and failed a million-and-one. We've just failed so often, so spectacularly, that we know what we need. We need a Savior!
So, when I say that, “I am a Christian,” I am not shouting that I am clean living. I'm whispering that, “I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.”
When I say that, “I am a Christian,” I don't speak of this with pride. I confess that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say that, “I am a Christian,” I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say that, “I am a Christian,” I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say that, “I am a Christian,” I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say that, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say that, “I am a Christian,” I'm not holier than thou. I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow! (By an anonymous sinful Christian)
If that's you—if you too are a failure in your moral life, and know how easy it is for you to mess up your life; if life has leveled you to the point you know you can't stand on your own two feet before a holy God; if you're a screw up, a stumbler, a falling down mess—have I got the perfect One for you! Jesus. He's the only One who wants us sinners. He said, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message). That's what I need. How about you?
Prayer: Father, we know we're chosen because the perfect people wouldn't come. We are still grateful to come, eager to come. We've tried to change ourselves from the outside in but failed so often we know we need Your power to change us from the inside out. We are sinners in need, not of yet another moral law we can't keep, but a Savior. We humbly fall before Your cross, Lord Jesus, and accept by faith what You were willing to do for us who were unable to do it for ourselves. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! In Jesus name, amen.
Biblical hospitality...
Today's thought:
1 Peter 4:9, "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
In Outlive Your Life, Max Lucado writes:
"Long before the church had pulpits and baptisteries, she had kitchens and dinner tables. Even a casual reading of the New Testament unveils the house as the primary tool of the church. The primary gathering place of the church was the home. Consider the genius of God's plan. The first generation of Christians was a tinderbox of contrasting cultures and backgrounds. At least fifteen different nationalities heard Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Jews stood next to Gentiles. Men worshiped with women. Slaves and masters alike sought after Christ. Can people of such varied backgrounds and cultures get along with each other?
We wonder the same thing today. Can Hispanics live in peace with Anglos? Can Democrats find common ground with Republicans? Can a Christian family carry on a civil friendship with the Muslim couple down the street? Can divergent people get along?
The early church did—without the aid of sanctuaries, church buildings, clergy, or seminaries. They did so through the clearest of messages (the Cross) and the simplest of tools (the home).
Not everyone can serve in a foreign land, lead a relief effort, or volunteer at the downtown soup kitchen. But who can't be hospitable? Do you have a front door? A table? Chairs? Bread and meat for sandwiches? Congratulations! You just qualified to serve in the most ancient of ministries: hospitality.
Something holy happens around a dinner table that will never happen in a sanctuary. In a church auditorium you see the backs of heads. Around the table you see the expressions on faces. In the auditorium one person speaks; around the table everyone has a voice. Church services are on the clock. Around the table there is time to talk.
Hospitality opens the door to uncommon community. It's no accident that hospitality and hospital come from the same Latin word, for they both lead to the same result: healing. When you open your door to someone, you are sending this message: "You matter to me and to God." You may think you are saying, "Come over for a visit." But what your guest hears is, "I'm worth the effort.""
Who we welcome into our home and how we welcome them says much about the One we have welcomed into our heart and how we've welcomed Him. The word for gratitude (philoxenoi) literally means "stranger love." Hospitality is the type of love God had for us when he welcomed us through the cross to Himself. When we open our doors in hospitality to others we make it possible for them to open their door when Jesus knocks. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me" (Revelation 3:20). Now that's biblical hospitality. Not a perfect home but an open door and a welcoming heart.
Prayer: Father, God, thank you for welcoming us into fellowship with You. We seek to show the same loving hospitality to others you've shown to us so that when they see they matter to us they can know they matter to You. In Jesus name, amen.
(Arvada Christian Church opens its door with a welcoming heart Wednesday, 11-19, at 6:30 pm, for a free Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings. www.arvadachristian.org/thanksgiving)
Rejoice always...
Today's thought:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
"Rejoice always..." Easier to do when things are going good. In prosperity itis easy to rejoice. When we loose a job... When we loose a relationship... When we loose something, anything... How do we rejoice in those times?
The great missionary explorer, David Livingstone, served in Africa from 1840 until his death in 1873. Pastors Robert Lewis and Wayne Cordeiro tell of an incident from Livingstone's life that illustrates why we need to be thankful in all things.
David Livingstone was eager to travel into the uncharted lands of Central Africa to preach the gospel. On one occasion, the famous nineteenth-century missionary and explorer arrived at the edge of a large territory that was ruled by a tribal chieftain. According to tradition, the chief would come out to meet him there; Livingstone could go forward only after an exchange was made. The chief would choose any item of Livingstone's personal property that caught his fancy and keep it for himself, while giving the missionary something of his own in return.
Livingstone had few possessions with him, but at their encounter he obediently spread them all out on the ground—his clothes, his books, his watch, and even the goat that provided him with milk (since chronic stomach problems kept him from drinking the local water). To his dismay, the chief took this goat. In return, the chief gave him a carved stick, shaped like a walking stick.
Livingstone was most disappointed. He began to gripe to God about what he viewed as a stupid walking cane. What could it do for him compared to the goat that kept him well? Then one of the local men explained, "That's not a walking cane. It's the king's very own scepter, and with it you will find entrance to every village in our country. The king has honored you greatly."
The man was right. God opened Central Africa to Livingstone, and as successive evangelists followed him wave after wave of conversions occurred.
Sometimes, in our disappointment over what we don't have, we fail to appreciate the significance of what God has given us.
We can rejoice always when we realize we have given up this world, and the things in it, for that which is greater, better, eternal. As Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). God makes our earthly losses heavenly gain. Therefore, we can rejoice always.
Prayer: Father, forgive us when we put too much emphasis on these temporary things and forget the riches You have given us through Jesus. We rejoice and are glad because we know you take earthly losses and make them heavenly gain. Open our eyes today to see the blessings truly worthy of rejoicing in. We can rejoice always then because those blessings are everywhere around us. In Jesus name, amen.
(NOT adapted from last Sunday's sermon, Rock Solid: Part 5: The Enemy of Our Faith. But listen at www.arvadachristian.org/sermons anyway!)
Lay it down...
Romans 6:10, "The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God."
Christ died, "once for all." When we read this passage we know it is saying something important but it seems very theological, very abstract. In context Paul is saying since Christ died for our sin and then rose again he cannot die again. The life he lives is with God. He's pointing this out because Christ is a prototype for all of us who have placed faith in him. If it is true for Christ it is true for us. We who are "born again" (John 3:3) have died to sin to be raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). We died to sin so that we can be alive to God (see Luke 15:24). But there's something else I want you to see. Christ died, "once for all." It may be clearer in Colossians 2:13, "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins..." All our sins... "All." That's a powerful word. It includes the sins of your past. It includes the sins of your present. It even includes the sins of your future. OK, enough theology. What does it mean?
Steve Brown relates it this way: "Early in my ministry I counseled a woman who, some twenty years before, had been unfaithful to her husband. For years that sin had haunted her. I was the first person she had ever told about it. After we talked and prayed for a long time, I recommended she tell her husband. (That, by the way, isn't always the advice I give. In this case, I knew the woman's husband and knew that her revelation, after the initial shock, would probably strengthen their marriage.) It wasn't easy for her, but she promised she would tell him. "Pastor," she said, "I trust you enough to do what you ask, but if my marriage falls apart as a result, I want you to know I'm going to blame you." She didn't smile when she said that, either.
That's when I commenced to pray with a high degree of seriousness. (I pray best when I'm scared.) "Father," I prayed, "if I gave her dumb advice, forgive me and clean up my mess." I saw her the next day, and she looked fifteen years younger. "What happened?" I asked. "When I told him," she exclaimed, "he replied that he had known about the incident for twenty years and was just waiting for me to tell him so he could tell me how much he loved me!" And then she started to laugh. "He forgave me twenty years ago, and I've been needlessly carrying all this guilt for all these years!" [Steve Brown, When Being Good Isn't Enough (Lucid Books, 2014), pp. 10-11.]
Unconfessed sin is like a weight hanging around your neck. Whether we realize it or not it drags us down and blocks our relationship with God. We may not want to face it. It may seem too raw or painful to have to look our failures in the face and name them. Yet, when we finally take it to God and confess it before Him; when we lay our sins at the foot of the cross, we walk away feeling younger and free. The irony is that the sin has already been forgiven, paid for, punished on the cross in Christ and all we have to do to lay that burden down is ask for what we already have—forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Lay down that burden. God is waiting to tell you He's already forgiven it and He loves you despite any and all your failures.
Father: We confess to you we fail and make mistakes. We accept the forgiveness, paid for by the blood of Jesus on the cross when he died, "once and for all." You have taken our sins away, as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), and we are free. Help us to live like it. In Jesus, amen.