Wednesday, November 25, 2009

As Close to Hell as You'll Ever Have to Get - A Thanksgiving Message

In the past few years, God has been teaching me thankfulness more than any other virtue. Lately every time I read the New Testament the issue of thankfulness leaps off the pages at me. The Apostle Paul was especially focused on the theme throughout his writings. Often his letters were written to Christians suffering intense persecution under Caesar Nero's iron-fisted rule. Even in the worst of times, Paul encouraged a heart of thanksgiving.

One notable example is in Romans 8, where Paul says to persecuted believers in Rome, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (verse 18). Throughout this passage, while Paul does not use the word "thankful", the attitude shines through like a beacon on the darkest night of a person's soul.

Paul then goes on to remind the believers of how God had cared for all the Old Testament saints gone before them. "For those God foreknew (literally "knew in ages past") he also predestined (literally "marked out boundaries around") to be conformed to the likeness of his son..." Paul is encouraging these Christians with the reality that because of God's faithfulness to mark boundaries around the lives of those with whom He had relationship in times past (i.e. Abraham, Moses, David, Esther, etc.), He will also be faithful to surround the Roman Christian audience to whom he was writing. That many theologians read into these verses their pre-conceived idea that Paul is talking about salvation and God's "choosing" some people to go to Heaven while passing over others (i.e. Calvinism) is a grandiose bummer. It totally misses Paul's point! (NOTE: Please understand that I am not attempting to discredit Calvinism here - but only suggesting that this is not nearly as strong a passage in support of it as most suggest).

He continues by assuring these believers that they are "more than conquerors" and that "no one can bring a charge against those whom God has chosen." He crescendos with the startling proclamation that "neither death nor life...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." In essence, Paul is saying "what's the WORST that can happen to you? Nero lops your head off? As a follower of Jesus, the worst thing that can possibly happen to you in this life is as close to hell as you will ever have to get!"

I am greatly encouraged by this. While I am deeply thankful that I am not facing the guillotine or the lions as many early Christians did, I AM comforted by the reality that no matter what difficulties I experience in this life, they are as close to hell as I will ever come. There is a future that awaits me beyond the grave for which Christ died in my place to secure my future in it. This life isn't perfect and never will be. Even on a day as wonderful as thanksgiving, there are disappointments and difficulties to face. But our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For that we can be extremely thankful. I hope and pray that you are. Any thoughts you'd like to add? Chime in and God bless you....

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Could it be.......SATAN?

One of my favorite Saturday Night Live skits of all time was Dana Carvey's character, "The Church Lady". This lovable, spunky and prudish character hosted a make believe show called "Church Chat", where she would frequently allude to the involvement of the devil as the cause of just about anything she perceived to be negative. Her famous line: "Could it be.........SATAN?"

What isn't so funny is that many people believe that Satan is just about as fictional as the Church Lady. When asked what they believe the devil is like, many average Americans would mention cartoonish depictions of a red-horned fellow with a pitchfork and scowl on his face - basically something you dress up as for Halloween. But the Bible paints a very different picture of this sinister evil Being.

Over the next two weeks, I will be teaching a 2-part miniseries at Valley Church called "The Art of War". In it we will explore questions related to the origin and existence of Satan and demons, the relationship of Christians to these spiritual foes and whether or not the unseen princes of darkness are for real - or simply a fairy tale for grown ups.

You may be surprised by the vidid detail given in the Scriptures. Have you ever wondered how much power the devil really has? Have you ever asked yourself if there is anything legit about so-called "deliverance ministers" or "exorcists"? Do you have any opinions on whether Christians should seek to "bind" the devil, as is the practice of some professing followers of Christ? If the devil IS real, what role does he play in your life? Join us as we arm ourselves with the truth of Scripture and become increasingly secure in our relationship with Christ through this crucial 2-part adventure.

We meet SUNDAYS at 9am and 11am, with a third "traditional" service venue at 9am in our student center for those who prefer a more classic style of worship and liturgy. I hope to see you there - and feel free to chime in with your thoughts about spiritual warfare, Satan and demons on this blog...

Friday, November 13, 2009

Blessed are the Persecuted? You've Got to be Kidding!

So I am getting ready to close out our 8-week series on "The Beatitudes" this Sunday. In case you don't know, these are a series of 8 statements Jesus makes in Matthew 5 at the beginning of his most well-known sermon. They all begin with the words "Blessed are..." As we conclude the series, the final Beatitude is admittedly one of the more intense subjects, where Jesus says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."

November 8 was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. While its great that we have a Sunday to remember specifically those who suffer intense persecution, in a way it is sad that we need to set aside a day to remind us to be aware of what we should never forget in the first place - that followers of Jesus were never promised popularity. Even so, this does not mean that we should wear supposed "persecution" as a badge of honor. Allow me to explain...

I have known numerous professing Christians who basically live with a "martyr mind-set". They reason that symptoms like the following somehow "prove" they are suffering for Jesus:

1) having few close friends to share life with
2) people avoiding them when they enter the room
3) dealing with doors being slammed in their face as though they were unwanted vacuum-cleaner salesmen
4) seldom being invited to hold prominent positions in community affairs

While symptoms like these certainly MAY indicate a form of discrimination or rejection, they are often nowhere NEAR what would qualify as real "persecution" by Christ's own statement. Unfortunately, many professing Christians are avoided, excluded or rejected by others NOT because they are being persecuted, but because they are being idiots. They themselves are simply unlikeable people. Whether it's their "cram-it-down-your-throat" approach to evangelism, or their self-righteous attitude toward "sinners", or their unwillingness to really listen and respond to the needs, doubts, questions and criticisms of their neighbors, I am afraid that often what passes as persecution against American Christians is really nothing more than a reasonable reaction to an unloving approach to life and faith.

So what exactly WOULD qualify as legitimate "persecution"? Jesus said that the "Blessed" would be those who are persecuted because of RIGHTEOUSNESS - not the SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS I just mentioned! He continues in Matthew 5:17 to say, "I (Jesus) came to 'fulfill' the Law" - and He goes on in Matthew 5:20 to warn that "unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees...you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." That's the MAIN point of the Sermon on Mount. Unlike the philosophy of the Pharisees, Jesus was trying to get people to see that "righteousness" (i.e. being in a "right" relationship with God) cannot be attained by stacking up an impressive resume of good works. And to further drive this point home, He goes on to say that if you LUST, its the same as ADULTERY before God. If you are ANGRY, it's the same as MURDER. If you take an OATH, you are SINNING. If you WORRY, you are not living faithfully.

So many people approach the Sermon on the Mount as though it's message is "Watch out! If you struggle with lust - you're a dirty-rotten sinner! You'd better do such and such....or else!" The REAL point Jesus is making is exactly the opposite! He's trying to get people (especially the Pharisees) to see that "The reason you struggle with lust - is BECAUSE you are a sinner! So don't think that just because you've never physically cheated on your spouse you are innocent!" His point is not "You'd better do this!" His point is "You CANNOT do this! You cannot live up to God's holy standards. Not even the Pharisees (who keep all these hundreds of laws meticulously) can live up to them. That's the bad news. The good news is that I came to 'fulfill' the Law on your behalf. It is a FREE GIFT to you - not something you work to earn or keep."

Jesus later describes this truth about how to be "right" (righteous) before God as a "narrow gate". In other words, the way to God is exclusively through faith in Jesus. Jesus is not ONE of MANY options available on the spiritual smorgas board. Rather, He is the ONLY way to be right with God. THIS is the "righteousness" for which Christians are persecuted legitimately. This is why every time a Christian goes on Larry King or Oprah, they inevitably hear the same question: "So do you actually think that everyone who doesn't believe in Jesus is going to hell?" The question is obviously a rhetorical one, intended to generate a sense that these Christians must be the most back-woods, un-enlightened, old-fashioned, narrow-minded bigots in the universe!

THAT message - the message of "righteousness" through Jesus alone in a relativistic, pluralistic world - is the phenomenon that will bring persecution to His followers. Always has, always will. Paul said that the message of the cross is "foolishness" to those who are perishing (1 Cor. 1:18). It is just a fact - and the challenge I receive from this reality is two-fold:

First, if I am persecuted because of righteousness - because of demonstrating and preaching the exclusive Gospel of Jesus as the only way to be made right with God - then there is nothing I need to worry about. I am "blessed" in knowing that I am being faithful to the message my Savior left me to proclaim.

But there is an equally important second challenge - namely, that while it is OK if people are offended by the message, it is NOT OK if they are offended by the messenger (me). The message is exclusive, but the messenger should not be exclusivistic - thinking it his or her mandate to act like an arrogant, know-it-all, Bible-thumper who won't listen to another viewpoint or become friends with someone outside their church bubble. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. With confidence, there is also ample room for humility. With arrogance, humility is choked out completely.

So as you go about your week, be confident in knowing that if people reject you because you agree with Jesus' claim to be the ONLY Way to God - you are BLESSED. They are not really rejecting you - but rather rejecting the teaching of Jesus. On the other hand, if you are a Christian who is inclined to see yourself as a "martyr" because nobody likes you - take a deep look within and ask yourself, "Are people repulsed by the message OR...the messenger?" If it is the latter, ask God to help you make the changes necessary to let your love speak louder than your words...

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts and questions...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veteran's Day Thoughts...

Unless you are a close friend or one of my family members, you have never heard of my grandpa. He was a part of America's "greatest generation" - one of those whose blood, sweat and tears helped to launch us into an era of unprecedented blessing and prosperity. Born in 1918, he was raised and socialized in the era of the Great Depression. He served for 4 years as a G.I. in the jungles of Burma during WWII, and after the war, moved his young family to Southern California where he worked as a laborer for the City of Los Angeles.

Growing up, I always saw him as invincible - physically strong and seemingly able to do anything. His battles with anger and alcoholism did not affect my impression of him as one of my greatest heroes in life. Because of him, Veteran's Day has always been a special holiday in my eyes. For me, it is a day to think about grandpa - and all of those who have put themselves in harm's way to protect and preserve our freedoms.

The greatest privilege of my life came two years ago - when I had the opportunity to lead him to a declaration of faith in Christ while on his deathbed at age 89. God so often used him in my life to bring a sense of strength, protection and freedom in the physical realm - and how joyfully ironic that God would use an otherwise inept vessel like myself to lead him to strength, protection and freedom in Christ even as his moments on earth were coming to an end. Working over the years with my mother and siblings to gradually drip the truth of Christ's love into my grandpa's life, he finally received it at the eleventh hour.

The grace of God is like that. On this Veteran's Day week, while we honor our troops both past and present for the freedom they have secured for us - let's also be mindful of the ultimate freedom offered in Christ...a freedom that cannot be taken from us by any adversary in the physical or spiritual realm... Are there any veterans in your life whose strength or courage has inspired you? Feel free to comment on this blog...

Monday, November 2, 2009

More than Flower Power

Last night my wife and I attended a costume party for our college ministry. We dressed as hippies - complete with bell-bottoms, flowery clothing and peace-symbols. We had a lot of fun, but as people were snapping photos of us flashing the peace sign, it got me thinking...

Peace. What images come to your mind when you read that word? Do visions of laying on the beach, hiking in the woods or snuggling up with a good book on a rainy day describe peace to you? What about getting along with others in your family, world leaders coming together with diplomacy rather than war, or the idea of every hungry child having food in their stomachs? Peace means different things to different people.

We are currently in a series at Valley Church focused on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5. This coming Sunday, we will be diving into the issue: "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." For followers of Jesus, working for peace goes much deeper than simply helping others learn to get along or share their blessings. To this day, Orthodox Jews will greet one one another with the phrase "Shalom."

Commonly translated "peace", the word "Shalom" means much more. It expresses a desire for God to bestow His very best upon another person - and to be open to being a conduit through which that blessing can flow. It essentially says, "If you need to be uplifted or upheld, you can count on me as long as God supplies." Shalom is the pronouncement of the full orb of God's blessing and the willingness to BE that blessing to someone else.

In light of the Biblical concept of Shalom, what does peacemaking look like in your world? Peace in the realms of political, financial, and relational realms is important - but can those things truly be realized apart from God's people becoming wholistic peace-makers toward others? Please feel free to comment and I invite you to join us this Sunday at 9AM (2 services simultaneous - traditional or contemporary) or 11AM (contemporary).