Here’s a video that captures the reality of how digital technology is changing our world as we know it. Yet it also conveys that some things are hard to change, will never change or are simply timeless. Watch, see and laugh. (Please refresh to upload video)
Three thoughts hit me as I watched this video:
First, we can try to change or replace certain things but the reality is we can’t.
It seems as paperless as people want our world to be, paper is not leaving anytime soon, specially the one Emma slipped under the door.
This is true of the Gospel. For years the media and others have declared that God is dead and yet the truth of God and His message of love and salvation do not show any signs of waning.
While it’s true that “cultural Christianity” is slipping, real Christianity is on the rise in a big way all over the world. A Christianity where people are becoming genuine followers of Christ and are not just born to a religion they may or may not truly believe in.
Secondly, it’s hard to imagine our world without certain things. Like no toilet paper.
Now imagine a world without the Gospel. The big mistake we often make is to think that we are all naturally good. Actually we are naturally evil and wicked.
Check-out any two year old and you’ll find out quickly that you don’t need to teach them to be selfish, self-centered, self-conscious or to have self-pity. They were born that way.
Take Christianity out of our world and we’d be back to infanticide, idol worship, leaving the poor, downtrodden and the sick to fend for themselves.
Lastly, some things will never change and are simply timeless.
Without the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our world will be enmeshed in idolatry of self. A world that will produce greed, lust and everything else in between. It would be like a world without oxygen that has been swallowed up by viruses and bacteria.
More than just toilet paper think of a world without oxygen. Something we cannot reinvent digitally. The Gospel is the anti-virus, anti-bacteria remedy to a world in sin that is fast in decay. Without it our world will be a very different place.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,..but all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Bottom line, some things will never change. Have a great week connecting with God and others. Ciao’
In this message series on leadership, discover how Jesus set the example for godly leadership in how He lived His life, and how He compels us to follow His example.
Call it intuition, call it instinct but there’s a nagging sense in me that says “church is messy.” To be clear what I mean by that is simply “untidy,” not perfect, can be disorderly. Even as a young man I was always suspicious of things that looked too tidy, too perfect – too sanitized, too Stepford Wives.
Think Corinth, then Ephesus and Sardis and you know that church is not perfect. That’s the reason young people get turned off by church. Self-righteousness that projects an unreal piety that covers up mistakes, worse pretends to not make any is nothing more than hypocrisy. Preachers who who call out errors in others but have secret lives.
Herein lies the importance of discipleship. Of life exchange. Of being real. Of acknowledging that while we are sinners the Gospel of Jesus Christ is capable of transforming us into saints. Discipleship that speaks of a journey of ever increasing trust that blooms into faith as we encounter Christ’s love each day.
Lives that know reality, that while things can be messy for now, we’re progressively being transformed as the revelation of His love grows in us. Perfection that is not achieved by our works and efforts but in view of His mercy that causes us to offer our lives as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God which is our reasonable act of worship.
A people and a church that while imperfect are walking in the joy of their God that forms the basis of their strength. Joy that radiates because of His presence in their lives. Joy that knows one’s salvation is not religious but real. Church although “messy” is full of joy.
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As I watched the video of the last Discipleship 2013 and the some 7,000 small group leaders I wasn’t filled with self-righteous pride that we have grown but with joy seeing the lives of people who have trusted the finished work of Jesus in their unfinished lives while joyfully desiring to share it to others.
This weekend as you go to church and see the messy reality, I pray that you will also realize that as we focus on God’s greatness, as we worship Him for His majesty He will continually make us the people that reflect His love and glory.
Prayer is simply communicating with God. Paul in his life encounters constantly exhorts on the power of prayer:
“On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.” 2Corinthians 1:10b-11a
1. Prayer is also about helping others. One of the best ways to help others and one of the best ways to solicit help from others is through prayer. For years I have benefitted from prayer partnerships. Among those who have blessed me are my wife, members of my small group, my parents and friends who are intercessors.
God answers our prayers for our personal concerns but I have found that my prayers are usually answered quicker when it is directed towards the needs and requests of others. Realizing this I have made it a point to ask others to pray for me as I pray for them.
Jesus Himself taught that, “if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Notice, He said, “if two” not if you. This is God’s way of keeping us from being isolated. God wants us to partner with others through prayer.
“Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us…” 2Corinthians 11a
2.” Answered prayers” is a mark of God’sfavor.One of the best ways to share our faith with those who do not believe is through prayer. I have found that the best way to grow a small group is also through prayer.
As people see the gracious favor of God granted to us through prayer, people will be more attracted to connect with us. Nothing beats tangible answers to one’s specific needs. And nothing gets answers quite like prayer.
This then gives us the opportunity to connect them to God.
“…in answer to the prayers of many.” 2Corinthians 1:11b
3. The more themerrier. God wants us to connect with each other through prayer. There is a lot to be said about personal prayer and spending quiet times alone with God. But the overwhelming truth of scripture is God wants us to pray together in community.
This week think through who your prayer partners are. Those you are praying for and those who are praying for you. Start with your family and friends. Better yet, get involved in church and be a part of a small group of believers who pray for one another and see the power of partnering in prayer.
The problem of prejudice is real. Sadly even heroes of the faith like Peter have been guilty of it. Defined as “preconceived opinion(s) that causes one to dislike, be hostile to or behave unjustly toward others.”
We continue to find it along racial lines, social standing, religious backgrounds , even among genders, ages and sexual orientation. All too often even Christians are guilty of prejudice.
“When Cephas (Peter), came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles.” Galatians 2:11-12a
Paul saw prejudice as sin, regardless of who was guilty of it. A tell tale sign of prejudice is who you are eating or not eating with.
“But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.” Galatians 2:12
Prejudice is about drawing back and separating oneself from people who may not belong to our group or clique. This tendency is generally rooted in fear and insecurity. It eventually morphs into pride that says, “These people don’t belong to our group.”
Whether it’s racial prejudice, social cliques, the message is “You don’t deserve us.” But the worst case is religious prejudice that declares, “You are too dirty, too far gone and we’re too holy and pure for you.”
We alienate if not isolate sinners because of our religious prejudices. This is a vicious sin that prevents people from receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. Galatians 2:13
What empowers prejudice is hypocrisy. The claim of having a higher standard of being, belief or behavior. Basically a pretense and a deceptive view of one’s race, relations, religion, or recognition. The danger with hypocrisy is it leads others astray and causes division rather than promoting love and unity.
“When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel,…” Galatians 2:14a
Prejudice is always visible in the way one acts towards others. It squelches the Gospel. And Christians (like Peter) can be guilty of it. Actually, it is just pride in one of it’s ugliest and cheapest forms.
“I said to Cephas in front of them all, ‘You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?’” Galatians 2:14
There is no way around prejudice other than to violently confront it for what it is, just as Paul did. It is a pagan practice that is not the way of a disciple of Christ. The first person to confront is yourself. Frankly we are all guilty of prejudice at various levels.
Then…
“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:15a
Prejudice will hinder us from helping people become followers of Christ. Here’s what to do when you see it in your own life:
Acknowledge that we are not any more special than others, not by our race, background or achievements rather by simply trusting in the finished work of Christ that is still working in us. We are all works in progress – unfinished business in a journey of faith with our God.
As you search your heart, simply ask God to expose any prejudice and hypocrisy in your life. Repent, turn away and then ask Him to make you see that each person is an amazing creation made by Him.
Many of us are familiar with the word, ‘gospel.’ We may have heard about it in school or in church. But do we fully understand what it is — that it is more than just ‘good news?’ Learn the true meaning of ‘gospel’ in our new series, “Timeless!”
At first glance I thought that the mall failed to store their Christmas decor. Maybe they were extending the life of the decor and just added Easter eggs? Was it their way of getting an ice cream sponsor? Or was it the sponsor that wanted snow with the eggs?
I watched a family of Asian foreigners who were not familiar with the celebration of the season take pictures of their children around the colorful decor. Why not, it makes sense, it’s hot, people are out of town which makes for a dreary city and ice-cream is good to have right now, now that deserves a photo. From that point of view snow, colored eggs and ice-cream all makes sense.
It’s not the mall’s or the sponsor’s fault the Easter message has become unclear but the Church’s. If we don’t disciple people into the truth of the Gospel and it’s significance, like Christmas Easter will be just as confusing and irrelevant that people will end up defining the reason for the holiday. Like Christmas, Easter will be about snow, in the tropics?
Frankly, I like the idea of color, cool and ice-cream. They’re enjoyable. And isn’t that what the resurrection of Jesus is all about anyway? Christians need to be able to communicate the eternal message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in fresh new ways. There is still no story that is as vivid and true.
There’s good news!
The good news is that churches are starting to realize the importance and value of fresh presentations. One such is Church Simplified. For some years now they have been hosting a Holy Week stations of the cross at Bonifacio High Street, that is not just creative, inter-active but is an amazing and accurate presentation of the Gospel. Thankfully people flocked and the impact was invaluable.
I have visited twice this Holy Week. And yesterday my wife and I brought my 82 year old mother who enjoyed the whole experience. The atmosphere was festive and I kept bumping into guys from Victory, including an entire small group. Lou Gokian (right of me) who leads a group of students and young professionals together with his wife had the right idea of fellowship and yes, Jamba Juice.
I will be praying that other places will open up for a similar presentation.
It’s not too late to go and visit, the whole thing will be there till Sunday.
I pray, O Lord, that a new generation of disciples will come forth who will creatively communicate the true story of the season in ways that are not just traditional but fresh, engaging and most of all life changing.
And by the way the snow, ice-cream and Easter eggs are also still at Podium, I think they open tomorrow. Happy Easter everyone!
At breakfast with Chris I was amazed at the similarities in the churches we lead and the way he has led. No doubt we come from very different worlds but listening to him brought encouragement to see that discipleship and helping people take small steps into the kingdom of God was not something we were the only one’s doing. Even sermon planning and volunteer ministries had so many parallels.
After meeting Chris I decided to buy Chris’ book, “Fresh Air” before I left the States last week. I read it in the plane and could not put it down.
The book takes off about a man named Onesiphorus, an obscure, unknown man who is not as big a name as Abraham, David or Paul. And yet Paul said, ”May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me…” 2Timothy 1:16
I found Chris to be a a breath of fresh air in the brief time I had with him. But unlike Onesiphorus, Chris was not as obscure. Actually he is the senior pastor of one of the fastest growing church in the United States according to Outreach Magazine.
Thankfully at the time I met him I did not know that. And there was nothing about Chris that indicated that he had such a distinction. All there was, was humble man who carried an air of loving God and people.
Three things I found so good about his book:
1. Organic and story filled. Fresh Air brings to life his life experiences and the people whom he has encountered and journeyed through his Christian life. It is a good reminder and confirmation that the Christian life is about God and His people.
2. Relationships, relationships, relationships. Chris’ book was oozing with my own belief that life is all about relationships. From his own family, father-in-law, church members etc. He tells the story of Grandma Hornsby, his wife’s grandmother and his own grandmother Ma Maw Hodges and their impact on his faith.
Come to think of it, it was also my grandmother who first got me going in my oen journey with Christ.
3. Practical and not ethereal. His book covered many practical yet theologically solid truths that was applied to real life in real time. It did not have the fragile, delicate, airy Christianity that was not available to everyone.
Spending time with Chris and reading his book boosted my desire to keep seeking God in order to grow in my personal relationship with Him. Secondly it has given me a resolve that I will always be a breath of fresh air to the people I meet, just like Chris.
At last Saturday’s UFC Georges St. Pierre fought Nick Diaz. The thought of the fight, the pressure and endurance both fighters went through helped me with this post today.
Do not be uninformed life has challenging circumstances.
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.” 1Corinthians 1:8
Even the best of Christians experience trouble under great pressure FAR BEYOND one’s abilities. Sometimes to the point of desperation for life itself. I know I have.
“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.” 2 Corinthians 1:19a
Paul said these circumstances are like having received the “sentence of death.” On occasion I’ve asked God why would you allow such a thing to happen to me? The Bible tells us:
“But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” 2Corinthians 1:9b
One of the reasons God allows these things to happen to us is to bring us to the place where we do not rely on ourselves but ONLY on God. To trust that even the toughest situations and most extreme situations (like raising the dead) is something only He deliver us from.
So if you find yourself in tough, desperate situations including being wrestled down by Georges St, Pierre. Remember…
“He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,…” 2Corinthians 1:10
In this one verse we find the word deliver repeated three times. We know that when the Bible does that the writer is emphasizing the point. God desires to deliver us. Three key thoughts here:
1. God will deliver us. The word deliver literally means to take one from the clutches of a strong power to bring him into the hands of a greater power. It means to be rescued. What ever situation the devil has you in – realize that God wants to deliver you from it.
2. He will deliver us again. No matter how many times you find yourself held captive by any power, situation or even death itself – remember He will deliver you again. And again and again, repeatedly.
3. He will continually deliver us. Paul makes the final point that God wants to, he desires to deliver us in all our situations. Don’t think that God’s deliverance is a one time event. The good news is His deliverance is timeless.
Much like the Gospel of Christ is not a one time experience but a timeless truth – God’s deliverance will be there each and every time. Our assurance has and always will be the death of His own Son to deliver us from the stronghold of sin and Satan.
As you start your Holy Week put your trust in the reality that God has delivered, continues to deliver and will deliver us from any trying situation we face – continually!
Many of us are familiar with the word, ‘gospel.’ We may have heard about it in school or in church. But do we fully understand what it is — that it is more than just ‘good news?’ Learn the true meaning of ‘gospel’ in our new series, “Timeless!”
