Thursday, November 30, 2006

Preaching to the Outside - Purifying on the Inside

The Corinthian church was not a model church. Not by a long shot, in fact. The church was rife with problems including backbiting, envy, world-worship, idolatry - and the list goes on.

But if you had asked the Corinthians about problems they would have laughed at you. They thought they were something pretty special. So the Apostle Paul has to be pretty strong with them, including calling them on the carpet for rampant sexual immorality.

When he does this it is instructive for us as well. Listen to this:

1 Corinthians 5:9 "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people - not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler ..."

I find this interesting because sometimes we get things turned around like the Corinthians. We judge and condemn sin outside the church but often let people treat each other horribly within the church. Now neither Paul nor I suggest that sin outside the church is okay - sin leads to death. But for those outside the church we should preach the gospel - that Jesus died for our sins to bring us back to life. Focusing so much on the sin takes the focus away from the gospel.

By the way, we focus on the "big" sins like homosexuality but notice that "greedy" is on that list. Know anyone who is greedy? The point is that to those who do not belong to Christ we tell them about Jesus. To those who know Christ we tell them that the Holy Spirit wants to renovate their lives and make them into God's image and that it is now possible thanks to their giving their lives to Jesus. If they won't listen and continue in sin then we need to move things up a notch.

Pastor Tom

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

What Is Your Mindset?

Romans 8:6 "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

I wonder sometimes how much of our thoughts are taken up by the flesh. A recent study showed that Americans are bombarded by at least 3,000 advertising messages each day. Most of those messages encourage the flesh to eat more, look good, have the latest toys, get the girl (or guy) and never be satisfied with what you got yesterday.

Especially as the Christmas holiday approaches the messages to our flesh mount. At this time do you find yourself focusing on what you can get? Perhaps you are making lists of things you want; fantasizing over a new toy or gadget.

I find it ironic that we become so materialistic at Christmas when we are supposed to celebrate the greatest gift ever given, that of Jesus Christ coming into the world.

And what is the fruit of all that? Greed, jealousy (when someone else gets what we think we should have), covetousness, frustration, even anger. That's death stuff. If we would instead focus on the Spirit we would experience life and peace. What are the things of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self control, among other things.

My suggestion for this Christmas? Instead of the gifts, focus on giving out these qualities as gifts from yourself to others, especially to those you don't like. Want to have a happy holiday? Be a giver, not a getter.

Pastor Tom

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Something Good from Something Bad

You may remember the story of Stephen in Acts 6 & 7. Stephen preached the good news of Jesus Christ to the Jews and they stoned him in return. That act led to a great persecution of the young church "...and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria." (Acts 8:1)

Sounds pretty bad, and it was. These people had to flee for their lives. Later, Saul went after them and actually had some of them put to death. But I noticed something as I was reading through the section today that gave me hope:

Acts 11:19 "Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists ... and a great number who believed turned to the Lord."

You know, sometimes I think God likes to shake us up to get us going. Here these people were running from evil but in fact they were going in exactly the direction God wanted them to go. Jesus told his disciples to preach the gospel in the whole world. To make that happen God had to scoot them out of the nest. Sometimes He does that to us too. Don't think that just because something bad has happened doesn't mean God isn't at work.

By the way, the word "Christian" was first coined at Antioch, thanks in part to those who ran from Jerusalem. And one more thing: there was at Antioch that same man they fled from: Saul, now called Paul. And at Antioch was where the Lord called Paul to go out and preach the gospel to the gentiles.

What good came from something so bad.

Pastor Tom

Monday, November 20, 2006

The True Purpose of the Holy Spirit

If I asked you what you thought the purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit was, what would you say? To give gifts to believers, to grant power to the Christian, to speak in tongues? All are true - but are consequences of the Holy Spirit, not the purpose.

A careful literal reading of Acts 2:8 gives us insight:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses..."

The purpose of the Spirit coming in power upon the believer is very simple: to be a witness for Jesus Christ. It is to reach the unsaved with the knowledge of the gospel.

We see it acted out immediately. Yes, the disciples had tongues of fire resting on them and spoke in other tongues - but what did they speak? Acts 2:3 "And divided tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak on other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance ... we hear them telling in our own languages the mighty works of God."

Follow that with Peter when he began speaking - formerly an uneducated and somewhat clumsy fisherman to a powerful orator for the gospel. The result? :41 "So those who received his word ... were added that day about three thousand souls."

The Spirit comes to the believer to aid the believer in sharing the gospel. The gifts come to the Christian in order to help the Christian bring others into the kingdom. Period.

The Spirit is not for us. He didn't come for us to have a "Spirit Pool Party" where we all jump in the pool excited about showing off the gifts to each other ("Hey guys, watch this cannonball!"). He didn't come to show off in any way, nor to benefit the believer (though that happens).

We don't own the Spirit, He owns us, and His purpose is to use us and the power in us to bring others to Christ.

It's time we refocused.

Pastor Tom

Friday, November 17, 2006

Bed of Roses - Bed of Nails

I wanted to share one of my life verses today. It's in John 17. Right in the midst of warning His disciples about what was about to happen and the fact that they w0uld be scattered and Jesus would be arrested and killed He said this:

"In the world you will have tribulation, but be of cheer, for I have overcome the world."

I think too often we think that when we come to Christ He automatically fixes everything - like a supernatural virus scan and spam blocker, Jesus keeps all trouble from coming our way and fills our lives with happiness and money and health.

Then when we experience a job loss or sickness or bills we can't pay for have an accident or are homeless or some other calamity befalls us - we either blame God for not protecting us or oursevles for not having enough faith.

I think that whole notion is wrong. Jesus said you will have tribulation. It's a fact. Now God uses that tribulation in ways we won't know fully until heaven. But I am struck by the latter half of that verse. Jesus said "be of good cheer because I have overcome the world."

Jesus didn't say to leap for joy or that we'd always be on top of the world, but he did say we can have good cheer - why? Because Jesus has overcome. Jesus has overcome your loss. Jesus has won over your trouble. Jesus has claimed victory over the worst thing that can come into your life.

It doesn't mean you won't experience trouble, but it does mean you are not alone and that you have someone on your side who has already overcome it. Now what He allows to come your way is okay. He is in control.

Pastor Tom

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Why did Jesus Cry?

You may have read the shortest verse in the Bible: John 11:35 "Jesus wept."

I've often wondered why He cried. The situation was that a good friend of His, Lazarus, had died and was in a tomb. Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha were there as were a bunch of friends - all mourning the loss.

Jesus wasn't just tearing up or quietly crying. The word used there means to weep. So why did Jesus weep? Was it because Lazarus was dead? No, because He was about to raise him. Was it that He just saw the mourning and crying of those around Him and He couldn't help it? Not really.

I wonder if the reason Jesus wept was because of death in general. The scene in front of Lazarus' tomb was never supposed to happen. When man was created he was not supposed to die. Yet our own rebellion led to our death and to the scene of mourning in front of a grave many billions of times over.

So it makes me wonder if Jesus wasn't weeping because God never wanted us to die. He wants to live and He will do anything to bring us that life that can never be taken away.

It shows the heart of God-not a vindictive judgmental angry righteous judge, but a feeling person who sees our plight and is deeply moved to the point of weeping. How wonderful is He?

Pastor Tom

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Being Drawn

Have you ever experienced an inner longing for Jesus Christ? Set aside all the stereotypes and all the bad things people say about him. In your heart of hearts; in that quiet time when it's just you-do you feel drawn to him? There's a reason for that:

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

God the Father wanted so much to be able to have a relationship with you and give you eternal life and joy and peace that he sent Jesus to you. Now he is wooing you to come to Jesus as the only way to have such a relationship with God. He is speaking softly into your heart telling you that what you lack he will supply.

I would encourage you to read the gospel of John chapters 6-10 to learn about this Jesus and just what he did. Jesus' voice may speak to you as well if you are listening.

John 10:27-30 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." NIV

Pastor Tom

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Who to Believe - Man or God

I had an interesting conversation with someone who saw one of our studies in Revelation on Google video. The bottom line of the conversation was that this person feels that we should only believe only what God says and not man. He was concerned that the Bible was merely man's invention.

I know this doesn't answer this person's concerns but I ran into this interesting verse in, yes, the Bible:

John 3:34 "For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives his Spirit without measure."

That person was Jesus Christ who came to earth and spoke God's word to us. You might not want to believe what Peter or Paul or Moses wrote - but how about Jesus?

Oh, one more thing. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Now there's a person worth believing!

Pastor Tom

Thursday, November 09, 2006

A Tale of Two Rich Men

In Luke 18 there is the account of Jesus and a rich young ruler. The guy had everything that we humans love: youth, position, and wealth. This man felt pretty confident in himself and his righteousness. But when Jesus told him that his riches were a problem and were actually an idol that kept him from God, the man went away sad.

Contrast that with Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was also very rich and he was powerful. People loathed the tax collectors but also had to fear them as well. Zacchaeus was not just any tax collector, he was a chief tax collector. We know Zacchaeus was short - but he could have been handsome and short!

So in many ways these two guys are alike, but there is a huge difference: one got saved and the other didn't. Was it the riches or the position? No. I think it was the heart attitude. The rich young ruler was self justified. Zacchaeus was self aware. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The problem is not all of us realize it.

As soon as Jesus came into his life he saw his shortcomings. If wealth was holding him back then he would get rid of wealth. If position kept him away from Jesus he would climb a tree in order to see him. Zacchaeus wanted to get close to Jesus no matter what it took. Are you?

Pastor Tom

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Should We Always Go Along to Get Along?

Christians by and large are nice people. Jesus said for us to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us. And didn't the angel announce "peace on earth goodwill towards men"?

So why on earth did he make this statement in Luke 12:

"Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division."

So what's going on? Jesus didn't come the first time to bring peace on earth, but peace between God and man. It marks a separation. No more is it just man against God. With Jesus there is a way back to God, but not all will choose that way. So now there are those who belong to Jesus and those who don't.

Jesus says later in chapter 13 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."

Not everyone will be happy with your choice to follow Jesus and enter through that narrow door. In fact, some will be mad at you, angry, even hurtful and vicious. They may even try to kill you. So what should you do in that case? Love them, for sure. Pray for them - yes. But don't back down from your choice of a new relationship with God even if it means a broken relationship here on earth.

In cases like that Jesus acknowledges there will be division, and that's okay. It's not okay to back away from Jesus just because someone doesn't like your choice. Who knows - sometimes the person who is the most angry about it is actually wrestling with the choice themselves.

Pastor Tom

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Pressed Down Shaken Together

Many of you are probably familiar with this verse:

Luke 6:38 "...give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

I know that many times the verse is used to suggest that if you give materially to God He will give materially to you. After re-reading Luke 6, I'm not too sure if that's correct.

Take another look at the chapter, especially the beatitudes. Jesus is talking about being poor in spirit, and poor in judgment towards others. He is talking about being rich in God, rich in love, rich in forgiveness, rich in lending without expecting in return.

We should be generous, and God will be generous with us. But does it mean "stuff?" I think it more likely means more of God; more of His character, more of His Holy Spirit. For more on that read Luke 11 carefully, especially where it talks about the good gifts the Father gives.

If you measure out forgiveness to those who hurt you, forgiveness will be measured back. If you measure out love to those who hate you, love will be measured back to you - in spades.

It's just another way of looking at it. But in terms of God's character I think it fits.

Pastor Tom

Thursday, November 02, 2006

The Eye of a Needle

You may have heard the story in Mark 10 where Jesus encounters a rich young man who wants to be justified. Jesus discusses righteousness and the Law with him, but the real thing that keeps the man from coming to salvation are his riches, his possessions.

Jesus told him to give up on that thing that is holding on to him, like an idol. The man was unwilling and went away sorrowful. Then Jesus says "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God ... It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

It is true that material possessions can often possess us and make us think that we have no need of a savior for our soul because our physical needs are taken care of. Wealth is like alcohol: it anesthetizes us to reality; we are care free when we should care very much about our eternal state.

But I thought of something else. It's not just material wealth, but wealth of any kind that makes it harder than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

Jesus said "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." There are many things that can make us feel we are rich: philosophy, pleasure, physical prowess, position or power, intellect. Any of these without Jesus can be like idols, making us think like the rich young ruler than we have everything we need and reject anyone who tells us to leave behind that most important thing.

Jesus always seems to go right to the heart of what we serve. Jesus will not have second place because there really is no other place. We can't serve two masters. Why not serve the only real master; the only one that can bring true riches?

Pastor Tom