Citizens of Heaven - Sermon Transcript 8-24-2014

Last week, I spoke to you about the authority of Scripture because it was something that the Lord had been teaching me and challenging me about. We ended with Philippians 3:12-14, and said how Paul here was communicating that we are not perfect, and we’ll never be, but we still strive for Christ. We still press on to understand and live under the authority of Christ’s Word. So, I thought it best to pick up here and discuss WHY the authority of Scripture is so important.

Turn to Philippians 3:15

Now, we know we are to submit to the authority of God’s word. And we do this because it leads us a deeper relationship with Jesus, but, it is also because of something else. And, that is that our spiritual citizenship is now in heaven. This is important. We now belong to Christ.

Here in Bolivia, and here in this church, we have a wide variety of people from several different countries. All of us are aware of our political citizenship. We generally know the rules we have to follow, we have an idea of how to pay our taxes, and we typically feel varying degrees of patriotism for our countries. Another thing, we are pretty aware of our own cultures. Some of us prefer to greet others with a handshake, others with a kiss. We know what to do at meal time and how to eat different foods, just like everyone else from our culture. We spend our lives living in a culture that we spent years of growing up in to learn. Why, because we are citizens of our culture. And, our culture is determined by our citizenship. It’s where we have our sense of belonging.

I’ve had several Bolivians over to our house and I generally like to prepare soul food, food from the southern US. I find it interesting, and kind of funny, that they generally don’t know how to eat the food. They watch us to see what we do and then they copy it. I get even more amazed when I find out that what is the epitome of good eats for me, is simply mediocre for them. Why is this? We are from different cultures. Culture isn’t just a difference of language or greetings, or our politics. Different cultures means different ways of seeing things, different perceptions, different ideas. Even our brains work differently. And different isn’t bad, but different can be stressful and confusing.

My experience learning to live in Bolivia has been one long episode of Culture Shock. Why is there no Saturday shopping, no one-stop shopping? Why do I always have to kiss people on the cheek when greeting them, why is there no simple bank draft solution for bill paying?

Now the reason I bring this up is that we learn to be citizens in the framework of our culture. Our allegiances and ideals are shaped by the culture we live in. Though the terminology is different, citizenship and culture are inevitably linked. And this is important because when we commit our lives to Christ, we are making a spiritual move. We are literally removing ourselves from our culture of sin and death to a culture of life in Christ. And it takes time to adjust. But the adjustment can be made easier only if we understand what is going on. This is why my good friends Joe and Denise wanted to make my family so aware of culture shock when we first arrived and what it does to you. Knowing and preparing helps us to be successful. In the same way, I think we should be preparing ourselves for those moments of spiritual culture shock. Because I think it’s something that doesn't just affect new believers. It affects all believers, because we basically live in the midst of both cultures, because we live in the world. The hard part is learning that we are not OF the world.

So, how do we do this? We turn to the authority. Remember 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” I’d think this falls into the “training in righteousness” category.

Okay, Let’s read Philippians 3:15-21, and see how we need to apply this in our lives.

“Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”

I love Paul’s wording here. He is basically making an argument that can’t be challenged without rewriting someone’s entire way of thinking. First, he appeals to “maturity” (some translations use perfection) which is a desirable trait. “Let those of us who are mature.” Who doesn’t want to be in the mature club? But then he follows up with “if you think differently,” obviously recognizing the part of humanity that craves to be contra-everything.

Who hasn’t put an opinion on Facebook, to only have half the world not agree, and the other half not agree with you or them? We have a tendency to seek the “contra-position.” Paul, in a very secular sense, was a philosopher and he understood the rules of philosophy and logic. This is why he was so useful in the growth of the early church.

So, he says, “those who think differently” and then follows it with a confident, “God will reveal that also to you.” He was careful to say that you were not wrong, but that God hasn’t yet revealed it to you. So, the hearers of this letter have a choice. They can think like Paul and be part of the “mature” club, having had God reveal truth to them. Or, they suffer shame that God hasn’t revealed something to them and so they not mature believers.

I think this is something to look at because it lets us know how important Paul saw this teaching. He didn’t want it easily argued.

“Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Paul says, “Let’s focus on what we do have.” And what is it that we have attained? Paul, before explaining what we’ve attained, interjects this appeal:

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

So, he says, “hey, we’ve attained something great, so we need to keep our eyes on the good examples. Don’t look to those who are not believers. (Remember last week we said that the flesh is an enemy of God and all those who walk according to the flesh walk as enemies of the cross?). Don’t look to secular men for your example. Look to those champions of the faith. Those other people may look good, but they are only seeking what satisfies their flesh. “Their god is their belly.” They are focused on making the most out of an earthly existence, not paying attention to eternity. “Their minds are set on earthly things.” Remember scripture says in 2 Corinthians to look to what is unseen and not what is seen. We don’t focus on this temporary existence, but we focus on eternity.

After this interjection, Paul reveals what we have attained and why we focus on eternity rather than “earthly things”:

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

I think I understand this so much better now, living in a foreign country, than I ever did before. To live in Bolivia, we have to do so much, jump through so many hoops, just to get a resident visa. And, that even expires. Then, we have to renew and turn in lots of paperwork. It’s a chore, it isn’t fun, and sometimes it’s painful. But it’s required. This is in no way comparable to what Jesus did for us, but Christ, through his work on the cross, purchased citizenship for us. We are not deserving, and in this state of being (flesh and all), we really were not welcome. It was impossible for us to ever meet the requirement of citizenship. We were doomed to die for eternity, as citizens of the flesh. But Jesus, in his mercy and grace and love, suffered the wrath of God for our sake to attain for us this heavenly citizenship. Yes, we still live as part of this world, but we can’t deny the fact that as believers, we have to learn a new culture, we have to learn new laws, we have to learn a new way of thinking. We are not in the world, but not of it.

But the great things is we aren’t doing it on our own. Sometimes, I feel depressed, frustrated, irritated, etc at living in a culture that I don’t fully understand. I mean, seriously, why is everything closed on Saturday afternoon?! But I’m not doing this on my own. I look to the strength that Christ will supply. This is how it is in our walk with Christ.

I love the promise and declaration that Paul makes in the previous chapter (Philippians 2). “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Those wants, those thoughts, those new ways of seeing things, are the work of God in my heart. Now, how does God work in us? He works in us through the Holy Spirit.

Last week we talked about the authority of Scripture, but we also talked about how the Holy Spirit works in us. We see all through Scripture that the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to testify to Christ and to testify to the truth. The Holy Spirit confirms in us what God’s word says. When we believe God’s word with the confidence that his Spirit brings us, we then, gradually as an instinct, walk according to Spirit. We, then, begin to think in accordance with God’s word. When we become heavenly citizens through the blood shed by Christ on Calvary and when we begin to walk in new life because Christ has conquered death, we have got to also begin to focus on the His Word. If we want our thinking and our new culture to align with the culture of heaven and with the mind of Christ, we have to steep ourselves in God’s word. We must meditate in God’s word.

As citizens of Bolivia, or the States, or Canada, or wherever you may be from, you work to know about your country. You spend time understanding what’s going on there, the needs, the resources, the news. If you don’t, and please don’t take offense, you probably aren’t considered a very good citizen, because you don’t concern yourself with your country’s welfare. How many of us, as citizens of heaven, aren’t too concerned with what’s going on in our nation? How many of us have so easily let our eyes slip from eternity and simply rest on our own problems in this life? How much time and energy have we stolen from our new citizenship to place on the world around us? How often have we been overwhelmed or over-focused on the social needs and justice in the world around us?

Now, are we to turn a deaf ear to these things? Do we ignore the world around us? We, most certainly, do not. But we have to assess our reasons. We have to examine our motivations. We have to measure our thoughts, ideals, attitudes, opinions, outlooks, on God’s word. It is the citizenship manual of heaven. In it, we find Christ. Through it, the Holy Spirit molds and conforms us to good “citizenship.”

Have you ever heard that expression, “so heavenly minded, they aren’t of any earthly good”? A while back, I was thinking about that idea and wrote a somewhat sloppy blog called, “so earthly minded, they aren’t of any heavenly good.” I, personally, don’t like either of those expressions now.

First of all, if we are in Christ, according to Colossians 3:2, our “minds should be set on the things above.”

The word for “mind” there in the original language, refers to the exercises and affections of the mind. It includes opinions and ways of thinking. So, if we are told here to “set our minds,” that means that our thinking should be shaped by “things above.” By heaven. And this can only happen when our thoughts are on God’s word. God’s Word, which reveals Christ to us, is our link to heaven. This is the key to our “cultural adaptation” to this new heavenly citizenship. God’s word.

So, our minds are supposed to be set on heaven. Heavenly minded. But, the reason we should be so heavenly minded, is so that we CAN be of earthly good. I can’t seek to do good in this earth and only focus on this earth. We established last week that there is no good outside of God and no righteousness outside of Christ. So, if I seek to do good with my mind set on earthly things, I cannot accomplish good. No matter how good the world may say it is.

However, if my mind is set on things above. If I am (in the words of Paul in Philippians 3:14 “pressing on toward the prize of the goal of the upward call in God through Christ Jesus,” I will inevitably bring some earthly goodness. Why? Because God is concerned with his creation.

God’s concern with creation is why we see in scripture that “we’ll be known by our love for one another.” This concern is why John and James talk bout taking care of orphans and widows and serving the poor. It is this concern that prompts us to “care for the least of these” because it is the same “as if we are doing it for Christ.” Heavenly mindedness/concern involves connecting with God’s heart for his creation. The more God’s word becomes real in my life and the more I allow (by study of the Word) the Holy Spirit to work in me, the more my heart and my mind will be set on God’s plan for his creation. The more I walk in Spirit and seek God’s word, the easier it is for me to learn and be apart of this new citizenship (new culture), the more I will begin to think and act like a citizen of heaven.

Some things in our culture, are habit and instinct. Others require thought. Some of those that require thought, over time become habit. How many vote in elections? How many kiss someone on the cheek when you greet someone? Who goes and waits for hours to renew your carnet? Who goes to a restaurant and just chooses a place to sit? Some things you do because you know you’re obligated to. Others, you simply do because it is the habit of your culture. It took us 4 months before we realized that Bolivians generally seat themselves in restaurants. It still doesn’t feel natural for us because we are used to having to wait on a host or hostess to take us to a designated seat.

As we grow in Christ, and as we learn day by day to act like citizens of heaven, some things will feel unnatural. Others will grow into habit. For some of us, going to wash a poor baby may feel unnatural. Going to build a house for a poor person may feel pretty awkward. Handing a beggar a coin, may feel like a waste of money. Taking in an orphaned child or visiting widows may make us uncomfortable and we may feel inadequate. Some things may cause us great fear. This is why we rely on the Spirit of Christ Jesus in our lives. Who creates in us a love for the poor, a desire to care for the orphans, an appreciation for widows, and calms the fears in us as we learn what it means to be a citizen of heaven.

Some may say this sounds like a form of “works mentality” that we have to do things for our salvation or to prove we are Christians. Please don’t confuse my words. Better yet, listen to the words of scripture.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing: it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

I love that old quote by William Sekker who was a puritan preacher during the great awakening. He said, “We are most certainly not saved by our works, yet we are most certainly saved unto works.”

It isn’t our works which saves us, our works don’t make us a citizen of heaven, but Christ’s work of salvation in us, will produce works. It will produce a heavenly outlook and a desire to affect this world for Jesus. In this verse in Ephesians, there are some important things we need to see. But if we aren’t careful, we won’t see them.

First, we see that it is by Grace we are saved. Salvation is a free gift of God, so that we cannot boast about our salvation. This is pretty well understood (or at least is generally taught like it is). But, look at what he says next. “We are his workmanship.” Most of us would stop there and simply say that this is referring to God’s creation of man. But it isn’t. The next phrase is what we english teachers call an appositive phrase. It is meant to define the noun that preceded the clause. Paul says, “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” This clarification means that we are not talking about the creation of man, but the creation of a believer. We are talking about the new creation we are in Christ Jesus. And what does it say that we are created for? For good works, “which God prepared beforehand for us to walk in.”

Scripture tells us that God “does everything according to counsel of his will.” God works all of eternity to suit his plans and purposes. And when we come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, we get an amazing opportunity to be an active part in those plans. And, in our lives, this consist of doing the will of the father through our individual callings and obedience.

It is not our works that saves us. But our salvation will, indeed, produce works in our lives. This is because salvation leads to a love of the father. And because we love him, we desire to please him. And because he loves us, he send us the Holy Spirit to conform us to his image, to make us good citizens of heaven.

James says three times in Chapter 2 that faith without works is dead. Because, where sincere faith exist, works will always be the by-product. Not because we are supposed to do them or have to do them to maintain salvation. But because “God works in us to will and to do for his pleasure.” This is what it means to be a citizen of heaven. To be anchored in God’s word and to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, confirming Christ, and to make us confident in the Truth of God’s word.

Oh, Bolivia...

Learning to live in a new culture is a bit of a hard task to accomplish. One that I don’t think we’ll ever fully overcome. I think you just become more and more tolerant of the differences that seek to make you crazy. I also think you have to become just a little crazy in order to deal with the frustration those differences bring about. From learning to greet with a kiss, accepting that everything will start late, cars and technology is crazy expensive, and developing a habit of washing everything with bleach to accepting corruption and glorified bureaucracy as an aspect of the culture, life in Bolivia is beginning to seem less of a vacation and more like work. And.. that is a great thing. 

When we were planning our move, we didn’t budget for a car. “Public transportation is so cheap and you can walk practically everywhere.” This statement is a great example of a paradoxical truth. Yes, is it cheap to take a trufi or a taxi. And you can walk most places. But is isn’t fun carting groceries 12 blocks to your 6th floor apartment or trying to get 7 people into a taxi when you have two friends visiting from the states. So, here we are. Wishing we had budgeted for a car. Especially since they are so expensive here - like crazy expensive. An old dependable car (that is mostly ugly and screams “practicality”) costs a good 14-18 grand here. That is a lot of change… Pray. Pray now..ha  God is sufficient though and will meet our needs. Our lack has been a blessing in many ways, though, as we enjoy learning the streets and meeting people. 

One thing we did budget for was a projector. We didn’t really care about having a television, but a projector would be great. It could be used for ministry and outreach campaigns, as well as an occasional family movie night. Like I said, technology in Bolivia is really expensive. Most people who live here purchase tech stuff in the states and bring it down or have a visitor bring it. Great idea, right? Most of the time. I ordered a projector about a month and a half ago and had it sent to a friend who was coming to visit. While watching Facebook for updates on her travel, I encountered some of the frustration I mentioned in the first paragraph. I got a message from our friend; our projector was confiscated. 

“You have to pay taxes on this.” Because the word projector wasn’t listed on the list of “personal items,” we were going to have to pay taxes. So, no biggie, right? Except that the office where you do this was closed until Monday and our friend found herself in the airport on a Saturday waiting on a connecting flight to our city. They wouldn’t budge. They gave her a piece of paper stating she had 60 days to retrieve it. That was it, end of discussion. During her stay we discussed it, and decided that she’d simply grab it on her way home and take it back; we’d figure it out later. Only, when she was back in that airport on her way home, she was told she still couldn’t have the projector or pay the taxes. The office was open this time, but it would take 24 hours to process her information and only then could she get it back. (Imagine our frustration… I’m still imagining it) They, again, wouldn’t budge. So, she is home and our projector is (supposedly) in a locker in the Santa Cruz airport. The likelihood of us getting it back is slim to none. Why, because corrupt bureaucracy allows for the legal theft of merchandise in order to fund our wonderful government. There is no way anyone traveling through that airport can pay taxes and keep items that they bring if the staff deems it as “taxable.” 

Am I mad that we lost $400 on this projector? Not really, I believe God is sufficient. If there is one thing God has taught me in this journey to foreign missions is that he will provide for all our needs according to his riches for his glory. Am I mad that we don’t have a projector? Not really. I’m frustrated that we lack that tool, but again, God is our supplier. Am I mad at how those things were taken? Yes. Is my anger justified? Not really. 

Scripture tells us that “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” I can be angry about this situation and most people would tell me it’s justified. But my anger isn’t a sign of my trusting God, but a sign of my selfishness - “MY projector” and “MY money.” When we find our selves angry over things that were taken from us or that were lost, I take that as a sign of a lack in our faith in who God is. Do I believe that God will supply my needs? If so, why am I worrying about this loss? Do I believe that God is sovereign and will work in me and my life for his glory? If so, why am I more concerned with this circumstance instead of looking for a way to walk obediently on mission with Jesus. “Consider it joy when you face trials of many kinds.” 

We can take joy in these trials because scripture says that they “develop perseverance” and “cause us to become mature and complete” not “lacking any good thing.” When I face the trials of living on the mission field, I don’t want my response to be carnal. I don’t want to react with an attitude that relies on my own ability and understanding, but with one that trust in God to perform his will in my life in a way that works for my good and for his glory. And, my ultimate good is being conformed to Christ. Frustration is a good test of character, but it is also good for my character. 

When you first move to another country, learning another language, meeting new people, it takes time for it to sink in that this is your new life. You can have all the intention in the world to be on mission for Christ and can take step after step in the work of service, but you will go through a honeymoon season where everything is great and your life feels like a vacation. But, with time, life has a way of showing us the work to be done and then wiping away the “vacation charade” that comes with the first few weeks of living abroad. We are stepping into this new season of being able to realistically look at the road the Lord has set before us in our calling to Bolivia. And this new season is one that is accompanied with frustration, yes, but also with great joy. We look to the work ahead with joy because it will not only be used to accomplish God’s will for Bolivia through our small acts of obedience, but it will also work to conform us to Jesus - and this is the most important aspect of our walk with the Lord. Be obedient, yes. Be bold and be focused. But, also learn to allow each circumstance to make you look more like Jesus. That is our desire and our prayer - to be like Jesus. 

Joyfully frustrated, 

Seth 

(and the rest of the Powell house)

Religious Hot Potato - Pass the Commitment (Church is Boring; Part 3)

Ever played Hot Potato? You pass the potato (or other object) around in a circle very quickly trying not to hang on to it too long and you surely don't want to be caught with it. Sometimes, church commitments and serving in church are treated much like the potato in this game. For some reason, we don't like to serve, we like to pass it along to someone else like it's a hot potato and we are afraid we'll be caught with it.

In part 2, we saw that the reason church is boring is because we don't do anything regardless of the fact that Jesus gave the church the command to "go." In part 1, we saw that what most churches do to attract newcomers is shallow and not long lasting, or, their culturally archaic tradition and structure is just not appealing to people. In part 3, I want to talk about what "going" looks like. Going looks a lot like doing. 

It's not that churches don't do anything, they do a LOT. The issue is that the doing is not spread among the whole church body - but only a few tired volunteers. The second layer to this issue is that the doing is usually and primarily focused on the church, not the community. This is where going and doing meet. It's not just the what, but the where. Take a moment and read through some of these verses. Just scroll your mouse over them and read them a few times through. 

Matthew 5:14-16

Philippians 2:1-4

Acts 20:35

Galatians 5:13-14

1 Peter 4:10-11

We see in James 1:22-25 that we deceive ourselves by simply listening to the word and not doing what it says. It says we are like a man who, after seeing himself in the mirror, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. A "Christian" who sits in church and hears the word deceives himself when he leaves and does not do. He only looks like a christian while sitting in church, but when he leaves he "at once forgets what he was like." 

I have two final points that I'll make brief, and hopefully they'll sum up this series. First, going and doing do NOT make the Christian. We are saved by grace through faith, a free gift of God, so that we cannot boast. In fact, if we boast, we are to boast in 1. the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:17) and 2. our weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30). Going and doing do NOT make the Christian, however, the true Christian will habitually and practically be both a goer and a doer. If the joy of our salvation does not prompt within us a desire to go and do for the sake of Christ, we must ask ourselves why. God says, "I will accomplish my purpose" (Isaiah 46:10). And he "works in man both to will and to do good works" (Philippians 2:13). He will surely use us for his purpose, and our salvation - our complete submission to our savior - will find satisfaction in doing the work of the father, as Christ did the work of the father. This is the product of our love for Jesus (John 14:15). 

Second (and last), going is not done in a church building. Serving in the nursery, greeting, children's ministry, worship team, choir, etc, etc, etc, are all great things that serve the body. They are needed. They are good. But they don't scratch the surface of the Christian duty. We are not called to primarily serve the body - but the least. We are called to live the gospel in our community, letting our "light shine among men" so that they can see our "good works." Serving our neighbors and community, building relationships with those around us, administering the truth of the gospel at every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16), sacrificing our time and money for the good of those around us rather than protecting our comfort - these are ways we go and do. Give. In every way possible, give. Give time during the week. Give energy to help those around you. Give money and resources to the ministry of the local church, to missions, to regional ministries. Give resources for the advancement of the gospel. "Love your neighbor as your self" (Mark 12:31) - do you want to be hungry, thirsty, homeless, desperate, hopeless, broken, abandoned, rejected, outcasted, lost? Going and doing is loving others as you love your self - even considering them above yourself. Why is church boring? That's easy. What we call the church is boring because it isn't being the church. "My sheep hear my voice...and they will follow me" (John 10:27). 

Check out this promo video from Katie Davis, founder of Amazima Ministries, about her book. She is a missionary in Africa, serving the least and foster mom to 14 girls. She is only in her early 20s. But as you watch and listen to her story - consider the fact that what she does in Africa can be done in your community too - to serve the least. We can go and do at home or across the seas. Seek first his kingdom, love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as your self. Grace and peace to you as you live to HIS glory! 

Why did the Christian cross the road? (Church is Boring; Part 2)

Jesus gave his apostles this command: Go (Matt. 8:18-20). The apostles were responsible for establishing the church throughout the nations. The apostles, then, under the charge of Christ and through their example (being a first fruit of the church), issued the same command to us. Paul told us that the church was to be a sending agency of the gospel of Christ by sending proclaimers (Rom. 10:15). Concerning social ministry (service to our neighbor), Jesus told us to shine a light so that people could see our good deeds (Matt. 5:16). You see the mission and purpose of the Church is to: 1. Go and 2. Do. The question that needs answering is: 1. Where? and 2. What? Let's address the "where" in this post.

Now before anyone says, "Well, we can't all be missionaries," let me say this, "Yes, you can." The question you have to answer is the "where." Jesus and his appointed spokesmen didn't say, "some of you go and most of you stay, but the ones who stay just have fun and live peaceably..." The over arching theme of the Church's role and purpose in the New Testament was to establish the kingdom of God in the hearts of men. How can you establish a kingdom without conquest?

Do we have to travel to Africa and die of malaria to do this? For most of us, no. But what we have to understand is that when people say we are just supposed to "live at peace," most of them don't consider that the second part of that sentence in Hebrews 12:14 says that "without holiness no one will see the Lord." Is this a "works righteousness" spill? No, it's far from it. Jesus said that IF we love him, we would obey his commands (John 14:15). His command was to love one another. Now some may say, what does love have to do with holiness? Well, everything.

Christ is our hope of salvation. To place our faith in Jesus is to place a tangible hope in what he did (Heb. 11:1). Our hope in Jesus produces within us purity (1 John 3:3). We do not work to achieve any type of righteousness of our own because it would be only filthy rags (Is. 64:6). But we do, however, in a response to the grace we have been given (Rom. 1:14), labor with joy for Christ's name to be known and exalted.

James tells us that serving the outcasts keeps us from being stained by the world (James 1:27). [The last "and" in that verse wasn't there in the original language, see here for my blog "small word, BIG IMPACT."] Isn't this the example Jesus gave to us during his life on earth? He became poor (2 Cor. 8:9) and took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7) so that we might know him and place our hope in him. We have two anchors of responsibility as Christians: 1. To place our hope in Christ, and 2. To share this hope with others. Sharing hope doesn't have to take place overseas, but can happen next-door or across the street, or downtown. We answer this call as Christians, not because it is the law, but because it is the response of love to the grace we have received from God.

One reason church may be boring is we don't go anywhere...

To be continued... "Religious Hot Potato - Pass the Commitment" (Church is Boring; Part 3)

Church is Boring - Part 1

Church is Boring

If you haven't thought this before, you are lying. This thought, as difficult to admit as it is, has become a driving force for the church in America and it is killing our influence. Let's face it, most churches are boring. They are stuffy. They are even cocky about it. On the other hand, there are many churches that are booming because of their "non-boring" services. They watch movies, have big events, plan controversial sermons.. They have coffee shops, book stores, and gyms... They provide a mecca of "clean entertainment" and "safe fun". Statistically, the number of people coming into our churches is roughly equal to the number of those exiting churches. Why is this? It is because our traditions and institutions are boring and combating this with exciting new ways to attract people is un-biblical. I used to be of the persuasion, "whatever it takes to get them in the door so they can hear the gospel". But, I've since changed my tune. Taking a step back, observing, listening, watching has altered my understanding. And, I am so thankful that God brought down this road of understanding before I ended up repeating the cycle.

Now, don't misunderstand. I didn't say that those "exciting new ways to attract people" are sin. I said they were unbiblical. And, the reason I say this is because of the motive in which they are done. No one has searched high and low throughout scripture to come up with a biblical theology of societal church "offerings". We don't offer them because the Word has commanded it, we offer it because we want to boost our numbers. Even if my motive is so that "more people will come in and be exposed to the gospel" I am still admitting that it is done for numbers. The sin, the unbiblical aspect, of this attempt to combat the "boring" in our churches is because our motive is not scripturally based. Can a church offer these things and still be a biblically sound, effective church? Yes, absolutely. However, I think there are bigger fish to fry.

I heard someone say once, "if Jesus isn't the reason they came, He won't be the reason they stay." We have this idea (which has sadly become our mentality) that people can only be saved in a church building during a church service after some type of presentation. Where is that in scripture? Salvation is by grace through faith alone. It is not by grace through faith in service at church with a prayer card and a friend. Jesus, before ascending into the heavens, gave this mandate: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." How is bringing people to a building the same as "going to all the nations"? The scary (and possibly offensive) truth is that it isn't. How many people do you know were convicted of their sin, received grace and faith, and only then committed to a body of believers? Most of us were either brought up in church, or "saved" in church. I use the word "saved" loosely because we don't really have a litmus test any more for this in America. Paul encouraged the churches to dis-invite unrepentant people from participation in church. When have we ever kicked someone out in the recent years in America because their lives weren't exemplary of a true son of God? We don't do this anymore because we think numbers equate success, which completely opposes the idea in scripture that success is measured simply (and only) by our obedience. Yet, we have not been obedient to this last and great command: Go.

To be continued... "Why did the Christian cross the road?" (Church is Boring, Part 2)

And... "Religious Hot Potato - Pass the Commitment (Church is Boring, Part 3)

**Disclaimer: I don't watch the Simpsons, but found the photo fitting for this blog post.**

This Side of Sadness

     Funny how expectation can run a gamete of emotions through the heart's carousal. When Ashley and I made the leap to pursue missions in Bolivia, God immediately began to undo the stagnant structure of our hearts. "Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:28)  Our first response was to count the cost. We began to think, quite selfishly, about the dreams and wants and desires that we'd have to give up. 

     We knew the Lord had called us to this life, and we were prepared to give up all the things we considered the cost of abandonment. See, we were somewhat blinded by the grace God had with our hearts by loosening the ties between us and our stuff, between ourselves and our comforts. That transition, though looked to with fear, was an easy one. God simply changed our hearts. We didn't crave the same comforts, so giving them up was easy. It was the later testing that we weren't quite prepared for. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

     Quickly, it became evident that the 'good byes' would be our challenge. The challenge wasn't in parting ways (roads), but parting ways (culture). We never realized the painful, uncomfortable gap that would grow between us and those we love. It is not a matter of us becoming more holy, or of our friends and family becoming less of who they are. It is a matter of the heart God is shaping to do the things which he has called us to do. God will always prepare the heart for the journey. The discomfort happens when the journeys are different. "And I will ask the father, and he will give you another comforter, to be with you forever." (John 14:16) 

     We are so thankful to the comfort of the Holy Spirit, who affirms, confirms, and establishes our calling according to God's will. Our prayer is grace for the road. Not in solely favor for ourselves, but favor in grace with each other, with our families, with our friends. Our prayer is not that the road be easy, which is the anthem of our souls, but that the journey be everything the Lord has determined for our good and for his ultimate glory. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26) [This verse explained.]

     The most sorrowful aspect of this season is the willingness required to let go where there is no grace. To accept the distance growing among us and those we love, so that we can cling to the calling the Lord has placed on our lives. Let me reiterate, we are not walking away or pushing anyone out. Just the opposite, we are struggling with the letting go so that we can run with abandon into the heart of God on the mission field. We want as many of our friends and family on this journey, too. The gap is so big when the journeys are divided. But, it is made smaller where there is partnership. Where there is encouragement. Where there is affirmation. 

     Though there is sadness in the expectation, there is also exhilaration. There is overwhelming joy. There is excitement over all the small ways God has been gracious to us by allowing so many of our close friends and family members to already partner with us, to lessen the gap. We are blessed to have financial donors, labor contributors, affirmers, encouragers, exhorters, and intercessors, all doing all that they can to be a part of this God dream we are living. Thank you all for your sacrifice in many areas to see us succeed. To God be the glory and may his grace and peace reign supreme in our hearts. "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

The Hard Road

"Its supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. 
The hard... is what makes it great."

Why is obedience so hard sometimes? Scripture says, "broad is the way that lead to destruction, but narrow is the way that leads to eternal life and few will ever find it." Why is the right road often hard to see and difficult to traverse? In the words of Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own, "the hard is what makes it great." 

God planted a dream in my heart. 

A dream that, truthfully, had been there for many years dormant, a seed lying atop the soil of my heart. A seed I recognized, but one I had no intention of planting for fear of what that seed may grow in to. But, despite my contentment to allow the seed to simply lay there untouched above the brittle soil in the untouched portion of my heart's garden, a humble yet wise husbandman visited this garden, prepared the soil, and planted this seed. 

Little did I know this seed would require so much tending, so much water, so much sun. I wasn't prepared for the constant work required to nurture this seed. This plant was costly, and continues to cost. Payment must be made, not only in time, but also in energy and in sacrifice. This seed, once sprouted, began to affect the entire garden. Every flower brighter in color, stalks tall and crisp, leaves full and green. Yet this one plant, though itself tending to the rest of the garden, required more attention than all the other plants combined.

My hands began to hurt, my eyes stung with sweat, my back crying from bending low to tend to this precious plant. My time consumed, my neighboring gardeners began to complain that I was withdrawn and asked if I was still their loyal friend. Some even complained that my garden was choking the neighboring plants and causing a burden to their fields. Some accused me of trying to make their gardens look weak and frail. I became ill both in my emotions and in my body. How could I care for this plant? How could I love a plant that was so painful to tend?

Yet in my despairing, the humble and wise husbandman came again to visit my garden. He brought me water to refresh my body, a cot to rest my back, and provided me a reprieve from tending to this plant. He consoled my sadness for my neighbor's words and began to instruct me on how to prune this precious plant. With his instructions, I began to see how this plant would boost my neighbor's yields and his constant words of kindness began to produce grace in my heart towards my neighbors. I began to love them.

As I began to heal from my pain, I learned to work with this gentleman and also began inviting my neighbors to help. The more we worked together, the more this plant, itself, tended to the gardens of my neighbors. The work it self was much harder, but the yields were greater. We noticed that though our toil had increased, so had our joy. The more we worked, the plant began to produce fruit for us to eat, a fruit that refreshed and renewed our strength. The more we tended and the more we ate, the easier the task became and the more beautifully the gardens grew. 

People came from far and wide to see and taste the produce of our gardens. The more people who visited, the more difficult it was to tend the plant, yet from some of the visitors, the decision to stay meant sweet reprieve. We learned contentment in the seasons of difficulty and looked always to the joy of the seasons of ease. In all seasons, we were content to tend this plant because of the beauty that only came from its vine, reaching deeply into the hearts of our gardens. 

As we are in the season of preparation for our call to missions, we walk a difficult road. However, God has blessed us with wonderful brothers and sisters to help us tend this dream. We are getting closer, but need the helping hands of our neighbors. The helping is difficult, but the reward is joyful. As we look to the difficult road ahead, saying good bye to our family, our home, our friends, and our comforts, we look to Christ and his strength. He will renew and refresh when we need it, but His desire is for us to work together. There is great reward in cooperation, as our hearts seek first His kingdom. The bearing of fruit is directly related to our connectedness to the vine of Christ and His purpose for each of our lives. Will you join with us in the call to the nations? Can we work together to bear fruits, both home and afar? 

To find our more about our mission to Bolivia, check out our website!

www.truesurrender2818.com 

Downsize - Simplify to edify

In an effort to make Jesus a higher priority in our home, we are gradually taking steps to eradicate the inundation of distraction in our lives. We have had our eyes open to pedestal on which sits the many things that take our time, energy, and focus away from our Father, our faith, and our family. We decided that we need to simplify, to learn and practice the discipline of simplicity. To take the first step of many which will lead to a life of discipline. A fruitful life that edifies the kingdom in which we serve as believers.

Years ago, I read a book called Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I remember feeling that those disciplines were insurmountable mountains, and that I lacked the will or the strength to achieve those. I felt painfully inadequate to live a disciplined life. Not to mention, what consumed my thoughts at the time was the opinion that such a life would be incredibly boring and difficult. Now, after "growing up" some, I long for those disciplines in my life. The peace they bring, the joy wrought from the lack of excess and stress. The covering and protection of discipline. I hope to reread the book some and make the other disciplines a priority in the coming months. For now, I feel God's plan is to focus on simplicity. "Be still and know I am God."

So, now I face the task of preparing a plan of action. A plan that isn't too much too soon. Cold turkey is never a good strategy. Also, a plan that won't cause culture shock to my Dora and Curious George addicted children. A plan that honors God, and family. Just two simple steps.

Step 1, get rid of stuff. We have way too much stuff. Toys not played with, books not read, dishes, what-nots, tons of clothes, tools, materials/supplies, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Stuff that takes up space. Stuff that costs money. Stuff that requires upkeep, work, or cleaning. Stuff that is not used and does not serve any practical purpose other than to be owned. Stuff that we think we have to have because others have it or we may need it or whatever. This stuff, if we consider it objectively, is a limit to our efficiency, our productivity, and most importantly our relationships. If I don't have to clean it up or put it away, I can use that time for my family and my God. If I don't have to pay for it or pay on it, I can use that money to invest in my family and my God. Our stuff is a pretty good indicator of our treasure. Matthew, chapter 6:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Step 2, get rid of distraction. Mainly, in our case, tv. Our family is kind of addicted. My Lola asks for Dora, or Diego, or Curious George at least 10 times a day from 5-8. For Ashley and I, DVR was the best invention since buttered popcorn. We watch American Idol, X Factor, etc. Well, I canceled our satellite today. I'm excited that we'll save those dollars each month, and that our family will have more quality time together. But I won't lie. Dora makes a nice little babysitter when my kids are running around like screaming savage banshees. Second order of business, internet. This one won't totally be done away, but we will set parameters (a schedule). Something to keep facebook, twitter, etc from hijacking every free second of every day. Luke, chapter 10:

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

I don't want to miss the 'good part' because I and my family are so caught up with the 'preparations' (the things that we think MUST be done). The word promises us days of trouble, but a light yoke. Let's not choose to bring distractions and responsibility into our lives that only increases our trouble. Let's seek our savior above our wants and above our comforts. I'll leave you with one last passage. Matthew, chapter 6:

“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."