The world of the church is a funny thing. Its greatest asset can also be its greatest struggle, people. For the most part we like people to like us and support what we are doing. The problem comes when what we feel God calling us to do is not what makes people happy. Paul undoubtedly faced this many times in his ministry. Here in the letter to the church we find Paul answering the issue.
"We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed -- God is our witness. We are not looking for praise from men, not you or anyone else" vv 4-6. These are some strong words that in and of themselves will not make men happy with you. Paul was I am sure wanted people to like him and the ministry God had given him, yet he was not going about his ministry in a way where the opinion of people guided what he did.
We live lives where what others think about us deeply impacts us. If others like and support what we do, we are encouraged to keep going. When there is friction, it is easy to shrink away allowing the public opinion to derail us. Paul's words cut the heart of the issue. Who are we trying to please? If it is humanity, we will never get there. If it is God, there will be a struggle but that is the only opinion that really matters.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
1 Thessalonians 1 -- To An Old Friend
1 Thessalonians is thought to be one of the earliest written books of the New Testament. In it we find Paul writing to a church he planted during the missionary journeys. As he begins the letter it opens with the familiar greeting and thanksgiving. In this case Paul is celebrating the faith of those in the church, and is praising the ways they have remained faithful in spite of persecution.
This opening makes me wonder what it would be like if someone wrote back to me, or the church I serve in. How would that old friend talk about the faithfulness they have seen in me, or the church? When we are in the midst of the struggle we can have an inaccurate picture of what is really happening. It is possible we would over estimate where we are. Thinking we had progressed more than we had. The other possibility is we have come farther in the journey than we realize. The letter from an old friend would bring clarity to that, and remind us of our connection to Christ.
It is important to take a step back from time to time and evaluate where you are at. It could mean inviting people you trust to offer such an evaluation. There is great value in getting an accurate portrait of what our journey looks like at this point in time.
This opening makes me wonder what it would be like if someone wrote back to me, or the church I serve in. How would that old friend talk about the faithfulness they have seen in me, or the church? When we are in the midst of the struggle we can have an inaccurate picture of what is really happening. It is possible we would over estimate where we are. Thinking we had progressed more than we had. The other possibility is we have come farther in the journey than we realize. The letter from an old friend would bring clarity to that, and remind us of our connection to Christ.
It is important to take a step back from time to time and evaluate where you are at. It could mean inviting people you trust to offer such an evaluation. There is great value in getting an accurate portrait of what our journey looks like at this point in time.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Matthew 28 -- The Big Deal
In this the final chapter of Matthew, we find the moment in time that was the big deal. In fact it is the main deal, by which all other deals depend. The women get to the tomb and Jesus is not there. Just as he had taught, on the third day he rose from the dead. This is no inconsequential activity. The resurrection of Jesus, validated all the other acts and teachings of his life. Without the resurrection, death still has victory, and Jesus is not the Messiah.
If Jesus were still in the tomb, dead, not only would he have been a liar, our hope would have been further deferred. The Jews who do not acknowledge Jesus for who he is, Messiah, are still waiting in hope of the redeemer to come. The resurrection, made our hope a realization. We no longer need to look for the one who offers us restoration and wholeness. Now our hope is in the return of Jesus. But we are not lost while we wait, we can continue to experience the joy of salvation now, and look forward to the grand celebration in the future.
All throughout history there have been days and events which are noted as forever changing the course of humanity. While these days continue to be significant, they all are only a glimmer compared to the light of the resurrection. Celebrating the resurrection with his disciples must have been great for Jesus. Still he quickly moves from the celebration to the commissioning. We should celebrate the resurrection, but we should do more than celebrate, we are to go and be about the work showed to us by the life of Jesus. When we don't, we diminish the impact of the resurrection in our lives, it could become just another day. That day of resurrection is not just another day it is the big deal.
If Jesus were still in the tomb, dead, not only would he have been a liar, our hope would have been further deferred. The Jews who do not acknowledge Jesus for who he is, Messiah, are still waiting in hope of the redeemer to come. The resurrection, made our hope a realization. We no longer need to look for the one who offers us restoration and wholeness. Now our hope is in the return of Jesus. But we are not lost while we wait, we can continue to experience the joy of salvation now, and look forward to the grand celebration in the future.
All throughout history there have been days and events which are noted as forever changing the course of humanity. While these days continue to be significant, they all are only a glimmer compared to the light of the resurrection. Celebrating the resurrection with his disciples must have been great for Jesus. Still he quickly moves from the celebration to the commissioning. We should celebrate the resurrection, but we should do more than celebrate, we are to go and be about the work showed to us by the life of Jesus. When we don't, we diminish the impact of the resurrection in our lives, it could become just another day. That day of resurrection is not just another day it is the big deal.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Matthew 27 -- The Death
In this chapter we get the second most important part of Jesus earthly mission. The second you ask? Yes. Tomorrow we will look at the most important. Jesus death on the cross matters, and is essential to our relationship with God, however, if there is no resurrection, the cross becomes irrelevant. Looking at the cross, is still important as we seek to understand what God has done through Jesus, for us.
A Roman tool of execution, the cross was a gruesome and horrible way to day. The cross was placed in a very public setting so people could see the agony and pain associated with its death. This was done in order to show others what happens when you go against the Roman government. After the resurrection, the teachings of Jesus, and the work of Jesus on the cross worked in the opposite direction. The cross became a tool of life rather than death. The cross became an example of what it means to give up your life and allow God to work.
I am always amazed at how God takes our human inventions, whether for good or evil, and uses them for the plan of establishing relationship with all people. How God can use horrible events to bring about good for us astounds me. That is exactly what happens at the cross. That is why we call it Good Friday. God took what was intended for death, and brought life out of it. I wonder what things God is longing to bring life out of in our lives?
A Roman tool of execution, the cross was a gruesome and horrible way to day. The cross was placed in a very public setting so people could see the agony and pain associated with its death. This was done in order to show others what happens when you go against the Roman government. After the resurrection, the teachings of Jesus, and the work of Jesus on the cross worked in the opposite direction. The cross became a tool of life rather than death. The cross became an example of what it means to give up your life and allow God to work.
I am always amazed at how God takes our human inventions, whether for good or evil, and uses them for the plan of establishing relationship with all people. How God can use horrible events to bring about good for us astounds me. That is exactly what happens at the cross. That is why we call it Good Friday. God took what was intended for death, and brought life out of it. I wonder what things God is longing to bring life out of in our lives?
Matthew 26 -- Rebellion?
Here we reach the passion account of Matthew's Gospel. Many of the details are echoed in the other Biblical accounts. I am always interested in the exchange of Jesus with the mob/crowd that comes to take him away. After one of the followers slices the ear of the temple guard, Jesus asks a penetrating question, " Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs to capture me?" This question captures me because I have thought of Jesus as leading a rebellion.
The reality is Jesus came to quell a rebellion. Humanities rebellion against God is the reason Jesus came, so that we might establish a the relationship with God, that God had intended for us. Still it seems that many of the things Jesus did were directly in conflict with the leadership of the day, and therefore could be considered rebellion. Perhaps a better word would be revolution. Jesus did not hide from anyone, nor did he keep secret the plan. As Jesus himself says he was there in the temple courts regularly, why not get him then. Revolution is when the whole order of things is changed, all the value sets are turned upside down. Rebellion may have similar results, but the method is different. Rebellion is based in violence and often physical altercation. Revolution, might include those things, but is build on a different footing.
In the American Revolution there was a great deal of violence, but only after there was great effort made to completely change the relationship between the colonies and England through diplomacy. So to speak, the plan was known, the teaching was offered, and an invitation to change was made. Rebellion would have engaged the battle first and then looked at the conversation.
Jesus was not interested in a violent battle, but he was interested in revolutionizing the relationship between God and humanity. This resulted in violence, that was of human origin, or should I say that was following our rebellion. Jesus came to offer us life, and wholeness, not rebellion. He offered new life. Do we continue to rebel?
The reality is Jesus came to quell a rebellion. Humanities rebellion against God is the reason Jesus came, so that we might establish a the relationship with God, that God had intended for us. Still it seems that many of the things Jesus did were directly in conflict with the leadership of the day, and therefore could be considered rebellion. Perhaps a better word would be revolution. Jesus did not hide from anyone, nor did he keep secret the plan. As Jesus himself says he was there in the temple courts regularly, why not get him then. Revolution is when the whole order of things is changed, all the value sets are turned upside down. Rebellion may have similar results, but the method is different. Rebellion is based in violence and often physical altercation. Revolution, might include those things, but is build on a different footing.
In the American Revolution there was a great deal of violence, but only after there was great effort made to completely change the relationship between the colonies and England through diplomacy. So to speak, the plan was known, the teaching was offered, and an invitation to change was made. Rebellion would have engaged the battle first and then looked at the conversation.
Jesus was not interested in a violent battle, but he was interested in revolutionizing the relationship between God and humanity. This resulted in violence, that was of human origin, or should I say that was following our rebellion. Jesus came to offer us life, and wholeness, not rebellion. He offered new life. Do we continue to rebel?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Matthew 25 -- More Than Knowing
As I write this it is Sunday morning. In fact it is world communion Sunday, when we more intentionally recognize the connection of all followers of Christ through the wonderful mystery of Holy Communion. As people gather in churches this day all around the world the same challenging balance will be played out. No one can know the true condition of another persons heart, or the relationship they have with Jesus. What we can know is the result of that relationship. People will gather and celebrate in Jesus name this morning, the question is, does it go beyond just knowing.
Our relationship with Jesus is more than just knowing the name, and knowing about Jesus. We are called, and showed, to live the life Christ lived. This means being about the work Christ was about. It means living the pace and style of life Christ lives. Valuing what Christ values, and being Christ to a broken world. This will require much more than knowing, this will require us to wrap ourselves around Jesus. It is about using what we know of Jesus, and allowing the change in our lives because of Jesus, to transform the ways we live moment by moment.
Stepping beyond ourselves is what Jesus keeps calling us to. First we must be ready to step beyond when the moment comes, the lamp oil issue in Matthew 25. Then we must be willing to risk what the Lord has invested in us, the parable of the talents. Finally, we must be about the work of the Lord in the world, the sheep and the goats. So do you simply know Jesus, or has Jesus transformed your very being and life?
Our relationship with Jesus is more than just knowing the name, and knowing about Jesus. We are called, and showed, to live the life Christ lived. This means being about the work Christ was about. It means living the pace and style of life Christ lives. Valuing what Christ values, and being Christ to a broken world. This will require much more than knowing, this will require us to wrap ourselves around Jesus. It is about using what we know of Jesus, and allowing the change in our lives because of Jesus, to transform the ways we live moment by moment.
Stepping beyond ourselves is what Jesus keeps calling us to. First we must be ready to step beyond when the moment comes, the lamp oil issue in Matthew 25. Then we must be willing to risk what the Lord has invested in us, the parable of the talents. Finally, we must be about the work of the Lord in the world, the sheep and the goats. So do you simply know Jesus, or has Jesus transformed your very being and life?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Matthew 24 -- 50 Million Dollar Question
In this chapter of Matthew we find Jesus describing what the end times will be like. Many people have uses this chapter and many others from the Bible to create a checklist of events which will usher in the end of times and return of Christ. It is easy to see how this would be done, as there are many details offered. These are details which have been playing out since Christ spoke them. Yet we seem to still be waiting. Every era of people have determined the end to be near, and it may well be. The second half of the passage, however, is very important to lift up.
Jesus is clear that while all these signs might happen, the exact time and day are not known. Only God knows the timing of all these things. As we read through the chapter we find the point is not the details of the return, rather that we should be living lives that are always ready for that day. Like the book of Revelation there are details here one can understand and others that cannot be, but the main message is the same. Christ is coming again, and we are to be ready. There is a great deal of energy spent on trying to figure out when all this will happen. There is still more energy spent of figuring out how it will all happen. Still others spend energy on figuring out who will get in and who will be left out. The reality is all that energy should be spent on living the Kingdom life to which God has called us. We do not know when it will happen, we do not know how it will happen, and it is not our role to determine who will end up where. Our vocation, if you will, is to live our lives so deeply connected to God through Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that we are ready for that day whenever it comes.
Jesus is clear that while all these signs might happen, the exact time and day are not known. Only God knows the timing of all these things. As we read through the chapter we find the point is not the details of the return, rather that we should be living lives that are always ready for that day. Like the book of Revelation there are details here one can understand and others that cannot be, but the main message is the same. Christ is coming again, and we are to be ready. There is a great deal of energy spent on trying to figure out when all this will happen. There is still more energy spent of figuring out how it will all happen. Still others spend energy on figuring out who will get in and who will be left out. The reality is all that energy should be spent on living the Kingdom life to which God has called us. We do not know when it will happen, we do not know how it will happen, and it is not our role to determine who will end up where. Our vocation, if you will, is to live our lives so deeply connected to God through Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that we are ready for that day whenever it comes.
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