We know that they are his disciples…
John 13:34-35 is probably one of the passages that is the easiest to understand, yet the hardest to obey:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35 ESV)
As we were travelling over our Christmas break, I asked my family the following question: “What did people do this year that showed you that they loved you?” Margaret, Jeremy, Miranda, and I had several different responses, so I thought I would list some of them here – in no particular order.
- Someone (or some people) bought a propane tank for us, had it installed, and had it filled with propane.
- A friend of ours spent extra time with our daughter, taking Miranda to a movie and having a spend the night party with her.
- Many, many friends brought us dinner without us requesting it when we were sick.
- One friend spent alot of money and time rebuilding the engine in our van. He and another friend also changed the oil for us a few times.
There are many other ways that people demonstrated their love for us over the previous year, which means they also demonstrated that they are disciples of Jesus Christ.
Did anyone demonstrate their love for you this year? If so, then they are demonstrating that they are disciples of Christ. Do you think that during the previous year you demonstrated to other people that you are a disciple of Christ?
Jesus is the reason…
So, it’s Christmas Day.
If you believe that this is the most holy day of the year, then I have a request of you. Please remember that Jesus is the reason for you to live every day – he’s not simply a slogan to tack on to your life on Christmas Day. Celebrate this day as unto the Lord. Also, remember your brothers and sisters who choose to view all days as equally holy. They also celebrate all days as unto the Lord.
If you believe that Christmas Day should not be celebrated as the most holy day of the year, then I have a request of you. Please remember that Jesus is the reason for you to live every day – including today. You do not have an excuse to be unkind or ungenerous simply because you do not choose to celebrate Christmas Day. Celebrate this day, as all days, unto the Lord. Also, remember your brothers and sisters who choose to view this day as special. They also celebrate this day as unto the Lord.
Even the hearts and minds of unbelievers are turned toward God and spiritual things during this time. Look for opportunities to speak of God’s grace and truth to those who need to hear.
Live today for the glory of God. Love him and love those around you. Serve the people that God brings across your path. Serve them before they can serve you. Accept those who are different. Be patient with those who are less mature. Follow those who are more mature. Walk in Spirit. When you come together with your brothers and sisters in Christ, seek to build them up, to stir up love and good works within them, and to mature them in Christ Jesus.
Have a Merry Christmas!
When Culture Trumps Scripture
I originally published this blog post about a year ago (see “When Culture Trumps Scripture“). Since there are many new readers to my blog now, I thought I would re-publish it here.
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I know what you’re thinking, but this post is not about postmodernity. I’ve read several books about the postmodern culture, the emerging culture, the post-postmodern culture, etc. One of the things that I recognize is that there are good features of almost every culture, and there are bad features of almost every culture. I say “almost every” because I have not examined every culture. There are good and bad aspects of postmodern culture. There are also good and bad aspects of modern culture.
But, what about “North American Evangelical Church” Culture? Are there both good and bad aspects of this culture?
I would like to offer one example of a negative aspect of “North American Evangelical Church” Culture: using biblical words with non-biblical meanings. The following words are generally used in ways that differ from the biblical meaning: church, worship, service, ministry, minister, deacon, disciple, discipleship, praise, and preach.
So what? Why should we care? We should care because when believers read the words “church” or “service” or “preach” in Scripture, they naturally assume that the common cultural meaning is the biblical meaning. What happens at that point? Scripture is reduced to cultural standards, and those believers who do not take time to understand the biblical meaning, are trapped in a cultural understanding that is nonbiblical (at best) and sometimes anti-biblical.
Certainly there may be other ways that “North American Evangelical Church” Culture trumps Scripture. But this is one that can be corrected, if we begin to use words biblically. Am I way off base here?
Advent 4 – Waiting Fulfilled
Advent is traditionally the beginning of the church calendar. I’m not interested in church calendars, but I am interested in the themes of Advent, which include expectation, hope, anticipation, etc. In this series, I plan to examine these themes in the time before Jesus’ physical incarnation, while Jesus lived on earth, in modern times, and in eternity. This will probably be quite different from other meditations on Advent. That’s okay. I only hope that God uses my thoughts to encourage you as he has encouraged me.
For this post, I am thinking through the concept of expectation, waiting, and hope following Jesus’ return to earth, which I believe is still in the future.
Adam waited for the one who would crush the serpent’s head. Abraham waited for the one who would bless the whole world. David waited for the one who would rule forever. The prophets waited for the one who would bring justice to the world. The apostles waited for the completion of the kingdom. We wait for the return of the Christ.
Waiting has always been part of life for God’s people, and waiting continues to be part of life for the followers of Jesus. However, there will come a time when our waiting will be complete, when our hope will be realized, when our expectations will be surpassed.
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (Malachi 4:2 ESV)
We don’t know much about what our lives will be like at that time. Since Adam and Eve enjoyed the Garden while they walked in the presence of God, it is likely that we also will enjoy the new earth while living in the presence of God. Perhaps, as a friend has pointed out recently, we will explore the new Amazon, or climb the new Everest, or surf the waves of the new Pacific. We will finally know how to worship God as he is and how to worship God through his creation.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (Revelation 21:1 ESV)
But, beyond the new creation, we will be new creatures. We will know how to properly relate to one another as we all properly relate to God. We will not hurt; we will not suffer; we will not hunger; we will not thirst; we will not want. We will not hope, because there will be nothing left for which to hope. Everything will be fulfilled and satisfied.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (Revelation 21:2-7 ESV)
More than anything else, we will know God and continue to know more about God throughout eternity. Our questions will be answered. Our doubts will be eased. Our faith will become sight. We will learn what it means to be satisfied with God.
There will be no more faith. There will be no more hope. But, there will always be love.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:12-13 ESV)
Christmas ’93 and eternity
Today, my son Jeremy turns 14 years old. I am very proud of my son. God has taught me much about himself and about people through fatherhood. I originally published this blog post last year (see “Christmas ’93 and eternity“). I hope you enjoy it.
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A few days ago, we celebrated my son’s 13th birthday by taking him to see the movie Eragon. He and his friends enjoyed it, though the story was a bit predictable for me.
Anyway, celebrating his birthday and preparing for Christmas reminded me of the Christmas of 1993. Our son was born on the 22nd of December that year. We brought him home on Christmas eve, stuffed in a red stocking. The next morning, we gave him his first Christmas gifts: clothes, a stuffed animal, and a full-size football (autographed by Bo Jackson, which is only important to half the population of the state of Alabama).
My wife was surprised that I would get my newborn son a football. But, he quickly outgrew both the clothes and the stuffed animal, but he can still play with the football! So, the football turned out to be a better gift than she thought at first. True, a three day old baby can do nothing with a football but drool on it. But, eventually, he grew to love football.
As I was thinking about his first Christmas and his first Christmas gifts, I wondered how often I focus on things that will truly last. I don’t even mean things that will last a few years or even a lifetime. But, how often do I focus on things that will last eternally? As I understand it, the only things on earth that are eternal are people. Do I give gifts that will make an eternal difference? Do I give things that will eventually fade? Or, do I give of myself to people who will last for eternity?
One day, I will join with multitudes around the throne of God. I hope that even this year I am giving eternal gifts.
p.s. Last year, we give our (then) 12 year old son a special gift. We asked several men who had impacted his life to write him a letter. We asked them to tell him something that they wished someone had told them when they turned 12. We then took all of the letters and bound them in an album. It turned out to be a very special gift!
Old Testament Structures and the Church
Often, when I’m talking to people about church structures and organizations, they usually point me to Old Testament structure to defend hierarchies, authorities, buildings, positions, etc. After a discussion with Lew from “The Pursuit” and his Question of the Week #17, I’ve been thinking about the trend of associating Old Testament priests, temples, tithes, etc. to New Testament practices.
The conversations tend to go something like this (in a condensed form, of course):
Person #1: “The pastor has authority over the local church.”
Me: “I can’t find anything in Scripture that gives the pastors authority over anyone.”
Person #1: “Well, you have to go back to the priest system of the Old Testament.”
Person #2: “You should give tithes to the local church.”
Me: “I can’t find any teaching in Scripture that tells us to give money to a local church.”
Person #2: “Well, you have to go back to the tithe system of the Old Testament.”
Person #3: “You need someone trained in music to lead your worship.”
Me: “I’m sorry but I don’t see that in Scripture. Nor do I see music called worship.”
Person #3: “Well, you have to go back to the Levites of the Old Testament.”
Person #4: “Why are you not saving money to build a church (meaning, ‘church building’).”
Me: “I don’t see a requirement for having a church building in the new testament.”
Person #4: “Well, you have to go back to the temple in the Old Testament.”
Here’s my concern: I don’t see the New Testament authors making these connections. Instead, I see the New Testament writers calling all believers “priests” (Rom 15:16; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 1:6; Heb 10:19-22 – notice the resemblance to the sanctification of priests). But, pastors/elders/overseers are never specifically referred to as “priests”.
Once again, all believers are taught to share generously with those who are in need, with those who are travelling away from home in order to proclaim the gospel, and with those who teach and lead them well (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35; James 2:15-16; Gal 6:6; 1 Thess 5:12-13; 1 Tim 5:17; 3 John 3-6). But, I do not see the New Testament authors comparing this to the tithe of the Old Testament, nor requiring a tithe to be given to the “local church”.
Similarly, all believers are encouraged to exhort one another with songs, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; 1 Cor 14:26). However, I don’t see where training, practice, or even talent is a prerequisite for this singing (although, it does seem that being filled with the Spirit is a prerequisite). Also, I can’t find any connection between singing in the New Testament and the Levites of the Old Testament.
Finally, I also see that all followers of Jesus Christ are compared to the “temple” (1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:21). But, as far as I can tell, “temple” is never associated with a designated meeting place for Christians.
So, where did this contemporary practices come from? When did we start going back to the Old Testament to find systems of organization and leadership and finances? When did the Book of Nehemiah start teaching how to have a successful church building campaign? The exact details of how and when and why these interpretations of the Old Testament filtered into the church continue to be debated among church historians today. I think they all started when the church ceased to be the people of God and started to become an institution. In order to justify the institution, the leaders had to go back to the Old Testament system – the very system that the author of Hebrews calls a “shadow” of the reality that we have in Jesus Christ.
What’s with the begats?
Last Sunday, December 16, we started studying through the Gospel of Matthew. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been reading Matthew in preparation for this (see the post “The least of these…“). Last Sunday, I had the privilege of teaching through the first section: Matthew 1:1-17. Yes, I do mean “privilege”. God has challenged and blessed me so much as I have been studying the “genealogy” passage. So, what did I learn from all the “begats”? Well, I came up with six things that I observed when studying this passage:
1. The Genealogy connects Matthew’s Gospel to the Old Testament.
This is especially seen in Genesis 2:4 and 5:1 where the wording is very similar. There are other genealogies in Genesis that parallel Mathew’s genealogy. There is also a connection with Ruth 4:18-22. The last book of the Hebrew Bible – Chronicles – also begins with genealogies. So, Matthew does not view the gospel as being distinct from God’s work as communicated in the Old Testament, but a continuation of God’s work.
2. The Genealogy demonstrates that Jesus is the Son of David and the Son of Abraham.
This is probably the most important observation, and it is the point that Matthew highlights. He begins his account of the gospel with this: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1 ESV) Thus, even in the genealogy, Matthew begins to set the stage for Jesus Christ being the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants.
3. The Genealogy is composed of real, historical people.
Matthew does not make up stories about fictional people to create Jesus’ genealogy. Instead, he traces back through real people who actually existed. Even today when have historical and archaeological evidence that many of these people actually lived. This is quite different from the Greek stories about their gods and heroes. The next two observations flow from this one.
4. The Genealogy does not follow the “proper” path.
Kings and bishops are very concerned about the proper path of succession. Matthew was not concerned with that. He did not follow the inheritance through the first-born son to demonstrate that Jesus deserved to be king through proper succession. Instead, Matthew used a real genealogy – just as if we traced our own family tree.
5. The Genealogy includes women.
Not only does Matthew’s genealogy not follow the “proper” path of succession, he includes women. This might be acceptable if the women were queens. But, these women were prostitutes, aliens, adulteresses, sinners. They had nothing to offer Jesus in the way of succession to the throne of David, but they were real women who were actually part of Jesus’ genealogy. And, God used them to bring the Messiah into the world.
6. The Genealogy demonstrates that God was always carrying out his plan.
There are rough parts in anyone’s genealogy – even Jesus’. However, when Abraham lied, he did not thwart God’s plan. When Judah committed adultery with Tamar, he did not thwart God’s plan. When Boaz married a Moabitess, he did not thwart God’s plan. When David had an affair with Bathsheba and killed her husband, he did not thwart God’s plan. God was working through each of these people to bring his Messiah into the world.
One of the most important things that I learned from this study is that God has been working, he is working, and he will continue to work through the people of this world – good, bad, beautiful, ugly, obedient, disobedient, righteous, sinners – even me.
Caroling and opening doors
Margaret and I love to sing Christmas carols. We especially love to get together with friends, walk around from house to house, and sing Christmas carols to them. We have been doing this since we were very young, and have continued it almost every year since we’ve been married. As we sing, we like to leave a small, inexpensive gift that includes our name and address so that people will know who we are. This year, Margaret baked candies and cookies, and we included a Christmas card with our names and address.
During the last two weeks, we have been caroling three times: twice in our neighborhood, and once in the Maël and Cindy’s neighborhood. We have another opportunity coming up in a couple of days to sing Christmas carols in Mark and Meagan’s neighborhood. Last year, we were not able to carol in our neighborhood because Margaret had ankle surgery just before Thanksgiving. So, this year we sang Christmas carols in our neighborhood for the first time.
Why do we like to go caroling? Well, besides having fun with our friends and singing songs about Jesus, we also think it is a good way to get to know our neighbors, or at least to introduce ourselves to our neighbors. For example, two neighbors, who have never been to our house before, have come to our door in the last week. Both neighbors mentioned the Christmas caroling. So, because we sang Christmas carols to our neighbors, we have had to the chance to get to know two of our neighbors better.
If you are looking for a simple and inoffensive way to introduce yourselves to your neighbors, try caroling!
Guaranteed church building program
I have been part of many church building programs. I’ve heard the book of Nehemiah preached as an example of a successful church building program. However, there is a church building program that I have rarely heard mentioned, and yet, this church building program is guaranteed! That’s right, this program is guaranteed to build the church without going into debt one penny.
I like to call this program “God’s Guaranteed Church Building Program”:
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV)
Did you catch that last phrase? By following this simple procedure, the church is guaranteed to “build itself up”! Isn’t that awesome! Isn’t that amazing! But, what is this procedure?
1. Put Christ in his proper position as the head of the church.
2. Allow, encourage, and expect all believers to serve one another.
3. Do not allow a single person or a small group of people (including leaders) to do everything.
4. Help each person to work properly among their brothers and sisters.
That’s it – four easy steps to guaranteed church growth.
Yes, I know what you may be thinking: This is not the kind of church building program that I had in mind. I understand your problem. However, it does seem that this is the kind of church building program that God has in mind. Perhaps its time to change your mind.
Perhaps there are others among you – leaders especially – who may be thinking something like this: But, those other members of the church could never do what I do; they just don’t have the experience, the talent, the training, or the education. My suggestion: You’re doing the wrong things. According to this guaranteed church building program, the church will grow only when ALL parts of the church are doing their part, not when you are doing everything the best you can.
Then, there is another question that rises about this church building program: But, if I let other people do the work, they may not do it correctly. Again, you are absolutely correct. People are going to fail. That’s why God has provided mature brothers and sisters like yourself to help them learn from their mistakes and to grow toward maturity in Christ. Perhaps you can do everything better than others – that’s good. But, according to God, that’s not best. God’s solution is for everyone to work together.
There you have it: God’s guaranteed church building program. And, the best thing about this program is that you do not have to buy a book or attend a conference. You simply trust God to work through the people that he has brought together. You allow him to use you and others to teach, lead by example, and encourage others to work together. And God says that when we do this, the church will build itself up in love. Guaranteed.
Advent 3 – Waiting After Jesus
Advent is traditionally the beginning of the church calendar. I’m not interested in church calendars, but I am interested in the themes of Advent, which include expectation, hope, anticipation, etc. In this series, I plan to examine these themes in the time before Jesus’ physical incarnation, while Jesus lived on earth, in modern times, and in eternity. This will probably be quite different from other meditations on Advent. That’s okay. I only hope that God uses my thoughts to encourage you as he has encouraged me.
For this post, I am thinking through the concept of expectation, waiting, and hope in the years between Jesus’ ascension and his return, which I believe is still in our future.
When Jesus died on the cross, his followers found themselves in a time of despire – perhaps even hopelessness. They knew that Jesus said that he was going to die, but they did not understand the significance of his death. When Jesus began to appear before them newly risen, their hope returned! But, again, they did not understand the significance of Jesus’ resurrection. They were ready for their hope to be satisfied.
To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:3-6 ESV)
Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? Will you finally push the Romans out of the land? Will you finally take your place on the throne of David? Have we finally reached the end of pain and suffering and oppressions and hunger and death and sin?
And how did Jesus answer their question? He said, “Wait”. He told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes upon them. They did not know exactly what they meant, but they waited, and they prayed, and they listened, and they hoped. When the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, they immediately began to praise God for his provision of the promise of the Holy Spirit and to proclaim the good news to all who would hear.
And what wonderful news they had to offer! Although we have been separate from God by our sin, God has come to use through his son Jesus Christ to indwell us with His Spirit! God is no longer simply near us; God is now in us! And you too can have the promised Holy Spirit!
What wonderful news! And, yet, the suffering continued as did the oppression and sin and the death and pain and the hunger. Some of the apostles were killed. Others were threatened. God’s people were forced into exile once again – being scattered from their homes into the regions surrounding Judea. They took the good news with them and the faith spread throughout that area. Even the Gentiles were ushered into God’s family! But, there was still reason to hope, but the promise had not been completely satisfied.
For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:21-24 ESV)
The power and the miracles and the freedom and the changed lives were awesome! The Spirit was working mightily and families and cities were being changed by God. They had peace with God – God did not hold their sins against them, but they had been reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. What a life they lived! And yet, they longed for more. They hoped… they expected… they waited… they anticipated…
For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened–not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5 ESV)
So, even as they worked in the power of the Spirit, they waited for the time when faith would become sight. While they relished the relationship they had with God through his Son, they anticipated the day when they would see him face to face. Even as God spoke through them to the peope who would listen, they patiently longed for the day when they would hear his voice clearly themselves.
At times, they waiting became very difficult. Life continued to include suffering and oppression. Poverty was everywhere. Famine struck vast regions. Wars raged. The widows, the orphans, and the strangers struggled with little, if any, relief. Sometimes, they did not even know how to express to God what was going on inside them.
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:23-26 ESV)
We find ourselves living in these days – what Scripture calls “the last days”. We find ourselves filled with the Spirit, and yet hoping for the fulfillment of God’s promises. We are living between the incarnations. Jesus has come, and he has given his life as a ransom, and he has reconciled us to God, and he has instituted his kingdom. But, the final day of the Lord has not come yet. And so we wait… and we hope… and we anticipate… and we expect him to return at any moment.
We have been reconciled to God, and we have been given the service of reconciling others to God. Just like those first followers of Jesus, we work and we wait. We are satisfied and yet we long for more.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV)