Preacher
I usually preach two or three times every six weeks to two months. Friday, when I read these words on Dave Black’s blog (Friday, May 2, 5:02 pm), I couldn’t say “Amen” enough! These words express exactly what I feel about preaching:
This Sunday I’ve been asked to “preach” at a couple of churches in North Carolina. I have almost come to loath that word. Just as people can watch spellbound a circus performer tumbling through the air in a tight rubber costume, so they can listen to a “preacher” who uses the Bible to draw attention to himself. Especially if his sermon is “well-crafted.” I have known a good many preachers who in many ways seemed quite frivolous in their exaggerated and confused enthusiasms. The problem is that a sensational preacher stimulates only the senses and leaves the spirit untouched. I usually pray before I speak, “God, you speak and help me get out of the way.” I really mean it. I don’t feel I have anything unique to say. Usually I just verbalize what people already know in their heart to be true. I think it’s all very unsensational, actually. Yes, I’m very glad to “preach” in churches week after week. But I really just talk about what the text is saying — a text that transcends time and place and unifies us with the one God who is Father of all believers in all places and all times.
Like Dave says, most people know what Scripture says, and yet preachers usually spend an inordinate amount of time trying to explain it – sometimes in flowery speech and dramatic fashion. The problem is usually not understanding or even applying… the problem is usually obeying God. And, that’s not something that I – or any other preacher – can affect. I can speak, but I have to trust the Spirit to teach, apply, convict, strengthen, and guide in obedience. That takes alot of faith.
It would be much easier to play with people’s emotions and guilt them into doing something they don’t really want to do. It would be easier… but not spiritually edifying. It would be easier… but it would show more faith in my own abilities than in God. It would be easier… but its not my responsibility. It would be easier… but it would also be disobedience on my part. My responsibility is teaching… the results are completely up to God.
So…. to all the teachers and preachers out there… do you trust him to teach and convict and guide his own children toward obedience and maturity?
I’ll take "Discipleship" for 1000, Alex
I ran across two excellent articles on discipleship yesterday.
First, Alan from “DownshoreDrift” discusses many of the same concerns that I have about discipleship in a post called “Is it really that hard to know how to follow Jesus? Or why we DON’T really need religious professionals to explain God to us“. He begins with this:
I really think that we spend WAAAAY too much time overcomplicating the spiritual life for people. All around us are people who are really struggling with their personal life, their marriages, their jobs, their children, their future, their investment portfolios, how to spend their free time, what so and so said about them at the ball field the other day, how to decide where to spend vacation this year, exactly what color to paint the kitchen, etc., etc. Life can be really hard! So, as ministers, we develop all kinds of “strategies” to help make life more bearable for the average American Christian.
After discussing the way that he previously tried to teach and organize people into mature Christians, he says:
For some reason, the American Church has become enamored with the corporate world. We have come to believe that discipleship is a “process” that can be manufactured, not unlike an assembly line. If we put a young believer into our series of steps and processes, then a mature disciple of Christ will be produced on the tail end. Fidelity to our training system is equated to fidelity to Christ. I think that we all know that it does not work that way, even though that approach is very appealling and impressive to our modern minds. Discipleship is different for everyone. It has many ups and downs. But, more important than strategies, procedures, steps, manuals, and discipleship wheels, are the simple concepts of faith and obedience. Our problem is that we have been taught a boat load of information on the Christian life, but we only obey a little bit of it. Because we are taught far more than we obey, we begin to believe that obedience is optional. Worse yet, we begin to believe that obedience can be ascertained by giving even more information that might somehow unlock the desire to obey. We have become quite gnostic that way.
He concludes with this:
The spiritual life is not very complicated, but it is very hard because we have to die to ourselves. Unfortunately, it seems that we’d rather write manuals and develop new strategies to organize the works of the flesh, instead of truly placing our faith in Jesus.
These are excellent comments concerning discipleship from someone who has tried “Christian Education” and organized programs.
Similarly, Dave at “disciplemexico.org” has written an article called “Putting ourselves at a disadvantage?” After discussing the struggles of being a “professional” missionary and all of the expectations that come along with that label, Dave concludes with these four steps for those who find themselves “caught up in the busyness of the ministry” but would like to prioritize discipleship:
- Don’t stop preaching discipleship. Our continued involvement and reflection on the theme will continue to motivate us to “practice what we preach.†It will also enable us to explain our inability to fulfill expectations that others may try to place upon us that do not enable disciple-making ministry to take place.
- Expand our circle of influence intentionally to include non-Christians. This requires an honest look at our lives in order intentionally create relationships with those who do not know Christ. Are we truly like our Master who was known as a friend of sinners?
- Look for opportunities everywhere. Discipleship opportunities can take place over a play-date with the kids or a late night greeting across the street. But we need to look out for them, recognize them for what they are, and utilize them to bring seekers closer to a relationship with their God.
- Be in constant prayer. When I prepare for a meeting or a teaching, I can control the elements. I pick the theme, the illustrations, and the length of time that I am going to speak. As a discipler, I don’t have these luxuries. I have to rely on the Holy Spirit for direction and clear insight into the matter at hand. Hearing his voice is only enabled as I practice acknowledging his presence in every moment.
These are two excellent posts about discipleship. Discipleship and education are not the same thing. Similarly, being involved in activities – even “Church activities” – is not the same as being discipled or maturing spiritually.
We need to re-think discipleship.
Man-made or (super)Natural Community
Last week, while we were on vacation in the mountains of North Carolina, we had several opportunities to spend some time at a few waterfalls in the area. We enjoyed stopping by the side of the road and walking the trails to the falls. Usually we only had to walk a few yards into the woods to find the waterfall.
We saw small waterfalls that were only a few feet high, and we saw Whitewater Falls which claims to be the highest waterfall in the eastern United States. We saw cascade falls, tiered falls, and plunge falls. We even saw one fall that was called a “sliding rock” with swimming holes at the top and bottom, although Jeremy and Miranda said the water was too cold for swimming.
All of the waterfalls were different and all of them were very beautiful in their own way. We enjoyed the natural beauty of the water, the sound of the water cascading over rocks or falling into a pool below, and the deep green of the woods around the waterfalls.
However, there was one waterfall did we did not enjoy. In fact, once we stopped to look at the waterfall, we only stayed for a few seconds. Why? The waterfall was not natural. It was a man-made fall. Yes, there was water cascading down over rocks, but above there was an earthen dam that controlled the flow of water. We could immediately tell that there was something different about this fall. Even though it had all the proper ingredients – water, rocks, sound, woods – it was not the same. This waterfall was contrived… controlled… man-made. It was not a real waterfall.
As I have been thinking about these waterfalls, especially in relation to the man-made waterfall, I wonder if our churches are similar. Could it be that many of us are not experiencing real Spirit-created community, but instead are we experiencing something that is contrived, controlled, and man-made?
I’m thinking specifically about alot of “small groups” of people who are placed together because of age, interests, etc. Placing people together does not create community, although it could certainly allow God opportunities to create community. The question is, are we trying to create something, or are we allowing God to create the community. If we are allowing God to create the community, are we giving him complete control, or are we setting limits for him. The more we become involved in trying to create community, the more contrived, controlled, and man-made it will become. It will not be a community that finds their identity in Christ and shares fellowship in the Spirit. Instead, it will be a group of people who find their identity in a certain person, location, time, etc.
I’m sure that the people who created the waterfall wanted to make something that was just as beautiful as the natural waterfalls around the area. In the same way, the people who try to create community themselves are trying to create something wonderful, something necessary. Probably, in many cases, they are trying to create a community because they have experienced and lived in a Spirit-created community. But, man cannot create something that only God can create. We can create something close – something that looks right – something that feels right at times – but it remains contrived, controlled, and man-made.
Contentment
I’ve been studying Matthew 6, because we’re going through Matthew on Sunday mornings, and because I’m teaching from Matthew 6:19-24 in a few weeks. That passage starts with these three verses:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)
The more I study Scripture, the more I realize how much of my understanding of God, the world, myself, other people, and even eternity is based on unscriptural and sometimes anti-scriptural ideas. For instance, consider the idea of laying up treasures in heaven. All of the good gospel songs talk about mansions in heaven (an unfortunate translation of John 14:2) with all the wonderful stuff that we’re going to get when we get there.
Is that what Jesus is teaching? Is he teaching us to give up stuff now so that we can get more stuff later? That seems contradictory to everything that Jesus has been saying in the Sermon on the Mount. Does Jesus really want us to turn away from material things here so that we can be even more materialistic later?
In the first part of chapter 6, Jesus taught that we should not do good deeds in order to be rewarded by people, but to be rewarded by the Father. Similarly, he taught that we should not pray and fast for the purpose of being rewarded by men, but for God. But, was Jesus teaching his listeners – and us – that God would reward us with more stuff – material things?
Could it be that instead of teaching us about eschewing earthly stuff in order to get better, heavenly stuff, Jesus was actually teaching us about contentment? Could it be that the Father himself is our reward when we do good deeds, pray, and fast with the proper motives and for God as our audience? Could it be that “treasures in heaven” is an idiom for God himself?
The author of Hebrews says something similar:
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)
According to this verse, our contentment comes from the presence of God himself – not from any earthly or heavenly stuff. The phrase translated “love of money” is also translated “greed”. Greed can be associated with money, but it can also be associated with non-monetary things.
For example, we can become discontent with our health or fitness. We can become discontent with our family. We can become discontent with our job. We can become discontent with our relationships. Any of these things can become a source of discontentment.
But, the answer to our discontentment is not found in more stuff – even in better health or better relationships. The answer to our discontentment is only found in the presence of God. Similarly, the answer to our discontentment is not waiting for heaven and the “sweet by and by”. The answer to our discontentment is found today in the presence of God.
I know that many people have expressed discontentment about the church, either in person, on this blog, or on other blogs. Again, the solution to this discontentment is found in the presence of God himself. Changing our situation may hide the discontentment for a while, but it will never bring contentment.
However, resting in the presence of God – allowing him to be our treasure – will bring contentment. Similarly, we cannot stay in God’s presence without being affected ourselves and without the world around us being affected.
Do good deeds… and let God be your reward. Pray… and let God be your reward. Fast… and let God be your reward. Be content… because God is with you, and he has promised to never leave you nor to forsake you.
Fasting and Feasting to the Lord
A couple of weeks ago, I was studying the topic of fasting. At that time, I thought that I was going to be teaching from Matthew 6:16-18 –
And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18 ESV)
I was already familiar with the passage in Isaiah concerning fasting –
“Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isaiah 58:1-7 ESV)
But, I was not familiar with the following passage from Zechariah –
Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me: “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? Were not these the words that the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?”
And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets.
Therefore great anger came from the LORD of hosts. “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.” (Zechariah 7:4-14 ESV)
It is clear from these passages that fasting and feasting (from Zechariah 7:6) pertains to more than the absence or presence of food and drink. In fact, I would suggest that, according to Isaiah 58 and Zechariah 7, fasting and feasting pertains to more than our relationship with God. Instead, God intends fasting and feasting to turn our hearts toward him, toward one another, and toward those who are hungry, homeless, poor, oppressed, fatherless, widowed, and foreign.
These are not contrary or contradictory ideas. Turning our hearts toward God will automatically turn our hearts toward other people. Why? Because God’s heart is with people. It is impossible to read Scripture without seeing that God cares for people and expects his children to demonstrate that same love and concern. In fact, if our hearts are not turned toward others, then our hearts are not properly turned toward God. If we do not demonstrate love toward others, then we do not love God.
Notice especially this rhetorical question from Isaiah 58:7 – “Is it [the fast that God chooses] not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” This fast goes far beyond giving up food and drink. It actually goes beyond turning your thoughts toward God. This rhetorical question recognizes that when one of God’s children turns his or her thoughts toward God, that person’s thoughts are also turned towards those who have physical needs, and that person acts to relieve those needs.
I have “fasted” before, meaning that I have given up food for a specified period of time. I still have several journals that I wrote during these “fasts”. But, when I compare my “fasts” to Scripture, I see that my “fasts” were not of the type that God chooses. I remember learning many things during “fasts” – many things about God and many things about myself. But, if I honestly compare my “fasts” with the fasts that God desires (as described in Isaiah 58 and Zechariah 7), then I must admit that I did not truly fast before God. How do I know? Because my heart was not turned toward those who were suffering injustice, oppression, hunger, poverty, etc. Since my heart was not turned toward others, I certainly did not act as God desires.
I wonder… am I willing to fast now?
Humility in action
Recently, I’ve come across two excellent blog posts that demonstrate humility in action. If we consider others as more important than ourselves, then that attitude will demonstrate itself in our actions toward others.
Jonathan, at “Missio Dei“, wrote a very good post called “We Are First Human“. When Jonathan came across a new blog, we started to form preconceived ideas about the person based on the links on their blog. He says:
And then I had this surreal experience of realizing that I was judging the guy, who I don’t really know and before I ever even read much of his blog. It was a sad commentary on the brokenness of my own soul.
The moment revealed this bent in my soul to protect and control. The enemy had fed me lies that seemed so comforting and protective. “He’s not like you, so why waste time,” it said. And in some ways it is just easier to buy the lie. It’s easier to just stay out of relationship, to stay divided.
And then I had this really interesting conversation with myself about those things that divide us. It’s like this instinct to determine our differences, to find what separates us rather than what brings us together. It’s this bent of self-determination that produces conflict and argument. I found myself pulling away from commenting on his blog because of my own pre-conceived notions. And when I really looked at these judgments, they were stupid. If I was being honest, they were full of fear.
Here was a brother (We share the same Heavenly Father) and I was getting lost in the stupid stuff. I thought, “this guy probably doesn’t think like me.” What garbage.
After putting aside his preconceptions and reading what the blogger had written, this is what Jonathan found:
I ended up discovering he was a really cool guy, with great things to offer in his blog. I found he had written a paper that was very similar to the work that I do. It was cool. And this experience made me wonder how often I miss the moments that come only after I step into love and trust, into His kingdom.
Similarly, my friend Matthew, who has recently started a blog called “The Journey“, describes finding himself in a similar real-life situation in a post called “Saved by Doctrine?” In Matthew’s case, he was asked to help disciple some young men who were part of a “different” church. He admits that he was secretly dreading taking part:
When my friend from Gardner-Webb called and asked if I could help her out, I accepted immediately, but with quiet reservations. Even as I walked over from my dorm to the church (which is right on campus by the way) I was silently praying and fearing that they would shun me when they found out I was from the seminary. I was scared. And it was completely ridiculous.
What did Matthew discover when he decided to help out?
Not only did I meet some of the sweetest, nicest people I have ever met there, I was accepted immediately and treated like one of their own. The guys I taught were great, and while we didn’t agree on everything, we had a great time and I hope I get to know them better. I gave my contact info to the youth minister there, and he invited me to come and help anytime with anything, and even invited me to have lunch with him anytime.
Matthew learned that God’s family is bigger than he thought. He remembered that we are brought into God’s family by grace, not by doctrine.
How many times do we refuse to listen to someone or refuse to take part in something because someone believes something a little differently than we do? Could it be that God wants to use that other brother or sister to draw us closer to himself, to teach us something about him, or to give us an opportunity to serve him? But, we refuse to listen or take part because of pride. Yes, it is pride.
It take humility to admit that even though our doctrines differ, we remain brothers and sister in Christ – children of God. And, the injunction to consider others as more important than ourselves includes “them” too.
When institutions get in the way
A couple of days ago, as part of a synchroblog, I published a post called “Give a little bit?” In response to that post, an anonymous commenter left the following comment:
Considering your concerns with “how we do church,” do you think this has an affect on how much we do for the poor, downtrodden, needy, etc?
For example, it is a well known fact that for most churches the offerings they receive are spent mostly upon staff and buildings. In my church approximately 85% of our annual giving goes to these things. This leaves only 15% for ministry in our church and for missions efforts. We do almost nothing for the poor.
And of course most people feel very obligated to support their church first, before anything else. I’d like to give to some other organizations that do work with those in need, but I feel bad about neglecting the “budget of the church.” And since I give about $600.00 a month of my income already (I know this isn’t really a great amount and would really like to do more eventually), it is hard at the time to find other money in my own budget to support other ministries besides the church.
Additionally, because the ministries of the church must run smoothly, most people are encouraged to give their time to the programs (aka ministries) of the church. Although these programs are not in and of themselves bad, in fact many of them are really good, they are mainly geared to those in the church. This leaves people very little time in an already busy life to show concern to the “outside” world.
Alot of the time it seems our resources are all used up (time, talent, and treasure) to “build” the church. But I sometimes wonder what we are really building and if it is really what Jesus had in mind for us to build.
So by the way we “do church,” it seems we have diminished people’s ability to share their time or their money with those in need outside of the church.
Does this make sense? There seems to be a corrolation to me. Maybe not always, but at least often. What do you think?
To answer the questions raised by the anonymous commenter: Yes, this does make sense, and yes, you are making the connection between “doing church” and believers’ abilities to model their life after Scripture.
Let me put it this way… I’m often asked if I’m against church programs or structures or organization. I’ve written about this before, but its worth another visit. I am not against church programs or structure or organization. I am concerned when programs, structures, organizations, and other institutional elements become equated with being the church or obeying God’s will for his children.
Let me explain… As the anonymous commenter described above, church organizations often encourage (or stronger) their members to give in order to maintain the organization. They are asked to give toward building more buildings, buying more literature, purchasing more equipment and supplies… and the giving is associate with giving in Scripture. But, in the New Testament, giving is always associated with people, especially people in need. Giving is not associated with church structures and organizations in Scripture. Thus, a person who gives to a church institution is not following the scriptural commands or the scriptural model of giving. Plus, if giving to a church organization means that the person does not have any money to give to people in need, then giving to the church organization is actually causing people to disobey.
But, this goes much farther than the realm of giving. Think about spending time with neighbors, coworkers, friends, family members, and others who need to see and hear a good news witness. If almost every moment is spent on “church activities”, then when do people have time for others? If we meet on Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night… then Tuesday night for “evangelism training”, then Friday night for “youth activities”, then Saturday for “children’s activities”… do we actually ever get around to spending time with the world – the ones who need a child of God in their lives the most?
When do we have time for fellowship? – not sharing a meal with 1000 other people, but sharing your life (and a meal) with a few. When do we have time for discipleship? – not listening to a professional teach for 30 – 45 minutes, but actually impacting the lives of other believers by spending time with them. When do we have time to teach and train our children? – not dropping them off in the nursery or children’s church or Sunday school, but actually taking the time to demonstrate a life of faith for them.
I am not against church institutions. However, institutions tend to become an end to themselves. When this happens – when the structures, organizations, meetings, and programs of the “church” become more important than edifying, discipling, fellowshiping… living a life of faith… then the institutions become dangerous and damaging to believers. The child of God thinks that he or she is obeying God and growing in maturity because he or she is taking part in the institutional programs. Instead, he or she may simply be growing closer to the institution. Being involved in the institutions replaces living a life of faith – trusting God for everything.
I am not against church institutions. But, I am much more in favor of believers living their lives in a manner that demonstrates their faith in God in everything that they do. Sometimes, church institutions hinder that kind of life.
Bono, Karma, and Grace
A couple of days ago, I mentioned that my son, Jeremy, and I went to see the concert movie U23D. Apparently, I’m in trouble with a friend of mine for not inviting him to go with us. (Sorry, Jason!)
Since I brought up the band U2, I thought that I would share this fascinating interview with their lead singer, Bono. He is known around the world for this humanitarian efforts, especially related to the organization ONE. However, many Christians despise Bono (perhaps “despise” is too strong of a word, but then perhaps not) and others like him because he doesn’t act “Christian” enough, meaning, of course, that he doesn’t do and say things the way that they would do and say them.
Back in August 2005, Christianity Today published an excerpt from a book called Bono: in conversations with Michka Assayas in an article called “Bono: Grace over Karma“. I thought my readers would enjoy this excerpt from the CT article:
Assayas: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that?
Bono: Yes, I think that’s normal. It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.
Assayas: I haven’t heard you talk about that.
Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.
Assayas: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
Assayas: I’d be interested to hear that.
Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.
Assayas: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.
Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled… . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.
Assayas: That’s a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it’s close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that farfetched?
Bono: No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched …
Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus:
Bono: … [I]f only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. …When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.
I love the way that Bono contrasted Karma and Grace. Of course, I think that many followers of Jesus continue to live as if they are controlled by Karma instead of Grace. Many believers also treat other people with Karma instead of with Grace.
Evil persons and enemies…
Tomorrow, God willing, I will be teaching from Matthew 5:38-48, part of the Sermon on the Mount, and the last section that deals with issues of “the law”.
As I’ve been studying this passage for the last few weeks, I keep asking myself these questions: “To me, who are evil persons and who are enemies?” The way that I answer these questions will necessarily impact the way that I interpret Matthew 5:38-48:
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:38-48 ESV)
So, as I continue to think about these questions, I pose them to you: “To you, who are evil persons and who are enemies?” Then, to follow up, “How are you responding to evil persons in your life, and how are you demonstrating love for your enemies?”
Discipleship by example
My good friend Glenn from “Bad Theology” (isn’t that a great blog name?) has written a great post called “Modeling a godly lifestyle“. He talks about a friend of his who has encouraged and admonished him toward godliness in the past. Then, Glenn recounts a recent encounter with his friend in which his friend encouraged him toward godliness (stimulated him to love and good deeds?) by his actions, without a word spoken. Consider Glenn’s conclusion:
I think that this type of “accountability” or encouragement [having an example to follow] is one of the most effective means of leading others closer to God. While it will often be beneficial and necessary for me to exhort or confront my friends and family concerning our relationships and walks with the Lord, I think a godly lifestyle on my part will always resonate louder and give ample opportunity for the Holy Spirit to personally encourage or convict those around me.
I think Glenn has hit on a basic truth of discipleship, but one that is rarely given the same prominence today that it is given in Scripture. That basic truth of discipleship is modeling godliness – living as an example to other believers in order to help them grow toward maturity in Jesus Christ.
While words and teaching are very important, we are never instructed by the authors of Scripture to simply follow a set of rules. Instead, we are given examples – sometimes even the authors themselves. Consider these passages:
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (John 13:14-15 ESV)
Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. (1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV)
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (Philippians 3:17 ESV)
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9 ESV)
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 ESV)
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 ESV)
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:16 ESV)
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 ESV)
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. (3 John 1:11 ESV)
…not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:3 ESV)
Are you surprised at the number of examples? Are you surprised at the extent to when this idea is spread throughout the New Testament? Believe it or not, this is only a small sample of passages that teach us to both follow the example of godly people and to live our lives as an example to others.
Modelling and example, then, are a major aspect of biblical discipleship – of teaching people what it means to live as a child of God. Notice that throughout Scripture we are taught to follow those who actually live as a child of God, not those who speak about or teach about being a child of God.
Of course, in this idea of discipleship by example, there is a built in assumption: the people involved in the discipleship relationship must have access to one another’s lives. Furthermore, this access can’t be a surface level access. This type of discipleship requires sharing life together, both the good times and the bad times, both the high points and the low points, both the good examples and the bad examples.
I believe this last point is exactly why we have de-stressed discipleship by example and stressed discipleship by teaching only. In our individualistic and entertainment driven society, we are not willing to share our lives with other people. We want what we want, when we want it. We want to do things that are fun or pleasing to us. The idea of inviting someone else into our lives, to consider their needs, or yielding our will to theirs is completely foreign. In fact, in order to think about and live this type of discipleship by example it would take a new way of thinking – a renewed mind, in fact – a mind that is not conformed to the common ways of thinking. But, of course, this is exactly what Paul exhorts us toward – a renewed mind.
So, whose example are you following? Are you living your life as an example to others? Are you sharing your life with other people in such a way that you both see the example of others and you allow others to see your own example?