Times Are Changing

I have recently been reading about the Crystal Cathedral and its financial problems as well as its diminishing attendance at worship. One of the things that was stated in the newspaper article is that along with the diminishing attendance, the age of the congregation is older. It was also stated that Schuler had not thrown out the organ and replaced it with a rock band. It is a fact that if we do not change with the times, the church seems to die. We have main line denominations that are dwindling away because they are stooped in tradition.

I am not saying that tradition is bad. What I am saying is that when tradition stifles the life of the church, you need to try something new. What is tradition? Could it be that tradition is what God would have for us to do today to meet the needs of the people of our time? As I read the Scripture, it appears to me that God did whatever it took to win the people to Himself. So then tradition is “winning souls and making disciples.” Is that not what the Great Commission is all about? If I remember correctly, God criticized the Pharisees for being too steeped in tradition because it was hindering bringing souls into the kingdom.

The founder of the Methodist Movement, John Wesley, was a man who stepped outside of tradition. He went to the place where the lost lived — in the gutters, the bars, the ghettos, as well as the church. As he went his brother, Charles, wrote songs to tunes people knew and were accustomed to singing — bar tunes if you will. He did this because he was about winning the lost to Jesus Christ. He did that very thing very well because he started a movement that has lasted until today. Yet the movement Wesley started with unorthodox methods seems now to be so steeped in tradition that we have lost our pioneering spirit.

I don’t intend to criticize the Methodist, the Presbyterian, the Lutheran, or any other denomination. I just want us to step back and consider what it is that we are about. Are we here to perpetuate tradition or to win the lost for Jesus Christ? I think Jesus gives us the answer to this question very clearly. We are to win the lost for Him, and we are to do whatever it takes to complete the job. So let’s be instruments of His Spirit and do the work to which He has called His Church.

God Is Our Friend

One of my favorite Old Testament characters is Abraham.  In the New Testament book of James, he writes, “And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend” (James 2:23). As I read the story in Genesis 12 about how Abraham left everything he had including his extended family and set out for a place he wasn’t even sure existed, I was struck with awe at his obedient faith.  The Scripture tells us that God appeared to Abraham and the conversation was:  “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you….so Abraham left, as the Lord had told him” (Genesis 12:1).

  As I was re-reading this passage the other day, I noticed that there was no mention of Abraham’s belief anywhere.  In the church today, we make so much of belief.  In fact, we will even argue our beliefs and declare they are more important than any other matter.  This did not seem to be the case with the man who was called “God’s Friend.”  What I do notice from this story is that God said “Go,” and Abraham “…left, as the Lord had told him” (Genesis 12:4). Obedience not belief is the action word here in this passage. 

 

My point is, as a Christian, where do you place the most emphasis —belief or obedience?  The Bible tells me that God honors obedience to Him over any other attribute a Christian may have.  The reason is I can say “I believe” all day long, but until I take action on my belief I have done nothing.  That must be why God said “obedience is better than sacrifice.” When we obey we truly have beliefs.

I desire to have the relationship with God that Abraham enjoyed.  To have that relationship, I must give God the right to command me; and I must have the courage to obey.  God wants all of us to act upon what He says by giving movement to our beliefs.

Jody’s Gift: Practice What You Preach

At this time of year, the Christmas Season, I need to be reminded of the wonderful gift of giving.  I hope this will remind you also.   In the late 70’s, I was attending Seminary in Atlanta at Candler School of Theology and serving the New Hope United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Georgia. My wife and I were blessed with two sons, Jody and Pat.  Jody was a typical fourth grader who was more interested in play than learning.  You have probably heard the adage:  “He did not allow books to get in the way of his education.”  This was Jody.  He always had something more important to do than study.

His fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Orr, was a member of the church and on occasion she would tell me on Sunday morning on the way out of church that she needed to talk to me about Jody.  On this particular Sunday when Mrs. Orr came by to shake hands and tell me I had preached a good sermon, she instead said, “I need to talk to you about Jody.”   My first thought, of course, was “What has he done or not done this time?”  So I finished greeting the congregation and proceeded to talk to Mrs. Orr about my problem child.

Mrs. Orr was at our usual place of Parent/Teacher Conference which was under the big oak tree in the Church parking lot.   I was rather surprised when she told me her concern about Jody.  She asked me if I knew Jody was giving away his lunch money.  Of course, I had no clue.  Mrs. Orr explained that he was giving his lunch money to a little girl in his class.  I thanked her for telling me about his generosity and went across the road to the parsonage where the family was waiting on me for lunch.

At the lunch table, I asked Jody why he was giving away his lunch money to a little girl.   Was this some new girl friend that his mother and I did not know about?  Of course, I am saying this with tongue in cheek.  But I soon realized that this matter was much more serious than puppy love.  Jody, with a very serious tone in his voice, began to explain to the family why he was giving his lunch away.  He shared with us that this little girl was from a very poor family and that she had no money to eat on.  The statement that brought tears to our eyes was:  “Dad, I just couldn’t eat knowing she did not have anything to eat.  So I gave her my lunch, and I have bought her lunch since then.”

What do you say to a fourth grader who was doing what you preached Jesus did and would have you do?  What I did was say:  “Jody, I am very proud of you, and I will give you extra money everyday to help out.”

It seems that children have a better understanding of the truth of God than most adults.  He had put his belief into practice.  I was reminded of the fact that is what God expects of us all.  Ever since that day when I see a need, I am reminded of Jody and his lunch guest at school.  If I have the ability to meet the need then I know that God is calling me to act.  Advent is a time when we are reminded of the first coming of Jesus and to anticipate His Second Coming.  I want to be prepared to meet Him whenever He comes or whenever I go to Him.  Service to others is the best way I know to live like Him.   Today at forty, Jody still has that same heart of service.  He is a pastor in the United Methodist Church; and as a shepherd of God’s sheep, he gives himself to the task of service.  Let’s join him and live for Jesus by serving others.

Cade’s Prayer

In Matthew 18:3 the Scripture says, “And He said:  ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I was recently reminded again of the meaning of that passage.  My step-mother recently passed away after an extend illness.  It was a blessing for her but a sad experience for the family.

On the day of the Funeral the family had had a day of emotional wrenching experiences with the loss of a grandmother, mother, and wife.  Very exhausted we all sat down to an evening meal.  The table was surrounded by everyone who could get a seat and several of us were sitting around the bar in the kitchen that had been constructed for just a time as this.  Before we began to eat someone said “Who is going to say the blessing.”  There was a short pause and Cade, my six year-old grandson, said, “I’ll do it!”

Everyone bowed their heads expecting to hear “God is Great, God is Good….”  Instead, here is the prayer we heard as well as I can remember.  “God, thank you for mommy and daddy, Kendall and Miles and all my family.  Thank you for the fun we have had today.  And God, you know that Granny died on this day and I am sad.  AMEN.”  Needless to say there was not a dry eye around the kitchen when he finished.

It takes children to help us to see the very simple things in life we take for granted — family, fun, good food and plenty of it, and loved ones who have made life better for us because they loved and taught us to thank God for what we have and who we are.  Cade reminded us of our blessings as well as our loss.  He reminded us that we are to be thankful to the God who is the Creator and the Sustainer of life even in the time of the death of someone we love.

During this Advent Season may the God who loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, be the center of our worship and our actions.  May we not only express thanksgiving for our blessing but may we be generous with what God has given us so that others may be loved, well fed, and know the love of Christ as we know it.  Let share Jesus with others this Advent Season.  Become like a little child so that you do not miss the wonder and joy of the Season.

Useless

Have you ever been part of something you thought was totally useless?  I’m sure you have because all of us have had some experience in that area.  So when you are amid this experience, what do you do?  Do you daydream, imagine being out playing gold, or some other imaginary experience that takes your mind off the inevitable boredom?

Have you ever considered this could be a God moment?  Could it be a  time in which God has something very special to say to you?  Could He be teaching patience or humility?  Could it be that He just wants you to be still and listen to Him?  He could even be speaking through this boring experience.  “Be still and know that I am God,” then we begin to understand there are no accidents with God.  Be aware of His presence and you will hear His voice, and you will see there are no useless moments or days in God’s economy.  Get to know Him better and serve Him with all you are.

Just Thinking

I was just thinking “What if God really didn’t care about us?”  Would it change my life at all?  As I began to ponder that question there were a few thoughts that came to my mind.  The first, I would not have a job as a pastor — if God didn’t care because there would be no gospel to preach.  The second, I would have no future — if God didn’t care because there would be no future.   The third, I would be filled with fear because the world would have no absolute truth to guide human behavior and the world would be in chaos.

I am glad that I know a God who loved the world and me enough that He sent His Son to die for our sin so that the required sacrifice for the sin of the world would be make and paid in full.  Therefore I have a gospel to preach, a future to look forward to, and a security that keeps away the fear that is perpetuated by a world that is lost to true purpose and meaningful life.  I want that world to know what I know and I want to spend the rest of my life telling them about it.  The journey of faith is such an awesome trip.  I hope you are on that journey.

I was just thinking.  And it brought about a little private worship service in my heart because I felt renewed,  regenerated and wanted to rededicate myself as Isaiah did  when he saw the Lord (Isaiah 6)  in the temple.   My words are as his:  “Here am I.  Send me!”

Look to Jesus

Someone has said “When we look within us, we are depressed.  When we look around us, we are impressed.  But when we look at Jesus Christ, we are blessed.”  The world in which we live is a scary place.  This is particularly true if you are always looking at the influences around you.   Most of us even like to blame everything that happens to us on the pressures and circumstances of the situation in which we live.  The Bible speaks directly to this kind of attitude.  In the gospel of John chapter 16, Jesus is instructing His disciples concerning the world about them and the problems they will be having in the future as they minister in His Name.  In verse 33b He gives them a promise that you and I can enjoy today:  “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world” (NIV).

As we look around us we see the economy is hurting; political correctness brings about intolerance of basic biblical truth, the divorce rate, even in the circle of Christian faith, is 52%; internet pornography is rampant even among church leadership; and the list of bad news and fear continues.  But the Good News is that, in Jesus, we can overcome a world that is trying to destroy us and our families.  God is still in control.  He has not left the final say to the government, the politician, the environmentalist, or even the church leader.   I’ve read the last chapter in the Book.  He has the final say, and I’ve noticed that the faithful are always blessed in the end because of their faithfulness.

If you haven’t chosen to follow Jesus, today is a good day to start.  In a world where love has so many meanings, I want to give you the true meaning of love.  It is found in John 3:16.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV). This is love, and it was extended to you and me.  The WHOEVER means everyone who by faith will believe.

Do not let the world get you down.  Be an over-comer in the family of God.  Trust your life to Him and he will see you through the tough times in life.   Do not look within or without for help and comfort, look to Jesus — the One who is comfort and help for those who are in need.  God bless you and may this day be the best day of your life.

When God Doesn’t Make Sense

Lately I have been studying the book of Hosea.  As I read this book I have come to the conclusion that there are times when God doesn’t make sense.  Maybe I am the only one who has this idea, but why would God ask a preacher to marry a prostitute?  If a pastor is going to influence the community in which he lives, how can he have any respect if he is married to a prostitute that some of his parishioners may have slept with?   But, to be honest, I have also concluded that it’s a good thing that God doesn’t depend upon me for any creative ideas on how to do His work because if He did, the world would not know the immeasurable love of our heavenly Father.  I would not have the patience, the grace, or the mercy to continue giving humans chance after chance to be reconciled to Him.

God loves us so much that He not only continued to give people chances to accept his salvation and purpose for their lives, but He eventually sent His one and only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins.  If you have children, you know what a price that was for Him to pay.  God is love and what a wonderful love it is that would go to any extent to win people like you and me over to Himself.  His love makes me want to respond back to Him in love as well as loving others.  Maybe God does make sense after all.  Will you join me in love God and others?

Lesson I learned from studying Job

In all the years I have been preaching, I have never preached more than two sermons on the Book of Job.  I’m not sure what the reason for that might be but I have an idea it was because Job is just not much of a good news book.  The book begins with a very rich and influential man loosing all that he has in the world and then the major part of the book is his friends giving him the business about why he is suffering.  Does that sound like something you would want to read and study?

But after a six-week study of Job I have changed my mind about the book.  I have learned some very important things about my relationship with God.  Those things center around waiting, trusting, and God is never silent.  These three things have helped me in my understanding of God and the way He works in the live of His children.

Job has helped me answer the question, at least for myself, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  Bad things happen to good people because we live in a fallen world.  Because we live in a fallen world good and bad things happen to everyone good or bad.  Our responsibility, like Job, is to show the world around us how God’s people live with adversity.

I have also learned that God has the last say in all the affairs of His children.  If you look at the Book of Job you clearly see that God was in control all along in the life of Job.  He gave Satan free reign in Job’s life.  The emphasis is on “God gave.”   Satan could do nothing without God allowing him to do so.   In the end, God restored Job twice as much as he had before the crisis.

The Book of Job is a great book.  Read it, study it, and apply its truths to your life.  You will be blessed as Job was blessed

Life is like a Tootsie Roll Pop

I have always heard that growing old was for the birds.  With all the things that change in your physical being, I guess I would agree with that to some extent.  But I have come to see that growing old is kinda like eating a Tootsie Roll Pop.    With a Tootsie Roll Pop you have this nice grape, cherry, or many others falvors on the outside and then you have this wonderful tootsie roll on the inside.   As I grow older, I have come to see that my relationship with Jesus has grown and become more intimate and perosnal.   He has become a friend and a companion.  There is another thing that I like about growing old and that is grandchildren.  My heavenly Father has blessed me with nine of the most wonderful litttle people you have ever met.  They are the joy of my life and have given me the expereince of a differnt and wonderful expereince of love.  God is Good and keeps on getting better.  It’s just like eating a Tootsie Roll Pop and finding that wonderful chocolate center.  So grow old with joy because it only gets better.