Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Daily Encouragement
Daily Encouragement
“…encourage one another daily”
Hebrews 3:13
Mark Twain has been credited (or charged) with saying “It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” If I look into my own heart, I have to admit that I too am sometimes bothered by what I do understand. The simple plain teaching of Scripture so often contradicts my life that I find myself bothered and forced to make irrational excuses to justify my disobedience.
Take the words at the top of this page for example. Here the author of Hebrews is giving a command to the people of God. In light of the challenges and trials associated with living the Christian life faithfully, he issues this order to help us along: “encourage one another daily.” It is neither complicated nor unreasonable.
If we were to break it down, we would see that these 4 words contain:
1. A clear command: Encourage. The word is neither foreign to our ears nor difficult to accomplish. Almost any kind word would qualify. He prescribes no set form or pattern to which this encouragement must comply. Great liberty is apparently allowed as to the manner in which we carry out this duty. Just encourage. Lift someone up, cheer them. Promote the welfare of another through some tangible medium of communication or activity. Encourage. Life is hard. The Christian life, lived well, is even harder. Therefore encourage.
2. A clear audience. The object of this command is very simple: “one another.” The author is telling Christians to encourage other Christians. The assumption is that there are believers whom you have access to in one way or another. This command was issued before modern communication technology was available. How much less of an excuse do we have today, when the opportunities to encourage another believer in Christ are almost unlimited due to postal services, telephones, computers and email. No doubt there is someone in your church who could use encouragement. Some missionary that could use a letter. A college student who wouldn’t mind some cookies. A shut in that would appreciate a visit or a call. A Pastor who might like to know you were actually listening. Encourage another Christian. Any Christian. Take your pick.
3. A clear frequency: Daily. The word is not complicated or obscure in the original. First century Christians would not have understood this differently than we do. It means every day. Once every 24 hours. Seven times a week. The context is not poetical and the language is not figurative. Encourage one another every single day. The words that follow this text make the point even more emphatic: “Encourage one another daily, while it is called Today.” The command means that every day, from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep, I ought to encourage (at least) one other Christian.
This command, therefore, really could not be made more clear:
· Encourage.
· Encourage another Christian.
· Encourage another Christian every single day.
Not rocket science. Pretty simple really. What’s not so simple is the answer to this question: Why don’t I do it? Why do I allow so many days to roll by without lifting my voice or directing my pen into the way of encouragement? I cannot claim this verse is too hard to understand. Like Mark Twain, maybe it is the very clarity of the command that bothers me so much. I squirm under the crushing weight of a clear and reasonable expectation from the Lord. How about you? Maybe it is just me.
I am making a plan to change this. That is, ultimately, what repentance is all about: changing. Repentance means making a plan to change some pattern of behavior from disobedience to obedience. I know a few Christians. I’m making a list. Does that seem too artificial? Too mechanical to qualify as obedience? Maybe it is somewhat artificial and mechanical. But I tend to think that mechanical obedience is safer than comfortable sin. And maybe, just maybe, this is the way we change.
Monday, September 5, 2011
A LIFE OF VALUE
"And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.”"
1 Samuel 26:24
A Life of VALUE
Is there anything worse than feeling worthless? Have you ever felt as though your life was of no real value to anyone? Undoubtedly this is one of the most uncomfortable and devastating emotions we can experience. Maybe you have never struggled with this. Most, however, have known to some degree the pain, the tears and the crushing effect this feeling of worthlessness can produce. Industries aimed at alleviating these thoughts are both profuse and profitable. Everywhere we turn we find advertisements from chemistry to counseling which promise to restore a person’s sense of value and well-being. These have a place. I do not wish to undermine the sincere efforts or to minimize the serious suffering endured by those who benefit from them.
The verse at the top of this page got me thinking about what makes a life truly valuable. The words are those of David who had been fleeing for his life from King Saul. David had the chance to kill his enemy, but he would not do so. And when David had retreated to a safe distance he cried out these words to Saul: “...as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.” What David had done for Saul, in sparing him, he now desires the Lord to do for David. David valued Saul’s life. He calls upon the Lord to value his life.
From these words I draw this conclusion: there is such a thing as a life that is valuable to God. We find this taught elsewhere. The Lord, speaking of Israel, says “you shall be a special treasure (i.e. valuable) to Me above all people (Exodus 19:5).” Scripture speaks of a ‘precious’ life. “Since you were precious in My sight” said the Lord through Isaiah the prophet. Jeremiah speaks regretfully of a people who were once “valuable as fine gold (Lamentations 4:2).”
All of this, I suppose, raises the most important question in the world: Is my life valuable to God?
This verse from 1 Samuel 26 sheds some light on the subject. In this text I find some things that help me to understand what we might call: The Valuable Life.
I. First, the text implies that there is a difference between a life valued by men and a life valued by God. Notice David’s words. He did not say: “Saul, I valued your life. Now I want YOU to value my life.” Rather, he said (as it were): “Saul, I valued your life. Now I want the LORD to value my life.” There is a difference. It is one thing to have a life valued by men. It is another thing to have a life valued by God. We may be valued by men for many different reasons. Sometimes people value us simply because we are useful to them. Sometimes people value us because we provide them with security or pleasure. But God never values a man because He needs him. We cannot be “useful” to God in the same way we might be useful to our employer. Our value in God’s eyes is not based upon what we can do for God, but rather on what God is doing in us. Maybe we could put it this way: We become more valuable to God when God becomes more visible in us. There is, therefore, a vast difference between being “valuable” to men and being “valuable” to God.
II. Secondly, these words express to me this: : It is better to have a life valued by God than a life merely valued by men. David valued Saul’s life and spared it. But in return David looks for something more. David asks for a life that is valued by the Lord: “so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD.” When is the last time you or I prayed that prayer? “Lord, more than anything else, grant me to live a life valued by You. Empty my world of those things that are worthless. Purge from all my plans what is profitless. Rid my soul of all that rubbish I too often relish. Lord, make me useful and valuable to You, regardless of what people may say. Father, what good is my life if it only charms the eyes of men but does not delight the eyes of my God?”
I write this as an encouragement to those who, in striving to be worth something to God, have felt they are worth nothing to this world. Paul knew this feeling. He writes to the Corinthians “we have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now (I Cor. 4:13).” Paul knew what it was like to feel “worthless” in the eyes of the world. But for him, being valuable to God was worth it. Christ Himself was rejected as worthless by the world. Peter writes of Christ: “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious (1 Peter 2:4).” Christian – you may feel at times utterly useless to the world – but you are “valued much in the eyes of the Lord.”
III. Finally, I think this verse tells us, in part, how to live a life that is valuable to God. Do you want to live such a life? Are you ready, if necessary, to make changes to the way you have lived so far? Are we ready to re-evaluate all of our priorities and goals so that right now it might be said of us: This life “is valued much in the eyes of the Lord?”
The verse concludes with these words, and I think they give some helpful direction: “and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.”
Sunday, August 21, 2011
REASON 6 - JOHN 6: DOUBTERS ARE WELCOME!
Today we arrive together at REASON 6 for studying John's Gospel, and especially to take advantage of the opportunity to hear preaching on this gospel at Immanuel Chapel in Upton, MA beginning on Sunday September 4, 2011 (11:00AM). As you will have noticed from previous posts, we are taking 1 reason for each chapter of John's Gospel.
Reason 6 – John 6: Doubters are Welcome
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| You'll have to read to the end to figure the picture out |
Reason #6: Doubters are welcome. What? Are you saying I can read the Bible and come to church even if I’m not entirely sure any of this is true yet? Yes, yes I am. And the great proof of this fact is found in the Gospel of John chapter 6. Not sure about Jesus? Allow me to let you in on a little secret: neither were His disciples. And much of Jesus’ ministry was directed to teach them who He was. John chapter 6 might be entitled: Who Am I? That is what Jesus is trying to teach them, and teach us. That is what much of John’s Gospel is all about. Do you know who He is? Philip (a disciple) still wasn’t sure. So Jesus tested him about how they would feed 5,000 people. Jesus asked Philip a question: “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (John 6:5)” Philip answered: “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little (6:7).” Philip, you see, thought Jesus was asking an economic question. He reasoned: We can’t afford to feed this crowd! But Jesus was asking a theological question. Jesus was saying, as it were, “Philip – Who am I?” Jesus was addressing Philip’s doubts.
We see this again later in the same chapter. Our Savior, knowing their doubts, meets them right where they are at. This time it was in the middle of the sea. The disciples had been rowing hard and the wind was blowing against them. Things were looking bleak. “And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them (John 6:17).” Do you feel in the dark about spiritual things? As I said before – doubters are welcome. But Jesus didn’t leave them in the dark forever. Jesus came to them, walking on the water, and we are told “they were afraid.” And notice what Jesus says to them: “It is I, do not be afraid (John 6:20).” It is I! Jesus is saying – “Do you see? Do you understand who I am? Are you beginning to figure out who your Teacher really is?”
This chapter has good news for doubters. By the end it appears the disciples are starting to get it. When Jesus asks them if they too want to leave Him, they respond “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:68-69).” Amazing grace had overcome their doubting hearts.
A personal story and application: Yesterday I was out in a kayak on an unfamiliar lake. About 45 minutes into my paddling around the perimeter I could no longer see my starting point. The lake shore had many twists and turns (I’m told it actually used to be called “crooked lake” for that reason). I honestly wasn’t sure how long it would take to get back. But I knew if I kept paddling the shore line I would eventually get to where I started. And I did. Do you have doubts about religion, about Christ? Paddle the shore line of John’s Gospel with me. Let’s follow it together and see if it doesn’t bring us some answers we’ve been looking for. Don’t be like some in John 6 that gave up too quickly: “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more (John 6:66).” They stopped paddling the shore line. Friend, don’t give up just because of your doubts. Maybe as you round the final turn of this journey you too will say you have “come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Saturday, August 20, 2011
REASON 5 - JOHN 5: SPIRITUAL PRIORITIES
"Do you want to be made well?"
John 5:6
I continue today with the 5th reason to study John's Gospel, and in particular, to come and hear a series of sermons preached on this book of the Bible beginning on Sunday September 4, 2011 at Immanuel Chapel.
Reason #5: Spiritual Priorities. Some time ago a little book was written entitled “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” The title was catchy – and picks up on our tragic preoccupation with relatively unimportant issues or problems. I suppose the flip side of that is equally true. While sweating over minor matters we often fail to deal with bigger problems or more serious concerns. We easily get our priorities out of balance.
The 5th reason to study the Gospel of John is to focus our spiritual priorities. John 5 displays a contrast that we can all relate to. It is the contrast between “my rules” and “God’s rules.” It is the contrast between a life determined to do it “my way” and a life humbly prepared to do things “God’s way.” Let me try to explain this.
The “my ways” and “my rules” focus: In John 5 we find Jesus healing a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. But when the Jews saw it, rather than rejoicing, they said “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” It is not lawful? Really? Whose law? The Lord had instituted the Sabbath Day (this was Saturday for the Jews) as a blessing and rest from 6 days of work. They were forbidden from conducting business on this day, including the importing and exporting of merchandise. But the carrying of a bed, particularly one from which you had just been delivered, was no sin. But many of the Jews of Jesus day, particularly the spiritual leaders, decided to create their own laws and doctrines, rather than the Lord’s. This whole approach ruined their reading of the Bible (the Old Testament at this point). Jesus said “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” They were so caught up in “their rules” and “their ways” they couldn’t see God standing before their very eyes.
“God’s rules” and “God’s Way:” Jesus presents a different priority. Listen to what He says in John 5:24 “Most assuredly I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” There is a lot in this little verse. But for now I just want to draw your attention to one statement: “not come into judgment.” In John 5 Jesus makes it clear that there is something far more important than our silly man-made rules about religion, namely, judgment. He spoke of this to the paralyzed man He healed when He said “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you (John 5:14).” What could be worse than 38 years in bed? The answer is clear: judgment. A few verses later John records Jesus saying that the Father has “committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).” A few more verses and He says it again, that Jesus has “authority to execute judgment (John 5:27).” And yet a few more verses and Jesus says in most sobering language that “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth” and that some of these will be rising to the “resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28-29).” If our spiritual priorities do not take into account the reality and consequences of this judgment, then we are guilty of still doing religion with “our rules” and “our way.”
My friends, do you see the contrast presented in John 5? Do you want to go on living by “your rules” and “your way?” As we study John’s Gospel we are given a far better set of spiritual priorities than the ones we have been living by so far. As we read this Gospel, and especially as we listen to it preached (yep…I’m still trying to get you to come!) let us be willing to put our priorities before the Lord and evaluate them in the light of His Word. What is the most important thing in your life right now: money, success, friends, relationships, pleasures, parties, respect, healing, relief from trouble or trials? What will these things do for us on the Day of Judgment? These things will not help us in that Day if we do not have Jesus Christ. Many in Jesus’ day were not willing to believe in Him. He said “you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life (John 5:40).” What about you? Are you willing to come? Jesus Christ is a willing Savior, and ready to receive you today. Let me close by asking you the question Jesus asked of the paralyzed man, in a sense the most important question in the world: “Do you want to be made well?”
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