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Blessing

November 24, 2009 in Christian Life, Jesus, Uncategorized with 2 Comments

“Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. After worshiping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple complex blessing God.”

Luke 24:50-53

Blessing begets blessing. As Jesus departs from his disciples to ascend to the throne of David upon which he now sits (Acts 2:30-31), he pronounces a blessing upon them. The act of blessing is born of the Greek eulogeo. To us, a “eulogy” is a message uttered at a funeral, but to Jesus it was much more. His “eulogy” was a praiseworthy commendation of those he dearly loved. They had spent three intimate years with Jesus. Now he was leaving things in their hands. So how does he send them off? He lifts his hands and blesses them. It must have been a blessing like none other.

Blessing begets blessing. What Jesus did shortly before his ascension triggered something special. Their immediate response was worship, homage to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This brought them unspeakable joy. In turn, the blessing they received manifested itself in blessing back to God, as well as blessing towards others. The blessed with grace, the gospel, and the benevolent goodness of their hearts.

Blessing begets blessing. Let us remember this all of our days!

It Never Worked Before

November 16, 2009 in Christian Life, Church, Evangelism, Jesus with 2 Comments

Bovina Bulletin Board

Bovina Bulletin Board

In an effort to foster growth, the church has found itself resorting to various approaches and sundry tactics. These often generate sparks of interest and increased numbers, but the sparks seem short-lived. Too, authentic discipleship in Jesus is rarely a result. In a sense, I agree with those who cry, “It Never Worked Before,” especially, when we’re talking about unbiblical growth.

Jesus simply wasn’t about gimmickry. He worked relationally, fostering genuine relationships through discipleship. His approach was for long-term commitment, not short-lived numbers. The fact that he let the Rich Young Ruler walk away is proof. If in our appeal to the Way of Jesus we develop a resolve to approach people on Jesus’ terms, I believe we would never say, “It Never Worked Before.” The New Testament evidence simply won’t allow for it. It has worked, and I believe its something we need to get back to.

Most assuredly, especially with the general population, combativeness has never worked over compassion. There’s a time to take a stand and make a “defense” (Philippians 1:17), but we weren’t made to live in a defensive posture 24/7.  I’ve found in my own past that I’ve often closed doors before they were ever even opened. How self-defeating! That is something that never works. Listening doesn’t mean we cave, it means we care.

There are things that aren’t working for us, but our plea isn’t the problem. Our plea is the rallying cry of Jesus. What I’ve had to do is seek His love to replace mine, so that the plea can be practiced as well as proclaimed. That is something, truly, that will work!

We Will Miss You

October 22, 2009 in Church, Jesus with 14 Comments

I’ve been reading George Barna’s newest book, Master Leaders, to review for the Tyndale Blog Network. It’s a book, as the title indicates, about leadership. Barna tells a story to communicate the insights he’s gleaned from proven leaders. It’s been a great read. I’ll post a review in the upcoming weeks.

An intriguing story comes from Colleen Barrett, former president and corporate secretary for Southwest Airlines. If you’ve ever flown with Southwest, or at the bare minimum seen a few of their commercials, you’ll know that Southwest is about fun and humor. In fact, humor is considered one of Southwest’s “core values.” Barrett shares this story with Barna,

Years ago, somebody wrote to Southwest and said, “I’m a long-term customer, and I don’t like the fact that you make jokes during the safety part of the flight.” Now most companies would write back to say, “We value you as a customer, please trust that we care about your safety and we are good at that, but here’s a free flight coupon and we will talk to the gate agents.” And then they would make a call and tell their people that the humor thing is good but they need to tone it down…But not Southwest. No. They sent the customer a note that said, “We will miss you.”

Barna concludes, “That’s when you know its a core value.” And he’s right. Leadership isn’t exhibited through pandering to vocal minorities and majorities. Leadership admits when it’s wrong, but affirms truths and forms impressions built upon its values. Too often, though, leaders don’t lead; they acquiesce to the wishes of a few and the whole organization suffers as a whole. This is especially true with regard to churches.

Some churches are held hostage by vocal minorities who are fearful of everything and resistant to anything. Church leadership, lest they “ruffle the feathers” of some, refrain from implementing programs that might prove to be beneficial for the entire congregation. Pandering isn’t leadership.

Consider how Jesus handled one situation recorded in Matthew 19:16-22. On that occasion, a prominent rich, young man approached Him inquiring, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” The young man was a commandment keeper. He didn’t murder, commit adultery, steal, or bear false witness. He was devoted to honoring his father and mother, as well as loving his neighbor as himself. Well, maybe not so much to that last one. Nevertheless, he vows to having kept all these commandments, so “What do I still lack?” Jesus seeks to see if he really loves his neighbor or not, challenging him to, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Verse 22 supplies his reaction. “When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

This story served as the basis for Jesus’ teaching on possession and the kingdom. But what is interesting to me, is that Jesus didn’t cave on one of his core values just to keep the rich young ruler in his camp. Jesus could have used a guy like this on his side, but he let him go. He wasn’t willing to give everything up to have Jesus, so he let him walk away. In so doing, He essentially said, “We will miss you.”

Not even Jesus pleased all. He didn’t grovel at the feet of some, to keep them from abandoning him. Neither did He refrain from doing what was good, like healing on the Sabbath, simply because people thought it was wrong. It wasn’t. They were the ones who were wrong about the matter. Consequently, neither did he refrain from doing it lest he offend them. They needed a reality check, so He gave them one!

This is a situation not a few find themselves in. What should they do? They should listen with an honest ear. If there ‘s merit to an inquiry, then consider it and adjust accordingly. But if not, don’t acquiesce or pander. Do what Jesus essentially did in letting them go. Say, “We will miss you.”

Is He Serious? (2)

July 29, 2009 in Jesus with 6 Comments

“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 a 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.”

Matthew 5:38-42

Was, and is, Jesus really serious here? If so, you’d hardly guess it  by how we live; especially, here in the states. In America, we fight for what is ours. God has endowed us with life, liberty and property. The Declaration and our Constitution establish such. The Gadsden flag reads, “Don’t Tread On Me.”

Jesus sure seems to pour cold water on Christianity as it functions in America. Apparently, the kingdom heart wasn’t designed to buy into the gospel we sell around here. Stuff is stuff. It’s all a gift of God. But none of it is enduring. So then why do we cling to it like it is?

Inevitably, someone is going suggest that “theft is condemned in the scriptures,” and it most certainly is. Therefore, private property rights are inherent of God. I agree, to a degree. Jesus though isn’t discussing the issue of property rights. He’s discussing how we view property.

Invariably, someone is going to say, “But what about self-defense?”. Once again, I am not convinced that Jesus is talking about the right of self-defense here. Too, regardless of what one might infer from elsewhere in Scripture, we still have to ask, “Did Jesus then not mean what he said?” Or, as I have posed, “Is he serious?” Keep in mind, he offers no exceptions or qualifications. How would his hearers have understood him?

I see this passage as the test of how much stuff, time, or a reputation means to us.  Must we always have the upper hand? Must we always have the last say? Are our possessions really ours?

Is Jesus really serious about turning the other cheek? Is Jesus really serious about going the extra mile, even when it comes to property? Is Jesus really serious about giving to beggars or maybe panhandlers, and not refusing those who would borrow from us?

Is He Serious? (1)

July 23, 2009 in Christian Life, Faith, Jesus with 5 Comments

The Sermon on the Mount, I believe, is both loved by us and in ways lost to us. We need it in more than we can imagine. From it we understand our roles as “salt” and “light” (5:13-16). Deep-seated convictions are carved from it (cf. Matthew 5:31-32). Without question, from both the remote and specific contexts of Matthew, The Sermon on the Mount is the essence of living in God’s kingdom.

But I’ve noticed the tendency to be very selective with where we tread in The Sermon, as well as with how hard we push its precepts. In our world especially, it’s hard to push too hard and remain consistent. Take for instance, Matthew 6:19-34.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon the earth…” Here we have verb action that is Greek present tense and in the imperative mood. Jesus is being very specific here. Essentially, he is saying, “You must not lay up stores of treasures here on the earth.” But we do. All of us. And we will go to great lengths to justify it. But is he serious?

Later he says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (vv. 25-26). The key word throughout the remainder of the section is anxious. He reiterates and reinforces his point. But when are we not thinking about these kinds of things? People experience tons of anxiety over these matters. But is he serious?

Are we really supposed to “not worry” about our lives (v. 25, NKJV)? Is he serious? Have we sinned if we do? Before responding, remember that he offers no caveats whatsoever. If he didn’t want them to get the wrong impression, I think he would have issued a caveat.
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