My semester and my time at Moody is rapidly approaching its' end, yet I find myself sitting in the library of my community college in Hurst, Texas. This was expected, yet it wasn't. My mom's health has been so up and down lately that I wanted to mkae sure I could see her while I was still able to. It's one thing to have ups and downs, but quite another for them to be as drastic as they have been. First she seemed near death and then we found out her infection was gone and the tests were looking good. They were about to move her to a physical rehab center to stay for months to continue recovery. But then it got worse. The fluid her body has been collecting due to a pretty inoperative liver has reached her lungs. She needs a tube to breath. In response to the question, "how long will she live?" The doctors have said it's a day to day thing. I wanted to see her in case I wasn't able to before the semester ended.
"Lord, I know You can do great things. I have a Book that says You do and shows You have. God, you raised Lazarus from the dead... can You raise my mom from spiritual death? You are mighty to save. God, people ask how I'm doing. I don't know what to tell them. I knew my mom's body would give out. I knew that. I just want to see her in heaven one day. I want to leave this world to find that she came to know You. That's all I care about and that's what hurts the most right now. Lord, I believe the time is near for her. I know you can break the hard heart and heal the broken heart. Please do that God. Do it with her and do it with all those affected by this, Your will permitting. Oh God please work here I ask You. Yet in all things, not my will, but Yours be done. It's in Christs' name I pray it, Amen."
As I continue to wonder what God may do as this chapter in my life comes to its' end, I find that I have no more answers than I did when I last wrote. After a very interesting couple months, I feel like I'm back at square 1 in many respects. I'm sure that isn't the case though. God has a purpose for all things even if it's hidden deep in His sovereignty. This doesn't stop me from bewilderment though. It's not easy to be willing to take God's sharp turns and hit His predestined potholes gracefully in life, knowing and trusting that He brought us to them for good reason. Schoolwork is one of, if not the last thing on my mind. Procrastination pursues me. Today is the day of the week when I spend time in prayer about my current and future ministry. I have been diligent here. Still speaking with 2 churches. The one in Michigan hasn't responded back but supposedly has reviewed my resume and answered questions. I had another one in KS call me. They added me to a list of people they'd narrowed it to from the mass of those who applied. They only did this after they'd realized they overlooked me on accident. So I slipped through the first filter process on accident!!! But was it accident God? So I read through their doctrinal statement and constitution. I answered a list of questions they had. They responded to my doctrinal questions and we agree!!! In fact they said one of the reasons they're looking for a new pastor is because their old one didn't preach in accordance with the things I mentioned! I was very pleased to hear that. We'll see what God does there. It's close enough to home that I can see people I care about and far enough away that I'm not at home. I continue to pray about my future in minitsry. As I return home I'm reminded again that I don't want to stay here. The house is filthy and soon it will be populated with 4 people, 4 dogs, and 5 cats. I WANT OUT!
"Lord God, You know the plans You have for me. I know they are good, but I don't know what they are... and that's ok. I trust You. God I don't know where I'll be this time next year, but You know. Lord, I graciously ask that You would give me a glimpse into what's next God. If not, please supply the faith I need to keep taking steps off of cliffs. I'm in Your hands God. You know my desire to serve You. You know how You've prepared me and to what end. You know who I am better than I do. Please God, please work in me. I believe it's all coming soon Lord. I may be wrong, but I've seen too much to not believe that. Too much has happened for that not to be true. Yet in all things not my will but Yours be done. In Christs' name I pray, Amen."
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
John 3:1-8: You Must Be Born Again
I wanna introduce you to a man this morning. He wasn't the richest man really, but he could afford some of the finer things. He was a deeply spiritual man. His name was Nicodemus. Maybe you can relate to him. Perhaps your parents had a drug problem. They drug you to church on Sunday, they drug you to church on Wednesday, they drug you to church prayer meetings. You've been in church nearly right out of the womb it seems. You heard the Bible stories as a kid in Sunday School. You went on mission trips in Youth Group. But something happened. You began to wonder about this Jesus stuff. You believe in Jesus and think He had some good things to say. But after having tried all that growing up you found that it just didn't work. Your life wasn't any better because of it. You still had to work to put gas in your car. You still got dumped by the most amazing guy or girl in high school. Your grandma, who was the kindest woman anyone could ever meet still died of cancer. You hear Christians all the time talking about morals, but they're no better than you are. You can be just as moral as they can. "I can be a good person without being a Christian and going to church," you say. "There's no reason why I shouldn't go to heaven."
What's the difference between the one who is spiritual and the one who is born again? You see this is the question at the heart of the matter today and this is the question that Jesus Himself answers for us this morning in John 3:1-8. John is the fourth book in the New Testament, just after Luke and before Acts. John 3:1-8.
READ: John 3:1-8
Now Nicodemus was a spiritual man, but he was more than that. He was a leader of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a Jewish sect of legalistic leaders that were antagonistic to Christ and His followers. To distinguish them from another major group in the New Testament it's been said that because they were legalistic they weren't "fair...u see" as compared to the Sadducees who denied the resurrection and therefore had no future hope and were "sad...u see." Him being a leader meant that he was likely part of the Sanhedrin, which was like the Jewish Supreme Court. And Nicodemus wanted to meet with Jesus. But there was a problem. He was a Pharisee. How would he do this? He knew that his comrades wouldn't think too highly of him going to see this trouble maker. So I imagine he began thinking, "I can't talk to Him during the day because the people are all over Him. Surely they would see me." So after the fanfare dispersed, the linen weavers went home, and the carpenters packed up their things, the sun took its' place beneath the earth and the crickets brought the night with them. Now it was time to go see Jesus. This "ruler of the Jews" Nicodemus traveled carefully and quietly to now go see the man who would later be called the "King of the Jews." So he traveled quietly and secretly. His first words to Christ in v.2 are, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher;" Do know what it took for someone to be recognized as a Rabbi in this culture? A Rabbi was made being the disciple of another Rabbi. Jesus had no mentor and in fact was wowing teachers in the temple even when He was a twelve year old boy! And this man recognized Him as Rabbi and teacher.
Some of you today may say the same... Jesus was a real man and a good teacher. He's the one who said, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." He said to "love your neighbor as you love yourself." But is that all He said? because if He is a good teacher than the things He taught were good, and right, and true... weren't they? Keep that in mind as we continue in this story together. Why did Nicodemus say He was a good teacher? V.2 continues as he tells us, "for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." Look back with me at v.2:23-25. You may say, "I don't believe in miracles!" Well let me ask you this, "Is what you or I believe really the issue?" Or is it a matter of truth? You see truth by it's very nature stands beyond what we believe and how strongly we believe it. This man saw the miracles with his very eyes and believed them. They were so real to him he would some risk to go see this Jesus Christ. He still could've been seen at night, just not as well. Now I want you to notice what Christ did NOT do... He didn't tell Nicodemus He was right to call Jesus Rabbi. He didn't commend him for his bravery in coming to chat. He didn't confirm that He had in fact come from God.
What did Jesus say? v.3, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." This was the heart of the issue. You see Jesus knew what was in the heart of man. Nicodemus saw the miracles and acknowledged Jesus Christ, but Christ did not acknowledge him. He needed to be born again. You may have heard Christians say this today. You may have seen the street preacher on your way to the mall and heard him say this. "What exactly does it mean?! "born again?!" You ask in utter confusion" Well, you're not alone. Because Nicodemus asked the same question. He says in v.4-5, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit."
"Born Again"
In the original language this idea of being born again can also be translated "born from above" and the idea is that you must be "born from heaven." Nicodemus heard this and thought it meant physical birth, but Jesus was referring to something VERY different. He says this heavenly birth is to be of the "water and the Spirit." Some of you today may have been raised in a church where you had to be baptized, maybe as a baby, and the impression you got is that it was in some way to help you get to heaven. Is this the water Jesus is talking about here? I don't think we can say it is. There's no mention of baptism in this entire chapter. It doesn't fit in what Christ is saying here at all. There is no physical outward act you can do to help you get to heaven. The Bible says...
"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit," (Titus 3:5)
Do you see that? No righteous thing or physical earthly act we do can help us get any closer to heaven. I've been baptized three times. Does that get me any nearer to God than you? No. Here it says the "washing of regeneration/rebirth." This new birth is not like the old one. THIS new birth actually cleanses the soul! The water here gives us a metaphorical picture of what being born again looks like. In Matthew 3:11, the Bible also says, "As for me I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." When someone is born again and God the Holy Spirit moves upon them they don't catch on fire. They don't become the Human Torch. Fire has a purifying effect to it, just as water can have. The fire here is metaphorical, just like the water is. Jesus goes on to explain that physical earthly birth is simply that. It remains physical and earthly. It's nature and worth is different... it's not divine. Spiritual birth however is heavenly. It's this birth that Jesus speaks of as the birth that will allow someone to experience the kingdom of God after they die.
Think with me for a moment about the birth of a child. Before a child is born it lives in one reality, the reality of its' mother's womb. This is the only world the child can experience. Life is good in this world... the baby is protected and nurtured and even its' food is even provided for. But the baby wasn't meant to stay in that world. It's temporary. When the baby leaves the womb, a whole new world is opened up to them. Once the baby settles down and begins to look around at the new world, it sees people in a new way (from the outside no longer from the inside). It experiences a whole new way of life. And as the baby's father witnesses this birth, he is filled with a joy that words cannot know. This is similar to spiritual birth yet wholly different if I can say that, because you see right now this reality... this life as you know it, the way you see the world, the way you approach the difficulties and challenges of life... it all becomes new. You won't ask, "God why did you take my grandma?!" You'll say, "Lord, thank you for giving me such a sweet woman for so many years." When God changes your heart, when you're born again, you're given new eyes for this life and a new hope for heaven.
Jesus continues in v.7, "Do not be amazed that I say to you, you must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." The Holy Spirit of God works like the wind. He works invisibly. You can't see Him, but He begins to pull at you and the time comes when you hear these truths and you begin to believe them. God says that His people know and hear His voice. Some of you may feel the breath of the Holy Spirit on your heart and mind today. You see yourself in Nicodemus. You've been very religious, but you know it's not enough. I need to tell you today...
Drop the fake devotion to religious things.
Stop following a spirituality that you made up.
Stop trusting in your good morals.
Why do we need cleansing? Because no matter how hard we try to reform ourselves and our morals... we've already blown it.
We've told lies, we've put God last in our lives, we've looked with lust committing adultery in our heart, we've taken God's name in vain. We're not good people. And your religious cloak can't hide our nakedness before God. God says you are are dead in your sins. You're the walking dead. And you're walking straight into Hell.
We need the cleansing that only God can give. And He gave it when He became a man in Jesus Christ, who died on a cross to take your sin and mine upon Himself. he didn't die so you could go to church on Easter or Christmas and feel a little better about yourself. He died as a sacrifice for sin. He then rose from the dead on the 3rd day, proving who He was. God says you must surrender all that you are. You must lay your excuses, your fears, and your religiosity at the foot of the cross of Christ. You must turn your back on sin and put your trust in Christ alone not in your parent's religion, your baptism, your prayers or any good things you did to your fellow man.
You see, through this story about the man Nicodemus God is showing you that...
To know about Jesus Christ only means you're the walking dead, but to know Jesus Christ means you are born again.
Now I'm not asking you to join the church. I'm not trying to sell you anything. I just wanna see you in heaven one day. So as our service ends, a few of us will be up front. If you have any questions or want to talk further about this. Please feel free to come and speak with us.
Let's pray...
What's the difference between the one who is spiritual and the one who is born again? You see this is the question at the heart of the matter today and this is the question that Jesus Himself answers for us this morning in John 3:1-8. John is the fourth book in the New Testament, just after Luke and before Acts. John 3:1-8.
READ: John 3:1-8
Now Nicodemus was a spiritual man, but he was more than that. He was a leader of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a Jewish sect of legalistic leaders that were antagonistic to Christ and His followers. To distinguish them from another major group in the New Testament it's been said that because they were legalistic they weren't "fair...u see" as compared to the Sadducees who denied the resurrection and therefore had no future hope and were "sad...u see." Him being a leader meant that he was likely part of the Sanhedrin, which was like the Jewish Supreme Court. And Nicodemus wanted to meet with Jesus. But there was a problem. He was a Pharisee. How would he do this? He knew that his comrades wouldn't think too highly of him going to see this trouble maker. So I imagine he began thinking, "I can't talk to Him during the day because the people are all over Him. Surely they would see me." So after the fanfare dispersed, the linen weavers went home, and the carpenters packed up their things, the sun took its' place beneath the earth and the crickets brought the night with them. Now it was time to go see Jesus. This "ruler of the Jews" Nicodemus traveled carefully and quietly to now go see the man who would later be called the "King of the Jews." So he traveled quietly and secretly. His first words to Christ in v.2 are, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher;" Do know what it took for someone to be recognized as a Rabbi in this culture? A Rabbi was made being the disciple of another Rabbi. Jesus had no mentor and in fact was wowing teachers in the temple even when He was a twelve year old boy! And this man recognized Him as Rabbi and teacher.
Some of you today may say the same... Jesus was a real man and a good teacher. He's the one who said, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." He said to "love your neighbor as you love yourself." But is that all He said? because if He is a good teacher than the things He taught were good, and right, and true... weren't they? Keep that in mind as we continue in this story together. Why did Nicodemus say He was a good teacher? V.2 continues as he tells us, "for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." Look back with me at v.2:23-25. You may say, "I don't believe in miracles!" Well let me ask you this, "Is what you or I believe really the issue?" Or is it a matter of truth? You see truth by it's very nature stands beyond what we believe and how strongly we believe it. This man saw the miracles with his very eyes and believed them. They were so real to him he would some risk to go see this Jesus Christ. He still could've been seen at night, just not as well. Now I want you to notice what Christ did NOT do... He didn't tell Nicodemus He was right to call Jesus Rabbi. He didn't commend him for his bravery in coming to chat. He didn't confirm that He had in fact come from God.
What did Jesus say? v.3, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." This was the heart of the issue. You see Jesus knew what was in the heart of man. Nicodemus saw the miracles and acknowledged Jesus Christ, but Christ did not acknowledge him. He needed to be born again. You may have heard Christians say this today. You may have seen the street preacher on your way to the mall and heard him say this. "What exactly does it mean?! "born again?!" You ask in utter confusion" Well, you're not alone. Because Nicodemus asked the same question. He says in v.4-5, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit."
"Born Again"
In the original language this idea of being born again can also be translated "born from above" and the idea is that you must be "born from heaven." Nicodemus heard this and thought it meant physical birth, but Jesus was referring to something VERY different. He says this heavenly birth is to be of the "water and the Spirit." Some of you today may have been raised in a church where you had to be baptized, maybe as a baby, and the impression you got is that it was in some way to help you get to heaven. Is this the water Jesus is talking about here? I don't think we can say it is. There's no mention of baptism in this entire chapter. It doesn't fit in what Christ is saying here at all. There is no physical outward act you can do to help you get to heaven. The Bible says...
"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit," (Titus 3:5)
Do you see that? No righteous thing or physical earthly act we do can help us get any closer to heaven. I've been baptized three times. Does that get me any nearer to God than you? No. Here it says the "washing of regeneration/rebirth." This new birth is not like the old one. THIS new birth actually cleanses the soul! The water here gives us a metaphorical picture of what being born again looks like. In Matthew 3:11, the Bible also says, "As for me I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." When someone is born again and God the Holy Spirit moves upon them they don't catch on fire. They don't become the Human Torch. Fire has a purifying effect to it, just as water can have. The fire here is metaphorical, just like the water is. Jesus goes on to explain that physical earthly birth is simply that. It remains physical and earthly. It's nature and worth is different... it's not divine. Spiritual birth however is heavenly. It's this birth that Jesus speaks of as the birth that will allow someone to experience the kingdom of God after they die.
Think with me for a moment about the birth of a child. Before a child is born it lives in one reality, the reality of its' mother's womb. This is the only world the child can experience. Life is good in this world... the baby is protected and nurtured and even its' food is even provided for. But the baby wasn't meant to stay in that world. It's temporary. When the baby leaves the womb, a whole new world is opened up to them. Once the baby settles down and begins to look around at the new world, it sees people in a new way (from the outside no longer from the inside). It experiences a whole new way of life. And as the baby's father witnesses this birth, he is filled with a joy that words cannot know. This is similar to spiritual birth yet wholly different if I can say that, because you see right now this reality... this life as you know it, the way you see the world, the way you approach the difficulties and challenges of life... it all becomes new. You won't ask, "God why did you take my grandma?!" You'll say, "Lord, thank you for giving me such a sweet woman for so many years." When God changes your heart, when you're born again, you're given new eyes for this life and a new hope for heaven.
Jesus continues in v.7, "Do not be amazed that I say to you, you must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." The Holy Spirit of God works like the wind. He works invisibly. You can't see Him, but He begins to pull at you and the time comes when you hear these truths and you begin to believe them. God says that His people know and hear His voice. Some of you may feel the breath of the Holy Spirit on your heart and mind today. You see yourself in Nicodemus. You've been very religious, but you know it's not enough. I need to tell you today...
Drop the fake devotion to religious things.
Stop following a spirituality that you made up.
Stop trusting in your good morals.
Why do we need cleansing? Because no matter how hard we try to reform ourselves and our morals... we've already blown it.
We've told lies, we've put God last in our lives, we've looked with lust committing adultery in our heart, we've taken God's name in vain. We're not good people. And your religious cloak can't hide our nakedness before God. God says you are are dead in your sins. You're the walking dead. And you're walking straight into Hell.
We need the cleansing that only God can give. And He gave it when He became a man in Jesus Christ, who died on a cross to take your sin and mine upon Himself. he didn't die so you could go to church on Easter or Christmas and feel a little better about yourself. He died as a sacrifice for sin. He then rose from the dead on the 3rd day, proving who He was. God says you must surrender all that you are. You must lay your excuses, your fears, and your religiosity at the foot of the cross of Christ. You must turn your back on sin and put your trust in Christ alone not in your parent's religion, your baptism, your prayers or any good things you did to your fellow man.
You see, through this story about the man Nicodemus God is showing you that...
To know about Jesus Christ only means you're the walking dead, but to know Jesus Christ means you are born again.
Now I'm not asking you to join the church. I'm not trying to sell you anything. I just wanna see you in heaven one day. So as our service ends, a few of us will be up front. If you have any questions or want to talk further about this. Please feel free to come and speak with us.
Let's pray...
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Anticipating Goodbyes
One of the most well known friendships in Scripture is the one between David and Saul's son Jonathan. It continues to amaze me as I read about it in 1 Samuel 18-20. This friendship was developing right under Saul's nose and it was developing because God was doing it despite Saul's extreme jealousy and hatred for David. This friendship served (I believe) as a form of God's preservation in David's life to prepare him for kingship. You know their friendship was a direct work of God because 18:1 tells us, "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself." Colossians 2:2 also expresses Paul's desire that believers be "knit together in love." Now, I haven't broken this up and studied it like mad but reading the English in 1 Samuel... the "was knit" seems to tell us this wasn't something done by the parties mentioned but rather happened to them. Knowing the scope of the story we can safely say God was doing this (and one may ask.. is there anything God doesn't have a hand in?). But this doesn't seem to be a friendship that faded after the passing of time. It doesn't seem to be one that allowed a summer or a semester or a new brother or sister floor to steal its' affections. We know this because while the beginning of Ch.18 introduced us to this friendship, we read later in 20:3-4, "But David took an oath and said, 'Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, 'Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.' Yet as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.' Jonathan said to David, 'Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you.'" This was real friendship.
As I look toward the reality of being done at Moody, it occurs to me that the time is coming for me to say goodbye to my friends here. I've often said Moody has felt more like home to me than my home. It's like a home away from home away from home. Notice the three homes... permanent residence, Moody, and... heaven. I'm the only believer in my family and biblically my spiritual family is closer than my blood family. While I know we can talk about coming to visit for graduation or making trips or making phone calls or always having facebook, but I know from experience that many if not most of the friendships we have may not be maintained or deepened. I know a real chance exists that I may never see many of these brothers and sisters again. We come here and then scatter across the world for ministry. God in His providence may put us together in ministry later but He may not. Being who I am (one who hasn't historically been the social type) I find myself experiencing a deep sadness at this realization. Maybe it's a product of God's work in me. This is new to me... this sadness. I feel like the android Lt. Commander Data in Star Trek when he first begins to experience emotions. "An intriguing sensation," he'd likely say. While I thank God for more of a heart for people and I know He will use it for ministry... the byproduct is difficult.
I suppose I can now appreciate the song, "What a friend we have in Jesus" in a fresh way. Oh what a friend He is... and more.
As I look toward the reality of being done at Moody, it occurs to me that the time is coming for me to say goodbye to my friends here. I've often said Moody has felt more like home to me than my home. It's like a home away from home away from home. Notice the three homes... permanent residence, Moody, and... heaven. I'm the only believer in my family and biblically my spiritual family is closer than my blood family. While I know we can talk about coming to visit for graduation or making trips or making phone calls or always having facebook, but I know from experience that many if not most of the friendships we have may not be maintained or deepened. I know a real chance exists that I may never see many of these brothers and sisters again. We come here and then scatter across the world for ministry. God in His providence may put us together in ministry later but He may not. Being who I am (one who hasn't historically been the social type) I find myself experiencing a deep sadness at this realization. Maybe it's a product of God's work in me. This is new to me... this sadness. I feel like the android Lt. Commander Data in Star Trek when he first begins to experience emotions. "An intriguing sensation," he'd likely say. While I thank God for more of a heart for people and I know He will use it for ministry... the byproduct is difficult.
I suppose I can now appreciate the song, "What a friend we have in Jesus" in a fresh way. Oh what a friend He is... and more.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Bowling with the Religious
Last night I was invited to go bowling at a Lutheran church in the area because I know someone who goes there. Apparently it's common for Lutheran churches to have bowling lanes in their basements. This particular building was erected in the mid 1930's and was originally a bowling alley now converted into a church. The design of the lanes and the parts behind them were all original strangely enough. An interesting concept. Only a handful of stairs though separated the bowling lanes from a sign by the church front door. The sign said loudly proclaimed "NO GUM" in the building (I had a brand new pack in my pocket). Underneath it read something like, "Not pockets, backpacks, pants, etc." I couldn't help but notice the grammar problem. It didn't say "No gum IN pockets, backpacks..." It was as if the NO GUM was primary but secondarily pants weren't allowed either. I made the pastor aware of my observation.
Legalism. You don't have to spend too much time searching outside of biblical Christianity to find it. It may be in plain view in the church sanctuary, posted by the front door, or tucked into a drawer in the office of the leadership, but it will be there. I didn't do too good in bowling, but I got one strike and was happy with that. We also had flat bread pizza. I even got a discount being a college student. As I've already given away, the pastor eventually showed up. When he did I had this strange sensation of having a connection with someone, yet in another sense being totally separate from them (in what mattered). Between turns I spoke with him about entering a church as pastor and the differences between the Lutheran process and my own. He said there would be a point where they sent you a doctrinal list covering certain things. I took this as an opportunity to get to the issue I wanted to discuss. I asked, "do they ask about baptism?" I knew the Lutheran church believes in baptismal regeneration (the idea that water baptism plays a key role in salvation). So I admitted up front and assumed he knew we disagreed on this issue, but asked him what the arguments were from his end. He tried to steer it in the direction of communion or infant baptism at times, but those issues while they have implications... weren't as vital in my mind as the baptism discussion. He quoted a few texts for support (the ones I expected from him). The most popular of these is 1 Peter 3:21-22,
"21(F)Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--(G)not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a (H)good conscience--through (I)the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22(J)who is at the right hand of God, (K)having gone into heaven, (L)after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."
I must ask how someone can read something so clear and ignore what it plainly says? the only answer I can come up with is that there's spiritual blindness at work here. The "baptism" here is clarified in the same verse as NOT "removal of dirt from the body." Salvation doesn't come from water running over your body. Taking a bath doesn't wash away your sins. Beyond this the emphasis is not "baptism." The emphasis is Jesus Christ. This is simple to notice even without an in-depth analysis of these two verses. We know from Ephesians 2 "we are saved by grace through faith and this not of works, lest anyone should boast." Titus 3:5 tells us "5(DA)He saved us, (DB)not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but (DC)according to His mercy, by the (DD)washing of regeneration and (DE)renewing by the Holy Spirit," They usually point to the "washing" in this verse but ignore once again the "deeds." Their very own proof texts destroy their theology. The washing here can be compared the John 3 where Jesus tells Nicodemus to be born of "water and Spirit." The idea is that the Holy Spirit when He baptizes you (something different than water baptism) spiritually there will be an invisible internal cleansing. A divine heart change cannot happen by outward washing. This DOES happen during salvation, but not during water baptism. Notice also Titus doesn't say it's the washing "of baptism," but "of regeneration." The regeneration is doing the cleansing. A similar idea is found in Acts with the baptism of the Holy Spirit "and fire." Is this literal fire? Do we all become the Human Torch when we're saved? Surely not.
So I discussed some of this with him, though not nearly in the depth at which I've done here. I pray God uses that conversation to at the very least force that man to examine the context of Scripture which so easily complicates Lutheran theology and hopefully lead him to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and not his baptism. Among these religious men was found profanity and senseless complaints alongside this conviction that baptism plays a part in salvation. They were religious men, but still lost without Christ and destined for a literal hell. Lord, please change their hearts and use your Word to do it.
Legalism. You don't have to spend too much time searching outside of biblical Christianity to find it. It may be in plain view in the church sanctuary, posted by the front door, or tucked into a drawer in the office of the leadership, but it will be there. I didn't do too good in bowling, but I got one strike and was happy with that. We also had flat bread pizza. I even got a discount being a college student. As I've already given away, the pastor eventually showed up. When he did I had this strange sensation of having a connection with someone, yet in another sense being totally separate from them (in what mattered). Between turns I spoke with him about entering a church as pastor and the differences between the Lutheran process and my own. He said there would be a point where they sent you a doctrinal list covering certain things. I took this as an opportunity to get to the issue I wanted to discuss. I asked, "do they ask about baptism?" I knew the Lutheran church believes in baptismal regeneration (the idea that water baptism plays a key role in salvation). So I admitted up front and assumed he knew we disagreed on this issue, but asked him what the arguments were from his end. He tried to steer it in the direction of communion or infant baptism at times, but those issues while they have implications... weren't as vital in my mind as the baptism discussion. He quoted a few texts for support (the ones I expected from him). The most popular of these is 1 Peter 3:21-22,
"21(F)Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--(G)not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a (H)good conscience--through (I)the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22(J)who is at the right hand of God, (K)having gone into heaven, (L)after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."
I must ask how someone can read something so clear and ignore what it plainly says? the only answer I can come up with is that there's spiritual blindness at work here. The "baptism" here is clarified in the same verse as NOT "removal of dirt from the body." Salvation doesn't come from water running over your body. Taking a bath doesn't wash away your sins. Beyond this the emphasis is not "baptism." The emphasis is Jesus Christ. This is simple to notice even without an in-depth analysis of these two verses. We know from Ephesians 2 "we are saved by grace through faith and this not of works, lest anyone should boast." Titus 3:5 tells us "5(DA)He saved us, (DB)not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but (DC)according to His mercy, by the (DD)washing of regeneration and (DE)renewing by the Holy Spirit," They usually point to the "washing" in this verse but ignore once again the "deeds." Their very own proof texts destroy their theology. The washing here can be compared the John 3 where Jesus tells Nicodemus to be born of "water and Spirit." The idea is that the Holy Spirit when He baptizes you (something different than water baptism) spiritually there will be an invisible internal cleansing. A divine heart change cannot happen by outward washing. This DOES happen during salvation, but not during water baptism. Notice also Titus doesn't say it's the washing "of baptism," but "of regeneration." The regeneration is doing the cleansing. A similar idea is found in Acts with the baptism of the Holy Spirit "and fire." Is this literal fire? Do we all become the Human Torch when we're saved? Surely not.
So I discussed some of this with him, though not nearly in the depth at which I've done here. I pray God uses that conversation to at the very least force that man to examine the context of Scripture which so easily complicates Lutheran theology and hopefully lead him to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and not his baptism. Among these religious men was found profanity and senseless complaints alongside this conviction that baptism plays a part in salvation. They were religious men, but still lost without Christ and destined for a literal hell. Lord, please change their hearts and use your Word to do it.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
By the Water
Late last week I did something totally unlike me. It was something everyone who knows me well would certainly say I'd never do and if I did... I'd definitely make it "productive." I went on a retreat. We went to Green Lake Conference Center in Wisconsin. It was the Senior class retreat and yes this homeworkaholic went. Who could refuse? It was only $25 for roughly 3 days of lodging, meals, fellowship, and being among such a representation of God's creation. We had times of discussion about memories, prayer, singing, a bonfire with S'mores (I successfully made my first S'more ever). It also ended on my birthday. And get this... I only brought my Bible. Are you proud? While I'm trying to catch up on reading some now that I'm back on campus, it's occurring more and more to me that these things in life that we often ignore and don't stop long enough to appreciate are the very things that we cherish in old age and wish we hadn't skipped when younger. I find myself often a guy concerned about the bottom line, efficiency, what will pragmatically be the best use of time to accomplish the requirements of an assignment or class, etc. But during those few days I was alright with the idea of taking a small percentage hit to my grade for missing a couple assigned readings. There were more important things in life.
I'm not one to spend too much time playing games and being in the midst of the traffic and noise. So when I wasn't catching up on the sleep I knew I'd never get when real life began again, I found myself spending time on a bench by the water or on the little dock with my feet propped up on a post. If not there I visited Spurgeon chapel a short distance from the lodge. The door needed a good push to be opened. If you didn't use enough force you'd think it was sealed shut. It was small and full of cobwebs. In the back there was a guestbook, a prayer request tree, and a broken organ. In the front middle on the altar were papers full of prayer requests where you could leave your own and pray for others. To the right was a walk-in pulpit with a Gideon Bible from the early 1950's with the back cover torn off. The acoustics in that chapel were good... you didn't have to speak very loudly for people to hear you. The whole time I was there it seemed unused, though there were 3 chapels in the area. As I stood in the pulpit I couldn't help but think of my future and I needed to pray.
Over my sabbatical it was difficult to concentrate reading Scripture. My prayer for the trip was "Lord, bind my wandering heart to thee." So many things can distract us. I didn't spend nearly enough time by the water. On the dock after dark you could see the cross lit up on a tower. It was so bright it eclipsed the tower itself and looked like it was suspended floating in the air. As I continued my prayer to focus on the Lord I stared at the cross for awhile and thought, "how appropriate." Doesn't the Bible say something about fixing our eyes on Jesus? I was reading earlier today about the Lament Psalms. It was refreshing to find that the authors simply express their distress unashamedly and without reservation to God. Though I knew that, it was interested to have it put the way it was in my textbook. I imagine we often have struggles inside that we only express to the Lord... worries, desires, and pain that if others were to hear it they would think us mad or rebuke us. It's nice to read the Psalms and see such honesty.
I continue to think toward what God will do in my future. This is constantly on my mind. As time passes I ask the Lord for patience and endurance. I tell God I believe, but please help me with my unbelief. I can trust for the outcome, but somehow it's hard to trust for the in-between. I got on the Alumni referral list here at school and they'll be emailing open listings for Pastoral positions across the U.S. I've sent resumes to a good number of them, but God doesn't seem to be working clearly toward any one in particular yet. I'm excited to see what may come. I've got plans if nothing firm begins to come of this before I go back to TX, but I'm willing to forsake those plans and would be happy to if God began to move elsewhere. I wanna go where He sends me. All plans are tentative to sovereignty.
For all who read this... this is a delicate time for me. I need so much prayer. I need wisdom and discernment. I don't want to assume the next seemingly good thing that comes my way is God's will and jump right in. I want to be wise about making choices because the next major choices in my life will be the big ones. I'm ready to make those choices, but I need to make them well. God has done so much in my heart, maturity, and confidence in the past couple years. I've learned a lot. I'm praying He'll let me use it all very soon.
I'm not one to spend too much time playing games and being in the midst of the traffic and noise. So when I wasn't catching up on the sleep I knew I'd never get when real life began again, I found myself spending time on a bench by the water or on the little dock with my feet propped up on a post. If not there I visited Spurgeon chapel a short distance from the lodge. The door needed a good push to be opened. If you didn't use enough force you'd think it was sealed shut. It was small and full of cobwebs. In the back there was a guestbook, a prayer request tree, and a broken organ. In the front middle on the altar were papers full of prayer requests where you could leave your own and pray for others. To the right was a walk-in pulpit with a Gideon Bible from the early 1950's with the back cover torn off. The acoustics in that chapel were good... you didn't have to speak very loudly for people to hear you. The whole time I was there it seemed unused, though there were 3 chapels in the area. As I stood in the pulpit I couldn't help but think of my future and I needed to pray.
Over my sabbatical it was difficult to concentrate reading Scripture. My prayer for the trip was "Lord, bind my wandering heart to thee." So many things can distract us. I didn't spend nearly enough time by the water. On the dock after dark you could see the cross lit up on a tower. It was so bright it eclipsed the tower itself and looked like it was suspended floating in the air. As I continued my prayer to focus on the Lord I stared at the cross for awhile and thought, "how appropriate." Doesn't the Bible say something about fixing our eyes on Jesus? I was reading earlier today about the Lament Psalms. It was refreshing to find that the authors simply express their distress unashamedly and without reservation to God. Though I knew that, it was interested to have it put the way it was in my textbook. I imagine we often have struggles inside that we only express to the Lord... worries, desires, and pain that if others were to hear it they would think us mad or rebuke us. It's nice to read the Psalms and see such honesty.
I continue to think toward what God will do in my future. This is constantly on my mind. As time passes I ask the Lord for patience and endurance. I tell God I believe, but please help me with my unbelief. I can trust for the outcome, but somehow it's hard to trust for the in-between. I got on the Alumni referral list here at school and they'll be emailing open listings for Pastoral positions across the U.S. I've sent resumes to a good number of them, but God doesn't seem to be working clearly toward any one in particular yet. I'm excited to see what may come. I've got plans if nothing firm begins to come of this before I go back to TX, but I'm willing to forsake those plans and would be happy to if God began to move elsewhere. I wanna go where He sends me. All plans are tentative to sovereignty.
For all who read this... this is a delicate time for me. I need so much prayer. I need wisdom and discernment. I don't want to assume the next seemingly good thing that comes my way is God's will and jump right in. I want to be wise about making choices because the next major choices in my life will be the big ones. I'm ready to make those choices, but I need to make them well. God has done so much in my heart, maturity, and confidence in the past couple years. I've learned a lot. I'm praying He'll let me use it all very soon.
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