Church signs, don't you just love them? These signs can produce some of the most simple or most inane messages ever! Signs tell us a lot about a church. If they are well maintained and easy to read, they tell us the people care about their message. If they are unkempt and neglected, it may speak to the fact the church has forgotten why they are here.
Take the sign just above, what does it say about the church? Well, either the person who put the sign up wanted to make a statement about their pastor, or they didn't really read what they put up. I would like to think it is the later. Signs tell people more about us than we might be willing to admit.
Jesus wrote 7 letters to 7 churches in Asia Minor. These letters are preserved for us in the Apostle John's writing, "The Book of the Revelation." A case is laid out to each church concerning commendations and condemnations. Each letter presents Jesus in a unique way to the church and then goes on to instruct the church on changes that need to be made. Only the church in Smyrna received no condemnation for the Lord. Words like busy, poor, persecuted, compromising, lax, dead, loyal, mission-focused, lukewarm, and even Christ-less are descriptive of these churches.
In our Sunday night services I have been taking time for us to look at these churches. Each church has a primary focus, a practical focus and personal focus. Both the church and the individuals who make up the church can learn lessons on how we should live for the Lord in this wicked world. To four of the seven churches the word "repent" is spoken. The call to repentance points to the need of the churches to change their ways. Going away from the Lord and cooperating with the world is the wrong path. The message to repent needed to be heard and heeded.
What is the reputation of our churches before the Lord and the world? What do people say about us and our Saviour? Then, what is the reputation we have about ourselves? When people look at us, do they see the Lord?
The worst accusation that was laid at the feet of these churches comes in Revelation 3:20 when Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Often this door is spoken of as the door of our heart. But, if we keep the context clear, the door is actually the door of the church! Jesus is on the outside of His church seeking to get in. He has been banished from His own church. Warner Sallman painted one of the most recognizable pictures in evangelical Christianity. The picture depicts Jesus standing at a door knocking. Although he wanted it to represent the door of our heart, I believe the door is the door of the church. If you were to look closely at the painting you would notice no door knob is drawn on the outside of the door. To get in, Jesus must be invited in by those inside.
Today consider if our churches have put Jesus outside. Or, consider whether we as His children have relegated Him to the outside of our lives. If so, be sure to hear the knocking and open the door.
Well, Christmas is here again. Are you ready? If you're not ready by now you've probably waited too long.
As you enter into the day I want to encourage you and your family to,take some time to reflect upon the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Maybe you could gather your family together to read the account of the birth of Christ in the either the Gospel of Matthew or Luke. These familiar passages would be a great place to start the day.
Many would say that the Gospel of John doesn't have a birth record. Yet, the Apostle John says, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." So much truth is couched in those few words. "Became flesh" is the entire story of the the account of Mary's visit by the angel to the visit of the angels to the shepherds.
Then, the words "dwelt among us" covers everything from His birth to His Ascension back to heaven. Please take time to consider all that Christmas contains.
How many of us while growing up looked forward to Friday? I know I did. I would complete each Friday by saying, “Thank goodness it’s Friday!” I was so glad another week of school was over. The weekend was beckoning me and I was ready for FUN. Mondays were just not as joyful. Fridays; sometimes they were really good for me.
One particular Friday in human history has been called “Good Friday.” If we didn’t know better we might conclude some really exciting event happened on that Friday. We might decide it is so called because a happy event happened. I doubt many of us, if any of us, would call the day a loved one died as a good day. It is, rather, a day of sorrow, mourning and pain. Good? I don’t think so.
Can anyone imagine calling “good” a day on which they were beaten, rejected, and died? Our enemies might call that day “good.” But, if we had a chance I doubt that is what we would call it. Yet, the day on which Jesus Christ died for lost sinners, paying the penalty of death and separation from HIs Father, we call it good. So, for whom is this day good?
To be exchanged for a murdering, thieving, rebel isn’t good. To die for his crimes wouldn’t be good. To be spit upon by a crowd of hecklers wouldn’t be good. To see your friends deny they know you wouldn’t be good. To have one you considered a close friend betray you to killers wouldn’t be good. To be nailed to a wooden cross to die a slow excruciating death would not be good. So, why do we call it good?
It was good because Jesus willingly followed His Father’s will. It is good because He obeyed His Father in the face of death. It is good because His Father had already declared that Jesus was “His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased.” It was good because even though the perpetrators didn’t know it, they were part of God’s plan. It was good because so many prophecies from the Old Testament were fulfilled that Friday. It was good because this one Lamb would provide redemption for so many. It might not have been so good for Jesus, but it was GREAT for us.
Today you need to stop to reflect upon the events of that day. You and I need to contemplate how horrible it must have been, how painful and how humiliating it must have been. Take time to consider the Gospel chapters that tell the story. Meditate upon Hebrews 12:1-3. Think about what the writer means when he says, “..endured…despising…shame…hostility…” Go back to reread the passages that relate Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Ask yourself, where would I be if I was part of the story? Would you do better than they did? Would run and hide or stand up? Would any of us be Judas? Do we secretly posses a heart of stone? What would come out of our mouth? What?
But, as the now famous saying goes, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin’.”
Good Friday? Not so much for Jesus, but so much for us. Don’t finish today without taking some time to give thanks to your Saviour for providing you with redemption.
Which Easter story will you celebrate? It seems the world has gone so much for the easter bunny, chocolate and eggs that the entire story of Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection has been lost. Speak to people today about what Easter is all about and most will not even know about Jesus’ resurrection. Like Santa Claus, the easter bunny has come front and center. Historically the concept of an easter bunny came from immigrants from Germany. We are told German Lutherans brought this tradition with them. Why they began to use the image of a bunny for easter is unclear. But, it has certainly become the dominate theme in our culture today.
Though we might add coloring eggs, hiding eggs, or eating chocolate to our Easter celebration, it must never replace the real message of Christ’s resurrection. How important is the resurrection of Jesus? In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul lists three reasons the resurrection is indispensable to our faith. In 15:12-13 Paul says if there is no resurrection then even Jesus did not rise from the dead. That would mean He is still in the tomb, dead like all other human religious leaders. Second, in 15:14 and 17 Paul says if Christ is not alive our faith is futile, vain, empty, and useless! Who wants to own something that is useless? No one. Thirdly, in 15:15 Paul says if Jesus is not alive then his witnesses are false witnesses. That is, if we preach He is alive and He isn’t, then we are just liars. Like telling people the easter bunny is real, when we know it isn’t, if we tell people Jesus is alive and He isn’t, we are just telling fables. It becomes yet just another false hope.
But, HE IS ALIVE! He did come forth from the tomb. He was triumphant over death, hell and Satan. That first of all Easter Sunday mornings the disciples came to the tomb sad and despondent to finish the task of burial. But, their gloom turned to great joy. They saw and heard the message, He is not here, He’s ALIVE. No longer would death hold Him.
In the Book Romans Paul says this, “…declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead…” (Rom. 1:4) God assured us that His Son was His Son by bringing Him out from among the dead ones. He is ALIVE. Praise His name.
Fo us in California today is a great day because the rains have arrived. We have experienced one of our driest winters in history. While much of the country has been getting a lot of rain, snow, sleet, and ice, we have been really dry. The “drought” word has been bandied about by many in our State. But, today, we are getting a really nice rain. And, the rest of the week is to be quite wet. For us spring has sprung.
But, there is a more important sign that spring has sprung. Today, all around the country, open day baseball games are being played. This, my friend, is a telltale sign that we are leaving winter behind and are headed to Spring and on into Summer and Fall. For some of us at least, this is the official opening of Spring.
Ernie Harwell, the longtime voice of the Detroit Tiger’s radio broadcast, would begin each Spring training season with this quote from the Song of Solomon. “Fo lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” (Song of Solomon 2:11-12) Though he just might have been taking this out of context, it sure works for setting the stage of a long baseball season.
Now, I know, many of you couldn’t care less about baseball in general or the SF Giants or even the Oakland A’s. But, for me, I love this time of year. For me, I’m looking forward to Madison Bumgarner throwing that first pitch. I always seem to enter the new baseball season with a renewed hope and optimism. I may have my heart broken by October. But, I usually enjoy the ride.
Yet, baseball, flowers, or April showers aren’t really the most important events to Spring. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important day on our calendar. Without HIs death, burial, and resurrection, His birth would have been useless. Without His work on the cross, His work on the earth would shave been futile. Yes, THIS is the reason we look forward to Spring every year. THIS is the foundation of our celebration. And, we will never be disappointed in this celebration.
Go ahead, if you are a baseball fan, cheer for your team. Yell, scream, encourage, and talk about your team. But, don’t forget the more important work of Christ on the cross.
Who remembers Simon and Garfunkel? I do! Does that make me really OLD? I think so. One of their more popular songs was known as “59th Street Bridge Song.” It began with these words, “Slow down you move too fast, you’ve got to make the morning last….” It was a call in the 60’s to slow down from the fast pace of life. Maybe they were on to something.
If the 60’s represented a fast paced life, what can be said of our day? We live in a time of just about instant everything. From virtually instant communication through FB, Twitter, email and cell phones to the plethora of fast food restaurants and drive-up windows to ATM’s and instant cash to…. Well, you get the point. Most people are running so much from one activity to another they never stop to “smell the roses.” Even the prophet Nahum spoke of the invading enemy as having raging chariots. (Nah. 2:4) I guess speed isn’t only a modern day problem.
What do we miss in the fast lane? We can find out if we simply pull over to the slow lane! Or, better yet, get out to walk. It’s amazing the things we miss when we are fixated on speed. Teenagers want to speed through life to adulthood. Children want to speed through childhood to being a teenager. And, many want to just get moving faster through life. Rarely do we hear to slow down.
I want to issue a call to slow down. Remember when we were children our parents and teachers said this to us, “Stop, look and listen.” They didn’t want us to rush across the road and endanger our lives because we weren’t looking. A few years ago I was on my way to a Giants game and I must have been too interested in getting there quickly. Crossing the Embarcadero I failed to stop, look and listen and almost paid for it with my life. I ran out in front of oncoming traffic, narrowly missing being struck. Believe me, if I had been run over, the driver would not have been at fault! But, the Lord was gracious and got me across the street without a scratch. But, if I had only slowed down, none of that would have happened.
What are we missing by just rushing headlong into the fray? We need to take time to meditate and reflect. Find a quiet spot where you can be alone without interruptions. That means, turn off your phone, get away from your computer, and listen to the birds. Think about life and the Lord. Don’t become distracted as Martha was. She was way too stressed out and pent up! She needed to slow down to see what was more important. Jesus told her that her sister, Mary, had chosen the better part.
This week, why not practice a little slowing down? Get alone with the Lord. Watch your children or grandchildren more than the TV. Listen to the Lord more than music. Pay attention to others more than your favorite sports team. Slow down. Stop, look, and listen.
The Bible has much to say about believers in the Church. Different pictures were used to describe the Church. Some of these are a building, a bride, a body, and a bastion. But, the one picture that might be most endearing is the picture of the brethren. The New Testament draws lessons from the relationship in a family for our relationship with each other. Just like in a family sibling rivalry exists, at times a little misunderstanding can happen in a local church. And, just like in a family, we will defend our family to the end, so also in a local church we should be prepared to stand up for one another. Families are a great metaphor for the Church.
Many years ago Bill Gaither wrote a song we sing quite often. Some of the words are, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the family, the family of God.” This family is precious to us. We have members of our family around the world that we haven’t met. Yet, this is not the family I want to talk about.
I doubt anyone would disagree with me that the family is under attack. More than ever the family unit is being maligned and redefined. Society is pushing the make up and purpose of the family unit far from a biblical model. G. K. Chesterton once said, “The family is the test of freedom.” Where did the family come from? Why does it exist? How is it formed? These and other questions will be considered as we continue our way through Ephesians 5.
Two main functions will be seen in these verses. The first one is the roles of the husband and wife. Paul will spell out how this relationship should function. Remember, he was addressing a culture quite immoral and pagan. Ephesus was the headquarters for the worship of Diana. The people who made up the church were coming from lives of debauchery and depravity. They did not grow up in a “christian home” or a “christian society.” They had to learn first hand how the home should be a reflection of Christ and the Church. What a change this represents for them. What a testimony it would have been to see the dramatic difference their families would make.
The second relationship referred to is the parent and child. Some married couples will not have children. God is the One who opens and closes the womb. But, those who are blessed with children carry a huge weight of responsibility. The home should the breeding ground of faith as the children see genuine faith being lived out. One author said this, “The family circle is the supreme conductor of Christianity.” We as parents are to be raising our children to love the Lord. Will they all follow the Lord? No. But, it is our responsibility to be the first one to share the Gospel.
Family; we all have one. It may not be the best, and it may not even be Christian. But, we can change that cycle. Love your family and give thanks for them.
How’s your questioning? I know, sometimes we are told that questioning things is a sign of doubt. That can be true. But, other times asking questions is a sign of interest. So, I’ll ask you again, how’s your questioning?
Today I want to remind you that Sunday is coming and we will be remembering the Lord Jesus Christ via our Communion service. We have a Communion service each month on the first Sunday. For many of us we have been doing this for MANY years! So, maybe it has become simply a ritual we put up with. But, this Sunday we will be doing some things that will shake things up. We will have some unfamiliar aspects in the service.
During the Seder meal that the Jews celebrate each year at Passover a series of four questions are asked. These questions are designed to elicit a response to point out the reason the meal is being held. The questions aren’t necessarily being asked for information people don’t know the answers to. Rather, it gives the leader another opportunity to tell the story of Passover, the most important night in the history of Israel.
Sunday we will ask a series of five questions to direct our thoughts to the purpose of Communion. These questions are similar to the questions asked at the Seder meal. They will direct our thoughts away from the service and unto the Lord Himself.
One poet put it this way:
Gathered in Thy name, Lord Jesus
Losing sight of all but Thee,
Oh what joy Thy presence gives us,
Calling up our hearts to Thee.
Notice the wording that points us to Jesus. The poet says that during the Communion service we are be “Losing sight of all but Thee.” As you approach Sunday be asking the Lord to do that for you. You can ask yourself questions about Jesus and His work. The hymn “Lead Me to Calvary” has this chorus, “Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.” Go to Calvary to see past the cross, the pain and the suffering to see Jesus.
Another poet said this,
Amidst us our Beloved stands,
And bids us view His pierced hands;
Points to the wounded feet and side,
Blest emblems of the Crucified.
Come Sunday prepared to celebrate the Lord’s Table with us. What are your questions?
When Jesus met with His disciples on that last night together He knew it would be their last meal, but they didn’t. They were going through yet another Paschal meal, one like all the others. The ritual, the songs, the ceremony were designed to bring to their minds the events of Passover night. Each element prepared them for the offering of their passover lamb. Each one would have concluded that this night was no different than any other night. But, oh were they wrong.
The Jewish cycle of life is designed to stir the memory. Throughout the Old Testament the Lord set aside certain celebrations or places to remind them of where they had come from and where they were going. Throughout the Book of Joshua we meet a series of piles of stones used for this reason. The piles were placed at different spots so the younger could ask the older, “What is that pile of stones for?” Each memory was to be as fresh as at first.
But, over the years the freshness became stale. The memories became blurred. And, the worshippers become dull to the real reason for the celebration. Even to his day Jewish folks gather for the celebration of Passover without realizing the most important part; that it points to Messiah Jesus. In the entire service each element is yet another signpost pointing to Jesus. Yet, being blind to spiritual matters they simply go through the motions.
Sunday morning we will once again celebrate the Lord’s Table, Communion, or the Lord’s Supper. Our celebration goes by many different names. However, it has one main purpose; to remind of of Jesus. The words above our the key to what we do and why we do it. Each part of the service is designed to point us away from ourself and unto Jesus. It’s truly not about us, but rather, it’s about Him.
Would you begin now to prepare your heart for Communion? Would you look deeply into your heart to be sure your saved and walking in obedience to the Lord? Don’t wait until Sunday morning to prepare your heart. Begin now.
Oh, boy, mom won’t be happy about this mess! Looks like someone hasn’t been very careful in putting things away.
Have you heard about hoarders? They have become popular enough for a television show. Hoarders are people that have no self-control when it come to getting things. Some order unnecessary things and never open them. Others just won’t throw away an old magazine or newspapers. Things simply pile up higher and higher until the person can barely get around in their own home. Simply put, it is chaos!
Yet, each one of us has that same choice every day. We might not stress over throwing away an old newspaper. And, maybe our offices don’t look like this. But, our lives are made up of one out of control decision after another.
The Apostle Paul says, “Stop being dunk with wine which leads to dissipation.” (Eph. 5:18) Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t use the word “dissipation” much! Other translations use the English word “debauchery.” The Greek word Paul uses points out a wasteful life style. It has the idea of scattering things randomly. Much like a tornado, a life out of control simply turns life into chaos.
What about us? Are we living orderly or chaotically? Sunday we will look into steps that lead to orderly lives.
