From Limping to Leaping

Every Sunday morning I go through the same routine.  I wake up, walk the dogs, feed the dogs, and then sit down with a cup of coffee and go over the sermon I am about to preach.  This morning as I sat down with my coffee and began going over the sermon I noticed something in the text that stirred my thinking.  "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for disposal of refuse"  (2 Timothy 2:20 TNIV).  That final phrase is so much more specific than the more common "some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble" (NIV).  This image of an ancient toliet makes the next verse really stand out: "Any who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work" (2 Timothy 2:21)

As we have studied thorughout this series, it really is possible to become like Christ!  We are not just sinful wretches that will always be sinful wretches.  We may come to Christ on a stretcher, but he tells us to "take up our mat and walk."  There are things we can do to grow in holiness and righteouness.  I'm now wondering if the vessels mentioned in 2 Timothy are more than just symbols.  What if this life is simply preparation for the next life?  How differently would we live if we knew that our position in the Master's house depends upon the training and discipline we receive in this life? 

Our theme verse for "God's Gym" comes from 1 Timothy 4:7, "Train yourself to be Godly."  As we end the series look at the next verse, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8).  The work we put into training our selves to be godly will not end at the grave but will become treasures to take with us into the next life. 

To keep growing deeper in the life of Chrsit I've listed the resources below that I mentioned in class. 

I'll Need You Dad

After the sermon one dad told me he asked his teenager, "What would you say is the most important thing in my life?"  What a great question to ask.  That was exactly the response I was hoping for from dads.

Passing on faith to the next generation will never happen by accident.  It must be done intentionally.   Our faith must be Lived and Taught.  Our children need to See and Hear the message of Christ.  Godly parenting is not about perfection but direction.  What direction are we pointing our children?  What would they say is the direction our lives are moving? 

As one who now has all three children grown and on their own; I can personally testify that there is no greater joy than knowing that my children are walking in the truth.  I love that they are stable financially and successful in their chosen fields of work; but the most heartwarming satisfaction I have is knowing that at the core of their being they want to be faithful to Jesus Christ our Lord.

As we dedicated all those babies to the Lord this past Sunday my prayer for them is that their parents and the church might take the vows they made seriously.  May all of us work together to see that our children Know the Lord, Love the Lord and Obey the Lord!

Worship: A Body Building Exercise

Worship as a body building exercise is a difficult concept in our individualist culture.  I grew up learning the "acts of worship" and working to make sure that I did them properly.  Over time, I became more focused on having good worship "feelings" believing that if I experienced a "worship high" that meant that I had really worshiped.  But thinking about worship as a recognition of the Holy God and surrendering myself to him, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and the world; that's a really different way to look at things.

When personal surrender becomes the act of worship I do every Sunday morning; I am free to recognize God for who he is and for what he has done.  In turn I am also free to be used by God to encourage others and be available to love and serve them.  By surrendering myself, my preferences and my opinions for the good of the body, I am able to leave worship knowing that God has served me and equipped me to serve others throughout the week.  That kind of empowering worship is what builds up the body.  I love the experience of having good feelings during worship, but I'd much rather view worship as a spiritual discipline for the body of Christ. Having the body of Christ grow strong and healthy; now that's a goal for corporate worship that we should all be able to work toward.

Fasting for Spiritual Formation

I recently heard a replacement term for "spiritual disciplines."  The new term is "soul training exercises."  There is concern that some might have lost sight of the point and made the "disciplines" ends in themselves.  In order words, "get the disciplines down pat and you will instantly be spiritual."  The opposite of this would be viewing the disciplines as optional for ordinary Christians and necessary only for the super spiritual.  Pursuing the disciplines as ends in themselves leads one to take pride in their accomplishments.  Not having the disciplines in one's life leads one to a flabby, out of shape Christianity that is a poor excuse for discipleship.  My prayer is that neither will be considered the norm for us! 

I don't think I can overstate the importance of fasting for us today.  It is more than intensified prayer; although it can serve that pupose.  It is a direct attack on the addiction we all have to the culture of instant gratificaiton.  The purpose of fasting is not to master the fast; it is simply one tool to use in our pursuit of God and the holy life that he has called us to live.  The reason fasting is such an important tool is that I know of no other way to practice self-denial.  One who has learned to deny self though periods of fasting will have a much easier time of denying self when called upon by God to serve.  Fasting helps train one to be forgiving, loving, a servant, and a multitude of other attitudes and actions that spring from a transformed life. 

Please join me this week in identifying one idol in your life that is competing with God and take steps to prevent that idol from having control over you.  Decide what kind of a fast would be a useful way to deny yourself so that you can focus your attention more completely on God.  Set a beginning time and an ending time.  Partner up with a friend for the fast if you like.  This can help with accountability as well as giving you a prayer partner.  Let's get serious about following Paul's admonition to "Train yourself to be godly" (1 Timothy 4:7).