Sermon Reflections Are Moving

The launch of a new website by our church necessitates that I move my blog, so beginning today my blog is migrating (I'm told that is the proper terminology) to a new location.  Click here to find my future blog posts: http://www.clearlakechurch.com/blog/category/sermon-reflections/

Thanks for reading!
Byron Fike

The Whole Story

Sunday's most repeated question, "Since you covered the whole story this week does that mean I don't have to come for the next 31 Sundays?"  Answer: "Only if you think I covered everything that needed to be said about the Bible in a single 30 minute sermon." 

It was good to take a BIG picture look at the message of salvation from sin last week.  Knowing the end from the beginning allows us to see Jesus on every page.  Our perspective on life is so short sighted, so ego-centric, so . . . well, so human! 

Taking a few steps back and seeing the whole message of scripture helps us trust God as we live out our day to day existence.  He really is working out his plan, even when we can't see it.  He really does want to use us and work through us.  Our job is not to know HOW everything is working out, but to put our faith in the One who does.  He is the one who has accepted us, redeemed us, adopted us and reconciled us to himself.  He is the One who has given us eternal life in his son and has promised to be with us through this life and finally to right all the wrongs on earth so that our future will be more glorious than we can even imagine. 

I promised someone on Sunday that I would repeat the listing of sin's consequences that I quickly covered in the sermon.  I began with the introduction of sin and ended with the cycle of revenge.  I didn't give any scripture references but will include some in this list.  All the references come from Genesis:

Sin (3:1-6)

Shame (3:7)

Cover up (3:8-10)

Finger Pointing (3:11-13)

Jealously (4:3-5)

Anger (4:6-7)

Murder (4:8)

Revenge (4:23-24)

Revenge is history of the world, but thankfully it does not get the last word.  When Jesus taught that we are to forgive "not seven times but seventy-seven times" (Matthew 18:22) he is surely echoing Lamench's boast.  God has turned an "up-side-down" world "right-side-up" through Jesus' death and resurrection.  The renewal of all things has begun.  Now we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20) as we await the final redemption.

Deal or No Deal

It was right at one year ago that we were first introduced to the idea of The Story.  Since that time we have been systematically praying, planning, preparing and organizing so that The Story might have the biggest impact for good possible upon our church and community.  Now almost everything is in place.  As was presented in the lesson time this morning, what happens next is in large part, up to you. 

I keep wondering what our church will be like if everyone follows through with the commitments made this morning.  Surely our knowledge will be enriched.  Reading The Story personally and then exploring each chapter in Bible classes will certainly help us to be a more Biblicaly literate people.  I'm optimistic that our families will grow closer to one another.  Nothing builds unity like working together on for a common purpose.  I'm envisioning our families reading together and talking among themselves about the messages they are learning from God's Word.  I'm praying that our love for one another grows stronger and deeper as we share our lives with those in our Story Groups.  What will happen in our worship services as 400-500 of us all devote ourselves to the common purpose of knowing God and following his will for our lives? 

Finally, can you imagine the 31 week result of every person committing themselves to align their story with God's story?  You can dream about what might be, but always remember that the only person who's decisions you can control is yourself.  You can encourage others, teach, admonish, and exhort.  But in the end, you are the only one who do what you need to do for The Story to impact your life.    That's why I ended today's message with the words of Joshua, "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD".  Amen, me too Joshua, me too.

Story Groups 101

House Church, Life Group, Small Group, Family Circle, Story Group -- whatever you call it, having a few people gather regularly to share one another's lives in Christian fellowship is a blessing.  It's not always easy, it's not always fun, it often requires things of you that did not know you were capable of.  But when you back up and see the BIG picture, you know it's good to be in intimate relationships with like-minded people. 

So many stories today and so many more that could have been told.  What stories will be shared at the completion of our 31 week journey though The Story?  God only knows.  But we can be assured that as we invest our lives in the lives of others God's Spirit will be at work.  Don't miss the opportunity to love and be loved through our newly formed Story Groups.

Impact Week 2012

A small elderly gentleman came by our office two weeks ago.  He spoke a little English but not enough to fully communicate.  We finally discovered he was an Armenian Christian from Egypt.  He had a notebook which he said was the Bible in handwritten Arabic.  He asked if we would make a copy for him.  We told him where Kinko's was located and he replied that he was a poor man.  After a little consultation among ourselves we had one of our youth interns make the requested copy.

When the copy was given to the little man he immediately pulled out another small notebook with the same request.  Before I could tell him that we could not do anymore, the youth intern had already begun the process of making copies.  Before he left the man thanked us repeatedly, kissing our hands.  The next day he returned with yet another notebook.  Having no way to know how many notebooks he might produce I told him we were not going to make any more copies for him.  He begged me repeatedly, but I stood my ground.  I told him that I would buy him an Arabic Bible and got his name and address.

The Bible arrived during Impact Week so I grabbed a crew of workers to go with me to deliver the Bible.  We knocked on the door and heard people inside but nobody would open the door.  When I asked him about it later he told me that he was scared.  I should have known better than to take that many people but thought it would be a good experience for our teenagers. 

I went back later in the afternoon by myself and was pleased to see him outside his house.  Another group of Impact workers were doing yard work in the house across the street from where he lived.  He saw what they were doing and had taken them some crude tools to use.  He later took them some pudding cups and sliced apples. 

He invited me into his simple home where I met his invalid sister.  She spoke no English.  He was happy to receive the Bible and took joy in explaining who the various family members were in the pictures on display.  He had numerous religious icons reflecting his faith as an orthodox Christian.  I prayed with he and his sister in their den.  As I left the house the man asked me for bread.  Having seen his house I could tell he very well could be in need of food.  Another service group working with Impact went to the grocery store and purchased about $60 worth of rice, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and other healthy items.  He and his sister were overjoyed when we made the delivery and all of us prayed together once again. 

This morning one of our teens told me the man was at church.  Sure enough, he was sitting in the very back at the end of a pew.  I spoke with him for a moment before the service began.  He was gone before the service ended.  I assume he did not want to leave his sister along for any longer than necessary.  I was glad that he came.  Our service to him was done with no strings attached.  However, his coming to church this morning communicated something that needs no translator.  I hope we see him again.

Love Come to Life

It's easy preaching when all I have to do is introduce two individuals with wonderful stories to tell like we had today.  If you missed the sermon it should be online by July 31 so go to www.clearlakechurch.com and listen in.  I've known Paul Tate since my early years here at Clear Lake.  He's been on the upward journey for a long time even though he's taken a number of detours along the way.  His story is so encouraging because he didn't let his failures define him but kept allowing the love of God to take continue to transform his life.  I've known Kate Hettinger for the past 5 years or so and have always been impressed with her devotion to Jesus and infectious love to everyone.  I had never heard her story until this morning.  Kate's testimony is such a great reminder that the love of God flows TO us so that it can flow THROUGH us.  I look forward to hearing the stories that will be told in next Sunday's service.  Let God's love flow through you this week so that all might know that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life!

Stuck in Prison

Hatred imprisons us, no doubt about it.  So, what do we do with it?  Pretend it's not there?  Embrace it and use it to fuel our destruction of others?  Those praying the Psalms learn how to put words to their hate in the form of prayer.  Only by owning our hatred can we move toward forgiveness. 

After I had written this sermon (but before I preached it) I heard of the unspeakable horror that occurred in a movie theater in Colorado.  Lives senselessly snuffed out by a deranged mad man.  Those were survived were terrorized and/or physically injured. Surely no one in that movie house will ever be the same again.  Will the survivors ever be able to enjoy a movie?  Or will they always be fearful and anxious?  We don't choose the emotions of fear, anger, and hatred.  They erupt without internal provocation.  And once they rise within us, what are we to do?  

Pray, of course.  But what does one full of ugly emotion pray?  Pray honest prayers that express the pain, injustice, and anger.  Psalm 137 is no where near Psalm 23 in popularity, but it has it's place in the inspired book of prayers.  Without it (and the other imprecatory Psalms) how would we know what to do with our rage?  Trust God enough to express your ugliest, most disgusting thoughts and feelings.  He will see that justice is done.  And, unlike humans, he will know exactly who needs justice and who needs mercy.  Trust him, there is no reason for hatred to keep you prison forever.  He will teach you how to forgive so that you can be set free from the prison of hate.   

Women in Contemporary Culture

I found the above pictures amusing.  I found many others on the internet that were not funny, but quite harsh.  It is insightful to see how outsiders look at Christians and our practices.  It's one thing if people want to poke fun at our doctrine of baptism or our desire to help people in neeed.  However, when they poke fun at our inconsistencies and traditional practices not based on scripture, we need to pay attention. 

The above pictures make fun of some misinterpretations of selected scriptures.  The purpose of the 5 lessons presented on "Women in the Life of the Church" was to help us have a better reading and understanding of what the Bible teaches.  I don't mind if I am ridiculed for worshiping a man who has risen from the dead.  However, I do get weary of having to explain why we insist on maintaining certain restrictions that are not found in the Bible.  Especially, when the restrictions run the risk of being demeaning and insulting. 

What do we do next?  I'm not sure.  Next Sunday evening we will hear "The Voices of Our Sisters" as they speak about their experiences in the Church of Christ.  May God give us the guidance for our next steps. 

Women Leaders in the Bible

I have been interested in learning about women in the life of the church since my teenage years when I became a Christian.  My views have been challenged and stretched; modified and changed over the years.  In college I remember struggling with how women could be college professors if indeed the New Testament forbade them to teach men.  When it was explained to me that women would teach men anything but theology, I accepted that.  However, when I heard about a woman who taught New Testament Greek it got me wondering again.  Certainly learning Greek would not be considered theology, however, I knew from my own Greek classes that I had learned a great deal from the Scriptures because of the fine teaching my male Greek professor was doing.  If a woman could teach the scriptures from a Greek text, why could she not from an English version?

One of the things that helped me move beyond the line drawing that seemed inevitable in my earlier years, was the example of women leaders in the Bible.  God didn't seem concerned at drawing lines, he would use women in all kinds of capacities.  When I came to understand the true nature of the Gospel as re-creating God's ideal, things began to make more sense.  As was mentioned Sunday evening, sin corrupted what God created.  What was formerly a beautiful picture of equal partnership in accomplishing the tasks God had given the humans became a battle to see who could dominate the other.  Since men are physically stronger, the history of the world has been men ruling over women.  However, in Christ, God's intent is being recreated. 

There are three more sessions to go in our series.  Next Sunday I will speak on the changing role of women in contemporary culture in the morning and will address the restrictive texts in context on Sunday evening.  At our final session (Sunday, July 22, 6pm) we will be hearing the voices of our sisters.  All of our ladies are invited to speak for two minutes telling us what it has been like in your experience to be a woman in the Church of Christ.

Going to Church

It's a rare thing when I completely plagerize another's work for a sermon, but after reading Eugene Peterson's thoughts on Psalm 122 I knew that he was writing exactly what I needed to say.  Much of the material for this morning's lesson came from A Long Odedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society.  Chapter 4 is entitled, "Worship" and is an exposition of Psalm 122.  I loved the illustration Peterson used to close out the chapter but felt it didn't communicate well for a sermon.  He concluded his thoughts by talking about the pragmatic age we live and wrote, "It is inevitable that we ask regarding worship, is it worth it?  Can you justify the time and energy and expense involved in gathering Christians together in worship?  Well,
'look at the mower in the summer's day, with so much to cut down ere the sun sets.  He pauses in his labour--is he a sluggard?  He looks for his stone, and begins to draw it up and down his scythe, with rink-atink, rink-atink.  Is that idle music--is he wasting precious moments?  How much he might have mowed while he has been ringing out those notes on his scythe!  But he is sharpening his tool, and he will do far more when once again he gives his strength to those long sweeps which lay the grass prostrate in rows before him.'" [This illustration was taken from a sermon by Charles Spurgeon]

Praying at the Edge

Sermons are different on paper than when they are preached on Sunday.  How will this be heard?  Does this connect with people?  How should I say this?  Those are all questions I continually ask myself in sermon preparation.  Lament is a topic that is generating considerable discussion these days.  But how big of a role should it have in public worship?  I know there are times for communal lament such as when something terrible happens to the nation, city, or church community.  But how much room should we have in our weekly service for those who are hurting and in need of personal lament?  Perhaps Dr. Pemberton's suggestion of publically reading a Psalm a week would be a good start.  I don't know the answer, but I do know that every Sunday we have people deeply struggling with their faith, their health, and their emotions.  Perhaps a joyful service is just what they need.  Who could say that a weekly celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead is a bad thing?  But shouldn't we also leave at least some room for people to grieve and mourn what they've lost?  What do you think?
For more information on the two books I mentioned this morning click below:
Megan's Secrets by Mike Cope

Hurting With God by Glenn Pemberton

If you want to watch the interview Mike Cope did with Glenn Pemberton that I showed this morning click here.

On a different note, I am thankful for the privilege I have had of serving with Paul Arnold as a shepherd of this church. He has provided wonderful guidance in the years he has served and will be missed. Of course he will still be here at church and I am extremely grateful for that.

Songs for the Road

The Psalms connect us.  They connect us to our feelings.  They connect us to our heavenly Father.  They connect us to each other.  And, as we participated in praying the Egyptian Hallel Sunday, I felt connected to our deep heritage in Judiasm.  Christianity is not 2000 years old; her roots run much, much deeper.  As we continue to work our way through the Psalms I am amazed to find Jesus over and over again.  He is the stone the builders rejected that has become the cornerstone; "the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:22-23). 

I was a little concerned yesterday that the sermon might not connect since there was little in the way of direct application.  Rather, it was a trip back into time where we could join with our brothers and sisters of long ago in the liturgy of the ancient festivals.  We could do so knowing that Jesus is the fulfillment of the feasts, thus Jesus is the point of each Psalm we prayed.  One comment I heard let me know that connection had taken place for at least one person.  She said, "I realized as we went through the psalms that God has always had a people."  Well said--God does not simply have individual sons and daughters; He has a people!  We are connected.

At The Rest Stop

As a naturally introspective person I like the idea of leaving the "highway of life" periodically and reflecting on the journey.  The image I used in today's sermon was of a gathering of people who talk to one another at a rest stop.  Is it unrealistic to think of church gatherings in such a light?  When do we take time to reflect on our faith journey?  We do better at planing for what we think will be next, or just doing the work at hand.  Both of these are of course essential, but what would happen if we regularly took time to just reflect on what is going on and what has been going on in our lives?  My suspicion is that we might have better direction for the future and feel more of call for what we need to be doing in the present.

Brueggemann's three categories of life: orientation, disorientation, and new orientation provide a wonderful analysis of not only the Psalms, but of life as well.  I find it strangely encouraging that disorientation birthed so many Psalms.  But disorientation is not the last word.  The new orientation, given as a gift from God, brings so much joy that celebration springs to life.  How can we balance our services so that they serve those living in secure orientation, those suffering painful disorientation, as well as those experiencing the blessing of new orientation?  That is a challenge we have not yet fully accepted.  May God guide us as we seek to grow in this area.

Creation Observation

I'm not sure how I would have preached today's sermon without pictures.  Psalm 104 provides the text, but the pictures provide inspiration.  I tried to preach today's sermon much like I was leading us through a picture book.  One could seek to help others understand by creating "mental" pictures, but one can only imagine based on what they have experienced or seen themselves.  Pictures don't replace the experience of hiking a Colorado mountain, but they do help give some sense of the awe one feels when standing before a mountain. 

My hope was that the idea of "creation observation" might stick with my hearers this week and that we might all be more observant to what is happening around us.  My backyard is full of blooming flowers with a great variety of shape, color, and texture.  Beautiful butterflies like to visit on occasion providing plenty of pondering possibilities.  How do they float so effortlessly?   My backyard has a small patch of thick green grass and plenty of other lush vegetation.  We are blessed to have a swimming pool and I find myself pondering the wonder of water.  It truly is one of God's greatest creations!  What king of Being would create these things?!
The Psalmist knows, "Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty" (104:1).

Off The Trail

I've been thinking about "should's" and "ought's" lately.  You know, the things we tell ourselves about what we should or ought to be doing or thinking or feeling.  They always have some truth behind them; it's just that it's not the WHOLE truth.  I've been thinking about these things while reading, studying and praying the Psalms.  Is it really o.k. to voice all the doubts, fears, and accusations found in the Psalms?  Should I really be praying from the dark part of my heart where hatred, jealously and anger dwell?  After all, a Christian shouldn't talk like that.  A Christian ought to be positive and full of joy.  Ah, there it is . . . the should's and ought's that try to keep us lined up and living right. 

The problem is that should's and ought's never have kept anyone on the straight and narrow.  They don't change a person's heart, thoughts or attitudes no matter how hard we try to use them to do this.  On the other hand, what if we took the prayers of Psalms seriously?  Instead of pretending and ignoring, we put full voice to our negative thoughts, feelings, attitudes and doubts.  And we voiced them, not to our best friend or our therapist (although in many situations that might be a healthy thing to do), rather, we voiced them out loud to God. 

My guess is that God would use that prayer to help us work through whatever the issues might be.  That is why so many of the angry, depressed, searching, lament type psalms (like Psalm 22), end up in praise.  The psalmists don't "should" themselves into change, they don't "ought" themselves to a deeper faith; instead they put honest words to real pain.  And, most importantly, they use those words in addressing God.  By doing so they are giving God some room to teach them something about himself.  And in the process they learn something about themselves, and in the midst of it all, somehow, God creates newness! 

Star Gazing

Psalm 8 is a work of art.  It begins big, "Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth."  It then moves inward into deep reflection where we contemplate our position as mortal creatures in the vast universe.  Finally it repeats the first verse with renewed meaning.  My goal this morning was to help us pray the psalm as a congregation. To help us as individuals reflect on what it means to be human in the light of God's creative glory and to praise him as the united people of God.

The beauty of praying the psalms is that they connect our head and heart as we pray.  They are not simply emotional outbursts (although that may be a part of some psalms).  Likewise, they are not abstract points of doctrine disconnected from our everyday lives.  Rather, the psalms give depth to our understanding of God while at the same time, give us words to express the deep feelings of our hearts. 

Reflecting on the service as a whole today, I especially enjoyed watching children of all ages taking flowers to their mothers.  The smiles were contagious!  It was also a great joy to see Casen Bury baptized today.  What a unique mother's day gift that was.  Most of Casen's growing up years have been as the only child of a single mom.  What a joy for Kelly to witness her husband, Kevin baptizing her son Casen into Christ.  Kevin was baptized just last year and when I asked Casen whom he would like to baptize him he mentioned that he had been present for Kevin's baptism and that if Kevin could baptism him that would be extra special. 

Help Me Lord!

Before preaching this morning I brought faces to mind of those in the pews who knew they were in trouble.  I thought of the couple I spoke to not long ago contemplating divorce, another person recently diagnosed with cancer, another person unemployed for months, and another person facing eviction.  Are their troubles of their own making?  Are they simply victims of circumstance?  Or, are they suffering for no known reason?  The Psalms we surveyed today were written by people suffering for many reasons.  Psalm 6 is one of seven Psalms in the Psalter first prayed by people suffering consequences of their own sin.  What Psalms 3-7 have in common is that they were all written/prayed/sung by people well acquainted with trouble.

I was encouraged by the people who said they would take me up on the challenge to pray one Psalm a day.  If you do that, by next Sunday you will be on Psalm 8 which is (finally) a hymn of praise.  After praying a week of "trouble Psalms" it will be good to focus our attention on the Holy One whose name is majestic in all the earth.  But before we get to the hymn of praise, we must deal with life as it is . . . and life in this world is trouble.  But, as Jesus said, take heart, "I have overcome the world!"

The Annointed Attitude

Faith is believing in unseen realities that are more real than what can be experienced by the 5 senses.  It should be no surprise that those who live by faith will be something of a mystery to those who do not.  The anointed attitude we discussed in today's sermon will both attract and repel.  To some, seeing a people who are daily meditating on the Word of God and seeking to live in accordance with it's teaching is incredibly attractive.  I'm not talking about a legalistic observance of the law, rather, a joyful obedience that brings peace and contentment. 

On the other hand, some are repelled by such people.  I never cease to be amazed at the mocking characterization of people of faith by the media, especially those who make there living through comedy.  Ridicule, insults, and mockery of God and His Teachings are standard fare for the stand up comedians and situation comedies.  There are many other, more subtle messages that daily bombard the people of God with the message, "You've got to be a complete idiot to believe that." 

The anointed attitude comes from the people who are meditating on the Word of God (Psalm 1) and have given whole-hearted allegiance to the Messiah (or Anointed One of Psalm 2) who is the Word Made Flesh (John 1:14).  Only those with an anointed attitude can join the Holy One in laughter when the "powerful" plot to overthrow God's Messiah.  Only those with an anointed attitude can see the unseen realities beyond the veil of this world. 

Beginning the Journey

The Psalms are messy.  I was bothered by how messy yesterday's sermon was.  From my opinion, it rambled and lacked the progressionary movement I like to build into sermons.  I was troubled by the sermon even after (especially immediately after!) I preached it. 

However, when people talked with me about the sermon I realized that somehow, in spite of it's bumbling nature, the message had connected.  One lady, with tears in her eyes, told me that as I read Psalm 42 it put words to her feelings.  Another said that when she opened to Psalm 42 her eyes began reading Psalm 40 and that it was a perfect expression for her current experience of life.  Others mentioned their desire to move more deeply into the Psalms and especially to learn how to pray the Psalms. 

The Psalms are messy because life is messy.  Perhaps, the best way to begin this sermon series is with a messy sermon that lacked the structure and progressionary sequence that seems to help sermons communicate.  Psalm 1 is not messy.  It is organized and easy to understand.  It presents life as it should be, and life as it will be.  The 149 Psalms following Psalm 1 largely present life as it is.  And frankly, life is a mess!  But as the Psalms proclaim over and over -- Our God is a rock!

No Preaching For Me Today

Today I went to listen to Brent Isbell preach at the University Church of Christ in Abilene.  What a joy to be able to sit on the other side of the pulpit for a change.  Brent is doing a series on David and today's text was the terrible tale of coveting, adultery, and murder.   Brent did a marvelous job of drawing us into the story and allowing us to experience the drama as it unfolds.  No excuses, no blaming; David found himself at the logical end of a long slide away from his role as the singer of songs and as the defeater of Goliath.  It's a sad story that continues to be repeated. 

Brent began with the Law's instructions to Israel for when they set a king over themselves (Deut. 17:14ff).  I had never before noticed that the warnings given concerned the same three temptations that eventually attack everyone: Money, Power, and Sex.  David didn't heed the warning.  His adultery didn't just happen by chance.  He had been in a long slow drift.   David could get whatever he wanted, . . . so he did.  Brent powerfully brought the message home with a series of questions near the end of the sermon beginning with,  "What terrace are you leaning over?".  A good call for self-examination that hit me right in the heart.  I'll carry this sermon with me for awhile as I ponder that question.

I have been in Abilene all week preparing to preach a new series from the Psalms. (Staying with my son Ben has been an extra blessing!)  It's been good to get out of town and focus all of my attention on these 150 wonderful expressions of praise, lament, complaint, thanksgiving, celebration, and mourning.  I look forward to leading Clear Lake Church through the journey of using Psalms to express our hearts and allowing God to transform us to be more like Jesus.  See you next Sunday!

All Things New!

I never cease to be amazed at the creation of new life.  Watching something beautiful come from something not so beautiful (and often even ugly!) is a miracle of nature that happens so often we can easily take it for granted.  I love watching the plants grow and bear fruit, trees blossom, puppies being born and - the greatest miracle of all - a human baby taking it's first breath.  All of these are a reminder of the new creation that has already begun in Jesus' resurrection from the grave. 

Revelation 21 has become one my favorite chapters in the Bible.  I am staking my life on the words God speaks, "I am making everything new!"   Today's service reminded me all over again, how God brings victory out of defeat and life out of death.  Watching the cross be transformed from an instrument of death into a bouquet of flowers, gives a visual representation of what God has done to our sinful lives and our sin-stained creation.  He has given sin the death blow through the cross and has brought eternal life to us through the resurrection.  More than that, God has promised to recreate and redeem all of his creation!  Hallelujah!  Come, Lord Jesus!

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us--so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.  May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.  May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.  May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.  The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.  May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him." (Psalm 67) 

Don't Be An April Fool

I keep thinking about making a list of 25 expectations I have of Jesus.  I'm a little afraid of making the list but I think it would be a good exercise so here goes . . .

1.  I expect Jesus to return the earth
2.  I expect Jesus to renew all things upon his return
3.  I expect Jesus to give me strength to live for him each day
4.  I expect Jesus to not let me be tempted beyond what I can stand
5.  I expect Jesus to intercede for me
6.  I expect Jesus to answer my prayers in keeping with the Father's will
7.  I expect Jesus to judge the world with righteousness and fairness
8.  I expect Jesus provide for my essential daily needs
9.  I expect Jesus to always be with me
10.  I expect Jesus to be merciful and forgiving
11.  I expect Jesus to reward those who earnestly seek him
12.  I expect Jesus to give me guidance and direction for my life
13.  I expect Jesus to work all things together to accomplish good
14.  I expect Jesus to work in my life to accomplish the Father's will
15.  I expect Jesus to provide whatever I need to accomplish his purposes for my life
16.  I expect Jesus to treat me as I need to be treated rather than as I deserve to be treated
17.  I expect Jesus to regard me as his friend
18.  I expect Jesus to love me in spite of anything I may do
19.  I expect Jesus to never leave me nor forsake me
20.  I expect Jesus to comfort me when I am in distress
21.  I expect Jesus to teach me to do his will
22.  I expect Jesus to remove my sins as far as the east is from the west
23.  I expect Jesus to live in me by means of the Holy Spirit
24.  I expect Jesus to purify my heart as I submit to his will
25.  I expect Jesus to be the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep by name

Praise the Lord!

My favorite part of today's service was the testimonials during the Lord's Supper.  I loved hearing what God is doing in people's lives as we ate the bread and drank the cup.  I imagine this may have been what the early Christians did as they celebrated the Lord's Supper.  In those gatherings they perhaps sat around a table, shared a meal together and; as part of the meal, ate bread and drank from the cup talking about what the risen Jesus was continuing to do in their lives through his Holy Spirit. 

After the service, one of our shepherds told me it was difficult to put words to his prayers during Family Prayer Time.  As the congregation sang, "I Need Thee Every Hour" the shepherd was praying with people about their specific needs and concerns.  He said he was having trouble expressing his thoughts and finally just said, "Exactly what we are singing right now, that's what we mean to say Lord!"  That, in a nutshell, is the beauty of a well-worded poem set to music.  It allows the worshiper to find the right words to express themselves to God.   

Be Prepared

Thinking of the 10 virgins as a "gaggle of giggly girls" certainly put Jesus' parable in a different light.  It's easy to understand why some would be prepared and others would not.  It's also easy to see that the unprepared would want to "sponge" off the one's who had thought ahead.  (I'm thinking now of trying to collect pizza money from a group of teenagers of either gender.)  Those who are prepared are often expected to bail out those who are not. 

As I contemplated the parable in this light, it began to take a different shape.  Certainly Jesus is interested in the final judgement and the end of the world as we know it, however, he seems much more interested in how we live right now.  The parables of the kingdom are about living in world as it is.  What does it look like for the kingdom of God to break into our world today?  What do Jesus' instructions in living the kingdom life mean for right now? 

In light of the parables of the kingdom, what was once a mysterious saying to me, now makes sense.  “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (Matthew 13:52).  Let Jesus' instructions in the kingdom train your understanding of what to value and how to prioritize and you will be well prepared to live the kingdom life.

Celebrate and Party!

I love the thought that we've have been invited to the marriage of heaven and earth.  This is the meaning of the biblical phrase, "new heavens and new earth."  And, we are not just to be observers, but participants!  Revelation depicts this with Jesus as the groom with the church as his bride.  However, you envision this, we are to be part of the greatest celebration that's ever occurred.  In fact, the celebration has already begun.  When Jesus walked out of the tomb a new era began.  Old things are past away, "I am making everything new!" (Rev. 21:5). 

I loved the depiction of the king in today's parable.  The ruler of all pleading with people to come enjoy his bounty.  The supreme ruler refusing to be offended by those who deserved to be punished.  The royal lord and master welcoming all to his table of blessing without taking into account their past or their mistakes.  Only a fool would refuse such a gracious invitation from such a loving host.

Elder Ordination

I've always wondered about the "laying on of hands".  What is there about the physical touch that makes that ceremony significant?  As I said this morning, this symbolic gesture was used throughout scripture to signify the appointment to leadership.  What did Joshua think when Moses laid hands on him knowing that as the hands were laid on his soulders so was the responsiblity of taking care of the people of God?  As the Apostles laid hands on the Seven, did that experience communicate something to them?  Did Paul and Barnabas feel a sense of empowerment to go on the mission God had called them to when the church in Antioch laid hands on them? 

This morning I decided to do something different as I laid hands on each elder.  One by one I called them by name and spoke words affirming the work Jesus is giving them.  "Shepherd the church of God", I said to the first man.  "Feed my sheep", I urged the next.  One after another I called them by name and gave them their charge.  "Take care of my flock", I said to the third.  Each man looked me in the eye.  Some had the beginnings of tears forming. 

Ten men will now form our shepherding group.  Men of courage, faith and conviction.  Men who understand the task Jesus had laid on their shoulders just as they felt the weight of my hands.  Brothers who have heard the voice of Jesus speaking to them, "Shepherd the church of God", "Feed my sheep," "Take care of my flock."  Shepherds who believe the promises of scripture, "And when the Chief Shepherd apears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4)  Pray for them and receive them as God's gift to his church.

That's Not Fair!

One way to know if you've really understood a parable of Jesus is to check your reaction.  Here are some reactions that demonstrate you probably did NOT get his point:

• You think to yourself, "this really applies well for  (name of someone besides yourself)"
• You think the point is being able to explain the meaning and U.S. currency equivalents for denarii, talents and minas. 
• You allegorize the details so that every character, event, animal, and object has a direct parallel.

One way to know that you have indeed gotten the point is to proclaim, "God have mercy on me a sinner."  Jesus' parables have a way to pointing out our flaws in such a subtle way that his point may not hit you right away.  Sometimes the parable has to roll around inside your head for awhile and then, when you least expect it, it hits you right between the eyes. 

The parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16) is like that.  I can relate to the men who worked 12 hours and were upset that those who barely broke a sweat got paid that same wage.  Surely this would have potential to be a class action lawsuit.  When I think of my own hard work in the kingdom of God, do the years and years of effort, study, sacrifice, and self-denial not pay off in some BIG way?  After years of resisting temptation and willingly suffering abuse and ridicule for my faith, do I now have to share my crown of glory with a sexual pervert and mass murderer who comes to Christ in the 11th hour?

God hears my pitiful cry of "That's not fair!" and responds, "What are you upset about?  I want to give grace to everyone who turns to me, even those who come at the last minute.  Don't I have a right to do what I want with my grace?  Or are you envious, because I am so generous?"  Ouch, right between the eyes.  "God, have mercy on me a sinner." 

(If you want to read about Jeffrey Dahmer's conversion to Christ read Dark Journey Deep Grace.  To read my review check our Amazon and search the reviews.)

Remember and Forgive

Around 10 years ago I preached the same sermon I preached this morning.  A woman was in attendance who had suffered a terrible wrong in her life.  She told me a few days after the sermon that she had decided to forgive the one who had wronged her and her family.  Such a horrible sin had been committed against her that I marveled at her faith. 

Today she was in the audience again as I spoke about remembering what the Lord has done for us and allowing that forgiveness to flow through us to those who sin against us.  I asked her after the sermon if she remembered the first time I had preached the sermon.  Tears filled her eyes.  At first I was afraid that all the pain of her terrible ordeal was bubbling up.  Instead, she said, "I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't learned to forgive."  Tears of grief had been replaced with tears of gratitude.  Allowing God's forgiveness to flow through us to others brings blessings upon blessings to our lives. 

Playing it Safe is NOT Safe!

The last time I preached on this parable was 2001.  Around the same time I was in a men's study group working through the workbook that went with Wild At Heart.  I don't remember exactly where it came from but Bill Wooley and I began a saying that I'd like to resurrect.  When parting company, instead of saying, "Be safe!" we began exhorting each other: "BE BOLD!" 

That is the message of the Parable of the Bags of Money (formerly Talents).  Instead of forming our primary image of God around obscure characters such Uzzah and Nadab & Abihu, why not use a primary character like Joshua, son of Nun?  Think of what Joshua and the Israelites had been given: freedom from Egypt, the law of God, a covenant relationship with God, guidance with a cloud by day and fire at night, manna from heaven, and water from a rock.  We're told that even their clothing did not wear out during their 40 years in the wilderness.  When they came to the edge of Canaan God did NOT say, "Be careful!"  Rather, listen to the word of God, "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."  (Joshua 1:9)  (Ok, actually they were told to "be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you...," but even care-taking was in the context of being strong and very courageous (see 1:6, 7, 9, 18).) 

God longs to prosper his people.  He yearns to have them use what he has entrusted to their care so that he can multiply it many fold.  Where are the men and women of courage and faith who are unafraid and unashamed to live the eternal life that they have been freely given?  May it be me Lord!  Amen!

Wheat and Weeds

"He really knows the Bible well."  I've been told this more than once by some well meaning person about someone who is obviously not following Jesus.  The person described as such a knowledgeable Bible student may be a drunkard, a wife beater, a drug abuser, or someone who can't control their temper and is so arrogant that no employer wants to keep them on the payroll.  Their life is so out of control that no one would confuse them for a disciple of Jesus, but still, as I visit with a relative, or concerned friend, they will comment on how much Bible they know.  "They just quote the Bible all the time." 

For some reason I kept thinking about this as I prepared this sermon.  It didn't seem to work into the content of the sermon and after writing the above paragraph, I'm not sure it even fits that well with the parables we discussed from Matthew 13!  However, it does illustrate the point that just knowing the Bible is not enough.  "He who has ears to hear, let him hear," Jesus said repeatedly.  But notice that in the Parable of the Soils (Matthew 13) Jesus' description of the person represented by each kind of soil had heard the word.  They heard the word  BUT:

• they "do not understand it" (Path - 13:19)
• "since they have no root, they last only a short time" (Rocky - 13:21)
• "the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word" (Thorns - 13:22)

"But the seed falling on good soil refers to people who hear the word and understand it" (Matthew 13:23).  Who cares how much Bible you know; the world needs to see people LIVING the word.  Or, to say it more in line with the teaching of Scripture, they need to see the Living Word living through us!  That is the person who truly has "ears to hear."   And that is the person who is living as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.

Whom Should We Choose?

I love the image of sheep following their shepherd.  The shepherd is out front and the sheep go wherever the shepherd goes.  This is such a different picture than that of cowboys herding cattle.  Cowboys use whips and cutting horses to keep the cattle together.  They ride behind the herd and push them forward. 

Elder selection is not asking some cowboys to "ride herd" on the people of God!  Rather, it is the church looking among themselves to see who God has raised up to shepherd his people.  When true shepherds are appointed elders, the people willingly follow their godly leaders in the ways of Christ. 

Obtaining True Treasure



All the kingdom parables seems to build on the two we talked about today.  But what do they mean exactly?  What does it mean to sell all you have to possess the kingdom?  I've wrestled with this off and on my entire Christian life.  It can't mean literally sell everything can it?  That doesn't seem to be how the earliest Christians interpreted this.  They continued to own property for instance.

When I think of what it has cost me personally to live in the kingdom the cost doesn't seem that high.  There's been some financial sacrifices; but perhaps that was only because I was called to full time ministry where compensaiton has not always been on the same level as my contemporaries.  Our kingdom priorities caused Liz to forgo her career as a teacher and be a stay-at-home mom.  That was not really a sacrifice since she wanted to be a full time mommy much more than to have the extra income. 

We always tithed our income, but that has never kept us having anything we really needed in life.  In fact, I adopted the attitude I learned from my father.  When talking about these things he always brings up the intangibles such as profesional services or possessions we had received for little or no money.  He would also talk about how long our cars might go without needing repair or the good health our family had.  I can make a similar list when thinking about my own family though the years.  So, I don't think I've missed out on anything by my practice of giving 10% of our income to church.

Looking deeper into my life I can see times where my pride needed to be crucified, along with other fleshly attitudes such as prejudice, judgementalism, arrogance, and the like.  It's hard to see these as sacrifices since they were destructive. Knowing Jesus as savior really means he saved me from sins like these!  Taking these attitudes to the cross allowed the Holy Spirit to create new attitudes in me that enable me to live the kingdom lifestyle.  That could hardly be called a sacrifice, considering what I was given in return. 

I guess I could include certain acts of service I've done over the years.  They might include sacrifices of time and comfort.  But in reality, those were the times in life when I have felt most alive.  I guess the bottom line is that all "sacrifices" we make for the sake of the kingdom seem HUGE at the time yet so small and insignificant once the treasures of the kingdom come into our possession.  The butterfly never complains about missing her little feet and squishy body - she just floats though the air on her beautiful wings.

What Were You Expecting?

The kingdom of heaven is often thought of as restrictive, as though the king's highest priority is keeping his subjects in line by requiring them to follow a list of do's and don'ts. When we read the teaching of Jesus, however, we discover the kingdom offers the most incredible freedom.  It's not freedom to do whatever we like (which is in effect a terrible form of bondage); rather, it is the freedom to be all that God intended humans to be. 

The kingdom parables offer a glimpse into the thinking of Jesus as he discloses the nature of the kingdom using ordinary, earthy illustrations.  The sermon series will work though these illustrations seeking to let Jesus develop our expectations.  Here's my list of the 12 parables of Jesus that begin, "The kingdom of heaven is like . . ." 

▸ A man who sowed good seed in his field (Mt. 13:24-30; 36-43; Mk. 4:26-29)


▸ A mustard seed (Mt. 13:31-32; Mk. 4:30-32; Lk. 13:18-21)

▸ Leaven (Mt. 13:33; Lk. 13:20)

▸ Treasure hidden in a field (Mt. 13:44)

▸ A merchant looking for fine pearls (Mt. 13:45-46)

▸ A net (Mt. 13:47-50)

▸ The owner of a house (Mt. 13:52)

▸ A king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants (Mt. 18:23-25)

▸ A landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers (Mt. 20:1-16)

▸ A king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son (Mt. 22:1-14)

▸ Ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom (Mt. 25:1-13)

▸ A man going on a journey who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them (Mt. 25:14-30)