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Easter 2012: The Real F Word: Forgiveness

 

Brandon's Baptism - Easter 2012

 

How to do a "Gas Buy Down". An effective and practical outreach event for your church.

 

Did Jesus really hate religion?

Did Jesus really hate religion?  I guess it all depends on what you mean by your definition of "religion".  In the last week, a youtube video uploaded by Jefferson Bethke has gone viral.  Viral....as in 13 million views... in one week!  Ah...the power of social media.  In case you've been living under a rock and haven't seen this yet...watch this first.

 

 

 

Jefferson's video immediately grew huge praise....and criticism.  It drew praise from many who understood "religion" one way....and curses from those who understood it a different way.  His words were definitely misinterpreted by many.   However, he could have chosen better verbiage throughout this poem to truly communicate how he feels about true faith.  

The first time I watched it..I understood what he was talking about.  Jefferson is bashing the religion that promotes self righteousness, works salvation and takes the place of knowing God intimately.  We've all been there and done that.  I understood it from the angle of Jesus' trashing the Pharisees religiosity of His day.  Need a reminder of that?  Read this - 

Matthew 23:1-34

There is no doubt in my mind that the "religion" of the pharisees is what Jesus wants done away with!  The problem is that most people associate the word "religion" with  prayer, bible study and going to church.  So when somebody hears "Jesus came to abolish religion!"...they freak out.   Jesus doesn't want me to read my bible? Jesus doesn't want me to go to church?  Jesus doesn't want me to pray?  No..no...no!   It's impossible to celebrate our faith without observing the "religious" practices that Jesus himself instituted.  Jesus prayed.  Jesus knew the scripture.  Jesus taught and worshipped in the synagouge.  Jesus was religous.  However...you never see Jesus insert what he does "for" God the Father with his relationship "with" God the Father.  

That's the problem I have with religion. It's when people think they are ok...based upon what they do for God.  Our religious practices (prayer, bible reading, church attendance, feeding the poor, taking care of orphans & widows etc.) propel us forward in our relationship with God.  However...they are never a substitute.   Salavation is based upon the Grace of God alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross!

Does Jesus hate religion?  It all depends on how you define it.

God in a Box: "Why you really don't have a "Biblical Worldview".

    Everybody lives within the confines of their own reality.  This reality, and what we make it appear to be, is influenced by who we have become.   This reality is how we view and see the world.  Some may call it a "worldview". The problem is that our worldview muddies the water of how we see everything.  You can not explain something or be passionate about anything without looking at it from your worldview or perspective.  It is your reality. With this worldview we have put God in a Box.  We don't expect God to be anything different that what we expect. The question becomes...do I have an accurate worldview?

    Your worldview has been shaped by the things that have happened to you and by the people around you.  It definitley has been shaped and has been molded from what you percieve to be true.   There is a reason an Al Qaeda terrorist flies a plane into a building or blows himself up on a crowded bus or street.  He believes that by doing this act he will enter "paradise" and inherit 70 virgins.  He believes a story that somebody down the line told him was true.  I'm sure growing up he heard how evil America was.  He may have even witnessed first hand occupation or "terroristic acts" from America.  These people and events have shaped him.  Maybe 10 years ago when the war began his family were victims of the shock and awe campaign waged against Saddam Hussein.  Whatever the situation, he believes that he is right.  He is just.  He believes that he is the good guy.  He lives in the confines of his own reality. 

    Many Christians today claim to have a "Biblical Worldview".  But is that really possible?  I mean..yes we strive to live the Bible and see the world through the filter of Scripture.  I totally agree with that!  However, it is hard though to see the Bible without your own biases getting in the way.  

    For years, the Bible was used to defend and promote slavery.  Slave owners pointed to the New Testament and Paul's letter to Philemon.  For years, the Bible has been used to mistreat women and treat them as second class citizens.  The Bible has been used to justify war and excuse the slaughter of multitudes.  Don't believe me?  Do a google search or check the history of Christopher Columbus and also the Crusades.  These people would have also claimed a "biblical worldview".  But obviously, God is not for slavery; the mistreatment of women; and the slaying of the masses for failure to convert to Christianity. 

    Did you know that for awhile I thought that America was God's only hope for the world?  It was almost as if I believed that if you were any other Christian living in another country that you weren't as good or special.  I believed that America was the next best thing to living in heaven because this was God's paradise.  No, I'm not saying that I don't love America and that I'm not patriotic.  But, where faith and patriotism intersect in my journey is far different than it used to be.  I had to ask myself, am I a Christian that happens to be an American or an American that happens to be a Christian.  I had to ask questions outside of what I percieved was truth and reality.  What does it mean to be a Christian and have all the "expectations stripped away".  What does naked truth and faith look like?

    How much of what we percieve to be true in applying our faith really isn't?  There is absolute truth.  We just get in the way of seeing it for what it really is. Down the road, what is something, that we hold dear to, that others will compare to the "slavery" example?   What parts were never meant to be true but we have made them to be? 

    You can claim to be fundamental.  You can claim to be liberal.  You can claim to be progressive.  All of these groups would claim a "Biblical Worldview" and believe that they were/are right.  But really, nobody can have an untainted "Biblical Worldview".  Their Biblical worldview is really a "Personal Biblical Worldview".  It's how they see the story of the Bible in thier lives and culture.  They live within the confines of their own reality.  We would need the Bible to speak for itself...instead of us speaking into it.  Get God out of the box you have him in.

 

Gospel Transformation: Kingdom Building vs. Castle Building

If we are to truly transform our cities with the Gospel then we have to change our entire strategy.  How many churches are trying to get "bigger and bigger" at the expense of true city wide transformation?  Most churches measure success by butts in the pews...and money in the plate.  Doesn't that sound a tad like a movie theater?  

How many people are watching the show and how many are buying tickets?Is that what God has called us to do?  Is it any wonder that our churces are filled with "spectators" and not doers? Too many churches are into what I call...Castle Building. Churches who are trying to build castles (i'm not talking about a building) are only worried about how big their church grows.  They may even compete with the other churches in town.  They may have clever slogans about how their church is "better" than any other church. Or maybe that church is selling itself as more "relevant", "hipper" or "cooler" than the next.  I remember in one town that I pastored I was scolded by another pastor about how I was in his "territory". Wow... It's no wonder our cities are so lost.  

Jesus has not called us to build castles.  He has called us to be engaged in His ever expanding Kingdom.  Once churches in a city realize that it's not about them...the city will be better.  That city will be better reached with the Gospel.  The Kingdom of God is the rule of God over all creation.  God is up to something huge.  He is up to something that you and I can never compete with or ever dream to outdue.  Jesus was all about this kingdom.  

Wouldn't it be phenomenal if churches joined each other for the sake of the Gospel?  Wouldn't it be great to join other churches in the Missio Dei than the pettiness of doctrinal divide?  Folks...it's time to realize we are all on the same team if we have been redeemed.  Isn't that what he prayed for us in John 17 before he was arrested in the garden?  

Jesus said to seek first His Kingdom.  Why are you building your castle?

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33 

 (for other posts about the Kingdom of God on dansardinas.net click here.

 

 

Gospel Transformation: Don't Tell Me Show Me

What are you willing to sacrifice so that the Gospel will transform your city?   To really reach our cities with the Gospel it's going to take sacrifice.  It's going to be at times uncomfortable and awkward.  The Gospel cost Jesus and it will cost you & I to share it as well.  That's just the plain truth.  

Very few Chistians share their faith with the world.  The ones that do share their faith, know what to say...but don't know how to express it in their life.  Most know how to tell the ABC's of salavation....but don't know how to translate this "good news" into actions. As the old saying goes....actions speak louder than words.  When is the last time you showed the world Good News?  

My kids are still very young (11, 9 & 6).  They are good kids but they are kids.  When they do get in trouble they always tell me that they will never do it again. They say that they are very sorry...and they plead for forgiveness.  I always forgive them.  But, I always tell them the same thing. "Don't tell me....show me".  I want them to know now that talk is cheap.  You can tell me you are sorry everyday...but if you never show me than I don't believe it.  

You can tell the world that Jesus saves.  You can tell the world everyday that there is Good News in the world...but if you don't show it...does it matter?  The world has heard enough sermons.  They need to start seeing some.  What are some ways we can show "good news" through actions in our city?  After all...how can we talk of the life transforming message of the Gospel if it hasn't changed us?  Do share...what are you doing in your city.  What are ways we can show love and demonstrate "good news".

 

Want to see Gospel transformation in your city? Buy local....

What are you willing to sacrifice so that the Gospel may advance?  That question may be more complex and deeper than you may think.  I'm not talking about how much money you are going to give to your church..or how much time you will spend at the next church event.  

Think outside the box. Would you be willing to buy local and spend a little more money?  Why?  Think of the relationships that can be built with people in your own town! You are also investing into your own community everytime you purchase something from a locally owned business.  For the sake of the Gospel this is so, so important.  I understand that this is not possible with every purchase.  However, the little changes you can make can go a long ways! You can invest in the local transformation of your city financially!  It may cost you extra....but it will be worth it!  You can then open doors of conversation and earn the right to be heard!

My friend and partner in ministry, Tom Richards, practices and lives this reality.  Instead of buying his guitar strings online for much cheaper...he goes and buys them from a local music store.  Tom and I meet weekly for a staff meeting regarding The Way Church.  Tom loves Starbucks coffee.  However, instead of holding our meetings in Starbucks he suggested we meet in a local coffee shop in Cape Coral.  The results have been great!  We are helping that local coffee shop and have built a nice relationship with the owners, Cindy and Lorraine.  I'm looking for other ways to contribute locally!  (Although I will still find myself at Starbucks too) 

What else can you sacrifice for the Gospel?  Buying local is one example....what else can we do?  The Gospel is worth it.

Video Blog: Holiness & Occupy Wall Street #ows

 

Holiness: Do or Do Not (part 2)

Continuation from this previous post (click here)

Holiness is a life of freedom of exploring God and imitating Him. I will never measure up...but that's ok. The journey is the best part.  So what does a life of holiness look like? 

I believe that a life of holiness has it's sole focus on becoming more like Jesus.  When we focus on becoming more like Jesus...the things of the world will grow "strangely dim".  When we put our focus on "not becoming like the world"....I believe Jesus becomes "strangely dim".  Let's stop focusing on what we should not do....and focus on what we should do.

For example. When I was younger, I wanted to be just like my Dad.   My Dad is an amazing man.  I'm 34 years old now, but I still want to be like him.  He is the most kind, generous, loving individual I know.  What if instead of imitating my Dad....I instead focused on not being like the other Dad's in town?  Does that make any sense?  What if wanted to paint a portrait of my Dad?  Would it make sense to look at all the other Dad's in town and see how different they were from my Dad?  No, right?  The same way...stop looking at the world to find what to avoid.  Focus on Jesus and be Holy!  

To be holy is to be set apart.  It is to be different.  God is high above everything and everyone.  Nobody can compare!  Be holy in your Love as He is.  Be holy in Compassion as He is.  Be holy in Patience as He is.  Be holy in Forgiveness as He is.  Be holy in your Mercy as He is.  Be holy in your Faithfulness as He is.  Whatever you see God do or be.....Be holy as He is Holy!  When we look to God we see the ultimate example of holiness.  When we have this attitude it will be clear the things we should do.  

Let holiness be true and present in all of us.  Let us be different from the world in every way!  The world is unloving, uncompassionate, impatient, unforgiving, unmerciful, unfaithful!  Be set apart!  Be different!  Imitate your Father in Heaven and be holy. Don't say "I won't do that because that's what the world does."  Do say "I will do this because this is who my Father is!"

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. (Ephesians 5:1) NLT

Holiness: Do or Do not?

The command is clear.  God expects us to be like Him.  He expects us to be holy.  Here are two examples from Scripture.  

“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." Leviticus 19:2 (NIV)

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

But what exactly does this mean?  How can I be holy?  God's Holiness is the very thing that separates Him from......well everything.  This command is quite the tall task.  It's one that I believe has been interpreted in the negative all too often.  However...it's not a negative command at all.  

I often hear people speak of holiness as a list of rules that must avoided.  Don't go to movies.  Don't smoke.  Don't drink alchohol.  Don't dress that way.  Don't curse.  Don't watch TV.  Don't listen to that kind of music.  Don't use new technology. etc.  The list can go on and on.  This kind of "holiness" is a life that has it's focus on what you do not do.  It's exactly what the Pharisees did in Jesus day.  

A life of holiness does separate from those things that are not like God.  However, for many, though the journey of holiness, has become a satisfying life of self righteousness.  It may be very easy to define one as a "Good Christian" by what one does not do.  Is this the kind of life that God wants us to live? Does God want us to be known by what we avoid?  Does God want us to be known by our rules?  Don't get me wrong...there is plenty of things we should not do.  But are these don't's keeping us from a life of saying yes to the do's?

I speak from experience.  I lived a life of legalism.  I thought that by keeping a certain list of do's and dont's....I was ok.  I was a "person who pleased God".    Well....that only goes so far.  What naturally happens is that the list continues to gets bigger.  You add more rules to the list.  Your list may have included even some of your preferences.  You know....those things that are not etched in stone...but are the way you think it should be.  Then your preferences turn into "truth" for everybody.  You don't watch PG movies....so nobody else should either.  You prefer classical music and hymns so you then think that everybody else should as well.  And if anybody dares disagree with your list....then they are not holy.  Hmmmmm, does this sound familiar?   Is that what God said?  Be holy so everybody else can be holy like you?  That was me.  Is that you?

Holiness is a life of freedom of exploring God and imitating Him. I will never measure up...but that's ok. The journey is the best part.  So what does a life of holiness look like? (to be continued)

 

God on TV - "Fringe Faith" @thewaychurchcc