Reflections on the Lord’s Day, March 13, 2011

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Why is it so hard for us to admit that we need God’s help?  Yesterday in worship, we looked at two people who could not have been more different on the surface–Jairus, the synagogue leader; and the unclean woman with the 12-year “issue of blood”–and yet who both needed to come to the feet of Jesus in order to get help for a situation that they could not solve on their own.

Now, we are not allowed to impose our perspectives on the Scripture; rather, we must come to the Scripture where it is and alter our perspectives accordingly.   But…I can’t help but wonder if maybe Jairus was one of those “religious” people who thought that he had his life all together and that he and God had a pretty good working relationship.  That is, until his only child became deathly ill.  The reason I am willing to risk this supposition is that it appears that the “interruption” of the woman into the story was divinely arranged to teach Jairus about faith.  The point is this…it may very well be that God allowed this entire situation to unfold in his life in order to teach him the meaning of trusting in God.

So, of course, the question comes back to us…what will God need to allow into our lives to teach us to “fear not” and “only believe”?  A child at death’s door?  A financial reversal?  A health crisis in our own lives?

More importantly…is it worth that kind of trauma if it teaches us to rely more fully on our heavenly Father?  WARNING:  If you answer that question “yes” as you sit in the lap of relative ease and lack of pain, be prepared that God will almost certainly take you at your word!  He will allow whatever it takes for you to grow deeper in your level of trust and faith.  And believe me, just because you have made this affirmation today does not mean that the pain will be any less real when it comes.

By the way, what is true for individuals can also be true for families and for churches.   We must learn not only to trust God individually, but also corporately.  And yes, I believe with all my heart that God allows difficulties and challenges and heartaches to come into the lives of local bodies of believers to trust them as a spiritual family to trust God more fully.  Just remember:  these things are not a result of God’s anger with us (though they may at times involve discipline for past or present sins), but rather come from His heart of love that longs to draw us more closely to Himself in order that He might be able to care for us in our times of need.

So, whether it is in your personal life, your family, or your church, be watching for God to use opportunities to teach you to break out of the cocoon of self-sufficiency and self-reliance and fall at His feet, so that He can lift you up and say to you, as He did to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe and all will be made well.”


What Has He Done for You? Sermon Thoughts for 03/06/11

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There are those in our lives who are almost invisible…so much so that we often tend to forget what they do for us on a regular basis.  For example, during our recent bouts with ice and snow, when the schools were closed and streets were impassable…did you get your mail?  Have you ever thought of the person who is up at 2:0o a.m. bagging the newspaper so that it is at your door when you go out with your first cup of coffee at 6:00?  Oh, and what about that stocker at the store who moves items toward the front of the shelf, or moves them up to a higher shelf, to make it easier for you to reach them?

Now, this is not designed to make you feel guilty…no doubt there are people in your life, too, for whom you do little unnoticed things every day…just a little more thought-full.  We live in a culture that demands perfection and instant results.  We often forget those who work to make things easier for us, because we are obsessed with noticing the times when those things don’t get done.

And, in the midst of all of those “invisible” people, where is God?  When was the last time you really sat down and thought about all that He has done for you?  This Sunday in our worship times at First Baptist, Waterloo, we are going to examine the story of the Gadarene demoniac from Luke 8.  Now, talk about a guy that needed a lot of help!  But…is he really all that much different from us?  I mean, we don’t run around naked…but we live in shame of our actions; we don’t live in the tombs…but we are often obsessed with death and defeat in our lives; we don’t rip chains and shackles from our hands and feet…but we tear apart the hearts and lives of those around us.  The bottom line is simple:  we are all bound by an incurable link to sin in our lives.  We may not be “demon-possessed,” but we most certainly are all “sin-possessed”!

And in the midst of our bondage, Jesus walks up to us.  Maybe at first we’re afraid of Him.  What is He going to do do me?  What is He going to make me do for Him?  But, eventually,  we see in His eyes the love and forgiveness that can only come from One who can see beyond our nakedness and fits of rage and obsession with all that is dead and dying, deep into our hearts and see what we can be if we just put our trust in Him.

So, some of us have come to the point of trusting Him to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves…heal us.  And the new-found freedom from bondage that comes with knowing Christ is inexplicably more valuable than anything we may have clung to in our former life of bondage.  So, what has He done for us?  What has He done for me?  Where do I begin…?

I begin by serving Him, by serving His church, by serving His kingdom, by showing Him my love and gratitude by giving my life to the One who gave His life for me.  I hope you will, too….


Churches and Taverns

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You know what?  For most of my life, I have heard churches contrasted with the local pub or tavern…and the church always comes out the worse for it.  From country songs ( “I love this bar, It’s my kind of place.”) to Cheers (“you wanna go where everybody knows your name”), the local drinking establishment has been presented as the kind of place that churches should be more like.

But you know what else?  Life is not like a sit-com, or a song.  Should a church be like a local tavern?  No…it should be better! 

At a bar, everbody knows your name, as long as you’re there…but nobody sits and hands you towels when you’re hugging the toilet and throwing your insides up.  A church family will.

At a bar, nobody cares that you can’t pay your electric bill or your car payment because you’re spending all your money on your booze…but a church family does.

At a bar, somebody’ll buy you a drink if you’re a little short on cash, just helping that addiction to grab a little bit deeper hold on you…but a church family will take you to the store and buy some milk and bread and eggs for your kids to have for breakfast.

Sure, I wish churches were friendlier at times.  In that regard, perhaps a church is more like the Rotary or Kiwanis Club.  We see each other once or twice a week (or once a month…or twice a year), while most bar patrons occupy a stool multiple nights every week.  So we don’t have as many opportunities to get to know each other.  And a lot of times, when we are together, we are in a worship service where our focus is not on just sitting and talking and getting to know one another better.  Most churches could do a better job at that.  I admit it.  But we’re always there for each other, in good times and bad; in proud moments and embarassing ones; in victories and defeats.  And one day, we will spend eternity together talking and sharing, and everyone will know everyone else’s name forever.

So let’s make a deal…you invite me to your bar and I’ll invite you to my church.  I’ll go with you to your bar (if you don’t mind what I pick to drink), and you’ll come with me to my church (and I won’t mind if you don’t sing the songs)…and then we’ll see which one is the better choice.

Any takers?


Take Care How You Listen-Sermon Thoughts for 2/20/11

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Throughout Luke 8, we have been seeing a picture of what true faith in Christ looks like.  First, we had the little note about the women who left their homes and families to follow Jesus, helping to support His ministry with their resources.  Then we had the parable of the soils, where Jesus teaches us that the “good soil” is the person who “holds on” to the truth of Jesus and bears fruit “by enduring.”  We’re getting the idea that following Christ is not some kind of cognitive assent to a set of spiritual principles; on the contrary it is all about a life of committed following, supporting, holding on, and enduring.

So now we come to a proverb and a life example in verses 16 through 21.  Many people try to “over-harmonize” the gospels and see a parallel between Jesus’ words here about light with His statements in Matthew 5:14-16.  Here in Luke, however, it appears that Jesus is comparing the light that illumines and exposes with His word, which also illimines and exposes.  It ties back to His explanation about parables in verse 10.  Because of that, Jesus’ warning in verse 18 is particularly ominous…”therefore, take care how you listen.”

How do you listen?  When you are in worship, or a Bible study group, or your quiet time…are you a “receptacle” or a “conduit”?  In other words, do you listen only to hear what God has to say to you?  Are you living with the assumption that you are the center of your universe and that whatever God would say to you must only be for you?  Or, do you listen for what God may be saying to you in order that you may pass it on to someone else?  Could it be possible that God is speaking, not for your benefit (or at least, not only for your benefit), but rather for the benefit of the person with whom you will share what you have heard?

Are you a light?  Is the light of the gospel shining through you?  If so, are you okay with the truth that lights never exist for their own benefit, they only exist to give light to others?  Are you okay with the truth that the reason God called you and saved you and placed you where you are is so that the light that is in you can illumine and expose the hearts of others?

Are you okay with that?  If so, then “take care how you listen….”


“American Christians”? “Christian Americans”?

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There is a frightening quote in Eric Mataxas’ biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  He is discussing how the “German Christians” justified twisting the meaning of Scripture to fit Hitler’s view of “Nazi theology.”  He states that at least part of the trouble “has to do with the confusion that inevitably arises when the Christian faith becomes too closely related to a cultural or national identity.  For many Germans, their national identity had become so melted together with whatever Lutheran Christian faith they had that it was impossible to see either clearly.  After four hundred years of taking for granted that all Germans were Lutheran Christians, no one really knew what Christianity was anymore.”

Now, before I write one more word, I have to ask you please not to misunderstand me.  We live in one of the most free societies in the history of the world.  Our government system could not be more opposite in so many ways (in my opinion) from the German situation in the 1930′s and 40′s.  The following thoughts have nothing to do with politics or government structures.  They have everything to do with “cultural and national identity.” 

Like Bonhoeffer, I have had the privilege of living for an extended period outside of our  beloved United States.  Those years overseas gave me the opportunity to look at our nation and its people from a distance, even while remaining a loyal citizen and supporter of our great land.  I did, however, come to a personal opinion about the church in America:  we have a serious identity problem.  We have so mingled the concept of being American with that of being Christian, that I’m not sure many Americans really know what Christianity is anymore.  In the evangelical church, we have tended to become allied with a particular branch of the political system to the extent that we have often turned a blind eye to issues that needed our prophetic voice.  We have tended to refuse to support certain positions on moral or ethical issues because those particular positions were held by politicians or parties with which we disagreed.

On a broader scale, we have confused “patriotism” with obedience to the higher powers (Romans 13:1-8).  We often adopt an attitude that says, “My country, right or wrong” to the extent that we cannot speak out when we as a nation engage in activities that are not honoring to God.  We have forgotten that the prophet Nathan could be a loyal Israelite and servant of his king and still point his finger into the face of that same king and say, “Thou art the man!” (2 Samuel 12)  How was Nathan able to do that?  By remembering where his ultimate loyalties lay…first to God, then to his king and country.  I pray that we may be able in “Christian America” to do the same…to be loyal, faithful, patriotic Americans who nevertheless remember that our ultimate loyalty resides in a kingdom that is “not of this world.”


The Parable of Parables – Sermon Thoughts for 2/13/11

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This Sunday’s text is Luke 8:1-15.  I have a feeling that in our desire to get to the Parable of the Seed and the Soils we may be tempted to gloss over verses 1-3 (which I almost chose to use as a separate text by itself).  This “bridge narrative” is so full of meaning, especially for those (male or female) who are tempted to think that Christianity is a male-dominated religion that is constantly putting women down.

Probably the most remarkable, revolutionary statement in the entire three verses is, “The Twelve were with Him, and also some women….”  It is amazing to realize that these women actually travelled with Jesus as He went about preaching and teaching.  This was unheard of in Jesus’ day…women often supported the ministry of a rabbi by inviting him into their homes, providing meals and places of rest, etc…but for women to be welcomed to travel and minister with Jesus was nothing less than scandalously revolutionary!

The passage also reminds me that Jesus welcomes people from all walks of life…Mary, the formerly demon-possessed believer…Joanna, who lived her life in the posh luxury of Herod’s palace…and Susanna, whom no one knows.  They were all welcomed by Jesus, not just to be healed and made clean, but to walk with Him and learn from Him and minister with Him!

One more thing…these women teach all of us what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus.  Notice in the verses it says that not only were they with Jesus, but they were also “supporting them from their possessions.”  They followed Him and learned from Him; and they also supported the work of His kingdom with their resources.  Their commitment was not just in words; they committed all that they had to their new-found Master.

Beloved, it doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is or what sin you have committed, Jesus welcomes you to come and walk with Him.  I look forward to our time together on Sunday!


Reflections on the Lord’s Day, February 6, 2011

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“What does our worship say about the extent of our love for Jesus?”  That was the question that I hope everyone at First Baptist Church, Waterloo, left the services with yesterday.  As we looked at the woman who was crazy enough to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears, dry them with her hair, and then anoint His feet with oil that probably cost her more than a year’s average wage, all the while kissing His feet in humility and love, we asked ourselves that question.  And I pray that it will continue to resonate in our minds and hearts as we go into this week.

What does our love for Jesus look like?  Is it rational? Measured? Controlled?  Or is it crazy? Insane? Totally illogical?  As we pondered the tremendous contrast between the “sinful woman” who obviously had been forgiven and the “righteous Pharisee” who didn’t think he needed forgiveness, the central difference seemed to be their differing focus.  The woman was so filled with love for Jesus that He was her entire focus.  She wasn’t really concerned about who else was at the table.  She didn’t care about the cultural conventions that said it was inappropriate for a woman to let down her hair in public.  She wasn’t ashamed as the tears of joy and thankfulness poured down her face, literally watering Jesus’ feet to the point of “washing” them.  She was so in love with Jesus…so thankful for His promise of forgiveness and restoration…so enraptured by her new-found freedom and the peace that now reigned in her heart…that He was her entire focus.  The Pharisee, on the other hand, was constantly scanning the crowd…judging each person who was there…sizing each one up and categorizing them based on their worthiness…even assessing Jesus Himself.  His focus was on everyone else except Jesus!

I have to ask myself, “What does my life say about my love for Jesus?”  Is it so obvious that I am in love with Him that everyone who encounters me can sense it?  Without saying a word, can people “read” my love for Christ in my demeanor and my facial expressions?  In the end, though, the real question is this:  “Is my assessment of my love for Jesus only a fantasy?  Do I think I love Him passionately, when in reality my life tells the true story?”  Is my love for Him crazy???


Reflections on the Lord’s Day, 1/30/11

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Doubting…why do we give it such a bad rap?  I mean, if we never doubted…if we never had questions…would we really be conscious thinkers?  For me, struggling with doubt is sort of like doing pushups to failure (which these days means not many pushups!)…noone likes to hit failure, but if you never failed, how would you know when you succeeded?

Of course, I’m not saying that we should relish doubts in and of themselves.  Rather, our doubts show us areas where our faith is weak.  And we need to know where we are weak in our faith, so we can yield ever more to God’s control.  Our doubts are the anomalies in our spiritual lives that point out the places where we need to spend time strengthening our faith.

In our passage yesterday, we looked at how John the Baptist doubted.  He questioned whether or not Jesus really was the “One who is to come.”  And yet, Jesus tells us that “of those born of women, no one is greater than John.”  For those of you who were in worship yesterday, I hope your take-away was that it is human to doubt.  That doesn’t mean we should relish it or long for it, but neither should we deny it.  When we reach those points in our journey where we doubt, we need to examine, first, what caused the doubt to crop up in the first place. (Is there sin in my life? Are my circumstances confusing? Is it a temptation from Satan?)  Then, we need to identify the area in our spiritual life where the doubt resides. (Self-centeredness leading to sin, viewing my circumstances from my perspective rather than God’s, listening to the tempter rather than resisting him)  Once we have done that, we can take our doubt to God, openly admitting it and where it resides.  Then, we can give it to Him, knowing that in His time He will give us His sense of peace and direction.  I’m sure that plan is not flawless (because I’m not flawless!), but it helps me when I struggle with doubt and questions in my spiritual walk.

By the way, last night was awesome!  I love it when we have to put up extra tables…for a family business meeting!  And not because there was a controvery brewing!!  Congratulations (or condolences) to the new building committee; I am looking forward to working with you.  These are exciting days for us as a church family, and I am breathlessly waiting to see what God does with us next!


Reflections on the Lord’s Day, 1/23/11

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Gentleness…with authority!  What a concept!  Can we wrap our minds around the truth that we go out into the world as Christians with the full authority of Jesus Christ Himself (if you don’t believe that, go back and read Matthew 28:18-20 again)?  But it’s not the authority to crush and bruise and overpower our enemies…it is an authority to give gentleness and mercy and grace to those who are burdened down by the weight of their lives, because we carry in our hearts the only real cure for what ails them!

We have become so indoctrinated with this idea that the person who is open with their faith is a “fanatic,” a “fundamentalist,” a “radical”…so we either accept the label and grab our sword and go out slashing and mutilating everyone in sight; or we sit quietly and say nothing because we don’t want to offend anyone.  And all the time…all the time…so many people are waiting and looking for someone who really does have an answer to all that ails us, both individually and as a society.  And we, who call ourselves Christians, live every day believing with all our hearts that Jesus Christ is the answer to every need that we or anyone else can possibly have.

Yesterday was a hard day for me…but a very rewarding one as well.  I was terrified because there were so many thoughts swirling through my head regarding the text that we had before us (Luke 7:11-17), and I had no idea where we would end up.  Five minutes before first service, I snuck back to my office, fell down on my knees, and prayed, “Oh God, I have no idea what you want me to say today…there are so many things fighting for my attention…so all I can do is just ask you to bring to my conscious mind only the things that you have for your people to hear today.”  My prayer today is that  those who were there heard from Him…not from me…in such a way that every one of them woke up this morning with only one thought on their minds:  Why?  Why am I here today?  What is it that you have for me to do today?  To whom do you want me to express gentleness wrapped in the authority of the Almighty God today?

God answered my prayers yesterday…I pray He answers yours today…and that you will have the spiritual ears and eyes to hear and see what He has in store for you!


Dead Man Talking – Sermon Thoughts for 1/23/11

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For those of you who check out my blog periodically but are not yet Christ-followers (how do you like that for optimism?!), you probablay wonder why we Christians are so obsessed with the  Bible?  Many of you have asked me as much…”I understand your desire to have a spiritual relationship with a higher being, but I just don’t see what you get from a dusty volume that is thousands of years old.”  Comments like that just make me smile…literally.  I don’t get upset, I don’t feel I have to defend the infallibility of the Scriptures in their original documents, or anything like that.  I just think about passages like Luke 7:11-17, our passage for this coming Sunday morning.

Basically, it’s a very easy story about a resuscitation miracle done to a young man who was the only son of his widowed mother. (For you believers out there who have never heard that term, Bible scholars use the word “resuscitation” instead of “resurrection” because the young man did, eventually, die for good.  But if it bothers you, just insert the word “resurrection.”  The bottom line is, the young man was dead and they were on their way to the cemetery, then Jesus came along and he came back to life and went home with his mom for a nice bowl of chicken soup.)

Anyway, I digress…on the surface, it is a really nice story about compassion and life.  At a slightly deeper level it is a story that Christians believe points out Jesus’ (and therefore, by extension, God’s) power over the greatest enemy of mortal humanity…namely, our mortality.  It helps define for us who we believe Jesus is (the Son of God) and it strengthens our faith in His ability to reverse the powers of evil in our lives as we place our trust in Him.

True, true, true…but that doesn’t answer the question about our obsession with the Bible; not completely, at least.  So, what makes this story, and the Book which contains it, so magnetic?  For me, it comes in verse 13 of the passage:  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Don’t cry.”

Why?  Why include this little detail?  If you were Luke and you were trying to show the awesome power of the infinte Son of the Almighty God, why would you have included this little aside?  It’s not so much the compassion that draws me; we can see that from the miracle itself.  No; it’s His language, His statement to this woman:  “Don’t cry.”  How tender!  How human!  Now magnetic!

I have read through the Holy Quran several times (and for any of my Muslim friends reading this post, I do have respect for your book, even though I put no more faith in it than you do in my Bible, so let our respect be mutual), and I have never found this type of narrative.  Other ancient books, both holy and secular, have great stories of mighty deeds, but not with this kind of attention to the human drama of a widow who now, in addition to losing her husband, has lost her only son.

That, my friend, is what makes the Bible so unique…so personal…so powerful…so magnetic.  Let me challenge you to read Luke’s account of the life of Jesus and see if you are not just as drawn to it as I am.