“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love… We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:7-8, 19-21)
John’s commandment to the churches echoes Jesus’ commandment to his disciples: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus combines his commandment of loving your brothers and sisters in Christ with the idea of loving others as well.
Love is the mark of a true disciple. If God is love, and we are letting God reign in our lives, then how is this love overflowing from us into the lives of other people? How are we making a difference in our community? Are we taking care of the poor, the destitute, the disabled, and the broken?
When we are truly loving people, we begin to make a difference in our world. That could be people outside of the church, or people inside of it. Think about it: how many of us have treated someone in our church family poorly? Maybe you spoke behind their back, or argued in anger, or lusted over them, or cursed them... Maybe it is simply excluding others from our group. You aren't like us, so we wouldn't be hurt if you just went away... Oh, we'll never tell you to your face, but we sure won't do anything to make you feel welcome, either.
As Christians, we cannot act like the world. We are called to love and unity because of our faith in Christ Jesus. We must put behind the things of the world (jealousy, backbiting, arrogance, hatred) and focus instead on building one another up in love. I am not sure when we get to heaven if God is going to be concerned as much about our complete doctrinal understanding as much as he is with the answer to this question: "How well did you love your brothers and sisters, and how well did you love and serve the world in my name?"
When we are truly loving people, if we are truly making a difference in the lives of people, then others will begin to take notice. They won't be able to help it. It will be infectious, a viral movement spreading to people all around us.
Much like what we see in this video. It starts out small, but by the time others join in and we are working together in perfect unity and harmony, others begin to want to join in. May our love be infectious, and may we always be "viral" in our world!
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Hungry? Why Wait?
“Hungry? Why wait?”
The Snickers ad campaign proclaims to the “hungry” masses of our world that there is no need to hunger and no need to delay our gratification. If you are even remotely hungry, grab a Snickers. You shouldn’t have to deprive yourself.
Sadly, we don’t know what real hunger is. Few, if any, of us ever have to go to bed hungry. We have enough food not only to sustain ourselves but to gorge ourselves. Really, our hunger pains are simply “You know, I haven’t had any food in three hours” pains. Few of us know what it means to truly need food.
The writer of Ecclesiastes puts it this way: “All man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied” (Eccl. 6:7). In his time of temptation by the Devil, Jesus hasn’t eaten for forty days. The Devil tempts Jesus to make the stones turn into bread and fulfill his own needs. Jesus answers, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Mt. 4:4).
Too often we try to fill our own hunger, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, with food that doesn’t satisfy. We often try to fill gaps in our life with stopgaps, something to simply get us through. The hunger always returns, the pain always resurfaces, and the longing is never filled. We need something to fill us up, something more than a spiritual Snickers bar.
As Jesus is talking to his disciples he delivers this message: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (Jn. 6:35).
Hungry? Why wait? Grab ahold of Jesus, who will fill all your needs.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Modern Parable
One day Jesus was seated quietly in the marketplace when he is approached by a young marketing executive from a large advertising firm.
The young man struck up a conversation with Jesus: "I've always admired you and your work," the young man told Jesus. He talked about his character, his power, his rants against the religious establishment, his miracles, and his works of social justice. "I've always admired your stance on women's roles in society. I love your work with the poor and the disadvantaged. And that thing you did with the lepers, and the man born blind! That was amazing? How did you do that!?!? I love your teachings, and the way you stick it to the Pharisees! And raising Jairus' daughter, Lazarus, and that widow's son from the dead? Priceless! You do good work!"
"Umm, thank you," Jesus replies hesitantly.
"But," the executive continued, "I think you are missing a golden opportunity to market yourself better! I mean, all this talk about denying yourself and taking up your cross? The world rejecting you? Pain and loss for your followers? All of that talk is bad for business! You know you would get a lot more attention if you would make your message user friendly! Health and wealth, that kind of thing."
"Besides," the young man rushed on, not allowing Jesus time to interject; he was on a roll! "Besides... there's a lot of marketing potential here! Bracelets and books, jewelry and music, programs and seminars... We could make a gold mine on this Christian Living thing. It is its own market! We could market Christianity to the masses! Christianity for the single life, Christianity for better marriages, the Christian way of raising our children. 40 Days to a Better You. your Best Life Right Here Right Now. The Christian Secrets of Business Success... We could even turn around the whole meaning of the cross and make them out of gold, put them on a chain, and make them a sort of status symbol or a brand!"
"Think of it," he continued, "just think of all the possibilities! Church would be like a great mixture of Kiwanis and Country Club! Beautiful buildings on every corner, shining the light of Christian prosperity to a lost and dying world! A place for hurting people to look at and realize just how bad their lives are! Maybe by seeing our beautiful churches they will turn back to God and leave their lives of sin. Think about it... Church will be a great place for people to try out their A game. It will be a place where they act better than they do throughout the week! It is calling them to a higher standard of life and living. While you are here, you WILL blend in! Our pastors and ministers will be put on pedestals and held up as role models, even if they are a little broken or rough around the edges in private."
"Jesus, just think about the possibilities! Think about the power and prestige that will go with being a Christian! We can use our faith to punish those who disagree. We can pour billions into political interest groups and parachurch political organizations. We can start our own radio stations, For Us and By Us, and create our own TV networks. We can make our own films and movies, create our own little subculture. Think of all of the possibilities! Just imagine what could happen with a little marketing savvy and initiative!"
"So, let's make this Christianity thing a little easier to follow. Can we boil it down into a pithy saying or some trite comment people can remember? Can we make church and ministry about us so that it will attract more people? I think we are sitting on a gold mine here, Jesus. What do you think?"
So, what do you think Jesus would say? What Would Jesus Do? (Yes, all puns intended!)
Maybe Jesus would answer...
"One thing you lack. Go and sell all you own, all you treasure, give away your heart's greatest desire, and then come and follow me."
OR, "Seek first HIS Kingdom and HIS righteousness..."
OR, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe."
OR, "How difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven!"
Or maybe just, "GET BEHIND ME, SATAN!"
What is the heart of the Gospel? Is it health and wealth? Is it success? Is it corporate driven Christianity? Is it about making money with catchy gimmicks, having the biggest church, or the prettiest building? Is it about programs and ministries, youth groups and coffee shops, marriage seminars and Christian movies?
A wise minister once told me, "Whatever you win them with you win them to..." I think it is true. Over time, as Christianity become more polished and marketed, we began to ignore some of Jesus' teachings. Oh, we like the stuff about heaven, but we often ignore things like "Blessed are the poor... Woe to those who are rich..." We live in favor of Jesus' miracles, but ignore Jesus' calling to true discipleship and cross-bearing. It leads non-Christians to despise marketed Christianity, and called Ghandi to say, "I like Christ, but I don't like Christians! I would be a Christian, if it weren't for Christians..."
What kind of Christianity are you bought into? Does it change who you are, or just gloss over your rough edges? Do you look good on the outside with all of the t-shirts buttons and jewelry but are dead or dying inside, or are you truly being transformed? Christianity is not about gimmicks, programs, or marketing initiatives, building programs or church growth.
Instead, Christianity is about following Christ, God in the flesh, who died for you but had the audacity to not stay dead! It is death, burial, and resurrection, and our following Christ in death, burial, and resurrection through baptism.
Christianity is meant for more than cheap tricks and failed gimmicks. Let us never take the easy road of corporate marketing. Instead, let's take up our crosses and begin to follow him, wherever he leads.
The young man struck up a conversation with Jesus: "I've always admired you and your work," the young man told Jesus. He talked about his character, his power, his rants against the religious establishment, his miracles, and his works of social justice. "I've always admired your stance on women's roles in society. I love your work with the poor and the disadvantaged. And that thing you did with the lepers, and the man born blind! That was amazing? How did you do that!?!? I love your teachings, and the way you stick it to the Pharisees! And raising Jairus' daughter, Lazarus, and that widow's son from the dead? Priceless! You do good work!"
"Umm, thank you," Jesus replies hesitantly.
"But," the executive continued, "I think you are missing a golden opportunity to market yourself better! I mean, all this talk about denying yourself and taking up your cross? The world rejecting you? Pain and loss for your followers? All of that talk is bad for business! You know you would get a lot more attention if you would make your message user friendly! Health and wealth, that kind of thing."
"Besides," the young man rushed on, not allowing Jesus time to interject; he was on a roll! "Besides... there's a lot of marketing potential here! Bracelets and books, jewelry and music, programs and seminars... We could make a gold mine on this Christian Living thing. It is its own market! We could market Christianity to the masses! Christianity for the single life, Christianity for better marriages, the Christian way of raising our children. 40 Days to a Better You. your Best Life Right Here Right Now. The Christian Secrets of Business Success... We could even turn around the whole meaning of the cross and make them out of gold, put them on a chain, and make them a sort of status symbol or a brand!"
"Think of it," he continued, "just think of all the possibilities! Church would be like a great mixture of Kiwanis and Country Club! Beautiful buildings on every corner, shining the light of Christian prosperity to a lost and dying world! A place for hurting people to look at and realize just how bad their lives are! Maybe by seeing our beautiful churches they will turn back to God and leave their lives of sin. Think about it... Church will be a great place for people to try out their A game. It will be a place where they act better than they do throughout the week! It is calling them to a higher standard of life and living. While you are here, you WILL blend in! Our pastors and ministers will be put on pedestals and held up as role models, even if they are a little broken or rough around the edges in private."
"Jesus, just think about the possibilities! Think about the power and prestige that will go with being a Christian! We can use our faith to punish those who disagree. We can pour billions into political interest groups and parachurch political organizations. We can start our own radio stations, For Us and By Us, and create our own TV networks. We can make our own films and movies, create our own little subculture. Think of all of the possibilities! Just imagine what could happen with a little marketing savvy and initiative!"
"So, let's make this Christianity thing a little easier to follow. Can we boil it down into a pithy saying or some trite comment people can remember? Can we make church and ministry about us so that it will attract more people? I think we are sitting on a gold mine here, Jesus. What do you think?"
So, what do you think Jesus would say? What Would Jesus Do? (Yes, all puns intended!)
Maybe Jesus would answer...
"One thing you lack. Go and sell all you own, all you treasure, give away your heart's greatest desire, and then come and follow me."
OR, "Seek first HIS Kingdom and HIS righteousness..."
OR, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe."
OR, "How difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven!"
Or maybe just, "GET BEHIND ME, SATAN!"
What is the heart of the Gospel? Is it health and wealth? Is it success? Is it corporate driven Christianity? Is it about making money with catchy gimmicks, having the biggest church, or the prettiest building? Is it about programs and ministries, youth groups and coffee shops, marriage seminars and Christian movies?
A wise minister once told me, "Whatever you win them with you win them to..." I think it is true. Over time, as Christianity become more polished and marketed, we began to ignore some of Jesus' teachings. Oh, we like the stuff about heaven, but we often ignore things like "Blessed are the poor... Woe to those who are rich..." We live in favor of Jesus' miracles, but ignore Jesus' calling to true discipleship and cross-bearing. It leads non-Christians to despise marketed Christianity, and called Ghandi to say, "I like Christ, but I don't like Christians! I would be a Christian, if it weren't for Christians..."
What kind of Christianity are you bought into? Does it change who you are, or just gloss over your rough edges? Do you look good on the outside with all of the t-shirts buttons and jewelry but are dead or dying inside, or are you truly being transformed? Christianity is not about gimmicks, programs, or marketing initiatives, building programs or church growth.
Instead, Christianity is about following Christ, God in the flesh, who died for you but had the audacity to not stay dead! It is death, burial, and resurrection, and our following Christ in death, burial, and resurrection through baptism.
Christianity is meant for more than cheap tricks and failed gimmicks. Let us never take the easy road of corporate marketing. Instead, let's take up our crosses and begin to follow him, wherever he leads.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Sowing the Seed
I often wonder about the parable of the Sower. The story we get seems really condensed. Now, I know I’m not a farmer, so this story doesn’t hit me as hard as it did Jesus’ audience. But, bear with me a second.
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable about the farmer out sowing seed. Some seed fell on the path, others fell in rocky soil, and still others fell among the thorns. None of those seeds bore any lasting results. But, the seed sometimes fell on good soil, and there is produced a huge crop of abundance. Jesus later goes on to explain that the seed is the Gospel of the Kingdom, and the farmers are us. Although it isn’t stated, each of us has been given the task of sharing the Good News with every person that we meet. That doesn’t necessarily have to be overt; sometimes it is just a smile, a nod, or a kind word. But each of us is called to scatter seed.
However, I have often wondered about this parable… Each time I share the Gospel with someone, it is immensely personal. It usually develops out of relationship, as we begin to share the most important parts of our lives with one another. Sometimes the Gospel takes root and multiplies in that person’s life; but sometimes it is like the three other types of soil, being choked out or stolen away or trampled on. Each time I see the person not respond, it hurts and sometimes feels a little personal. Maybe if I had only done better, or said something in a different way, or didn’t push at this instance, or maybe if I’d just pushed a little harder… Jesus seems to gloss over the personal nature of evangelism, comparing it simply to a farmer out tossing seeds around.
Yet maybe it is a good analogy. The farmer’s livelihood depends on the productivity of that seed, and he works them and makes them grow. His life and his hope are wrapped up in the seeds’ response. Yet it is God who causes the seed to grow. We aren’t always called to bring in the harvest; we can’t make the seed take root and grow. We are simply called to sow and cultivate seed. Maybe the seed will stay dormant for many years, suddenly springing up and thriving. Maybe it will be carried away, only to be dropped into good soil when the moment is right. We aren’t called to be successful, just to be faithful. So, keep on sowing the seed, Farmers for the LORD. You never know what harvest God will provide.
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable about the farmer out sowing seed. Some seed fell on the path, others fell in rocky soil, and still others fell among the thorns. None of those seeds bore any lasting results. But, the seed sometimes fell on good soil, and there is produced a huge crop of abundance. Jesus later goes on to explain that the seed is the Gospel of the Kingdom, and the farmers are us. Although it isn’t stated, each of us has been given the task of sharing the Good News with every person that we meet. That doesn’t necessarily have to be overt; sometimes it is just a smile, a nod, or a kind word. But each of us is called to scatter seed.
However, I have often wondered about this parable… Each time I share the Gospel with someone, it is immensely personal. It usually develops out of relationship, as we begin to share the most important parts of our lives with one another. Sometimes the Gospel takes root and multiplies in that person’s life; but sometimes it is like the three other types of soil, being choked out or stolen away or trampled on. Each time I see the person not respond, it hurts and sometimes feels a little personal. Maybe if I had only done better, or said something in a different way, or didn’t push at this instance, or maybe if I’d just pushed a little harder… Jesus seems to gloss over the personal nature of evangelism, comparing it simply to a farmer out tossing seeds around.
Yet maybe it is a good analogy. The farmer’s livelihood depends on the productivity of that seed, and he works them and makes them grow. His life and his hope are wrapped up in the seeds’ response. Yet it is God who causes the seed to grow. We aren’t always called to bring in the harvest; we can’t make the seed take root and grow. We are simply called to sow and cultivate seed. Maybe the seed will stay dormant for many years, suddenly springing up and thriving. Maybe it will be carried away, only to be dropped into good soil when the moment is right. We aren’t called to be successful, just to be faithful. So, keep on sowing the seed, Farmers for the LORD. You never know what harvest God will provide.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Anti-Religious Jesus
“But don’t worry… I’m not religious.”
Those words characterize a number of the conversations I have had with KU students over the past two years. So many people on campus are afraid of being religious. Indeed, it has become something of a taboo. “Thou shalt not be religious!” seems to be the mantra of many young people I meet. I recently passed by a car with the bumper sticker: “The Religious Right is Neither.” People think being religious is a bad thing.
Is it? Is being religious necessarily bad? Well, the answer seems to be both yes and no. “Religion” teaches us what God requires of us; it calls us to live by a certain standard and a moral code. It calls us to the recognition of something greater than ourselves.
Yet Jesus called us to more than just religion. In fact, Jesus did not get along well with religious people! (Or at least those who thought of themselves as attaining their own salvation through their works.) In Matthew 23, Jesus confronts the VERY religious Pharisees on their own self-righteousness. He lovingly refers to them as “snakes” and “broods of vipers.” “You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are” (Mt. 23:15).
Jesus calls his disciples to a higher calling than just being religious. Religion is about what we do to attain salvation. Christianity is about the God who has already provided salvation for those of us who believe and obey. Jesus doesn’t call us to be religious; he calls us to be a part of The Way. Christianity isn’t just a religion; it is a way of life that calls us beyond rules and regulations and closer to the heart of God.
So go out and don’t be religious. Instead, live by The Way of God, loving people and showing them through your lives the God who loves them too.
Those words characterize a number of the conversations I have had with KU students over the past two years. So many people on campus are afraid of being religious. Indeed, it has become something of a taboo. “Thou shalt not be religious!” seems to be the mantra of many young people I meet. I recently passed by a car with the bumper sticker: “The Religious Right is Neither.” People think being religious is a bad thing.
Is it? Is being religious necessarily bad? Well, the answer seems to be both yes and no. “Religion” teaches us what God requires of us; it calls us to live by a certain standard and a moral code. It calls us to the recognition of something greater than ourselves.
Yet Jesus called us to more than just religion. In fact, Jesus did not get along well with religious people! (Or at least those who thought of themselves as attaining their own salvation through their works.) In Matthew 23, Jesus confronts the VERY religious Pharisees on their own self-righteousness. He lovingly refers to them as “snakes” and “broods of vipers.” “You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are” (Mt. 23:15).
Jesus calls his disciples to a higher calling than just being religious. Religion is about what we do to attain salvation. Christianity is about the God who has already provided salvation for those of us who believe and obey. Jesus doesn’t call us to be religious; he calls us to be a part of The Way. Christianity isn’t just a religion; it is a way of life that calls us beyond rules and regulations and closer to the heart of God.
So go out and don’t be religious. Instead, live by The Way of God, loving people and showing them through your lives the God who loves them too.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Truth and truth
I want to continue a thought I began a couple of weeks ago. Sorry it has taken so long to get back to it, but things have been HECTIC with all the various things that have come up.
I think we are happy settling for little-t truth these days. As we are constantly bombarded and reminded by our culture, all truth is relative. Your truth may not be my truth, and vice versa. Yet a problem seems to exist within these mantras: universal truth does seem to exist.
For example:
1. Every culture in the world believes that murder is wrong. Now, the interpretation of murder is different in each culture, but every culture agrees that murder is wrong. In some states in the United States, we execute a person for the vicious murder of another person. We call this justifiable execution. War against enemy combatants is called "the elimination of a target or threat." In many African tribes, murder is reserved for people of one's own tribe. If you kill someone outside of the tribe that isn't murder, because that individual isn't a real person.
2. Child rape is wrong. Every culture in the world values their children and wants no harm to come to them. Each culture has a moral rule against child rape. Some cultures tend to ignore their own rules (tribes of the Trobriand islands, some Afghan tribes, etc.) But most people believe that taking the innocence of a child is wrong.
Morality isn't subjective or totally culturally driven. There are universal standards that exist. Thus, not all truth can be relative; some things are universal.
Some would point to the inconsistencies between the two aforementioned rules as proof that morality is relative. Each culture calls things differently and has their own inherent rules... Thus, isn't it all relative to their experience.
I would argue that they are making a little-t truth out of a Big-T Truth. God said, "Do not murder." Yet it seems to be the second sin committed by mankind. Cain tried to justify his actions, just as cultures try to justify their own thinking. The Truth gets ignored for the truth. (Yes, the words and capitalization are intentional...) Just because we distort Truth doesn't mean that that Truth doesn't exist.
Truth is universal, applying across time and space. Yet there is a place for interpretation within our own cultural contexts. "Do not commit adultery" can now apply to internet pornography. Jesus' appeal to turn the other cheek can apply to nuclear proliferation or economic recessions. These Truths are universal, and yet we are called to apply them in our own circumstances.
Little-t truth should be the application of Big-T Truth; yet so often we allow it instead to replace it.
I think we are happy settling for little-t truth these days. As we are constantly bombarded and reminded by our culture, all truth is relative. Your truth may not be my truth, and vice versa. Yet a problem seems to exist within these mantras: universal truth does seem to exist.
For example:
1. Every culture in the world believes that murder is wrong. Now, the interpretation of murder is different in each culture, but every culture agrees that murder is wrong. In some states in the United States, we execute a person for the vicious murder of another person. We call this justifiable execution. War against enemy combatants is called "the elimination of a target or threat." In many African tribes, murder is reserved for people of one's own tribe. If you kill someone outside of the tribe that isn't murder, because that individual isn't a real person.
2. Child rape is wrong. Every culture in the world values their children and wants no harm to come to them. Each culture has a moral rule against child rape. Some cultures tend to ignore their own rules (tribes of the Trobriand islands, some Afghan tribes, etc.) But most people believe that taking the innocence of a child is wrong.
Morality isn't subjective or totally culturally driven. There are universal standards that exist. Thus, not all truth can be relative; some things are universal.
Some would point to the inconsistencies between the two aforementioned rules as proof that morality is relative. Each culture calls things differently and has their own inherent rules... Thus, isn't it all relative to their experience.
I would argue that they are making a little-t truth out of a Big-T Truth. God said, "Do not murder." Yet it seems to be the second sin committed by mankind. Cain tried to justify his actions, just as cultures try to justify their own thinking. The Truth gets ignored for the truth. (Yes, the words and capitalization are intentional...) Just because we distort Truth doesn't mean that that Truth doesn't exist.
Truth is universal, applying across time and space. Yet there is a place for interpretation within our own cultural contexts. "Do not commit adultery" can now apply to internet pornography. Jesus' appeal to turn the other cheek can apply to nuclear proliferation or economic recessions. These Truths are universal, and yet we are called to apply them in our own circumstances.
Little-t truth should be the application of Big-T Truth; yet so often we allow it instead to replace it.
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Kingdom of God
Last night I had a discussion with my FriendSpeak reader on the Kingdom of God. For those of you who don't know, FriendSpeak uses the story of Luke in English to both teach people how to speak Ebglish better and to introduce them to the Bible. My FriendSpeak reader is a visiting professor from Korea doing post-doctoral work at the University of Kansas. His English skills are amazing, and I am awed by his love for God. He loves pursuing new knowledge.
Yesterday's conversation lasted 35+ minutes as we discussed the coming of the Kingdom of God. He wanted to know what the Bible said about the Kingdom. Here is what I wrote this morning. I would love your insight. What did I say right? Did I get any of it wrong? Please, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
__________
In Christ,
Daniel
Yesterday's conversation lasted 35+ minutes as we discussed the coming of the Kingdom of God. He wanted to know what the Bible said about the Kingdom. Here is what I wrote this morning. I would love your insight. What did I say right? Did I get any of it wrong? Please, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
__________
The
The
Theologian Stanley Grenz puts it this way. “The
In Mark 1, Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming, “The
Luke, however, goes a slightly different direction. Luke makes Jesus’ first discussion about Isaiah 61 (Luke
Jesus has a bunch of different parables about the
- The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-, Matt. 13:1-15; Luke 8:4-10): The Kingdom of God grows as a man sows the “seed” (the Gospel).
- The Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark
- The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark
- The Parable of the Yeast (Luke
- The Parable of the Priceless
- The Parable of the Net (Matthew
There seems to be both a present aspect of the Kingdom and a future aspect of the Kingdom:
Luke 17:20 – “Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you.”
- The
- This begins on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and continues on through believers today.
We are also told that the
Luke
Matthew
In summary, the Kingdom has both a present and a future orientation. God’s rule exists in our lives because we have given our lives over to him. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us and guides/counsels us on how to live. By teaching others about God and Christ, we help spread the Kingdom in the world, because others will accept him and receive the Spirit as well. However, the Kingdom will not become a full reality until Jesus returns and the world sees the glory of God.
I hope this helps. I have enjoyed writing it for you. I would love to discuss it with you more!
In Christ,
Daniel
[1] This seems to be the best use of the Greek term basileia (βασιλεια).
[2]
[3] Matthew makes a similar statement from Jesus in Matthew 4:17: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew uses “kingdom of heaven” and “
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Happy Resurrection Day!!!
We follow a Savior who died but wouldn’t stay dead!
Have you ever thought about how amazing the resurrection is? It is shocking, crazy, and hard to believe. But it is true! Think about how Jesus’ followers felt. They watched him die, they buried him in the tomb, and when they went to take care of his body it was GONE! Mark tells us the women ran away scared! Matthew describes the scene:
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”
Those who experienced the resurrection were frightened, amazed, struck with awe, dumbfounded, scared witless, worshipful… Actually, all of the above all at once! But I think we have grown so used to the story that it has stopped truly shocking us.
I have had the opportunity to see people hear the Gospel message for the first time. I was teaching in Papua New Guinea and told the basic Gospel story: God sent his Son, Jesus, to teach us how to live to honor God, but people didn’t like his message so they had him killed. I watched the sadness in the crowd as we talked about the death of Jesus and his burial. I needed to stop to get a drink of water when one of the listeners spoke up: “NO! That can’t be the end! I know you didn’t come all this way to tell us a story about how a man died.” So I was able to tell them the REST of the story (as Paul Harvey used to say.) As I told them about the resurrection they began to smile and clap, and two or three started crying out of joy. The entire group was moved by the story of the resurrection.
It is powerful. It is amazing. It is ridiculous. It is the hinge of history. It is an act of God. Think about it: We follow a Savior who died but wouldn’t stay dead! That is the message of hope that the world needs to hear. And that is the wonderful event that we are celebrating today.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Have you ever thought about how amazing the resurrection is? It is shocking, crazy, and hard to believe. But it is true! Think about how Jesus’ followers felt. They watched him die, they buried him in the tomb, and when they went to take care of his body it was GONE! Mark tells us the women ran away scared! Matthew describes the scene:
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”
Those who experienced the resurrection were frightened, amazed, struck with awe, dumbfounded, scared witless, worshipful… Actually, all of the above all at once! But I think we have grown so used to the story that it has stopped truly shocking us.
I have had the opportunity to see people hear the Gospel message for the first time. I was teaching in Papua New Guinea and told the basic Gospel story: God sent his Son, Jesus, to teach us how to live to honor God, but people didn’t like his message so they had him killed. I watched the sadness in the crowd as we talked about the death of Jesus and his burial. I needed to stop to get a drink of water when one of the listeners spoke up: “NO! That can’t be the end! I know you didn’t come all this way to tell us a story about how a man died.” So I was able to tell them the REST of the story (as Paul Harvey used to say.) As I told them about the resurrection they began to smile and clap, and two or three started crying out of joy. The entire group was moved by the story of the resurrection.
It is powerful. It is amazing. It is ridiculous. It is the hinge of history. It is an act of God. Think about it: We follow a Savior who died but wouldn’t stay dead! That is the message of hope that the world needs to hear. And that is the wonderful event that we are celebrating today.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Church: What's the point?
Why does the church exist?
Now, how many of you think I am off my rocker for even posing this question? You can be honest, it won’t hurt my feelings. The question is important, because we live in an age where people are giving up on “organized religion” for personal spirituality or spiritual growth. Many people are simply walking away from the church. Why does this group exist at all? Why did Jesus and his disciples set up a church to continue on his tradition after he had left?
Many people simply write off church as non-essential. It is too hypocritical, too long, too boring. (Important: These are not my feelings, they are the ones statisticians report.) They see church as simply being one more thing to add to their already-too-large list of activities; something’s gotta give, and it often becomes church. So we are left to wonder, Why does the church exist in the first place? Is it even necessary?
I think Luke clues us in to the answer. Acts covers the foundation of the church and its actions for the Kingdom of God. Luke begins the book of Acts with this thought: “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up into heaven…” (Acts 1:1-2). Luke’s choice of words is very important. Listen to them again: “… I wrote about all the Jesus had begun to do and to teach…” The rest of Acts is the continuation of Christ’s ministry on earth.
It’s no wonder that Paul picks up on this idea in his own writings. Paul refers to the church as the Soma Christou, the “Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 3-5; Col. 3). We are all called to be part of the body of Christ. A hand cannot grasp, an ear cannot hear, and feet cannot walk on their own; these actions are worthless without a body to make them whole. Body parts are just that: parts of the Body. They have no use outside of that function. So too are Christians: we need to be connected to a body of believers in order to grow and live our full potential.
Why is the church important? Because we carry on the work of Jesus in the world. Is being part of a church easy? Rarely. Is it worth it? Usually. Is it what Christ would have us do? Absolutely.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Don't Worry? Man, I am anxious about that!!!
What do you worry about?
Let’s face it, we all worry. We worry about the future, we worry about the present, and we worry about the past. We worry about finances and not having enough. We worry about our health and the health of our loved ones. We worry about what people think about us. We watch the news and worry about the things that we hear, or we pick up the newspaper and worry about the headlines.
We are a worried people. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety disorders are the leading mental health diagnosis in America. An estimated 40 million people live with anxiety problems. But the truth is, 100% of us worry about something.
As Jesus is speaking to his followers on a mountainside, he spends a significant portion of his time talking about worry: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…” (Matthew 6:25) Jesus tells his disciples to stop worrying about the things of this world: food, clothes, possessions. Jesus wants his disciples to put their anxieties aside in order to live a happier, more productive, more God-filled life.
But let’s be honest: this seems almost IMPOSSIBLE for us. After we got done discussing this passage at Refresh the other night, one of my students told me that she had already broken her resolution and had begun to worry about school. How can we follow Jesus’ teachings? How can we move beyond our anxious thoughts?
I think Jesus gives us the secret in the passages that come before this. Jesus begins his discussion of worry with the word “Therefore.” Thus, we have to figure out what it is there for. Jesus’ immediate words talk about not being able to serve two masters; serve God only (Mt 6:24). Jesus discusses storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Mt. 6:19-21). Jesus tells his disciples to fast; he calls them to intentionally abstain from the things of the world (mt. 6:16). These three admonitions teach us that God is more important than the things of this world.
But I think the real secret comes in the passage right before. Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done… Give us this day our daily bread…” (Mt. 6:9-11, emphasis mine). Did you catch the secret? Did you hear how we can begin to overcome our worries? It doesn’t just start with prayer; it starts with how we pray! We must pray that God’s will may overcome our own, that we will seek his kingdom. And we are called to pray for our daily bread; it doesn’t talk about storing up bread for the future, but simply worrying about today, for “each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I pray that each of us may learn how to trust God with our future, because he knows (and provides for) all of our needs.
Let’s face it, we all worry. We worry about the future, we worry about the present, and we worry about the past. We worry about finances and not having enough. We worry about our health and the health of our loved ones. We worry about what people think about us. We watch the news and worry about the things that we hear, or we pick up the newspaper and worry about the headlines.
We are a worried people. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety disorders are the leading mental health diagnosis in America. An estimated 40 million people live with anxiety problems. But the truth is, 100% of us worry about something.
As Jesus is speaking to his followers on a mountainside, he spends a significant portion of his time talking about worry: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…” (Matthew 6:25) Jesus tells his disciples to stop worrying about the things of this world: food, clothes, possessions. Jesus wants his disciples to put their anxieties aside in order to live a happier, more productive, more God-filled life.
But let’s be honest: this seems almost IMPOSSIBLE for us. After we got done discussing this passage at Refresh the other night, one of my students told me that she had already broken her resolution and had begun to worry about school. How can we follow Jesus’ teachings? How can we move beyond our anxious thoughts?
I think Jesus gives us the secret in the passages that come before this. Jesus begins his discussion of worry with the word “Therefore.” Thus, we have to figure out what it is there for. Jesus’ immediate words talk about not being able to serve two masters; serve God only (Mt 6:24). Jesus discusses storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Mt. 6:19-21). Jesus tells his disciples to fast; he calls them to intentionally abstain from the things of the world (mt. 6:16). These three admonitions teach us that God is more important than the things of this world.
But I think the real secret comes in the passage right before. Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done… Give us this day our daily bread…” (Mt. 6:9-11, emphasis mine). Did you catch the secret? Did you hear how we can begin to overcome our worries? It doesn’t just start with prayer; it starts with how we pray! We must pray that God’s will may overcome our own, that we will seek his kingdom. And we are called to pray for our daily bread; it doesn’t talk about storing up bread for the future, but simply worrying about today, for “each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I pray that each of us may learn how to trust God with our future, because he knows (and provides for) all of our needs.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Christianity and the Internet
How can churches interact with our culture? The Southern Hills Church of Christ has decided to start producing YouTube videos to reach a mass audience. What are your thoughts? Is this an effective way to reach the world?
It got them on Nightline!
It got them on Nightline!
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Singlehood and the Body
I want to continue our conversation on how we create community and cause our church to function as the people of Christ.
One of the questions that Duin brings up in her book (Quitting Church) is the question of relevance. She argues that many of the buster/Gen Y generations see church as simply irrelevant to their lives. One of the stats that she discusses is the place of Singles within Christianity.
As many of you know this is a big topic for me. Having worked with Singles' ministry in the past (and having been a single minister) I am conscious of the problem: singles simply have very little place in the church. We argue that they DO have a place and a function, but let's be honest: how many sermons do you hear on the joys of singleness? How many of our sermons are devoted to having a great marriage, a great home, being great parents? These are some of the things that singles do not experience. They are told that singleness is a gift from God, but they also get the subtle hint that no one else really wants this gift. If singleness is a gift, they are wondering where they can exchange it!
The problems are infinite: They are struggling with feelings of loneliness, lack of intimacy, sexual desires, and they feel like the church is the LAST place they can turn. Many of them want to be married, yet they aren't quite sure where to go to meet people. It doesn't seem to be at church. They want to connect with God and with others, but most feel like second-class citizens.
No one wants to talk about Paul's dedication to singleness from Corinthians, or the fact that Jesus himself was single. We dedicate so few resources to this age group, yet they are a significant percentage of our society and our churches. Households with only one person (or single-parent households) are the largest percentage in America: 50.2% of America's population is in this category. Yet how much of our emphasis in church is directed to this age group? It's no wonder that singles are the largest percentage of people missing from church. (That 18-25 category.)
How do we go about giving singles a place in our communities of faith? How can we conscientiously provide a place for singles that is nurturing and caring? How can we be the Family that God has called us to be? What are your thoughts?
One of the questions that Duin brings up in her book (Quitting Church) is the question of relevance. She argues that many of the buster/Gen Y generations see church as simply irrelevant to their lives. One of the stats that she discusses is the place of Singles within Christianity.
As many of you know this is a big topic for me. Having worked with Singles' ministry in the past (and having been a single minister) I am conscious of the problem: singles simply have very little place in the church. We argue that they DO have a place and a function, but let's be honest: how many sermons do you hear on the joys of singleness? How many of our sermons are devoted to having a great marriage, a great home, being great parents? These are some of the things that singles do not experience. They are told that singleness is a gift from God, but they also get the subtle hint that no one else really wants this gift. If singleness is a gift, they are wondering where they can exchange it!
The problems are infinite: They are struggling with feelings of loneliness, lack of intimacy, sexual desires, and they feel like the church is the LAST place they can turn. Many of them want to be married, yet they aren't quite sure where to go to meet people. It doesn't seem to be at church. They want to connect with God and with others, but most feel like second-class citizens.
No one wants to talk about Paul's dedication to singleness from Corinthians, or the fact that Jesus himself was single. We dedicate so few resources to this age group, yet they are a significant percentage of our society and our churches. Households with only one person (or single-parent households) are the largest percentage in America: 50.2% of America's population is in this category. Yet how much of our emphasis in church is directed to this age group? It's no wonder that singles are the largest percentage of people missing from church. (That 18-25 category.)
How do we go about giving singles a place in our communities of faith? How can we conscientiously provide a place for singles that is nurturing and caring? How can we be the Family that God has called us to be? What are your thoughts?
Friday, January 9, 2009
Creating Community
Thanks for your comments on community in church. I am going to be posting more about Christ, culture, community, and church over the next few weeks. But here is some food for thought...
One of the ways that we can add community back into our corporate worship is to restore the Lord's Supper to its rightful place. The Lord's Supper was used as a communal meal by the early church.
- Acts 2: 42, 46-47: "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."
- Acts 20:7: "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread..."
I think the most telling argument is found in 1 Cor. 11:17-34. We find Paul telling the Christians in Corinth to wait for one another before they eat their meal and take the Lord's Supper together. For Paul, the community aspect of the Supper was the most important. It was a time for ALL of the believers to gather together to eat, fellowship, and rejoice in their Savior.
I think the Lord's Supper holds a key ingredient for our need for community. It is a ready made time for our community with one another and with God. As Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper he did so in the setting of a meal (the Passover) surrounded by his friends. "Do this in remembrance of me..." The dicsiples' carried on this meal tradition throughout their history. However, we have often now made it a time of silent reflection, a time when people are to sit still as a stone and think about their sins and their Savior. OR we completely sing over the whole time period, barely taking time to reflect on the importance of what we are doing. We rarely speak to anyone else during the Lord's Supper (except to say "Here" or MAYBE to say thank you as the tray is passed.)
What if, instead, we spent some time focused on the communal aspect of what we are doing. We, the Body of Christ, are partaking of the body of Christ. How can we do this in a way that both glorifies God AND creates a sense of community among our brothers/sisters?
This application is not foreign to the Restoration Movement. In an article written by Alexander Campbell, he describes the perfect worship service: it involved singing, praying, and standing around a table and having a communal meal as people talked together. They would discuss what God had done for them, their faith, their understanding, etc. For Campbell, worship was a gathering of the community to worship God and to edify one another.
What are your thoughts? Can this work? Have you ever seen this done? What are some ideas you have?
One of the ways that we can add community back into our corporate worship is to restore the Lord's Supper to its rightful place. The Lord's Supper was used as a communal meal by the early church.
- Acts 2: 42, 46-47: "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."
- Acts 20:7: "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread..."
I think the most telling argument is found in 1 Cor. 11:17-34. We find Paul telling the Christians in Corinth to wait for one another before they eat their meal and take the Lord's Supper together. For Paul, the community aspect of the Supper was the most important. It was a time for ALL of the believers to gather together to eat, fellowship, and rejoice in their Savior.
I think the Lord's Supper holds a key ingredient for our need for community. It is a ready made time for our community with one another and with God. As Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper he did so in the setting of a meal (the Passover) surrounded by his friends. "Do this in remembrance of me..." The dicsiples' carried on this meal tradition throughout their history. However, we have often now made it a time of silent reflection, a time when people are to sit still as a stone and think about their sins and their Savior. OR we completely sing over the whole time period, barely taking time to reflect on the importance of what we are doing. We rarely speak to anyone else during the Lord's Supper (except to say "Here" or MAYBE to say thank you as the tray is passed.)
What if, instead, we spent some time focused on the communal aspect of what we are doing. We, the Body of Christ, are partaking of the body of Christ. How can we do this in a way that both glorifies God AND creates a sense of community among our brothers/sisters?
This application is not foreign to the Restoration Movement. In an article written by Alexander Campbell, he describes the perfect worship service: it involved singing, praying, and standing around a table and having a communal meal as people talked together. They would discuss what God had done for them, their faith, their understanding, etc. For Campbell, worship was a gathering of the community to worship God and to edify one another.
What are your thoughts? Can this work? Have you ever seen this done? What are some ideas you have?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
That's My King
Sorry I have been off and on about posting. I have had a lot of things going these last two weeks, so something had to give. God bless you guys; I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I will be posting regularly again on January 1st.
This is one of my favorite videos (and speeches), and I wanted to share it with you guys here:
I love it: "Death couldn't handle him and the grave couldn't hold him!" Isn't it amazing. Think about it: We serve a God who died but wouldn't stay dead! Praise God!
This is one of my favorite videos (and speeches), and I wanted to share it with you guys here:
I love it: "Death couldn't handle him and the grave couldn't hold him!" Isn't it amazing. Think about it: We serve a God who died but wouldn't stay dead! Praise God!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Notes from a sermon, 1/27/07
Courageous Leadership: Do we really know what we are getting ourselves into?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die.”
Now most of us didn’t enter ministry with the goal to die for our faith; it’s certainly not the driving aspiration of most of us in this room!
Yet the very core of courageous ministry lies a type of death, a death to self, and a willingness to do whatever Christ asks us to do wherever he asks us to do it!
Courageous ministry, at its very heart, is a willingness to put aside our own desires and to live for the will of God.
Isaiah 6:8-12: Isaiah’s call.
“Here I am! Send me!”
- Does he know what he is agreeing to? Probably not!
- For God says, “OK, but your ministry is going to be totally ineffective. But go anyway!”
- And Isaiah goes as a prophet to the people of Judah, yet the vast majority refuse to hear his message.
- Yet he goes with no regrets!
Inspiring story of William Borden.
-Already a millionaire at age 16 when he graduates High School
-Heir to the Borden Dairy fortune
-Was sent on an around the world trip for his graduation gift. This trip had a profound affect on Borden’s life. As he saw the hurt and devastation, people living without hope, he decided then to become a missionary. He wrote home and told his parents, “I am going to give my life to prepare for the mission field.”
-Motto: “Say ‘no’ to self and ‘yes’ to Jesus every time.”
-In his Bible he wrote the phrase, “NO RESERVES!”
-Attended Yale, where his passion to reach the lost was intensified. He saw the need even there on campus, and began small prayer groups that grew from 2 individuals to 1,000 by Borden’s senior year, and started a spiritual revival on Yale’s campus. He also began reaching out to the poor in the city and founded Yale Hope Mission in New Haven
-He decided he wanted to reach the Kansu people, one of the largest Muslim populations in China
-On graduation from Yale he was offered a number of high paying jobs, but turned them down in order to attend seminary at Princeton.
-“NO RETREATS!”
Upon graduation from Princeton, Borden decided he needed training in Arabic, and moved to Egypt to study there. Soon after his arrival, Borden contracted spinal meningitis and died. American newspapers wrote, “A wave of sorrow went around the world. . .”
- Yet Borden kept his resolve throughout his month long suffering. In his Bible he wrote two more words: “NO REGRETS!”
Courageous leadership means living life with the realization that it’s not our own; it goes to the will of God. It means living life with “NO RESERVES, NO RETREATS, and NO REGRETS!”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die.”
Now most of us didn’t enter ministry with the goal to die for our faith; it’s certainly not the driving aspiration of most of us in this room!
Yet the very core of courageous ministry lies a type of death, a death to self, and a willingness to do whatever Christ asks us to do wherever he asks us to do it!
Courageous ministry, at its very heart, is a willingness to put aside our own desires and to live for the will of God.
Isaiah 6:8-12: Isaiah’s call.
“Here I am! Send me!”
- Does he know what he is agreeing to? Probably not!
- For God says, “OK, but your ministry is going to be totally ineffective. But go anyway!”
- And Isaiah goes as a prophet to the people of Judah, yet the vast majority refuse to hear his message.
- Yet he goes with no regrets!
Inspiring story of William Borden.
-Already a millionaire at age 16 when he graduates High School
-Heir to the Borden Dairy fortune
-Was sent on an around the world trip for his graduation gift. This trip had a profound affect on Borden’s life. As he saw the hurt and devastation, people living without hope, he decided then to become a missionary. He wrote home and told his parents, “I am going to give my life to prepare for the mission field.”
-Motto: “Say ‘no’ to self and ‘yes’ to Jesus every time.”
-In his Bible he wrote the phrase, “NO RESERVES!”
-Attended Yale, where his passion to reach the lost was intensified. He saw the need even there on campus, and began small prayer groups that grew from 2 individuals to 1,000 by Borden’s senior year, and started a spiritual revival on Yale’s campus. He also began reaching out to the poor in the city and founded Yale Hope Mission in New Haven
-He decided he wanted to reach the Kansu people, one of the largest Muslim populations in China
-On graduation from Yale he was offered a number of high paying jobs, but turned them down in order to attend seminary at Princeton.
-“NO RETREATS!”
Upon graduation from Princeton, Borden decided he needed training in Arabic, and moved to Egypt to study there. Soon after his arrival, Borden contracted spinal meningitis and died. American newspapers wrote, “A wave of sorrow went around the world. . .”
- Yet Borden kept his resolve throughout his month long suffering. In his Bible he wrote two more words: “NO REGRETS!”
Courageous leadership means living life with the realization that it’s not our own; it goes to the will of God. It means living life with “NO RESERVES, NO RETREATS, and NO REGRETS!”
Monday, November 17, 2008
Saltiness
In the ancient world, salt was one of the most valuable commodities. Much like gold or oil today, salt was desired by all of the nations of the world. Wars were fought over salt; black market deals were made; wealth was made and destroyed… all based on this little white crystal. In many nations salt was better than currency. Roman soldiers were often paid in salt; indeed, the root of our term “salary” is derived from salt!
Salt had many uses in ancient times. It acted as a preservative for meat and other foods, allowing food to be stored for longer periods of time. Salt was also used for flavoring, giving new dimensions to regular foods. And unbeknownst to people in the ancient world, salt is a necessary part of life. It is the basis of the electrolytes that each of us needs for our bodies to function properly. Salt in the right quantities is needed for the body. Interestingly, too much salt is bad for us. It adds to high blood pressure and heart disease. However, most people in the ancient world yearned for salt; it wasn’t readily available or accessible to most people. Indeed, most people couldn’t afford enough salt to meet their needs; they were simply too poor to be able to afford it. Thus, salt was strongly desired by all people.
During Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his disciples that they are this precious commodity. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men” (Mt. 5:13). In Luke 14, Jesus makes a similar statement: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.” Jesus reminds his disciples that they are the salt of the earth: they have come to bring goodness, taste, and life to people who need it. They are called to be salt so that people can come to know God. Jesus reminds them to always remain distinct and “salty.” The last thing the world needs is for the disciples of Jesus to lose their saltiness and start becoming bland, like the rest of the world. We are called to season, not to “bland” in. Intriguingly, Luke’s version of this story comes amidst the discussion of counting the cost of being a disciple. Jesus tells his followers to decide whether or not it is worth it to them to continue to follow him!
The question still stands for us today: Do we want to be salt or do we want to be bland like everyone else? Jesus calls us to remain salty, and to use this nature to show the world what real life is like. But we have to decide: Is it worth it to be different? Is it worth it to us to NOT be like everyone else? Simply put, are we willing to be salt or do we want to become lifeless (and worthless)? What the world needs is salt. The students of KU need salt in their lives. So do members of your family, your coworkers, your neighbors… The world needs to taste what salt is like through our lives. Ultimately, our example will bring goodness, flavor, and life into a dead, dull, bland world.
Salt had many uses in ancient times. It acted as a preservative for meat and other foods, allowing food to be stored for longer periods of time. Salt was also used for flavoring, giving new dimensions to regular foods. And unbeknownst to people in the ancient world, salt is a necessary part of life. It is the basis of the electrolytes that each of us needs for our bodies to function properly. Salt in the right quantities is needed for the body. Interestingly, too much salt is bad for us. It adds to high blood pressure and heart disease. However, most people in the ancient world yearned for salt; it wasn’t readily available or accessible to most people. Indeed, most people couldn’t afford enough salt to meet their needs; they were simply too poor to be able to afford it. Thus, salt was strongly desired by all people.
During Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his disciples that they are this precious commodity. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men” (Mt. 5:13). In Luke 14, Jesus makes a similar statement: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.” Jesus reminds his disciples that they are the salt of the earth: they have come to bring goodness, taste, and life to people who need it. They are called to be salt so that people can come to know God. Jesus reminds them to always remain distinct and “salty.” The last thing the world needs is for the disciples of Jesus to lose their saltiness and start becoming bland, like the rest of the world. We are called to season, not to “bland” in. Intriguingly, Luke’s version of this story comes amidst the discussion of counting the cost of being a disciple. Jesus tells his followers to decide whether or not it is worth it to them to continue to follow him!
The question still stands for us today: Do we want to be salt or do we want to be bland like everyone else? Jesus calls us to remain salty, and to use this nature to show the world what real life is like. But we have to decide: Is it worth it to be different? Is it worth it to us to NOT be like everyone else? Simply put, are we willing to be salt or do we want to become lifeless (and worthless)? What the world needs is salt. The students of KU need salt in their lives. So do members of your family, your coworkers, your neighbors… The world needs to taste what salt is like through our lives. Ultimately, our example will bring goodness, flavor, and life into a dead, dull, bland world.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Simple vs. Easy
Being a follower of Christ is simple, but it was never meant to be easy!
That statement might surprise you, shock you, discourage you, or anger you. But I wanted to let you in on Christ’s secret: it isn’t easy to be a follower of Christ. Honestly, it never was. In a conversation with his followers in John 6, Jesus’ message drives away the thousands who have been following him. Jesus tells his disciples that if they want to be first in the kingdom then they must be last and the servant of all. Jesus tells the rich man that the only way to be his follower is to sell everything and give it all to the poor. We are told to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, do not be angry, stop lusting… all countercultural ideas in both Jesus’ time and in ours. Jesus never tells his disciples it will be easy to follow him; indeed, he tells them it will be anything but!
It isn’t easy to be a follower of Christ. But it is rather simple. Simply put, if we want to become a true follower of Christ we must be willing to give up everything and put ourselves (and our desires) last for the sake of the Kingdom. Jesus tells his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26). In the Greco-Roman world, nothing was more shameful than a cross. The cross was reserved for thieves, terrorists, and enemies of the state. Crucified criminals were taunted and ridiculed by all who saw them. Thus, Jesus’ simple instructions to his disciples shouldn’t bring much joy. Jesus is calling his disciples to be so radically different from the world that they would be (at times) ridiculed, taunted, and even killed for their beliefs. It isn’t easy to be a Christian, but the idea sure is simple.
What does it mean for us to be simple Christians? What would it look like in our workplace, our classroom, our families? How would our lives be different if we decided each morning to take up our cross no matter what may happen? How would our world be different? What would change if we were willing to give it all up for the sake of the Kingdom? What would life be like if we decided to practice simple Christianity? Being a Christian is simple, but it sure isn’t easy.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wanna Get Away?
I think retreating has been given a bad rap…
Often we see retreating as an admittance of defeat, that we weren’t strong enough to handle something on our own. We don’t like to be told that we can’t do it, that we aren’t strong enough, or that we simply aren’t up to the challenge. Sometimes, however, we need to be able to retreat, to take a step back, look at the situation more clearly, and reevaluate our position. Sometimes retreating is a necessary step in order to preserve the war or the warrior.
Now, for those of you wondering, this article has absolutely nothing to do with the war in
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (Mark 6:30-32)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Service with a Smile (for the Kingdom)
As I talk to a number of non-Christians they are turned off by different aspects our Christianity: our perceived holier-than-thou attitude, our hypocrisy, our intolerance, etc. The world views non-Christians as being intolerant of anyone who doesn’t believe the same things that we believe.
Yet, time and again, non-Christians are amazed at the servant hearts of Christian people. They cannot believe that we would willingly give up our time, our energy, our comfort, to go and work with those who need help. They are amazed when they discover that Christians aren’t out doing service projects because they are made to or because it looks good on a college application, but because we want to. It is our chance to serve God by serving other people. In many ways the world doesn’t get it, but they do respect it!
We all have a tendency to get a little caught up in ourselves. Jesus’ own disciples had this same problem. In Mark 10, the disciples had been discussing who was the most important among them and who would be first in the Kingdom. As Jesus overheard these conversations he spoke to his disciples about the most important things in life, he told them this: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The goal of the Christian life is not to get ahead or to be self-serving but to be focused on others.
We are called to serve other people because Christ came to serve us. If we are his hands and feet, his Body, his ambassadors, and his representatives on earth, than we can do nothing less...
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