Take time to read 1 Corinthians chapter 2.
I have the awesome privilege of teaching the Word of God to high school aged youth. On a weekly basis I get the opportunity to open the Scripture and speak about our great God. This is an awesome privilege and an awesome, heavy responsibility.
"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." James 3:1
Teaching youth, or anyone for that matter, is a grand and heavy task. So, one must examine what good Biblical teaching is so as not to be judged as doing a bad job.
What is good teaching of Scripture?
This is the question I'm left asking because I don't want to stand before God and be found to have taught incorrectly.
I think Paul answers what good teaching and good scriptural interpretation is.
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2
This statement describes good Biblical teaching in a nutshell. We who teach are not to only look for moral lessons from the Bible. That's not the primary goal of Scripture. Now, moral lessons can be found all over the pages of God's Word. All over the Word we see God's way versus man's way. All over Scripture we are given good, moral lessons. But moral lessons are not the goal of Scripture.
The focal point of Scripture is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The entire Old Testament points forward to Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The Gospels describe Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And the rest of the New Testament points back to Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Jesus Christ and Him crucified therefore must be the focal point of our teaching. Teachers, we must not stop at moral lessons and fall short of giving our students what they need most... Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Teachers, if we help our students, whether youth, adult or children, become moral people but miss teaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified we could and should be judged more strictly. We could be teaching our students to be good, decent, damned people.
So, our call as teachers, if we want to be good teachers that is, is to have Christ and Christ crucified in every lesson we teach. When we read David and Goliath we must see Christ and Christ crucified in the story... because it's there. When we teach the 10 Commandments we must see Christ and Christ crucified... because it's there. Teachers we must resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the focal point of our teaching.
Teach Christ and Christ crucified today.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
9/11
Twelve years ago today my country was attacked on its own soil. Twelve years ago today terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and had one crash in a field in Pennsylvania. Twelve years ago today my world and yours was changed.
We watched in horror as we saw specks floating off the side of the Twin Towers. We were chilled to the bone when we realized that those specks were people. We trembled as we watched the towers collapse over and over as the scene was replayed on our television screens.
Twelve years ago today we wondered who "they" were. We questioned who we were supposed to fear and hate. We desired a face to the enemy because we were angry.
We soon were filled with patriotism, national unity and a communal desire for revenge. We cheered out loud or in our hearts when on a pile of rubble George W. Bush said as he responded to a rescue worker who shouted that he couldn't hear the president, "I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people... the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!"
I remember twelve years ago feeling lost and confused. "Where was God on September 11th?" was the question of the hour.
I remember huddling for a few people at Fairview Baptist Church praying that day. I don't remember what we prayed but I remember the church seemed to be the only logical place to go that evening.
So, to this day the questions are, "Where was God on September 11th, 2001?" and "Why did God let this happen?"
I can't tell you why God let thousands of people die on September 11th, 2001 or recently in Syria or for the last several years in Darfur for that matter. I can't answer why God lets tragedies occur.
I can, however, answer the question of "where was God on September 11th, 2001?"
God was on His throne ruling. God wasn't surprised by the attack. He wasn't scrambling trying to figure out what was going on down here. God wasn't overpowered by fear. God was on His throne in charge of the universe and He's there today, too.
That is a comforting and a scary thought. It's comforting because my God is reigning and He is doing things for His glory and my good. It's scary because somehow even the tragedies of 9/11 fit in that realm of "things". Even with God enthroned in heaven life will not be easy or even pleasant sometimes. I'm left having to trust God even when everything hurts. That is faith and that is why faith is so hard sometimes.
I'm sorry the answer to the question doesn't seem like "...and they lived happily ever after." But I'm glad God was on His throne on that day. I'm glad because I'd rather follow a God who is always in control than a god who desires things to be easy but can't do anything about it at times. I just need to trust that my God who is in control is also the God who says He does all things for His glory and our good even when we can't figure out how.
Take time today to remember those who lost their lives twelve years ago today. Take time to pray for those who are still living without a loved one. And remember that God is on His throne today.
We watched in horror as we saw specks floating off the side of the Twin Towers. We were chilled to the bone when we realized that those specks were people. We trembled as we watched the towers collapse over and over as the scene was replayed on our television screens.
Twelve years ago today we wondered who "they" were. We questioned who we were supposed to fear and hate. We desired a face to the enemy because we were angry.
We soon were filled with patriotism, national unity and a communal desire for revenge. We cheered out loud or in our hearts when on a pile of rubble George W. Bush said as he responded to a rescue worker who shouted that he couldn't hear the president, "I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people... the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!"
I remember twelve years ago feeling lost and confused. "Where was God on September 11th?" was the question of the hour.
I remember huddling for a few people at Fairview Baptist Church praying that day. I don't remember what we prayed but I remember the church seemed to be the only logical place to go that evening.
So, to this day the questions are, "Where was God on September 11th, 2001?" and "Why did God let this happen?"
I can't tell you why God let thousands of people die on September 11th, 2001 or recently in Syria or for the last several years in Darfur for that matter. I can't answer why God lets tragedies occur.
I can, however, answer the question of "where was God on September 11th, 2001?"
God was on His throne ruling. God wasn't surprised by the attack. He wasn't scrambling trying to figure out what was going on down here. God wasn't overpowered by fear. God was on His throne in charge of the universe and He's there today, too.
That is a comforting and a scary thought. It's comforting because my God is reigning and He is doing things for His glory and my good. It's scary because somehow even the tragedies of 9/11 fit in that realm of "things". Even with God enthroned in heaven life will not be easy or even pleasant sometimes. I'm left having to trust God even when everything hurts. That is faith and that is why faith is so hard sometimes.
I'm sorry the answer to the question doesn't seem like "...and they lived happily ever after." But I'm glad God was on His throne on that day. I'm glad because I'd rather follow a God who is always in control than a god who desires things to be easy but can't do anything about it at times. I just need to trust that my God who is in control is also the God who says He does all things for His glory and our good even when we can't figure out how.
Take time today to remember those who lost their lives twelve years ago today. Take time to pray for those who are still living without a loved one. And remember that God is on His throne today.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Not Lacking Any Spiritual Gift
Beginning with this post I will be spending a lot of time in the books of 1st and 2nd Corinthians. My Bible study and I are going through these challenging books together and I will try to post on each of the chapters in the books. I will not be writing about everything that is covered in each chapter. Rather, I'll try to write about something from each chapter. I hope you enjoy this walk through 1st and 2nd Corinthians.
Please take time to read chapter one of 1st Corinthians.
"I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way... in all your speaking and in all your knowledge... because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly await for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
1st Corinthians 1:4-9
In this, the opening of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he spent time giving thanks for the church at Corinth. This is amazing, especially when you consider what Paul had to deal with in this church. Corinth was a wicked city. It was full of mystery religions where you were devoted to the person who converted you. They had 26 places in town devoted to some sort of god. They had more than a dozen temples that employed thousands of temple prostitutes. In fact, the term "Corinthian girl" was slang throughout the Roman world for prostitute. Not only this but the church itself was full of infighting, immorality, people suing each other, people getting drunk at communion, and more.
Paul gave thanks for this church! I think that gives all of us the ability to give thanks to God for our church.
Paul says, "... you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed."
When most of us read this we think, "Awesome! I don't lack any spiritual gift!" To be honest, I've read those words and thought the exact same thing most of my life. But I think this interpretation is wrong.
Last night as we were reading this passage my wife made a great point. In a nutshell she said that Paul wasn't talking about individuals, rather he was saying that the church at Corinth lacked no spiritual gift.
Aha! That makes much more sense. In fact, that is the way most people across the world will read it. We Americans/Westerners love our individuality. The U.S. Army's slogan was "Army of One", we love D.I.Y. projects, we love individuality to the point that we have forgotten to know our neighbors. But this passage is not talking about us alone, but about this local church.
See, Paul was thanking God for them because God had given them every spiritual gift they needed to stay strong until the end. We can thank God because He has given our local churches this too. I don't think this is a passage that applies to the church at Corinth only. This passage applies to my church and yours, too.
So, we need to stop thinking that A) we can do it alone and B) that our church is not good enough.
First, we can't do it alone. Only together do we have the collective spiritual gifts to stay strong to the end. We need each other to persevere. You need the local church. I need the local church. Staying faithful to Jesus is a community project.
Second, quit comparing your church to another. "Our church is okay but our worship team does sound like the church in the city" "My church is nice but we don't pack an arena full of people". Statements like this only keep us from enjoying what God has given us. He has given our local churches everything they need.
And get this, "God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful". This means that when God says we lack nothing He is faithful to make His statement true because He is faithful and cannot lie.
So, whether your local church is big or small... Baptist or Lutheran... give thanks to God for it. After you're done giving thanks go out there and with your church make a difference in the Kingdom because together you lack no spiritual gift today.
Please take time to read chapter one of 1st Corinthians.
"I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way... in all your speaking and in all your knowledge... because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly await for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
1st Corinthians 1:4-9
In this, the opening of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he spent time giving thanks for the church at Corinth. This is amazing, especially when you consider what Paul had to deal with in this church. Corinth was a wicked city. It was full of mystery religions where you were devoted to the person who converted you. They had 26 places in town devoted to some sort of god. They had more than a dozen temples that employed thousands of temple prostitutes. In fact, the term "Corinthian girl" was slang throughout the Roman world for prostitute. Not only this but the church itself was full of infighting, immorality, people suing each other, people getting drunk at communion, and more.
Paul gave thanks for this church! I think that gives all of us the ability to give thanks to God for our church.
Paul says, "... you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed."
When most of us read this we think, "Awesome! I don't lack any spiritual gift!" To be honest, I've read those words and thought the exact same thing most of my life. But I think this interpretation is wrong.
Last night as we were reading this passage my wife made a great point. In a nutshell she said that Paul wasn't talking about individuals, rather he was saying that the church at Corinth lacked no spiritual gift.
Aha! That makes much more sense. In fact, that is the way most people across the world will read it. We Americans/Westerners love our individuality. The U.S. Army's slogan was "Army of One", we love D.I.Y. projects, we love individuality to the point that we have forgotten to know our neighbors. But this passage is not talking about us alone, but about this local church.
See, Paul was thanking God for them because God had given them every spiritual gift they needed to stay strong until the end. We can thank God because He has given our local churches this too. I don't think this is a passage that applies to the church at Corinth only. This passage applies to my church and yours, too.
So, we need to stop thinking that A) we can do it alone and B) that our church is not good enough.
First, we can't do it alone. Only together do we have the collective spiritual gifts to stay strong to the end. We need each other to persevere. You need the local church. I need the local church. Staying faithful to Jesus is a community project.
Second, quit comparing your church to another. "Our church is okay but our worship team does sound like the church in the city" "My church is nice but we don't pack an arena full of people". Statements like this only keep us from enjoying what God has given us. He has given our local churches everything they need.
And get this, "God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful". This means that when God says we lack nothing He is faithful to make His statement true because He is faithful and cannot lie.
So, whether your local church is big or small... Baptist or Lutheran... give thanks to God for it. After you're done giving thanks go out there and with your church make a difference in the Kingdom because together you lack no spiritual gift today.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Mile High Honeymoon
As many of you know, I got married last week. The wedding was amazing and the reception was a blast! Christine and I were just overwhelmed by how many great people love us. Plus, we were blown away when we began to open gifts by just how generous people are.
In between the wedding and opening gifts we got to go on a honeymoon. We went to the little town of Granby, Colorado. Granby is a small town nestled in the mountains just west of the Continental Divide. It is beautiful!
Each day of our honeymoon we were wowed a little more by the mountainous landscape. Beginning with alpine sliding and a scenic chair lift to zip lining and then the unmatchable Rocky Mountain National Park; we were astounded by God's creation.
On Tuesday of our honeymoon we took a scenic chairlift to the top of a mountain where we had lunch. On the way down from the mountaintop as my new wife and I sat slack jawed in the air we looked and worshipped. It was a breathtakingly worshipful experience. It was then, as we talked about how this stunning view made our hearts worship, that I turned to my wife and said, "The same God that made these mountains with one word wanted us to get married. Even better than that He calls us His son and daughter."
Did you get that? The same God that made the mountains with one word calls us His sons and daughters!
The next thing we did was quote this psalm:
"I lift my eyes up to the hills,
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD
the maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121: 1-2
Now, get this. You don't have to go on a honeymoon and look down from a 11,000 foot mountain to know that God is great and His creation is good. You can know this in Iowa, Oklahoma, Wisconsin or even boring looking Nebraska (no offense we just took too long to go through that state). Look out your window and see that God is great and His creation is good. But don't stop your thoughts there. Look at His handiwork and remember that the same God who made all creation, from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the intricate eyeball on your sweetheart's face, calls you beloved. Know that the creator of the universe desires a relationship with you.
Remember that the Maker of Heaven and Earth has called you. If you have never responded to that loving call do it today.
In between the wedding and opening gifts we got to go on a honeymoon. We went to the little town of Granby, Colorado. Granby is a small town nestled in the mountains just west of the Continental Divide. It is beautiful!
Each day of our honeymoon we were wowed a little more by the mountainous landscape. Beginning with alpine sliding and a scenic chair lift to zip lining and then the unmatchable Rocky Mountain National Park; we were astounded by God's creation.
On Tuesday of our honeymoon we took a scenic chairlift to the top of a mountain where we had lunch. On the way down from the mountaintop as my new wife and I sat slack jawed in the air we looked and worshipped. It was a breathtakingly worshipful experience. It was then, as we talked about how this stunning view made our hearts worship, that I turned to my wife and said, "The same God that made these mountains with one word wanted us to get married. Even better than that He calls us His son and daughter."
Did you get that? The same God that made the mountains with one word calls us His sons and daughters!
The next thing we did was quote this psalm:
"I lift my eyes up to the hills,
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD
the maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121: 1-2
Now, get this. You don't have to go on a honeymoon and look down from a 11,000 foot mountain to know that God is great and His creation is good. You can know this in Iowa, Oklahoma, Wisconsin or even boring looking Nebraska (no offense we just took too long to go through that state). Look out your window and see that God is great and His creation is good. But don't stop your thoughts there. Look at His handiwork and remember that the same God who made all creation, from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the intricate eyeball on your sweetheart's face, calls you beloved. Know that the creator of the universe desires a relationship with you.
Remember that the Maker of Heaven and Earth has called you. If you have never responded to that loving call do it today.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Unity
"How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows His blessing,
even life forevermore."
Psalm 133
Unity of the saints is so important to God. This psalm is all about that. Jesus' last prayer was about that. Therefore, it must be important.
The Church is more beautiful when she is unified. Make the bride of Christ lovely. Strive for unity today.
when brothers live in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows His blessing,
even life forevermore."
Psalm 133
Unity of the saints is so important to God. This psalm is all about that. Jesus' last prayer was about that. Therefore, it must be important.
The Church is more beautiful when she is unified. Make the bride of Christ lovely. Strive for unity today.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
I Want to be in Awe
Last night I saw one of the most beautiful displays of God's glory. The clouds were indescribably beautiful. Pink, blue, indigo, orange, white, gold and purple were some of the colors painted across the sky. Social media in my town was loaded with photos of the evening sky. I was in awe of God's beautiful handiwork. In fact, I turned upward and said, "Now you're just showin' off."
My fiance (soon to be wife) Christine and I stood outside marveling. We drove around just amazed at the unspeakable beauty over our heads. We were in awe.
As we drove back to my house Christine turned to me and said, "I want to be in awe of God again."
There we were at that moment in awe of God and her desire was to be in awe of God. She spoke of how when she was a brand new believer how she came back from even the simplest Bible study in awe of her God. While gazing at God's glory she wanted to be in awe of Him.
I'm not sharing this story to say, "Duh, Christine! You are in awe of God right now. What's wrong with you?"
No, I'm sharing this story because she had the perfect response to being in awe of God. She was in awe and wanted more. She was in awe of His painting called the sky and wanted to be in awe of another part of Him and His ways.
Her desire has convicted me. While I spent a little time recommending ways that she could be in awe of God more, I found myself listening to my own words. I want to be in awe.
In my "Christian maturity" I have become calloused to the wonder and mystery of God. I have many explanations for why and how God does things, but does that make me a mature Christian? I think the answer is "no".
Maybe the mature Christian is the one blown away by the "simplest" of truths.
Think about it. "Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so." This is a children's song. This is something we move by rather quickly. "Yeah, Jesus loves me." But that should not be a nonchalant statement. That statement should blow us away.
Truths like: We are now called children of God, the God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet, God made the heavens and the earth, God has existed forever and will exist forever; these are not truths to pass by quickly. These should bring us to our knees. These should cause our brains to hurt. These truths should make us awe.
Today, I'm going to try to have fewer answers to the questions of God. Today, I'm going to try to be lost in wonder of God. Today, I'm going to think about who God is in comparison to me. Today, I want to be in awe. Join me. Be in awe of our God today.
My fiance (soon to be wife) Christine and I stood outside marveling. We drove around just amazed at the unspeakable beauty over our heads. We were in awe.
As we drove back to my house Christine turned to me and said, "I want to be in awe of God again."
There we were at that moment in awe of God and her desire was to be in awe of God. She spoke of how when she was a brand new believer how she came back from even the simplest Bible study in awe of her God. While gazing at God's glory she wanted to be in awe of Him.
I'm not sharing this story to say, "Duh, Christine! You are in awe of God right now. What's wrong with you?"
No, I'm sharing this story because she had the perfect response to being in awe of God. She was in awe and wanted more. She was in awe of His painting called the sky and wanted to be in awe of another part of Him and His ways.
Her desire has convicted me. While I spent a little time recommending ways that she could be in awe of God more, I found myself listening to my own words. I want to be in awe.
In my "Christian maturity" I have become calloused to the wonder and mystery of God. I have many explanations for why and how God does things, but does that make me a mature Christian? I think the answer is "no".
Maybe the mature Christian is the one blown away by the "simplest" of truths.
Think about it. "Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so." This is a children's song. This is something we move by rather quickly. "Yeah, Jesus loves me." But that should not be a nonchalant statement. That statement should blow us away.
Truths like: We are now called children of God, the God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet, God made the heavens and the earth, God has existed forever and will exist forever; these are not truths to pass by quickly. These should bring us to our knees. These should cause our brains to hurt. These truths should make us awe.
Today, I'm going to try to have fewer answers to the questions of God. Today, I'm going to try to be lost in wonder of God. Today, I'm going to think about who God is in comparison to me. Today, I want to be in awe. Join me. Be in awe of our God today.
Monday, July 15, 2013
D.I.Y. Christianity
We American Christians have bought a lie.
We American's pride ourselves on self-sufficiency. D.I.Y. (do it yourself) is part of the lexicon. We love to do things all by ourselves. We pay to go to a restaurant where we can grill our own steaks. We search the aisles of Menard's and the Home Depot so we have the right equipment to do it ourselves.
Those who are D.I.Y.ers feel superior to those of us that call the plumber for help and in some ways they may be. D.I.Y. is a source of pride and I'm not saying that this is completely wrong.
But D.I.Y. Christianity is not what Christ has planned for us. When I say "D.I.Y. Christianity" I don't mean someone who is trying to earn heaven on their own without Jesus. When I say "D.I.Y. Christianity" I mean someone who thinks that needing others is a sign of weakness and that strong Christians can will themselves to righteousness.
First, we are never called to be self-sufficient Christians. We are called to be semi-self-fed, mature Christians, but not self-sufficient. We are called to pursue God and stay faithful to Him together. As my pastor says, "staying faithful to Jesus is a community project." A brave Christian is not one that suppresses his/her needs and does it himself/herself. No, a brave Christian is one that bares his/her weakest points to another in the Church and says, "Help me."
Secondly, we are not called to will ourselves into righteousness. Far from that, we are called to submit ourselves to righteousness. We are not purified by our sweat. No, we are purified by allowing Christ Jesus to work in us. We are purified by letting God do His work. Does this require some effort? Yes. But it isn't our doing, it is all God's doing.
So, submit yourself to God's working. Stop trying to do it yourself. Also, bare yourself to a brother or sister in Christ. Let them see your weakness and help you grow up into Christ. We are not called to be D.I.Y. Christians. We are called to be brothers and sisters submitting mutually to one another out of love under the headship of Christ.
Let go of your attempts at self-sufficient righteousness today.
We American's pride ourselves on self-sufficiency. D.I.Y. (do it yourself) is part of the lexicon. We love to do things all by ourselves. We pay to go to a restaurant where we can grill our own steaks. We search the aisles of Menard's and the Home Depot so we have the right equipment to do it ourselves.
Those who are D.I.Y.ers feel superior to those of us that call the plumber for help and in some ways they may be. D.I.Y. is a source of pride and I'm not saying that this is completely wrong.
But D.I.Y. Christianity is not what Christ has planned for us. When I say "D.I.Y. Christianity" I don't mean someone who is trying to earn heaven on their own without Jesus. When I say "D.I.Y. Christianity" I mean someone who thinks that needing others is a sign of weakness and that strong Christians can will themselves to righteousness.
First, we are never called to be self-sufficient Christians. We are called to be semi-self-fed, mature Christians, but not self-sufficient. We are called to pursue God and stay faithful to Him together. As my pastor says, "staying faithful to Jesus is a community project." A brave Christian is not one that suppresses his/her needs and does it himself/herself. No, a brave Christian is one that bares his/her weakest points to another in the Church and says, "Help me."
Secondly, we are not called to will ourselves into righteousness. Far from that, we are called to submit ourselves to righteousness. We are not purified by our sweat. No, we are purified by allowing Christ Jesus to work in us. We are purified by letting God do His work. Does this require some effort? Yes. But it isn't our doing, it is all God's doing.
So, submit yourself to God's working. Stop trying to do it yourself. Also, bare yourself to a brother or sister in Christ. Let them see your weakness and help you grow up into Christ. We are not called to be D.I.Y. Christians. We are called to be brothers and sisters submitting mutually to one another out of love under the headship of Christ.
Let go of your attempts at self-sufficient righteousness today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)