Time is a fleeting thing. I knew this to be true, yet in the past few years this fact has become a greater reality to me. I have watched my children grow into adulthood before my eyes and begin their journey into the realms that God has prepared “beforehand that they should walk therein.” I have attended the 30th anniversary gathering of my high school graduation class to see my peers having aged and expanded, some more or less, than I have in the span of three decades. I have completed ten years of service as pastor here in the beautiful hamlet of Evergreen, mentally reviewing the many lives, both deceased and still living, of those who have touched mine during that time period. It is astounding how, in all of the above instances, it literally seems “just like yesterday”...and yet “my how time flies” to find us where we are today.
This same reality check avails itself to the Christmas story. We read it in the Gospels as if it were so very long ago, so very far away. Yet, the message it conveys to us should be “just like yesterday”, as close as our touch, never far from our memories because of the impact the birth of Christ has made on our lives individually and personally. We see Him in the manger and remember that the very purpose of this innocent little baby boy being born was to grow into a man to die on the cross for sinners, for “His people” (rf. Matthew 1:21), His “sheep” (rf. John 10:11). The angels attending the birth proclaimed “good news of great tidings which shall be for all the people”, the declaration of the Gospel. The Jewish shepherds, like the Gentile magi, came to worship at His feet. They would return sharing boldly the truth of the birth of the Promised Messiah.
As we celebrate Christmas, especially in an increasingly secularized society and culture, let us never grow so complacent with the holiday that we forget its inherent meaning, especially the true purpose behind it. Time may be fleeting and our memories undependable, but we should not let the treasures of our Christian past become mere relics of a bygone day. Rather, may we become proactive in keeping the realities of our faith very much alive by carefully explaining what we believe and why we believe them, especially as they apply to important holidays such as Christmas. Then, when our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. take forward and pass on our faith legacies, they will do so with the full knowledge of what these celebrations mean in respect to the Scriptures, Church history and the important role they are to our own personal walk with Christ. Then maybe they will be engulfed in the desire to keep up the good work of “redeeming the time”(rf. Ephesians 5:16 KJV) that we’ve been given, fleeting as it may be.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Being Thankful to Serve and Enjoy God Forever
Thanksgiving...a celebration borne out of hearts full of thankfulness and gratitude, emanating from spirits of humility and subjection in personal responses to a greater Majesty who has shown unmerited and generous beneficence. Wow! When we think of Thanksgiving in such a fashion, it definitely puts a different “spin”, not only on the holiday, but on the perspective of being thankful. Yet, Biblically, this is the concept of thanksgiving. It is understanding who we are in the light of who He is as God, that the good gifts we’ve been given are not a result of our own hard work, but, rather, a result of His generosity toward us.
This is especially true to those of us who call ourselves, “Christians”. We of all people should rightly understand this concept of thanksgiving. It is based on the principle of “grace”, the unmerited favor of Almighty God, the very thing upon which our salvation is founded. Without His grace, we would be headed to a literal and actual Hell on a fast track, clueless as to the eternal ramifications, enjoying the pleasures and the scenery all along the way! However, because of the intervening love and grace of God, He “called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light” (rf. I Peter 2:9). He then continues in His grace to mold us and make us into the image of Christ (rf. Romans 8:29), the theological process that we know as sanctification, all of which is accomplished because of His work in us and not by any works which originate within ourselves (rf. Ephesians 2:8-9). Thus, we should be thankful.
As the Apostle Paul testifies in Ephesians 5, Jesus is making us, as individual believers, into one Body, His Church. While doing so, He is also purifying us, cleansing us, and preparing us to be presented eventually before Him as a bride before the groom at a Jewish wedding (rf. vs. 27). This is one of the reasons why we go through hard and difficult times individually. We are a part of the corporate “dross-lifting” process, when heat is brought to bear on the metal to relieve it from its impurities as they rise to the top and are scraped away. If we are truly members of His Church, we will endure this time and again while here on earth until we either die and enter into His Presence or are alive and join Him at His return at which time His Church is officially presented to Him clean and holy.
Why bring this up in the context of Thanksgiving? Well, notice how, according to the Apostle Paul, the Church is “to be subject to Christ...in everything” (rf. Ephesians 5:24) because “Christ...is the head of the Church” (rf. 5:23). The Church as well as every member of the Church (i.e. every believer in Christ) should be thankful for their individual salvation and, out of their gratitude, submissive to His Lordship and Headship in every area of their lives. However, many professed “Christians” today believe that Jesus is the one who is subject to them and to their desires, ideas, beliefs, etc. It is definitely a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. Let me give you an example.
In a recent advertisement for a new book, You Lost Me, by David Kinneman (co-author of UnChristian), the following quotes were given as examples by young people leaving the Church and their reasons why:
“I knew from church that I couldn’t believe in both faith and science, so that was it. I didn’t believe in God anymore.”—Mike
“When I write lyrics that not every Christian agrees on, I get hammered. What am I supposed to be using my talents for?”—Sam
Both of these quotes are designed to draw out emotional responses from the reader that will help you identify with those quoted. However, look beyond the emotions to the deep issues underneath. In both cases, Mike and Sam’s comments betray a belief that the Church is designed to dance to the tune of those who make up its constituency or, even worse, to adapt to the culture so that, in the first case, “science” (i.e. what is taught as fact in government schools) should be compatible with “faith” (i.e. Mike’s perception of Christianity) so as not to make one feel uncomfortable and, in Sam’s case, there should be no objective “Christian” standard against which lyrics should be judged so that anyone can write anything so everyone’s “giftedness” can be practiced with no limitations.
Again, how does this relate to Thanksgiving? Each of the above cases represents the reverse of what should be the proper attitude as followers of Christ. To cultivate thankfulness, we must practice submission and humility to Christ as individual believers and as His Church. We must remove ourselves permanently from the idea that Jesus and His Church exist to serve our individual interests and desires as well as what is popular or what is viewed as normative within the surrounding culture. Like the first entry in the Shorter Catechism states, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” We were created for God’s use and glory not visa-versa. The sooner we learn that truth, understand it, and practice it, the sooner we will grasp the true nature of thankfulness. Once gained, then Thanksgiving as a holiday will possess its full meaning in our hearts.
This is especially true to those of us who call ourselves, “Christians”. We of all people should rightly understand this concept of thanksgiving. It is based on the principle of “grace”, the unmerited favor of Almighty God, the very thing upon which our salvation is founded. Without His grace, we would be headed to a literal and actual Hell on a fast track, clueless as to the eternal ramifications, enjoying the pleasures and the scenery all along the way! However, because of the intervening love and grace of God, He “called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light” (rf. I Peter 2:9). He then continues in His grace to mold us and make us into the image of Christ (rf. Romans 8:29), the theological process that we know as sanctification, all of which is accomplished because of His work in us and not by any works which originate within ourselves (rf. Ephesians 2:8-9). Thus, we should be thankful.
As the Apostle Paul testifies in Ephesians 5, Jesus is making us, as individual believers, into one Body, His Church. While doing so, He is also purifying us, cleansing us, and preparing us to be presented eventually before Him as a bride before the groom at a Jewish wedding (rf. vs. 27). This is one of the reasons why we go through hard and difficult times individually. We are a part of the corporate “dross-lifting” process, when heat is brought to bear on the metal to relieve it from its impurities as they rise to the top and are scraped away. If we are truly members of His Church, we will endure this time and again while here on earth until we either die and enter into His Presence or are alive and join Him at His return at which time His Church is officially presented to Him clean and holy.
Why bring this up in the context of Thanksgiving? Well, notice how, according to the Apostle Paul, the Church is “to be subject to Christ...in everything” (rf. Ephesians 5:24) because “Christ...is the head of the Church” (rf. 5:23). The Church as well as every member of the Church (i.e. every believer in Christ) should be thankful for their individual salvation and, out of their gratitude, submissive to His Lordship and Headship in every area of their lives. However, many professed “Christians” today believe that Jesus is the one who is subject to them and to their desires, ideas, beliefs, etc. It is definitely a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. Let me give you an example.
In a recent advertisement for a new book, You Lost Me, by David Kinneman (co-author of UnChristian), the following quotes were given as examples by young people leaving the Church and their reasons why:
“I knew from church that I couldn’t believe in both faith and science, so that was it. I didn’t believe in God anymore.”—Mike
“When I write lyrics that not every Christian agrees on, I get hammered. What am I supposed to be using my talents for?”—Sam
Both of these quotes are designed to draw out emotional responses from the reader that will help you identify with those quoted. However, look beyond the emotions to the deep issues underneath. In both cases, Mike and Sam’s comments betray a belief that the Church is designed to dance to the tune of those who make up its constituency or, even worse, to adapt to the culture so that, in the first case, “science” (i.e. what is taught as fact in government schools) should be compatible with “faith” (i.e. Mike’s perception of Christianity) so as not to make one feel uncomfortable and, in Sam’s case, there should be no objective “Christian” standard against which lyrics should be judged so that anyone can write anything so everyone’s “giftedness” can be practiced with no limitations.
Again, how does this relate to Thanksgiving? Each of the above cases represents the reverse of what should be the proper attitude as followers of Christ. To cultivate thankfulness, we must practice submission and humility to Christ as individual believers and as His Church. We must remove ourselves permanently from the idea that Jesus and His Church exist to serve our individual interests and desires as well as what is popular or what is viewed as normative within the surrounding culture. Like the first entry in the Shorter Catechism states, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” We were created for God’s use and glory not visa-versa. The sooner we learn that truth, understand it, and practice it, the sooner we will grasp the true nature of thankfulness. Once gained, then Thanksgiving as a holiday will possess its full meaning in our hearts.
Compromise Not The Truth of God
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (rf. II Timothy 4:1-5)
If the Apostle Paul were present today, he would say the time of this prophetic word has arrived. The Western world, in particular, has fallen prey to the myths of self-indulgence and self-gratification. These are the things that are of foremost importance in the lives of most church-goers today—what pleases me, what gratifies my desires. It certainly is the predominant theme of the culture so it must be translated within the confines of the church. Thus, as the Apostle Paul puts it, the church body becomes adamant about “wanting to have their ears tickled”, their felt needs met, their self-esteem lifted, their egos stroked, so they feel better after having been to church, much like having gone to a sauna or received a massage, or, better yet, having attended a motivational lecture.
However, notice that the Apostle Paul does not equate these prophesied rising desires of the church masses to be originated by God nor driven by His Holy Spirit. He states clearly that this is a turning “away their ears from the truth” and a turning “aside to myths”. Anytime, we make a shift from God to self, it is not a positive move nor is it ever God-initiated. Again, if the Apostle Paul lived today he would be radically surprised and disappointed at how far removed we are from a properly Scriptural God-centered position. We need only to listen to the change that has taken place in contemporary Christian music in the last twenty years to see this reality. Two decades ago CCM used to be largely focused on giving praise solely to God for Who He is and what He is up to in the world. Now, most, not all, of CCM is centered on building the self-esteem of the Christian (or non-Christian) hearer, telling him/her how beautiful he/she is because of how God has made them and how Jesus can serve as the ultimate boy-/girl-friend. In making these comments, I am not being overly critical as much as I am being objective in listening to the actual lyrics and comparing them as a long-time listener of contemporary Christian music, ranging back to the days of Dallas Holm, Keith Green and Sandi Patti. I know from whence I speak (or write in this case).
CCM is only one example. The pulpit ministry is another. More and more ministers are being selected for service, not on the basis of calling, but whether or not they have “star” power. Denominations and churches have been overcome with the belief that entertainment value, powerful personalities, and dynamic visuals are the things that make successful ministries because they feel they must compete with a world and culture that is media driven. They have completely neglected the fact that it is Christ who is the Head of the Church and provides the people to serve within His fold according to the gifts needed at each location (rf. Ephesians 4:11-12; 5:23). It is all just another example of a people who have turned “aside their ears from the truth” and turned “aside to myths”.
The truth is exactly and is simply what the Apostle Paul shared in his encouragement to Timothy, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with... instruction...do the work of an evangelist, fulfill (the) ministry.” Jesus stated it plainly in the Gospel of John, “Thy Word is truth.” The Church must return to its roots of being grounded and centered on Scripture in all of its efforts and beliefs. That may sound simplistic, but it is what we are called by the Lord Himself to do. When we are obedient to that dictate, it makes us inherently distinct from the world and culture. Then, through this distinction and our reliance upon, as well as our disbursal of, His truth, we begin to see the lost in the world and culture come to salvation in Christ and become a part of the family of God. As long as we are faithful reflectors and proclaimers of His Gospel, He will use us to do “the work of an evangelist, fulfill(ing the work of the) ministry” to which He has called each of us.
Therefore, like Timothy, let us hold fast to His truth. Let us take this “solemn charge” seriously, repelling the culture, embracing the distinction, declaring the reality that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is central to every aspect of our lives as shown by all our words, thoughts and actions. May we be the starting point of God’s new work to revitalize His Church today!
If the Apostle Paul were present today, he would say the time of this prophetic word has arrived. The Western world, in particular, has fallen prey to the myths of self-indulgence and self-gratification. These are the things that are of foremost importance in the lives of most church-goers today—what pleases me, what gratifies my desires. It certainly is the predominant theme of the culture so it must be translated within the confines of the church. Thus, as the Apostle Paul puts it, the church body becomes adamant about “wanting to have their ears tickled”, their felt needs met, their self-esteem lifted, their egos stroked, so they feel better after having been to church, much like having gone to a sauna or received a massage, or, better yet, having attended a motivational lecture.
However, notice that the Apostle Paul does not equate these prophesied rising desires of the church masses to be originated by God nor driven by His Holy Spirit. He states clearly that this is a turning “away their ears from the truth” and a turning “aside to myths”. Anytime, we make a shift from God to self, it is not a positive move nor is it ever God-initiated. Again, if the Apostle Paul lived today he would be radically surprised and disappointed at how far removed we are from a properly Scriptural God-centered position. We need only to listen to the change that has taken place in contemporary Christian music in the last twenty years to see this reality. Two decades ago CCM used to be largely focused on giving praise solely to God for Who He is and what He is up to in the world. Now, most, not all, of CCM is centered on building the self-esteem of the Christian (or non-Christian) hearer, telling him/her how beautiful he/she is because of how God has made them and how Jesus can serve as the ultimate boy-/girl-friend. In making these comments, I am not being overly critical as much as I am being objective in listening to the actual lyrics and comparing them as a long-time listener of contemporary Christian music, ranging back to the days of Dallas Holm, Keith Green and Sandi Patti. I know from whence I speak (or write in this case).
CCM is only one example. The pulpit ministry is another. More and more ministers are being selected for service, not on the basis of calling, but whether or not they have “star” power. Denominations and churches have been overcome with the belief that entertainment value, powerful personalities, and dynamic visuals are the things that make successful ministries because they feel they must compete with a world and culture that is media driven. They have completely neglected the fact that it is Christ who is the Head of the Church and provides the people to serve within His fold according to the gifts needed at each location (rf. Ephesians 4:11-12; 5:23). It is all just another example of a people who have turned “aside their ears from the truth” and turned “aside to myths”.
The truth is exactly and is simply what the Apostle Paul shared in his encouragement to Timothy, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with... instruction...do the work of an evangelist, fulfill (the) ministry.” Jesus stated it plainly in the Gospel of John, “Thy Word is truth.” The Church must return to its roots of being grounded and centered on Scripture in all of its efforts and beliefs. That may sound simplistic, but it is what we are called by the Lord Himself to do. When we are obedient to that dictate, it makes us inherently distinct from the world and culture. Then, through this distinction and our reliance upon, as well as our disbursal of, His truth, we begin to see the lost in the world and culture come to salvation in Christ and become a part of the family of God. As long as we are faithful reflectors and proclaimers of His Gospel, He will use us to do “the work of an evangelist, fulfill(ing the work of the) ministry” to which He has called each of us.
Therefore, like Timothy, let us hold fast to His truth. Let us take this “solemn charge” seriously, repelling the culture, embracing the distinction, declaring the reality that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is central to every aspect of our lives as shown by all our words, thoughts and actions. May we be the starting point of God’s new work to revitalize His Church today!
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