Slavery or Freedom

Tomorrow's message at Faith Christian School's chapel:

In the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln wrote: "That on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.” (Restate in 2000’s English.)

Declaring them free was only the beginning of the process, practical action was required. The Union soldiers daily freed thousands of blacks free as they swept across the south in 1865.

Yet, if you walked down many of the southern US roads in 1870, you would still see many slaves working in the fields. They hadn’t heard about their freedom, hadn’t acted upon it, or were still being oppressed by their masters.

Christians in 2008 struggle with their freedom as well.

Jesus said in John 8: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

We read in Galatians 5: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

If you are a believer in Jesus, you have been set free. Yet we often don’t act like it.

Two things threaten us: law, and sin.

The Book of Galatians was primarily written to combat the first problem. Paul had preached in Galatia, many had come to Christ, they were living free lives by faith, but then Paul left. Other teachers snuck in, teaching them that they had to obey Jewish laws, had to follow certain rules to be good Christians. The rules sounded good, made sense, but as they gradually gave into them, they became chained, stopped living by the Spirit, started living by the flesh again with all of its accompanying problems. This legalism led to all sorts of problems, including attacking others who didn’t believe as they did. Love fled.

Paul had some strong words for them (Galatians 5:2-10): “Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.”
There are serious implications to living legalistically, trying to earn our righteousness through rules and regulations. Our relationship with Christ will break down. We will have to obey more and more laws, eventually we’ll break down under the load. And we will judge others who are attempting to live in God’s freedom. What a mess.

However, living in our freedom can lead to another problem. As an old expression stated: “Liberty, without love, becomes licentiousness.” This means that we can use our freedom to sin against God and each other. Paul addressed this in the same chapter of Galatians (5:13-16): “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Sin also enslaves us, even though we were saved from it. Many of you may know of obvious examples – a former student from here who no longer lives for the Lord – a Christian relative with a drug or alcohol problem – a friend struggling with sexual issues. These are the obvious, but less obvious are “just as addictive sins” as gossip, envy, jealousy, anger and others.

So what’s the answer? I believe there are three embedded in the verses we’ve read:

1) You have been set free. Believe it. Expect to act like it. Expect that this wonderful proclamation – not from Lincoln, but from Jesus – will change your life. We often kill truth simply by not believing it. We believe our experience, believe what others tell us, believe what our ever changing emotions want us to feel – rather than believing Jesus. Learn to reckon – God says it, I believe it, and that settles it.

2) Live in love. Serve one another in love. This is key. If we would just ask ourselves, “is this loving” before acting – if we would just listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting in our hearts before reacting – we would live in the joy of His freedom. This is even true in structured environments with significant rules like a Christian school. You may think a rule is stupid, and that your freedom is hampered by obeying it – but there is joy in following a rule if it loves a brother or sister in Christ.

3) Finally, live by the Holy Spirit. Train yourself to listen to His promptings in your heart. Slow down often enough – at least once daily – to hear His voice through God’s word, through prayer, through the inner workings of your soul.

My conclusion: you are free - believe it - live like it - experience your freedom by living in love through the Spirit. Prayer.

Is God Cool, or What?

Yesterday evening we were invited out to watch "Fireproof" with a family from church. I went, more because of our relationship with that family than any deep interest in the movie.

Today a woman came into the office who had seen the movie and related to the issues. Chad, the woman and I spent an hour together, and together we probably referred to the movie 10+ times during our discussion.

Before she left, she accepted Christ as Savior.

The Holy Spirit, through the movie (and other situations/relationships in her life), had done the work beforehand - we just saw the fruit.

To put it in the vernacular, is God cool, or what?

Criticizing

Sharing Criticism:

"When you need to show others their fault, do not talk down to them as though you are faultless and they are inferior to you. Instead, talk with them as though you are standing side-by-side at the foot of the cross. Acknowledge your present, ongoing need for the Savior. Admit ways that you have wrestled with the same or other sins or weaknesses, and give hope by describing how God has forgiven you and is currently working in you to help you change ... When people sense this kind of humility and common bond, they will less inclined to react to correction with pride and defensiveness."

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 172

Used with permission

Family First ?

An Open Question

“Of course, family comes first.”

Heads nodded all around. Of course family comes first. This is a given.

But is it?

Family is certainly a high priority in our hearts. We love our spouses, our children, our grandchildren, and (most of :)) our extended family. We have and will continue to sacrifice for their well being.

Family is certainly a high priority in our Christian culture. Stores are full of books on raising young children, raising teens, parenting adult children, loving our spouses, grandparenting successfully, and other important issues. Tapes & DVDs abound. Talk shows address family situations. Listen to two Christian mothers communicate: family is huge.

Family is certainly a high priority in scripture. Much of the book of Proverbs, Deuteronomy 6, Ephesians 5 & 6 and other passages speak to the importance of “doing family” well.

But is family first? What does Jesus say?

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

“Another disciple said to Him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:21-22)

“ Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 8:31-35)

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own wife – he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26) (Certainly hyperbole – overstatement – for effect, but what is Jesus’ message?)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

So this is the open question: does family come first in God’s kingdom? I await your feedback.

Boundaries

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10

“…be prepared in season and out of season…” 2 Timothy 4:2

During last Sunday’s message I shared a story from our family’s St. Cloud trip. We were downtown during homecoming, students lined the streets, and we had a brief errand before heading to the mall on the other side of town. A young woman approached us, somewhat impaired if not inebriated, wanting a ride. After initial hesitation, we gave her a ride to her apartment while listening to a most unique monologue that featured many repeated questions about where we went to school, about Bekah’s and Nathan’s relationship (including a comparison with her “dorky” brother that she loved), and pronouncements of “that’s a win-win” on every answer.

I’ve been examining my thoughts and feelings about this, and wonder:

Why was I surprised to be asked for a ride?

Why was I hesitant to help?

Why did her unusual conversation catch me off guard?

I was surprised because, in our culture, people have stopped asking for help from strangers except in emergency or highly structured situations. Strangers are risky. And, in the rare instances like this when they do ask, one wonders if they’re trying to take advantage or might be dangerous.

I was hesitant because I was focused on our errands and family time together, rather than being open to whatever God brought along. Theoretically I know that serving Him means being “prepared in season and out of season” but, selfishly, I was not ready for anything but the expected. Shame on me!

Chances are she was not a believer – and she had obviously been drinking (I’m glad Nathan didn’t light a match in the back seat) – so of course her conversation was going to be less inhibited, more unique than normal.

Hindsight may always be 20/20, but this has made me more resolved to be open, even prepared, for the unique opportunities God brings along – not to erect boundaries where He has none – and more ready to share the gospel in situations like this.

Perseverance (upcoming Sunday message)

The American collective memory of the Great Depression (1929 to at least 1939, probably longer) has greatly diminished. We may remember a story or two told by grandparents, we heard bits & pieces during school, and there have been recent reminders as our economy has struggled. We scarcely remember:

- Stock market crash of 87% over three years, including loss of money five times the Federal budget in one week
- 15-25% unemployment
- Manufacturing production decrease of 45% from 1929 to 1932
- Homebuilding dropping 80% during the same time frame
- 5,000+ banks closing
- 80% of all income earners drop off the tax rolls completely
- Price of wheat declining nearly $2.00 per bushel to $.25
- Storms creating the Great Plains Dust Bowl, grasshoppers devouring all vegetation in their path, brutal temperatures, numerous (illegal) abortions & suicides as people lost hope.

Perhaps a short story from one family will help illustrate this: “My dad, Bob Holland, was born at the height of the depression, in 1933. His dad was a printer in the midwest. After years of poor harvests coupled with the dismal economy, my grandfather could no longer support a family of five when there was just no printing work left in his small town. The Hollands loaded up whatever they could pack, and set off in a Ford Model T to find work. At some point during the journey, the car broke down, literally in the middle of no where. The family picked what they could carry out of the car and began walking - never to see their car or their belongings again. They came upon a farm worked by a Native American family. The Hollands were allowed to sleep in the barn with the animals in the hay, milk the cow and pick vegetables from the garden. Leaving his wife, infant son and two daughters, my grandfather continued his walk for work. During his absence, my grandmother cleaned laundry in a huge iron pot over an open fire. When some long-forgotten illness restricted her ability to walk, she dragged herself through the garden on her elbows to gather food for her children. In those days, telephone were few and far between across the Great Plains, and months elapsed with no word or money from my grandfather. The coming winter was a serious concern as they considered the threat of living in the unheated barn. As fall approached, the story continues that my grandfather returned in a borrowed car. He had walked, hitchhiked and ridden the rails until he secured a job, saving every penny to finally rent a place for his family.”

Today many of the media and economic “prophets” are anticipating another depression, or at least a severe recession. They couild be right, they might be wrong. Their words produce discomfort, anxiety, fear. What can be done? Will economic bailout programs solve the situation, or make it worse (we still haven’t solved that question looking back at the Great Depression!)?

Frankly, Americans Christians face a number of national situations outside of our individual abilities to solve - abortion, breakdown of the family, crime rates that have filled our prisons, a post-Christian culture that often views us as irrelevant, a philosophy of science & life (evolution) that seeks to exclude our faith, natural resource problems – I won’t even try to name every difficulty. Tough times will come. Some will impact us, our family, our friends. What can we do? We are urged to vote our values, which is good (although I would urge you not to put intense hopes in any one candidate or party); we are urged to pray, which is better; let me urge you another way today: we can persevere.

What is perseverance? Dictionary definitions include: doggedness, persistent determination, steady and continued action or belief over a long period and despite difficulties or setbacks.

Following Jesus, living a life of discipleship, requires perseverance. As Eugene Peterson puts it, we need “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”. Let’s see what the Scriptures have to say.

Perseverance is key to character development (Romans 5:1-5, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-6)

- Romans 5 teaches us that God has saved us, now He wants to develop us. To do so, He allows and/or causes suffering and trials, which produce perseverance (if we’ll cooperate with the process), developing our character and hope. Our natural hope in circumstances, resources and people is gradually replaced by hope based in Him and His promises alone.

- James 1 teaches us that tough circumstances test our faith. If we allow perseverance to finish its work, we will become mature and complete, not lacking anything we need for our faith walk.

- Hebrews 12 assures that it’s best to treat tough times as discipline, as God training and correcting us, as a father does his children. An attitude of perseverance is key here, because we can walk away.

Perseverance is key to effectiveness and rewards (Luke 8: 8& 15, Hebrews 10:35-39)

- Remember the Sower & Seed parable? Remember the last seed that fell on good soil? Luke 8 refers to this – if we hear God’s word, retain it in our heart, and persevere in obeying it, we will eventually see a crop. There are no shortcuts to effective ministry for the Lord, we must persevere through tough times and failures (our own and others’). Also, we must not forget that difficult times separated the fruitful groups from the non-fruitful (and perhaps believers from unbelievers).

- Tough times can rattle our confidence. The writer in Hebrews 10 encourages us not to lose our confidence, rather, persevere in doing good so that His promised rewards will come. After all, Christ could return at any time – or He will bring us home through death – we only have to hang on a little longer (from His perspective, for us it may feel a lot longer). I love the note at the end of the passage: we are not those who shrink back, those who are true believers will persevere.

Perseverance is key to keeping our and others’ faith (I Timothy 4:16)

- We often think that a loss of faith comes through worldly influences and situations. We wring our hands over our grown and not-so-grown children, wanting to save them from people and teaching that could lead them astray. But these are secondary causes. I would submit to you that many more “faith failures” are due to a lack of diligence on the person’s part, that instead of watching their faith and life closely, instead of persevering, they began to drift away – and something else will fill that hole.

- Paul is careful to remind Timothy, and us through him, that our lack of perseverance can certainly affect others. Personally I find this very sobering.

Perseverance is key to making it through tough times

- I had an opportunity to read a number of people’s Great Depression stories this week. Almost invariably attitude was the key to their survival, their flourishing in difficult circumstances. I hear the same thing as I talk with a number of you. An attitude of “God is faithful, He will bring me through this, I can hang on” works so much better than complaining – finding fault with others – worrying – fear – anger – and all the other human responses we’re tempted with.

- Persevere. Don’t hear me wrongly, I’m not saying “grin and bear it”, or “shut up and handle it”, but commit to following the Lord through your difficult circumstances, commit to allowing Him all the space He needs to develop your character, commit to following His calling and will for you all the way to fruitfulness, commit to keeping your faith and walk with the Lord fresh. Persevere.

- 2 Thessalonians 3:5 states this blessing, “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” May it be so for you.

Confidence

Have you ever noticed how confidence waxes and wanes?

It's so easy to base our confidence on accomplishments or acclamation (at least for me). One can leave the office with a good feeling if projects were completed and/or people were helped - and struggle mightily when projects fail or criticism comes.

I need to continually remind myself that my confidence is in the Lord, not myself - that worth is not based on ability to work effectively - that confidence should never be based on feedback, positive or negative (I'm rarely as good or bad as either, anyway).

By the way, please allow me to say e-publicly how much I appreciate the gifts for pastoral appreciation month - and the applause for the staff on Sunday.

Blessings!