"But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding."
Job 32:8

Monday, December 31, 2012

Renewal

Another year has gone by. Its interesting to look back on the past year and all that has taken place... and a little amusing to think about the failed Mayan calendar prophecy.

Anyways.

One thing we all know that happens at the end of the year. People reflect. They think over the past year, the good times and the bad times. Often this can be very good in weaning out the bad things and learning from the mistakes.

But here is the problem: too often, people will focus on the failures, where they didn't meet their goals or ended up doing something else, and they'll likely make a New Year's resolution that will likely mean nothing in about a week's time.

This is not the kind of reflection God desires for His children. He desires something... different, and I've talked about this before but first I want address WHY He desires something different.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Galatians 6:15 says, "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation." 

Through Christ, we are new creations, a new body, a new Spirit. Though we stumble and we fall, we are still holy and blameless in His sight.

And it is what He makes of us that counts, not what other people make of us nor what we make of ourselves. It is this truth, the redemption that Christ brought that led Paul to proclaim in Romans 8:


Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Is this beginning to sound different to how some people end up treating how they've lived the past year? There is no more shame, nor guilt nor condemnation but joy in Christ.


So what does God tell us to do instead? 

I've mentioned this before and I'll say it again.

Remember.

Psalm 105:5 NIV says, "Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced"

God doesn't want us to reflect on our failures, but on His power in our lives. How He has worked, the 'coincidences' in our lives which I'm willing to agree to the definition being 'miracles where God chooses to remain anonymous'. 

A lot of Spirit-led preachers are not influential because what they teach is new or original, but because they teach the Scriptures at those times when God knows they are most applicable to our lives. 

An old year has passed, a new has already come for some. Take a few moments to reflect on what God has done this past year. 

Done reflecting? Okay, let's move on. 

Let's come back to this idea of New Year resolutions because I think this is a great opportunity to take a step closer to God, to make a commitment. Though we don't need to spend our reflection time trying to figure out where we stuffed up, but instead, we can simply ask Him,

"Lord, show me how I can draw closer to You this coming year"

and commit to His answer. 

But don't expect His response to be easy. Not only do we need to know what He wants us to do next but how to do it. We need that guidance or else we will end up trying to fulfill this task in our strength, not His. 

This is why it is essential to ask Him. I've read before that often people do not receive from God simply because they haven't asked. So ask Him. 

Philippians 1:6 NIV says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Let God fulfill that good work in you this coming year. Take on something that requires you to trust in Him, though it may seem impossible to change at first glance and remember to ask Him for guidance as you continue to learn to trust in His own strength. 

Trust Him to guide you through this and make it a year of remembering what He has done to form you more into His likeness. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NIV)

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Stand firm, not still

Today, I want to share something with you that, as it was introduced to me, is strongly linked to sexual purity but can be incorporated into other aspects of the Christian walk. This has to do with standing firm in the faith and what this means to us in our everyday lives.

Now, we know from the Scriptures that we, as Christians, are taught to stand firm in our faith.

Exodus 14:13 NIV says, "Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today."

Isaiah 7:9b NLT says, "Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm."

Mark 13:13 NIV says, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV says, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

And Scriptures goes on with many other verses on the topic of standing firm. So, it is clear that this is important to us in our Christian walk. 

But what does this mean? What does it mean to 'stand firm' and why are we called to do this? 

A lot of imagery in Scripture concerning the nature of God and our faith is that of things which are constant, which cannot be moved.

Take, for example, how our God is called our Rock (Psalm 18:2) and how He never changes.

Or the faith of the man in James 1 when James talks about asking and receiving in faith without wavering.

Or consider the parable of the two houses built in Matthew 7, one on sand and the other on rock.

This last example paints a good picture of the reason for us to stand firm.

Storms. Why? Because they are not only common in the Christian walk, but they can either break or strengthen our faith making them essential for spiritual growth.

I once heard someone say that some of the prayers that God cherishes the most from His children are ones cried out in times of suffering, turmoil and challenge because its in those moments when it becomes clear we are not worshiping God because He gave us a good life, but because we trust in His promises to sustain and provide for us in the midst of our circumstances.

And His promises are essential to standing firm because Scripture is marked with them. From Genesis to Revelation, God's promises are listed for those who love Him.

But here is the thing. Not only are His promises in Scripture, but again and again, throughout the Old Testament, God told the Israelites to remember.

To remember Him, His promises and all He has done. To recall again and again from the Scriptures the work of His hands because it is in the Scriptures we can find refuge during our troubles. It is truly amazing how worship and His Word can bring peace to the soul when there is nothing left to do but trust in God.

Now, sure, it can definitely be a challenge to pick up our Bibles in the first place with all the lies Satan will whisper in our ears but as soon as we begin to read, those lies quickly vanish to be replaced by the promises and goodness of God.

The picture that is painted before us in Scripture is of steadfastness. Of keeping our focus on God. And God, through Scripture, shows us how to to do that by commanding us to remember.

In the New Testament, Paul compares Christians to both race runners and soldiers, two professions which require a great deal of focus needed for the goal set before them.

But there is something in particular I want to raise about the analogy of the runners in a race that is one of the central themes of this week's message.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Within context, Paul here is discussing the discipline that we, as Christians, must undergo in order receive 'a crown that will last forever'.

Now, this is quite an interesting passage because we know that Scripture teaches that we are saved by faith and grace alone, not by works so that no one can boast. However, some may wonder whether this passage in 1 Corinthians 9 hints towards that. This is not the case and, in light of other Scripture, this passage becomes very clear.

James 2:18 NIV says, "But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."

There is an undeniable relationship between our faith and our deeds. Christ said you will know a Christian by their fruit (their actions) and the gist of it is this: if Christ is not known through one's actions, there is need for concern as to the validity of one's faith.

1 Corinthians 13 tells us that deeds and faith without love are dead. Since Scripture makes it clear that love from God is sacrificial meaning it would require action, is it not safe to say faith without works is dead?

Works do not save, but come as a result of our faith and are necessary for our faith after coming to Christ.

Now, I know that was off track from what I was trying to share with you from 1 Corinthians 9, but it is essential to the Christian understanding of salvation.

Hence, in light of this, what Paul is expressing in this passage is the vigorous discipline a Christian must go through in order to be transformed into the likeness of God. Though He gives us strength to undertake this, He will not do it for us. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that hope begins with suffering and it is through this that we can learn and be used for God's glory as He intends.

But there is another point that Paul makes in this passage that is worthy of teaching.

Verse 26 says"Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly"

Paul raises several points here; the first by indirectly acknowledging that a runner does not stand still.

Though we are called to stand firm, we are not to stand still. When I think about this, I think of it in context of temptation.

We remember that story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers and became the head servant of the household in which he worked and life was looking good until the master's wife began to try and seduce him.

And what was his response? Did he stand there and try to resist the temptation that was before him? No.

He ran.

After reading several books on purity, I have learnt that often, sexual purity is treated as the idea of setting boundaries in relationships. Unfortunately  that is soon followed by people getting as close to that boundary as they can without crossing it. This is not purity.

Ephesians 5:3 makes it clear that there must not be even a hint of sexual impurity among His children and how can this be done when we are sitting as close to the boundary as we can get?

Purity is not just about setting boundaries, but about turning the other way (repentance) and walking away from the boundary towards Christ.

So, we begin to see that though we are to stand firm in our faith, standing still is a whole other topic and something that could be considered as foolishness.

This issue of moving towards Christ rather than standing still is not only with regards to temptation but in being transformed into His likeness.

Returning back to verse 26, Paul says that not only does the runner run (obviously), but he does not run aimlessly. He is constantly fixed on the goal before him, the eternal prize. Does he stand still hoping to get it? No, of course not.

He is constantly moving towards Christ and the eternal prize while being transformed into His likeness.

And so should we. The Christian walk is called a walk for a reason. Though Paul talks about running, sometimes running isn't an option. Sometimes it feels like we're barely moving, but keep your eyes focused on God and He won't let you remain stagnant.

No one can be moved by the Almighty and remain the same. As a preacher named Paul Washer once pointed out, if he showed up at church late claiming he was hit by a bus but remained unchanged, people would be awfully skeptical of his claim and would pass him off as a liar for having shown up at church late.

God is much bigger than a bus.

Stand firm, brothers and sisters, not still.

May you all have a blessed Christmas wherever you are and with whomever you spend it with. Christmas is one of the best times of the year to preach Christ. Don't miss the opportunities God gives you.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NIV) 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Be known

A couple years back, I watched a sermon by a preacher named Paul Washer who talked about Matthew 7 on the topics of the narrow gate, the wide gate and the two houses built on the sand and the stone. And there was an interesting point he made part way through the message that I want to share and elaborate on with you tonight.

In the middle of this message where he was essentially rebuking the church for their lukewarm Christianity, he  pointed out: if you go to church to socialise and make friends, but you aren't friends with God, then you have reason for grave concern.

Essentially he was saying: be known by God.

But first, before we get to that, let's touch base with the importance of knowing God.

As Christians, we know the importance of knowing God. This is our purpose: to seek Him out, to know Him better, to know His grace, His mercies, His character, His glory.

And this knowledge is incredibly essential to us with establishing our faith and trusting Him. Let me illustrate this for you:

Imagine someone who is close to you, someone you know and love. A brother, a sister, a spouse, whomever. And imagine someone tells you something that that person did that was wrong but you knew that person whom you love would never do that. How often do we feel uncertain and have that nagging feeling to clarify this rumour rather than trusting the character of the person you love?

Its the exact same with God. How often when someone says something like 'Oh, you're suffering yet you obey God? He must have abandoned you" or they say something that is contrary to Scripture, something that seems totally out of line with who God claims to be. It sounds like the exact same scenario with that person that you love, except with one slight difference. People change, God doesn't.

Malachi 3:6 NIV says, "I the LORD do not change."

He is our Rock, He stands firm. His character is the same since eternity past till eternity beyond. And we know that whatever we may learn about Him, we can be certain of and can hold onto that truth for eternity.

And we need this in times of struggle, we need that assurance, that hope, knowing that when all else fails, He won't let go of us... and guess what? He knows that too.

Psalm 46:10 NIV says, "Be still and know that I am God."

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.

He never changes.

Ephesians 1:17 NIV says, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better."

Paul knew the importance of knowing God and expressed his desire for the people of Ephesus to know Him too, but he adds in an extra point here we need to remember.

The Spirit. We can know nothing of God without the Spirit revealing it to us. 1 Corinthians 2 points out that those who are not spiritually aware do not understand spiritual matters. In the same way, without the revelation of the Holy Spirit, we do now know Him.

And, with the Spirit, how do we know Him?

Exodus 33:13a NIV says, "If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so I may know You."

His ways and His promises are found all throughout Scripture, each one revealing a part of who He is. If you want to know God, read the Bible. God isn't hiding, some of us simply don't want to read the pages.

So far, we've established the importance of knowing God, but coming back to the original point of this message, what about Him knowing us?

Matthew 7 gives a blunt warning to anyone who thinks that knowing God without being known is enough to enter Heaven.

Let's take a look.

We recall the passage found in verses 21-23 where Judgement Day has come and the people cry out: Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name and cast out demons in Your name?

And what is His reply?

I never knew you. Away from me.

If that isn't chilling enough, let's take a look at another one.

Matthew 10:33 NIV says,"But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in Heaven."

Christ makes it clear. Unless you surrender your whole life and go the whole way, not halfway or lukewarm, with your faith, He will not acknowledge you before the Father as though He never knew you.

Wouldn't that be troubling? Living this life, thinking you'll go to Heaven, being the good Christian and you stand on Judgement Day to hear Him say the words: I never knew you. 

And slowly, we begin to see the importance of not only knowing Him, but Him knowing us. That, truly, the opinions of others don't matter in our lives, apart from His because, if anyone holds our fate in their hands, no matter how powerful some people are, its still God.

He is still the one in control and it can either be a fearful or amazing thing to be held in the palm of His hand.

The real question is: does He know you?

Jeremiahs 17:10 NIV says, "I the LORD searches the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according what his deeds deserve."

This is how He knows us. God is not fooled by outward appearances, He searches the heart.

Know Him to the full and He will know you.

Purify your heart according to the Word, surrender and abide in Him so that He will know you, and will watch over you as His own.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13 NIV) 

Monday, December 10, 2012

The Measure of Our Lives

We all have morals in life. Some differ vastly from one another, others are strongly in unity such as those found within the body of Christ, and I find, the more I talk with unbelievers, the more I realise that 99% of debates come down to differing morals and bases of truth.

I'm talking about where our values, our rules, our guidelines come from in life. Some choose to base it on experience, others on the teachings of other people and so on.

But, as Christians? There is one undeniable authoritative voice by which we must stand. Scripture. I'm not going to attempt to try to defend the infallibility of Scripture, that's a whole different topic, but I do want to share one beautiful verse found in Psalm 119.

Psalm 119:105 NIV says, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

Now, this light, it may not always seem to show five steps ahead in life, or three, or even two. But it always shows one, always directing us precisely where and what we need to do next. This is His Word, His spoken Word by which we live according to His will.

And, I like to think of daily Scripture reading like the manna God gave to the people of Israel while they were in the desert. We know how it goes: God rained down manna which was always sufficient for the people's needs.

But there was a catch: any manna leftover the next day would be old and gross. Try to have a romantic breakfast in bed with your wife from yesterday's manna? Sorry bro. The only exception was the Sabbath because of the restrictions placed on what was allowed during the Sabbath.

My point is this: we need to read Scripture daily because the verses we read yesterday aren't as fresh as they are today and we need that renewal of the Word in order to stay focused on Him.

The values on which Scripture is based are starkly contrasted with the world and the ways in which Satan hopes to control us. This brings the message to the central passage I want to focus on found in Colossians 2.

Colossians 2:20-23 NIV says, " Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Firstly, Paul authored a lot of the New Testament letters so its no surprise that he's one of the biggest preachers on the difference between living by the Law of the Old Testament and human regulations contrasted with life in Christ. One need only read through Romans to see how the Law brings death but Christ brings life.

And here we find Paul rebuking the Colossians for acting a though they still had to follow human regulations and restrictions given by others in order to live in a holy life.

But don't these commands sound all too familiar to us? "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" This sounds not only like the Law, but mostly every other religion which places these values and limitations on their adherents in the hope of fulfillment, enlightenment or pleasing some idol.

But, before I get to the good part, I want to broaden this a bit and take this further than the Law. What about the rules that society places on us in order to be cool, or to fit in or to please others? Aren't these restrictions just as burdensome and aren't these restrictions far too common among Christians who try to fit in?

We are called to be separate from this world (John 15:19) and to be sanctified in the truth for His Word is true (John 17:17).

And yet, too often, we do fall into this trap of trying to please others by looking cool, fitting in and following orders. And the sad part is... people no longer see Christ in us, but we look like everyone else. It frustrates me when I fall into this and the Holy Spirit says "Hey, look I know you think this is cool but, now, they no longer see Me, they just see you... and the flesh."

Then God shows us in Colossians 2:22-23 that these very rules lack purpose and meaning. They're merely human restrictions, appearing to be wise but truly having no real value.  And that's how a lot of rules appear to be: wise. Particularly in religions, and we look and we may admire them for their perseverance and self-sacrifice but to what avail? To what means?

In the end, what value does it have? None.

Without the Spirit of Christ compelling the person, what good will it do and what other way of life will the Spirit compel but that which directs us towards Christ, His Words and His cross?

If anything, these restrictions are burdensome and they weigh us down bearing no godly fruit and reaping now eternal rewards. And Christ's answer, as simply as it is, is beautiful.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Christ is calling. He is calling us to put away this old way of life based on human regulations and values and trust in Him and give our burden to Him and experience the awesome freedom found in Him that compels our spirits to dance for Him. 

Are there still commands? Yes. Christ shows us the two greatest commandments of loving the Lord with everything we have and loving our neighbour as ourselves. But these commands are not intended to be burdensome. 

They're meant to bring joy because nothing can bring more peace than walking hand in hand with God each and every step of the way by obeying Him and His eternal decrees that bring eternal freedom, not wordly bondage. 

I want to leave you with this. In Chris Tomlin's song, All to Us, I think one of his lyrics nails how we should value our lives: 

"Let the saving love of Christ, be the measure of our lives." 

Keep that thought in mind this week., His love defines you, and His love alone. God bless you all. 

" May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NIV)

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sufficiency

As mentioned, this will be the third and final part of my messages on humility. For those of you who have not read the previous two, they are titled:


Thus, here, I conclude with one final lesson that I learnt while in Portland, Oregon, and I think this particular encounter left me thinking the most because of how it put into question what people consider as "content". 

We've talked about this before and we remember Paul's words in Philippians 4:11 NIV, " for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." And we know how amazing it would be to achieve what Paul had found. 

How often do we wish we had something more? Maybe a little more money in our wallets or a few more presents under the Christmas tree, or a few more songs on our iTunes, and unless we are content with what God has given us, there will always be something more Satan tries to tempt us with that will appeal to us. 

Though we think we need it, we know we don't. We know we're fully capable of paying for what we need with the money we have or that Christmas is not about the presents and that we can worship God with our own songs. 

But what about when we really do need the extra money to pay the bills and its no longer a matter of comfort and leisure... but of sufficiency. 

Hence, my encounter that I want to share... and I will do my best to make it brief. 

I was heading back from this shopping mall and saw a man at a corner with a large pile of goods that looked over-used and unwanted. In light of the encounters God has placed in my life in the recent weeks, I felt compelled to give. Thus, I got out some money and walked over to this man. 

Now, I have to paint this picture for you. Here is this man, lying down on the side of the road, he had this tattered blanket of some sort he was on, lying down on his side with his elbow propped with tins and a basket laid out in front. So, I went up to him and our conversation went like this: 

"Hey, I thought you might need this." And hand him the money.

He looks at it. "That's too much, you keep it, I have enough here."

And I walk away dumbfounded. That was likely the last thing I had expected. 

With being a Geography student, I started thinking through all these different concepts on development and living conditions but what really struck out to me was this: I had assumed that what he had wasn't sufficient for him. 

Maybe it was the giant pile of used items, or the blanket, his clothes or where he was lying down. 

But what about the early Christians like Paul, who were jailed, and traveled a lot with barely anything on them? Or John the Baptist, who was, based on biblical descriptions, an outcast and homeless in his time and age?

Yet, each of these three men expressed a mindset of sufficiency and two of them I am certain based it on Christ and Him alone. Why? Because they knew Christ. They knew His words, that His Word is enough. That He provides just enough and comforts us in our time of need. 

 And you know what? Though we weren't there, He still remains alive through His Word and Spirit allowing us to know Him too through His spoken Word. Scripture. 

Psalm 3:5 NIV, "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me."

Psalm 23:3a NIV, "he restores my soul" 

Matthew 10:31 NIV, "So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

And it goes on. Scripture is filled with His restoration, sufficiency, comfort, provision, abundance and limitless love. 

And I'm not saying we need to be homeless or in prison to experience this provision and sufficiency. 

That's a major flaw in today's thinking. We think that "Oh, if I went that far into sin, maybe I would have a big experience with God like that too" or "If I sold all of my possessions tday, I could realise His sustaining hand." 

Are you alive? 

Then He sustains you. 

This realisaton of His sustaining hand is not a matter of the past or the future, it is in the present. He is concerned with the present. Want to hear a cliche? Its called the present, because every second is a gift from Him. 

There we go. Boom! I ruined the message with a cliche. Just kidding. 

But its true. He continually sustains us, truly, whether we are asking for it or not. He does. Why? Because of His (not our) unconditional love. 

Colossians 1:17 NIV, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

And He is holding you together right now.

And His creation proclaims this. Try clicking on this link for starters to see just how concerned He is with sustaining us. 

So, whatever you are in need of, He provides in abundance. Always on time, always enough to bring us to our knees in thankfulness. That's how awesome He is. 

Remain in the sufficient love of Christ, let His love be the measure of your life and it is then, we will find our souls to be content regardless of our circumstances. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NIV)

Monday, November 26, 2012

Humble Listening

As I mentioned last week, I would be continuing with the topic of humility and my lessons learnt in the US. The event I am going to share with you today was a brief encounter I had with a man while waiting for the bus to arrive.

It was a short moment. Rushed, even. With only a few minutes to go until the bus arrived, I felt... rushed. He approached the group of people I was among whom were waiting for the bus and asked us two very simple requests: did we have any spare change and did we know where he could get something to eat and drink.

What didn't strike me was his appearance or anything like that. It was one of his requests. His second one. His request for some food and drink.

But, why? Why did this strike me? What relevance did this have for me? Seeing this man who could barely sustain himself ask for such simple necessities showed me just how much he and I were alike. Here was a man who had been born in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and somewhere along the line, something happened, or he just didn't have the 'right' opportunities.

His situation was beyond his reach.

Don't we feel like that all too often? That we're helpless and misfortune has paid us a visit and heaped a load of depressing situations on our shoulders? And yet what does Christ say?

Matthew 11:28 NIV says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Come. 

That's all we need to do. If we come to Him, He will lift our burden no matter how heavy it feels. What a blessed thought to know that our Saviour cares for us in this way. 

But what about the man who approached me at the bus station? Doesn't Christ also call him? 

You see, when he approached me, two things happened. The first was this: after he had made his requests, a man standing near me made a comment about some good food that could be found at some restaurant I didn't know the name of. 

How vague is that? Yet, how vaguely do we share the truth with those around us? Maybe people like to ask us questions or maybe God calls us to share with someone? Yet, we have a tendency to search for the easy road... when we're too busy. 

Maybe we'll say "Hey, God loves you. It's all good", yet we don't take the time to listen. 

Maybe we'll preach the entire gospel message to them... but we don't take the time to listen

In reality, it doesn't matter what form it comes in, one thing we don't give people is our time. Not time to talk, but to listen. To hear why people are hurting, why they are in need. 

We all know the verse James 1:19 NIV which says, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry". 

And it seems we commonly use the 'slow to speak part' in relation to 'slow to become angry' and the relationship we find between how sharp our tongue can be because of our attitude. 

But how often do we think about it when it comes to simply listening? Maybe there's something we want to say, but we don't need to. Maybe the person just needs someone to hear them out. 

And isn't it a burden-lifting action in itself? When someone listens, and we have that sense that somehow, in some way, they are sharing our burden? Isn't that such a blessing to us? And the people we take the time to listen to, even simply listening, can release a tremendous burden from their shoulders. 

That was the first thing that happened, the vague comment made. The second was this: sure, I gave the man change I had on me. But it was't much. I knew I had more. If I had swallowed my pride and took out my wallet and gave him what I felt was better suited for his needs... but I didn't. 

I felt... rushed. 

And, again, how rushed are we when it comes to helping people? When we think we know what they need, rather than asking them. 

When I posted last week's message on Facebook, a friend of mine commented. A rather long comment about economics and giving money to the homeless, and as much as I was slightly irritated that he had missed my point, his point was still valid. Because we mistakenly think that money will solve the problems of the homeless... and it will.

Well, for a moment. 

Not only do we have an obligation to share the truth of Christ, but I believe we have an obligation to listen. 

As I'm sure some of you have heard before, "We must be good news before we can share the Good News." 

How? To give people something we value quite highly as middle-class citizens. 

Our time. 

Time is such an important aspect of our lives. We have the money, our needs are met, what we never seem to have enough of is time. And so when we feel that we could better manage our time, we'll block things out... and sadly... sometimes we'll block out divine appointments God has planned for us. 

But, truly, what does all of this have to do with humility? I know I said this message would be on humility and so here's my point.

The humbling truth is that anyone God places across our paths is worthy of our time regardless of who they are. We are not the judge of this. God is. He places these appointments in our lives, we don't. He is in control, we aren't. 

Let God arrange those divine appointments in your life and simply listen. Listen intently without trying to come up with some smart answer. 

Humble listening. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NIV) 

Monday, November 19, 2012

Pride, Abundance and Direction

Today I want to begin to share three lessons that I learnt while in the US this summer. As I do, I'll spread the lessons out over several weeks. I went to Portland, Orgeon with my mum and her partner and got to get a little taste of the city. It was a good summer, bought a lot of books, went to some good churches, went numb to the point of pain because of the seawater. Good times.

But there was something that really got to me on three separate occasions during the summer. It was the homeless. If there was ever a time that God spoke to me about those in need financially, it was during the summer. I hope the three lessons I share will hopefully reshape or inspire the ways in which you view those around you who benefit less than you do.

The first lesson God taught happened while I was on my way to the bookstore. I'm telling you, this was a massive bookstore, about five stories high and consisted of an entire block in the city. To understate things, it was a cool place.

On the way there, I was walking down the streets of Portland and noticed people with signs on the side of the road. What didn't strike me was the people nor the fact that they were homeless... but what they were asking.

On all of the signs I passed, they were asking for one thing.

A dollar.

That's all it was. A dollar. And here I was walking down the road, heading to a fairly priced bookstore with roughly US $600 dollars in my pocket. We all know the terms ten-fold and such. I had 600-fold the amount they were asking for.

I want to pause for a moment and reflect on what Christ said about giving to the poor.

Matthew 6:1 NIV says, "Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

This says a lot about pride. At the time Christ said these words, the Pharisees were experts on pride. They would demand respect wherever they went, imposing their power on other people, completely full of pride.

I wonder how many people are like that today. Not by imposing their power... but by how they give to others. Sure, they give. But they boast about it. They brag and say "That's what you did yesterday? I gave $700 dollars to a charity. Beat that!"

I'm not sure many would phrase it like that, but you get the point, and I see it in my own life. I don't talk like that but I'll mention what I've done to a couple of friends and as soon as I do, the God-given joy disappears, and I end up feeling hollow by having told my friends.

Pride puffs up, just like a balloon, but tt only takes a needle to show how hollow it is.

Whatever you do with regards to giving to others, do it in secret. Not with the intention of hiding the light Christ has given you, but to give the glory to God and allow Him to work through what you have given and He will reward you in return.

So, I kept this in mind. But I had other intentions regarding a damaged pride at having stopped and taken the time to give money. I would probably call this the exact opposite of the previously pointed out but is just as dangerous.

How many times are we hindered from doing good because of a fear of looking like a fool? I think many of us face this fear but here's a better question: would you rather be a fool to the world... or a fool to God?

So, I was partly a fool and partly following Christ's teachings. I went around the corner, stopped, pulled out two twenties I had in my wallet, took them in my hand, turned around and gave one to each of the people on the side of the road.

I got to tell you, and I'm not telling this for the sake of pride, I'm doing this for the sake of how awesome giving is. The guy saw me give it, look down and then burst into joy. He stood up, gave me a man hug and started spouting happiness. I was surprised by his reaction but also glad because of the joy of giving that God had given.

Acts 20:35b NIV says, "Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:  'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Giving is an amazing thing. Its even more awesome when the rewards we get in return are not material, but spiritual. Now's that's awesome.

But God took me a step further after this. I had just given money, seen their joy and shared it. But I had no twenties left and there was more person I felt God telling me to give to. Again, I don't want to share for the sake of pride but because of how this next act humbled me.

I had only hundred dollar bills. So, I paced back on forth (in a subtle manner, I didn't want to look nuts) on the sidewalk, debating with God. I felt Him telling me to give, I didn't want to give so much away. What would people who didn't share the same views think of me? Finally, God won. I took out the money, walked over, bent down, gave it to the girl (she was probably in her early twenties) and walked away without seeing her response. I didn't want to see her response but by having walked away, this humbled me. I had just given away what I considered to be a fair sum of money and I didn't know why and I wasn't sure of myself, but I knew God knew. That's what really mattered.

Remember, God knows what He is doing when He asks you to give, and He is fully capable of providing so we are not left in need and so we can, in turn, bless others again. He is good like that.

But I want to raise, what I think, is a more important point, in a more sober part of Scripture. This passage is found in Matthew 25. Here Christ compares the sheep to the goats and gives numerous everyday scenarios like taking care of people, giving and taking the time to see people. First, the righteous respond:

Matthew 25:37-29 NIV, “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’"

Matthew 25:40 NIV, "The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’"

That's a nice thought. The thought that whatever good deeds you did out of grace and love for a complete stranger or someone who didn't seem to deserve it, you did for Christ Himself! And to hear Him say that He knew what you did and will reward you in turn though you were not seeking such rewards. That's pretty awesome. 

But before we get too excited about this, let's take a look at what Christ says to the other group, the goats, after they ask Him, when did they ever see him in such need at such times?

Matthew 25:45 says, He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"

Now, notice this isn't a 'He may reply' or 'He could reply assuming that...'. No, it says 'He will reply'. The choices you make with regards to those around you when they are in need; those choices have eternal consequences. 

But, you might ask 'Since we are saved by the blood of Christ, its okay if we've stuffed up, right?' 

Well, of course. God has mercy, but remember, if you're not only worried about that, but its also a recurring issue in your life, then you have to ask yourself 'How well are you imitating Christ?' Because that's what the Christian walk is all about, isn't it? Imitating Christ. Following Christ. Obeying Christ. 

These are His very words, if we do not obey then I think we have very good reason to be afraid because if we are saved, He will still discipline us while here on earth and I doubt many of would like to take it to that extreme where He needs to intervene to such an extent that it not only grabs our attention but shocks us. 

But, before we get too carried away. Not only does Christ point out the flaws of those who had chosen to neglect the needy. His following words condemn. 

Matthew 25:46 says, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Be careful whom you neglect when you help others. Listen to what God is telling you and follow with regards to how you help others. Be very careful to listen to Him, not only as to not miss out an opportunity to serve but so as not to overload yourself with work God didn't choose for you to do. 

Because we have a tendency to do that, don't we? We'll overload ourselves with ministry work and volunteering and Bible studies and pile up our 'good deeds', and though we may have godly intention and conducting these deeds out of faith, we may not be listening to God. 

As the preacher at last's night's service pointed out: sometimes we need to slow down and receive a new, refreshed revelation from God about where He wants us to be and what He wants us to do. 

The preacher also pointed out that, we all need to take that time. Don't wait for God to make that appointment, go to Him and listen.

I couldn't agree more. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Importance of Fellowship

As much as I wanted to give a different message for this week, being so spontaneous, the necessity of fellowship seemed more appropriate for this week.

Fellowship is such an essential aspect to the Christian faith. Not only, fellowship with God, but fellowship with the family of Christ. Without both of these forms of fellowship, what would we do? We would wither and die spiritually. John 15 shows us that unless we are connected to the Vine (Christ), we will wither and die.

A good brother in Christ once illustrated it like this: we are all laptops and the Spirit of God is our A/C adapter. When we disconnect from the adapter, we are no longer running on His power but our own. Our light dims and we slowly run out of power. Towards the end, some warnings flash signalling imminent shut down unless we connect to the power source and, if we ignore these warnings, we ultimately shut down.

Obviously, we need fellowship with God.

1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV says, "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

We are called into fellowship. It isn't an IF or "You know, just come fellowship with Me when you feel like it, preferably sometime before you die." No, no. Fellowship with God is a continuous process to which we are called. Not only this, but we are specifically called into fellowship with Christ. 

When I think of this verse, I think of the disciples, and the way they followed and how they were in fellowship with Christ. Can't we have the same? Though, He is not here physically, don't we have the same Spirit of power that He had? If the disciples had this fellowship with God and yet He still calls us into it even though He has already ascended, doesn't that mean the fellowship with Him is just as... powerful? 

Col 1:29 NIV, one of my favourite verses, says, "To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me."

Isn't that awesome? Paul was so overwhelmed with the Spirit of Christ, of God, within him, that he could barely contain it!

If we are in fellowship with Him, through the Word, prayer and worship, can't we have the same? Can't we come to the same conclusion that we must sing praises of reverence every so often just as Paul does throughout Romans after examining the glories of God?

But we know fellowship with God on our own is good... but that's not the only way He wants us to fellowship in His presence. 

Hebrews 10:25 NIV says, "not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Out of what I know, this verse has got to be the most used to advocate church-going. But I think we need to make something clear. Church is not a building, its fellowship, its the body of Christ. And a lot of people like to neglect the importance of communal fellowship, whether it be at a home or in a church. 

In one message, a well-known preacher, Paul Washer, told about when he first came to Christ and out of excitement, and likely curiosity, he went to every house where he lived, knocked on every door and discovered to his amazement, that everyone was a Christian! Except... most of them didn't go to church. 

I recall last November, for three weeks in a row, I was unable to attend church because of traveling on cultural/sports exchanges and by about the third week, I was really beginning to feel spiritually sick. I'm hoping some of you can relate to that. Its the feeling where you no longer feel in tune with God. You're spending personal devotional time but that communal fellowship of being in His presence is lacking and your spirit longs for it. That's what I'm talking about. 

Common communal fellowship is important. But why? Experience has little value compared to Scripture. Thankfully, Scripture has a fair amount to say.   

Matthew 18:20 NIV says, " For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Jesus clearly says that He will be present when two or more are gathered in His name. He has shown this to be true again, and again, and again. Many times, I come to church expecting God to show up... and He does. I remember, before I went to the Hillsong Conference in 2011, I had high expectations for the worship. I knew what it was like for the Spirit of God to show up in a small community of 80, so for 5000+ believers to be present in one place, I expected it to be pretty awesome. 

It was. 

Communal fellowship is important because He shows up. If He doesn't, then you're wasting your time. Without His presence and teaching, communal fellowship has practically no value. 


And how does God teach? Through those He has appointed to share the wisdom God has bestowed. Going to an unofficial church without an official pastor with many different speakers, I've come to see sermons as fellow believers sharing the wisdom God has given them. This is what I think of when I look at Colossians 3:16. 

Colossians 3:16 NIV says, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."

Again, we have fellowship, but this goes a step further. This not only talks about songs from the Spirit and worship and enjoying God's presence, it talks about the Word. Scripture says to let it 'dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another'. 

You see, daily devotionals are awesome because it renews the Scriptures afresh in your mind. Its like the manna from the desert. We must be continually renewing it because what we learnt yesterday isn't quite as fresh as what God has for us today. 

With fellowship, not only can the Word be renewed but we can also admonish one another. 

I have to admit, I have spoken to some people who do not attend a regular church and some of their teaching is.... strange. Fellowship with others, based on the Word, can keep us safe from Satan's deceptions and false teachings. 

Yes, we can say things like 'But the Spirit is my teacher, why would I need fellowship?'

Well... Scripture also says Satan disguises himself as an angel of light... and so do his followers. 

We need fellowship to avoid being deceived. Hebrew 10:25 talks about encouraging one another because the Day is near. Paul knew that without encouraging and correcting one another in the Spirit, we can easily go astray.

And finally, what are we left with? Unity.

Philippians 2:2 NIV says, "then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."

Now, I don't believe Paul was talking about us all singing the same mantra and thinking EXACTLY alike. No, of course not. But I do believe he is talking about being like-minded just as Christ and the Father were: wholly dedicated to the will of the Father and aligning Christ's will with the Father's desires.

By keeping Scripture as the source, wouldn't we all become as one body, lifting one another up in love, being of one Spirit and all having the mind of Christ?

I want to give one final warning to anyone who still wishes to believe otherwise about fellowship.

We are in a spiritual battlefield; constantly under attack by demons and the forces of evil though protected by the Spirit. When we go to church or fellowship with one another, its like a safe haven. For me personally, it feels like letting my guard down and allowing God to overflow into my life for an hour and fifteen minutes. And then what? As soon as I walk out that door, I walk straight back into the battlefield as a soldier of Christ. As we are all soldiers of Christ.

Don't let the necessity of fellowship slip from your mind.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV