Read Through The Bible

Yes, it has been while.  My promise to write weekly here in 2010 was well intentioned, but poorly implemented.  I figure there is no time like the beginning of a new sermon series to get back on the blogging bicycle.  I am challenging our church on the basis of the letter of First Thessalonians.  In the beginning of this letter, Paul gives thanks for this church for having a faith that works, a love that labors, and a hope that lasts.

Our focus this week is on a church with a faith that works.  A faith that works has roots in an authentic conversion.  Then, this faith grows due to continued instruction.  We ought to thank God for those individuals who have guided us in our growth as a disciple of Jesus.  The results of the faith in a church are readily apparent.  The results will be that our faith stands out in a crowd, stands up against affliction, stands against the temptations of Satan, and stands to encourage others.  I pray that I have this kind of faith.  I pray that I will lead a church to have this kind of faith.

The most intriguing thing to me about this particular letter we call 1 Thessalonians is Paul’s concern about the faith of the church.  He wants to know about their faith.  He wants to know that their faith is prospering.  He wants to complete in them whatever might be lacking in their faith.

May we have the same kind of concern for our church?  Instead of worrying about the hundred things we usually worry about as a church, let’s worry about our faith!

P.S.  I want to give a shout out to John Cox, certainly the most faithful reader and quite possibly the only reader.  Hi John!  Thanks John!

Jesus claimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  How do we know this claim is true?  Who is this Jesus that He could make such a claim?  Unbelievers question “Isn’t it offensive to claim Jesus is the only way to God?”  The answer to that question is one of logic.  “If we believe that the claims of Christ are true, claims in opposition to Christ cannot also be true!”  As a believer, we ought to be raising this question:   “Isn’t it hypocritical to trust in Christ and not believe He is the only way to God?”  His death, if there is another way, is absolutely unnecessary.

The proof about Jesus is in His life and His resurrection.  The Gospels tell us that Jesus is fully human and fully divine.  Since Jesus is both human and divine, He is the only one capable of being our Savior.  The message about Jesus both from His lips and the lips of others clarify that He is the Savior of the World.  For example, to the woman at the well, Jesus said in reference to the Messiah, “I am He.”  Thomas, for example, upon seeing the resurrected Christ, said, “My LORD and my God.”  Then the miracles of Jesus confirm who He is, what He said about Himself, and what others said about Him.

So, what about you?  Who is Jesus to you?

This week we once again mark the anniversary (strange word for this occasion) of the Roe v. Wade decision making legal abortion in the United States.  My message Sunday contained these three principles.

1.    God creates all human life uniquely.

2.    God cares for all human life equally.

3.    Because these first two are true, God calls those who fear Him to compassionately pursue a culture of life.

As I continue to think upon these principles, I think about where God has had us thinking in the early part of the year—on the subject of procrastination.  It seems to me that as believers we have been procrastinating on this issue of helping our country pursue a culture of life.  What can you do?  What does God want you to do?  Make a donation?  Volunteer?  Write a well thought-out letter?  Begin the application process to adopt?  Do it!  Don’t delay!

When we think about spiritual procrastination, I believe that there are at least these two universal truths that are at work.  First, procrastination does not take into account the uncertainty of life.  Second, procrastination does not take into account the uniqueness of conviction.  These two foundational principles are extremely important as we consider the most dangerous form of procrastination—delaying a decision concerning Jesus Christ.  

The book of Acts gives us a sad, yet revealing example of this most dangerous form of procrastination.  In Acts 24:22-27, we read of Paul’s address to Felix and Drusilla.  Felix and Drusilla, although having accomplished much in their professional lives, were bankrupt in the most important area of life—their spiritual lives.  Like everyone, Felix and Drusilla were in desperate need of a relationship with Christ.  Though curious about Christ (Felix sent for Paul…and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus), they did not decide to follow Christ.  Though convicted about their relationship with Christ (Felix became afraid), they did not decide to follow Christ.  Though Felix called for Paul often, the governor never (at least as we have record) chose to follow Christ. 

Though we are always promised forgiveness, we are not promised tomorrow.  Today is the day to decide to follow Christ.  If you are already a believer, today is the day to talk to someone about following Christ.

Thank you for joining me in this blog.  Here’s the plan.  This year I plan to recap my previous week’s sermon.  In addition, I hope to be able to give you a little extra.  I trust that this format will benefit your walk if you have heard the sermon or if you have not.  Thanks for coming along for the ride.

In order to communicate the truth of putting a stop to procrastination I shared the following story:

Years ago there lived a missionary named John in Hong Kong.  John had a reputation for being able to get things done.  Because of his reputation, the CEO of a toy squirt gun company offered him $200,000/year to go to work for the toy company.  John turned the job down.  When asked about it, he said he called it “living under the umbrella.  If you get out from underneath the umbrella, you will get wet.”  Great advice!   Call it vision, purpose, focus, or living under the umbrella.  If we are going to redeem the time, we must stay with it or else get sidetracked and waste a lot of time along the way.  (Mark Demoss, The Little Red Book of Wisdom, 7-9.)

In order to “Live under the Umbrella,” Ephesians 5:15-20 gives us three distinct instructions.

1.    We must follow the Lord’s will.
2.    We must be filled with the Spirit.
3.    We must focus our lives around worship.

Now, here’s the question for mid-week.  What is your umbrella?  What has God given you to do?  What is the purpose of your life?  We must get this figured out if we are going to solve the issue of procrastination in our lives.