Love - November 24, 2013 Sermon

By Pastor Greg

After serving a group of Christians their lunch one Sunday afternoon, a waitress received this note printed on the merchant's copy of the bill. Because of the size of the party, the suggested tip was 18%. This believer noted that he gave God 10%, and wondered why this waitress should receive more than God. He crossed out the tip, marked it as zero, then made sure he signed the bill as Pastor. Tell me again why the people of this world are rejecting Christianity?

In a world dominated by selfishness, pride, greed, and arrogance, the church has an excellent opportunity to stand out by standing apart from these behaviors. The church has an opportunity to reach people, not just by our words, but by our deeds as well; especially when those deeds are bathed in love.

As we have been looking at Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, we have been looking at various ways a believer should respond to all that God has done for us. Pointing back to verse 1 of chapter 12, Paul continues to teach what a transformed believer should look like. As we have seen, a believer is transformed in the way they see God and in the way they see others. A transformed believer is respectful toward other people, regardless of their status in life. And here, at the end of Romans 13 he says that we are to be transformed into a person who loves others; who looks at the people of this world through the eyes of God. This is a very important text. Our transformation extends beyond our attitude and actions directed toward God, but also in our attitudes and actions directed toward other people as well (read Romans 13:8-14).

Neighbor literally means the second man. We are to love them just as we love ourselves. One has to wonder if the person who has a hard time loving others also has a hard time loving themselves. If that is true, it should change the way we respond to those who hate us. A transformed believer will have the ability to love even those who hate them; not because they are indifferent or oblivious to the hate and animosity, but because they can see past the hate and instead see the person within. As transformed believers, we see their pain. We see their sadness and loneliness. A transformed believer overcomes evil by doing good, but also by choosing love over anger or hate. And what does this love look like? It's not a feeling but a choice to treat others as we want to be treated. It's choosing to recognize the value of another person. It's realizing that they will make mistakes just as we make mistakes. It's choosing to offer the same forgiveness we would want for ourselves. It's treating others with the same dignity we desire. It's looking past our own selfish needs and desires, and instead considering the feelings and the needs of the "second man". Laws cannot change the heart; man’s heart is still selfish and can be changed only by the grace of God. When we practice love, there is no need for any other laws, because love covers it all!

It is important that we allow love to be seen and heard through us because time is running out. Paul not only calls his readers to wake up for their own sake, but for the sake of those still living in darkness. Since the night is almost over, a believer needs to become even more transformed. Like the Roman Christians, we too live in a world that believes in Christ not because of what we say, but because of the way we live. This is why Paul says we are to live decent lives for all to see (verse 13 in the NLT). Think about how different it would be if the people of a church would stop being suspicious of one another. Think of how different it would be for a person of the world to step into a church where there is love; where the people make allowances for one another's mistakes, where selfishness and greed have been replaced with kindness and courtesy and genuine concern for the welfare of others. Think of the difference it would make in this world if the Christian were to live differently than the world.

I understand that this pastor does not represent ALL Christians. And I have also come to understand that there is no law that can change the heart of someone like this (although we can confront them for their obvious disregard for others). However, even though I can't change the heart of someone else, I can do something about my own heart. You can do something about your own heart. You can make the choice to live a life guided by love; a genuine love that does no wrong to neighbor or friend; a life free from selfish ambition or empty conceit (Philippians 2:3). And if we, as a body of believers, can accomplish this together, the world will know that at least in this place and among those gathered in this building, there is love for one another. And together our light will shine in this darkness, and it will not be overcome.

Questions:

Many of us probably realize that we don’t treat others the way we should, and that we don’t love others as we should. We know we need to demonstrate the love of Christ in this world, especially toward those who need it the most. We know that our attitude needs to change, and yet that transformation never seems to happen. What is a Christian to do? How can we learn to love others as we love ourselves?

The answer to these questions will not be found within ourselves. The ability to love others comes not from within, but from above. Paul says that it comes from putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. It comes when we allow our minds to be renewed by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. He is the one who transforms us into the type of person that looks upon others with love.

Christian, here is your answer. If you desire to love others in the way God has commanded, you need to realize that it will come by admitting you can’t, believing that through the Lord, you can, and asking the Lord to transform you into a person who can.

Sanctity of Human Life - November 17th, 2013 Sermon

By Pastor Greg

Human life has always been considered sacred, at least from God's perspective, but not from a human perspective. From the world's perspective human life has been and probably always will be viewed as expendable if that other life stands between what the person of this world wants and desires. In ancient cultures, where selfishness and self-preservation ruled, a person felt free to kill another person for no other reason than the other person stood between what the killer wanted or felt they needed. King and tribal leaders, when ascending to the throne, would kill all remaining family members of the former king. At best a person’s disregard for human life only extended beyond their own family. The life of an outsider had little value in ancient cultures.

We do not need to study the history books to learn of this behavior. We can be sure of this disregard for human life simply by looking at the Bible. We can see this in the stories. We can see this when God calls the people of Israel together as well. When God calls Israel out of the world, He instructs them to begin acting in ways contrary to the rest of the world. They were to be His holy people - set apart from all the rest. Several of God's commands to the people of Israel concerned the taking of life, be it on purpose (murder) or accidental (killing). God clearly commanded that His people look at His people through His eyes, for the Lord has said, "Look, every life belongs to Me. The life of the father is like the life of the son—both belong to Me" (Ezekiel 18:4).

As Christ walked the earth He demonstrated just how valuable everyone is to God. He demonstrated dignity and concern even toward those the world would not - even those the world would cast aside. So as His followers, it seems appropriate that we would share that same view; that everyone’s life has value and worth. As a follower of Christ a Christian's actions and attitudes toward another human being should stand apart from the attitudes of the world. The people of the world should be shocked at just how much different our attitudes are when compared to their own. Like David's grace, love, and concern extended to Mephibosheth, our grace, love, and concern for all people should become the talk of the town. It should cause people to stand up and take notice.

Today on the front lawn of the church there stands 3,300 flags - a memorial to the babies aborted each day in the United States. This becomes one more testimony of how indifferent the world still is toward human life. Now, not all abortions are performed out of hate for the child or because the pregnancy was unwanted or inconvenient. But many of them are. The option of abortion has become a way to keep a person's life from being inconvenienced or interrupted. A baby's life is terminated for no other reason than it is simply not wanted. Truly nothing has changed in this world. One human life is often sacrificed so another human life can get what it wants. Nothing has changed, except maybe the witness of the church.

In ancient Ephesus, archeologists have uncovered a section of the city known as the "Baby Dump". In that pagan society unwanted newborn babies were thrown away. Some were rescued by slave traders, raising the child until they were old enough to be sold. But Christians, oh those wonderful Christians! They would visit the dump, rescue the babies, and adopt them as their own. Perhaps this is why Paul wrote "God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:5). Just as God saw value in us while we were still sinners, the Christians were seeing value in those whom the world would throw away.

In order to justify itself, the world has tried to determine when life begins. But rather than getting caught up in the debate, maybe we just need to start realizing that life does not begin at conception but rather that there is life at conception. The seed of a man and the seed of a woman are not dead when they combine, but fully alive. A new life is not created, but life is recreated. The chromosomes combine completely alive and another human begins to form - an extension of mother and father. If the world wants to debate anything it should be when this recreated life gains consciousness. But let's stop debating about whether it is alive. The child has always been alive.

Here's where the real problem lies. The problem is not whether we are pro-choice or pro-life. The problem facing the church today is how to respond to the abortion epidemic. Unlike the church at Ephesus, babies today are killed before they are thrown away. It’s difficult to adopt what is not alive. And we just have not been able to convince people to keep the baby full term because of how easy abortion has become. Truthfully I see a need not to create a new law or repeal an old one, but a need to preach Christ.

What can the Church do to stop abortions? The answer is found not in protesting abortion clinics, but in being a witness for Christ. This is the greatest need facing the world today. The world needs Jesus. And perhaps just as important, the world needs to see Jesus in you and me. Rather than making someone feel guilty about their choice, maybe we need to help them make the most important choice of their life, and that is to choose Jesus. He is the hope they need. He is the hope these innocent babies need. He alone can change the heart of someone, and transform them into someone who makes a choice for life.

The little flags on the front lawn should become a wakeup call to the church, not to judge the world for its blatant evil and disregard for human life, but to realize the great need to preach Christ to those still living in darkness. Those little flags should stir the church to action, not to protest or complaining, but to evangelism. The flags testify that our work in this world is not done. They become a testimony that there are far more important things we need to be doing in this world than balancing a budget or printing bulletins or identifying who is a sinner and who is not. For the sake of the baby not yet conceived we need to share Jesus with the people of this world who don't know Jesus. Then, when Christ transforms their heart they will not need some law to tell them what to choose, for guided by the Lord Himself, they will choose life.

Respect - November 10th, 2013 Sermon

By Pastor Greg

I have no clever stories this morning or funny illustrations to help you understand what the Lord is saying in His word. I don't believe I have to say too much to help you get the point Paul is trying to make in Romans 13. I doubt you need much help making a personal application to these words. I am sure some of you will be deeply offended by what Paul says, and will even question whether it applies to us today. It will make some of you angry this morning. Yet this is the Word of God. And as believers we are to be people living under the authority of God's Word. So our obedience to what is said today becomes a test of our commitment to God and His Word.

Here are Paul’s words from Romans 13:1-7. Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Did you get that? Read it again and see if it doesn’t smack you up alongside the head. Read it a second time and see if it doesn’t convict you about what you recently posted on Facebook. Read it a third time and tell me that you have no twinge of guilt; no feelings of shame. Read it a fourth time then confess your sin. I know I had to. In my heart there was clear disobedience to this command.

These verses from Romans 13 confront our habits. They challenge our behaviors. They cut to the very core of who we are as people; as Americans. After all, we have a constitutional right, don’t we? We have the Freedom of Speech! Yet here is Paul trying to take that away from us; telling us that we are not to be acting in this way; telling us that we should not be critical nor criticize those in authority over us, even going so far as to say we should submit to those in authority, pray for those in authority, and that when we do disobey those in authority we are rebelling against God.

Isn’t there some way we can just skip over this or discredit these words? Can’t we reason them away? Unfortunately we can’t. There are no loopholes here. Oh I know we would be tempted to make excuses. We might be tempted to say that Paul had no idea how corrupt and ungodly our government is today. Yet if you study the history of the Roman Empire at the time Paul wrote these words we will find not one single king or emperor professing Christianity. The Roman authorities at this time were all theoretical or practical atheists. Many abused their positions of leadership. They exercised corrupt power. The world government at that time was even worse than our government is at this time. And at least we have the freedom of election. The common person in Paul’s time had no say in who would rule. So to say things are worse today is not an accurate excuse. It’s an argument that just will not stick.

Students of the Bible will obviously want to point out what Peter and John told the Jewish religious authorities. When told to stop speaking in Jesus name Peter replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). So doesn’t this negate what Paul said here in Romans? Doesn’t that throw Paul’s command out the window? This argument does not stick as well, for Peter, years after this event with the Jewish authorities, will write, “For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-14).

So, how is a Christian to respond when government authorities demand we compromise our Christian beliefs? What is a believer to do when laws are passed that take away the freedom to practice the Christian faith? What do we do when the government demands we stop speaking in the name of Jesus? These verses in Romans 13 point back to what Paul said at the beginning of chapter 12 - to be a living sacrifice. We are to be transformed in the way we respond to God and in the way we respond to others. And that includes those in authority over us. We need not agree with what the authorities think or feel, but as Christians we must be respectful, treating one another with dignity and love. And Paul is simply reminding us that that same degree of respect and dignity we show to others extends to those in authority as well.

Is this hard? You bet it's hard! All around us people are criticizing those in authority. We hear it every single day - on television, on the radio, at work, at school, and in the market place - people criticizing people. And it is so tempting to get caught up in their leadership bashing. But although this might be the way of the world, it is not to be the way of a Christian. As a matter of fact, Christians are called to pray for those in leadership (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

There is no contrast between what Paul says here and what the Apostles said to the Jewish authorities. Peter and John were respectful in their response. They didn't call the Sanhedrin a bunch of idiots. They didn't start criticizing the authorities once they were out of jail. They didn't go back home and start a political smear campaign. They went back home after being arrested and beaten for healing a lame man in Jesus name, and prayed. They prayed for more courage. They prayed for boldness. The issue was not that the government was against them, but that God was using the present government to strengthen the church; to test the level of their commitment. And when they prayed this way, the house in which they were staying was shaken.

Christian, you have the same duty. By calling yourself a Christian you have forfeited your rights and privileges. You have become the Lord's servant. We no longer have the right to treat others any way we choose. And that extends toward those in government authority. We can disagree with their decisions. We can choose to disobey their commands if they demand we compromise our Christian beliefs. But we cannot spew poisonous venom. We cannot be disrespectful. We cannot instigate a riot of hate. We are to be instruments of God's love and peace. We are called to make a difference in this world; to not be conformed to this world but transformed by God. We are not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Of course the Bible is not silent about those who are in leadership. Christ Himself told the Apostles to lead not as the Gentiles do, but in following the example He had given them (Luke 22:25). Even husbands and wives are to submit to God's instructions in the roles He has ordained. So let's not make this passage in Romans the only viewpoint on the subject. Christians who find themselves in positions of leadership have a responsibility to lead according to God's standard. Likewise, Christians beneath those in authority have a responsibility to follow according to God's standards. Our responsibility to live as a Christian should be greater than any rights or privileges granted us by humanity.

What does all of this mean? It means that we are still people in need of a Savior. It means we are still a people needing to be transformed. It means we need His grace new each and every day. For this attitude of criticism and scorn and abuse directed toward others, whether they deserve it or not, is an indication of our fallen human nature overcoming the Spirit nature birthed in us by our faith in Jesus Christ. Forgive us Father for our hateful, disobedient attitudes directed this day toward those in authority over us. Instead, Father, guide us to live as you desire - showing respect and treating everyone with the same dignity we desire they show to us.

The Naked Disciple - November 3rd, 2013 Sermon

By Pastor Greg

Everyone seems to make such a fuss about their calling.  I remember the stress I faced in high school when asked what I was going to do with the rest of my life.  I remember taking these aptitude tests; exams designed to help you choose a career path.  After one test the school guidance counselor called me to her office to discuss my results.  She said I needed to practice saying "do you want fries with that"?

Anyway, we kind of do the same thing in the church.  We start asking one another about God's will.  We ask senior high students about whether they know God's will for their life.  We have people take Spiritual Gift tests so they can learn how the Spirit has gifted them.  And while these exams mean well, they have a tendency to leave a person saying, "Okay, now what?  So I have the gift of hospitality.  How should I use this?"  And even more importantly, where should I use this?  And I really think that's the bigger question here.  I mean, it doesn't take someone very long to learn that they are pretty good at something or really enjoy doing something.  And a Spiritual Gift inventory will help someone understand that God has also equipped them to serve the Kingdom in a unique way.  But none of this answers the question of where.  Where should I serve?  Where should I be using my gifts, talents, and passions?  "Lord, where would you have me go"?  This, of course, would be our calling; God calling us to do something of significance for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Wouldn't it be nice if God would clearly say "Go here and do this"?  It would be like God saying "Your mission Jim, if you choose to accept it", and then we would be given clear instructions (of course, the tape would self-destruct in 5 seconds).  I mean, He did it for people in the Bible.  Why can't He do it for you and me?  He did it for Jonah.  "Go to Nineveh and preach" (Jonah 1:2).  From all of His followers Jesus calls out twelve for special leadership (Luke 6:13).  And what about Barnabas and Paul.  God called them out of Antioch as missionaries (Acts 13:2). 

So maybe you’ve been wondering if God would call you.  And if He would, where would He send you?  What great and glorious thing might God call you to do for the Kingdom of Heaven?  But what if He doesn't call?  What if God says, “Ask them if they want fries with that”?  What if God does not call you out somewhere, but instead sends you home, just like the Lord did to the naked disciple?

In Luke chapter 8 we meet a man who was demon possessed and lived among the tombs in the land of Gerasene.  This was a Gentile territory on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  In the story the Lord drives out many demons from this man and cast them into a herd of pigs.  The pigs, now demon possessed, run down a steep bank, jump in the lake, and drown.  This, of course, caught the attention of the townsfolk, who rush out to the area to see what is going on (read Luke 8:35-39).

The first thing that catches my attention in this story is how Jesus tells this man that no, he can't come with them.  Really?  Why can't he come with Jesus like all the other disciples?  And why send this man away yet allow Mary Magdalene tag along?  I mean, put yourself in this man's shoes.  How would you feel if Jesus told you to go on home?  I'd have thoughts like, "Maybe I'm not good enough to be traveling with the in crowd.  Maybe Jesus sent me home because I didn't grow up in church.  Maybe Jesus sent me away because of my past."  If I were this man I'd probably be reminding myself that I should simply be grateful that He freed me from bondage and stop having these lofty ideas about being His servant.  I mean, I'm not someone significant or important.  I didn't walk on the water.  I was simply healed.

Now, I know this is what would go through my mind.  Because I was not able to serve in the way I wanted, I would take this as the Lord rejecting me for some reason.  Yet this man did not.  Luke says he did as he was told.  He went back home and did as Jesus had commanded.

The lesson we need to learn here is that when it comes to being the Lord's servant, a person needs to be prepared for how the Lord calls them to serve.  We might have ideas and visions of our own.  We might imagine glorious things.  We determine in our own minds what a successful calling looks like and then measure our life based upon those standards.  And when these things don't materialize, we draw the conclusion that apparently we just don't measure up; that the fault is ours.  But in reality it is simply that Jesus had something else in mind.

The point is this: each of us, as a believer, has a purpose and a calling in the Kingdom of Heaven.  The problem is whether this calling lives up to our expectations.  We expect one thing, but the Lord gives us something different.  It's not because we are less valuable or not good enough, but because it is all part of the Lord's plan.  He has a purpose in mind when He sends us and to where He sends us.  And, as in the case of this former demon possessed man, He may even send us back home.  Not out in the mission filed.  Not to pastor a church.  Not even to teach a Sunday school class or lead a Bible study.  He sends us home and calls us to tell our family and our neighbors what great things God has done for us.  It's not a glorious calling.  It won't make us famous.  But it does fit within God's plan.

Before I end, I want you to notice something in this story.  Did you notice how the people reacted to Jesus?  After witnessing the miracle of this healed man, the people asked Jesus to leave.  They were afraid.  They wanted Jesus gone.  And it was to these very people that Jesus sent the healed man.  “Go back to those people who are afraid of Me, those people who ran Me out of town, and talk to them about Me”, the Lord says.  Now we might think this man would accomplish nothing; that his calling would be pointless and meaningless.  Yet if we jump ahead a few months we see Jesus returning to this region (Matthew 15:29-31).  Only this time a great multitude came to Him bringing people who were crippled, blind, mute, and sick in many different ways.  And when Jesus healed these people the crowd glorified the God of Israel - this, from the same people who had earlier chased Him.  What changed?  I believe it was this former demon possessed man who, out of obedience, went back home and did as Christ had commanded.

My friend, don't ever think that where the Lord sends you or how He calls you is insignificant.  If your calling does not measure up to your expectations you are still contributing to the work of the Kingdom, just contributing according to the Lord’s plans.  In order to accomplish His will, the Lord will ask us to serve Him today in ways that do not make sense.  And there are times He will send us to places where we think it will not make a difference.  Instead of calling us out of town, He will send us right back to that school or job or career asking us to faithfully serve right where we are.  In order to accomplish His will tomorrow, the Lord asks us to stay where we are today.  In light of this I think we need to straighten up the notion that doing the Lord's will requires climbing in a boat and traveling to some distant place just to tell others about Jesus.  No, most of the time we are simply called to become like the naked disciple - people who remain right where they are and tell the whole town about Jesus.

Therefore, remain steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; knowing that your labor in His name is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).