Getting People's Attention

In Acts 2 we read about the Holy Spirit's descent upon the apostles. This was a special Jewish feast day called Pentecost, which means "50." This celebration occured 50 days after the Passover, which consequently always fell on "the first day of the week," if I understand correctly. In any event, this great feast was a commemoration. And multitudes of Jews and proselytes from all over the world would make the long journey to Jerusalem in order to participate in these festivities. Literally thousands of people would convene at this time of the year. And there were many different languages represented.

Think about it! With so many locations and languages being represented here, what a perfect opportunity for the Holy Spirit to come on this occasion and get the attention of the whole world. What we see transpiring in the first four verses of Acts 2 let all of Jerusalem and the different locations being represented that God was present and actively involved in His kingdom. The apostles, most of which were not highly educated, were now all of a sudden able to speak in other languages (tongues). The Holy Spirit had this impact on them directly so that they would be able to teach the gospel.

Imagine the curiosity this event must have sparked. Concerning the people's reaction to all of this, the text tells us:

"And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, 'Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?'" (Acts 2:6-7)

"And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 'What does this mean?'" (Acts 2:12)

God, through the Holy Spirit, got these people's attention. Because of these people's curiosity, they were ready to learn. People are no different today. And this is precisely why it seems to me that there is really a tremendous lesson for us in all of this. The Spirit does not miraculously work in us in the way He does in the apostles in this text. But this does not change the fact that we are who is responsible for seeking to accomplish what the Holy Spirit accomplished here. We are now the arms, legs, hands, and feet of Christ. We are now His ambassadors, seeking to deliver God's saving message to people. And so how can we be successful?

I think it has to start with us understanding that we too, must get the attention of people. Like it or not, we are not in a society that flocks to us begging us to teach them about Jesus and the gospel. We might find this on occasion, but generally speaking and for the most part, it is we who are responsible for seeking out the lost. So how do we get enough of their attention so we can get the gospel in their hands? I'm certainly no expert, and undoubtedly welcome your ideas. But here are a few that come to my mind:

• Our examples need to get people's attention (Matthew 5:13-16). Our influence and demeanor as Christians should spark people's curiosity and make them want what we have. There is something about a joyful, peaceful, and secure person that draws others to them. This is how opportunities arise.
• Our teaching needs to get people's attention. We need to support the strong preaching of Christ's gospel. We need to realize the urgency of teaching it (2 Timothy 4:2). But we have to find balance. One one hand, we cannot afford to be arrogant and pompous in our presentation of it. We must remember to always do so in love (Ephesians 4:15). On the other hand, neither can we afford to allow our fears of running people away to cause us to minimize the importance of teaching. That is just as lethal. And so the responsibility lies on us to learn how to discern when, when not, where, and how to speak up.
• Our involvement in the community--individually and congregationally--should get people's attention. We need to be thinking about effective ways to get out and let people in our communities know that we are an active family of God concerned for the souls and well-being of people. We need to demonstrate through our involvement in the community that we are interested in more than merely being right in arguments. I don't know about anyone else, as I can only speak for myself here, but I don't want to primarily be perceived as being content with sitting in our own circles talking about how we are the ones who have it all figured out.
• We need to befriend people in order to get their attention. I remember when I decided that I was going to preach full-time, a friend of mine who was a preacher reminded me that if I was lucky, 1% of my conversions would come from behind the pulpit. He wanted me to understand that I was going to have to get out and meet people and become friends with them. Folks, our conversions, for the most part are going to come in the deer blinds, on the golf courses, on fishing and hunting trips, on shopping trips, over lunch or dinner, in our homes where we are inviting people, etc. We need to be visiting those who are vulnerable, in hospitals, in nursing homes, those who have recently lost loved ones. We must allow ourselves to get involved in the lives of others. And this means that sometimes we might even need to step outside of our comfort zones. I do not think it is a mere coincidence that Jesus spent the majority of His time with those that most in His culture were uncomfortable with--tax collectors, prostitutes, adulteresses, lepers, disease-laden, the poor, the grieved and mournful, etc. Jesus knew that those who were most vulnerable were the ones most likely to respond to His willingness and desire to forgive sins.

Have a great day. Peace!

Every Time

(1) Every time I kneel to pray, I open up my heart to my Lord.
Every time I close my eyes, I feel the sweet embrace of my Lord.

(Chorus):
I don't know why so many things seem to get in the way of seeing my God's glory.
But I try every day to see Him and to thank Him for all the things He's given me.

(2) Every time I see a child, I see the gentleness of my Lord.
Every time I watch a storm, I know the awesome pow'r of my Lord.

(Chorus):
I don't know why so many things seem to get in the way of seeing my God's glory.
But I try every day to see Him and to thank Him for all the things He's given me.

(3) Every time I see the cross.

--Philip Organ

The Unknown Is Scary

Trust can be a very difficult thing. Even when we know someone well and can rationally understand that we can trust them, sometimes it is still challenging. For example, at camp last week, to demonstrate this I asked a 7th grade boy to stand with his back facing me and fall back and allow me to catch him. It took him about 4 tries, but he finally did it completely without any hesitation. He admitted that he rationally understood he had no reason to not trust that I would catch him. He was confident I would. But it was still difficult.

The unknown is scary! Trust is something that forces us to let go--to let go of our own will and submit to the will of another. It is part of our human nature to stuggle with this. And this is why it can be such a challenge for us even as God's people to lean back and allow Him to catch and carry us.

What a great example we see in Daniel 3 in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel's friends. The setting is the Jews being held captive to the Babylonians, of whom Nebuchadnezzar is serving as king. Beginning in v.8 we see that King Nebuchadnezzar expected all to bow down and worship not only him but the golden image he had set up. The consequence of not doing so, necessitated being thrown into a fiery furnace. One could easily understand the temptation to do what the king expected, even if they did not particularly care to do so. When word got to Nebuchadnezzar that Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego would not do as he commanded, he was furious. In a rage he confronted them about it. As he reminded them of the fiery furnace in which he would cast them if they refused to bow to him, notice the response given by these three faithful servants of God:

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 'Oh Nebuchadnezar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliever us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up'" (Daniel 3:16-18).

These three brave friends knew that God would deliver them in one way or another. They trusted in God's presence in their lives. They trusted that God would not forsake them. And they trusted that God's will (to serve Him only and not bow down to other gods) was better and higher than man's will. This was their faith. Their trust in God was the very reason that they were able to confidently submit to God's will. Even if God didn't deliver them from the furnace and decided to let them burn to death (which He did not-Daniel 3:28), that was still okay with them because they trusted that God would have His reasons. They understood that God has a higher will for us and sometimes although we can't see His reasoning, we still have to trust.

Faith is not deciding what I want God to do and then trusting Him to deliver. It means rather, whether He delivers like I want Him to or not, I am still going to bow down and glorify Him regardless. It means that even when I can't see His ways, I will still submit to His will in obedience to the best of my ability. Because I trust Him and what He says. Not that my obedience saves me or obligates God to include my name in the Book of life. But because my trust and faith in Him is required.

May we all always trust that He is an all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful ,and all-present God. He is in charge. If I truly believe that and put my faith in Him, then the whole submission thing takes care of itself. Yes, the unknown is scary. And that is why we often prefer our own will. Sometimes it is a natural tendency on our part. And while the Bible doesn't tell us everything we would like to know about Heaven of the afterlife (the unknown), it certainly reveals enough to us so that I can know that I want to be there. Indeed, I do. And may my trust, faith, and reliance be upon God's ability to get me to that Promised Land rather than on my own abilities (Romans 3:23).

Have a great weekend!

Another Great Conversation With Aaron

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day. Because I am a preacher, I don't get to spend Father's Days with my dad. This time he came here though, so it was really good to be with him.

Camp went great. There were no "incidences" and that is always good. Brett Gerhardt and the rest of the staff do a good job running a "tight" camp and making sure everything goes smoothly. The kids learned a lot and they, along with us as the staff had a great time. God is good!

Well, I wanted to share an interesting conversation I had with Aaron Saturday. Really, it was quite one-sided, but he taught me something I did not know. It went something like this as I was sitting at the computer.

Aaron: Hey dad, I want to tell you something and it is about God.

Jason: Certainly, I would love for you to tell me something about God. What is it?

Aaron: Well it is about how God created the world and us as people.

Jason: Oh? Let's hear it buddy.

Aaron: Well God made a man and his name was Adam. And he was the very 1st man ever. And God thought everything was good in the world that He made but Adam was very lonely and needed a wife like you dad. So God needed to make a woman and her name was going to be Eve. I don't know if she looked like mommy but she probably would act like a mommy. So to make the woman, He took some ribbon and created her. And then everything was perfect until she messed up and disobeyed God.


Hmmmm! You learn something new every day I suppose. Have I stated lately that I love having children? Thank you God for Aaron and Chase. This home would not be what it is without them.

We Bow Down

You are Lord of creation and Lord of my life,
Lord of the land and the sea.
You were Lord of the heavens before there was time,
and Lord of all lords You will be!

We bow down and we worship You Lord,
We bow down and we worship You Lord,
We bow down and we worship You Lord.
Lord of all lords You will be!

You are King of creation and King of my life,
King of the land and the sea.
You were King of the heavens before there was time,
and King of all kings You will be!

We bow down and we crown You the King,
We bow down and we crown You the King,
We bow down and we crown You the king.
King of all kings You will be!

--Twila Paris

Off To Camp, We Go.....

This morning after worship, me and 8 kids from La Grange will be heading out for our annual trip to Camp Hensel. It is always a lot of fun, although the older I get, the more difficult it becomes to get motivated in going. I already miss my bed. :-)

Please pray for us--for our safety and most importantly for our spiritual growth. It is always nice to get out there and leave behind the daily challenges of the world and grow closer to God.

I will pick up posting on my blog again after next week! Have a great one.

Peace!

You Are My All In All

(1) You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all.
Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord to give up I'd be a fool,
You are my all in all.

(2) Taking my sin, my cross, my shame,
Rising again I bless Your name,
You are my all in all.
When I fall down You pick me up,
When I am dry You fill my cup,
You are my all in all.

(Refrain) Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your name.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your name.

--Dennis L. Jernigan

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Aaron Mutton Bustin'

Here is the video of Aaron riding the sheep. Pretty funny stuff. As you will see, Aaron hung on great but the sheep stopped. This apparently was what kept him out of 1st place. That was a bummer because he held on longer than any of the other 8 kids. Oh well! It was fun...(and funny).

He had really been wanting to do this for a while. I am glad he finally got to do it. Maybe we can put him on the bronco next year, :-) Of course, Chase was mad that he couldn't ride. But he will be old enough by next year.

Law vs. Inward As A Means Of Salvation

In Romans 2:17-29, Paul continues his thoughts on the impartiality of God and how all human beings are in dire need of God’s mercy. In essence, he draws a comparison between resorting to law for salvation (it condemns) and resorting to the inward for salvation (it saves).

Regardless of what one’s relationship to the law of God is, that relationship in and of itself, will not save man. The Gentiles will not be saved by their ignorance of this law and the Jews will not be saved by their possession of this law because the only way to be saved by relationship to law is to keep it perfectly (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). There are no exceptions. God does not show favoritism. He is impartial.

Essentially, what Paul does in vv.17-24 is spoil the Jews’ hope in the law. I don’t think he is saying it is irrelevant in that they shouldn’t even bother to follow it. Of course God wants His people to follow His commands—always! But Paul is trying to get them to understand that their knowledge and possession of it is not the source of salvation. He forces these Jewish Christians to see the hypocrisy of their ways. He exposes their own sinfulness to point out that they are not perfect themselves. So the logic behind what Paul is writing here, and this has tremendous application for us too, is this: if you claim that the law saves you, and you are not obeying it (and none of us are completely), then where does that leave you? According to v.24, law-breaking dishonors God. Our sin not only is an insult to God, but ultimately causes others to sin as well. The Jews’ sin indeed impacted the Gentiles. When we sin in a community filled with non-believers, we make God’s name look bad. We fail in our efforts to enhance the reputation of Him (and His church).

Thank God we are not saved based on our adherence to His law. May God have mercy on us if we don’t try our best (Romans 6:1ff). However, let us also understand that no matter how close we are to doing so perfectly, we still fall short and therefore cannot be saved by our relationship to God’s law.

In this final section of chapter 2 (vv.25-29), it seems that Paul knew that the final straw the Jews would seek to grasp was circumcision. After all, circumcision is what made the Jews God’s special people, right? This was the sign! The token of covenant between God and His people. See Acts 15 for a lesson on what the Jews thought about circumcision and the high regard they had for it, even after Christianity commenced. They wanted to bind this on the Gentiles after they were added to the church. They looked upon their circumcision as concrete evidence that their relationship with God protected them.

And so Paul is not condemning circumcision, but merely doing with circumcision what he already did with the law—showing that it will serve as no basis for special treatment come Judgment Day. We have to understand the lesson here because it is too important for us to miss. The internal is the measure of salvation, not the external. This is where Paul now begins to hint at the need for grace. If not for grace, we are stuck with law as our system of salvation—a system in which of all us would be doomed.

By the way, “letter” as it is used in v.29 means “written code.” True spiritual circumcision is a matter of the heart being right, not about external law-keeping. The spiritual or inner circumcision, according to Paul, is the Holy Spirit working in the heart of the Christian—that is the strengthening of our hearts (John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5-8; Colossians 2:9-14).

Paul’s final words in chapter 2 are “His praise is not from man but from God.” It should be a great source of comfort that God has the ability to discern hearts. 1 John 3:20 reminds us that God is greater than our hearts. He can discern and we can’t. And its high time we quit thinking we can take on that role. When you keep this entire letter in its context, God through Paul is sending a strong message to these Christians: “You cannot see what is on the inside like I can see. So stop being critical and thinking you are better because I’m telling you, you’re not—you all fall short of law and therefore you’re all going to need something greater than law to save you if you are going to be saved.”

I think the application to us is obvious. We need to let God do the judging and worry about our own efforts to live for Him. This does not mean we can’t help each other out and encourage one another. This doesn’t mean we should not go to one another out of love and concern for each other when the need arises. It simply means that when we do so, it needs to be done with a humble disposition that recognizes that we too fall short. Our job is to lovingly reach out to and help others (and even correct, if necessary). God’s job is to pass judgment. And there is a big, big difference between these two roles!

In the first 20 verses of Romans 3, Paul continues to elaborate on the fact that all are deserving of eternal punishment, which is why we cannot be saved by law (v.20). We will pick up with this portion of this great epistle in a couple of weeks after I return from camp.

Peace!

Attitude Is Everything

There is a story about a young boy who received a chemistry set for his birthday. One morning he was playing with it and decided he was going to mix a smelly chemical with his dad's aftershave lotion. So that morning as the dad got out of the shower and shaved, and then put his aftershave on, he noticed that something stank. He then walked into the bedroom to get dressed and noticed the stinch was there as well. As he went to the kitchen to eat breakfast he asked his wife why the house stank. Then when he left for work, he still smelled the odor when he got outside and frustratingly said, "the whole world stinks."

What this dad didn't realize, was that the "stink" was on him. Attitude is a lot like that, isn't it? Perhaps we have been this way ourselves, or maybe we have known some to be this way. As Christians we are so much happier when we change our outlook on things. If we look for the negative, we will find it. There is little skill in that. And when it comes to sin, attitude is likely the first place we need to look.

Our attitude for the most part will make or break us as Christians. Paul charged Timothy to set an example in attitude (1 Timothy 4:12) and even exhorted the Philippians to think on good things and accentuate the positive (i.e., Philippians 4:8).

Notice what the psalmist has to say to Israel about attitude:

"and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God" (Psalm 78:8).

This generation of Israel's attitude literally cost them their entrance into the Promised Land. In a lot of ways our faithfulness to God hinges on attitude. Our disposition and demeanor, for the most part, will actually dictate whether or not we submit to God in faith.

Perhaps one of the greatest examples of a good attitude in the Bible is Joshua and Caleb. In Numbers 13, Moses sends twelve spies into the land of Canaan, which God had promised Israel. Moses sent them to spy out the land so that they could properly prepare in going in and conquering the land. Ten of the twelve spies came back with a negative report and in essence sent the entire nation into a frenzy. They said there was no way they could take this land because the enemy was too big and too great in number. But Joshua and Caleb knew differently. They had faith in God's presence with them and knew with the Almighty One on their side, they could conquer all things (cf. Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:28, 31). And God commended them for it:

"But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it" (Numbers 14:24).

Take note of the correlation between spirit (attitude) and submission. Caleb's attitude is what was different. That is what allowed him to stand out as unique before God. It is what distinguished him from everyone else. Obedience and keeping God's commands has everything to do with attitude. It comes from a disposition that trusts in God's ways more than our own. It is about a humility that realizes that life is not about us and therefore wants to be pleasing to God. Submission to God is about living and applying the Scriptures from the inside out. This why Jesus taught throughtout His ministry that it is the heart that matters (Matthew 5:20).

Attitude is everything!

In Moments Like These

In moments like these, I sing out a song,
I sing out a love song to Jesus.
In moments like these, I lift up my voice,
I lift up my voice to the Lord.
Singing I love You Lord, singing I love You Lord;
Singing I love You, Lord.
I love You.

In moments like these, I sing out a song,
I sing out a love song to Jesus.
In moments like these, I lift up my hands,
I lift up my hands to the Lord.
Singing I love You Lord, singing I love You Lord;
Singing I love You, Lord.
I love You.

--David Graham

"I love You, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock,
my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my mountain where I seek refuge,
my stronghold.
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I was saved from my enemies" (Psalm 18:1-3).

Judgment and Law

Here are Paul’s words in Romans 2:12-16:

“For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentitles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

C.E.B. Cranfield summarizes these words of Paul well when he says, “knowledge of the law does not in itself constitute any defense against the judgment of God.” Two things are accomplished here: (1) The Jews cannot have a sense of false confidence in thinking they are saved just because they have the Law. And (2) this quells any possible complaints that the Gentiles might have about being at a disadvantage because they didn’t have the Law of Moses. Paul is affirming that everyone is equal and deserving of God’s judgment—all are equal in that they fall short. The idea that the Jews were at a clear or distinct advantage for being given the Law is being rejected in this section.

Remember in v.11, Paul had just stated that God does not show favoritism. He is not partial. There are no “favorites.” So in verse 12, Paul clarifies this by reminding them that each of them is susceptible to the judgment of God. Regardless whether you have been given a formal law or special revelation at all, you will still be judged and fall short. This term “perish” here means the complete process of destruction of a person. It is what we deserve. This is part of Paul’s whole point. There is a message for both groups here: (1) To the Jews, they have the law but they must abide by it. Just “possessing” the Law does not relieve them of judgment. And (2) to the Gentiles who did not receive a special law (i.e., Law of Moses) it is not required in order to be subject to God’s judgment. In other words, neither will not having the Law excuse them from judgment. The point to both Jew and Gentile here is that just hearing God’s law is not what is going to justify them anyway. Doing what God says is what matters to God, not merely hearing it. Hearing it is a waste of time if we don’t do what He actually commands.

The term “law” as Paul is using it here, is a direct reference to the Law of Moses. But because of what he says in v.14 however, is why I don’t think the application here is exclusively the Law of Moses. Paul shows that this idea of law, while directly referring to the Law of Moses, is indicative of any law. It seems that vv.14-15 here should be considered in light of Romans 1:19-20. Remember Paul said that God has still given the Gentiles knowledge of law so that they are without excuse. Now he is affirming that they have God’s law in their hearts (v.15). What they have in their hearts is not the "Law of Moses." But rather there is a certain instinctual knowledge of right and wrong possessed by the Gentiles, although they didn’t possess the Law of Moses. The ability to discern right from wrong is something that is woven into the very core of their hearts—therefore they still are without excuse. And just the like the Law of Moses is not able to save, neither is this law of the Gentiles' hearts. These Gentiles to whom Paul is referring are no more able to keep their law perfectly than the Jews were able to keep theirs.

Thus, don’t forget contextually, Paul’s overall point here is that law in general falls short in its ability to justify us, because of man’s inability to keep it perfectly. The alternative to law-keeping as a means of justification will be offered beginning in the latter part of the next chapter (Romans 3:23-24). Paul ends this section with a simple acknowledgment of the Judgment Day. Basically it is a concluding touch on making his point that all are liable to Judgment according to how we have obeyed God’s law or commands; and consequently, all are deserving of perishing (i.e., eternal destruction). Also, once again…..let us take note in v.16 of WHO does the judging. This certainly also implies who does not do the judging.

Ben Witherington III, in his commentary, has some interesting thoughts concerning this section of Romans. This will conclude our study of this section:

“The message is, then, not only about the impartiality of God, though that is emphasized, but also about the fact that all humans are equally in need of mercy in view of their sin, including particularly those Jews who should have been teachers to the blind but in fact proved to be less than good exemplars of what the Law required. Having the Law is no guarantee of doing the Law, and merely having it is no protection against God’s judgment on disobedience, for all human behavior will be judged by God. Even being a Jewish teacher does not exempt one from God’s righteous judgment on sin nor from the need to hear and heed the gospel proclamation.”

Thanksgiving

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Apostle Paul stated,

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

In a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, David uttered,

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him; bless his name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5).

Because we are merely human beings and therefore fallible, it is likely that all of us at some point in our lives have forgotten how blessed we really are. Consider the following:

• If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. One third of the world does not have access to even one.

• If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

• If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

• If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

• If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof on your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

• If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

• If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, even in the United States.

• If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

• If you prayed yesterday and today, you are blessed because you believed in God’s willingness to hear and answer prayer.

• If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two million people in the world who cannot read anything at all.

I do not know where these "statistics" came from. I found them in a "stash" of old articles I have kept over the years. Nevertheless, I thought some of these were interesting as they really put in perspective how even when we are down, we should remember that it can always be worse. I hope that we will take the time each day to count our blessings. God is good to us in more ways than we can imagine. We are certainly blessed beyond what we could ever deserve (Matthew 5:43-48; John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9).

Have a good day!