Posted by Pastor Pat on December 23, 2008
As I think about this Advent season, I am reprimanded by my neglect individually and perhaps corporately. Although the Hero has arrived, we continue to ignore His presence. We enter Advent with little thought and preparation. We do not anticipate or expect His appearance. I do not believe celebrating Christmas as it currently exists undermines the truth it contains, but I do believe that we must not forget who and what this is all about. Although the words on paper read harshly, my intent is not to chasten, but to remind. It is to speak as a Shepherd and not as the Butcher. Today, my intent is to be touched by God.
When we consider the season of Advent, our own actions and attitudes toward Christmas appear vulgar, if not blasphemous. We have so commercialized the story of God that only a hard right turn will put us back on course. In life, it seems that greed and not God controls us. It is self-serving action and not sacrifices on any level that marks us and characterizes our lives. We are heirs of the promise and joint-heirs with Christ, yet we live puny lives simply because we do not know and live in the story.
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Earlier the Bible told of a villain who sought, through deception and blatant tyranny, to overthrow the rule of God (Gen. 3:1-7). It is impossible to know why the author included the villain in His story, but his presence will show the power, justice, and grace of the primary character. In our story, God can introduce the antagonist without undermining His person and purpose. In the story, the antagonist, the villain, acts freely yet within the purpose of the author. The creator, author, king, and hero exercises dominion over that which is created.
Because the Bible is a story we can freely speak of author, villain, and hero. Just as the author wrote into the story a villain, so also is the hero spoken of as the antithesis to the evil. The word “hero” comes directly from the Greek language and means “defender, protector.” The hero is distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength. Usually the hero is the principal character and will fight for a cause. http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 22, 2008
In the story of God, the villain is sin and the devil. God wrote the villain into His story. Although we cannot know exhaustively as to why He wrote the villain into the story, we do know the villain will show the power, justice, and grace of God.
Why the villain? “In fiction, villains commonly function in the dual role of adversary and foil to the story’s heroes. In their role as adversary, the villain serves as an obstacle the hero must struggle to overcome. In their role as foil, the villain exemplifies characteristics that are diametrically opposed to those of the hero, creating a contrast distinguishing heroic traits from villainous ones.” Wikipedia
One of the great problems that exist for many is how God can be the author of the story and still write into the script the villain. I would like to consider three basic ideas present in the storyline. First, God is the Creator of all things outside Himself (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16, 17). God created everything. He is the Creator. That is His position, role, and function. This is His status. He is the Creator and everything outside of Him is created. Thus, He may do what He wants with what is His, and what He does is always right.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 21, 2008
The Bible is a story. It is a story from which all other stories find their substance. Words such as epic, larger-than-life, and classic find their source in this one story. Folklore and mythology all find their soil in the Bible. It would be erroneous to think of the Bible as folklore or mythological. The Bible is the true standard from which all deviations and distortions originally flowed. It is a story of a Creator who acts, an Author who writes, a King who rules, and a Hero who wins. It contains villains, war, defeat and victory.
Often we read the Bible as if it was not a story or as if it were a poorly written story. I have read many books over the years, and all the good ones have a single plot with many different sub-plots contributing to the one story. I just finished reading SHOGUN. James Clavell wrote the work in 1975. It has various characters such as Blackthorne, Toranaga, Ishido, Mariko, etc. Yet with all of the various sub-plots, the story is singular. Everything James Clavell places in the story contributes to the final end. This same idea rings true with J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic work, The Lord of the Rings.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 19, 2008
So…what does it mean to be freed from the presence of sin? First, it would assume we understand to even the smallest degree what impact sin has had on our lives and circumstances. Think of all the trauma and heartache that exists in the world. Think with me of every tear that has been shed from the complete and utter anguish of soul when it is visited by hopelessness and dashed dreams.
Even then our inability to comprehend fully the loss this entails calls me to be cautious in any attempt to describe what freedom from the presence of sin might be like. Nonetheless what says the Scripture?
Everything about our existence is marred by sin. Nothing has escaped the touch of sin’s denigrating influence. Everything is in decay. Nothing is sustained indefinitely. Our hearts cry out in pain. We cannot feel because sin has dulled our sense of touch. We cannot see because sin has clouded our vision. We cannot hear because sin has silenced the voice of God. We cannot taste because sin has made us calloused to the true things of God.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 17, 2008
Romans 6: 7 – “for he who has died is freed from sin.”
It is the freedom from the penalty of sin that now affords me freedom from the power of sin. Sin’s authority over a people marked by the cross has been completely removed. Our death to sin has freed us from sin. Sin is no longer to rule over us. Sin once reigned and its reign resulted in death (Rom. 5:21), but sin’s reign has come to an end (Rom. 6:12).
The reign of sin speaks of its authority or power over its subjects. Sin was once king but has since been dethroned. Our Lord Jesus Christ led an insurrection against it and won. Sin no longer has authority over the people of God. It is hard for us to process the idea that sin no longer has authority over us when it would appear that we sin so easily. Yet, sin has no power over us because of Jesus Christ.
Sin pulls relentlessly at the hem of our garments. It leans against us ever so slightly but persistently until we bow under its enduring weight. This is the power of sin. It makes us doubt the goodness of God. It wants us to believe that His love for us is conditional and His acceptance of us is performance based. It delights in keeping us in bondage to its residue. It wants us to believe that God’s forgiveness, although complete, is still qualified. This is the power of sin. And it is this that the power of the cross has destroyed. As His people we have freedom from the power of sin.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 16, 2008
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,” Romans 8:3
Let me begin with a sentence that I will break down into five short statements.
The work of Christ (1 Pet. 2:24)
as the outworking of the Trinitarian eternal purpose (Eph. 1:4)
in behalf of His people (Matt. 20:28)
against sin (Rom. 8:3)
is finished (John 19:30).
So what…what difference does this “doctrine” make in the daily grind and routines of life?
My attempt in this short meditation is to unpack this idea.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 15, 2008
Ten times in Genesis 1 the biblical text records for the reader the statement, “And God said” (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, and 29).
God said, “Let there be light” and there was light (Gen. 1:3). There was no hesitancy or delay in the response to “Let there be light.” Immediately, light “popped” into existence. In the absence of nothingness came matter.
God said, “Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear” and it was so (1:9, 11, 24). There was no flicker of doubt as to what would be once God spoke. He said . . . and it was so.
God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion [and] be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it (1:26, 28).” Mankind’s continued triumph inside of the created order argues for the ongoing fulfillment of this divine directive.
God said and it was so. There is no moment of delay between what God wills to do and what is done. We make promises we cannot keep. We have desires that go unfulfilled and hopes that lie dashed on the shores of failed expectations. None of this exists in God. What He wills to do He does.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 14, 2008
Do we really understand what we have in Christ? I know we are Christians, but do we really know what that means? To be sure we are not Buddhists or Muslims or Hindus, but do we know what it means to be Christian?
Unfortunately, Christianity is more noted for what we do or not do than for who He is, what He has done, and who His people now are because of it. Do we openly and regularly celebrate the nature of His cross-work and confirming resurrection?
Christians are different than non-Christians for the simple reason that we are forgiven of all our transgressions (Col. 2:13). As Christians we no longer carry the burden of guilt that daily and habitually grind the non-Christian into fine dust fragments of what it means to be made in His image. We no longer live with fear of the unknown or of God. We have a peace that passes all human understanding (Phil. 4:7). Christians are different because we live contented lives and die with hope (1 Thess. 4:13).
Christians do not live with the burden of trying to please their God and somehow in ways unknown they try to stumble into His favor and blessing (Eph. 1:3, 1 Thess. 5:23, 24). Christians do not carry grudges or judge people ruthlessly or live intolerant lives toward those who are different in culture, worship, or belief (Rom. 14). Christians love their enemies and do good to those who despitefully use them (Luke 6:27). Christians forgive even as they have been forgiven (Eph. 4:32).
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 12, 2008
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Ps. 42:1-3
Every believer has gone through periods when they simply do not have the motivation to read their Bible, pray, or even want to attend church.
For those of us in the Midwest we are very much accustomed to the 4 seasons of the year.
Winter is that season of the year where everything lies dormant and appears dead and unyielding. The two bookends to winter’s tenure are the seasons of transitions; fall and spring. Fall leads us into winter and spring leads us out of winter. Summer is somewhat enigmatic. Because of our present schooling year, summer becomes a time of family vacations, cookouts and visitation.
I enjoy the seasons. Each one makes me glad for the other three. In the summer I look forward to winter and in the winter I look forward to the summer. One of the tremendous beauties in our seasons is the changing of the leaves. Many in the Mid-West take time out to run up North for the changing of the colors. Even here in our own communities we find the color of the leaves breathtaking.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 11, 2008
Rick Warren, in 1995, wrote, “Surfing is the art of riding waves that God builds. God makes the waves; surfers just ride them. No surfer tries to create waves. If the waves aren’t there, you just don’t surf that day! On the other hand, when surfers see a good wave, they make the most of it, even if that means surfing in the middle of a storm. Only God can create waves – waves of revival, waves of growth, and waves of spiritual receptivity.” (Warren, The Purpose-Driven Church, 13-14).
His observation is insightful and correct. In God’s good providence He has chosen to bring us through many events that, at times, appeared dark and less than favorable. In the midst of our hardships we often lost sight of the larger picture. We were so close to the problem that the various pieces were all fuzzy. God, in His grace, is slowly allowing us to step back and see the bigger picture. Activities that once appeared to be disjointed are now coming into focus. God is choosing to act in our midst. God is creating a wave of opportunity that is going to launch us into this century in a mighty way. It is not something we will be able to explain or take credit for. It will be big enough that only God could have done it and only He will be able to receive glory for it. There are lessons we have learned over the last few years that are invaluable. They are lessons He has wanted us to learn in preparation for this moment.
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“If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.” Is. 7:9
The year was 720 BC. The messenger was the prophet to the kings, himself of royal descent. The recipient of the message was the wicked king of the Southern Tribe Ahaz. The nation stood on the brink of civil war with the 10 Northern tribes seeking to ravage their Southern “brothers.” “The hearts of the people shook as the trees of the forest shake with the wind (7:2).” Isaiah’s message was simple, “Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands (7:4).” And yet he added a very sobering reminder, “If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.” Isaiah’s words remind us of our two options for living life. We will either believe “the facts of God” or work off of “the feelings of man.”
The circumstances facing Ahaz were real and threatening.
He could “see the white of their eyes.” He could “feel the weight of their words.” He could “taste the darkness” that was beginning to swallow up the nation. And yet Isaiah called him to believe God. God would destroy the Northern tribes. None of the evil planned against Judah would stand or come to pass (7:7).
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“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly.” Romans 12:3-6
I have always found our text fascinating as it relates to grace, ministry and God. As recipients of grace several truths emerge from the text. First, grace is something given. Because it is a gift we have no right to think of ourselves better than anyone else. We did not deserve it. We could not merit it. In fact our depravity made it such that we did not seek it, understand it, or want it (Romans 3:10ff). The idea behind, “to think more highly of himself,” is “to be arrogant, haughty, egotistical, and bigheaded.” The synonyms show us the ugliness that our attitude can take toward others. The second truth emerging from the text is that each of us has a different measure of faith/grace. Whatever grace we have is through divine allotment. This really shows us the foolishness of comparison. Paul said, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10). It is equally foolish for us to wish to be something we’re not. You and I are special by design (Psalm 139). Third, God has placed each of us in the body of Christ, His Church, intentionally, purposefully and thoughtfully. First Corinthians 7:17 says, “The Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk” speaks of this divine allotment. This same truth is brought out in 1 Corinthians 12:11 concerning our placement in His body, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” I cannot be what others are and that is not God’s intent. I can only be what I am by His grace. I find the imagery breath-taking. God has crafted me for His use within His body for His glory. Each of us has a role, a function, a ministry and God is working in us and through us to those around us.
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“A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 2:16
If Galatians is the first of Paul’s letters (which is the assumption we are making), then he is using the word “justified” for the first time in Galatians 2:16. What does it mean when the Scripture speaks of one being justified? “Justification is a legal term meaning to remove the guilt (liability to punishment) of the sinner. It does not involve making one inwardly holy, but merely declares that the demands of justice have been satisfied. Hence, there is no ground for condemnation (Rom. 8:1).” ”Justification is a judicial act of God by which He declares the sinner righteous and treats him as such.” Justification includes the forgiveness of sin as well as the imputation of righteousness. Justification is one of those theological words that many are familiar with but few actually understand and fewer still enjoy.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 10, 2008
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Matt. 16:6
The Pharisees started well. Their intentions were noble, but somewhere along the way they lost sight of what truly mattered and in so doing their “traditions” took precedence over the very Word of God (Matt. 15 & Mark 7). What does it mean to live under the laws of legalism? It is tragic, but Paul’s battle with legalism in the Galatian church is not yet finished. If we learn anything from our Lord’s temptation in Matthew 4 and Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 5:8 it is that the devil is a relentless foe. Today’s victories are never sufficient for tomorrow’s battles. We would be foolish to think that legalism has not wormed its way into our own lives and into the life of the church. It is an obstinate antagonist that has absolutely no scruples.
A legalist believes his upbringing makes him a child of heaven (Matt. 2:9). He actually thinks where he was born, to whom he was born and to what he was born makes him better than others. He is more concerned about obedience to rules than about the salvation and deliverance of the hurting (Matt. 9:11, 14, 34; 12:2; Lk. 14:3; Jn. 9:16). Rather than break their “traditions” they would rather see the hurting, despair and the hungry, die (Lk. 7:39). A legalist loves money more than ministry (Lk. 16:14). They have convinced themselves that a price can be put on the human soul.
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