THE OLD NAG IS DEAD
I came across this article by Gloria Furman on the Gospel Coalition website that addresses the topic of nagging, which she confesses is one of her own tendencies. Gloria shares a better perspective, as well as ways to break free of this approach to making people what you want them to be.
It’s not that I think any of my readers need this article, but you might have a “friend” who really ought to read it!
WHAT ENVY WANTS
A couple days ago I shared an article on “How envy behaves” from the Tim Challies Blog. Today I am sharing this following up article he wrote entitled “What envy wants”.
Challies shows the destructive nature of envy and how it delivers a very different result than what it promises those who take up its cause. If you missed the earlier article, I hope you will go back and read that one as well. Considering the common and powerful draw of envy upon our lives, it is instructive and helpful to understand envy disrobed of its sparkle and charm.
SPIRITUAL MOTHERING
Debbie Huber, Guest Blogger
When Kyle and I were married almost 23 years ago, one of our friends went around with a video camera during the reception interviewing the guests, asking them what they would like to say to us. Our mothers were each interviewed separately and unbeknownst to each other they both gave us the same words of wisdom: “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger” from Ephesians 4:26 (after those interviews it became a running joke and everyone after them gave us the same advice on the video!). We really enjoyed that video as a gift.
Those words of advice have never left me! When there has been a (rare) disagreement between Kyle and me and it is getting close to bedtime, I always remember and try to apply it. This godly wisdom not only came from women who are our earthly mothers, but who are also our spiritual mothers because they truly love the Lord and seek to live out His word every day.
Many Christian women have provided me with godly advice, or have been godly role models by how they seek to live out God’s word in their lives. There is a woman who recently lost her husband and although she has intense sadness because she misses him, she has never once complained and has not missed opportunities to serve God in our church. She is an example to me of where my foundation should be, because sadness and hardship will come.
God, in His word, teaches the principle of the spiritual mothering relationship between older women and younger women. Even though I don’t always feel like it, I am in the older woman category! God has taught me through experiences where I did seek to follow Him in my relationships and how I parented my children; and He has been as faithful in the countless times when I learned a hard lesson by stubbornly using my own “wisdom”. God has chosen to use older women to pass on His wisdom to the younger. I need to take that role seriously.
I also need the wisdom of godly women in my life now to help point me to God’s word. So I am a younger woman too! I need to seek to develop relationships with godly older women who have spiritual maturity.
The pressure in our society today is that we don’t need help from older women. There are books with newer theories and the old ways are considered outdated or even ridiculed. Don’t believe it! God’s word is the only source of wisdom for all of life. It is easy to fall prey to the pressure to follow the ways of the world.
Are we seriously considering our roles in the spiritual mother/spiritual daughter relationship? Are we seeking to develop relationships with Christian women who are older and younger than us?
Greentree’s discipleship groups are not age specific. What a blessing to have a variety of ages of women to share in life’s joys and sorrows together, encouraging one another in God’s ways. Why not take the step and join one?
HOW ENVY BEHAVES
Tim Challies does a nice job in this blog article as he lays out how ENVY operates in our heart, and so how it affects our life.
Envy is a sin that pulls at the hearts of people everywhere. Yet, with our American Dream perspective of always moving ahead, envy is almost transformed into a virtue in today’s culture. Perhaps we have become used to the fact that houses and cars get nicer every year, so we are not quite as impacted with neighbor’s envy as we once were. But that has been replaced with continually upgraded electronic gadgets. What we just had to have last year, is now embarrassingly out of date this year.
Television is loaded with envy producing programs. I guess we are supposed to be envious of the lifestyles portrayed by the Housewives of Timbuktu etc. We ooh and ahh over spectacular kitchen makeovers that we wish could be our own. The Travel Channel gives us glimpses of resorts and vacations that we also “deserve” to enjoy.
Of course there are many other avenues, some more subtle when it comes to envy. As believers we can be envious of the unbeliever or the superficial believer who does not serve God as “we do” yet they seem to have a smoother life. Pastors are not immune to wondering why churches that appear to water down the truth appear to enjoy staggering success, while we “faithful ones” are mired in slow growth or no growth situations.
As with all things sinful and struggling, the answer is in how we look at God. He is the main character in every situation and nuance of life. All sin problems are struggles with how we view God and love him. Instead of envying the world, spend a few minutes slowly reading over Ephesians chapter 1, which lays before us the truly staggering and astonishingly rich blessings we have in Christ.
What is there to envy when we have “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” and “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints“? For those of us adopted, forgiven, redeemed, justified, indwelled, empowered and perfectly loved – what excuse holds water for not being filled with contentment and gratitude rather than wanting and envy?
TEAM HOYT
Many of you have probably seen these amazing story, if so it is worth seeing again, and if not you need to watch. There are many valuable lessons to be gained from this father / son story. Among them is a truth that our nation should be ashamed to even be debating, life is not a choice it is God’s gift!
Yet even in this story of amazing dedication and accomplishment, two thoughts stood out to me
First, is that Ricks dad will not always be there for him. Even the most dedicated among us will fail. Only Christ will never fail to be all we need.
Second, for reasons we are not told, Ricks parents were divorced. Even the most noble among us has brokenness. Only Christ is is whole and perfect in all he is and does
A LOVE STORY
Marriage is meant to be a wonderful blessing to life and an important out working of God’s character in and through us. The fact that we are sinners makes this very challenging for any couple. Ian and Larissa Murphy have an added and enormous challenge in their relationship, but that has also made their example all the more powerful. I hope you will watch their story
DO YOU BELIEVE?
A small number of people (relatively) deny that God exists
This denial is portrayed as an intellectual issue, but in truth it is a heart issue, involving pride and the exaltation of man
A far greater number of people deny the revealed truth of God
They have no qualms about God’s existence and when loved ones die, they are quick to claim a belief in Heaven; but they make no attempt to live under God’s Word
These individuals like to believe that God has either given or will accept a variety of truth bearing pathways. This protects them from feeling obligated to be held accountable to a specific truth which calls them to obedience
This category is by far the largest, at least in our nation. We are supposedly a “God fearing” people (an old fashioned designation), or a “people of faith” (a phrase which is more palatable to modern sensibilities).
Americans don’t deny God’s existence; they just want to define Him on their own. People reject God’s Word, because it removes our right to self-rule and it confronts us with absolutes
Then there are Christians, who believe in God AND his infallible Word
We own multiple copies of the Bible; we applaud pastors who forcefully declare its power; and we have plaques with favorite sentiments from it in our homes
Yet, at times true Christians act like “practical atheists”. What I mean is that we proclaim God’s existence, but neglect to live as if he is as real as we say. We consider ourselves to be “Bible believing” Christians, yet don’t want to get too carried away in what the Bible has to say
Here are a few questions to consider in regard to how much atheism hides in our life:
Do you believe God is always present – but spend little time getting to know him?
Do you believe God’s Word is unfailing – yet listen to and follow unbiblical counsel?
Do you believe God is holy – but think he will ignore your sin?
Do you believe God forgives sin – but think he is holding your sin against you?
Do you believe God’s strength and wisdom are infinite – but keep trying to fix life yourself?
Do you believe God is perfect – but complain that he has failed you, or that his ways are impractical?
Do you believe God is Lord of all – but still want to rule over what is “yours?”
Let us put our money where our mouth is – and live in a way that shows we really are “believers”. Let us show that we believe God is always present with us. Let us show that we believe his word is a reflection of his perfect character and a demonstration of his complete wisdom.
IN GOD’S HANDS
If life is in God’s hands, what should be our focus?
Make sure He always has our heart
Our priority should be a growing love for God. If our heart is in God’s hands, it is impossible for our life not be used well. But if we persist in sinfulness, we are pushing God and his wondrous plans away from us. And if we are half-hearted, we will not even notice what God wants to do in and through us
Get engaged in people’s lives
We don’t have to be gifted or talented people. God has all the abilities we need. When we see that our potential is measured by his will and power rather than our own, it should encourage us to take bigger steps in seeking to be used by God. Don’t detach yourself from the people God will enable you to touch. And don’t avoid the situations where God wants to use you.
Trust when circumstances are difficult
No matter what happens to us or against us, it takes place within the safe and good hands of God. This reality does not keep situations from being difficult, but it does encourage us to trust his promise to have “all things work together for good” for those who love God. Knowing we are in God’s hands turns reactions of despair into words of praise
Make prayer the life blood of all you do
God is the only hope we have for what we need most of all. He is our everything – how foolish not to spend time with him every day. How could we possibly have a better start or finish to our day than to spend time with God? If we don’t spend much time with God, how can we say we are depending upon him?
Does our attitude and lifestyle show that we truly believe that we are in God’s hands?
WHAT GOD DOES THROUGH US
I Corinthians 3:5-8
“Who is Paul and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one; I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
We should not think too much of ourselves, because we are only servants of God
Our ministry is only effective through faithfulness to follow his ways and share his gospel. We can impact people’s lives, but we cannot transform their souls.
None of our abilities or resources were created by us. These are all gifts from a gracious God. Everything in our life reaches its potential, when it is placed in God’s hands. Any success we have is a manifestation of God’s grace. This means increasing success rests in more God and more grace, not more of us
The verses above tell us we should view everyone who truly serves Christ as our co-worker. Sometimes we look down on the efforts of other believers because they don’t serve up to our standards. Or, we look down on them because they attend a church we think is a lesser work of God than our own. But we are not in separate kingdoms looking across a border at each other. In Christ we share in a single plan.
We should not think too little of our labor, because it is the work of God
We are only servants but what a work we have been given! We who not anything are used to change people’s everything! We get to be part of the biggest stuff happening in the universe
We need to consciously change our focus from how hard it is to serve God, to how great is our God. It is not our place to assign value to the work we do work for God. And we are not capable of knowing the effects of how God uses us. 1 Corinthians 12:22 says “the members of the body which seem to be weaker – are necessary”.
God values our service differently than we often do. Many things that seem successful to us are human achievements that will quickly fade, like the flowers in a field. And other things we felt were botched or of no value will in fact become eternal monuments of God grace and mercy.
One example of how God values efforts differently than we do is found in Mark 12:41-44.
(Jesus) watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
What you can give to the kingdom of God may be rather meager, whether it is your finances or your abilities. But if you are giving who you are and what you have to God – He makes it something special. And what God blesses for his kingdom, is blessed forever!
SERMON LEFTOVERS 5.07.12
Connected to Care 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
We have seen in previous weeks that we have a mutual responsibility in the church to grow together and to care for one another. In this message we look at being Connected to Care
Our connection is not a choice it is a reality (vs 12-13)
Through Christ we enter a new relationship with God and each other
Being part of the “body of Christ” is not merely something believers ought to do; it is something God has done
These relationships with God and each other should be deeper than what we experience in the world
Through the Holy Spirit these relationships become greater than the sum of our parts
We may have different purposes in mind, but the Spirit does not. He works all things for one kingdom
Paul points out two absurdities
1. When a part of the body thinks it is independent of the body (vs 14-19)
Christians thinking they can live independent of other believers is as absurd as your eye thinking it can live on its own.
The absurdity is in thinking so little of the Church
God is the One who says our connection as a body is necessary. This is not a claim made up by pastors
The Church is an essential part of how God carries out his plan
Neglect of the Church is a form of self-rule and rebellion (a harsh statement, but true nonetheless)
If we are not involved with the rest of Christ’s body, our life suffers
We are more vulnerable to sin and discouragements
We have less of the life God intended
2. When part of the body thinks it doesn’t need other parts (vs 21-22)
Christians thinking they can ignore other members is as absurd as your head telling your feet they’re not needed.
The absurdity is in thinking we are sufficient in ourselves
God made us to need each other
The Holy Spirit gives each believer a part to play in the lives of other believers (v18)
Each of us needs care, because the world is a bruising and self-serving place
Each of us needs accountability, because it is hard for us to see ourselves clearly
Our children need this connection, so they can have peer relationships in a God-centered environment
Parents please do not let your children choose whether or not they are involved in church; harmful paths are not much of a choice (you wouldn’t let them choose not to go to school)
Paul brings a conclusion to his word picture of the body (vs 25-26)
Although we do have differences, there should not be “division” in the body
There are various causes of division that keeps us from caring for one another:
1. The most obvious division is due to conflict
Restoration is the only path God has given us to take
2. Neglect, because we don’t think about our responsibilities for one another
If we don’t work on building closer relationships, this will not change
3. Discomfort, because we are unsure how to make connections with others
This is where being in a small group can help us
4. Generational division, caused by differences in styles of music etc create tensions
We need patience and understanding for one another; as well as a recognition that the church (and church services) are for all generations, not just one.
Although churches may naturally draw a particular age group, I think it is unhealthy when a church tries to be for just one generation.
The opposite of division in the church, is when all receive “the same care”’ (v25)
This is only possible if we are all involved. True care is too big a job to be carried by some of the church
This is only possible if we are all available, otherwise how does the rest of the church know your need?
God expects you to be connected
So what kind of member of the body are you?
MISSING member who attends sporadically
LAME member who attends, but is uninvolved
INFECTED member who is involved, but causes pain
CANCEROUS member who lives in sin (which by nature will spread)
HEALTHY member who is connected in growing and caring
