Do you deserve a break today?

You deserve a break today! Does that phrase bring back memories? I asked several people what this phrase brought to mind and three out of four were able to place it. This catchy slogan may not have shaped our culture, but it certainly tells us what we want to hear. The generation in which we are living today, more than any other generation in American history, believes it really does deserve something. I guess we could debate about what brought us to this point in history, but that would only cause a distraction. What I cannot help but wonder is, what it is we think we deserve.

If someone commits a crime, especially something very heinous, we think they deserve a punishment that fits their crime. On the other hand, we cannot stand to see the people we deem as an innocent or good endure hard times. In fact, it is this type of suffering that many people give as reason for not believing in God. Then there are those of us that feel like we deserve what ever we want when ever we want it. Unfortunately, what we really deserve in life is not simply determined by who our parents are, social status, or actions. What we really deserve in life is determined by the fact that we are human.

Here is the truth; we are all sinners that deserve eternal separation from God, and not just after death, but right now. Unfortunately, this includes even the most innocent of us. The moment we are born we are sinners, and there is nothing in our own power that we can do to overcome this. We do not deserve this world He created for us. We do not deserve to live easy lives. We do deserve to smile and laugh and enjoy life. And we certainly do not deserve to know He exists. Most people do not want to hear this and even if they do hear someone say it, they will refuse to accept it, but it is the truth.

Everything we have that brings joy, every provision we have, and any safety that we know is by God’s grace. It is this grace, the grace that Peter hoped believers would know, that leads to God’s amazing mercy.

1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

God’s grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy He withholds the judgment and condemnation we are due. He has given the people of this world the opportunity to be reconciled in their relationship with Him, to know abundant life, and for that He is truly worthy to be praised.

What do we deserve? What have we been given?

Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams

1 Peter 1:2 May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

It could easily be assumed that Peter was using a canned greeting at the beginning of his first letter to the early Church. On the other hand, couldn’t it been much more than that. Couldn’t it be that Peter was offering a blessing or a prayer much like the priestly prayer from the days of Moses (Numbers 6:22-26)? I am convinced that Peter is not just wishing these early Christians “champagne wishes and caviar dreams;” but rather has come to know God’s grace and peace in increasing measure, and desires this for all believers.

God’s grace and peace do not simply refer to good times with great things happening. In fact, the context of this proves that they are likely not tied to circumstances at all. The Christians of this time were persecuted in ways that most of us today cannot identify with. Yet here is Peter, wishing them to know grace and peace in increasing measure. Could he have hoped that their situations would grow more stable with increasing measure? He certainly could, but he also could have hoped for them to experience God’s grace and peace abundantly in spite of the circumstances they found themselves experiencing.

God’s grace, His unmerited favor and His power to live the life to which we have been called, is not tied to physical circumstances. To know the peace of God that passes understanding does not require a life on Easy Street. In fact, I would suggest that neither of these are directly correlated to the circumstances of life but are totally dependant upon the God that rules over all circumstances. Let me assure you, in case you have not figured this out on your own, there are terrible things that happen to us in this life. There are things that we cannot explain, things that hurt us to the very core, but be assured of this, even in the worst of times you can know God’s grace and peace.

Let me challenge you as you read these words to stop focusing on your present situation and start focusing on the Eternal God that rules all situations. Cling to Him, hang on to His promises that He will never leave you or forsake you, that He works all things for the good of His people, and that His grace is sufficient for you. Some days it will be difficult, almost impossible, but you can trust that He can take care of you. Imagine what the disciples experienced as they crossed the sea with Jesus and a storm came up. Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat and they were afraid. In fact, the disciples thought they were all going to die. Yet when they woke Jesus he did not react in fear, but once again demonstrated His amazing power as He called for the storm to stop and it did.

God loves you and has already saved you from your sins by faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t just trust Him for your eternity, but put Him on the throne of your life and trust in Him for every moment, and I pray that you will know His grace and peace in increasing measure every step of the way.

Who Are We Really Helping?

I came across a video that gives a clear illustration of how easy it is to get things turned around. Please, take the time to watch it all the way through (less than two minutes), I think it just might surprise you.

This is the Truth

(I had to link to it for copyright reasons)

This video demonstrates a stark contrast between truth and falsehood. Unfortunately, there are many messages presented in our world today that are disguised much more cleverly. In writing to the early church, Peter called believers to be ready to explain our hope in Christ with gentleness and respect. The context around that call helps us to see that we are to be willing to do the right thing even if it means that people do not want to accept it or persecute us for it.

This is our call, and as presented and agreed upon in our last meeting, everyone needs to hear this truth that brings us hope. If the people that know it, who have had their eyes opened by the Holy Spirit, will not tell, someone will say something. Peter’s second letter gives us a strong warning that false teachers will rise up and mislead people.

2 Peter 1:21-2:3 (NIV) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

We can come up with plenty of reasons to explain why we do not share the truth of the gospel. We can justify why we do not hold one another accountable to the scriptures. We can seperate ourselves from persecution for doing right. I just cannot help but wonder, if we continue along this path, who are we really helping?

More Than One Way to Skin This Cat

We know that the work of Jesus Christ on the cross is the only way that we could ever hope to know God. Unfortunately, many will not accept that all paths do not lead to heaven. Even though there is only one message that brings salvation, there are many ways in which we can share that message. As the old saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Dwight L. Moody was a shoe salesman that encountered God and was changed in an amazing way. When he heard the comment, “It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him.” Moody’s answer was “Well I will be that man.” I cannot tell you whether or not Moody would have said later that he had achieved this goal. What I can say is that God did use him, just an ordinary man, in a mighty and everlasting way.

I was recently reminded of Mr. Genor, an ordinary man with an extraordinary story. After encountering God, his life was drastically changed. He committed to sharing a simple witness with ten people every day. Eventually that witness touched lives from all around the world.

I personally know a slightly eccentric, yet ordinary man named George. He is constantly thinking of ways to engage people in spiritual conversations. He always has a story to tell of someone he has recently spoken with, about the things of God.

I know of another ordinary man that for years has knocked on people’s front doors in an attempt to share the gospel with anyone that would open the door. Richard has been used by God to touch life after life, but will likely not know, in this life, how God has truly used him.

Different people using different methods, all empowered by God to do what all Christians have been called to do. Read our focal passage from last week again, Matthew 28:16-20. Notice, as Jesus sent His disciples out to teach others, He did not prescribe a particular method, He prescribed the content of their message. Whether you prefer cold calls or relational evangelism, the Socratic Method versus servant evangelism, or any other method, we must realize it is not the method we use that changes lives. Jesus changes lives; we are simply given the opportunity to be a part of what He is doing.

We must keep this in sight. If our focus becomes our methods, programs, style, or any other trait that we develop, we are in danger of replacing the Lord of the work, with the very work He has called us to perform. Jesus must remain our top priority. As you go, love Jesus with all of your being and love the people He loves in any way you can, and let Him do what He does best. The results just might astound you.

A Few Good Christians

One of my favorite movie exchanges of all time was an exchange between Colonel Jessup (Jack Nicholson) and Lieutenant Kaffee (Tom Cruise) in the movie, A Few Good Men. Jessup is being questioned about the abuse of a soldier under his command, when Kaffee challenges him, “I want the truth!” Jessup answers vehemently, “You can’t handle the truth. Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns.” We live in a world that is not all it could be, that is for sure. I think Jessup has it right though, most of us would just as soon not know the truth, but rather some semblance of the truth that makes us feel good about the life we live and the things we do.

I couldn't help but think of that exchange as I watched a video I received by email today. As I watched, I cannot tell you I was surprised, but I was very disturbed. I know that a world disconnected from Christ is going to act like a world disconnected from Christ. Yet it does not make me feel any better about it. This video was of a very influential person accepting the teachings of a man who seemed to have a working knowledge of Scripture, but had overlooked some very important truths within its pages. Worse still, in my opinion, was that this influential person was not just accepting these teachings as truth, but was also endorsing them for the audience. If there was ever a day that the world needs to here the truth and nothing but the truth, today is it.

The answers for our problems are not found in a new President. Al Gore and his mission to solve global warming will not save us. Our city leaders and legislation will not help us in the end. This world’s only hope is to know God’s grace and mercy in Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:14 (NIV) 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Do you see this progression? For someone to call on God they must believe. Yet, for them to believe in Him, they have to hear of Him. Yet, for anyone to hear of Him, someone must be willing to tell about Him. Who will go? Who will tell?

What this world needs more than another great leader is a few more good Christians, who will join together and intentionally point people to the God who has always loved them.

Not Just Another Reaction

When someone says “Knock, Knock!” is your immediate thought, Who's there? Okay maybe not, but think about it, some phrases and circumstances seem to elicit certain responses. For example, when a woman says, “I love you” she does not expect to hear, “let’s get dinner.” Most of us do not celebrate at funerals in the same way we would at a birthday, or mourn at birthdays the same way we would at a funeral. We cheer when our team is winning, and we may even go so far as to boo and hiss when they are not.

If these situations lead us to react in a certain way, is it too crazy to think that the life and times of Jesus Christ is worthy of a reaction all its own? Jesus was more than just a great teacher. He was not just another prophet. He is much greater than even the best of men. Jesus is our hope of salvation, and in Him we find a new life. So, it should not come as a surprise that one of the most natural reactions is to tell others about what He has done.

Mary Magdalene and the other women that found the empty tomb told the apostles of their encounter with Jesus. (Luke 24:1-12)
The two men on the road to Emmaus told the apostles of their encounter with Jesus. (Luke 24:13-35)
The disciples present when Jesus appeared one Sunday morning told Thomas of how they had seen Jesus. (John 20:24-31)

And, it did not stop there. These men and women did not just tell friends and those that might have been excited about Jesus. Beginning at Pentecost, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the followers of Christ began to tell of all that He had done. Even in the face of great persecution and ridicule, they shared the truth. Their courses had been changed and they were giving themselves to it completely.

How has your course changed since you encountered Jesus? Not only are you the only one that can answer that question, you are the only that can tell others of what you have experienced. Only you, can tell your story. Only you can tell others exactly what Jesus means to you. This is not just another reaction to a set of circumstances but a response that may change someones life for eternity.