Radical Love

This is my message from Sunday Morning the 15th of May, 2016.  “RADICAL LOVE.”

There are a few simple bullet points and scripture below the video, but I did not include the whole transcript as it would have been huge!  I hope if you take time to watch and listen that you do so through the whole message and take to heart what is being shared.

Thank you!

 

• How do we choose to define love?
• What picture do we have to follow to define it in our lives?
• The Story of the Good Samaritan

Scripture:

Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)

“And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.””

• So who is your neighbor?
• A radical love does not allow the heart to lay judgment on others
• A radical love does not view themselves as better than another based on what sins are committed
• A radical love ACKNOWLEDGES SIN
• But a radical love does not ACCEPT SIN
• Radical love comes down to truth
• Not just truth but Truth with a capital “T”
• That capital “T” truth is Jesus
• Radical love is the love of Jesus
• Jesus didn’t come for those who were healthy – he came for those who were sick

Scripture:

1 John 3:18 (NIV)

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

• If we live out the TRUTH with a capital “T” in radical love that comes from the heart of Jesus then we have a powerful, uplifting, life changing, addictive love that will draw people to us and to the heart of Jesus.

Vow to Me (Girls Night Out) – Thought on Marriage

I can tell you right now, this week will be the hardest week for me to try and deliver a strong message and a solid foundation.  See, I am closing this marriage blog series with a title of “Girl’s Night Out,” and what I want to accomplish is understanding the heart of a woman!

Okay, men, are you with me here – nothing in life is as confusing as a woman!  Am I right?  Whether single or married, there are always new things to learn and some things that we will spend the rest of our lives trying to figure out.

In light of this – here is an example:

Things Women Say and What Men Hear…

I need = I want

We need = I want

It’s your decision = The correct decision should be obvious by now

Do whatever you want = You are going to pay for this later

We need to talk = I need to complain

Sure…go ahead = I don’t want you to

I’m not upset = Of course I’m upset, you moron!

You’re so manly = You need a shave and you sweat a lot
This kitchen is so inconvenient = I want a new house

I want new curtains = I want new curtains, new carpeting, new furniture, new wallpaper…

I need new shoes = the other 40 pairs are simply the wrong shade

I heard a noise = I noticed you were almost asleep

Do you love me? = I’m going to ask for something expensive

How much do you love me? = I did something today you’re really going to hate

I’ll be ready in a minute = You have 30 Minutes so relax
You have to learn to communicate = Just agree with me
Yes = No
No = No
Maybe = No

I’m sorry = You’ll be sorry

I was wrong = Not as wrong as you

Do you like this recipe? = It’s easy to fix, so you’d better get used to it

Was that the baby? = Why don’t you get out of bed and walk him until he goes to sleep

 I am going to give you a few quick things that I see as essentials to the heart of a woman.  I am not going to pretend that I know all that much, but I can tell you that scripture helps me define some things and I want to point out a few principles that I believe are a foundation.  But just before we get there – see if this video resonates with anyone!

Okay, the funny stuff is great and we all need the laughs, but now I want to look at the beauty of the creation of women…so, let’s start with a purpose.

Genesis 2:18, 21-23

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him…  So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

At the creation of man and woman, we know we were all created in God’s image and here we see God give purpose to the woman: “I will make a helper fit for him.”

Point One:

            HELPER

 Now, I love how God put it – FIT FOR HIM.  He created woman to be what the man needed.  He created woman to be desirable.  Men, there is a reason why we are commanded to love a woman as Christ loves us and the church – because they were created as a perfect fit for us – they deserve our love and respect because of the support that they are to us.  Guys, this is a commandment not a suggestion – can I get an AMEN ladies?

Now, as a helper, there are two major things that I see in scripture that I want to share quickly with you that I believe should be the heart of a woman.

Point Two: 

            TRUSTWORTHY

 Relationship – no matter where or how it exists is built on TRUST!  This is an ultimate quality in a Godly woman – what should exist in the heart of a woman.

Proverbs 31 gives us the picture of the perfect woman of God – something that is to be aspired to by all women.  This is a picture painted in regards to the heart of a woman and her relationship and example of Christ.  It is not really about her abilities or her status.  But trust is addressed in this way – look at verse 11 with me:

 Proverbs 31:11

“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”

Women, I know some of you will want to kill me for this one, but a trait that is more common in women than men is gossip.  I don’t know why – just as certain things are more common for a man and we can’t truly explain it.  The point is – this is a huge point to the character of trust.

Proverbs 11:13, 16a

“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

 “A kindhearted woman gains honor…”

A Godly woman is a woman you can trust!  Trust is at the heart of what holds all relationships together.  Without trust – there is no relationship.  Whether a friend, a co-worker, employee or wife – trust is the mark of a Godly Woman.  Integrity is defined by trust – relationships are built on trust – inner contentment is the reward that comes out of trust!

Point Three: 

            DESIRE FOR WHAT IS RIGHT

 Proverbs 31:25

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

Our equality is measured by our desire to stand for what is right.  A Godly woman knows who she is, she can laugh at what comes because she knows her ways are sure – this is all due to the fact that she knows who she belongs to – she belongs to Jesus.  We see no separation when it comes to Christ.  Look at what Paul says:

Galatians 3:27-28

“for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

The heart of a woman, the Godly woman takes her stand for the right because it is the truth of God!  It’s not about gender or status – It is about what God has said is right!

Now, I have given you some principles that are the truth of scripture.  Scripture helps with some specifics, but real life lends itself in a whole different light.  Scripture also pointed us to principles that are and should be at the heart of a woman.

I will never admit to fully understanding a woman or the heart of a woman.  I don’t believe any guy would and if they do – they must be legally insane.  Ultimately, what we take from this is that the heart of a woman is what produces her true beauty!

There will always be physical attributes that attract men to women and vice versa.  But men, hear me, and women – hear me even more clearly – the woman whose heart follows what we have discovered today – that woman is a true keeper!

Vow to Me (The Needs) – Thought on Marriage

In light of the current series here at my church, I wanted to present four lessons on marriage.  That’s right – man vs. woman and woman vs. man.  Today I start by simply looking at what we may define as “The Needs.”  Men and women have different needs when it comes to relationship – obviously we look at things in different ways.  I encourage you to look at this video and have a laugh:

 

The needs that each of us has have been defined in so many ways over the years.  One of the most prominent ways is the famous book by Gary Chapman – “The Five Love Languages.”  Another I have seen is characterization through what kind of animal you are, or music genre, or movie or TV character.  So many people have put their spin on this.  All of them are good and showcase some very good points, but I want to look a little deeper.  I want to focus on the heart – I want to focus on how God made us for each other.

To do this, I want to break it down – we will look at Men, then Women, and then God.  But first, we need a strong basis and for that we look at Ephesians.  I think this defines well the purpose which we want to get to and understand.  This will tell us what God designed, but we will break it down as we define each person to help us find those needs.

Ephesians 5:22-28

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”

Honestly, this is so poetic.  It is so beautiful because it was designed by God this way.  I feel like we have lost touch in our society at times with the truth of God’s creation and design for relationship in this way.  So stick with me here – I know at times it will be bold to say what I will say, but I believe that scripture is defining this.  Well, that and John Eldredge and Brent Curtis who I also believe gives us a great picture to work with in this area.

Point One: 

            MEN ARE WILD AT HEART

•  Do you want to be a nice guy or a dangerous man?

There is a reason why boys play cowboys and indians or cops and robbers.  They are seeking adventure, they are seeking to be a hero.  They want something to fight for and someone to rescue.  But they are also built for the authority, the leadership and the ability to provide what is needed for others.  Let’s sum it up in three easy points to remember…

A Man’s Needs:

1. Respect – To be the provider
2. Authority – To be the leader
3. Adventure – To be the hero

Point Two:

            WOMEN DESIRE TO BE CAPTIVATING

• Women – do you want to be rescued?
• Women – do you want to be romanced?

There is a reason why little girls play dress up and live off of fairy tales.  There is such an amazing picture within their hearts when they dress up like a princess – why they are crying out for daddy to look at them.  They want to be known, seen, desired and told that they are something beautiful.  They start with daddy, but move toward a husband and the same is true with both situations – they want you to be captivated by them, to rescue them.  We can sum up this in three easy points to remember as well…

A Woman’s Needs:

1. Captivating – To be loved
2. Acceptance – To be rescued
3. Romance – To be desired

Point Three:

            GOD ISTHE SACRED ROMANCE

Now we come to the payoff – we see the needs that we have, but how does that fit with how God designed us?  Look at Genesis:

Genesis 1:26-30

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.”

Look at this!!  I mean…WOW!  How perfect does this fit – do you see it?

1. Created in God’s image 

We have the characteristics of God

• Men – Authority and Adventure
• Women – Captivation and Romance

2. Created for each other

Made to be partners

• Men – provide
• Women – life giving

3. Created as a compliment for relationship

Made different on purpose

• Distinct roles to play

If there is one thing you take away from this – it needs to be this – that God’s design for our relationship is a picture of what the relationship with Him should look like!  I love this illustration from Donald Miller in his book, “Blue Like Jazz.”  It comes from a conversation he had with his friend Paul.  Take a look with me, (pg. 146)

“Marriage is the most beautiful thing I have ever dreamed of, Don, but it isn’t everything.  It isn’t Mecca.  Danielle loves everything about me; she accepts me and tolerates me and encourages me.  She knows me better than anybody else in the world, but she doesn’t know all of me, I don’t know all of her.  And I never thought after I got married there would still be something lacking.  I always thought marriage, especially after I first met Danielle, would be the ultimate fulfillment.  It is great, don’t get me wrong, and I am glad I married Danielle, and I will be with her forever.  But there are places in our lives that only God can go.”

Our sacred romance with God is what creates the desire for relationship.  This is the way we were made to be – this is why God designed our needs the way He did.  He knows how true relationship is supposed to work.  We saw this design as we worked our way through scripture this morning.

This is built deep within us.  We can see that through the needs that we have.  But as Miller’s friend Paul pointed out – our acceptance of the truth of God’s love is absolutely necessary for us to live in relationship the way He created us to!

As we learn each day and as we grow – we discover the unique qualities that each of us bring to relationship – the ways in which God designed man and woman to complement each other – just as the relationship we have with God is a complement between us and Him.

Take the opportunity to rekindle the relationship with your spouse if you are married.  And if you are not – dig deep and rekindle the flame that exists in the love of Christ.

What If?

Ever wanted a “do-over?”   Ever thought about or focused on the “what if’s?” in your life?

Does anyone else see this happening with the church today?

As Christians, I believe we should be celebrating the power of Easter year round.  We make such a big deal out of that one Sunday a year – but isn’t Easter the whole reason we live out our faith to begin with?

What I want to do with this post…I want to right now go back and celebrate the memory of Easter with you.

First, the real story – we all know it – Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life, healed the sick, performed miracles and then gave himself up as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin and then brought us salvation through the ultimate hope that is found in his resurrection.  Let me hit some of the highlights for you…

Matthew 26:47-54

“While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?””

Matthew 27:15-21

“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.””

Luke 23:32-38

“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”  There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”” 

Luke 24:1-6a

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”

These are the facts – this is how the story goes – how the truth goes!  But…

Let me twist this around and look at it from a perspective that I bet many of us have never thought of before…

Let me pose this to you – WHAT IF?  I want to read a story for you from a friend of mine…

“The What if of Jesus” by Chris Martin

The night was silent. A shroud draped the garden like the weight of a heavy blanket. Slivers of moonlight peered through the trees and washed over the man kneeling. The heart inside His chest thumped like a drum, overcome with wrenching emotion. Drops of blood slowly trickled down His face as He looked up to pray.

“Father, there must be another way. I just can’t believe after everything I’ve done, this is how it’s all going to end. I haven’t done anything wrong. Please. Provide a different way.”

He stood to His feet and returned to the men He considered His closest friends and brothers. They had promised to stay awake and pray with their Teacher. They were all sleeping.

Jesus shook His head. “I should have known. Why are you guys sleeping? The time has come. Let’s go.”

They started to leave when suddenly the darkened night was flooded with the glow of flickering torches. A group of men approached Jesus and His disciples. He noticed Judas walking towards Him.There is the one who will betray me. I don’t know why I gave him the chance.

Judas walked up to Jesus and kissed Him on the cheek. “Greetings, Rabbi.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this, Judas. After everything I’ve done for you, how could you betray me? And with a holy kiss? Unbelievable.”

As the soldiers reached out to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and attacked. He swung blindly and struck one of the servants, cutting off his ear. The man cried out in agony and dropped to the ground. Jesus walked over and picked up the severed ear. “Your name is Malchus, right?”

The man nodded, his face clouded in pain.

“Why are you doing this? You know I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m an innocent man, and here you are to arrest me and shackle me in chains. Don’t you see how unfair this is? I could easily heal your ear, but you know what? I believe you need to think about what you’ve done. Let me know when you decide to change your ways, and we’ll talk about the ear.”

Jesus dropped the ear to the ground and raised His hands in surrender. The men began to punch Him in the face and stomach. They spit on Him as they placed Him in heavy chains. They brought Him before the Sanhedrin where He would be questioned.

One of the men looked at Jesus and sneered. “Tell us if you are indeed the Christ, the Son of God.”

Jesus nodded. “Of course I am. You know all the things I’ve done. How else could I have performed miracles, healed people, and raised anyone from the dead?”

The man slowly retreated and began to tear his robes. “Blasphemy. We don’t need any other witnesses. He has spoken blasphemy with his own mouth. What do the rest of you think?”

“He deserves death,” they shouted.

“Whoa, whoa. Wait a minute,” Jesus said. “Are you kidding me? Death? Don’t you think that’s a little extreme?”

Without another word, they took Jesus to stand before Pilate for sentencing. He was beaten, bloody, and hardly recognizable.

Pilate stared at Him. “Are you King of the Jews?”

“Yes,” Jesus answered. “This isn’t exactly how royalty should be treated, is it?”

“Do you hear all the things they are saying about you? Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?”

“I have done nothing wrong. I’m innocent and this is completely unfair. No one will listen, though. I’ve tried to tell them.”

Pilate stood before the crowd. “What shall I do with Jesus, Who is called the Christ?”

In unison, the crowd erupted into shouts of “Crucify him! Crucify him! Give us Barabbas!”

Jesus shook His head and cried out to the crowd. “Are you serious? You want Barabbas? He’s a murderer. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Pilate allowed the soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip constructed of bone fragments, glass, and pieces of rock. They tore away His flesh  with every strike. There wasn’t much left of a man once they had finished. They dragged Him from the courtyard and threw Him to the ground. Two soldiers walked over with a cross and forced Jesus to stand to His feet and begin to carry it.

With every labored step, Jesus was hit with sticks, punched in the face, and cursed. They started up Via Dolorosa, and Jesus reached His breaking point.

“That’s it. I’m done,” He said as the cross fell to the dusty ground. He looked up towards Heaven. “Father, I know this is what You want me to do, but I just can’t. These people don’t deserve anything but death. I am completely innocent, yet they are treating me like a common criminal. I mean, come on. They wanted to free Barabbas. Barabbas, the murderer. It’s ridiculous and not fair at all. All I ever did was help them. Don’t they realize who I am? I chose to lower myself to their human level, become a man, and walk in love. Look what it got me. They don’t appreciate anything I’ve done.”

The soldiers stared in disbelief. They looked at each other, unsure how to proceed.

Jesus walked down the path away from everyone else and raised His hands. “Okay, Father. Take me back up. I’m done. These people have hurt and abused me more than anyone should ever have to endure. I know what they are going to do. They are going to laugh in my face as they hammer rusty nails through my hands and feet. Do you really think there is any hope at all for these people? They don’t care about You, me, or righteousness. Let them figure it out on their own. I want nothing more to do with it. I don’t care if my blood, my sacrifice, would reconcile them back to You. They don’t deserve it. Let them see what Hell is all about.”

Can you truly imagine if Jesus had been more like us in the story?  Truthfully, what if doesn’t even need to be answered here – we all know how and where we would be if this was how it went down.

Do you see – we can’t spend our lives living by the what if’s!

We don’t have to dwell on them or wonder about them because Jesus has already taken care of the what if for us and when we choose to accept that our HOPE IS IN HIM!

Jesus didn’t have to worry about the what if’s because He followed the path God set before Him and did so without question.  He is our example.  Therefore, should we not do the same?

If we claim Christ in our lives then the way we LIVE should reflect exactly that – Jesus!

Micah 6:8

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

I believe that adhering to what Micah is saying allows our lives to be lived in a way that without knowing it we will then be fulfilling the great commission…

Matthew 28:16-20

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

We can speak what we believe is truth, but everyone is the steward of their own hearts. It’s not our job to try and convince people of anything. Our job, our commission, in life is to love.

Today, I am not going to challenge you…

I DARE YOU!

I dare you to live a life for Christ that is a true picture of the following He has called us to.

I dare you to follow in such a way that there will not be a reason or need or desire to look back and ask “what if?”

I dare you to honor the memory of those in your life, past-present-future, who have reflected Jesus, taught you Jesus, shown you Jesus – who see Jesus, are learning about Jesus – who will come to know and find Jesus because of the way you honor the memory of what HE has done for you.

I dare you…

To DO JUSTLY

To LOVE MERCY

And

To WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD!

MM – The Very Thought of You

The Very Thought of You

You came to me when I wasn’t looking

You cared for me in a way that no one ever has.

You gave me hope in a life I only dreamed of

But where did you go and what did you find and what are you trying to say

I’ve lost that hope, I’ve lost that dream, I’ve lost that desire to love

And all that time that I looked your way

I searched in pursuit of something more

And all the times that I heard you say

I love you, but was that really for sure

This place where I sit and think of you

Is the only place that I long to stay

I can’t go out and face the problem filled world today

Cause you decided to go, decided to find, decided to say you were through

Now I’ve lost my soul, I gave you my heart, And I’ve lost it all in pain

And now you are gone, but have you found, the things that you said

I am still here, lost in myself, and longing to understand the very thought of you

Product & Process

There have been many times in my life where the concept of accepting who I am has been a struggle.  Sometimes, the problems and struggles I face take my eyes off of the truth that should be the central fact that never leaves my mind.

I have been told by multiple people in my life that know me very, very well and have mentored me over the years that I am the only person they have ever met that has the distinct ability to give grace, but cannot accept grace.

The truth is, well, that it is indeed true.  And that is exactly why I have to try so hard each day to remind myself of what my mother always told me growing up.  It also happens to be the central fact that I was talking about – that because I chose to acknowledge the prevenient Grace I wrote about last week, then the saving and justifying Grace that follows has made me a CHILD OF GOD!

But that is just it – that is what we need to uncover – why the struggle for that happens and what we can do about it.  Thus…

Point One:

            THE PROBLEM

Funny thing, it’s not just a problem – it is the situation we have put ourselves in because of our sinful human nature.  It is found in Romans:

Romans 3:23 

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 

We are all separated from God and nothing that we can do – nothing can be done by our power to make it right.  Because of what we know as “Original Sin” – the fall of man based on the choice made by Adam and Eve – we are doomed.  There is no peace offering to be brought to God to make it all better.  There is no band-aid we can put on a cut and cover it up.

The PROBLEM – we are incapable of saving ourselves.  We are lost.  The only way to survive, to beat this is by accepting what God provides – what He has that He will give to us… 

GRACE

That Grace is what we need in order to find…

Point Two:

            THE SOLUTION 

God must be allowed to come to our rescue.  We are helpless on our own.

Due to God’s love – his desire to complete us – the prevenient Grace that has, does and will exist, once accepted by faith becomes a SAVING a.k.a. JUSTIFYING Grace.  A relational change begins to occur.

The justification process based on faith and the knowledge of prevenient grace leads us to this next step that can make us right with God and become NEW!  Thus the solution – we must become NEW!  Look at 2 Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 5:17 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has
passed away; behold, the new has come.” 

By making this choice – by becoming a new creation in Christ bring an immediate justification or salvation.  But don’t misunderstand.  We may have a problem and we may have found a solution, but the process still remains.  This is not just fire insurance.  The Problem and the Solution are the Product – but any product requires Process in order to be refined and made to work in the way it is intended to.

It’s like the potter and the clay.  The clay is just a lump of nothing that cannot form or function.  But when the potter puts his hands to the clay, that lump of nothing begins to take shape and become something not only beautiful, but USEFUL!  This is our life with Jesus! 

Point Three:

            THE PROCESS

Process requires action – not just the action of God’s pursuit of us, but an action on our part when we choose to accept the knowledge of prevenient grace as a fact!  That action is what we call: 

REPENTANCE

Repentance is our acknowledgement of what we cannot do to save ourselves and that we need something more to rescue us.  It is a product of faith that we had to have in the beginning in order to make the choice we did.

Let me break it down this way:

Faith comes out of the prevenient grace that we acknowledge based on our willingness to repent which is the acceptance of that grace and that allows that faith to be the basis on which our salvation occurs.

Faith the reason for salvation and repentance the reason for faith.

Truthfully, we could say that it is not the saving grace – but SAVING FAITH!

Like I said, this is not just fire insurance.  There are major changes that occur and major choices that continue to be made and those specifics are the final piece – with a process in place it leads to…

Point Four:

            THE RESULTS 

Salvation is so much more than an instant gift – three steps begin to take place:

1. A heart given to Jesus = JUSTIFIED

This first step is to be rejoiced over!  By nothing that we did, only by the grace of God do

we receive justification.  Not us, but God did it – Jesus sacrificed himself for us and simply because we choose to acknowledge that we are justified.  The funny part about that is even we ourselves are not the supplier – like I said, nothing we did – it’s like last week…BUT GOD…

Romans 3:26

“It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he
might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

He did this so that He could be the one who justifies us!  He desired to be the one who allowed the process to take place – for His glory – His justice to be known.

Being justified by God we get the joy of being accepted into the favor of God – not by our works but on the basis of our faith in Jesus, His death and His resurrection.  But then there has to be a result from the pardon we have received…

2. Being born again = Being made new

Being justified is what God has done FOR US but being born again – being made new is

what God does IN US by the Holy Spirit.  This is that part of the solution that we talked about when we looked at what Paul said in 2 Corinthians.

Justification may bring about a change in our relationship with God, but what He does when He makes us new brings about a change in who WE ARE…our NATURE.  This is the CONVERSION – which is THE CHANGE!  I love the words to the song “The Change” by Steven Curtis Chapman:

“What about the change? What about the difference? What about the grace? What about forgiveness? What about the life that’s showing I’m undergoing the change?”

Again, this is not a change that you or I can bring about – it is something inside us – something based on a moral change within the heart that is only brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit working through us!

So we are saved which is our justification – we are born again which makes us a new creation – but the result that follows that is…

3. Adoption by Jesus = Heirs of His Promise

Adoption is our being received into the family of God!  God is now CLAIMING us!!

But it is not just belonging – it gives us back the rights and privileges that were stolen by our life when we lived in sin.

Adoption removes the alienation that we had and puts us back into our place as heirs to the promise of God and the inheritance that we will receive when Christ returns and brings us home to be with Him forever!

ADOPTION is the ultimate result that brings the truth we can accept!

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

So how do we know this truth to be relevant?  How do we know this pursuit – this product results from this process?

Scripture speaks truth – we believe that – so we believe that we know this because of the witness of the Holy Spirit…

Romans 8:16

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

We can also take assurance that this testimony of the Spirit is true based on Paul’s words later in chapter 8 of his letter to the Romans…

Romans 8:35-39

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or
sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the
day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all
these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For
I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor
things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from
the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We must stand as conquerors.  We can’t just sit around, but we can also be confident that God’s truth through His grace is indeed that – the truth.  He desires us, He pursues us, He has done everything that He can to bring us to Him!

Today and moving forward – don’t question this truth.  If you don’t know and you are questioning – talk with someone, even contact me – let’s look at more of God’s truth in His word.

If you already made the choice – then seek to apply the truth you have already accepted.

And whether you are seeking the choice or have made the choice – don’t leave this truth hanging – don’t live without knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are a CHILD OF GOD!

Spiritus Sanctus (Fruit)

I sat across the coffee table from my friend Mike as we had one of our discussions that produced many theoretical and theological epiphanies.  But this time we felt like something was different, something seemed to make so much sense in the conclusion that we had come to, the truth we felt we had really stumbled upon this time.

Mike and I had been discussing the fruit of the spirit.  We had never really noticed before, but this time as we talked about them we discovered a fact that we were curious about.  See, the list may be put in the order that it is for a reason!  First, let’s look at the passage so you can see what Mike and I were getting at…

Galatians 5:22-24

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Does anyone notice anything about the order that the fruit are listed in?  I see it so much more clearly now than I even did then and I think it plays an important role in the active Holy Spirit that we have in our lives today.  We will get to the point I am making here and what Mike and I discovered just a little bit later.

But first, as I conclude a three week section on Spiritus Sanctus, a couple things seem to be very clear.  One, the Holy Spirit is for us and our lives today.  Two, the Holy Spirit’s power has not diminished and is a rich deposit for us of things to come when we dwell with Jesus for eternity.

Knowing these things, it is very important for us to seek further and deeper the ways in which the Holy Spirit works within our lives today – the fruit that is grown from its activity in our lives. See, Wesley thought this way too and I would agree with him – he believed that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives could be seen and actively applied through the fruit of the spirit that is talked about in Galatians.  Makes sense, doesn’t it?  I mean, it is the fruit of the SPIRIT!  Seems logical!

BASIC FRUIT

Fruit of the Spirit or the Spirit filled life is the present day manifestation

The Spirit helps us possess each of them at once as a whole fruit

Take for example an Orange.  It has many sections that come apart but when put together it still makes up the whole.

Now, when we speak of the basic fruit or the sections that make up the whole fruit, we think of the body of believers and the many members that make up the one body.  Each of us has God given spiritual gifts that we can use to make up the whole fruit!  Read with me what Paul says in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

All of these gifts that can make up the whole – and I love the way Paul reaffirms this in verse 11 when he says, “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit…”  These gifts become an active way in which we show the spirit that dwells inside of us.  John MacArthur makes a great observation regarding our spiritual gifts:

“Spiritual gifts are divine enablements for ministry, characteristics of Jesus Christ that are to be manifested through the body corporate just as they were manifested through the body incarnate.”

These gifts and the fruit should be actively used and seen by us and those around us.

ORGANIC FRUIT

Organic is supposed to be the untouched or “pure” form of something, right?  Then when it comes to the organic within the fruit that we bear or what is manifested in us by the spirit should be crystal clear.  Hear me loud and clear on this one – this is our major point to be made – this goes back to my story about Mike and I at the beginning of this message – what we discovered in regards to the fruit of the spirit:

Law of first reference: LOVE covers them all 

The most important manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives is not our Spiritual Gift, although that is important in functioning of God’s Church, but the most important manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives ought to be LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:13

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

This point from Paul seems to back this idea with a firm word of foundation!

That is what was so clear to Mike and I as we sat there and looked at this list of fruit that the spirit creates within us as we grow and mature…

That fact is that LOVE is listed first and foremost above everything else.  With a true application and action of the spirit around the fruit of LOVE, all other fruit is brought to, forgive me, FRUITION! HA!

This is the ultimate point and ultimate challenge of the Holy Spirit’s manifestation in our lives today:

Love should be at the core of all we say and do as Christ followers

When we seek to say things in love…when we seek to do all things in love…when we strive to make our lives lived out in the interest of LOVE, we encompass not only the Spirit’s manifestation as a whole fruit combination, but we function in a manner that brings glory and praise to Jesus, the one who showed us the example of LOVE as the greatest of these things!

MM – To Whom it May Concern

I have to say something about this song.  Years ago when I wrote this, I was dwelling on what God would desire for me in a spouse.  The captured that as a conversation between Jesus and myself on that whole process and was directed as a letter to the one who would eventually be my wife.

This is not even the original version.  The first one was called “Inadequate Answers” which described my frustration over losing what I thought was the “one.”

Then, with the help of a couple friends it was revised into this song.

A little side note: there is also a revised “wedding” version of this song that captures emotion of finding and pledging vows to the “one.”

I hope you enjoy this song.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Lyrics and Music by Luke David, Luke M. & Jeremiah A.

©2004 ASCAP\All Rights Reserved

Verse 1

I’m still tryin’ to find those profound words

The ones that will get me from here to there

And all the questions I have without answers

Will be uncovered by what You have to say

But somehow no matter what my ears may hear

My heart will shout out loud and clear

Chorus

You’ll be the love, the love of my life

A priceless treasure, God’s choice for my wife

A friend that sticks closer through good and through bad

The person to which I’ll give all that I have

And to you at this moment I may not be

Oh but I can see, you are the one for me

Verse 2

My heart will keep beating and yearning for you

A heart that stays strong and a love that stays true

And my future’s ahead and I don’t really know

But when I find you my love I will never let go

I feel you’re so close oh yes I do

And I won’t stop loving you

Bridge

So why have I not found the same love I find in You

Haven’t I tried, haven’t I tried to seek and find Your truth

It’s never wrong cause everything from You is right

Lord please shine Your light on her for me

Yes could You please shine Your light on what you have for me

MM – Thoughts of Silence

Thoughts of Silence

Under the silence of the classroom

I hear a voice in my heart

I hope the time to be soon

that I will see you again

when we are not apart.

Time races on in my mind

thoughts of you and me

the one person I want to find

sitting under a tree in the rain

blinded, you are all I see.

Thankful for my life from God

thankful you are here

in our favor are the odds

never will I feel pain

never will I have fear.

As if in a dream

all time can stop

strange as it may seem

wonderous ideas, I know the main

we sit at the top

Look this way and know

you will always be safe.

Independence: In men or in Jesus?

I have been battling day in and day out with everything our society is currently fighting.  Here, as we come to another celebration of the freedom of America, I can’t help but wonder how free we really are…

I am broken and saddened by the decay of our nation and our world.  I am even more frustrated at the decay of the Christian perspective.  Our lives are supposed to reflect something more, something higher, something that other people see from our actions and then desire to know more from our words.

In light of all the recent events and all the hatred in this world, I want to take a few minutes to address my thoughts and feelings on the issues at hand.  In doing so I want you all to know that I don’t claim to know everything or claim that I am right in all of my thinking.  I will write from a place of my own understanding and faith.

I know not everyone will agree with me and I know that some of what I write may be offensive.  Truthfully, that’s okay with me because I am who I am and that’s the facts.

As the 4th of July happens tomorrow, our Independence Day, I ask you to consider what we choose to apply that Independence to and how everyone around us chooses to view it as well.  Let’s do our best to be objective.

Right now, everyone, from their own perspective wants freedom and independence.  Everyone wants to be able to govern themselves as they see fit.  Each group of people claims it in the name of _______(fill in the blank).

In light of this state of mind and our belief that independence comes in whatever form we need it to in order for our agenda to be completed, I want to address two very specific groups of people in a very simple way and be done.

First, to the LGBTQ community:

I want to apologize for ever laying judgement down upon you.  It has never been my place or my purpose to do so.  You are human beings, you are people and you deserve better.

I will never agree with the life style choice you have made, but on the flip side, you may never choose to agree with the faith in Jesus I hold to in my life.

This is something that will have to be understood by both parties.  I am not going to condemn you, I am going to choose to love you because that is what my Jesus commanded me to do.

I don’t hate you because of what you choose.  I make bad decisions too and that makes me just as human as you.

I’m not going to accept what I believe is sin…hell, I don’t want to accept it in my own life when I sin – I want to overcome my sin and be a better and more loving person because of it.

I will not support what the government has allowed, but I will support you, as people…as people who were created by God the same way that I was created by God.

I will never be opposed to friendship and relationship with you because Jesus loves you and because He does, I will do the same.

Second, to the Church and Christian Community:

Ephesians 4:29

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

We are not judge and jury.  We do not exist to punish sin.  We exist to be an example of the grace that can be found through the love and power of Jesus Christ.

It is time we stopped relying on our own power to “consume” the evil and sin in this world and come back to the truth and foundation of what we believe.

We do not live in religion – WE HAVE A WAY OF LIFE.  And right now, most of us are failing miserably at representing the one who commands that way of life.

HEAR ME NOW:

We must stop calling out specific immorality that we do not agree with.  The plain and simple fact is that we do NOT AGREE with SIN!  All arguments are null and void save one:

ACCEPTANCE OF SIN!

That is what so much of this is about.  And yet, we look past so many other issues within the church and within our communities that are sin.  What about the couple living together that aren’t married?  What about the two guys who are cheating on their wives via pornography?  What about the teen who is stealing daily from businesses?  

Why are we not up in arms at the same level with all of those??  We look like fools!

See, scripture tells us that sin is sin is sin – there is not one greater than another.  My little white lie is just as bad in the eyes of the Father and the two men who are getting married to each other.

It is time to get off our high horse of fighting specifics and get back to the sorrow of sin that envelopes our world.

STOP JUDGING ON LEVELS!

Our point, our purpose, our mission is to go and make disciples and how were we commanded to do so??

LOVE!  Screaming and beating people over the head with the Bible will make no difference if can’t show it through the love of Christ.

Broken people without Jesus don’t understand everything we do.  What good does it do to throw all of it at them when they are lost?  Until we take the time to know someone and invest in them FIRST as a person we will never get the chance to show them Jesus.

We have to start by showing them Jesus in US and then, let God open the door to more. 

I want to leave you with these two thoughts:

One, wise words spoken by a good man…

“Where is the hope?

I meet millions of people that tell me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us.

Where is the hope?

The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws are pass, or what great things we do as a nation.

Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people.

That’s where our hope lies in this country.

And that’s where our hope lies in our life.”

If we are to conquer all that is upon us, it will not be by slinging mud around.  We will conquer because Jesus is the reason we live our lives.

Two, dwell on these words from Paul to the Ephesians…

Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

We have a promise – a promise that God will do immeasurably more than anything we can possibly imagine.

Join me in living out the message of Christ’s love and let our actions speak louder than our words.

May our Independence be found in the freedom that Jesus brings!