"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." -1 Cor. 6:11 ESV
On more than one occasion in my life, I've held to assumptions about certain "types" of people; and then, after actually spending time with them, my assumptions were radically altered, and my view toward their "type" was necessarily changed. As an inerrantist, conservative, evangelical Christian, I believe that the Bible never changes, but after studying church history a bit, it is obvious that some Christians' "application" of the Bible has been found wanting. Just before the verse I quoted above, the Apostle Paul has given one of his lists of those whose sinful ways will condemn them at the final Judgment, and then he takes the time to remind the Corinthians that some of them too were once in this state. But Christ and His gospel washed them!
Perhaps it is, at the moment, too much for me to ask some of my fellow believers to spend time with those of this world who are enslaved to self-destructive patterns - to take the light into the dark places and be the agent by which such men an women are washed, justified, and sanctified. I understand and honestly struggle with this at times as well. Yet I would humbly and strongly urge you to at least spend time with those whom you call "brother" or "sister," those whom you would claim are washed, but who still struggle with the painful and addictive effects of sin.
For me, it has only taken sitting with a Christian still struggling with alcoholism once. For me, it has only taken one time of talking to a drug addict just after they've fallen again. For me, it has only taken listening to a 40+ year old man talk about the fact that he's only ever been attracted to those of his same sex - listening to his choice to be lonely but chaste because he has been washed, while understanding that God may not free him from this struggle until he is free from his flesh and this world.
Some say we should redefine the Bible's definition of sin. Others say we should condemn all those who struggle in ways that are foreign to us. Neither are helpful or loving.
Why? Because sin is not just a choice, it is not only rebellion. It is also not just brokenness, not only a cause for pity. Those who would embrace only the former will become hypocrites, and those who cling to the latter will never really help anyone - their pity is powerless because it ignores God's holy standard. But if we understand that sin as both rebellion against God and an innate brokenness, we will be presented with an opportunity to be used by God to bring comfort and heart-change.
In all of this, I'm simply asking believers to not only mimic the message of Jesus and the apostles, but also emulate their methods. Sit down with the woman at the well, and since you don't have inexhaustible knowledge about her (as Jesus did)... just listen. Go into the house of Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene, or, if you are not willing or able at the moment, at least reserve judgment until you do. This is not only prudent but essential, for James give us another warning that Christians dare not ignore: "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" (Js. 2:12-13 NASB). We show mercy because we have been shown mercy in the gospel, and we show mercy because we are continually being shown mercy as we are both broken and rebellious each day.
Yes, God forbid that we redefine His holy standard, and God forbid that we be found on Judgment Day lacking in mercy after the Son of God left Heaven to suffer crucifixion that we may be washed, justified, sanctified, and (Praise His Name!) shown mercy.
In Christ,
Andy
Monday, December 23, 2013
Friday, December 13, 2013
Wonder in Music and Theology
The past seven days I've been thinking a good bit about music and theology, which is no surprise to anyone who knows me. These are two of my greatest passions. Last Sunday our choir performed one of the most beautiful arrangements of Christmas music I've ever heard. For most of the performance I was able to simply sit back and enjoy worshiping God through listening. One particular piece, sung in Latin, was especially meaningful.
I know that choir music is, for the most part, no longer in vogue in popular church culture, but I'm so grateful that our church preserves this amazing picture of the unity of the body of Christ through music. When I heard that Latin piece, I could not help but think to myself, "There is another place... a better place... than this busted old world," and through music I really believe we got to glimpse into that new creation which is coming.
As the concert ended and the week moved on, my thoughts kept going back there; and I think it was yesterday that I realized how music and theology share some very important characteristics.
First of all, as I mentioned above, music offers an opportunity to gaze into the beauty and majesty of God. Theology, at its best, does the very same thing, for theology is simply the study of God and His ways.
The coolest thing to me though is that you do not have to have a trained ear to stand in awe of beautifully performed music that is glorifying to God. In fact, at times those with "naked" ears may be at an advantage because they are so easily caught up into its beauty. The same holds true for theology. When an untrained eye looks into the heavens or into a microscope and marvels and gives glory to God for His creation, good theology happens.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who devote their entire lives to the study of the intricate details of music and theology. Sadly, though, many in both fields lose their sense of wonder as they dig deeper and deeper into the minutia.
Speaking from the vantage point of one who loves theology... we must hold in delicate balance our quest to "figure out" God and His ways and the amazement that a starry night should always cause in us. If ever my examination of details hinders my worship of His Great Mystery, I pray that His Spirit will correct me.
The world needs articulate theologians, and the world needs excellent musicians. As these explorers discover new and exciting terrain, it should lead the whole church to worship and stand in awe. This is the goal after all - that our hearts would be lifted to that new and better place where the Holy One abides.
"How we fail to understand when we think that the task of theology is to solve the mystery of God, to drag it down to the flat, ordinary wisdom of human experience and reason! Its sole office is to preserve the miracle as miracle, to comprehend, defend, and glorify God's mystery precisely as mystery." -Bonhoeffer
I know that choir music is, for the most part, no longer in vogue in popular church culture, but I'm so grateful that our church preserves this amazing picture of the unity of the body of Christ through music. When I heard that Latin piece, I could not help but think to myself, "There is another place... a better place... than this busted old world," and through music I really believe we got to glimpse into that new creation which is coming.
As the concert ended and the week moved on, my thoughts kept going back there; and I think it was yesterday that I realized how music and theology share some very important characteristics.
First of all, as I mentioned above, music offers an opportunity to gaze into the beauty and majesty of God. Theology, at its best, does the very same thing, for theology is simply the study of God and His ways.
The coolest thing to me though is that you do not have to have a trained ear to stand in awe of beautifully performed music that is glorifying to God. In fact, at times those with "naked" ears may be at an advantage because they are so easily caught up into its beauty. The same holds true for theology. When an untrained eye looks into the heavens or into a microscope and marvels and gives glory to God for His creation, good theology happens.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who devote their entire lives to the study of the intricate details of music and theology. Sadly, though, many in both fields lose their sense of wonder as they dig deeper and deeper into the minutia.
Speaking from the vantage point of one who loves theology... we must hold in delicate balance our quest to "figure out" God and His ways and the amazement that a starry night should always cause in us. If ever my examination of details hinders my worship of His Great Mystery, I pray that His Spirit will correct me.
The world needs articulate theologians, and the world needs excellent musicians. As these explorers discover new and exciting terrain, it should lead the whole church to worship and stand in awe. This is the goal after all - that our hearts would be lifted to that new and better place where the Holy One abides.
"How we fail to understand when we think that the task of theology is to solve the mystery of God, to drag it down to the flat, ordinary wisdom of human experience and reason! Its sole office is to preserve the miracle as miracle, to comprehend, defend, and glorify God's mystery precisely as mystery." -Bonhoeffer
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Eternal Perspective in a Used Book Store
Yesterday I walked into a used book store where three very long and tall shelves were devoted to the Christian religion. These shelves were covered with Bibles, topical studies, theology, biblical languages, church history, and more. Some of these books were old...very old.
As I glanced at one particular multi-volume set of books, each book in the set containing at least five hundred pages, I thought to myself, "That's a man's life's work."
Obviously a person's value or contribution to the greater good cannot be boiled down to a set of books, but it's also sobering to think that so much of what this man had worked for now sat neglected on the bottom shelf in a used book store. Chances are... these books may never be read again. It was kinda sad to think about, but it was also sobering.
Having immersed myself for almost four years now in seminary studies while at the same time preparing weekly messages for our youth group, there has, in recent days, been a pull in my heart toward understanding more of the great theologians of church history and producing the kind of writing they are known for. Neither of these ambitions are, in-and-of themselves, absolutely right or wrong, because both carry with them a mixture of both fleshly and spiritual motivation. This is like most anything in life.
But as I looked at that expansive work on the bottom shelf, I wondered if my life's work, whatever it may be, might one day be confined to the bottom of shelf...or perhaps even the backyard bonfire. I stepped back from the shelf and said out loud, "This is ALL going to burn." From Calvin to Swindoll, it's all temporary. The greatest literary accomplishments of man will not last.
Embarrassed, I looked around to see if anyone heard my instinctive outburst. Luckily, I was alone, but as I left the shop, a profound (for me anyway) truth still rattled around in my head. It's a question I ask myself almost everyday, though it takes different forms: "What are you spending your life on?"
The wisest man (except for Jesus) who ever lived said, "My son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body" (Eccl. 12:12 NASB). Seminary students offer a hearty, "Amen!"
Do books have their place? Absolutely! Even the Apostle Paul desired to have his books by his side in prison (2 Tim. 4:13). Does writing have its place? Of course! We learn to clarify our thinking and grow in wisdom and are in turn able to share that wisdom most effectively with others through writing. No one would argue otherwise.
The point is... we should do all of these things with an eternal perspective. The number of books you have read is not equal to your value as a human being (You laugh, but I've met many who think this way, and, sadly, have at times struggled with it myself.). If I read, it should be to understand God or life better or to enjoy God or life in richer ways. It should press me toward sanctification and a fuller existence as a redeemed human being. If I write, I should do so to clarify my own thoughts about God and life or as a means to more fully enjoy God and the life He has given me. Reading and writing should be worship!
I'm thankful for the lesson those massive shelves of books taught me. I hope I don't soon forget it.
In Christ,
Andy
As I glanced at one particular multi-volume set of books, each book in the set containing at least five hundred pages, I thought to myself, "That's a man's life's work."
Obviously a person's value or contribution to the greater good cannot be boiled down to a set of books, but it's also sobering to think that so much of what this man had worked for now sat neglected on the bottom shelf in a used book store. Chances are... these books may never be read again. It was kinda sad to think about, but it was also sobering.
Having immersed myself for almost four years now in seminary studies while at the same time preparing weekly messages for our youth group, there has, in recent days, been a pull in my heart toward understanding more of the great theologians of church history and producing the kind of writing they are known for. Neither of these ambitions are, in-and-of themselves, absolutely right or wrong, because both carry with them a mixture of both fleshly and spiritual motivation. This is like most anything in life.
But as I looked at that expansive work on the bottom shelf, I wondered if my life's work, whatever it may be, might one day be confined to the bottom of shelf...or perhaps even the backyard bonfire. I stepped back from the shelf and said out loud, "This is ALL going to burn." From Calvin to Swindoll, it's all temporary. The greatest literary accomplishments of man will not last.
Embarrassed, I looked around to see if anyone heard my instinctive outburst. Luckily, I was alone, but as I left the shop, a profound (for me anyway) truth still rattled around in my head. It's a question I ask myself almost everyday, though it takes different forms: "What are you spending your life on?"
The wisest man (except for Jesus) who ever lived said, "My son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body" (Eccl. 12:12 NASB). Seminary students offer a hearty, "Amen!"
Do books have their place? Absolutely! Even the Apostle Paul desired to have his books by his side in prison (2 Tim. 4:13). Does writing have its place? Of course! We learn to clarify our thinking and grow in wisdom and are in turn able to share that wisdom most effectively with others through writing. No one would argue otherwise.
The point is... we should do all of these things with an eternal perspective. The number of books you have read is not equal to your value as a human being (You laugh, but I've met many who think this way, and, sadly, have at times struggled with it myself.). If I read, it should be to understand God or life better or to enjoy God or life in richer ways. It should press me toward sanctification and a fuller existence as a redeemed human being. If I write, I should do so to clarify my own thoughts about God and life or as a means to more fully enjoy God and the life He has given me. Reading and writing should be worship!
I'm thankful for the lesson those massive shelves of books taught me. I hope I don't soon forget it.
In Christ,
Andy
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Forgetting Sermons (And Why That's Okay)
Do you remember riding home from church as a kid on Sunday afternoon ready to gnaw on your arm because you slept until the last possible moment that morning, skipped breakfast, and now sat famished? Do you remember the regret of realizing that mom (or grand mom) still had to finish preparing lunch, and, for some reason, at that moment one of your parents decided that it was the perfect time to ask a question:
"So... what did you learn in church today?"
Uh.......... (Brain tries to compensate by re-routing energy to memory....... fail........ Time to fake it.)
"Uh... God loves us! Jesus died on the cross for our sins!" Or insert your own default, though nonetheless true and doctrinally sound, Sunday School answers.
Not a few years later, it's sad to say that I still struggle to remember the specifics of even the best of sermons. I even regularly forget the main points of some of my own messages after a few days pass. This used to bother me, but then I began to think about what biblical or spiritual learning should really be about.
We tend to think of spiritual learning with the same categories as any other type of learning, and no doubt there is significant overlap. Learning = knowledge accumulation, application, and regurgitation. We could liken this building up of knowledge to adding books to the shelf of our mind. "I've got the basic gist of the gospel down. Check. Add that book to my shelf." "I've got the basic story line of the Bible down. Check. Add another book to the shelf."
This way of thinking about biblical learning isn't necessarily bad; it's simply incomplete. The reason it is incomplete is because spiritual learning is about both growth in knowledge and formation of character, and it's impossible to separate the two here. Spiritual growth is not only like adding books to a shelf, it's also like placing a rough-edged stone into a river.
When I hear my pastor preach I want to listen intently for new knowledge, and I want to affirm the knowledge that I already recognize as true. Going even deeper though, I want to allow his convicting, challenging, and edifying words from God's Word to wash over my soul. This is why spiritual formation is so much richer than many other learning endeavors, and it's also why remembering the main points of every sermon may not only be impractical but unnecessary.
I don't believe we'll be Bible quizzing on the Day of Judgment. God's word does say however that Jesus will reward each according to what he has done (Mt. 16:27). We understand that only those works done "in God" (Jn. 3:21), while abiding in Christ (Jn. 15) and walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5) will be worthy of reward.
So as I listen to a sermon, I want to ask the Holy Spirit to smooth this rough-edge rock. I want to ask Christ to think and feel and live through me. I want to ask God to do faithful and obedient works through this weak vessel.
Therefore, if we forget the three points of Sunday's message, but were eternally changed by a holy moment in the midst of it, I do believe we can mark that up as a win!
For example, my pastor made, what seemed to me, a passing comment this past Sunday. It wasn't one of his main points, but it struck me... like a brief but powerful torrent over a particularly rough edge of my soul. He said (paraphrasing), "We forgive...Not because the other person has asked for it or even deserves it, but because Jesus forgave us when we neither asked for it nor deserved it."
To close the loop on the point of this post - six months from now, I will not be able to articulate what my pastor said this past Sunday nearly as well as I just did. But I can promise you that his statement changed me, and the heart of it will stick with me, not merely as another book to put on my shelf, but as a life-changing truth that imprinted on my soul.
In Christ,
Andy
PS: I hope that this post doesn't encourage any sort of laziness in regards to listening well to sermons. As I affirmed above, we should all be listening well. I think this involves good note taking and returning to the text and notes the following week. My point in this post is that we should not think it sufficient to simply accumulate knowledge when it is the changing of our hearts that our God is after!
"So... what did you learn in church today?"
Uh.......... (Brain tries to compensate by re-routing energy to memory....... fail........ Time to fake it.)
"Uh... God loves us! Jesus died on the cross for our sins!" Or insert your own default, though nonetheless true and doctrinally sound, Sunday School answers.
Not a few years later, it's sad to say that I still struggle to remember the specifics of even the best of sermons. I even regularly forget the main points of some of my own messages after a few days pass. This used to bother me, but then I began to think about what biblical or spiritual learning should really be about.
We tend to think of spiritual learning with the same categories as any other type of learning, and no doubt there is significant overlap. Learning = knowledge accumulation, application, and regurgitation. We could liken this building up of knowledge to adding books to the shelf of our mind. "I've got the basic gist of the gospel down. Check. Add that book to my shelf." "I've got the basic story line of the Bible down. Check. Add another book to the shelf."
This way of thinking about biblical learning isn't necessarily bad; it's simply incomplete. The reason it is incomplete is because spiritual learning is about both growth in knowledge and formation of character, and it's impossible to separate the two here. Spiritual growth is not only like adding books to a shelf, it's also like placing a rough-edged stone into a river.
I don't believe we'll be Bible quizzing on the Day of Judgment. God's word does say however that Jesus will reward each according to what he has done (Mt. 16:27). We understand that only those works done "in God" (Jn. 3:21), while abiding in Christ (Jn. 15) and walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5) will be worthy of reward.
So as I listen to a sermon, I want to ask the Holy Spirit to smooth this rough-edge rock. I want to ask Christ to think and feel and live through me. I want to ask God to do faithful and obedient works through this weak vessel.
Therefore, if we forget the three points of Sunday's message, but were eternally changed by a holy moment in the midst of it, I do believe we can mark that up as a win!
For example, my pastor made, what seemed to me, a passing comment this past Sunday. It wasn't one of his main points, but it struck me... like a brief but powerful torrent over a particularly rough edge of my soul. He said (paraphrasing), "We forgive...Not because the other person has asked for it or even deserves it, but because Jesus forgave us when we neither asked for it nor deserved it."
To close the loop on the point of this post - six months from now, I will not be able to articulate what my pastor said this past Sunday nearly as well as I just did. But I can promise you that his statement changed me, and the heart of it will stick with me, not merely as another book to put on my shelf, but as a life-changing truth that imprinted on my soul.
In Christ,
Andy
PS: I hope that this post doesn't encourage any sort of laziness in regards to listening well to sermons. As I affirmed above, we should all be listening well. I think this involves good note taking and returning to the text and notes the following week. My point in this post is that we should not think it sufficient to simply accumulate knowledge when it is the changing of our hearts that our God is after!
Music in New Covenant Worship
Over fifteen years ago, at the height of the worship wars in my part of the country, I began to think... to think a lot about music in the context of worship. Most of you know me well enough to know my preferences, so I hope you'll place that aside as you read this post.
It's long been my conviction that since Christ is our example, our duty and joy in meeting together with the body of Christ should be to lay aside our preferences in music for the sake of others. Much like in marriage, church should be a group of people resolutely determined to lay aside their own interests for the sake of others (Phil. 2:4). I'm so certain of this governing principle that I fear the judgment of Christ on our churches in the last Day will see much shame over the selfishness spilled out in worship wars over the past two decades in America (and beyond).
While I've held to these convictions for quite some time, I'm not sure that I could truly articulate the practical implications of my thinking until recently.
First of all, worship is not only for God, though we would all affirm that this is its primary aim.
Paul says in Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19, and 1 Cor. 14:4, 12, 26 that our worship should be for the education and edification of other believers. So the next time you’re at church proclaiming the truths of the gospel or the trinity or some other great mystery of our God, look around. Look around, and then sing. Sing not only to God but to your brothers and sisters. Proclaim the gospel in song to them. They need to hear it from the preacher, and they need to hear it from you!
Second, to expand this idea of education and edification to a global scale by means of the New Covenant is where things really get fun! I'll explain.
Why do we have worship wars? That's easy. We have worship wars (particularly in America) because we have culture wars. If I were to take you to the heart of Africa or China or South America, and we were to experience the vast array of culturally specific worship styles in these contexts, it would nevercross your mind to try and force your church's style of worship into that context. Or it shouldn't.
Why? Because at the advent of the New Covenant, the Kingdom of God burst forth into all nations in a way that had never been seen before; and as this Kingdom advanced forcefully throughout the world, God's intent was not to mold every culture's expression of worship of Him into the Jewish/Middle Eastern forms. Rather, within the constraints of Scripture's commands for orderliness and doctrinal orthodoxy, each culture has the freedom to express worship to God in beautifully unique ways.
Enter the United States... the melting pot of the world. Is it any wonder that at the meeting point of hundreds of cultures and nations we find it difficult to settle into one prescribed musical expression? We war amongst ourselves because we are each absolutely convinced of the spiritual superiority of our own form of musical worship.
It seems that there are only a few possible solutions to this genuinely difficult situation in which we’ve found ourselves. One: we wait for the tide of "modern" music to overtake a church as the older generation dies out and the newer gains control. This may be pragmatic for some, but seems to me altogether unChristlike. Two: we choose to separate ourselves into different local churches based upon cultural preferences. I'm less opposed to this solution these days for the same reason I wouldn't ask an indigenous Chinese church to embrace an African form of worship. Perhaps we are just simply too diverse in our country to expect one form of “blended” worship to appeal to the heart of every single person. Three: everyone in the church could intentionally choose to “suffer” through various forms of worship that are not appealing to them for the sake of others. Of course, when I say "suffer," I'm being intentionally silly. It should be our joy to give up our preferences for the sake of others. I honestly believe that in some contexts option 2 is best. I also believe that in other contexts option 3 is favorable. Each church must discern God’s will for their particular setting.
The point of this post was not to try and fix the problem of conflicts over worship that we experience in this country. My hope is, rather, that we properly understand these conflicts in a biblical way. I pray that we’ll stop venerating musical styles and cultural expressions. I pray that we will love each other sacrificially, and I pray, most of all, that we’ll faithfully proclaim the gospel to ourselves and others through worship, preaching, and mission.
It's long been my conviction that since Christ is our example, our duty and joy in meeting together with the body of Christ should be to lay aside our preferences in music for the sake of others. Much like in marriage, church should be a group of people resolutely determined to lay aside their own interests for the sake of others (Phil. 2:4). I'm so certain of this governing principle that I fear the judgment of Christ on our churches in the last Day will see much shame over the selfishness spilled out in worship wars over the past two decades in America (and beyond).
While I've held to these convictions for quite some time, I'm not sure that I could truly articulate the practical implications of my thinking until recently.
First of all, worship is not only for God, though we would all affirm that this is its primary aim.
Paul says in Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19, and 1 Cor. 14:4, 12, 26 that our worship should be for the education and edification of other believers. So the next time you’re at church proclaiming the truths of the gospel or the trinity or some other great mystery of our God, look around. Look around, and then sing. Sing not only to God but to your brothers and sisters. Proclaim the gospel in song to them. They need to hear it from the preacher, and they need to hear it from you!
Second, to expand this idea of education and edification to a global scale by means of the New Covenant is where things really get fun! I'll explain.
Why do we have worship wars? That's easy. We have worship wars (particularly in America) because we have culture wars. If I were to take you to the heart of Africa or China or South America, and we were to experience the vast array of culturally specific worship styles in these contexts, it would nevercross your mind to try and force your church's style of worship into that context. Or it shouldn't.
Why? Because at the advent of the New Covenant, the Kingdom of God burst forth into all nations in a way that had never been seen before; and as this Kingdom advanced forcefully throughout the world, God's intent was not to mold every culture's expression of worship of Him into the Jewish/Middle Eastern forms. Rather, within the constraints of Scripture's commands for orderliness and doctrinal orthodoxy, each culture has the freedom to express worship to God in beautifully unique ways.
Enter the United States... the melting pot of the world. Is it any wonder that at the meeting point of hundreds of cultures and nations we find it difficult to settle into one prescribed musical expression? We war amongst ourselves because we are each absolutely convinced of the spiritual superiority of our own form of musical worship.
It seems that there are only a few possible solutions to this genuinely difficult situation in which we’ve found ourselves. One: we wait for the tide of "modern" music to overtake a church as the older generation dies out and the newer gains control. This may be pragmatic for some, but seems to me altogether unChristlike. Two: we choose to separate ourselves into different local churches based upon cultural preferences. I'm less opposed to this solution these days for the same reason I wouldn't ask an indigenous Chinese church to embrace an African form of worship. Perhaps we are just simply too diverse in our country to expect one form of “blended” worship to appeal to the heart of every single person. Three: everyone in the church could intentionally choose to “suffer” through various forms of worship that are not appealing to them for the sake of others. Of course, when I say "suffer," I'm being intentionally silly. It should be our joy to give up our preferences for the sake of others. I honestly believe that in some contexts option 2 is best. I also believe that in other contexts option 3 is favorable. Each church must discern God’s will for their particular setting.
The point of this post was not to try and fix the problem of conflicts over worship that we experience in this country. My hope is, rather, that we properly understand these conflicts in a biblical way. I pray that we’ll stop venerating musical styles and cultural expressions. I pray that we will love each other sacrificially, and I pray, most of all, that we’ll faithfully proclaim the gospel to ourselves and others through worship, preaching, and mission.
In Christ,
AndyMonday, July 29, 2013
Regeneration
"Awake, sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." -Eph. 5:14 (NASB)
I really only had one request of God as I boarded an airplane for Moldova almost two weeks ago. I prayed that He would show me regeneration. This was, no doubt, a selfish request, but I asked nonetheless. Essentially I wanted to see more than decisions for Christ (as much as I wanted to see those too!). My desire was to see radical repentance and faith.
As in previous years, it was very hard to tell in the first few days of camp if we were really making any kind of difference at all. Maybe the Lord does things this way on purpose, so that we'll know that it is not ultimately us doing the work.
We gave an invitation on Thursday night and many stayed at the chapel after the service to talk about following Jesus. This was super encouraging! Perhaps some were coming forward because it was a cool thing to do at the moment, but anyone could tell that most of the students who made a decision had been touched by the Holy Spirit.
I took four guys aside and asked them to describe what was going on their hearts. One said, "I know I am a sinner." Through tears another said that he was so thankful for what Jesus had done for Him! It was obvious that God was moving.
The next morning I asked my Bible study group to give testimony to what God had done the night before. Honestly I was wanting to test things a bit and see the results after all of the emotion had died down. Student after student explained with powerful articulation how God had worked in a unique way in their heart. Then one student, making a motion with her hand, said, "It was like someone grabbed my heart and said, 'Wake up!'"
Needless to say, I was overwhelmed and thankful that God had been gracious enough to answer my selfish prayer. In that moment he showed us all regeneration.
I really only had one request of God as I boarded an airplane for Moldova almost two weeks ago. I prayed that He would show me regeneration. This was, no doubt, a selfish request, but I asked nonetheless. Essentially I wanted to see more than decisions for Christ (as much as I wanted to see those too!). My desire was to see radical repentance and faith.
As in previous years, it was very hard to tell in the first few days of camp if we were really making any kind of difference at all. Maybe the Lord does things this way on purpose, so that we'll know that it is not ultimately us doing the work.
We gave an invitation on Thursday night and many stayed at the chapel after the service to talk about following Jesus. This was super encouraging! Perhaps some were coming forward because it was a cool thing to do at the moment, but anyone could tell that most of the students who made a decision had been touched by the Holy Spirit.
I took four guys aside and asked them to describe what was going on their hearts. One said, "I know I am a sinner." Through tears another said that he was so thankful for what Jesus had done for Him! It was obvious that God was moving.
The next morning I asked my Bible study group to give testimony to what God had done the night before. Honestly I was wanting to test things a bit and see the results after all of the emotion had died down. Student after student explained with powerful articulation how God had worked in a unique way in their heart. Then one student, making a motion with her hand, said, "It was like someone grabbed my heart and said, 'Wake up!'"
Needless to say, I was overwhelmed and thankful that God had been gracious enough to answer my selfish prayer. In that moment he showed us all regeneration.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Praise Him Through the Darkness
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Last year (2012) in Moldova I felt the Lord lead me to share some specifics from my personal testimony that are less then easy for me to recount. After doing this I felt foolish, questioning God’s leading and even questioning God. The next day I was a little encouraged to hear that my testimony had impacted a particular student at camp. I’ll call this student Joe. I came to find out that this student’s father had taken his own life just one week prior to camp, and what I shared apparently helped him in this time of grief. So I left Moldova still discouraged but hoping somehow that God might use the ministry I had done there in spite of my weaknesses.
After arriving at
camp this year, I was pleased to find that Joe had been placed on my team! Joe
follows Jesus, he is an older student, and he was a huge help to me throughout
the week. However, on Wednesday morning I noticed that Joe was not himself. During
the entire Bible study he had his head buried in his Bible, specifically the
Psalms. So after our team Bible study was over, I pulled him aside and asked
him what was wrong. It had been one year since his father’s death, and he was
broken. Many in the camp grieved with him that day. We held our brother, and we
cried together. We prayed, and we asked for comfort from the Lord. His grace
was abundant, and Joe returned to his normal energetic self the next day.
The rest of the
week was amazing. We saw the Holy Spirit draw many to salvation. God moved
mightily among his people. Friday night came, and with it our last worship
service. All week long we had been singing a song written by Martin Smith entitled,
“God’s Great Dance Floor.” It’s a party song, and we were in a party kind of
mood! Everyone was dancing and clapping and singing at the top of their lungs.
It was a special moment that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.
But then Linda
(on the American team) cried out, “Something’s wrong with Joe!” Several of us
rushed over to check on him. His eyes were open, and he was sitting up, but he
could barely communicate with us. Someone said that he had a heart problem, and
we began to worry. Then he passed out.
I don’t know that
I've felt the full weight of a mostly grown man who was seemingly lifeless
before, but I do know that I never want to again. We laid him on the ground, and
Linda checked for a pulse. Initially none was found, but we quickly realized
that his heart was still beating and he was still breathing. But he was not
conscious. One of the Moldovan leaders splashed some water on his face and
tried to wake him. Another leader pulled his car up to the site, and six people
picked Joe up and placed him in the vehicle. An ambulance had been called and
would meet the car half way. Joe started regaining consciousness after being
placed in the car, but as they drove off, we all worried about his condition.
The whole camp was shocked. Many wept. How could this joyful night and life-changing
week end in the darkness of such uncertainty?
And then, God’s
people began to pray. We prayed through tears. We asked for healing. We exclaimed
our trust in the only One who holds our lives in His hands. What else could we
do? Then we began to think that perhaps the Enemy may have a part in this
trouble. Who are we to know if he was or wasn’t the source, but a unified
thought began to enter our minds. We must
return to praising God. After weeping for a moment, praying for a while,
and placing our trust in our Father, we were compelled to return to the same
praise that we had been offering Him less than a half hour earlier. Only this
time the mood was obviously quite different. Instead of dancing with our feet,
we raised our hands as a child longing to picked up. “How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God.” Instead
of shouts of praise, there was, at first, a humble yet focused determination in
our voices. “Blessed be Your Name, on the
road marked with suffering, though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be
Your Name.” We got word that the ambulance had met the car Joe was in and
that he seemed to be doing better. He was awake and talking but would still be
taken to the hospital for testing. “Lord
I need you, every hour I need you. My one defense, my righteousness, oh God,
how I need You.” At this point the Moldovan worship team came up and did a
couple of songs. The mood was changing. What was moments ago an intentional yet
difficult decision to praise God in spite of our circumstances gradually returned
to a free and joyful expression. Even the clapping started up again. Voices
became louder and louder. And though the language was Romanian, there was a
heart-felt adoration that transcended human dialect.
Then they asked
me to sing another song in English:
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow
to anger.
Your name is great, and Your hear is
kind.
For all Your goodness I will keep on
singing.
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to
find.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my
soul.
Worship His Holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your Holy Name.
One more Romanian song was sung, and we dismissed. As I walked
back to my cabin, I had the overwhelming thought that perhaps I had just been a part of the most significant worship service
I would ever experience this side of Heaven. Whether or not this is true or
even if such a comparison is possible doesn't really matter. Heaven had touched
earth in the midst of suffering. God’s Spirit had led God’s people to praise
Him in the middle of a storm that could have very easily diminished the impact
of a week beautifully orchestrated by God. Darkness had fallen. But the light of
Christ shone in the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it. The enemy
had struck his blow, but Christ had won.
The next morning the
students and leaders loaded into buses and headed into town. Camp was over, and
it was time to return home. As the buses pulled up to the church, there was Joe,
standing outside waiting for everyone to arrive. The hospital could find
nothing wrong with him, and so they released him. He had stayed the night at
church, and now he was reunited with his spiritual family, the ones who had
worried about him and the ones who had prayed diligently for him.
I wish I could
have been there to see that scene. I wish I could have hugged Joe one more time
and thanked God together with him for the happy ending to this story, but I was
on another bus headed toward home. As I
peered out the window that morning and looked across the rolling hills of
Moldova, I realized that my faith had grown. Without even knowing it, God had
carefully painted another sanctifying stroke on the canvas of my life. Our
verses for the week were Ephesians 2:8-10. Verse 10 reads:“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus,” and oh how
masterful an artist He is!
Friday, July 5, 2013
The Mark
I've always heard that the "Mark of the Beast" described in Revelation 13 will most likely be a microchip that is placed in the forehead or hand of anyone who wants to buy or sell at the end of days. I realized a long time ago that trying to guess at what Revelation means when it describes future events (or even past events) is well beyond my pay-grade, and so for me to say that the Mark is not a chip is not my purpose here. Chip or no chip, I hope my point stands.
Over the past couple of years, I've been shown a new (new for me) way of reading the Bible. This view rejects a disjointed, piece-meal, application-centered, me-centered, handbook-for-life attitude and embraces the intentional arrangement of Scripture which shows us the plan of God for His creation and His redemption by grace, through faith, for a purpose (Eph. 2:8-10). With this perspective, Revelation can be seen as a theological retelling of the whole of Scripture. In other words, when you read something in Revelation, you've probably seen it before in the Bible.
Revelation 13:16 says, "Also (the beast) causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666."
And the most central and important passage in all of Scripture for the Jews is Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "Here, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command to you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 11:18 repeats this idea.
Could it be then that what believers are to be warned of at the end of days is not merely a physical mark - though we certainly wouldn't rule that out as part of the plan? Are we to reflect back on Dt. 6 (the Greatest Commandment, according to Jesus in Mt. 22) and recognize a particular, man-centered worldview that has or will saturate the globe? Just as Israel was to love the LORD with heart, soul, and might, could the "mark" of the Beast's system be identified through man's own fierce devotion to himself? Is man loving himself with all of his heart, soul, and might the mark that is bound on his hand and forehead?
Once again, Revelation, for the most part, feels well beyond my reach of understanding; but when I noticed these two marks in the Bible, I thought I should at least share them so that you can think and draw your own conclusions.
In Christ,
Andy
Over the past couple of years, I've been shown a new (new for me) way of reading the Bible. This view rejects a disjointed, piece-meal, application-centered, me-centered, handbook-for-life attitude and embraces the intentional arrangement of Scripture which shows us the plan of God for His creation and His redemption by grace, through faith, for a purpose (Eph. 2:8-10). With this perspective, Revelation can be seen as a theological retelling of the whole of Scripture. In other words, when you read something in Revelation, you've probably seen it before in the Bible.
Revelation 13:16 says, "Also (the beast) causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666."
And the most central and important passage in all of Scripture for the Jews is Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "Here, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command to you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 11:18 repeats this idea.
Could it be then that what believers are to be warned of at the end of days is not merely a physical mark - though we certainly wouldn't rule that out as part of the plan? Are we to reflect back on Dt. 6 (the Greatest Commandment, according to Jesus in Mt. 22) and recognize a particular, man-centered worldview that has or will saturate the globe? Just as Israel was to love the LORD with heart, soul, and might, could the "mark" of the Beast's system be identified through man's own fierce devotion to himself? Is man loving himself with all of his heart, soul, and might the mark that is bound on his hand and forehead?
Once again, Revelation, for the most part, feels well beyond my reach of understanding; but when I noticed these two marks in the Bible, I thought I should at least share them so that you can think and draw your own conclusions.
In Christ,
Andy
Saturday, June 29, 2013
More Significant Than Yourselves
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." -Phil. 2:3
Those whose minds are set on this world incessantly pursue significance. Some seek it in religion, others in the accumulation of material possessions. Most seek it by means of belittling others (at least in their own minds), so that they can feel more significant by comparison.
As we know, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the great equalizer of all humanity. We have all sinned and are all under the judgment of a righteous Judge, apart from His grace. To compare ourselves to one another in an effort find significance is ridiculous. Apart from our Creator and Redeemer, we have none. All is dust and ashes. But - good news - with our Creator and Redeemer, absolute and eternal significance are imputed to us!
Therefore the gospel is not merely the great equalizer of humanity, it turns humanity's vain search for significance on its head. Paul says, essentially, "Now that you have significance in Christ, you are FREE to live the rest of your life considering others more significant than yourself!" Why? Because in Christ we've gone from zero to infinity with three words: "It is finished." We've gone from meaninglessness to concentrated purpose and direction with "Make disciples of all nations" and "Love your neighbor as yourself."
We are free to take our minds off ourselves and our personal pursuit of significance because He has given us all that we will ever need. We are free to count others as more significant because that is a reenactment of Messiah's cross on which He said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing."
Believer. You are free to count others more significant than yourself.
Those whose minds are set on this world incessantly pursue significance. Some seek it in religion, others in the accumulation of material possessions. Most seek it by means of belittling others (at least in their own minds), so that they can feel more significant by comparison.
As we know, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the great equalizer of all humanity. We have all sinned and are all under the judgment of a righteous Judge, apart from His grace. To compare ourselves to one another in an effort find significance is ridiculous. Apart from our Creator and Redeemer, we have none. All is dust and ashes. But - good news - with our Creator and Redeemer, absolute and eternal significance are imputed to us!
Therefore the gospel is not merely the great equalizer of humanity, it turns humanity's vain search for significance on its head. Paul says, essentially, "Now that you have significance in Christ, you are FREE to live the rest of your life considering others more significant than yourself!" Why? Because in Christ we've gone from zero to infinity with three words: "It is finished." We've gone from meaninglessness to concentrated purpose and direction with "Make disciples of all nations" and "Love your neighbor as yourself."
We are free to take our minds off ourselves and our personal pursuit of significance because He has given us all that we will ever need. We are free to count others as more significant because that is a reenactment of Messiah's cross on which He said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing."
Believer. You are free to count others more significant than yourself.
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