Christmas Wars: Return of theology

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My bottom line is this: The focus of the First Advent should be on Jesus humbly being born in the likeness of human flesh and that at second advent is in the near future when Jesus returns to make all things new. Rather, this season is marked by what I call the Christmas Wars.

Xmas controversy
Christian_Chi_RhoAs a child I remember being scolded out of the blue because I wrote ‘xmas’ on my paper. I was following in the evil pathway of removing Christ from Christmas. Being the reader (nerd) that I was, I looked it up. (Note, this was before the advent of wikipedia, so I had to use this thing called a card catalog and books.) What I found was this: The X was from the greek letter Xsi which is the first initial of Christ’s name, Xristos in Greek. X marked with another letter or part of the word was an appropriate abbreviation for Christ. There is no grand conspiracy to remove Christ from Christmas.

Mas controversy
Jesus died once for all sin. In doing research I found another interesting aspect: I don’t celebrate Mass. Mass is the liturgy surrounding the celebration of the Eucharist. The Eucharist views communion as becoming wholly the blood and body of Jesus. It’s a perpetual sacrifice. Hence, the symbol of the crucifix. While the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin, it is through the resurrection that we’re saved. The Bible doesn’t teach a perpetual sacrifice but a single sacrifice at one point in time whereby the barrier between God and man is forever destroyed through the resurrection of Jesus. Communion then is a symbol where we proclaim the Lord’s death until he returns.

The First Advent
It is good to celebrate the First Advent. Why? Jesus demonstrated humility and a focus on people. My fear isn’t removing Christ from Christmas. My fear is not seeing Christ in Christians. Let’s be humble, friends. It’s what Jesus did.

The light of the World
It is good to celebrate Jesus as the light of the world. The real issue is whether we’ll accept by faith that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead. Jesus died once for all sin, the just for the unjust. My concern isn’t removing Christ from Christmas. It’s removing Mass from Christ. Theology matters. We do not need to continually dip into a pool of grace to merit salvation. We need to simply accept God’s gift in Jesus whereby God lavishes his grace upon us! We don’t celebrate Mass, we celebrate a risen savior.

The bottom line:
As the Christmas wars heat up, again, let’s remember our theology. Ignorance is no excuse anymore as information is freely available and easier to access. The focus of the first advent should be on Jesus humbly being born in the likeness of human flesh and that at second advent is in the near future when Jesus returns to make all things new. Let us pray for and look to the Second Advent as we celebrate the humbleness of the first.

Prayer Mentoring: Elections

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We should pray and keep the Gospel first. The success of the church is not determined by who wins elections. It’s success is determined by the work of God in the people of God. It starts with, held up with and ended with prayer.

1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying ) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

~ 1 Timothy 2:1-8 NASB

Voting process

  1. Pray
  2. Be informed of things voting on
  3. Pray and search the Scriptures
  4. Vote your conscience
  5. Pray

Prayer Mentoring: Reach

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…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. ~Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV

Pray
The key to a successful prayer life is to pray. Paul instructs us to pray at all times. This means we need to be in continual contact with God. Communication is important to any relationship. Paul gives this instruction in the context of spiritual warfare

In the spirit
The Holy Spirit is critical. Paul states in Galatians and Romans how those in Christ are lead by the Spirit. This is also a reflection of the filling of the Spirit within us. There is a real and mysterious interplay between the Spirit and ourselves when it comes to prayer.

Ask and ask a lot
Prayer means to ask, supplication means to beg. It’s the idea of a child jumping up and down asking for something. Paul tells us we need to go before God and plead our case.

 Be alert
The Bible frequently discusses the need to be alert. Christians must be aware of those around them. Specifically, Christians should be aware of the ministry of their church family. We have a responsibility to uphold one another’s ministry in prayer.

The Gospel
The point is the Gospel. Our care and prayer for one another is the foundation and platform to share the Gospel. Caring and praying for one another isn’t the point, it’s the platform. The point is to engage and engage boldly with a lost and dying world.

The First Step
The first step to REACH people is to be praying and have others praying for you! There is a spiritual battle going on. Prayer is key and it’s the platform to point people to Jesus.

Clean water

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There is a shift in our church culture towards social justice. This is a welcomed change as for too long social justice was divorced for the Gospel. It’s hard to say we love Jesus if we don’t love our neighbor both here and abroad. I also love it when people use their God-given abilities to make something happen. Here is an opportunity that came across desk recently that I’m praying over. To my ministry friends, what are your thoughts?

Water Sunday
Video – https://vimeo.com/47960626

Water Sunday is an initiative of Water Missions International, inspiring a movement within the Church to respond to the global water crisis. Together, we can be the solution. Water Sunday is the start.

Every day 1 in 8 people in the world lack their most basic need – safe water to drink. We’re tired of hearing about the problem, so we’re solving it. As the Church we’ve been specifically called to do something.

What would happen if the American Church came together and said ‘We want to end the global water crisis?’
Water Missions International is asking churches across the country to give one Sunday between January and April 2013 to transform lives through safe water. All the resources are available to make sure your church is fully equipped for a Sunday that is as transformational and hassle-free as possible. (You’re going to LOVE the resources – check them out here!) Our desire is that the members of your church would move from being ‘transactional givers’ to passionate people who have been transformed through engaging in the call to care for the thirsty (Isaiah 58).

By combining the efforts of many churches, we are able to make a HUGE impact around the world. In the months that follow Water Sunday, everyone will celebrate together, as photos and stories of transformation pour in from the projects funded through Water Sunday. Your church community will be able to see the faces of those impacted, and the JOY made possible through their efforts. 

Water Missions International’s goal is to see lives changed through the transformative power of safe water and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By partnering through Water Sunday, your church will be part of the active body of Christ responding to urgent physical needs with safe water that will flow forever. In addition, your church will be part of providing the Living Water Jesus talks about in John 4:14 for those who thirst spiritually. Engage your church to join the Body and end the global water crisis.

Here’s what you can do:

  • If you’re not:  Tweet Your Pastor (or email them this post) Example Tweet: (@YOURPASTORSTWITTERHANDLE), let’s end the global water crisis. Sign up your church NOW.@watermissions#WaterSunday”

The vision is for more than 100 churches to participate in Water Sunday this year and provide access to safe water to more than 33,000 people.

Join Water Sunday. Be The Solution.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/watermissions

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/WaterMissions

Prayer Mentoring: The unexpected

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This is a guest post. Lee Wise ran the internship program and taught evangelism at BBS when I attended there.

A Prayer For Today…

Joy In The Unexpected

“Lord, I thank you for the honor of knowing Someone who blesses me in so many ways, in so many unexpected places, during so many unexpected times in my life.    And today, Father, should I not so naturally discover ‘a joy piece’ within, I ask that You in your faithfulness would turn my heart your way to see You as I should. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”

Joy In The Unexpected — An Inspirational Quote

Joy

Enjoying God in the most unexpected places
during the most unexpected times
©Lee Wise

Joy In The Unexpected – Reflections 

Sometimes it just happens:

In the most unexpected ways,
At entirely unexpected moments,
We take joy in the moment…

And acknowledge within the amazing part God has played in the process.

We realize more of his working,
Appreciate his graciousness to us,
And rejoice when we do.

The “size” doesn’t matter.  It’s not the size: it’s the fact.  The fact that it does happen and we recognize the reality of the Lord in one more unique way.

A Prayer For The Day…

 Reflecting On Scripture

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. (Psalm 27:7)**

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**Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com.

The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute this inspirational note. The copyright and this resource box must be included.

My Believer’s Guide To Achieving Success On Purpose — a highly personalized tool for dynamic growth in Christ.  Begin your  journey here: http://mybelieversguide.com

A brief defense on teaching about end times

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To understand life one must understand death. The teaching on end times in the Bible is the Christian understanding of ‘death.’ I put death in quotes as the Bible teaches death to be an unnatural state resulting from sin. There is an over reaction to teachings about end times, but running from it is unwise. Here are some often heard objections to teaching the end times:

None of your business
When the disciples asked Jesus if now was the time for the kingdom, Jesus said it wasn’t their job to worry about a timeline. At the end of this narrative angels asked what on Earth the disciples were doing, just as Jesus went up into the clouds he’d come back in a like manner. While me must hold a timeline loosely, there is still the expectancy of Christ’s return. Hold fast to Christ’s return, hold loosely a timeline.

It’s divisive
There is little in the Bible that isn’t divisive. 25% of Scripture deals with prophetic events in the future. It’s a major thing. The teaching on end times focuses on three critical themes: 1) The person and nature of Jesus. 2) The restoration of peace and harmony as Jesus makes all things new. 3) The punishment of evil and the vindication of justice. These are no small themes and the Bible speaks to them. Christianity isn’t about an eternal fight of good vs evil. Evil has an end date.

Left behind series is annoying
Lot’s of things are annoying in life. I don’t fault someone with trying to communicate what they believe artistically. There are weird or annoying things in all aspects of life. Just look at Facebook and you’ll see what I mean. Anytime we place a major emphasis on one doctrine over the others there will be issues. Further, anytime we move the Gospel from being first and central things get messed up. However, that doesn’t mean other doctrines are unimportant or shouldn’t be discussed. Our culture tries to run and hide from death and that’s unhealthy.

End times focuses on fear
No doubt the study of end times should be sobering. In it we see the outpouring of God’s wrath but we also see the outpouring of God’s love. For those in Christ the teaching on end times should be motivational and push us to place our trust in Christ. Not merely for our salvation, but also that he will work all things together for good. Fear is not all bad. Losing our fear of God is dangerous, as is over emphasizing the fear of God. A significant portion of passages on the end times is for encouragement and hope, not fear.

About that timeline
Jesus chastises leaders for being able to predict the weather but not understand the times. While we should hold our timelines loosely, it is not sin to think through one. Jesus expects us to be aware of what’s going on. We should be careful to not have it cause undue division within the church or play guessing games that force current events into our timeline. Having an idea of a timeline is part of having an answer for the hope that is within us.

Allegorical vs Literal
This seems to be the real crux of the problem and worthy of a post. Briefly stated, I don’t think end times passages are allegories about good vs evil and that the Gospel is social justice. Such is a massive misunderstanding of the Gospel and the nature of God. (I also believe that Christians have wrongly viewed the Gospel as divorced from social justice.) I do believe that end times passages often describe the indescribable and should be approached with an air of humility, not certitude, when taking a literal approach to Scripture.

The bottom line:
How we view ‘death’ determines how we view life. In things I’ve seen or heard recently it seems there is an overreaction to those who emphasize teachings on the end times. However, it is a significant aspect to the Bible, Jesus and the apostles taught on it, and ignoring it is not an option. Like so much in life, we need discernment.

Prayer Mentoring: God says yes

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Too often we forget that God does say yes to prayers. He sometimes says wait, no, I have something better, etc. Sometimes he just says yes. People criticized the move “Facing the Giants” because in the ends all the prayers were answered with a yes. Sometimes life does happen that way.

Word of Life Island
I loved hearing the story of how Harry Bollback and Jack Wyrtzen took a rowboat to see an island and then said they’d take it. They had no clue how it was going to be paid for. God said yes, and the Gospel impacted thousands to this day. Sometimes God says yes.

Partly cloudy
At a camping event when I was a kid rain was in order. A leader simply went to his knees and asked God for dry weather so we could go through the day’s events. Immediately the clouds parted around the camp and returned after the day was done and we headed home. Sometimes God says yes.

I can talk
At a national missions conference a speaker couldn’t talk. His voice got worse and worse until he was unable to speak. So, people stopped him, they prayed and his voice came back with a vengeance. He was talking about suffering in ministry. It was one of the most impactful meetings of the night. Sometimes God says yes.

Lights on
One summer the easter seaboard lost power. The phone rang off the hook asking if there would be VBS that night. Of course there would! The lights were on. We prayed that God would do some neat things, and a couple of kids accepted Jesus as their savior that night. When we said amen to close out the evening, the lights went off. The church was the only place with power that night until VBS was done. Sometimes God says yes.

All heart
One Christmas when things were really tight it was time to find a present for my wife. I told God whatever he provides, that’ll be Kelly’s gift. If a quarter, then I’d wrap up a 25 cent ring. God told a friend to turn his car around and drop of a Christmas card early. When shopping a heart necklace caught my eye that perfectly summed up the year, but it was too much. The store keeper grabbed me as I walked away and mention that a sale had just started. Sometimes God says yes.

I’m yours
The most important yes God says is when we ask Jesus to save us. There God says yes. In all reality, it’s the one yes that matters most. Jesus said yes to God even when he didn’t want to. Jesus died and rose for us so God could say yes to every person who goes to him and says ‘I’m yours.’ When it comes to asking Jesus to be a part of your life, the answer is always yes.

The bottom line:
Sometimes God does say yes. We need to record and remember those moments. God planned to the detail our lives. Sometimes his plans are different and the way he answers prayer is different, no or wait. But, don’t forget there are those times that God says yes.

Forgotten Gifts of the Spirit

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Church is team. It takes diversity for a unified church body to work, both within the local church as well as the universal church. Smoldering in the back of my head is the issue of Seminary, thanks in part to Pastor Tim Raymond. Back in May, Pastor Tim, a peer in seminary and a man of God I had the privilege to growing up with, wrote a series on the importance of seminary (Part one Part Two Part Three Part Four). Here is the opening to the series:

“For decades, seminary education has endured the slings and arrows of bad jokes, unkind mockery, and downright slander.  If I had a quarter for every time I’ve heard a disillusioned preacher intentionally misspeak, recalling his years in “cemetery, I mean seminary,” I might be able to buy something edible.  It would be easy for the average Christian to think wrongly, like Nathaniel did with Nazareth, that nothing good can come out of seminary.”

Wisdom & Knowledge
Wisdom & knowledge seem to be neglected gifts. Bill Hybels mentions often how leadership is often not developed or neglected in churches. For a long time, I believe that to be true. As I look over the course of my lifetime, it seems wisdom and knowledge are largely neglected. Churches rarely promote the life of the mind. Wisdom and knowledge feeds solid leadership and solid pastoring. It gives tools to evangelism and mercy. In the fear of heresy, apathy and/or elitism, we’ve neglected two vital gifts.

Seminary is vital
The church both local and universal need places of scholarship where those gifted with wisdom and knowledge can develop and build the body of Christ. I believe it is a duty of a pastor to be a theologian. Having the gift of leadership or shepherding doesn’t give us an excuse to be lax in our theology. It does mean we need to lean on those gifted in ways we are not. I’d be lost preaching through Romans if it were not for those gifted with wisdom and knowledge. While true knowledge can puff up and love edifies, Paul also argues for the importance of the mind in 1 Corinthians 14.

Disciples were diverse
Often the argument against scholarship, like seminary, is the disciples were average men. This is partly true. They were also men who went through a rigorous three-year training program by a master teacher, Jesus. Afterwards the Holy Spirit instructed them. While peter was “blue collar” Paul was clearly an intellectual. While John spoke profound truths simply, Luke and the writer of Hebrews were academically astute. We need all gifts. The formation of God’s Word illustrates this.

The Bible
Biblical and theological literacy are at an all time low. The need for biblical counseling stands at an all time high. There is a relationship between these two things. Perhaps the church is reaping the costs of neglecting the gifts of wisdom and knowledge. What good is leadership or shepherding if it’s not on the firm foundation of God’s Word? Confusion on the Gospel, in worship and the church relationship to culture flow from not heeding wisdom and knowledge. We need to heed Hebrews 5:11-14.

The bottom line:
We need seminary and seminaries don’t need to be places where people lose their faith or passion. Like Tim, I found this to be quite the opposite. I’m immensely grateful for the discipleship Baptist Bible Seminary provided. While I understand that not all will or can attend seminary, I do think one should if at all possible. We need places where we can benefit from those gifted with wisdom and knowledge.

Prayer Mentoring: Speak Normal

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Jesus said you are on Earth and your Father is in heaven, so let your words be few. Too often we measure a successful prayer life on length of time and not quality of what is said. Don’t be super spiritual when you pray. Be simple, real and authentic. Sometimes this will cause short prayers, other times your prayers will last a long time. Here are some tips on speaking normal.

Drop the King James talk
First, most people don’t understand the grammatical rules of the King James english to being with. While similar to our English, it’s not the same. If you don’t talk to your friend or spouse that way, there is no passage in Scripture that says we need a special language for prayer. God communicated his words in plain understandable language of the day.

Lordly Lordly prayers
It’s ok to use pronouns. Here is what I mean, talk to your friend or spouse and use their full name and titles before and after each sentence. If that seems really strange do you, you’re not alone. I often see people get uncomfortable or even think they don’t know how to pray because they don’t say all of God’s names in just about every sentence. Address God, and then use pronouns. Again, talk as you would to any friend.

Repetition
Prayer is a conversation. Prayer is not repeating a mantra. There are times we may repeat a phrase like the Psalmist did. ‘His love endures for ever.’ Again, this is something often over done. Is it ok to ask God about one thing in multiple prayers? YES! There’s even a word for that- it’s called petition, and Jesus encourages it.

Clarity of speech, humility of heart
The goal of praying should be clarity of what you say and humility of your heart. Often verbose prayers are about outward appearances and not a heartfelt talks with a living God. Speak plainly. If you don’t know how or what to say, talk through it as you would any friend. Prayer isn’t impressing God, it’s living life deeply with God.

The bottom line:
Talk to God like you would a friend. Prayer is not a religious game. Prayer is a conversation between you and a living God.

Prayer Mentoring: Lord’s Prayer Pattern

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Prayer mentoring
Following prayer patterns we see in Scripture helps us in our prayer life. Here is the way to work through the Lord’s prayer:

Praise: Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Helpful passage: Psalm 100. Jesus instructs to understand who God is as we start our prayers.

Purpose: Your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.

Helpful passage: 1 Thes 5:16-22. Jesus wants us to focus on God’s will before our needs. Key prayer insight: How do I honor God in the circumstances I’m in?

Provision: Give us this day our daily bread.

Helpful passage: Phil 4:13. God give us the power to use what we have for his glory.

Problems: Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Helpful passage: 1 Jn 1:8-10. Until we see Jesus face to face we’ll struggle with sin. The issue isn’t failure but constantly going back to the Cross.

Protection: Lead us not into temptation.

Helpful passage: Psalm 119:9. The Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. Job sent Satan to tempt & test Job. Jesus knows this is hard, so ask God to skip it! If in temptation, God’s equipped you for it!

Preservation: Deliver us from Evil.

Helpful passage: Rom. 8:38-39. Nothing can separate us from God. Our salvation is secure. Still, we need God’s redeem us from evil. Evil is a present and very real aspect of life.