Let the story progress.

The Forward Moving Story
Acts 7.55-60

The word of God tells a story which is moving forward. -N. T. Wright

This is not a casual thought and it makes great sense when we start to understand the story of God. Particularly in it’s earliest declaration. Whether it was Peter, Stephen or ultimately Paul, the gospel is often received with a degree of contention. We have to be willing to admit that it may be our own misunderstanding of the forward moving story of God that leads to our own contention.

Too much one source news or social media theology may lead us longing for a more simple theology rather than one that progresses and grows over time. I find this attitude to be most shallow. It is one demonstration of an unwillingness to grow. It’s like somehow thinking that iron sharpens iron without any resistance. Look around. If all of your Christian friends agree with you, it is possible you aren’t very sharp.

Stephen’s message offended the religious. It cost him his life. They refused to give any thought to the new ways of God. Seems that in taking life they may have lost their own. Jesus said in John 14.6, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. This is a part of the forward moving story.

What will we do to remember?

We Are Church

Acts 2.42-47

What would God have us remember about this moment in the life of His Church? This once in a century COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to be the greatest moment in the life of the modern church if we will only remember what it is teaching us. We are the church.

If we can learn anything from the early church and pass it on to future generations, I would hope that we would:

1. Capture the compelling message of the gospel. The simple but powerful message of the cross was life changing as evidenced by the number of people who were coming to faith and being baptized.
2. Petition a loving God. The early church was devoted to prayer. Prayer defines our relationship to God. It draws us close to God and His work in the world and rests in the unlimited resourcefulness of God.
3. Redefine key elements of your faith. The early church was defined by their fellowship and worship. Not fellowship as we know it. It’s probably safe to assume there were no fellowship halls at that time. They fellowship with one another in homes. They shared their possessions. They lived unselfishly in order to meet the needs of others. Their worship was often around a meal–they broke bread together. By the way, this is a great idea!
4. Lay a foundation of spiritual growth for current and future generations. The four foundational practices we see in the church are teaching, fellowship, worship and prayer. Modeling these practices in our homes and for others will be one way we share Christ with the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking backward will make you sick.

In my youth I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Wheeling, West Virginia. It was my first time to travel outside the state of Texas. I was excited to travel with friends into this beautiful sate, almost heaven they say.

After we arrived at our destination, we unpacked and got settled in when we heard an announcement that the van would be going into town where we would purchase groceries for the week. Of course my friends and I were ready for our first adventure so we quickly loaded into the van. All the way to the back of the van we go. The back seat had been removed in order to store our luggage and other gear. This was no problem for us, we simply sat on the floor. It seemed to be the right thing to do until the motion from driving on a narrow mountainous road began to make me feel queasy.

Not to be embarrassed in front of my friends I got up on my knees to try to see out the front window. It was impossible. The van seats, bodies and heads were in the way so I settled for what I thought would be the next best option. I turned around and looked out the back window of the van. Now I’m getting sick. I get quiet and remain as still as possible on this mountainous road. The rest of that trip to town is a blur. I only remember getting to my cot and remaining there until evening and bedtime shortly thereafter.

Not to waste a teachable moment, here is what I learned from that experience.

• If you can’t look forward, you will look backward.
• If you look backward long enough, you will get sick.
• If you don’t stop looking backward, you’ll be too sick to look forward.

The church will meet again and when it does it will be best if we don’t look back. It’s just possible that God is ready to do something new.

What’s New is Not Normal

Resurrection Sunday Conversation

Matthew 28.1-10

I’m going to share two words with you this morning that by now are two words that you ready to be done with. Two words—New Normal.

I think we are all so over those two words right now. I mean, try to say them without rolling your eyes, or using “air quotes” or giving a heavy sigh.

I think this is what we say to ourselves when we hear these words—I don’t want new. I just want normal.

Normal was exactly what the expected from Jesus. And that is exactly the problem with resurrection Sunday. Some just want normal.

Normal was the way of life before Jesus came.

Weddings were normal until Jesus turned water into wine.

Visits to the temple were normal until Jesus started turning over tables.

Sabbath was normal until Jesus healed on the Sabbath.

Fishing was normal until Jesus said cast your nets on the other side.

Everything was normal and if we are honest with ourselves, we like it that way.

I don’t need faith—I need normal.

I don’t need to be challenged—I need normal.

I don’t need to be uncomfortable when the Holy Spirit speaks to me—I need normal.

Normal was fine—until Jesus came!

His birth was not normal.

His way was not normal.

Even his death was not normal.

And when he rose the tomb. Well, that’s not normal.

Here is what I have determined. If we are going to follow Jesus we leave the normal and embrace the new. We need to believe, rejoice and share the news.

Believe

That Jesus is Messiah.

That we have new life.

Rejoice

That Jesus is alive.

In God’s plan for the world.

Share

The commission to tell others begins now.

The commission will always be to go and tell.

 

 

What if you continue the journey?

There is no conclusion to the “What if….?” journey.  It is a journey that is deeply personal and rewarding beyond belief. When we start to imagine the possibilities of a relationship with God we start to see ourselves and others differently.  Our life view changes.

Maybe we would be enabled to look past our doubts, obstacles and fears and passionately pursue God in ways that were unknown to us previously. Over the last few weeks I have repeated often, “if you aren’t happy where you are, then why do you stay there.” What if you moved on? What if you experienced God’s future as a part of his Kingdom plan. Full participation in all that God has created.

What if you started now focusing on a renewed future with God?

To continue this conversation go here:  What if God have you what you ask for?

The unexpected gift

The unexpected gift is a risky gift.

Israel struggled with God’s gift of His Son. This wasn’t what they were expecting and while there were many things they embraced in Jesus there was so much more that caused dissension. Ultimately Jesus was crucified by those that just couldn’t believe that he was the Messiah. They missed God’s greatest gift.

How are you responding to God’s unexpected gift to you? Remember it may not look like a gift. It certainly may not be any gift on your prayer list. Stop for a moment and consider those things that may be God’s unexpected gift for you. In time, you will understand the value of those gifts. Open your heart to God’s gift today.

 

The hope of an expected gift

As we near Christmas day you may hear opposing views on gift lists.  Some love the idea of making a list and having others choose gifts from the list.  Others believe in the surprise element of gift giving–my preference. In either way there is always the hope of an expected gift.  The reality is that we are pretty good at making our wishes known whether we provide a list or not.

The expected gift that God gave us was a Messiah. His Son. It is a gift that has given us more than we could have hoped for. Celebrate God’s gift to you this Advent.

Leftovers, Rest and Communion

When the Thanksgiving meal has been served…

After you have given thanks…

Before the dishes have been cleared from the table…

Let your spirit transcend. Hear the Spirit speak:

no more leftovers,

rest,

and communion. Prepare our hearts for the season.  Usher us into the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

Amen.

Go

When the disciples decided to follow Jesus they heard him say “come” and their hearts said “go”. Ultimately every disciple will understand the meaning of “go”.

Friends invite friends

Jesus starts his ministry by inviting others to follow him. Philip was one of those whom Jesus invited.  Upon his invitation to follow he went to one of his friends, Nathanael and invited him to follow Jesus.

What a great scene.  Friends inviting friends.

Inviting is not that difficult and ought to be a part of our ongoing process as a disciple.  When you invite others, consider an invitation into the following areas:

1. Authentic relationship. There ought to be a place in some relationships where we trust, drop our guard and feel the freedom to be our self.  These relationships are rate but welcomed when offered.
2. Genuine community. We need people in our life where we can give and receive grace in a caring way. A genuine community creates an environment of equality, freedom and mutual respect. Genuine communities are helped when someone takes the risk and initiative to forfeit their perceived perfection.
3. Inclusion. Ultimately a disciple invites friends who invite friends. Paul demonstrated this kind of invitation with Timothy (2 Timothy 2.2). The process of inviting into authentic relationship and genuine community is perpetual.  Try it.  It starts with inviting a friend.