Hating God: New Worship Series

For over 2000 years people have rejected the Christian faith. Even though the arguments are not new, the critics of the faith are becoming bolder and more hostile. Just as Jesus dealt with those hostile to him, we are called to engage the people in our culture with respect and love. So, why do people hate God and how do we engage them? 

9/5   You Christians are Hypocrites

9/12  Your God is a Judgmental Jerk

9/19   Your God Doesn’t Care

9/26   Your God Doesn’t Exist

I decided to preach on this because as Christians we rub shoulders more and more with people who are antagonsitic to the God of the Bible. This apologetic sermon series has been received well by people I talk to outside the church. But a number of insider Christians have bristled at the series title. Jesus himself said that the world hated him (Jn 15:18-25)  So, if Jesus can use this tense language I figure we can. Besides if we cannot deal with the dark and the painful in the Church, what is the point of our faith?  To have a teddy bear type of God? No!  We are connected to the God of the Bible that goes toes to toe with the suffering and sin, hate and death of this world, overcoming them through His cross and Resurrection!  There is nothing in all the world, not even hate, that will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:31-39).

Dealing with the arguments that others had against the faith was a regular feature in the preaching of the early church. This is yet another sign that we, the Church in the 21st century, have more in common with the 1st century than we do with the church of our parents 40 or even only 25 years ago. Just like the 1st century Christians gave a witness to their faith to opponents, contemporary Christians need to understand the objections other have to their faith and have an effective way of responding. The intent of the series is to help our saints to be strengthened to give account for the faith within them and give them confidence to be compassionate to those who don’t comprehend and who are hostile.

Door Knocking and the Person of Peace

When Jesus sent out the 70 he told them to look for the person of peace (Luke 10:5-6). The Person of Peace is the one God has prepared to receive the Gospel before you arrive. That person is ready to receive what God will give you to say at that moment.

When I approach doors I do not have to be nervous because the only Holy Spirit can prepare a heart to hear the Gospel.  So, when I go out knocking on doors I keep praying for God to bring that person of peace.

 Knocking on the doors is sort of like a “Where’s Waldo” puzzle, among all the people in the picture, there is one person you are supposed to find. One positive response out of every 20 houses where someone answers the door is actually a great result (5%).

So, today I knocked on 50 doors. I had 3 good responses. The last one was Michael. His family did not attend a church, but he was a believer in Jesus.

One of the questions I ask is “If you were to look for a church, what would you look for in church?”  As he is telling me, I am looking into his eyeglasses, looking at his eyes. I don’t know how the light and shadows came to make it happen, but he has a cross over the pupil of each eye. I moved my head a little to change my line of sight and the crosses remained. 

I hope God will send me to more people with the cross of Jesus over their eyes.

Not SuperMen or WonderWomen

I know a lot of great people, but none of them are a superman or a wonder woman. They do not have endless supplies of energy and power. They are not titans or gods. They are limited by nature as a creature.

In the Bible, after 6 days God rested from the work of creation (Ex 20:8). Whereas God rests from work, as human beings we can only work out of our rest. Think about it. If you don’t have water, If you don’t have food, If you don’t have sleep, you are unable to work. You and I can only function out of our reserves, out of our rest. When you have exhausted all your reserves, you are toast. In fact, the more rested we are the better our work will be. Often the best thing before taking a big exam is not cramming all night but getting a good night’s sleep.

When we read about the life of Jesus, we hear about a man who often took breaks. When the storm came upon disciples in the boat where was Jesus?  Sleeping. Jesus often went off to pray. He encouraged his disciples to come with him often to get away from the busyness of life. IF Jesus shows us the pattern of rest, of Sabbath time, if the Son of God needed rest, why do so many of us act like the energizer bunny?

Of course, your life is not just the expenditure of time and energy, is it?  There is more to your life than just the physical requirements. And its not like every day is just a routine, is it? Life flares up. My friend, every day you are in a spiritual battle. Every day you fight the cancer of sin. How much can you defeat the devil?  You may not be a supermen or wonderwomen, but every day you are standing up for the forces of good. What part of your day does not have an ethical component? When are you not making a choice to do what is right? We wonder why we can feel so whipped by the end of the week.

Let me ask you what reserves do you have to carry out your spiritual battle? You rest physically. You eat every day. You drink water every day. You may even take vitamins and work out to help your self physically. What do you do to rest Spiritually? The LORD calls us to come away to spend time with him. He has made powerful promises to us if we will take time to rest in the LORD, if we will make the Sabbath a sacred time. The LORD says in Isaiah 58 

              If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day;  if you call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs;  then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (58:13-14)

The LORD promises that if you will take time to commune with Him that He will spiritually recharge you in his love, grace, and power.

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. (10)

The LORD who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, promises to be your Before and After. The LORD will lead you forward and protect your behind. When you are making Sabbath time with the LORD, you will not run dry. Even in these 100 degree Texas days, you will be hydrated. 

The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. (11)

Then, as people empowered by God’s grace, we can make a difference in other people’s lives. We can help bring healing and restoration.

Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. (12)

So, how are you reconnecting with God every day, every week? When do you set time aside to rest in God?

Bettermade Relationships: What do you fight about?

While we often like to avoid conflict, Jesus said, “I did not come peace but a sword.”  Jesus confronts this world for its rejection of God. He did not shy away from the conflict but set his face to Jerusalem and the cross.

Jesus fights with you. He condemns you for your selfishness and your greed, your lust and sinful desires. The cross of Jesus Christ towers over all of us because there is no way that cross can stand on this earth and all of humanity not be judged for how we worship other gods.

BUT Jesus also fights for you. Jesus took on the devil and all his minions. In your stead Jesus took on sin, darkness and the power of death. Jesus went to the mat against all the false and destructive powers of this world and in your life to restore you to the life-giving covenant with the Father, to redeem you to living under the true kingship of the LORD Almighty.

Challenging the false priorities of this world, Jesus said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother–in–law against daughter–in–law and daughter–in–law against mother–in–law.” (Luke 12:51-53)

God established the family as the incubator of human beings and their values.  We need to confront one another. We are supposed to fight about what is right and wrong. So, the question is not whether you have fights in your family, but rather what do you fight about?

• When your daughter is going off to school with skimpy tube top and a mini skirt barely below the crotch, it is time for a fight.
• When your son is going out the door with a tube top and a mini skirt, it is time for a fight.
• When there is money for a bass boat but not the mortgage, it is time for a fight.
• When you have to compete with the US govt to get a loan from China for your family debt, it is time for a fight.
• When your spouse is experimenting with polygamy, it is time for a fight.

 The key is that when we fight in our families that we fight protecting the other’s heart. Our goal in rebuking our spouse or children or other relatives is to build them up. So, a few pointers for how to fight and protect the other’s heart:

 #1  Don’t burn people down:   “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” (Prov 16:32)  If we win the fight but destroy the relationship, what did we win?  We should not destroy our family members with whom we disagree just like Christ didn’t destroy us.

#2  Don’t require your pound of flesh:   God did not exact the price we deserved (Rom 5:8). Jesus encourages you to forgive as you have been forgiven. (Mt 6:14-15)

#3  Watch your anger:  “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Prov 14:29) When we let anger take over we let our minds think murderous thoughts. That simply is not good for “protecting the other’s heart.”

#4  Watch your tongue:   “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Prov 12:18)  We all know we need to tame our tongue from spewing out words we cannot take back.

#5  Restore the other:     The goal of the fight is not conquering them, but restoring them. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”(Gal 6:1-2)

The LORD has made a better way of living. When you turn to Him you discover what can help you get more out of your relationships.

Wedding Bells

As many of you know we were approached by Spirit of Grace, another start up church, to consider joining our ministries together. (See post from Jul 9)  Through this summer we have had numerous discussions. We have decided to get hitched with Spirit of Grace to join together as one church called Resurrection Church.  On Sunday, Aug 22 after worship we will hold a discussion and vote to affirm this decision.

In joining together I really believe we will be more than just the addition of our parts. Synergism will bring together the strengths of each congregation to make us stronger. This merger will give us a critical mass of people to carry out ministry and expand our efforts to bring the Gospel to people.

Over next couple of months we will be making changes to adapt to one another.

On Sunday, Sept 5 we will begin holding a traditional liturgical service at 8:30 am. Bible School will be at 9:30. The contemporary praise worship will start at 10:30 am. (You get to sleep in. J  That is 10:30, not 10:37!)

On Sunday, Sept 12 we will hold one worship service at 10:30 am for everyone followed by a potluck.

Like getting married, we will face challenges. We will have discussions about how we decorate, about how we celebrate holidays, and how we are going spend our money. Just like in a new marriage, we need to listen.

I am excited about this joining together. I believe we are about to begin a very active season in the life of our church. I hope you are ready to participate in all the exciting God is doing in this church.

Your friend in Christ,

Douglas

95 Degrees and Door Knocking

This morning Beth Mehl and I went out canvassing a couple of streets near the church. When we finished knocking on doors today it was 95 degrees with a heat index that ticked it up to 101. I have not knocked on doors since late 2006. I have been reluctant to do it.

The first door is a huge mountain to get over. But once I knock on the first door, each door gets easier and easier. By the end of canvassing I am happy I went out.

The great thing is that we are not trying to convince anyone to convert on their doorstep. We are not trying to sell the church. We are just trying to encounter the person of peace. We are trying to find the person that the Holy Spirit has prepared for us to meet. (See Luke 10:5-6)

When I knock on doors I tell folks I am out just trying to meet people and find out how we can serve the community. I ask them if they attend a church regularly. If they don’t attend a church regularly, I ask why they think most people don’t attend a church. Then I ask, “If you were looking for a church, what would you look for?”

Today, Gloria answered one of those doors. When I asked what she would look for in a church, she said she would look for a Catholic or Lutheran church. Well, what do you know! We happen to be a Lutheran church. And we have people of Hispanic heritage just like you who attend!

Beth had a couple of positive responses as well. Truth is that we get a lot of positive responses. Easily one out of every 20. If you don’t include doors where no one is home, the ratio is much higher.

I am looking forward to going next Saturday. I just pray the LORD will break this high pressure of heat.

Why RISEN?

“Risen” comes from the gospel proclamation “He is risen!” Resurrection. That’s the name of our church; Resurrection. Its not an adjective or a descriptive, but the essence of our faith as a congregation. We believe that God takes the ugliest, nastiest and even deadliest circumstances to transform them into his power, grace, and glory. Resurrection embodies our radical trust in God’s power over all circumstances.

In my tradition, Lutheran, everyone focuses on grace. The unmerited mercy of God is awesome. But that was not the first announcement of the women from the empty tomb or what Peter and the other apostles proclaimed in Jerusalem. “This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses” (Acts 2:32).

The core of the gospel is that Jesus Christ is crucified and risen. The apostle Paul said, “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel” (2 Tim 2:8). The Resurrection is the lynch pin in the Christian understanding of history and the future. Again Paul said that if Christ is not raised from the dead, our faith in Jesus is a joke (1 Cor 15). Without the Resurrection, there is no risen Christ, no victory in the cross, no hope of the New Heaven, no Church, no grace. (1 Tim 2:18, 1 Pet 1:3)

 The Resurrection is the primary defining truth of the Christian faith. Because Jesus Christ has been resurrected, we proclaim he is Lord over all, death and life (Rev 1:18, 2 Tim 1:10). Because Jesus Christ has been resurrected, we proclaim the hope for all who trust in him (Phil 3:10, Rom 6:5). The risen Christ is the power of God (1 Cor 1:24, Eph 1:20).

 People are looking for a power greater than humanity in which to place their hopes. Only the God who resurrects Jesus from the dead fills this bill. Christians need to tout the primary power in the Gospel: life springing out of death! When the church is grounded up to its chest in a theology of the Risen Christ, it can boldly witness to the power of God in its corporate life.(Acts 4:17)   With the risen Christ I know that no matter the forces of Death I face, no matter what happens in this life, no matter how dead in sin I may be, God gives me life.  Where God raises the dead new life begins!  (1 Pet 3:21)

 Back in 2002 on a night full of anxiety and dread, God spoke the Romans 8:11 into my life. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you” (Rom 8:11) I was not sure what he was trying to say to me, but I did understand it was about Resurrection. In 2004 I was nearly killed in auto accident and all the EMTs said I would die.(See My Resurrection Experience) The Resurrection is not some abstract theological proposition for me. I have personally experienced the resurrection power. Our focus and our goal is that others experience Resurrection. (2 Cor 5:17)

Everything Changed

Went to the OK City memorial last week with my kids. The memorial and museum do a great job of communicating the event. The memorial marks the time when the bomb went off.

Tim McVeigh used his freedom to set off a bomb. Truth is we all set off bombs that change our lives and others. One of my members that Sunday was asking people to sign a petition so the guy who murdered her sister would serve his entire 19 yr sentence for her murder. I know you can relate. The good news is that Jesus comes to take on all our suffering. Instead of setting off a bomb, he changes history through his sacrifice on the cross. Nothing is the same after his death and resurrection. Sin is conquered. Death is destroyed and the Devil is defeated. Even for those who deny his name, their world is not the same.

Food Pantry and karaoke

Today six of our young people and I were over at the Roanoke Food Pantry helping sort food donations they receive every Monday from our local Walmart.  The food has to be sorted by expiration dates and go to the right storage areas. The youth enjoyed making a contribution.

During lunch we were talking about the fun youth activities in recent months like last night’s pool party, the paint gun overnighter and a recent lock-in. During the lock-in they played video games projected onto the screen. Some stayed up late singing to the annoyance of others. I tried to relate talking about a time I did karaoke singing a Joe Cocker tune.  “Joe who?” “ Is Cocker his real name?”  So, much for relating culturally. LOL!

Since we have the Taco Bueno bible study from 9 to 10 am through the summer, a lot of the youth want to try to do this every Monday.

If any of you want to join us, every Monday from 10 am to 12 noon. The Food Pantry is at the corner of Pecan and Main in Roanoke. The time goes fast. They serve lunch afterwards if you want to hang around to talk  . . . .

Discernment and Discussions.

Resurrection Church was approached by Spirit of Grace Lutheran church to consider joining together in ministry. Spirit of Grace is another start up church which meets in the Haslet area. They have been in existence for six years. Their pastor had to resign after their ELCA funding was completely eliminated. Today they are led by a lay parish leader, Frank Swehosky, and gather around 20 people for worship. 

 The elders and I have been cautious about this proposed merger. We are very intentional about who we are as a church and what our DNA is. While areas exist where we certainly can improve, I think we are a healthy faith community. More than that, God is evidently at work in our midst. Our vision is to be a church that is passionate about God, compassionate towards one another and intent on reaching people far from God. My pastoral focus is on growing Christ followers and not just worship attenders.

On July 4th Spirit of Grace joined us for worship and the majority of them came. The worship went well. I know our people were genuinely delighted to meet the people from Spirit of Grace. Spirit of grace people said they were pleased with our worship noting that the elements of Lutheran worship came through.

On Tuesday we enjoyed a lively discussion with good participation from both congregations. We spent the first 50 minutes having a general discussion, answering some of the questions and concerns of those who were new to the discussions. We spent the next 75 minutes going over the agenda items our leadership brought to the meeting.

In preparing for the July 6th meeting, the elders and I came up with an outline of our theological DNA to foster the discussions. (If you would like a copy of this outline, just email me.) These theological positions are where we stand as a leadership team. This is what is preached and taught by us. With the current theological confusion in American Christianity and, in the particular, the ELCA we do not assume that we are on the same page. While not demanding that everyone accept these theological positions, this is the basis from which we will evaluate our joining together and carrying out all aspects of ministry.

1. That we believe in absolute truths as opposed to the moral relativism of our society.

2. Salvation comes through Christ Alone.

                             a. God has acted in Jesus Christ. In Christ Alone is God’s grace expressed.

3. The Authority and the Truth of Scripture:

                              a. The Bible is revelation from God.

                               b. We operate under the authority of Scripture, not over Scripture.

4. Trinitarian Belief and Practice

                            a. All worship will be done in the name of the Trinity; Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

5. That the New Testament model of congregational leadership guides our understanding of how we structure leadership.

We also presented this as an indication of how serious we are about these two churches coming together. We have been cautious about this process because we want to make sure it works. We do not want to rush into it making assumptions and then have it later fall apart. So defining who we are is our intentional effort to move forward in our getting to know each other.

One of the Spirit of Grace leaders voiced the impression that Resurrection simply wanted Spirit of Grace people to be absorbed or “borged” by us. Our leadership all voiced our commitment to the effort to join together. We do believe that the sum of the two congregations can be greater than the parts. We cataloged the strengths we see Spirit of Grace contributing:

- Enables the effort to launch a traditional service

- Brings organizational skill and time we lack

- Brings time investment from retired people that our working parents do not have

- Diversity of ages, bringing the wisdom of the elder saints

- Brings a strong commitment to social ministry

- Would create a critical mass of people to move forward with mission.

There are other strengths and blessings as well. As was noted by their people, another sign of our serious intent was that rather than rush into this because Spirit of Grace has the promise of land we have made the land a low priority, focusing instead on who we would be together.

The meeting was very positive. I did not hear anyone who was voicing negative reservations. In fact, the consensus in the room was to work on the next steps we need to take to move forward. The next meeting is planned for July 13th at 7pm is intended to be a “critical path planning meeting”.

We are looking forward to sharing lunch with Spirit of Grace on July 18th. I strongly encourage Resurrection folks to make plans to go over to Sendera Ranch elementary for the luncheon.

Your friend in Christ, Douglas