Month: April 2016

How often in the past few weeks alone have either you or someone around you mentioned how much things have changed?

We live in day and time where people are not only alarmed and puzzled by current and global events, they are flat out mixed up!

Up is down and right is wrong. People are no longer content living within the image God created them—and as a result, have decided that we, (who take no issue with our own image), must see them as they see themselves or else!

Refuse to issue a marriage license to two people that God does not recognize as a couple and you’ll likely lose your job. Don’t bake a cake–you’ll  be fined and may lose your business! Greater, refuse to not renounce the Name above Every name and you will quite literally lose your head. You’ll spend years in jail suffering unthinkable cruelties and torture. And no I’m not speaking of Peter who did endure a death of crucifixion, Paul, beheaded in Rome, or Stephen the first disciple to die being stoned to death. James too was beheaded.

I’m talking about Asia Bibi, accused blasphemer or Pastor Saeed Abedini, who from 2013, spent over three years in an Iranian prison suffering beatings, threats and isolation. Why? Because like his brothers before him, He loved His King more than his own life and wouldn’t deny Him. And yet Solomon reminds us, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc.1:9).

There are times in life that to fully get hold of where we are, we need to understand where we have been—until that understanding bleeds out from our toes…

Allow me to introduce you to Tacitus and Suetonius, both Roman historians. They verify my words by sharing with you what they too knew to be truth, in part, the persecution of Christians at the hand of Nero. Yet,even with their witness neither my words nor theirs are little more to you than shared facts—we each are a mere resource. The Word of God only must be your guide and foundation; the sole Truth you both rely and build on. So to showcase the validity of Gods’ Word, let’s go to it and see where this type of Christian persecution  was witnessedin times past.

And yes, it is persecution now, just as it was then…

 Immediately after our Lord’s ascension, Peter and John were called before the Jewish senate, and beaten; (Acts 4:6-7; 5:40). Stephen was brought before the same court and put to death (Acts 7:58). James was brought before Herod, and by him put to death; who also laid Peter in prison, intending to kill him likewise; (Acts 12:2; Acts 12:4) that Paul, formerly himself a persecutor, but now converted, was, in his turn, frequently persecuted; that he and Silas were imprisoned and beaten in the synagogue at Philippi; (Acts 16:23;) that he was brought before the great synagogue of the Jews in Jerusalem; (Acts 22:30;) before King Agrippa and his wife, before the Roman governors, Gallio, Felix, and Festus; and last of all, before the Emperor Nero, in Rome, and his prefect, Helius Caesariensis.”

There are those, even as I type and you read, who are being murdered for believing in Jesus and refusing to say or do otherwise. I am reminded of the Words of Jesus in Matthew 8. He is talking to would be disciples concerning the cost one must pay for the privilege of following Him—And it is a privilege, least we ever forget!

Listen to the words Jesus spoke to those who didn’t fully weigh the honor of being called by Him. Who forgot to count the cost—they reacted to Jesus based on emotions. They didn’t respond based on thoughtful consideration and prayer.

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You Wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Lk.9:58).

Jesus neither owes nor promises us a cushy lifestyle—somewhere it says if you want to follow me, pick up your cross.

Earthquakes, floods, wars and rumors of wars. Foes and friends and friends, foes. All of these things must come to pass—we are that generation spoken of who will not pass away until all these things have happen.

So why are we so shocked when we see these things unfolding? Jesus told us was going to happen…

Didn’t we believe Him when He said, for instance, that there would be signs in the Heavens…

Between April 15, 2014 and September 28, 2015 we as a global society experienced four blood moons. Notice I said, as a global society, and not just in the United States? These signs were given for the whole world to see. Why? So that on the day of judgement, and yes there will be one, believe it or not, no man will be able to say—I wasn’t living in that part of the world, I didn’t see it!

Okay then, did you by chance miss the Blue Moon that showed itself on July,3,2015? Or maybe you weren’t around for the lunar eclipse which took place on March 20, 2015? NASA was. A scientific community was used by God to evidence His handiwork to the world in such a way that no one will be excused from not knowing of these occurrences. Why? Gods’ heart is that not one should perish (2 Pt.3:9).

He’s an equal opportunity Savior.

Listen to how the Lord comforts us concerning all of the events that are happening and will continue to happen in fulfillment of the Scriptures. “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man” (Lk.21:32-34 MSG).

Just as Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17 not to take the Disciples out of the world, or out of the dangers that living in this world hold, He gave them the map to victory over the world and everything that it would throw at them! He knew about the whole lot that was coming, both for them and for us. Yet He reminds us, as He did them, that we are to expect these things; being hated by a world we are only passing through (as He was), persecutions of every kind, gross infringements, and every kind of trial.

Yet as awful and deflating as this may sound to us, Jesus says not to worry about it. Why? Because it has a purpose, a Kingdom purpose. One greater than our limited vision can see, or our finite thinking scarcely take in, listen… “This will be a time and an opportunity for you to testify [about Me]. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute” (Lk.21:13-15).

Yes, we are in the last of times, the end of days, a  member of that generation. The Word of God, that road-map given to us by a loving Father illustrates clearly the current happenings in the world. Past, present and those yet to unfold.

But if that is all we get from God and His Word, we have missed the choicest portion! We should be grateful to the point of death for a Father who cares so much for sinful man. Somewhere it is written—Who are we that You are mindful of us?

Yes, the end of this world as we know it is fast winding down. Yes, each of the prophecies foretold have all come to pass. This should however bolster us, creating a joyful hope in that what is written will come exactly as God foretold us it would!

We should not be shocked by the happenings of the world that like their father, are in their final days. Is it such a surprise to us that they are pulling out all the stops?

Picture a Marlin breaking the surface of the sea in one last ferocious battle for freedom. Struggling against the surety of a lure lodged deeply in its mouth.

It knows instinctively, this is life or death.

And so it is with this world. It’s a flailing toddler throwing a feverish tantrum! I want, I want—but it’s my right!

We can choose certainly, to stand by and watch this raucous display. But given the blessed assurance we have in Christ Jesus, are these the signs we ought to choose to focus on in our last hours?

“Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. 28″But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Lk.21:28).

Look up! The King is coming; the King is coming!!!

Within five minutes of meeting this guy our eyebrows are raised and we’re asking ourselves, who is this angry young man?

We know him only as the older son. We first bump into him in Luke, at the corner of chapter 15 and verse 25. He has heard about the return of his wild, insolent younger brother, and subsequently, of the party their father is throwing in fete of his return. And he is ticked off! ! Incensed actually!

Since we’ve covered what took place between his younger brother and their father in a earlier post entitled, “The Prodigal and His Dad” dated 03/19/16. Feel free to catch-up it at your leisure.

Straightaway we’re looking at this older son…

If we are looking at this parable within a parable from the teaching perspective of Jesus, this is how it is theologically broken down for us.

The Prodigal son represents sinners and the father, Father God. Who is ever lovingly desiring for sinners to return to the safety of home. Similarly, is the vigilant father in our parable. Lastly, there is our older brother. He represents those who are churched, and perhaps like the Pharisees Jesus has talked to, those who feel a bit superior and angry truth be told.

How dare God, our Father show these dubious people , these undeserving, unclean sinners the same favor and mercy as us!

Now listen to how this older brother, the one who has always lived with his father, continually ever-dutiful, flips out when He learns from a servant about the house party happening at his address!  He goes from a submissive, upright, ever-present son to a dangerously close mirror-image of his brother!

How?

Through willful rebellion. Just like his younger brother via thoughts, words and finally actions.

Showing even an iota of mercy has not even entered his hypocritical mind!

Watch as he steadily unravels. It begins with him rebuking his father, then by insinuating that he has been little more than a slave; and not in fact, the ever-dutiful, well-intentioned son he has depicted himself as being. Lastly, for all intents and purposes, he disinherited his younger brother by referring to him not as my brother but rather as that son of yours! (Lk. 15:28-30 NASB).

Remember friends, this is the person Jesus uses within this parable to represent the churched. It’s within this segment of the parable that we’ll find ourselves seated today…

 Listen closely to the Words Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound” (Lk.15:27 NASB).

This older son  represents a person who is actively serving God (vs.25). Yet, who unseeing doesn’t view himself as God views him—beloved, cherished, a recipient of anything at his Father’s disposal. Rather, he sees himself as a slave (vss.29;31).

Thus, by inference, his father is not seen by him as a beloved parent, but rather a master or taskmaster to be served, as if for wages or earnings; and not rightly, from a heart of joyful, loving thanksgiving! (vs29).

This son, by means of his prideful indignation, has not only shown his brother no mercy, but has lamentably, wholly missed the heart of his Father, and an invaluable lesson in love. Through this Father’s gracious, merciful example of unearned restoration we see the perfect salvation message, the very purpose of Jesus’ leaving Heaven to come to earth as a man.

So how did this son get this way? What was driving him?

Let’s observe…

Firstly, via his own irreverent, pompous approach to his Father (Ex. 20:12; Pr. 18:12).

Secondly, through his superficial understanding of his Fathers heart (Pr.9:10; Ps.111:10).

And lastly, listen to the use of his disrespectful tone. He exhibits a distorted, self-pitying view of himself revealing an unlit heart (1Jn.1:5; Pr.4:7).

He is reacting like a petulant child. He’s throwing a tantrum because he perceives daddy as showing unearned favor to his sibling…

I’m certain anyone who has a younger sibling cannot only relate, but has also likely heard themselves saying to themselves, or others man they get away with everything! It sure wasn’t like that for me let me tell you!

Sound familiar?

Sadly, and more to the point Jesus was attempting to make to the Pharisees, is that as God’s older children must be aware that often as a Body there is also a lack of mercy and compassion towards his younger children.

Deeper still, some older children (as a result of having a works…earn His love, and not a relational…unmerited love, understanding of Our Father) view themselves as seen by God much like this older son referred to himself, as a slave—I must do this for God or else. Therefore, by inference, the Father is a taskmaster; always looking to crack the proverbial whip! (vs.29;30).

I believe, and various commentaries seem to agree, that it is in this parable within a parable that the heart of the Father and the central message of how His church is to the treat sinners is brought home by Jesus (vs. 32).

Starting in Chapter 15, Jesus has spoken to the sinners and the church leaders (Pharisees and teachers of the Law). You would think that between these two groups it would have been the churched who caught hold of and ran with Jesus’ teaching. After all, they knew the Scriptures and had attended service and Bible-Study weekly right? So when Jesus takes them through the earlier two parables as a foundational build-up, in this His climatic radical new teaching series, rather than saying, yes please, and asking for seconds, the churched look at Jesus as if He has not only lost his mind, but that He is also a half-step off being demon possessed and perhaps just a step above those He had taught and had been dining with (see Lk. 14:1; 5:29; 7:36-39. Also, Mt.9:10-13; 9:32-34; Jn.9:39-41).

Have you ever experienced judgement in church rather than love and welcoming?

Have you ever met Christians who profess to be saved and know God, yet if they hadn’t told you, you certainly wouldn’t have guessed it?

If so, you have sadly met this week’s older brother…

Please allow me to invite you to stay just a bit longer and introduce you to the Father. After all, that is who Jesus has pointed the crowds towards throughout all of His teachings thus far.

This is the heart of our Father, the very heart Jesus was trying to communicate in this parable within a parable. Listen to it in Isaiah, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Is.49:15).

 We expect the world, those who do not accept the Lordship of Jesus, to act unloving, reactionary, unkindly. After all some of us did when we were still of the world. But, here between us today, like then with the crowd, Jesus is reaching out to the Pharisees… the churched.  He is looking  to the whores, loan sharks, the outcasts, runaways, addicts, drunks and the teenage unwed moms. He’s looking out over everyone He sent His son to die for, every brand of sinner. I choose  to leave you with the words of the Father so I will take you to where He sees His youngest son…known to us as the prodigal son, cresting the horizon. Just look at the Father’s heart for His lost children… “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Lk.1520 NIV).

And there you have, the heart of God for His children.

All of His children!

The Love of the Father for his repentant children is what was missed by this older brother, he didn’t get it. The Pharisees and Teachers of the Law didn’t get it. And sadly, most today don’t either.

When the Scribes and the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners”, and hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

This is what Jesus is saying to those who have been going to church for years and have grown rigid, hard-hearted, and coldly separatist. To those who feel aversion more than empathy, He says—these too are my children.

Let’s end here with the final conversation between our Father, this older brother, and subsequently us… “But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.” And he said to him, “My Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found” (Lk.15:30-31).

Friends, we live in a world where instant gratification rules. Where reward is expected for simply being us! I do, therefore I deserve…! And yes, we as Christians are just as guilty as the world. We treat our Master, if I dare use that title for Christ, as a genie-in-a-bottle far too often. Or, let me make this personal, I know I have. Maliciously? Never. Intentionally? I don’t believe so, but I will leave God to be my judge. But certainly I am guilty of expecting a reward for my service. Does that shock you? It was humbling , to say the least, when the Holy Spirit revealed it to me. And as the old saying goes…, “truth hurts”!

But there it was for me to confront. So in conjunction with our text, I am using my correction (thank you Jesus for your loving kindness) as a cradle for this week’s message. The message is intended firstly for the messenger, then for the listener.

I, too, am growing…

In studying our text, I saw clearly that via our fallen sin nature we as people, saved and unsaved alike, have become ensnared by pride…

Not always blatant pride nor arrogant pride; we seem to catch that easily enough. It’s our subtle pride, our shadowy underbelly pride that trip us up every time! Basically it’s the lie we tell ourselves when we say we have learned to operate outside of our pride. When Truth be told, we can do nothing in it of ourselves; outside of God we are powerless to change or surrender anything! Don’t believe me? Go serve somewhere as the person who does nothing but clean-up after people every day. Basically, a mom, or a single parent father, a custodial grandparent who has raised their child and is now raising their grandchild. As much as they love these children, there’s not one that I have ever met, myself included, who if they want to be honest, didn’t get ticked off because theirs was a thankless, taken for granted, expected to preform without reward job!

And as Christians we carry this-worldly attitude of expected reward into our service to Christ. That is clear in our text today. Jesus is answering his disciples request for more faith through a familiar teaching tool of His, a parable. Through His parabolic teachings Jesus breaks down our human thinking and presumptions for us… Remember what the Lord tells us about the differences between our ways and His, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isa.55:8).

So here it is laid out simply:

1. Jesus is telling His disciples both then and now (His Word is the same yesterday, today and forever) are you looking for a reward before your job (service) is finished?

2. Are you looking to be victorious, to wear the garland without fighting the battle?

3. Or are you seeking to profit before payday?

To understand God’s message here we must listen with ears singularly attuned by humilities hand. We are the servants; HE is the Master. We are owed nothing, not even our lives! We deserve death, yet in His infinite mercy, He generously rewards us, His servants with life eternal!

Mercy is like a judge finding you guilty, but then withholding any punishment.

Grace is receiving of which you cannot conceive; an unfathomable gift. It’s like that same judge awarding you $10,000,000.00, after finding you guilty. That is the heart of Father God. For God said to Moses, ” The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love” (Ps.145:8 NIV).

So with this in mind, here’s the question…Are you self-serving, or are you God’s servant?

You must get this answer firmly settled in your heart and mind, not only in your relationship with God, but also in view of your eternity. It must be as fixed within you as Jesus’ face was fixed to go to Jerusalem. “When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined (fixed, steadfast) to go to Jerusalem” (Lk.9:51NASB).

He was set on fulfilling His service to God as The Spotless Lamb given in sacrifice for the redemption of sinful man. Never once in Scripture do we hear Jesus ask, What’s in it for me? What do I get if I do this for you? Never!

To the contrary, and by example to us all, His will was perfectly, wholly submitted to God the Father. He was heard in the Garden of Gethsemane  when faced with His impending Crucifixion as saying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”(Mt.26:39NASB). Thank God we have a Savior who was, in His humanity, tempted as we are and able to relate to our weak flesh! Yet in His Divinity, submissive unto death on a tree for our reconciliation with the Father…

That is what Jesus was trying to communicate to His disciples both then and now, to each of us. And therefore, instead of valuing themselves upon what they had done, and expecting great rewards for it, it became them; after having performed all that was commanded them, to think and say that they had done nothing but their duty.

No medals are given to us for doing what it is we were fashioned to do; worshiping God in the form of our service. First, in a life totally surrendered to Him and secondly, as a natural by-product, service to His people. And nowhere in our contract/covenant (The Word of God), does it say that job will be easy or that we’re due a reward here on earth. Quite the contrary! Jesus tells us to expect persecution, harsh treatment, abuse, family discord, rejection, and humiliation…Listen to His Words… “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation (grievous trouble; severe trials or suffering), but take courage; I have overcome the world.” And, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you”.… (Jn.16:33NASB). What an honor!

You don’t deserve a reward. Period. You’re merely doing your job. You’re His chosen servant. That is your reward here and now; the great privilege of being chosen by God for service…let that sink into your core… “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn15:16 NIV).

Simple right? Man cannot profit God. Happy is he who judges’ himself an unprofitable servant; miserable is he whom God pronounces such. But though we are unprofitable to him, our serving him is not unprofitable to us. For he is pleased to give, by his grace, a value to our good works, which, in consequence of his promise, entitles us to an eternal reward.

When you are privileged to be called into the service of Our God, leave the need for recognition, honor, visibility, and accolades to others. Let them wear their medals as a reward for services rendered. You have just received God…

And as an aside… To our men and women of the Armed Forces, thank you to those who put their lives in harm’s way for our safety, rightfully you should wear your medals with honor and pride.

But for us servants, let us follow The Way of The King who came as our model, a living breathing example of humble servitude. “And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

So here’s the thing…are you willing to lay down your pride, your need for recognition and reward? Are you willing to live in the shadows, allowing others to shine? What is motivating you to serve God, in your relationship with Him? The answer should not only be obvious… but is simple.

It’s our most powerful four letter word… LOVE! A light in this present darkness…

That’s it. For God so loved… “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn.15:13 NIV).

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”.

And… “Work as unto the Lord and as unto men. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24)

There are no medals given for faithful service to God…