In John 5:39-40 Jesus said, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." This rebuke was delivered to the hyper-manmade-religious elitists of Jesus' day. One of these guys memorized more Scripture than entire congregations do these days, yet Jesus administered a huge smack down on them instead of an honorary degree from Jerusalem Bible College. Why? Because their advanced studies were all for nought. Sure, there are plently of folks who need to dramatically ramp up their time in the Word, but it's not always that simple and it doesn't always resulting in finding life in Jesus. As Jesus points out you can be quite accomplished in Bible study and COMPLETELY MISS THE POINT. They took the book and added to it a some extras like moralism, legalism & nationalism and came up empty! So,what is the point of the Scriptures? JESUS! Jesus is the point. The whole book glorifies and honors Him. It all points to Him! We need to read Scripture with that overarching thought in mind. Life is not in the Book; it's in the Author and perfecter of our faith.
That's what I'm talkin 'bout.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
The irony of it all...
Yesterday I preached from John 5:1-15. It's a powerful passage about dramatic life change (one of my favorites too). An invalid (for 38 years) is healed by Jesus after Jesus asked the resounding question: "Do you want to get well?" I pointed out that the religious leaders of the day seemed to be oblivious to the man's healing and instead chose to focus on his perceived violation of their law against "mat carrying" on the Sabbath. I noted that in my observation there are many churches more concerned about maintaining tradtions while being conspiciously inattentive to the lack of life change in their congregations. Following Jesus is about life transformation not human traditions - at least that's what I thought.
Now let me insert some observations from our congregational meeting after the service. I really don't enjoy these meetings for various reason that I won't mention here. We were way behind in our giving (versus spending) throughout the year yet significantly closed the gap in the last two weeks. Yet we still finished in the red. We carry a large building debt along with the usual bills and expenses. We run a very lean budget too. Mid-year we changed the format of our "service" where we no longer "took up the offering" but instead allowed people to drop it into one of several boxes around the "sanctuary". It was asked in the meeting if our drop off in giving corresponded to the change in the method of receiving money. Not a bad question in itself. The answer is yes & no. Yes it did - actually giving always drops in the summer. We've also had our attendance drop too. People have died, people have moved, people have lost jobs. Additionally, those who count the incoming money have also told me that the regular givers are still regular givers. Now let's go post meeting...
In the hallway a long time member approaches me a says that we need to go back to the bags going around the room. (perhaps not the exact phrase, but close). Do we really need to do that? Is that the solution to our debt & financial challenges? Or is this just an opportunity for those who want to return to the predictable comfort/tradition of the way we used to do it (in spite of the fact that the offering has been declining for the last few years). What are the other alternatives to generate funds? BINGO would work, but, we prefer car washes, yard sales and suppers around here! I wonder if we shouldn't send people bills? Or maybe we should have each aisle come forward and give (I've seen that it one church). Or maybe we should count the offering and pass the bags or plates again in order to make budget (seen that too). Why do collect an offering at all? Is is to help poor saints somewhere? Nah, it's almost exclusively to pay for our debt, our stuff and the services we expect from those on the payroll.
One of the issues unbelievers often have with the church is our financial dealings. So the solution to our debt & budgets woes is to thrust a bag into the lap of everyone in the our presence on Sunday morning? So will we go back to old way? I don't know yet. If we do we can be sure that we will get the occasional guy quickly digging for his wallet and dropping in a 5 spot so he doesn't look bad in the eyes of the saints, but is that what we want? Maybe so - if the offering is about getting instead of giving...
That's what I'm talkin 'bout.
Now let me insert some observations from our congregational meeting after the service. I really don't enjoy these meetings for various reason that I won't mention here. We were way behind in our giving (versus spending) throughout the year yet significantly closed the gap in the last two weeks. Yet we still finished in the red. We carry a large building debt along with the usual bills and expenses. We run a very lean budget too. Mid-year we changed the format of our "service" where we no longer "took up the offering" but instead allowed people to drop it into one of several boxes around the "sanctuary". It was asked in the meeting if our drop off in giving corresponded to the change in the method of receiving money. Not a bad question in itself. The answer is yes & no. Yes it did - actually giving always drops in the summer. We've also had our attendance drop too. People have died, people have moved, people have lost jobs. Additionally, those who count the incoming money have also told me that the regular givers are still regular givers. Now let's go post meeting...
In the hallway a long time member approaches me a says that we need to go back to the bags going around the room. (perhaps not the exact phrase, but close). Do we really need to do that? Is that the solution to our debt & financial challenges? Or is this just an opportunity for those who want to return to the predictable comfort/tradition of the way we used to do it (in spite of the fact that the offering has been declining for the last few years). What are the other alternatives to generate funds? BINGO would work, but, we prefer car washes, yard sales and suppers around here! I wonder if we shouldn't send people bills? Or maybe we should have each aisle come forward and give (I've seen that it one church). Or maybe we should count the offering and pass the bags or plates again in order to make budget (seen that too). Why do collect an offering at all? Is is to help poor saints somewhere? Nah, it's almost exclusively to pay for our debt, our stuff and the services we expect from those on the payroll.
One of the issues unbelievers often have with the church is our financial dealings. So the solution to our debt & budgets woes is to thrust a bag into the lap of everyone in the our presence on Sunday morning? So will we go back to old way? I don't know yet. If we do we can be sure that we will get the occasional guy quickly digging for his wallet and dropping in a 5 spot so he doesn't look bad in the eyes of the saints, but is that what we want? Maybe so - if the offering is about getting instead of giving...
That's what I'm talkin 'bout.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Sunday Jobs
This post isn't about folk working on Sunday instead of showing up "at church". It's about all the jobs we give people on Sundays "at church". Most church growth gurus teach that is necessary to get members involved in mininstry/service as part of a healthy church growth strategy. On the surface this seems right - Christians being servants. Yet, wnen you think about it for a while it seems (to me) that there's something below the surface AND it isn't necessarily healthy. Most Sunday church jobs in medium size congregations involve things like greeting (or "guest services" if you're sophisticated), nursery, serving communion (unleavened chiclets & non-alcoholic mini-shot glasses), collected the offering, etc. I got to thinking..... and I wondered how many people show up on Sundays BECAUSE they have a job to do. Sure that's gets them "there" but is that really what it's all about. I could come up with some prety creative ways to get people there. How many people wouldn't come without a job? How many realize Saturday night that they "have to go tomorrow" because they are passing out bulletins this Sunday? Maybe that's why we create more & more "minstries" so that we can get people to show up. Contrast that with the early believers in the book of Acts and you'll get my point (maybe). Fellowship, the Apostles teaching, breaking bread & prayer. Nowadays that's not good enough, at least for some people in certain places. IMHO, the modern church continues to devolve resulting in ever increasing efforts like the aforementioned strategies (often unrelated to biblical fellowship or discipleship) being employed to manufacture attendance thereby creating an allusion of a healthy church. Of course I might be wrong, but that's what I'm talkin 'bout.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
I'm Back (at least for now)
I had 3 different people mention my blogging absence in 24 hours. So, I thought I'd test the waters again. I like this blogging thing - I like reading other blogs, so why stop?
1. Sometimes (you may have noticed) my blogs can be rants. I like a well written rant, but some of my rants were moving potentially close to some of my readers, fellow church members, or even friends. Of course I could post the random, inoffensive "what I had for lunch" kind of stuff, but that seemed silly & trite. (Not that I'm above that all the time).
Also, I got into Facebook and that cut into my internet time. I got sidetracked there and it got easy to just one line post rather than try to compose something semi-thoughtful here. Ironically, I've gotten a little tired of FB latley too.
Finally, I've been some introspection lately and my current focus isn't eligible for public consumtion, at least not yet.
So what's up with me these days? I've been doing some serious personal analysis and long term thinking. You know the "where will I be in 20 years?" kind of thinking. I'm trying to balance reality and my idealism. Been thinking about church, the bible, etc. a great deal too. Maybe I'll blog about that ... one day.
1. Sometimes (you may have noticed) my blogs can be rants. I like a well written rant, but some of my rants were moving potentially close to some of my readers, fellow church members, or even friends. Of course I could post the random, inoffensive "what I had for lunch" kind of stuff, but that seemed silly & trite. (Not that I'm above that all the time).
Also, I got into Facebook and that cut into my internet time. I got sidetracked there and it got easy to just one line post rather than try to compose something semi-thoughtful here. Ironically, I've gotten a little tired of FB latley too.
Finally, I've been some introspection lately and my current focus isn't eligible for public consumtion, at least not yet.
So what's up with me these days? I've been doing some serious personal analysis and long term thinking. You know the "where will I be in 20 years?" kind of thinking. I'm trying to balance reality and my idealism. Been thinking about church, the bible, etc. a great deal too. Maybe I'll blog about that ... one day.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The most misused Bible verse?
There are a bunch, but below are the top 6 in my experience. In no particular order...
1. 1 Thes. 5:22 (KJV): Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Misunderstood (thanks KJV) and misused as a trump card against anything thing we don't like!
2. Matt 7:1 (ESV): "Judge not, that you be not judged."
The favorite verse of the wannabe "tolerant" among us.
3. John 8:7b (NIV): "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
A popular escape verse. Almost always works to avoid scrutiny by others. You better be flawless if you're going to criticize me!
4. Romans 14:13b (NIV): Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
And it seems like almost anything can be a stumblimg block! I don't like = a stumbling block!
5. Matthew 18:20 (NIV): For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
Don't sweat that miniscule attendance... as long as we have a couple, Jesus will be here!
6. Galatians 3:28 (NIV): There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Loved by egalitarians & feminists. Just don't try don't try applying this verse to restrooms!
Ok, I was going for 10, but that's enough for now. What verses did I miss?
1. 1 Thes. 5:22 (KJV): Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Misunderstood (thanks KJV) and misused as a trump card against anything thing we don't like!
2. Matt 7:1 (ESV): "Judge not, that you be not judged."
The favorite verse of the wannabe "tolerant" among us.
3. John 8:7b (NIV): "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
A popular escape verse. Almost always works to avoid scrutiny by others. You better be flawless if you're going to criticize me!
4. Romans 14:13b (NIV): Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
And it seems like almost anything can be a stumblimg block! I don't like = a stumbling block!
5. Matthew 18:20 (NIV): For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
Don't sweat that miniscule attendance... as long as we have a couple, Jesus will be here!
6. Galatians 3:28 (NIV): There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Loved by egalitarians & feminists. Just don't try don't try applying this verse to restrooms!
Ok, I was going for 10, but that's enough for now. What verses did I miss?
Monday, November 09, 2009
Not Just Biblical Ignorance
We often bemoan the prevalence of biblical ignorance that abounds these days. And we are right to so because it is an undeniably real problem. However, I've noticed another issue that isn't directly cured by Bible knowlede per se. In my experience I come across frequent misuse and misapplication of various portions of Scripture. Just check a friends favorite bible verse and you might run into a perfect example of what I'm talkin bout. Here are two prominent examples...
1. Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
This verse, at first glance & by itself, appears to affirm that we can do just about anything as long as we rely on Christ's strength. BUT, this verse is NOT saying that I can dunk from the foul line, score 1600 on the SAT, bench press 700 pounds and start at QB for Redskins one day! Yet, this verse is a favorite because it is snatched right out of context. Go back one verse before Philippians 4:13 and we quickly see Paul is not offering a PMA motivational verse, but is dealing with contentment in all circumstances. Here verse 12: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
2. Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse is making rounds as a new favorite verse thanks in part to Rick Warren's misuse of it. Any rookie Bible student understands that we need to discern who is talking to whom in this passage if we are to discover its truth. Much could be written on the misuse of this verse (go here for more), but suffice it to say that it's NOT talking to you directly promising you prosperity! God is talking to His OT people who are in exile & captivity, not to some guy to day who's trying to make it big!
So can we learn from the aforementioned verses? Do they matter to us? YES! But we must first must determine what they originally meant in context before we can seek accurate application to our lives.
1. Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
This verse, at first glance & by itself, appears to affirm that we can do just about anything as long as we rely on Christ's strength. BUT, this verse is NOT saying that I can dunk from the foul line, score 1600 on the SAT, bench press 700 pounds and start at QB for Redskins one day! Yet, this verse is a favorite because it is snatched right out of context. Go back one verse before Philippians 4:13 and we quickly see Paul is not offering a PMA motivational verse, but is dealing with contentment in all circumstances. Here verse 12: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
2. Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse is making rounds as a new favorite verse thanks in part to Rick Warren's misuse of it. Any rookie Bible student understands that we need to discern who is talking to whom in this passage if we are to discover its truth. Much could be written on the misuse of this verse (go here for more), but suffice it to say that it's NOT talking to you directly promising you prosperity! God is talking to His OT people who are in exile & captivity, not to some guy to day who's trying to make it big!
So can we learn from the aforementioned verses? Do they matter to us? YES! But we must first must determine what they originally meant in context before we can seek accurate application to our lives.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Johnny Mac!
"When a man steps into the pulpit more interested in telling us about his week so that he can 'relate' to his people - he is not preaching the Word. When a man seeks to be funny behind the sacred desk rather than faithful with the text - he is not preaching the Word. When a man claims to have a 'word from the Lord' a part from the divine revelation of Scripture - he is deceived and is not preaching the Word. When a man designs his sermons to attract a target audience, appeal to the culture, and has as its primary goal a thirst to be relevent - he is not preaching the Word. When a man strives to change the world through politics, representing America as the new Israel, seeking to bring a societal morality through legislation, and honors the flag equally with the cross - he is not preaching the Word. When a man fails to tremble at God's Word privately before ever preaching it publicly - he is not preaching the Word. And when a man treats the pages of holy writ with a cavalier, seeker-friendly, watered down, cream of wheat irreverence - he is not preaching the Word."
- John MacArthur Jr.
- John MacArthur Jr.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Corinthians
I think it's time for me to read Paul's epistles to the Corinthian church again. There's certainly a lot of crazy stuff happening in that church and it helps me remember that church folks don't always act like Christians. Also makes you wonder why any congregation wouyld call themselves "Corinth Christian Church". Mark Driscoll did a sermon series on 1st Corinthians entitled "Christians Gone Wild" which provocatively makes the point that the early Corintians followers of Jesus had some serious "issues" as we like to say. I was talking with a friend recently about the topic of frustration I stated how I was very familiar with with it in the context of church. In some ways, if we're reaching new people, I guess frustsrtation might always be a factor of sorts. The hard part about frustration is when it involves long time believers and it usually does...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sermon Online
The sermons from Olivet Christian Church are online in an additional location now. You can find us at our page at Sermon.net. Internet savy folks can figure out how to set up a podcast too. Clicke "sermon player" and then hit the "podcast" icon. The sermons can still be found over at our main website too. We're 2 weeks into the "Gospel of John - Believe" series. I'm also making the Sunday bulletin inserts available as well. I think I can set all this up on this blog too. I'll work on it so stay tuned...
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
John's Gospel
My preparation for a new sermon series on the gospel of John is now fully underway. I'm really excited! I've been compiling resourses (commentaries aren't cheap either!) after soliciting input and suggestions on what to get. Let me say thanks for the helpful suggestions from some you. I also asked Jack Cottrell and Mark Moore for recommendations and both were quick to respond. If you know me you know I highly respect Dr. Cottrell. I also have found Dr. Moore's work on the life of Christ to be outstanding. I'm still waiting for a few more books to arrive, but I have enough to get started. Just doing the background and introductory work is very cool - much more so than I anticipated. I've never gone verse by verse in a sermon series through John so this should be a profound time for me. I hope & pray it is also powerful for those who hear these sermons and travel through John with me.
I realize John's writing was about Jesus (John 20:31) but my admiration for the apostle is growing too as I learn about the author of the forth gospel. What a tremendous disciple of Jesus he was!
I realize John's writing was about Jesus (John 20:31) but my admiration for the apostle is growing too as I learn about the author of the forth gospel. What a tremendous disciple of Jesus he was!
Thursday, September 03, 2009
"Who Stole My Church?"
I hope you will read "Who Stole My Church?" And if you already have, let us know what you think.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Favre?
I wish when I was 40 an NFL team wanted me to play QB. You know at first (last year) I got beat with all the Favre stuff, but now - what the heck - it's just football. The dude's just got it like that. There have been others like him & there will be more. I don't lose any sleep over Favre or Vick or TO or Cutler or Brandon Marshall. It's amazing that we have a culture that gets so tied up in these dudes. Don't get me wrong - I like ball, but it won't bother me if Favre retires & comes back again & again. Gives sports fans something unsubstantial to talk about during break time at work anyway. Maybe Washington could get him next year!
A New NIV
If you've been attentive to gender issues and Bible translations then you are aware of the controversy which ensued when the TNIV arrived a few years ago. The NIV, longstanding enourmously popular Bible translation looked like it was to be replaced by the "gender neutral" TNIV. The ESV burst forth and was heavily supported by those who rightly opposed gender neutrality in Bible translations. There was a lot of fall out in cyberspace and the debate isn't much less heated even years later. So now a new NIV update is in the works for 2011. As I long time NIV user I am interested to see where this goes. It looks like those behind the NIV/TNIV have admitted "mistakes" in their recent translation efforts. Several evangelical big boys (Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan) and the good folks at CBMW seem hopeful. I'll be hoping for gender accuracy.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Vacation Time
It's vacation time again (& not a moment too soon), so any posts from me are pretty unlikely. I'm really hoping for a nice break and some quality down time with the family. This is a vacation I really want, unlike most that just sort of happen.
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