I have had a number of requests about his video I showed in my message on Sunday. So here you go:
Friday, September 21, 2007
Cheap Grace
Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27
One of my all time favorite quotes outside of the Scriptures is from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany. He was killed during the closing days of World War II having been arrested for taking part in a plot to assasinate Hitler.
In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, he writes, "Grace is free, but it is not cheap."
I think that is what Paul is getting at in this verse from Philippians. Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross was a tremendous sacrifice not to be taken for granted. It was a heavy price the Jesus paid for us. He went to such tremendous lengths. Jesus saved our lives.
With that in mind, how can we set aside Jesus presence in our lives? How can we turn our back on his instruction?
Sure Jesus will forgive our sins, but the cross is about more than forgiveness of sins alone. The cross is about everything.
I pray I will gladly take up my cross, because I know Jesus has already taken up his cross for me.
One of my all time favorite quotes outside of the Scriptures is from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany. He was killed during the closing days of World War II having been arrested for taking part in a plot to assasinate Hitler.
In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, he writes, "Grace is free, but it is not cheap."
I think that is what Paul is getting at in this verse from Philippians. Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross was a tremendous sacrifice not to be taken for granted. It was a heavy price the Jesus paid for us. He went to such tremendous lengths. Jesus saved our lives.
With that in mind, how can we set aside Jesus presence in our lives? How can we turn our back on his instruction?
Sure Jesus will forgive our sins, but the cross is about more than forgiveness of sins alone. The cross is about everything.
I pray I will gladly take up my cross, because I know Jesus has already taken up his cross for me.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Can Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Halloween is just around the corner. This year it happens to fall on Wednesday night. The same night we have Awana and Morph at Lord of Life. So the question naturally arises what are we going to do on that night?
In my time at Lord of Life, I have not often been confronted with the Halloween question, because it has not run up against scheduling for events at the church. But this year there is no getting around it. So I hope to share a few thoughts.
Halloween originated under the name Samhain (pronounced sew – in). It was a pagan festival celebrated by the Celts of Ireland and Great Britain. It was believed that this was magical time of the year. Traditions associated with this festival included contacting the dead and fortune telling through divination.
When Christianity was introduced to this region of the world, The Church established November 1 as All Saints Day. Part of the reason was to replace the pagan holiday with another holiday with more redeeming qualities. All Saints Day is a day where the all the departed in Christ are remembered and those of us who are left behind in this world celebrate their new life in Jesus. As a result October 31, became known as All Hallows Eve, the Eve of All Saints Day.
All Saints Day was a big day for the Church. It was as big as Easter and Christmas. And much like Christmas Eve, everyone would come out for a special worship on All Hallows Eve. This was this reason that Martin Luther chose to post his 95 Theses on the Wittenburg Church doors on October 31, 1517. He knew that the church would be full and that many would have the opportunity to read these theses. The 95 Theses called into question many of the corrupted Church practices of the day and led to spark the reformation which turned the world upside-down. This is the reason why many Lutheran Churches celebrate the last Sunday of October as Reformation Sunday.
What we have decided to do at Lord of Life this year on October 31 is to host a Hallelujah Fest! Was this the best thing to do? The way that question is answered, probably depends upon who you ask. There may very well be people who will choose not to participate and that is ok. This question does not have an easy answer, nor does it have a single answer.
Pastor Stephen Hower, a pastor of a large Lutheran Church in the St. Louis area, writes in his book, Contrary to Popular Belief, of a Halloween where Jay Leno opened up his monolog by telling the audience that he was so frustrated with the way Americans celebrate Halloween. “It has become so secular,” Leno lamented tongue-in-cheek. “I’ll bet none of you even worshiped Satan today! The religious significance is lost! All Halloween means anymore is candy, costumes, and parties! It just isn’t like it used to be.”
What makes this so funny is the way that Christians lament over the secularization of Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter. Because of this secularization, the true significance of these holidays is often lost.
Many would say the same is true of Halloween. They would say that the Satanic and occult element has been diminished to the point that Halloween has become nothing more than a fun and harmless secular holiday. Whether or not this is true can be debated.
I believe that just as Christmas and Easter have not become totally secularized, neither has Halloween. Christmas and Easter are tremendous opportunities the Church has to bring the hope of Jesus into people’s lives. At the same time, Halloween offers tremendous opportunity for Satan and his legions to plant seeds of despair and fear.
But what does the Bible say to this question? After all, that is what is important. We can say what we want about this day. But as believers we turn to what God has to say.
In 1 Corinthians 10:23 the Apostle Paul writes:
Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.
This teaching comes in the context of a controversy in the early church in regard to food sacrificed to pagan idols. There were some who would say that it would be sinful for a Christian to eat such meat. There were others who would say that it was just meat and that it really did not make much of a difference if it was part of a pagan sacrifice or not.
In 1 Corinthians 8:4,7-8, we read:
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. . . But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Basically what Paul is saying is that two Christians could participate in the same activity; one would be innocent and the other would be sinning. If a Christian believes something is wrong and then does it against his conscience he is sinning. He sins not because the activity in itself is wrong, but because it is against his Christian conscience.
Receiving candy, dressing up in a costume, and decorating pumpkins are not evil activities. A Christian can participate in these things with a good conscience. However, if these activities in connection with October 31 weighs on the believer’s conscience, they should refrain from these activities on that day. This also applies to Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and other secularized traditions connected with the holidays.
Even if a Christian does take part in the more innocent elements of this day, they should still be careful to draw a line and refrain from images, activities, and costumes that portray gore, evil, and fear.
Philippians 4:8 says: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
While there may be some Halloween traditions holding some redeeming qualities, there are many traditions that do not. As Christians we do not need to participate in the activities below the standards of Philippians 4:8.
There is another matter to be discussed here as well. That is the matter of nonbelievers and those who are new in the faith who see us participating in what they might consider to be a questionable activity. Continuing in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13:
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone who has a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
In other words, we need to be very careful how we celebrate our Christian liberty around others. Even if we can celebrate a harvest festival on October 31, drink a beer, or eat meat sacrificed to an idol; we should not do so if someone else perceives it as us living contrary to our faith as hypocrites. Here we shall deny our Christian liberty for the sake of the cross and the salvation of others.
So what is the answer to the question? Can and should Christians celebrate Halloween? First, let’s not celebrate Halloween - let’s celebrate Jesus. Second, participating in the secular practices of trick or treat, wearing costumes, decorating pumpkins, and other things is permissible but not necessarily beneficial. We should definitely refrain from anything related to Halloween if it goes against our conscience or it would cause someone else to stumble in their walk with Jesus.
If you do participate in Halloween related activities, refrain from images, activities, and costumes that portray gore, evil, and fear. Keep it fun. Keep it friendly. Keep it encouraging. And use Halloween as an opportunity to witness your faith in Jesus you Savior.
In His Name,
Pastor Phil
In my time at Lord of Life, I have not often been confronted with the Halloween question, because it has not run up against scheduling for events at the church. But this year there is no getting around it. So I hope to share a few thoughts.
Halloween originated under the name Samhain (pronounced sew – in). It was a pagan festival celebrated by the Celts of Ireland and Great Britain. It was believed that this was magical time of the year. Traditions associated with this festival included contacting the dead and fortune telling through divination.
When Christianity was introduced to this region of the world, The Church established November 1 as All Saints Day. Part of the reason was to replace the pagan holiday with another holiday with more redeeming qualities. All Saints Day is a day where the all the departed in Christ are remembered and those of us who are left behind in this world celebrate their new life in Jesus. As a result October 31, became known as All Hallows Eve, the Eve of All Saints Day.
All Saints Day was a big day for the Church. It was as big as Easter and Christmas. And much like Christmas Eve, everyone would come out for a special worship on All Hallows Eve. This was this reason that Martin Luther chose to post his 95 Theses on the Wittenburg Church doors on October 31, 1517. He knew that the church would be full and that many would have the opportunity to read these theses. The 95 Theses called into question many of the corrupted Church practices of the day and led to spark the reformation which turned the world upside-down. This is the reason why many Lutheran Churches celebrate the last Sunday of October as Reformation Sunday.
What we have decided to do at Lord of Life this year on October 31 is to host a Hallelujah Fest! Was this the best thing to do? The way that question is answered, probably depends upon who you ask. There may very well be people who will choose not to participate and that is ok. This question does not have an easy answer, nor does it have a single answer.
Pastor Stephen Hower, a pastor of a large Lutheran Church in the St. Louis area, writes in his book, Contrary to Popular Belief, of a Halloween where Jay Leno opened up his monolog by telling the audience that he was so frustrated with the way Americans celebrate Halloween. “It has become so secular,” Leno lamented tongue-in-cheek. “I’ll bet none of you even worshiped Satan today! The religious significance is lost! All Halloween means anymore is candy, costumes, and parties! It just isn’t like it used to be.”
What makes this so funny is the way that Christians lament over the secularization of Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter. Because of this secularization, the true significance of these holidays is often lost.
Many would say the same is true of Halloween. They would say that the Satanic and occult element has been diminished to the point that Halloween has become nothing more than a fun and harmless secular holiday. Whether or not this is true can be debated.
I believe that just as Christmas and Easter have not become totally secularized, neither has Halloween. Christmas and Easter are tremendous opportunities the Church has to bring the hope of Jesus into people’s lives. At the same time, Halloween offers tremendous opportunity for Satan and his legions to plant seeds of despair and fear.
But what does the Bible say to this question? After all, that is what is important. We can say what we want about this day. But as believers we turn to what God has to say.
In 1 Corinthians 10:23 the Apostle Paul writes:
Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.
This teaching comes in the context of a controversy in the early church in regard to food sacrificed to pagan idols. There were some who would say that it would be sinful for a Christian to eat such meat. There were others who would say that it was just meat and that it really did not make much of a difference if it was part of a pagan sacrifice or not.
In 1 Corinthians 8:4,7-8, we read:
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. . . But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Basically what Paul is saying is that two Christians could participate in the same activity; one would be innocent and the other would be sinning. If a Christian believes something is wrong and then does it against his conscience he is sinning. He sins not because the activity in itself is wrong, but because it is against his Christian conscience.
Receiving candy, dressing up in a costume, and decorating pumpkins are not evil activities. A Christian can participate in these things with a good conscience. However, if these activities in connection with October 31 weighs on the believer’s conscience, they should refrain from these activities on that day. This also applies to Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and other secularized traditions connected with the holidays.
Even if a Christian does take part in the more innocent elements of this day, they should still be careful to draw a line and refrain from images, activities, and costumes that portray gore, evil, and fear.
Philippians 4:8 says: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
While there may be some Halloween traditions holding some redeeming qualities, there are many traditions that do not. As Christians we do not need to participate in the activities below the standards of Philippians 4:8.
There is another matter to be discussed here as well. That is the matter of nonbelievers and those who are new in the faith who see us participating in what they might consider to be a questionable activity. Continuing in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13:
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone who has a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
In other words, we need to be very careful how we celebrate our Christian liberty around others. Even if we can celebrate a harvest festival on October 31, drink a beer, or eat meat sacrificed to an idol; we should not do so if someone else perceives it as us living contrary to our faith as hypocrites. Here we shall deny our Christian liberty for the sake of the cross and the salvation of others.
So what is the answer to the question? Can and should Christians celebrate Halloween? First, let’s not celebrate Halloween - let’s celebrate Jesus. Second, participating in the secular practices of trick or treat, wearing costumes, decorating pumpkins, and other things is permissible but not necessarily beneficial. We should definitely refrain from anything related to Halloween if it goes against our conscience or it would cause someone else to stumble in their walk with Jesus.
If you do participate in Halloween related activities, refrain from images, activities, and costumes that portray gore, evil, and fear. Keep it fun. Keep it friendly. Keep it encouraging. And use Halloween as an opportunity to witness your faith in Jesus you Savior.
In His Name,
Pastor Phil
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A Different form of Gossip
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
Yesterday, I read an anonymous letter that I would call a hit and run. It was filled with criticism. No word of encouragement. No word of love.
I have to say that it really didn't bother me at all. I figure that someone who writes an anonymous letter has some issues. The issue is not with me but with them.
This is just a different form of gossip. I have always said that if you can't say something to someones face then it is better not to say it at all.
I don't think Jesus would be in the business of writing anonymous letters. Imagine Jesus writing an anonymous letter to the Pharisees or the money changers in the temple.
Matthew 18 directs us that if a brother sins against us, that we are to go to them and show them their sin. Not hide behind an anonymous letter.
When we can confront each other with the truth in love is when we know that we have grown in maturity of faith. Please don't send me another anonymous letter because I have got the perfect place for them. My garbage can!
I heard a great message this past week. If you were to add up all the words you spoke this week. Positive and Negative. Which side would win out? Or how about all the words you spoke in relation to another person. Positive and Negative. Which side would win out?
God directs us to speak words of encouragement with a song on our heart. To always put the best construction on everything.
Lord, help me to be complimentary and encouraging this week. Amen.
Yesterday, I read an anonymous letter that I would call a hit and run. It was filled with criticism. No word of encouragement. No word of love.
I have to say that it really didn't bother me at all. I figure that someone who writes an anonymous letter has some issues. The issue is not with me but with them.
This is just a different form of gossip. I have always said that if you can't say something to someones face then it is better not to say it at all.
I don't think Jesus would be in the business of writing anonymous letters. Imagine Jesus writing an anonymous letter to the Pharisees or the money changers in the temple.
Matthew 18 directs us that if a brother sins against us, that we are to go to them and show them their sin. Not hide behind an anonymous letter.
When we can confront each other with the truth in love is when we know that we have grown in maturity of faith. Please don't send me another anonymous letter because I have got the perfect place for them. My garbage can!
I heard a great message this past week. If you were to add up all the words you spoke this week. Positive and Negative. Which side would win out? Or how about all the words you spoke in relation to another person. Positive and Negative. Which side would win out?
God directs us to speak words of encouragement with a song on our heart. To always put the best construction on everything.
Lord, help me to be complimentary and encouraging this week. Amen.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
A Crazy Confession
Here is a confession I prepared for Sunday:
Consumer or Consumed?
We confess our corporate sin.
We come consumers of worship, critics, complainers, caught in conflicting conduct. Creating controversies. Condemning, cursing, convicting.
We critique and condemn - the choir is off key! The keyboardist is off cue! The clergy is unkempt. And the congregation is counterfeit.
We come connoisseurs claiming I am the center, I am the content, I am the king. We command concession to our choice, our call, our chair.
We confess this corporate sin.
Consuming counselor kindle a fire! Convert my corruption. Consume my self-centerdness.
Clothe me as a contagious, conquering Christian. Create in me compassion and character.
My Christ was crucified on the cross to clear my considerable sin, cleanse and console my conflicted conscious.
So I will celebrate with the kingdom chorus community congregation crowd! Carry my cross! Continually commit control of my life to Christ to claim the victory! Wear the crown! Dance in his courts! Clap for Christ. Cling to his cross.
Consumer or Consumed?
We confess our corporate sin.
We come consumers of worship, critics, complainers, caught in conflicting conduct. Creating controversies. Condemning, cursing, convicting.
We critique and condemn - the choir is off key! The keyboardist is off cue! The clergy is unkempt. And the congregation is counterfeit.
We come connoisseurs claiming I am the center, I am the content, I am the king. We command concession to our choice, our call, our chair.
We confess this corporate sin.
Consuming counselor kindle a fire! Convert my corruption. Consume my self-centerdness.
Clothe me as a contagious, conquering Christian. Create in me compassion and character.
My Christ was crucified on the cross to clear my considerable sin, cleanse and console my conflicted conscious.
So I will celebrate with the kingdom chorus community congregation crowd! Carry my cross! Continually commit control of my life to Christ to claim the victory! Wear the crown! Dance in his courts! Clap for Christ. Cling to his cross.
God is my hope and salvation
Wow, it has been awhile since I attended to this blog. There is good reason for that. I have just recently returned from a mission trip to Louisiana. There were two parts to this mission trip.
The first part of our mission trip led us to the Louisiana State Prison at Angola. It is a large maximum security prison with more than 5000 inmates on 18,000 acres of land. It was once considered the bloodiest prison in the south. They say it is still the bloodiest prison, but it is now covered with the blood of Jesus. Our mission team took part in a celebration called the Returning Hearts Celebration where more than 700 children were reunited with their inmate fathers.
It was an incredible day that you cannot put words to. If you would like to see some pictures from this event, visit www.awana.org/lifeline . I will warn you now - make sure you have some Kleenex handy.
After leaving Angola we traveled to Chauvin, LA. It was a small town which was part of the Bayou of Louisiana. Our mission here was to help rebuild homes and lives that have been impacted by hurricanes and other difficult circumstances. We partnered with a ministry called Bayou Grace http://www.bayougrace.org/ .
One thing that this trip showed me is that there is a lot of hopelessness in this world. So many people living with a spirit of depression and poverty over them.
But as God's believers, we know our hope is in Jesus. That no matter how bleak the circumstances - God is more than able to overcome those circumstances.
When I returned this past week, I returned to a difficult circumstance. Lord of Life is currently experiencing a budget shortfall of $100,000. That is a lot of money and unless circumstances change we will be faced to make some deep cuts.
This is why Isaiah 49:8 stood out as I read it:
This is what the Lord says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances . . ."
There is a powerful promise here. First, God will answer us. Second, God will help us. And third, God will make us to be a covenant people to bring restoration and healing.
When we go back to the covenant we see that God promises to bless Abraham so that he can be a blessing to others. It would be very easy to be discouraged in this moment. But I know from God's promise that we are experiencing this moment so that we can experience his blessing and then share that blessing with others.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your abundant provision. Thank you for your promise to answer us, help us, and restore us. Help us to walk by faith and not be sight. Lord, to trust in your promises and to shine your light of hope in so many places that are filled with hopelessness. Amen.
One thing that this trip showed me is that there is a lot of hopelessness in this world. So many people living with a spirit of depression and poverty over them.
But as God's believers, we know our hope is in Jesus. That no matter how bleak the circumstances - God is more than able to overcome those circumstances.
When I returned this past week, I returned to a difficult circumstance. Lord of Life is currently experiencing a budget shortfall of $100,000. That is a lot of money and unless circumstances change we will be faced to make some deep cuts.
This is why Isaiah 49:8 stood out as I read it:
This is what the Lord says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances . . ."
There is a powerful promise here. First, God will answer us. Second, God will help us. And third, God will make us to be a covenant people to bring restoration and healing.
When we go back to the covenant we see that God promises to bless Abraham so that he can be a blessing to others. It would be very easy to be discouraged in this moment. But I know from God's promise that we are experiencing this moment so that we can experience his blessing and then share that blessing with others.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your abundant provision. Thank you for your promise to answer us, help us, and restore us. Help us to walk by faith and not be sight. Lord, to trust in your promises and to shine your light of hope in so many places that are filled with hopelessness. Amen.
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