Connecting Points

Friday, May 21, 2010

Today’s Topic:  Lowering Our Opinion of Self

Today’s Text:  The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan,
for all the towering mountains and all the high hills, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall, for every trading ship and every stately vessel. The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

(Isaiah 2:12-17)

Pride is such a deadly enemy because it makes itself appear in every form as a friend.

Isaiah understands that the corruption of culture is completely the consequence of people’s pride. We have placed our trust in what we are able to accomplish rather than what God has already done. And then, to bring pride to its ultimate expression, we even take what God has done and give ourselves the credit for it and control over it.

Notice in this passage of Scripture the five expressions of pride and how God will deal with them:

• Creation – Society has become guilty of worshiping the creation rather than the Creator. (Romans 1:25) The emphasis on elevating animal and plant life to equal status with human life is absurd, and denies the Creator’s image in each of us.
• Comforts – People are building treasures for this life, and every lofty tower that provides comfort is a denial of our need to depend on God for every earthly need.
• Construction – Mankind takes great pride in what they are able to build. Every fortified wall we build is a denial of our need to depend on God for our protection.
• Confidence – We have learned to depend on ourselves. Our culture is built around providing for self, defending self, and having confidence in ourselves to improve the quality of life.
• Commerce – We have built an economic system that has become our hope for survival. The trading ships and stately vessels are symbolic of our demand for financial security, and we have put our hope for that security in a system we have built for ourselves.

But notice what God says – The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

My friend, what happens to your heart when something you own is taken from you? Does it end up revealing to you that it actually owned you? God does not share His glory. God does not distribute worship around to the idols of our own making. God is a jealous God, and will fight to keep what is rightfully His. He is not envious, for that is sin. But He is jealous, and He will fight to keep you. He will begin to remove everything that interferes with your relationship with Him. He will bring trouble upon you until you open your eyes and surrender the throne of your life back to Him. This is because He loves you!

Take some time today to evaluate your heart in the five areas above. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any pride that has crept in any area. Then confess that pride, and surrender to the control of Jesus Christ. It is imperative for the days ahead – days of severe testing and tribulation upon the Christ-less cultures of the world – that we stand courageously for Christ at all cost. That is only possible if we are fully committed to him and not to our culture.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Today’s Topic:  Rich Yet So Very Poor

Today’s Text:  You have abandoned your people, the house of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans. Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. So man will be brought low and mankind humbled—do not forgive them. (Isaiah 2:6-9)

This morning I got ready for work the way I always do. After doing some computer work and checking up on all my friends on Facebook, I made coffee and ate breakfast. Of course I also showered and got dressed, for those of you who need more details. As I put on the special Avon men’s after shave cream I use to keep my skin moist and young looking, I looked in the mirror.  After getting over the initial shock, which takes a lot less time now because I’m getting so used to what I see, I checked my face carefully for any signs of aging or skin issues like moles. You’ll be happy to know that I look younger today, and there’s nothing wrong with my face. Let the debate begin…

The Book of Isaiah is like a mirror. The first five chapters are a reflection of what society looks like when God is removed from culture. If we look into it closely, we can see the spiritual age spots, moles, and signs of cancer that develop when people don’t take care of their souls.

As Isaiah looks into the cultural mirror of ancient Israel, he sees what we see in our culture today. Over the next few days we shall take a much needed look at what sin is doing to our society as its people continue to ignore God and place their faith in what the world has to offer

In his very first look in the mirror, Isaiah sees some things we wouldn’t necessarily think are all that horrible. I mean, we would think that we would read about murders and rapes and corruption. That’s the real news of a decaying and decadent culture, isn’t it? But Isaiah sees this:

• They are full of superstitions from the East – People are being influenced by and living under the philosophies of Eastern Mysticism.
• They practice divination like the Philistines – People are fascinated by and practicing divination…fortune telling, astrology, psychic prophecies, etc.
• They clasp hands with pagans – People are forming partnerships in business, marriage, and casual friendships with pagans…people who live only for the flesh and deny any need for God.
• Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures – People are captivated by wealth and prosperity.
• Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots – People are content and feel secure because of their possessions and the power of their political rulers.
• Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made –  People believe that their value comes from their performance and their status at work.

It’s pretty apparent that the effects on culture of rejecting God are the same today as they were in Isaiah’s day. But the worst part of this picture is that the culture of the church has become just like the culture of sin in many ways, because God’s people are the one’s turning away from faith in Jesus Christ to adapt to the world around them. The average Christian is in denial about the poverty of their spiritual life because they are so enamored with the seeming wealth they are receiving from the world.

Many Christians today have lost a true spirit of discernment about the influence of sinful practices in their lives. They are in denial about how much their choices to just have fun in the world are sapping their spiritual joy and leaving them fighting inner battles with no real hope of victory. We have lost our first love – the love we once had for Jesus Christ because of His death on Calvary and the grace of God extended to us for the forgiveness of sins. The love that filled our hearts with a passion for obedience and surrender to Jesus. The love that once dominated our decisions. We have chosen to love the world and the things in the world. We have chosen to shake hands with sinners and seek their approval. We have chosen to affirm ourselves, rather than believing in the affirmation of God through Jesus Christ, thus becoming guilty of worshiping self as an idol.

It is time for us to turn from our wicked ways. It is time for the Church of Jesus Christ to set itself apart from the world and rise above the status quo. It is time for the age spots, moles, and signs of spiritual cancer to be healed by Jesus Christ so that we can shine forth the light of His grace. We must look in the mirror of our culture, and when we do we must recognize our role in making it what it is.

Now, about that debate on how I look…I don’t care what you say, as long as you don’t see the sin of the culture in me.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Friday, May 14, 2010

Today’s Topic:  The Desire to Learn

Today’s Text:  In the last days the mountain of the LORD’S temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”   (Isaiah 2:2-3)

What a beautiful word picture in this passage of Scripture. Prophetically it refers to the Millenial Kingdom when Jesus Christ reigns the entire earth from Jerusalem. Symbolically it refers to the church of Jesus Christ and has the following applications:

• It is the will of God that the church of Jesus Christ be established and raised up above all other religions. As followers of Jesus, we must not fear or back down from other religions. We need to boldly proclaim the Name of Jesus to the world.
• This will result in the people of the world streaming to the church. Now I know I must be careful here and not give the impression that I believe in Kingdom Theology. But I do believe that there will be people from every tribe and language and nation that will come to Jesus Christ for salvation prior to His return to set up His Kingdom. Therefore, we must believe that there are people around us every day who want to hear about Jesus, and we must tell them.
• The people that come to the church are doing so because they have a desire to be taught to be followers of Jesus. They are tired with running their own lives and suffering the consequences of sinful choices. They are exhausted from trying to find purpose and significance for their lives. They are hungry for truth.

We have an incredible opportunity in this era to reap a huge harvest of souls for the King. But there is one thing that stands out to me as interfering with this harvest actually happening – many people who are in the church have closed the damper on the fire of desire to know God’s ways. They have replaced their desire to follow God’s paths with a desire to pursue a path of their own making. The result is that the people of the world who long to come to the house of the Lord to know Him and His truth are confused. The Holy Spirit has given them a glimpse of God’s power to transform their lives but they are having a difficult time finding living examples of it.

My friends, we must return to our first love – our love for Jesus Christ and His truth. We must desire to learn from Him. We must pant after the streams of Living Water the way a deer pants after a brook. We should be modeling a completely transformed lifestyle that is clearly identifiable by the world as the living proof that Jesus is alive. We must re-prioritize our hearts and minds so that the passion for Christ exceeds and dominates ALL other passions and desires.

When we do this, the world will beat a path to our door. Some will come in anger to destroy us. Many will come in humility to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We do not fear the first group. We must fear not being ready for the second group.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Today’s Topic:  The Goal of Discipline

Today’s Text:  I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish. (Isaiah 1:25-28)

We have probably all laughed at this. We have probably all said it to our children in one way or another. I remember the first time my dad said it to me, and it confused me. Just before the paddle came down across the padded place designed by God to absorb the pain of discipline, he said, “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.”  Yeah, right! That made no sense to me. Couldn’t he see the tears in my eyes and hear the pain of my screams? He had no tears. He didn’t scream. But now I understand what he meant, having felt the deep emotional pain of intentionally causing temporary pain through discipline to bring about permanent change resulting in blessing.

The story of God’s relationship with His chosen people Israel is like a broken record of pain and blessing. It just keeps repeating itself. But God never gives up on His children. He never stops loving them. He never stops seeking their good. He never stops working to improve them. And in His love, He never stops disciplining them to bring about change.

There is a wonderful New Testament revelation found in the book of Hebrews about the relationship between love and discipline expressed by our heavenly Father. It says, And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Isaiah understood this relationship between love and discipline 600 years earlier when he explained to the people of Israel why God was going to discipline them for their sin. God’s discipline is ALWAYS intended for our transformation, restoration, and blessing! The discipline we may be under right now as a result of our sinful choices is proof that we are under the loving care of the Father. And when we discipline our children, it must be in the same spirit of love.

I did not always do this correctly. My kids are shouting “AMEN” as they read this. There were far too many times I disciplined my kids out of frustration. Yelling accompanied the “discipline” because things were interrupting me and my schedule, or interfering with my outcomes. Anger was expressed, not at the sinful behavior, and even when there was no sinful behavior, because my pride of what I wanted super ceded what was best for the children. Come on, admit it…you’ve done or maybe even are doing now the same things with your kids.

But God’s discipline is ALWAYS intended for our transformation, restoration, and blessing. He ALWAYS has our good in mind. That’s not always true of us, is it?

We must put aside our preferences and our pride when it comes to the discipline we receive from the Father in heaven AND when we administer discipline to others. It must never be viewed through eyes of pride or expressed through words and actions of frustration. Frustration is…dare I say ALWAYS…the result of pride. Pride keeps us from understanding what God is doing to transform and restore us so we can receive His blessings. Pride forces us to respond to others with frustration and anger because their actions are interfering with what we think we need at that moment to feel blessed.

Think about this carefully today. Don’t just glance at this devotional and move on. Meditate on it…it will change how you understand everything that is going on in your life right now.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Today’s Topic:  Forgiveness

Today’s Text:  “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”  (Isaiah 1:18)

The company of the discouraged is a very noble company. Not too long ago, the Hayden Planetarium in New York City issued an invitation to all those who were interested in applying to be a part of the crew on the first journey to another planet. Eighteen thousand people applied. They gave the applications to a panel of psychologists, who examined them thoroughly and came to the conclusion that in the vast majority of incidents, those who applied did so because they were discouraged with their lives here and hoped they could find a new life somewhere else.

People love to get invitations. It seems like we interpret them as a means of escape from the drudgery of our routine lives. But not all invitations are accepted.

I remember a time when the oldest of my grandchildren were still very young and afraid to climb up into the playhouse we have for them in the back yard. No matter how many times I would stand behind them and encourage them to “go to the top”, they just wouldn’t climb the ladder. Then it dawned on me to climb up first and invite them to come up to where I was. It worked! With my hand extended and a simple “Come on up here,” they climbed right up.

Isaiah reminds us of the invitation the Lord offers to anyone and everyone who wants to “come on up here.” Jesus invites us to come together with him and reason with Him so that we can be forgiven of our sins. The Hebrew word for “reason” has several meanings. It means,

• to prove – come together with God and let Him prove to you who He is and what He says
• decide – God always gives you the choice to believe or not
• judge – He wants everyone to know He is the ultimate Judge and will condemn all sin
• rebuke – He rebukes all sin and offers an alternative of righteousness
• correct – He will provide the power of His Holy Spirit to correct all our sin issues
• be right – He will make us right

The invitation God extends is for the forgiveness of sins and the removal of shame. That’s what Jesus paid for on the cross. Hebrews tells us that, in an act of enormous courage and defiance, Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2) and then adds, significantly, that he is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and ascension—the going down and coming up of the Son of God—open the way not only for the forgiveness of our sins, but also for the lifting of our shame. For these are ingredients in the accepting grace of God and in the invitation to union with God’s Son. (Melvin D. Hugen and Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. Books & Culture)

What a marvelous invitation from Jesus – the forgiveness of sins and the abolishment of shame. No matter how dark the stain of sin, the blood of Jesus Christ makes us white as snow.

For those who have already said yes to His invitation, there is still a responsibility. We are now the ones who stand at the cross with the resurrected Jesus and extend the invitation to others. We do not walk through life telling people to go to the cross: we walk with them and invite them to come with us to the cross. Today, and every day, become the living invitation others need to experience the grace of God. They are looking for what we have.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Monday, May 10, 2010

 Today’s Topic:  Pure Worship

 Today’s Text: Hear the word of the LORD… “The multitude of your sacrifices- what are they to me?” says the LORD…When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:10-17)

 It was exciting to see. It was humbling to experience. Really humbling. It produced a level of thanks and praise in my heart I hadn’t experienced for a while. All the glory goes to God. I am amazed that I am included the Savior’s plan.

 Several months ago we made a decision at church to remove all the pews and put in chairs so we could increase our seating capacity. We went from being able to seat 250 in pews to around 280 in chairs, with some space for overflow. Yesterday we needed the overflow. Extra chairs were set up in the back. But there was a spirit of enthusiasm there that was far more significant than the number of people. Every part of the service engaged the congregation. Every song of worship drew our attention to the throne of God. The Word of God went forth with power and conviction and the Holy Spirit used it to change hearts. It was so very meaningful to me.

 Now set that experience up against what happens in far too many churches today. It’s not a new phenomenon. It’s thousands of years old. Isaiah wrote about it. Jesus spoke of it to the Samaritan woman at the well. It continues today in the sanctuaries of churches and in the hearts of people. It has many names – Formality, Tradition and Hypocrisy are the three that come to mind the quickest. But they all have one and only one cause – pride. It is pride that motivates us to enter into a worship service with the intention of trying to please God and earn His favor. It is pride that puts importance on tradition rather than truth. It is pride that elevates form over function. It is pride that puts on a weekly show that is contrary to the true condition of one’s heart. And God hates pride.

 I have just one simple connecting point today in the form of a question: Why do you go to church to worship?

 Read carefully what Isaiah wrote, and let the Holy Spirit move you to consider this…worship is a lifestyle of surrender and sacrifice. The Apostle Paul said, Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

 I am thrilled that I worship in a church with people who live out their worship every day. I pray that more will continue to come and find the truth.

 Pastor John

Connecting Points

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Today’s Topic:  Impacting Our World for Christ

Today’s Text: Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:9)

I’ve had three days to think about what I wrote on Monday. Three days to see how well I do at impacting the world around me for Jesus. I’ve discovered it’s much easier than I thought, as long as I truly care enough and am compassionate enough to do it.

Monday evening and Tuesday were spent at our daughter’s house at the special invitation of our grandson. He didn’t want me to miss his spring music concert at school. I didn’t want to miss it either. My wife and I travelled the 3 hours (road construction delayed us) to Sun Prairie to see the kids. It was hard to leave all the work piled up on the “to do” lists that have become oversized since returning from Africa. But caring about people and impacting them with love is more important than any list of things I need to do for me. Acting on it impacts our world for Christ.

While there I stopped in a sporting goods store to pick up a stool to sit on while turkey hunting. My season started yesterday. I spent some time with the cashier as it wasn’t busy, and had the opportunity to say just one thing to him of any value. We talked about turkeys and calls and guns, but then the conversation got serious for just 20 seconds. He made a mistake on the cash register and had to start over. Under his breath he cursed and said “Jesus Christ”. I spoke gently and said, “Oh, I know Him. I have a personal relationship with Him? Do you know Him too?” He froze, and did not respond. He simply finished the transaction. Loving Jesus more than loving the praise of people impacts our world for Christ.

Wednesday morning arrived and the alarm scared me at 3 a.m.. I couldn’t find the button to shut it off. I quickly got dressed in my hunting clothes, ate a breakfast bar, and headed out for my son’s house to pick him up. By 4:45 we were sitting at the base of two trees in the woods waiting for the first sounds of turkeys. Shortly after light, Jason began striking the hen call. If there were any toms in the area they would let us know by gobbling. It was silent. For the next 75 minutes it was silent. We decided to move so we could find the turkeys. We weren’t comfortable staying in a place that didn’t lend itself to accomplishing our goal. So it is with our spiritual lives. If our goal is to impact our world for Christ, we must keep moving out into the world to find the people.

We parked the vehicle a little closer to the center of the property and started walking. Suddenly there was a tom sneaking across the field. We dove to the ground and avoided detection. I saw where he was headed and told Jason I would cut him off. I thought I could move that way unseen. I was wrong. He saw me and turned and ran the other way. I tried to stalk him but spooked him instead. He knew I wasn’t supposed to be there. The way I looked and behaved and moved gave me away. He didn’t want anything to do with me…just like a lot of unsaved people who may be spooked by the hypocrisy of my life when I look and behave and move like a sinner rather than the follower of Christ I have told them I am. Consistency impacts our world for Christ.

After the turkey flew, Jason struck the call again to see if there was another tom in the area. Way off in the distance to the west we heard a gobble. A turkey’s hearing is amazing. Every time Jason yelped with the call, that old tom would gobble. We decide to pursue him. We walked about 800 yards, using trees and thickets as cover, to a place we knew would be the perfect ambush location. We crawled on our bellies up to two trees and sat down. Jason started calling. I was so blessed that my son, who shot a huge tom last year, chose to spend his one available hunting day this year helping me get a turkey. What a servant heart he has. Serving others impacts our world for Christ.

As Jason Called, the gobbles got more distant-sounding. But that was only because he was two ridges away and had gone down between them. When he reached the top of the nearest ridge, we knew he was coming for us. Well, not really for us. He was searching for the hen that Jason’s calling was imitating. It took almost an hour, but suddenly, rising up over the edge of the hill in the field in front of us, was a nice tom turkey. He was on full alert, looking for the hen. Jason stopped calling. We both froze. But I froze in a prepared position with my gun raised and aimed right at him. He kept coming. Jason told me later he wondered how long I would wait before I shot. At 20 yards I fired, and the turkey fell.

Immediately Jason jumped up and shouted, “That was an amazing hunt.” Wait a minute, I shot the turkey. Yet to him it was an amazing hunt because he participated in harvesting a bird. You see, teamwork impacts our world for Christ. As does searching for the lost. As does calling them to Christ. As does being prepared and in a position to give them the Gospel when they come close…both barrels if necessary.

We have all been called to have the compassion of Christ for others. We have all been granted the heart of Jesus that cares for people and serves them. We have all been called to go and seek the lost. We have all been called to witness. We have all been charged by the King to make an impact on our world. It’s time to get started…I hear the alarm going off.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Monday, May 03, 2010

Today’s Topic:  Impacting Our World for Christ

Today’s Text: Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:9)

What a marvelous spring it has been, at least here in Wisconsin. It was the first time in over 100 years that we went through March without any snow. For the first time in 23 years the lilacs were blooming by May 1^st. The rhubarb in my garden is already full grown. Golf courses have been open since March. Very few people I speak with remember the winter. Spring flowers and rains have a way of erasing our memories. We love to watch everything be made new again.

Today we begin a study of the book of Isaiah. It is like springtime to me. After long prophecies about the impending judgment of God on a sinful society, the book closes with a glorious vision of the Kingdom of God on earth when Jesus reigns on the throne of Jerusalem. The splendor of that vision brings hope and joy to those who study it and believe it.

We will not take a lot of time going verse by verse through the book, but we will point out the highlights and significance of Isaiah’s prophecies and relate the relevance they have to our modern culture. I pray it will be meaningful for you.

Isaiah’s ministry as a prophet of Almighty God spanned the period from 740 B.C. until the last years of Hezekiah (687) or the early years of Manasseh (687-642). The prophet lived during the reigns of the Judean kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and perhaps the first years of Manasseh. He was contemporary with the last five kings of Israel: Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hosea. The tragic fall of Samaria to the Assyrian King Sargon II in 722 B.C. occurred during his ministry.

He was the son of Amoz, was born in Judah, no doubt in Jerusalem, about 760 B.C. He enjoyed a significant position in the contemporary society and had a close relationship with the reigning monarchs. His education is clearly evident in his superb writing that has gained him an eminence in Hebrew literature hardly surpassed by any other. He had a thorough grasp of political history and dared to voice unpopular minority views regarding the state and the economy. His knowledge of the religious heritage of Israel and his unique theological contributions inspire awe. He was alive to what was transpiring in the court, in the marketplace, in high society with its shallowness, and in the political frustrations of the nation.

Isaiah was about 20 years old when he had a vision of God’s glory and holiness, and was called by God to be a prophet (Isaiah 6). The elements in that vision forecast the major themes of his preaching, particularly the transcendent nature of God. God warned him that his ministry would meet with disappointment and meager results but also assured him that forgiveness would ever attend the penitent (Isa. 6:5-7; 1:19-20) and that the ultimate promises of God would be realized (Isa.6:13d).

So much for the historical background. Now, for today’s connecting point. Isaiah begins his book with an honest evaluation of what society was like in his day. It’s also very relevant to our day. But in the middle of this picture of a sin-sick society is an incredible statement of the grace and patience of God. Read verse nine of chapter one – Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.

This is so simple, yet so profound and challenging. God’s incredible grace has provided a way for our culture to escape the judgment of its sin. That’s the simple part. The profound and challenging part is this – you and I are responsible for impacting our culture with the grace of God. In the midst of continued corruption and overt oppression stand God’s people as the lights of hope for a sin-sick society. You and I are here because God has chosen to place us here as His witnesses and to provide an escape for people from the coming judgment of sin.

Now the all-important application point – What kind of an impact for Christ are you having on your society?

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Today’s Topic:  Filled with Power

Today’s Text: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit)…Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power… Acts 6:5a and 8a 

Stephen’s faith was correctly placed in Jesus Christ. He had completely experienced God’s grace. He was overflowing with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. And as a result, he was filled with God’s power.

My mind is filled with so much today that I am simply going to bullet point some truths for you so I don’t get wordy and long. Contemplate each statement and let the Holy Spirit teach you the lessons you can apply to your own life.

• Faith and grace must always be our focus ahead of power. Power produces pride if not held in the context of faith and grace.
• We must be in love with the God who gives power and not the power God gives. The love of power will quickly become an idol and set itself up against an honest knowledge of God.
• The Scriptures clearly describe the application of power to our lives. Don’t be confused by emotionalism or public displays of what appears to be supernatural abilities. These are the things the Scripture say are the working of the power of God in our lives.

1.  That we may experience Jesus Christ living in and through us.

Ephesians 3:16-17a  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,   so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

2.  To know the fullness of the love of God and be filled with Him.

Ephesians 3:17b-19  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,   may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,   and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

3.  To participate in the divine nature and escape evil desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.   Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

4.  To know we are secure in Christ.

1 Peter 1:5  Through faith we are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

5.  That we may stand up against any and all opposition and even suffer for Christ’s sake.

2 Timothy 1:7-8  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 

Philippians 3:10  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 

6.  That we may live by faith alone and bring glory to Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12  With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.   We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

7.   That we might patiently endure all things with thanksgiving and joy.

Colossians 1:11-12  being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully   giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you  to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 

8.   That we may resist the power of sin.

Ephesians 6:10-11  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.   Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

9.   That we may be servants of the Gospel

Ephesians 3:7   I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 

10.  That we might bring glory to God even when we are weak.

2 Corinthians 12:9  But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

I challenge you to truly study these verses. It may be that you have been looking for the wrong evidence of God’s power at work in your life.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Today’s Topic:  Filled with Grace

Today’s Text: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit)…Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power… Acts 6:5a and 8a 

“We cannot be filled without the very real experience of that with which we are filled.”

I have a favorite beverage I drink at supper. It is healthy, sugar free, and tastes great. It comes in a small packet filled with just enough powder to mix with a 16.9 ounce water bottle. I mix it in a tall glass. It changes the color of the water from being crystal clear to deep red. Most of the time, much to the frustration of my wife, a small amount of the powder falls on the countertop. It is almost invisible while dry. But when I wipe the counter with a wet paper towel, everything turns red – the paper towel, the counter top, and my fingers.

“We cannot be filled without the very real experience of that with which we are filled.”

Being filled with grace is only possible if we have truly experienced grace. Grace is defined as “unmerited favor.” Grace is an undeserved gift. Think deeply and clearly about this – it is a gift that is completely, irrefutably undeserved. There is absolutely nothing that makes it a reward for any action or value. It cannot be earned. Absolutely everything about the recipient is contrary to the very nature and character of the gift. Unless we understand that, and have experienced that, we cannot be filled with it, which means we have no such gift to give to others.

Recently a convict, who has just finished his term of penal servitude, applies for a job as a night watchman at a jewelry store. With all his heart he wishes to lead an honest life. He hides his past from the potential employer. He is hired. He has full access to the store through the quiet hours of the night when he has everything under his care and every opportunity to rob his employer. On the first evening, he meets one of his old companions, who questions him, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m the night watchman.”

“Over this jeweler’s shop?”

“Yes.”

“Does he know what you are?”

“No, keep quiet; if he knew, I should be dismissed.”

“Suppose I let it out that you are a returned convict!”

“Oh, please don’t; it would be my last day here, and I wish to be honest.”

“Well, you have to give me some money to keep quiet.”

“Very well, but don’t let anyone know.”

This man still has his job, but he lives in constant fear of being found out, because he does not know that his past can be forgiven.

Let’s change the story hypothetically. Let us suppose that instead of the employer hiring the man in ignorance of his character, he chose instead to go to the prison and visit the man in his cell. He then said to the convict prior to his release, “Now I know you—what you are, what you’ve done, every robbery you’ve committed, but I am about to give you a chance of becoming honest. I’ll trust you as my night watchman over my valuable goods.” When he is released from prison, the convict is faithful at his post. He meets an old companion who threatens to inform his employer about his past. The guard asks, “And what will you tell about me?”

“That you were the ringleader of thieves.”

“Yes, but my master knows all that; he knows me better than I know myself. Yet he forgave me of my past and gave me this post as a gift, and I intend to be faithful to him.

Of course, this silences his companion forever.

The real reason more grace isn’t seen in people’s lives is that they are still thinking about themselves from a position of pride and self-worth. Only when we become truly broken in spirit and recognize that we are totally and irrefutably empty of anything that demands God’s recognition will we experience true grace. Then, and only then, will Jesus Christ visit us in the prison of worthlessness and offer us the gift of eternal life. Jesus Christ is the only Master who is “full of grace and truth.” Jesus Christ is gracious to you and me because He knows the truth about us, that we deserve nothing but hell. But through His grace heaven can be our share, if we personally and by faith appropriate His grace. And once we understand His grace, we too will be filled with grace towards others.

Pastor John