Article 28: Faith!?!?!?!?!

I have been looking forward to this week since I saw it on the worship planning calendar. I love having this conversation with people. I am probably most intrigued by this because I have had it so many times with family members close to me, near and dear to my heart, but who are lost nonetheless. We have had this talk so many times because they believe, as the question asks, that science makes Scripture obsolete. They believe that science has proven that God and religion are nothing more than a psychologically and socially constructed necessity of the human mind. Nothing more than a predictable outcome of the social organism called humanity. What I find so interesting about this thought process is not what it says but what it fails to say. Sciences, both physical and social, have not proved these notions at all rather they have just attempted to replace God and Scripture with their alternative God and source of Truth: man. I have come to believe, see and hear that we all have faith in something or someone, the question is not whether we do or don’t but more accurately, who or what we have faith in.

I think another reason I enjoy having this conversation with people is because I believe we are all affected by this more and more everyday, often times without even knowing it. We are a product of the culture and world we live in from the time we are little children. Our parents, parents, parents and so on were being shaped and molded by the forces of philosophy, art, culture, science, politics and theology, often times, like us today, without any real knowledge of it happening. As we moved through the Age of Reason and Enlightenment, and into the Modern and Post-Modern Age we experienced a major shift in the center or source of authority. Throughout most of human history the source of authority was external, either God or King or Nature. Something or someone outside of oneself was the source of authority. We are now experiencing the consequences of placing that authority internally, within ourselves.

That brings me back to the subject of today’s sermon, science and scripture. Like Pastor Joel I believe that science only reveals more and more of who God already is. If you were to say, “I figured out 2 plus 2 = 4” and that had been previously unknown, we would say YOU (internal) discovered that truth but in reality that truth already existed (external) and was true, we just had not realized it. In the same manner, when Copernicus suggested that the sun was at the center of the universe, or when Columbus suggested that the earth was not flat but round, these truths already were true. Only the realization of these truths by mankind had not occurred. Science continues to reveal and discover more about the universe we live in and every time it does, I am more confident in God, because there must be a source for all these truths and it is HIM! I am not that source of or center for truth. Neither is any man, woman or scientist. We were at one point confident that the world was entering another ice age, now global warm ing; once the universe was expanding, then contracting, then both; once there was the possibility of black holes, then there were some, now they are everywhere. These are just a few examples of the constant change that is human authority. For us as Christians, we must place our center and source of all authority in the only one who truly has it, who never changes, God the Father, Jesus Christ his Son and the Holy Spirit as revealed to us through Scripture. If we do this then we can engage science in faith as a discovery tool of the incomprehensible creator, God Himself!

Article 27: “…, so that…”

I once had the thought while reading Scripture that the word phrase “so that” would be an incredible word study because it always seems to come at a time of important direction or explanation. A quick glance shows why no one has done that, there are almost 1000 occurrences in the NASB translation. Why is it such an important set of words? According to one English website, “So that” is used as a subordinate clause to show purpose or to give an explanation. It is used to show an action producing an intended result or a cause producing an effect. I like this last part, the simplest to grasp, a “cause producing an effect.” That means we ought to really pay attention to the cause and the intended effect, not just one or the other, or we might miss the whole point.

Well the main proof text Pastor Joel is using today has this clause in it and is a great example of why we need to pay attention to both parts of the sentence to see the whole picture that is being painted for us. In the first part of the verse we learn about Scripture itself, how it was created and why we are to believe it. It is “God breathed” or some translations say, “inspired by God”. God chose to use man to reveal his Word to and have it written down so it could be passed on from generation to generation. The Holy Spirit supernaturally presented the Word of God to and through men in such a way that it would reveal who God is more fully than the Hebrew Scripture had done, unveil His plans and fulfill His work in creation. That is pretty awesome but the verse goes on to say that there is a reason He did this. We know that God involves us in His work because He is a God of relationships but it also says because it is useful for several things: teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. Those are all pretty important aspects of not only the Christian life, but the Christian life in community, the body of Christ as an organism. They are relationship verbs implying the relationship between the Word of God and the reader but also the many readers of the Word of God together, as a collective group. Again, amazing but why? That is where my favorite little phrase comes in to play, “so that”.

So that the man of God will be thoroughly equipped for every good work the Lord has in store. WOW, that is a powerful transition. The Word of God is useful for all of these things ‘so that’ we may be ‘thoroughly equipped’ for whatever lies ahead. God in heaven gave us His Word so we would be prepared, trained and ready for the life that He has planned for us, thoroughly. As I said last week, we are all different. I love that line out of Crazy Love by Francis Chan, ‘God is a creator not a duplicator’ so what he is thoroughly equipping me for is different than what he is thoroughly equipping you for, but be sure of this He is thoroughly equipping us for the work that He has for each us to do. Notice I kept repeating the thoroughly part. He is not doing it half hearted. It does not say, that His Word is useful for ‘kind of’ equipping us or ‘possibly’ equipping us. There is no such thing as sideline or part time Christianity. This brings me to the last point. This verse says that this is all true for the ‘man of God’. His Word is useful for the man of God to be fully equipped to do the work. Are we men of God? Are we in His Word? Are we doing the good work? This is not works salvation, this is salvation works. If is by grace through faith that we are saved, lest any man should boast. Those that have been saved become, by Christ’s work, men of God, reconciled and as such need His Word to be fully equipped to do the good work. These don’t seem to be options as much as imperatives, but that is another English lesson for another day!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Almost there?!

This has been a crazy week and its only Tuesday.  My wife and I are leaving for Swaziland, South Africa   in 48 hrs on our first international mission trip which is awesome!!!  We are so excited and grateful for this opportunity and are confident of God’s provision and involvement in this from the begining BUT as always (at least for us) the more we think we have it somewhat figured out, HE creates challenges that require our further dependance upon HIM!!!

I know that this is a blessing in the end, but WOW it is crazy in the midst of it!

 As we get closer and feel almost there I realize we are not even close and have no idea where He is taking us at all!  Better to be on that journey with Him, than not on one at all! 

Thanks for reading, check back soon for more pics n vids, books, scripture, quotes and more on this BLOG (which is not updating Twitter, then Facebook, and back again…technology is great!)

Revelation…

I have been in a lecture class all week, Mon-Fri, from 8am to 5pm on the books from Hebrews through Revelation…Yes that is a lot of sitting and listening, and God Bless Dr. Kistemaker the professor, talking!!!

I have used the time to be productive, I think, and get this, my personal blog, off the ground, finally.  Then sitting here chatting with the guy next to me, Zak, about the ability to super-multi task in an environment like this, I began to wonder if I am actually doing any of the many things I am doing well at all…

“Felling good about all the things I am not doing well at all!”  

That was the line that came out of my mouth, to which Zak replied, “that is a pretty good statement”.  Then I had a revelation of my own: is feeling good about what I am doing more important than actually doing it well?  Am I doing things, merely marking them off my list of things to do with little regard for their effectiveness, impact or value? 

Bummer, hate trains of thought like that, convicting, reflective and incessantly clanging for change…

Procrastination…

The first blog entry I made was this:

“Well I have been writing articles for the paper and blog of the church I work for for quite a while, as well as papers for grad school, book outlines and ideas, occasional thoughts and diatribes of discussion with friends, congregants and my wife so I thought I might try to start a personal blog too and put them all in one place…lets see how it goes!?!?!?!”

Let me say that thanks to a long day sitting in a class that affords the capacity for multi-multi-multi tasking I have been adding all the articles that are worth a read from the Northland Newspaper and Northland Oviedo Blog.  I will soon start posting some other things Ihave written in the past from other areas, but I think mostly now I will mainly be doing a more traditional BLOG entry.  I have also added my Twitter and Facebook accounts to the sidebar.  You may want to read my article “Perceived Connection, Actual Isolation” to see how I feel about this in more detail…

I know I have a writers heart, started writing my first book in about eighth grade (gotta be a ‘very’ close friend to know the name of that one, but lets just say it was a bit of an ambitious task for such a young guy), but have for whatever reason…oh yeah the TITLE of this BLOG…never made the jump to begin any of the many book titles I have in my tasks list beyond basic outline.  Maybe, and I mean maybe this is the beginning of all that…but maybe not!

Sermons I have preached…

Living A Missional Life – May 2009

Beloved, Behold – February 2009

Signs of the Kingdom: The Kingdom Within You! – November 2008 (coming soon)

Article 26: Spread out OR piled up?

I just finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan with our small group. We did the small group study video segments (available for any of you who are interested) and discussion questions along with the reading. Maggie and I read the book last fall and it has been a catalyst for many conversations in our home, with our friends and family, and in the various ministry settings we find ourselves in, ever since. This group took a while to finish the small group study because we occasionally did fellowship gatherings, served together and have been preparing to leave for a mission trip next week to Swazi, South Africa. It has been a wild ride this spring going through this experience together. Our group has been meeting for about a year and a half and we have done marriage, finance, video and book studies but this one really drove it all home for us. Why?Crazy Love is about being overwhelmed by a relentless God who, once correctly perceived and understood, rightly deserves obedience and worship in love. The God of Abraham, Jacob, David and Christ is our God and He has revealed himself in Scripture to us today. He has not changed; He is as immutable, omnipresent, and as all powerful now as he was at creation, the flood and resurrection, and will continue to be in all eternity. The question the book raises over and over is what are you going to do about that here and now, in your own life. Once you have heard, seen and felt that truth are you just able to go back to your life the way it has always been? Can you truly just exist or is there more? Will you just put the book down (Crazy Love or more importantly the Bible) and simply say, ‘good book’ but not actually be different?

I loved Christ Tomlin’s comment in the foreword to the book. He says that Francis Chan “…is one of those, rare people you come across in life who leaves you wanting to be better.” I pray that is what each of us here at Northland Oviedo are, those kinds of people for each other. I pray that we inspire and encourage one another to be the best versions of ourselves possible…now here is the catch…not by our own will or strength or power, but by surrendering ourselves to Him more and more in our simple, daily lives. How? By passionately pursuing Christ, seeking to know Him and make Him known, by loving Him and loving others, using words only if necessary. As that happens, He is lifted up, glorified and works more and more through us in ways we could not imagine or possibly do on our own. See He loves us with such a Crazy Love, a love that sent His own Son to the cross to die to redeem the creation that had been lost, that we might have eternal life. The only response is to love Him back with a Crazy Love that is not controllable, predictable, safe or manageable but is simply obedient and willing, no matter what it asks. Here is the best part: that looks different for everyone. The end of the book brings it all home when it says that ‘God is a creator, not a duplicator’ so you ‘must learn to listen to and obey God’ to hear what He is calling you to do. But be sure of this, He is calling you!

Today’s sermon is focusing on the work of the Kingdom all around the world and the unique opportunities we as Northlanders are given to serve, from the various teams here at the Oviedo site, to those around CFL, to others around the world. Please pray about where God may be calling you to serve others and participate in His Kingdom work. I want to leave you with this thought from the end of the Crazy Love book that I love and think paints a clear picture of how important it is for us to be sent out. “Christians are like manure: spread them out and they help everything grow better, but keep them in one big pile and they stink horribly. Which are you? The kind that reeks around which people walk a wide swath (to avoid)? Or the kind that trusts God enough to let Him spread you out (no matter what)?”

Article 25: Servant Spotlight: Marianne Testa

We have not done one of these for a few months and there could not be a better person or reason to bring it back. We often serve alongside someone, receive communion or prayer from them, even say hi and shake their hand but we don’t really get a chance to know them. I have often said that one of the great tragedies of modern Christianity is the lack of opportunity and boldness to share our stories with one another in a way that reveals God at work in and through our lives. But, every once in a while we do get that chance and often times we are blown away by the account of faithfulness, hardship, obedience, trust and deliverance and God is glorified. Sometimes we learn more about the person who is in our midst, always there, with a smile and willing heart, a doer, a leader that needs little instruction or guidance and often times goes unrecognized (on purpose).Recently one of our congregants shared her story and was nationally recognized for it. It is a story of love, loss, and the lifelong pursuit of God, His plan and His purpose. A friend of Marianne’s asked if they could nominate her by sharing her story. The friends company does an annual search to find people who have “embraced life in the face of tragedy”. There were thousands of entries from the US and Canada and Marianne was one of 13 chosen to receive the award. She was recognized last week by the executive staff representing this program. She received the reward humbly, saying that it, “has been an incredible experience that has brought her closer to God than she ever had been before.”

Some of us who know her are excited that God has given her yet another venue to share her story, the story God is weaving through her life and brings His name to the world and strengthens others. Marianne is the team leader for our summer Swazi trip and has been highly impacted by and impactful for the work that we are involved in down in South Africa, and that is another amazing story worth telling, ask her about it. People like Marianne inspire us to dig deeper within ourselves and find that power that comes from Christ, the same Christ that is in her is in us, and that power is always sufficient to rise above our circumstances and make a difference in the world.

Article 24: Luke 14:31 Project (cont’d) by Maggie Jobson

Last week Jeremy wrote about the “In Her Shoes” Tea that took place Saturday May 30th. The tea culminated with the call to put on an event for women in our community that find themselves in hard times. Thirty one women signed up to be on a team coming together this summer to plan and implement the vision we have received from Luke 14:13 (please go read).

Jesus Himself laid this idea of serving the least of these as a basic quality of those who would follow Him. So too the Old Testament is filled with commands of this nature. Isaiah 58 is one of these places in Scripture where we hear the voice of God the Father telling His people what it is He asks of them.

“And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a well-watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:10-11

In a world fraught with self-help books, seminars and people obsessed with their own darkness the passage above holds such a powerful truth. Lest you think me to be insensitive let me preface this thought with one of personal testimony. My own life has been riddled with personal tragedy and struggle but as I came through those experiences I realized the power of being outward, not inward focused. The verses that largely led that season told me, “you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free” (John 8:32) and that “it is for freedom that Christ has set you free.” (Gal 5:1) Free for what? Free to “give myself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted.” We are blessed to be a blessing. We are given much in order to give! Not to hoard and spin in our self obsessions. Isaiah 58 is a desired reality for me and I believe it can be for you too. Our God has promised that His Word will accomplish what He means it to. So when He says “give yourself…then your light will rise.” You can take that to the bank. Do not misunderstand, this is not about being a worker for God this is about following Jesus… working with Him. Do not belittle the work Christ did on the Cross by thinking you might be able to somehow earn your “gloom becoming like midday.” Again, He calls you to follow…in His power…for His glory…and for your ultimate satisfaction both in this life and in the one to come.

I know that many of you are in the midst of “scorched places.” But notice in this passage He does not say…”and I will take you out of your scorched place and satisfy you” He says “I will satisfy your desire in scorched places.” Wherever you find yourself right now, reach out to HIM. Do not do what human nature urges you to do and withdraw and become angry. Accept your “scorched place” and find Him there as you get out of yourself and GIVE. Beloved Sister or Brother, find Him in the midst as you give yourself away and may your life abound with the deep satisfaction that is known by following Jesus.

Join us as we begin to pray and plan this outreach event where we will serve, love, listen, walk with and encourage women from our community who are in need. God himself tells us that this will not go unnoticed; it will be richly rewarded by Him in the place it matters most….eternity! Contact Maggie Jobson (mjobson@cfl.rr.com) or Terry Tinsely (tatinsley@mac.com) for details on how you can Be A Part of It with us, with Him!!!!

Article 23: “But when you give a banquet…” Luke 14:13

Imagine a social gathering that was put together for the sole purpose of those not invited. A group of women did just that last weekend in Oviedo. The Women’s Tea was entitled “In Her Shoes” and had local social activist and visionary Krissy Todd, founder of the Hope Foundation as the guest speaker. Krissy shared her story and what it has been like to be ‘in her shoes’ as God has moved her from small business owner and mom to outreach ministry and homeless/poverty advocate. Krissy then talked about what it is like to be ‘in their shoes’, the shoes of the women she serves every week through the food pantry right here in Oviedo. What it must be like to have had a home, a job, a family, a normal life and have it all disappear for whatever reason and how they have to cope and survive. These stories are riveting and they are not in some foreign land, they are here in our own backyards. The tea and food were great, Krissy painted a picture of how great our God is and how He works through the lives of normal individuals to further the work of His kingdom. The women in attendance were able to see and hear how God creates opportunities for each and every one of us to be the bearers of the ‘good news’, putting hands and feet to the gospel, where we are with what we’ve got, right now. What an event right? Well that is not even the best part…

The end of the event was marked with a vision that was cast for all the women in attendance that I want to share with each of you. The questions were asked, “What if we did this for them? What if we threw a tea party and fed, and showered these women in need, in our own community, with love and gifts and what every woman enjoys and what they specifically need? What if there were gift cards and bags of donated clothes or food, salon, pedicure and manicure certificates, facials, prayer, conversation, and hope shared?” Wow, now that is an idea!

Luke 14:12-14 “Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Please keep praying about ways you can be involved in this outreach event that will take place in the fall through our partnership with the Hope Foundation. If you were unable to be at the tea, or like me you were disqualified because you are a guy, then be praying about ways to be involved in a support role either through donation, volunteering and definitely through prayer!

You can contact Maggie Jobson (mjobson@cfl.rr.com) or Terry Tinsley (tatinsley@mac.com) for details on how you can “Be a Part of It” with all of us here at Northland, Oviedo! We continue to pray that each of you will passionately pursue Christ in your life in such a way that you will be compelled to do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are right now!