Preaching Good News In a Time When Violence and Racism Divide Us

Today Dr.Tony Campolo delivered the sermon at WMUMC.  The sermon title was - Preaching good news in a time when violence and racism divide us.  

“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Galatians 3:23-29 NIV

It was an awesome message.  I am going to try and share some of the main points of this sermon.   Dr. Tony Campolo said. Some say preach Jesus and he said which Jesus?  Does that sound strange to you?  Well in 2 Cor. 11 is about Paul and the False Apostles.   Jesus is biblical.  Read all the red letters in the Bible. Jesus is speaking to us.  This is the real Jesus.  Now for the question - Is Christ in you?  Do you feel Him?  

I am sure you have heard the word karma.  In Hinduism and Buddhism action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad. Sin in  this world and you pay for it in the next.  Jesus offers grace, we get what we don’t deserve, forgiveness!  Disciples do what God asks them to do.  

Ephesians 2: 14-17. We are told Christ brought peace to us.  He united us Jews and Gentiles into one people.  His death on the cross broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. We are one body brought together by Jesus’ death and our hostility toward each other was put to death. “

If Christ is in you, You feel as Jesus feels.   If you drew a line, and You stood on one side and all those who are different from you were on the other side, where would Jesus be.  Hate to disappoint you but Dr. Campolo says Jesus will be on their side. . Jesus came to save the rejected.   No room for prejudice.  No more barriers.  In one of my passed blogs I told you we don’t get to choose who we love, we are to love all people. Even our enemies. The Bible is very clear, Matthew 25: 31-40 tells us we are to see to those who have needs, - verse 45 - I tell you the truth, when you refuse to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you are refusing to help me.  

I did a talk on Priesthood. We are all priest and we are suppose to share the gospel, the whole gospel.  

The song we sang at the end was - They Will Know We Are Christians by Out Love.  What I will remember today is this - I will love my Father with all my Heart, Soul, Mind and I will Love all others.  You probably are shaking your head and saying really, you are going to do that.  Well I have a helper, The Holy Spirit.  It would be impossible without her by my side.  

Remember God loves you and so do I.

What Does Church Mean?

WHAT DOES CHURCH MEAN?

It doesn't mean building.  Buildings are important tools but the church is really people!  

The Greek word for church is used over eighty times in the New Testament - ekesia (means called out) -  People called together, an assembly.  Church came to mean more than assembly, it referred to Christians.   The first time we see it in the gospels is in Matthew 16:18.  Jesus tells Peter, you are the rock and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.  Jesus makes it clear that the church is His ekesia -assembly.  A community of people who belong to Christ. 

Another word used in the New Testament is kuriakon which means -belonging to the Lord.  Church means specifically the assembly that belongs to Jesus.  People called out by Jesus, who belong to Jesus, who seeks a relationship with Him, who does His will and work in the world. 

Today churches struggle with the issue of who is in charge. Well, the church is the Lord's. The mission is to discern Christ's will above all else.  To be Christ centered.  1Peter 2:10 says, "once you weren't a people but now you are God's people".

We need community.  As God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each member of the trinity in community with the others - we are also wired to be community with others. When we are in community we are healthier, happier, and live longer.  Without the church we can't grow spiritually into The people of God.  

There are so many people who are not involved in a church. Maybe they have been hurt by a church in the past.  Maybe they have been hurt several times.  It is important that churches are held accountable, that they grow, serve, care for others, pray and give structure to Christian life.  We are to accept responsibility to work for the good of each other and support one another. 

Gal. 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ".  Do you remember the story about the friends who lowered the paralytic down through the whole in the roof, determined that their friend could be healed.  This is an example of what is meant by church.  The church is God's answer to our  need for belonging, community, acceptance, support, and love.  Caring communities are made up of people who go the extra mile, give their time to serve, who go out of their way to bless others.  Sometimes churches forget what it means to be a church.  They want to stand by and criticize instead of rolling up their sleeves and model what it means to be the beloved community of Christ. 

Some people say they don't need church?  Really?  You don't need encouragement, the blessings of worship, Or Eucharist, or a message from scripture?  A congregation that is Christ Centered has a greater impact on the world as a group.   Maybe you don't need the church, but as a follower of Jesus the church needs you.  Needs you to be the encourager, to be supportive of others, to welcome people, make disciples of Christ.   The church was founded by God. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is a community that belongs to God.   It is an essential part of being a Christian.  It is created by Jesus to fulfill His mission. 

Now, more than ever, we are a population that craves community of deep friendships, bound together by common values, with interest in affecting the world in a positive way. This is what Jesus intended the church to be.  We are to continue His mission to transform the world. 

Remember God loves you and so do I.

Jesus Last Words

Most Christians revere the four Gospel account of the words Jesus spoke while on the cross.  Mark and Matthew are very similar.  Luke and John seem to deviate some.  John was standing near the cross with Mary, directly below it.  John's account is on what Jesus said to him and Mary privately - turning responsibility of Mary, Jesus' mom, over to John; a plea of thirst, statement of completion. Matthew focuses on what Jesus said in a loud voice.  Luke hears what Matthew hears but must have been closer because he heard Jesus say, "Father unto your hands I commend my spirit.

Jesus spoke seven things while he was on the cross.  Each phrase recorded in the gospels give meaning to the Gospels claim of who Jesus is?

1. "Here is your mother" - John 19: 27 - Jesus has given us an example to honor our parents in life and death. Jesus was the first born which made him legally responsible for her welfare.  Jesus entrust this care to John who takes this commission seriously.
2. "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" - Luke 23: 34 - Wow! Most of us would be asking God to get us down and save us.  But Jesus was concerned about the souls of those responsible for crucifying him.  This is love.  Conditional love.
3. "Today you will be with me in Paradise" - Luke 23: 43 - Here the key is faith, God's grace.  The thief's faith saved him.
4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" - Matthew 27: 46; Mark 15; 34; Psalm 22:1 - Here Jesus is quoting Ps. 22:1 which signals the hope and triumph, the obvious meaning of Jesus cry.  This is a very real prayer reflecting the agony of the cup drunk to its dregs on the cross.  Isaiah 59: 2 - "But your iniquities have separated you from your God  . . . .  Jesus is forsaken because he who had no sin took our sins upon him.  (Atoning for our sins), so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
5. "I am thirsty" - this fulfills scripture Ps. 69:21:  I thirst reminds us of Jesus' physical nature / His humanity, His willingness to fulfill the prophetic scripture, His deteremination to complete His task. 
6. "Into your hands I commit my spirit" - Ps. 31;5.  This is part of an evening prayer used daily by devout Jews.  Jesus spoke in a loud voice, firm and confident, He spoke His Father with intimacy, He entrusted himself to His Father.  He speaks a word of surrender giving up His human life back to His Father.
7. "It is finished" - Amazing : completion / fulfillment / finishing - all three mean the end; the debt has been paid; obedience fulfilled.  

What should we learn from this: We are to live lives of purpose, focus, obedience, be willing to suffer to achieve God's purpose.  We don't give up just because the going gets ruff.  When our time comes we want others to be able to say we fought the good fight, we finished the race and remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7.  

Joseph's Life

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.” “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.””  “Joseph responded, “Both of Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do.” “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41:15-16‬, 25, 39-40 NLT

God Will Use Your Struggle For Good

Joseph life was full of chaos: one broken promise; two betrayals; several burst of hatred; two abductions; more than one seduction; ten jealous brothers; one case of poor parenting; abuse; unjust imprisonment; 24 months of prison food.  Mix all of that together, let it sit for13 years and what do you get?  The grandest bounce back in the Bible!  Jacob’s forgotten boy became the second most powerful man in the world’s most powerful country.  God took the bad and made it into something good! Joseph’s path to the palace wasn’t quick or painless, but amazing.

Have you had pain in your past, betrayals, anger, or tragedies.  How about poor parenting, or wrongly accused or inappropriately touched.  Now for some questions – Is the God of Joseph still in control? YES!  Can he do for you what he did for Joseph? YES!  Can God use evil intended to harm you to actually help you become the person God intends you to be?  YES!
Remember God loves you and so do I.

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit

Today I am going to talk  about  the Holy Spirit. I know it might  seem strange to some, but in the Bible the word spirit has been interrupted as he, and she.  In Latin it refers to he, in Greek neuter (either he or she), and in Hebrew, she and in Proverbs Lady a Wisdom.   I like to refer to the Holy Spirit as SHE-.
Of all the gifts given to mankind by God, there is none greater than the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit has many functions, roles, and activities.  She does a work in the hearts of all people everywhere.  Jesus told the disciples that He would send the Spirit into the world to “convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment”  (John 16:7-11).  Everyone has a “God consciousness,” whether or not  they admit it.  Spirit applies the truths of God to the minds of men. Once we are saved and belong to God, the Spirt takes up residence in our hearts forever.  Jesus gave the Spirit as a benefit to perform the functions toward us which He would have done if He had remained.

The Holy Spirit is not a vague, celestial shadow, nor an impersonal force.  She is a person equal in every way with God the Father and God the Son. She is considered to be the third member of the Godhead.  God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  All the divine attributes ascribed to the Father and the Son are equally ascribed to the Holy Spirit.  When a person becomes born again by believing and receiving Jesus Christ, God resides in that person through the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit has intellect, emotion, and will.

The primary role of the Spirit is that she bears witness of Jesus Christ, tells our hearts about the truth of Jesus, acts as a teacher, reveals God’s will and God’s truth to us. Jesus gave us His Spirit to produce God’s character in our life.  We cannot do it on our own.  She will build into our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  These are called the fruits of the spirit.  God knows it is impossible for us to produce these qualities on our own so we are told to walk in the Spirit and be filled with the Spirit.  She empowers us to grow spiritually.

The Holy Spirit also convicts Christians and none Christians concerning how sinful we are, that we need forgiveness, reminds us how righteous Jesus is, that He died in our place, for our sins, and that God will eventually judge the world and those who do not know Him. The Spirit tugs on our hearts and minds, urging us to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and a new life.

Too often people think the Holy Spirit runs on the conservative track or on the charismatic track.  Both of these miss the most important thing – the Spirit of God wants to have fellowship with us.

The deeper you go into understanding you have been justified by faith, the more alive you become in the Spirit.  We see the Spirit’s presence in many ways: Scripture, spiritual gifts, the work of the church, and life circumstances. We know the Holy Spirit is real because the Bible says so. We know She indwells in every believer, and alone can give us the power that we need.  Have you ever wondered how to receive this power for daily living?  Some people say they know about God the Father, that they know God the Son even better. But they hardly know the Spirit.

Jesus told Nicodemus, that wind by its very nature is invisible and unpredictable. It will blow from the north today and from the south tomorrow or from the east or not at all.  We can feel its effect and hear it whistling through the leaves, but the wind is totally free from man’s control. It exist everywhere on the earth and is continually in motion.  It can be a slight breeze or a mighty rushing wind to a destructive force of tornado. Just as the wind is everywhere so is the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit is universal, not limited to one country, region or race of humanity. Like the wind, no one can control the work of the Spirit.  As the wind blows from the heavens, so the Holy Spirit is sent from heaven.

I want to share with you my personal experience with the Holy Spirit.  When I was at MD Anderson with our son, we received bad news.  His cancer was very rare, there wasn't anything they could do. I called my husband, crying.  He was here in Texarkana.  He tried to console me but I felt so alone. I got on my knees cried out to the Holy Spirit.  As I asked her to help me, the phone rang.  It was Carolyn Bland.  She had lost her son 6 months earlier.  She said something kept telling her that I needed her.  After we brought our son back to Texarkana, one day I stopped at the store to pick up some Sprite for our son as I headed to the hospital.  Several people from church were at the store.  Of course they all ask about our son.  My eyes began to burn from fighting back my tears.  If I cried my face would show I had cried all day.  When I got to the car, I called on the Holy Spirit.  Please don't let me cry. If I cry my son will know it. I will count to 10. Please take these tears away before I reach 10.  I started counting.  When I reached 8 the most peaceful feeling came over me.  My need to cry was gone.  I made it through the whole day without crying.  I need the Holy Spirit to empower me each day.  When I kneel to pray I always say come Holy Spirit:  empower my prayer, see for me, hear for me, give me understanding, and put words in my mouth.  You may wonder why I ask the Spirit to come.  I must change and only God can change me.  MY Father draws sinners to His son by means of the Holy Spirit. And all those who are drawn will in fact come to Jesus and those who come will never be turned away. (John 6: 37)

Our Father anxiously awaits to give us gifts. Are you curious about these gifts?
Riches? No . . . .only very few have that.
Beauty? No . . . .It’s only skin deep and doesn’t last forever.
Talent? No . . . .God gives us all a perfect measure according to His plan.
Possessions? No. . . .material things eventually blow away like the sand through an hourglass.

The good gift that God desires to give all His children, more than anything else, is . . . .The Holy Spirit!  Not money, not talent, not skill, not ability, not success, not protection from hardship, not full-body armor against sin.  The one gift that is more precious than all of that is something that only He can give!  His very own Spirit! By having His Spirt: you are never alone, never need to be afraid, and empowered to do all things.

Can you think of a greater  gift?  To receive a fresh outpouring of the Spirit in your life, simply pray Come Holy Spirit, see for me, hear for me, understand for me.  Fill me with wisdom.






     

WHO DO YOU CHOOSE?

Who Do You Choose?
“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
Do you choose Jesus or everything else: TV, FaceBook, work, etc.  want to spend time with Jesus?  Slow down, be still, quiet, and wait expectantly.  If you are always in a hurry you will miss out on talking to Jesus through prayer.  Spend 30 minutes a day with your Father. You will be amazed at what a difference it will make.

God lives in your heart! Does God feel at home within you? Other things such as fear, anger, jealousy, murmuring and complaining reside there also. If you want God to be comfortable, you must give up things that cause us to forget about His presence or are offensive to Him. You must stop grumbling. Don't let strife and unrest inside of you. Don't harbor Unforgiveness. Engage in things that please and honor God's presence. Utter praises and words of thanksgiving to God.
Will God be comfortable in your heart today? Take an inventory of what goes on in your heart. Your heart is Holy Ground where God makes His home in you.

Our pastor did a sermon on forgiveness.  He talked about forgiving all people who have hurt you.  Jesus gave his life as a ransom for sinners. When Jesus died on the cross, He signed the peace treaty with His blood and ended for eternity the war between humanity’s sin and God’s  If I am forgiven, then how can I justify not forgiving.  Jesus didn't pick a few to be forgiven, He died for all of us.  If I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior then I must follow His example.

The word God gave me to work on for 2016 is SURRENDER.  What does surrendering mean?  I think it means following God's lead without knowing where he is sending me. Waiting for God's timing without knowing when it will come;  expecting a miracle without knowing how God will make it happen. Trusting God's purpose without understanding the circumstances. To surrender means I rely on God, I don't force my agenda, or try to take control of the situation.  Realizing that I don't have to be in charge.  I don't have to defend myself, or be self-serving, or edge others out or demand my rights. The night before Jesus crucifixion He surrendered himself to God's plan, to God's will.

Forgiveness becomes easier when I realize people are not my enemies.  My battle isn't with flesh and blood but with Satan / a spiritual battle.   So Father I choose you: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  I will put my armor on and step out in battle against Satan, knowing you are with me. I trust, surrender and submit to your will.  
I invite you to join me, choose Jesus!!!
Remember God loves you and so do I.

Will There Be A Day

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Several were asked to read different poems by John Thornburg, mediate on it, right down a scripture it brought to your mind and then write a devotional for our 2015 Advent Devotional Guide.   The poem I read was -  Will There Be A Day?

Whether you want to believe it or not, our world is broken. There is evil in the world, not supposed to be any, but the fact remains there is. God intended this world to be perfect, but because of free will, Adam brought sin into the world and the rest is history.  We are living in a fallen world.  So what do we have to look forward to?  HEAVEN!!!!  Jesus' humiliation, death, and victory paved a way for us. He has enabled us to endure and overcome the trials that we encounter on life's difficult path.

It is not my nature to be negative. My parents always taught my brother and I that we were to look for good in all situations and we would find it. They also taught us there were only two choices in life: Do what God wants or do what you want. Each has a consequence.

I gave up worry two years ago for Lent. Yes, I have to remind myself from time to time, but letting go and letting God brings much peace and joy each day. Each day is a gift from God, a do over, a second chance to get it right. You can choose to be positive or be negative.  After all God made this promise: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The keys to navigate through life are to keep making right choices, to believe that God loves you, to remember that some things take time and are a process, to surround yourself with positive support and to stay in God's word.

Living in this out of sync world is only for a moment compared to eternity.  John's description of Heaven gives me comfort.  All of the things we hate about life on earth - sin, pain, tears, death, sorrow, suffering - will not exist in heaven. Eternity is a life free from all the wrongs in the world today. It is a life spent in unity with Christ, truly complete. That excites me. How about you?

We will experience joys and struggles in this world, but they don't hold a candle to the joy that awaits us in the presence of Jesus. This is why I am looking forward to with each new day that God blesses me  with. What about you?  Let's work together to be our Father's hands and feet, to spread the love of Jesus.

Remember God loves you and so do I.