07/28/08

My Goals In Payson

  
    At times it is good to let brethren know what we are trying to accomplish.  Last night I shared with the church the goals I hold for the church in Payson.  Every preacher, every Christian, every church needs a stated direction.  The following goals are the vision I hold for the church.
   
   My first goal is to maintain Biblical integrity.  Without holding the integrity of God's word first, nothing else has value.  When I talk of Biblical Integrity I mean staying true to slant, direction and emphasis of Scripture.  Integrity means more than quoting verses.  It carries the idea of remaining true to God's intent.

   The second goal in my vision for Payson is for the church to be "ditch conscious".  The Good Samaritan was looking for those who needed to be rescued from the ditch.  So often our Christianity is centered around an hour on Sunday.  I want the church in Payson to live their worship by daily sacrificial living.  To do this we must be willing to reach down to those who are in trouble.

   Third, I want the church in Payson to be relevant.  Too often we get so wrapped up in the details that we miss the big picture.  At times churches become so consumed with "getting it right" that we lose our ability to change lives.  One of the things I fear is, if we suddenly left as a congregation, no one in the community would miss us.  I want the church in Payson to be relevant in the community.

   Fourth, I want to help us as Christians lose our self-righteous and judgmental attitudes.  We condemn those who are working to accomplish the exact same things we are trying to accomplish.  By our judgment and condemnation we make enemies of those who ought to be allies.  When we do that we close doors that can never be opened again.

   I also hold as a goal to lead this church to be more grace-oriented.  Paul understood legalism and traded it all for Jesus.  My hope is that we understand that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works.  When we attempt to obtain salvation by law keeping we fall from Grace.  I hope to change this attitude one Christian, one church at a time.

   Finally my last goal is to help us navigate the changes necessary to do the things I have just named without losing our Biblical integrity.  Culture changes, the way you connect with people changes.  God's word and direction never change.  My hope is to lead God's people through the necessary changes without losing touch with the integrity of God's word. 

    This is my direction and intent.  May God bless you in yours.

Posted by onedaysoon at 19:06:22 | Permanent Link | Comments (5) |

07/24/08

Looking at Worship Through the Eyes of Jesus


   By the time Jesus was born into this world Judaism had defined worship to God in very rigid and physical terms. All the denominations of Judaism had their own slant concerning what was acceptable worship. Regardless of your denominational affiliation for the most part you held worship as a series of acts to be performed without regard to purpose or intent. Worship had become something to be engaged in so that salvation might be procured or God pleased. Each group had a different slant, but worship was done to earn favor with God.

Jesus came into the world not to destroy the law or their system of worship but to fulfill the law. Jesus came to get it right! To fulfill the law is to get it right. Jesus left no doubt concerning the intent of worship. The day was coming when it wouldn't be about the temple, priests, or even Jerusalem. Change was coming and it could not be denied.

In John 4:23-24 Jesus says, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." This was radical change from all the Jews had known. Now worship was to be from the heart not from a desire to earn God's favor by ritualism. What did these changes mean?

It meant that this was no longer just a Sabbath thing. Prior to Jesus the Jews believed that if they did the right things in the right order they were secure in their salvation. Jesus is telling them that worship will now be 24/7. Worship is now becoming a lifestyle rather than something they could do once each week. Romans 12:1 says, "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." God didn't want ritualism one day each week. God wanted their hearts and lives every waking hour.

It meant that worship would no longer be totally vertical. Now it would be horizontal as well. It had always been this way. Inspiration had told us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Before, man had missed the point. It was taught and believed that if they got the worship items right and in the proper order all was well. Now Jesus was bringing their attention to the need to serve each other as well as God. True worship meant not only getting the Sabbath right but getting the other six days right as well.

What does this mean for us today? How do we make application today? In too many congregations those churches define who they are by how they do Sunday. The teaching has been if we do the right items of worship in the correct manner God is pleased. If we miss an item of worship then we are lost. Our understanding and practice of worship has defined our faithfulness. When churches take this position they fall into the same mistakes the Jews were making.

Looking at worship through the eyes of Jesus means much more that getting worship right in an assembly on Sunday morning. Looking at worship as Jesus viewed it means sacrificial living every day of our lives. Worshipping in Spirit and Truth means more than assembling for two hours each week. Seeing worship through the eyes of Jesus means we Love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as our selves. Does it really matter that we do Sunday right if we miss the point the other six days? As we make the same mistakes the Jews made under Moses law I wander does man ever really change?
Posted by onedaysoon at 15:10:21 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

07/19/08

Looking At Prayer Through the Eyes of Jesus


   How many of us are satisfied with the depth and purpose in our prayer life?  What is the reason we pray?  Do we do so out of duty?  Perhaps our motivation to pray is due to our own selfishness.  Regardless of our motive, if our reasons for praying  aren't the same as Jesus we need to change our reasons.  Let's mold our prayer life into the same as the example left by the Messiah.
  
   How did Jesus view prayer.  First, it wasn't something He did out of duty.  It is obvious that the motivation of Jesus in regard to prayer wasn't duty.  If we examine the parameters of Jesus prayer life we reach the conclusion that Jesus prayed because of the relationship He had with His Father.  Jesus prayed so often.  He prayed before any great event in His life.  The Lord prayed when he was sad, happy, discouraged, or at the end of the day.  Jesus prayer was like a son talking to his father.  Jesus saw prayer as the natural result of the relationship he had with the Father.  Could it be that if our prayer life isn't as well developed as we would like the problem isn't with our prayer life.  Could the problem possibly be connected with our relationship?

   Jesus saw prayer as being about conversation.  Jesus talked with the Father and God talked with Him.  Good conversation means that we not only talk but we also take the time to listen.  As Jesus prayed He also took the time to listen.  At times we pray at God and not to God.  We never listen for His response.  If we do it is only for a minute or two.  In order for our prayer to be like Jesus we must listen for God to answer.  Sometimes this takes a while.  If we really believe God answers prayer we will take adequate time to listen.

   Jesus saw prayer as an avenue of change.  Jesus went to His Father to change things.  When Jesus was in the Garden He prayed that if it be possible that his course be changed.  Jesus didn't want to face the next few hours.  He asked the Father to change it.  Jesus was willing to ask for this change.  Obviously He believed that with God it was possible.  Jesus believed that with God anything was possible.  Do we see prayer as Jesus viewed prayer?  Do we believe that prayer can change things?

   Jesus saw prayer as a way to maintain His walk in the Fathers will.  Jesus knew that the Father had sent Him.   He knew He had a purpose to fulfill.  Jesus saw prayer as a source of strength that allowed him to continue to walk in the Father's will.  Even as Jesus prayed in the garden He prayed, "If it be your will."  Do we realize that God has a purpose for us as well.  Life isn't about us.  Life is about fulfilling the purpose for which God created us.  Prayer will allow us to continue to maintain the correct course.

   Prayer was a major element in the life of our Lord.  If indeed we are going to walk as He walked prayer must be a major part of our life as well.  Let us learn to look at prayer through the eyes of Jesus.
Posted by onedaysoon at 22:28:34 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

07/11/08

Looking At Scripture Through the Eyes of Jesus

  
In order that we understand Jesus view of Scripture we must understand some basics.  Jesus is the Word.  John 1:1 tells us, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  In John 1:14 we are told, "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among man."  Jesus and the Word are the same.  On the other hand Scripture is God's inspiration to man.  My intent in this post is to look at Scripture through the eyes of Jesus.

As we look at Scripture through the eyes of Jesus we see that Jesus saw Scripture as having purpose.  As Satan is tempting Jesus we find Satan misusing Scripture.  Jesus response is to counter Satan's misuse with proper use of Scripture.  Jesus view is that Scripture is to fulfill the Father's intent.  It was never intended for man or Satan to establish its purpose.  Jesus views Scripture as God allowing man proper direction to fulfill His purpose.  2 Timothy 3:16-17.

   As we view Scripture through the eyes of Jesus it becomes apparent that Jesus knew man could intently search Scripture and still miss God's purpose.  In John 5:36-39 Jesus tells us that the Jews were diligently searching the Scriptures because they thought that by them they might possess eternal life.  Jesus goes on to tell them that they missed the point because they missed Him.  The Scriptures testified of Christ yet they refused to come to Jesus.  They were trusting in their understanding of Scripture rather than in Jesus.  Their reasoning was wrong.  They were intellectually searching that they might find eternal life.  They had centered their hearts on the interpretation of Scripture.  Their belief was that eternal life was found in correctly interpreting and keeping the rules of written Scripture.  Does this sound vaguely familiar?  How they had missed the point!

   Jesus view of Scripture is not an introduction to more or different rules.  His view is that Scripture is an introduction of Himself by the Father to a world lost.  As we read Scripture we find that Jesus is introduced first by Abraham.  Later He is introduced by Moses then by John.  As we read the Gospels we find Jesus being repeatedly introduced by the Father.  Why the introductions?  John 1:29 tells us, "the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"  Jesus is the culmination of the Fathers intent.  Jesus is the bridge that allows man back into God's fellowship and glory.  Looking at Scripture through the eyes of Jesus doesn't mean more or different rules it means an introduction of the Lamb of God to mankind. Scripture is about regaining and maintaining our relationship with God.  Proper interpretation or proper rule keeping doesn’t do this.  Our relationship with God is re-established and maintained through Jesus the Christ.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says, " Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths"

  
Posted by onedaysoon at 11:16:11 | Permanent Link | Comments (3) |

07/10/08

Why Do We Fear Change?
Why do men fear change?  The older I get the more I like things to stay the same. I look around and I realize I am not an exception to the rule.  In general we don't like change.  When my grandfather died in 1982 he was driving a 20-year-old car.  It wasn't that he couldn't have traded; he simply didn't want to change.

From a religious standpoint, I hate change.  I wish that we could be the 1950 and 60's church I grew to love.  In those days everything was black and white.  There was no gray.  Everyone marched in lock step.  In reality, deep thinking was not the norm.  We grew up hearing the same lessons tied to the same verses of Scripture.  We could write down 20 sermon titles and almost guarantee that we would hear one of those subjects in Sunday morning’s lesson.  There is a certain degree of comfort in everything staying the same.

The problem is society and culture does not remain the same.  If you don't believe that society changes just ask the Amish or Mennonites or for that matter certain congregations of our brotherhood.  As society changes we must adapt in order to remain relevant. The pat answers we gave in the 1950's and 60's don't answer the questions of this millennium.  As a church we lose our relevancy when we answer questions that are no longer being asked.  When our religious values are about meeting our needs instead of the needs of our society we are doomed to extinction.

I keep asking myself, "Why do I fear change?"  It has taken some soul searching but I think I have a few answers that might apply.

First, change requires deep study.  It is easy to stay the same.  As long as the subject matter stays the same I know the answers.  If you change the questions, as change does, I must learn new things.  This requires that I think outside my "religious box".  It is so much easier to continue to discuss the intricate details of the Edsel than to relearn the new models.

Second, I fear that if I change my friends will frown upon me.  We are a people who want acceptance.  As long as we talk the same, think the same, and act the same, we are accepted.  If we allow ourselves to become different in the least way we stand out as different.  The shell of acceptance no longer surrounds us.  We fear being outside the shell. We don't want to face the consequences of change and being outside the accepted shell of our grandfather's thinking.

Third, we think we have this religion thing down pretty well.  We have worship figured out.  We think we understand what man must do to "earn" God's salvation.  We understand the church and its government.  We think we even understand some basic issues of morality.  As long as we live in our comfortable shell of "religious sameness" we know the answers.  Just don't force me to go out into the world.  It is their responsibility to come to me and conform to my standards.  Don't ask me to take Jesus to them.  Meeting the world in their environment means my 1950's answers may not fit the questions I am going to face.  My answers are so much better before I have to match them up with real life questions!

When your attempt is to actually be an ambassador of Jesus in a real world environment you face many risks.  You may have to actually think and learn again.  It may be that your friends call you names like "change agent."  They may even question your "soundness."  You may be told you have gone off the "deep end."  When we leave the shell of our church walls we may see that our "pat answers" don't fit the questions the world is asking.  Such a shame, I have learned these answers so well! 
Posted by onedaysoon at 13:57:44 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |

07/06/08

Our Actions and Speech Betray Us


In Mt 26 Peter is told, "Surely you are one of them for your accent gives you away." Peter is denying his Lord.  At this time Peter doesn't want to be counted as a follower of Christ.  As much as he wanted to deny this relationship, he could not do so.  The outward signs were a telling sign of what was inside the man.

On many occasions we are like Peter.  We desperately want to be one thing while all the while the outward signs give us away.  We claim many things but what we actually are will always come to the surface.

We claim to be followers of Jesus.  Our direction is his direction.  We claim to preach Jesus and Him crucified.  If only this were our direction.  Unfortunately our actions outweigh our claims.  I realize that by painting with a broad brush I will invariably paint some who are not guilty.  On too many occasions our direction has become restoration of the church rather than preaching Jesus.  Despite our claims to the contrary a primary direction of our efforts is making sure we get public worship right.  Many congregations are building their identity on two hours each week.  Instead of preaching the need for Jesus we are becoming keepers of the gate.  We may claim our direction is something else but our actions and our speech betrays us.

We claim to be committed to the Lord.  Unfortunately our life tells otherwise.  Praising God and bringing glory to His name is the top priority to those who are truly committed. In the movie "3:10 to Yuma", the motivating factor for the man taking the convict to the train is the $200 he is going to be paid for his work.  As the movie progresses the money becomes a non-factor.  In the end he is taking Mr. Wade to the train because it is the right thing to do.  When we obey the Gospel, most of the time it is initially out of the fear of hell or the desire for heaven.  If we are truly committed our motives will change.  It will stop being about us.  The time will come when we serve God as a result of wanting to do His will.  We may claim commitment.  Talk is cheap but if it isn't real our actions and our speech will betray us.

When the world looks at us what do they see?  Do they see self-righteous, judgmental keepers of the gate?  Do they see a people who are self-appointed restorationist? Maybe they see Christ followers seeking to preach Jesus.  We may make any claim we want but in the end our actions and our speech will point out what we really are.

Posted by onedaysoon at 16:20:10 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

07/02/08

Let Jesus Live Through You


   A few weeks ago I wrote about a warrior in God's kingdom named Albert Pirtle.  Albert was one of the finest men I have ever known.  In every respect he was a true gentleman.  His life was lived in a determined fashion.  Albert's greatest desire was to be an ambassador for his Lord.  A couple of weeks ago Albert crossed over the river of death to be with his Lord. Even though Albert has died he continues to speak.

   This past Sunday I had the pleasure of baptizing Albert's son David into Christ.  David was with his dad almost constantly during his illness.  I have talked with David on many occasions.  David shares his dad's desire to serve his Lord.

   As we talked David shared some thoughts with me.  With David's permission I now want to share those thoughts with you.  David works at a gym.  He told me that on several occasions one of the patrons would bring his Bible to the gym and "preach" to him.  David told me that he appreciated the efforts the man put forth, but had some resentment due to the fact that this seemed to him an effort to force his will and views on David.  As a result David did not accept what the man was presenting.  
   
   Let us fast forward to Alberts illness. When Albert fell the church came to his aid.  David told me that he asked, "How long do you think this will last?"  When it became apparent that the actions of the church  weren't temporary and would continue David decided he wanted to be a part of what this church had.  The rest is history.  David is now part of the Payson Church of Christ.

   Christians and churches may be able to quote Scripture correctly.  We may be able to win the religous discussions.  We may even be the most "doctrinally sound" group in the state.  Unless Jesus is living through us on a daily basis nothing else matters.  Instead of spending our time arguing the intricate details of Scripture maybe we ought emphasize letting Christ live through us.
  
Posted by onedaysoon at 10:27:32 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |

06/13/08

Fathers- MIA in America Today
For many children across our country Sunday will not be a reflection of happy times. Due to increased divorce and numbers of children born out of wedlock about 28% of our nations children now live in a household without their father. Dr. James Dobson wrote these words, "Boys are in trouble today primarily because their parents, and especially their dads, are distracted, overworked, harassed, exhausted, disinterested, chemically dependent, divorced, unable to cope or simply not there." In too many instances fathers in America are missing in action.

Eight years ago voters in California passed Proposition 22 defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This was passed by an overwhelming majority vote. Apparently this didn't mean much to the state Supreme Court judges who declared the law as "unconstitutional." Friends we are in trouble in America.

Ephesians 6:1-4 gives us a directive. God's intent was for fathers to provide the direction in the lives of their children. The Scripture explicitly instructs fathers to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. What a far cry from what exists in our nation today! Many children are being raised without the influence of a father. For many more the father in the family is concerned about anything but influencing the children in the ways of God.

Dads are the most powerful platform to speak into a child's life. The example of a Christian father provides more value in a child's life than all the avenues the world has at its disposal. We need Christian fathers to step forward and provide the edge needed to raise children in a mixed up world. It is time for our culture to expect fathers to take an active role in the lives of their children. Otherwise fathers are simply missing in action in America today.
Posted by onedaysoon at 19:33:12 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

06/08/08

The Wall


This afternoon I visited "the Wall".  The wall is a memorial dedicated to the many who have given their lives in the Vietnam conflict.  This weekend this memorial visited Payson.  This was such an inspiring memorial.  For over one hundred yards the wall contained name after name of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.  How anyone can visit this memorial and not shed a tear is beyond my imagination.  The wall contains the names of men and women who protected the heritage of freedom for our nation.  On the wall are the names of thousands of America's greatest warriors.

I hear from our news media a clamor for change.  What is it they want to change?  Hopefully it isn't the freedom afforded us by these heroes.  I hope we do not want to change the respect we give to those who have purchased freedom for all.  Certainly we would not sell the memories of these great individuals for the sake of something new.  Choose wisely the things you want. 

The wall contains the names of some of our greatest warriors.  From those of us who didn't serve to those of you who did, thank you for your service. May God always bless those who put their lives on the line for freedom.
Posted by onedaysoon at 16:39:39 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

06/07/08

Some Men Cast a Long Shadow


Albert Pirtle is a fine Christian and a gentleman in every sense of the word. Tonight Albert struggles to regain his health. As Albert approaches his ninth decade of life he remains a strong servant of the Lord. The outcome of his struggle is important to those of us left behind. If he loses this struggle we will miss him greatly. A great void will be left as he casts a long shadow. Albert remains one of the finest men and servants of God I have ever known. If he loses this mighty struggle his gain will be the majesty of heaven.

I will never forget meeting Albert for the first time. He had recently lost his wife of many years. He visited with us on a beautiful Sunday morning. Later that week I visited with him in his home. He told me that he had been out of service of the Lord for over 40 years. His greatest desire was to return to his Saviour. Albert was restored to the Lord's fellowship almost three years ago. Since that time he has been a shining example of everything a servant ought to be. In every sense he has been faithful. Every week found him regularly attending worship, setting up Bible studies, letting Christ live through him. A week ago last Thursday Albert fell and broke his hip. Today a feeding tube was inserted.

When the day comes that our brother Albert goes to be with the Lord we will have lost another of the World War II generation. Albert served our nation for four long years during the mighty struggle. Albert and his kind are the strength that holds this nation together. It is his kind who give us the ability to live in freedom today. Without this generation there would be no freedom.

Albert is the kind of servant who brings hope to a dying world. He is a man looking for those who have fallen into the ditch, looking for those who need his help. He is always searching for an opportunity to let Christ shine through him. I have never known a finer man nor a greater servant for the Lord. Regardless of the outcome of Albert's struggle, he will continue to cast a long shadow in a world who need so many just like him.
Posted by onedaysoon at 20:50:23 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |