Category Archives: Spiritual

Biblical, theological, devotional, etc.

A Sermon Echo from Sunday, November 10, 2019

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(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached or heard on a previous Sunday.)

 Haggai 1:3-6 says, “Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?’ Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.'”

From there the passage elaborates on the aforesaid and explains that their economy has been sabotaged by God because their priorities and values were out of order. They were focusing on their own interests while neglecting God and their relationship with him. No doubt about it, it was time for them to rebuild the temple.

Now that we are post-crucifixion, post-resurrection, post-ascension, and post-Pentecost, we are not called upon to rebuild an earthly temple. Instead we are called upon to be building the Kingdom; that is, spreading the gospel. The question is: Are our own priorities and values in proper order or have we let our own interests cause us to neglect our mission? It’s something to cerebrate…

A Sermon Echo from Sunday, November 3, 2019

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(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached or heard on a previous Sunday.)

On Sunday, we observed All Saints Day (which was technically two days earlier). In some traditions the title of, “Saint,” is reserved for a special superclass of the Lord’s followers; individuals like the Apostle Paul, Francis of Assisi, and Mother Teresa. Biblically, however, all who have repented and accepted Christ are saints. Not because of their own purity or because of their great deeds but because God has made them holy. (Notice the New Testament references to, “holy ones,” in the NIV; in the more literal translations like the NRSV and NASB, the word is, “saints.”)

Take some time to remember and honor the saints; not just the famous ones such as those I’ve already mentioned, but those who have been influential in your own spiritual journey. Perhaps a grandmother, or a father, or an aunt, or a Sunday School teacher, or a youth pastor… We don’t worship the saints but it is fitting and proper that we remember and honor them.

Also, if you are a Christian, remember that you hold the title of, “Saint.” Saint Wilson! That has a certain ring to it. Why don’t you try it? Say out loud, “Saint {Insert Your Name]”. Now, strive to live accordingly!

A Sermon Echo from Sunday, October 27, 2019

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(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached or heard on a previous Sunday.)

This week, it was my co-pastor’s (Pastor Chelsie) turn to preach. She read the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. It begins like this:

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 1The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’–Luke 18:9-12

She elaborated on the Pharisee’s attitude of self-righteousness and how he compared himself to others and felt himself superior to them.

Then she asked, “How many of you are thinking, ‘Thank God, I’m not like that Pharisee!?’

Touché!

Be Subject to the Governing Authorities

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Romans 13:1a says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities…”

I’ve heard those words used to say that Christians must not oppose or speak against the President of the United States, but rather, must give their support and allegiance (“be subject”) to the President. Is that how this passage applies? I don’t think so; at least not in an absolute way.

What follows is an explanation of my position on how Romans 13:1a should be interpreted in the context of our government, NOT how it may or may not apply to our current President.

First, notice Acts chapter four where Peter and John are commanded by the Sanhedrin (governing authority) to stop teaching and speaking in the name of Jesus. Their response is recorded in verse 19. “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!” In the very next chapter, Peter and the other disciples face the charges again and answer similarly, “We must obey God rather human beings!” The obvious principle is that God’s authority supersedes earthly authorities. That means if a “governing authority” behaves contrary to God and his will, Christians do not owe allegiance to that authority.

Secondly, consider how being “subject to the governing authorities” applies to our particular form of government. It is too simplistic to equate the Biblical phrase, “governing authorities,” with the President. Our governing authority is not the same as when and where the New Testament was written. It is due to careful, purposeful design that our governing authority is not an emperor, dictator, or king. Our governing authority is not a person at all, but rather a Constitution of the people, and by extension, the three-branches of government it established. As Lincoln put it, “a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Article II of the Constitution gives executive power to a President. Unlike the case of emperors, dictators, and kings, that executive power is rather narrowly defined. The key part of that definition is the President’s responsibility to, “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” (There are also duties like making treaties, receives ambassadors, and serving as the Commander in Chief but his duties do not include making laws or interpreting them.) The Constitution summarizes the President’s role through the oath of office that it sets forth; our President must vow to, “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.”

Furthermore, in the United States we believe in a principle called the Rule of Law. Among other things, “the rule of law implies that every person is subject to the law including people who are lawmakers, law enforcement officials and judges. (Wikipedia)” That means that unlike emperors, dictators and kings, our President is not above the law. Rather, the President is subject to the law just like everyone else.

To conclude, therefore, if our governing authority consists of a Constitution and the three-branches it established and regulates, and if our President exists through, and is subject to, the Constitution and the other two branches, then Romans 13:1a applies to the President only to the extent that the President faithfully executes the office of President. If you believe the President is behaving contrary to God’s will and/or if you believe the President is behaving contrary to the Constitution and the Rule of Law, then you are not obligated to give support and allegiance to that President. (Not only that, but an argument could be made that under such circumstances, Christians actually have a duty to actively oppose that President.)

Romans 13:1a says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities…”

I’ve heard those words used to say that Christians must not oppose or speak against the President of the United States, but rather, must give their support and allegiance (“be subject”) to the President. Is that how this passage applies? I don’t think so; at least not in an absolute way.

What follows is an explanation of my position on how Romans 13:1a should be interpreted in the context of our government, NOT how it may or may not apply to our current President.

First, notice Acts chapter four where Peter and John are commanded by the Sanhedrin (governing authority) to stop teaching and speaking in the name of Jesus. Their response is recorded in verse 19. “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!” In the very next chapter, Peter and the other disciples face the charges again and answer similarly, “We must obey God rather human beings!” The obvious principle is that God’s authority supersedes earthly authorities. That means if a “governing authority” behaves contrary to God and his will, Christians do not owe allegiance to that authority.

Secondly, consider how being “subject to the governing authorities” applies to our particular form of government. It is too simplistic to equate the Biblical phrase, “governing authorities,” with the President. Our governing authority is not the same as when and where the New Testament was written. It is due to careful, purposeful design that our governing authority is not an emperor, dictator, or king. Our governing authority is not a person at all, but rather a Constitution of the people, and by extension, the three-branches of government it established. As Lincoln put it, “a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Article II of the Constitution gives executive power to a President. Unlike the case of emperors, dictators, and kings, that executive power is rather narrowly defined. The key part of that definition is the President’s responsibility to, “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” (There are also duties like making treaties, receives ambassadors, and serving as the Commander in Chief but his duties do not include making laws or interpreting them.) The Constitution summarizes the President’s role through the oath of office that it sets forth; our President must vow to, “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.”

Furthermore, in the United States we believe in a principle called the Rule of Law. Among other things, “the rule of law implies that every person is subject to the law including people who are lawmakers, law enforcement officials and judges. (Wikipedia)” That means that unlike emperors, dictators and kings, our President is not above the law. Rather, the President is subject to the law just like everyone else.

To conclude, therefore, if our governing authority consists of a Constitution and the three-branches it established and regulates, and if our President exists through, and is subject to, the Constitution and the other two branches, then Romans 13:1a applies to the President only to the extent that the President faithfully executes the office of President. If you believe the President is behaving contrary to God’s will and/or if you believe the President is behaving contrary to the Constitution and the Rule of Law, then you are not obligated to give support and allegiance to that President. (Not only that, but an argument could be made that under such circumstances, Christians actually have a duty to actively oppose that President.)

Whether you agree or disagree, it’s something to cerebrate.

A Christian Pastor’s 2016 Election Day Message

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[Published BEFORE election results are in, with the belief the following applies whichever candidate wins.]

God is NOT in control of this election! We the people are.

When the day is done and the results are in we cannot say of the winner, “It is God’s will.” Unless you also want to say that it is God’s will that Eve ate the apple.  Eve eating the apple and the outcome of this election are not God’s will but rather the result of we humans exercising our God-given free will.

Of course God could have been in control but he delegated that to “we the people” a very long time ago.  We have been given the gift of free agency with the ability to make choices.  Here in the United States those choices include being able to determine our leaders through free and open elections.  When the election is over we will get the leader we have asked for, not the leader God would want for us. Might they not be one and the same?  That is theoretically possible but I believe it is absolutely not the case in this election.

Even as the primary season began we had already been using the wrong criteria to fill  the pool of potentials.  We were looking at candidates through the eyes of the world rather through God’s eyes.  We were not seeking a person after God’s own heart  (The criteria God used when he selected David.).  Instead we sought out and nominated candidates from a posture of fear. We have asked questions like: Which candidate is the strongest and most powerful?  Which candidate is the smartest and wisest (with the wisdom of this world)?  Which candidate has the most influence?  Which candidate presents best?  Which candidate can best keep us safe and secure, both physically and economically?

I do not and cannot judge where any candidate stands in their relationship with God.  But this I do know:   Based on observable behavior–not just recent but also life-long patterns–we will elect a candidate whose character does not mirror that of God, whose values and priorities do not align with God’s, and who does not love as God loves.  We will live with the consequences of our choice for the next few years.  But there is hope!

1 Chronicles 7:14  says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I suggest our starting point for humbling ourselves may very well be with admitting and confessing our sin for our part in this election.  Let us pray:  “Heavenly Father, we humbly come before you confessing our sin.  We as a nation, jumped out ahead of you and we have freely chosen our leader for the wrong reasons.  Forgive us. Help us to move forward from here in the right direction.  Draw close to the leader we choose and give guidance and direction.  Speak to our leader’s heart and mind.  Soften the heart of our leader so that there can be genuine transformation.  From where we stand today, work for the good of your people and heal our land.  Amen.”

 

 

 

 

Unhappily Ever After

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(The following was previously published in the Church of the Nazarene’s denominational magazine, The Herald of Holiness, in Sept. 1994.)

“Once upon a time a teenage girl was praying and distinctly felt that God was calling her to be a missionary. The idea frightened her. She didn’t know if she could ever move far away from her family. She certainly didn’t think she would be a very good missionary. Besides that she had other plans, including a boyfriend who did not feel called to be a missionary. So the young girl went to college, became a teacher, married her boyfriend and lived unhappily ever after.”

I wish stories like that only happened in fairy tales. The truth is, this is all too real. We probably all know people who find themselves living “unhappily ever after” because at some point in their life they said “no” to God’s call. Ever since that day they have lived with the tyranny of guilt. From that day forward they feel like second-class citizens in the kingdom. They feel they can never be spiritually fulfilled because they missed God’s plan. Maybe even you personally are living “unhappily ever after” because you said “no” to God’s call on your life.

The good news is that saying “no” to God at some point in your life doesn’t have to mean defeat for the entire rest of your life. Our God is not a grudge-bearing God. He is a God who forgives and forgets. We seem ready to accept his forgiveness for a multitude of sins but not this one. We believe that God can heal broken bodies and twisted relationships. We believe he can give meaning to life. But for some reason–Satan’s suggestion most likely–we don’t think he can or will heal our life’s course after we have said “no” to Him.

It is certainly unfortunate when we make the mistake of not realizing that God’s plan for us is best. There is no question that we are in the wrong. There isn’t even any question that God is displeased by it. However, making such a mistake should not mean living the rest of our lives unfulfilled, unhappy, and spiritually defeated.

The key is repentance. Like any other sin, saying “no” to God’s call eats away at a person’s relationship with God. Allowed to go on unchecked it will eventually completely destroy that relationship. But, I John 1:9 should apply here just as it does with stealing or bearing false witness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9 NIV).”

Not only does God forgive us and cleanse us, he also forgets. The Psalmist expressed it this way, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12, NIV).” Through the prophecy of Jeremiah we have this word from the Lord, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34, NIV).” In spite of Scripture passages like these we too often forget that God for¬ gets. When we confess our sins, God no longer holds them against us. That means you need no longer feel like a second-class citizen in the Kingdom. In God’s kingdom there are no paupers.

The question to ask yourself is whether or not you have really confessed this sin to God or have you merely regretted your disobedience and wished that you would have obeyed? Wishing and regretting heals no one but confession and repentance heals everyone–even those who have said “no” to His call.

But what about consequences? After repenting for running from God’s call, Jonah was able to go ahead with that call. In your case perhaps your life has taken some turns that prohibit you from going ahead with God’s original call. Then what?

While it is true that there are consequences to our actions, sometimes even lifelong consequences, it is not true that God cannot continue to work through our lives. To think that God cannot create fulfilling and meaning¬ful service opportunities after you have said “no” is to greatly limit God. Recall that we serve the God who called the universe into existence out of nothing. If you have said “no” to God and repented of it, then the important thing is to say “yes” the next time He calls.

A Sermon Echo from Sunday, August 21, 2016

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(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached or heard about on a previous Sunday.)

This past Sunday’s message was a familiar and fun Bible story; the story of Jesus healing the paralytic man from Luke chapter 5.  In the story, Jesus was teaching and some unnamed men bring a paralyzed friend to him for healing but it is so crowded where he is teaching that they can’t get through to him.  The men take the guy up to the roof, dig a hole in the roof and lower him to Jesus.

Jesus sees the paralyzed man lying there on the suspended mat.  Jesus analyzes the situation and apparently determines that the man’s greatest need is forgiveness!

(There’s more to the story but that is the part I wish to “echo.”

A Christian Country

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Generally speaking, Christians in America like to think that the United States of America is a, “Christian country.” Those who say that we aren’t, generally wish that we were.

Of course, even if we all agree that we ought to be a Christian country, that doesn’t mean we actually agree. It seems that there is still a discrepancy in what we even mean by the term, Christian country.

For many it simply means that we are a country where…

  • Christian prayer is allowed, or even encouraged, in our schools and other government settings
  • saying, “Merry Christmas,” is always accepted and preferred
  • the Ten Commandments are welcome in our courthouses
  • nativities are welcome on public lawns
  • the pledge to the flag includes, “under God”
  • our money declares, “In God we trust.”
  • Christian churches can build where they want (mosques, not so much)
  • churches are tax exempt
  • Christian ethics guide the laws of the land
  • Christians are free to live out their own convictions without fear
  • etc.

While this may be the way many people think when they think of what it means to be a Christian country, this list actually falls way short. This conception of a Christian country reflects a self-centered understanding. It basically means that a Christian country is a country for Christians; a country that favors Christianity and creates/maintains a very Christian-friendly environment.  This idea of a Christian country is all about making our country pleasant and comfortable for we Christians.

I would suggest a different idea for a Christian country.  Rather than  a country for Christians, I would suggest that a Christian country is a country that behaves in a Christlike manner.  In other words, it is a country that takes personal Biblical, Christian ethics and applies them at a national level.

Let me share some examples of what I mean.

Way back in Genesis, when God first called Abraham, he made this covenant:

“I will make you into a great nation,  and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,  and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,  and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth  will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3, emphasis added)

Here is the general principle that can be drawn from that passage: When God blesses, the blessed are supposed to bless others! The Marvel hero, Spiderman, famously learned the lesson that, “with great power comes great responsibility.” This passage teaches the rest of us that with great blessings comes great responsibility. As a nation, we here in the United States, are greatly blessed. As a Christian I credit God for those blessings. Consequently, if we are to be a Christian country, we must use our great blessings to bless others!

This plays out in a wide variety of ways. Among other things, it means that as the most powerful country in the world, we should help and assist the less powerful. It means that when we make trade agreements, we should think not only of how it benefits ourselves, but also how it benefits those with whom we make the agreement. (Note Philippians 2:3-4 — “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”) It means giving aid to nations that are not as blessed as the United States–nations dealing with drought, famine, war, and so on.

A truly Christian country will not horde its blessings for itself but will use its blessings to bless others.

For another example, consider the environment. In the beginning, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15) Notice that the command is two-fold. We are to, “work it,” but we are also to, “take care of it.” It is an unfortunate truth that our culture has been better with the former than with the latter. We must bring that into balance.

A truly Christian country will not only “work” the planet but will also “take care of it.”

As another example, there is the issue of how a Christian nation should treat the marginalized and needy within its own borders. Here are just two relevant Scripture passages (from among many) that should guide and direct our policies if we want to be a Christian country: 1 John 3:17 asks, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” Along the same vein, James 2:14-17 says, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

The directives of these and other relevant passages would include assisting with basics like food, shelter, and health care. It would also include ensuring that our laws don’t favor the well-to-do and that we proactively give the needy a hand-up in things like educational opportunities. It means we would make sure that our tax code doesn’t favor the well-to-dos over against those in poverty.

A truly Christian country will take care of its marginalized and needy.

Immigration is a divisive subject in our country. How should a Christian country respond to immigrants? Turning to Scripture, we are in Leviticus 19:34, “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” It is an inconvenient truth (to some) that this passage makes no distinction between documented foreigners and non-documented foreigners. We are simply told that if they reside here, we should treat them the same as our native-born.

A truly Christian country will love its immigrants.

There is the issue of equal rights… According to Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, …” Our own Declaration of Independence mirrors this teaching with those well-known words, “all men are created equal.”

A truly Christian country will not discriminate, but will operate from a stance of equality under which everyone has “equal protection under the law.”

Domestic Economic Policy: There are Biblical principles that address business. For example, Deuteronomy 25:13-16, teaches: “Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house—one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” The details of this passage were written in a different time and place but once again a general principle can be gleaned. The idea is to be fair in all our business dealings. Wages and prices should be fair, not simply, “whatever the market will bear.” The principle of, “let the buyer beware,” is just another way of saying that you can cheat customers if you can get away with it. Such a principle should have no place in a Christian country.

A truly Christian country will enact policies that aim for justice and fairness.

For the final example, I want to think about how we posture with our enemies. I often hear a call to to overcome our enemies by destroying them with our power and controlling them with intimidation and threats. Biblically, however, we are told: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,…” (Matthew 5:43-44) We are further told, in Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone…”

A truly Christian country will have a foreign policy that is based on goodwill, negotiation, and peace, rather than control through power, fear, and intimidation

I for one would love to live in a Christian country. Not simply a country that loves Christians but a country that embraces Christian love.

It’s something to cerebrate!

A Sermon Echo from Sunday, March 1, 2015

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(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached about on a previous Sunday.)

Are you a believer?

Usually, when that question is asked, “believer” is being used a synonym for, “Christian.”  That’s fine.  However, it couldn’t hurt to remind ourselves why the word, “believer,” makes a good synonym for, “Christian.”

Let’s go back to the days of Abram.  When he was about 99 years old, God sent word that he and his wife were to become parents.  His wife was about 90 herself and had been barren for her entire life.  The idea that after all those years of not being able to have children, that they would have a child at this old age seemed unbelievable.  The Bible tells us that initially both Abram and his wife laughed at the idea.

He got over that soon enough.  The Scripture records that Abram believed God and it “was credited to him as righteousness.”

That notion that God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, loves us and forgives us seems unbelievable.  But believe it and it will be credited to you as righteousness!  That’s why Christians are called “believers.”

Are  you a believer?