Authentic Community

Funny how we are about truth! We tend to choose what we want to accept as truth - even when it comes from the very same document or source. This is not only true in politics or media - it is also true in the church. Out or our traditions and prejudices we select what we want to believe and accept. Then we judge others according to our standards.

I met a fellow at lunch today. It soon became clear that he was from a church that considered itself a cut above any others in the community. Not that he would admit it, but it became clear in the dialogue. I could not help but think, "is this what Jesus had in mind?" When He came as the Word made flesh, did he intend for us to form our little exclusive groups to "guard the truth" so that we  would make sure we were not erring in any way? To the point where we had such division in the church community? And I don't mean the "big stuff."

What about what Jesus taught in Mark 17?

²⁸One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Never mind John 17?

Oh that we would learn to walk together, learn from each other, encourage each other - you know - the kind of stuff the Bible talks about...

Biblical Integrity

My mind mulls over our church's new Directional Statement as I prepare for our Annual Meeting tonight and preach on the subject this coming Sunday. The first point of our statement declares that as a Church we are committed to Biblical Integrity.

We declare that we believe what the Bible teaches as truth. We should not only get to know that truth, but live it out in our daily lives. Truth and life need to be integrated. In today's world many question whether we can ever know truth. Still others have no apparent connection between what they claim as truth they believe and how they live  their lives.

Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.

Jeremiah 7:28

Today, if only you would hear his voice,
Do not harden your hearts...

Psalm 95:7-8

Our challenge today is to first accept God's Word as truth. Then we need to live that truth. And God is faithful - absolutely!

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22

Our Mission

I just read the statement, "There is no mission for the Christian other than the one Jesus shares with us."

In the Bible we read various statements from Jesus that we regard as His mission for us. Matthew 22:37-39; 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8 for example. In Acts 1:8 Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit was going to guide and direct the followers of Jesus Christ and instruct them once Jesus was gone.

In Acts 2 we read of how the Holy Spirit fell upon Christ's followers and they began to do what He guided and empowered them to do. After the significant events of Pentecost, we read of what the followers of Jesus continued to do. I believe what we see them do forms the core of what our church today is to do.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

- Acts 2:42-47

As Bethel Church in Three Hills we have affirmed what we believe God has called us to do. Here is our statement of direction:
"Bethel Church is committed to helping more people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ through:
1. Biblical Integrity
2. Authentic Community
3. Persistent Prayer
4. Active Worship
5. Intentional Outreach

Forgiveness

"The litmus test for being a Christian is not whether one can say the creed and mean it, but whether one can forgive and love an enemy." (Not By Bread Alone: Daily Reflections)

²¹Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

²²Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times....

- Matthew 18

Jesus then told the story of a man who was forgiven his incredible debt, but would not forgive another person a minute debt. His forgiveness thus revoked and he was thrown in prison until he could repay his debt.

³⁵“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Forgiveness is one of those things that we can easily believe in when we are the ones that need to be forgiven. However, when the time comes when we need to forgive someone else, we struggle intensely. Jesus came to offer forgiveness. Forgiveness brings peace.

The End - The Beginning

It can be a bit shocking! Suddenly life comes to an end - for those you love and you are not ready for it.

In January my Dad passed away after struggling with his health for many years. Yet, at the end, he went downhill quickly and was gone much more quickly than I expected. Now my mom is battling for her life. It is hard to believe.

It does remind me that none of us knows when our time will come. We don't know that we will make it to tomorrow, or next week, or another year or till we reach 90 years of age. Are we ready should it be our turn?

Thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ that we can have assurance that when our life is over here on this earth that we can have life forever.

Birds of a Feather...

What a great quote! It goes perfectly with my sermon for tomorrow.

"Birds of a feather flock together," as the saying goes. How strange, then, to see Jesus, the sinless one, eating and speaking with sinners and others who were detested by "respectful" citizens. Yet, that is exactly what Jesus did and he made it very clear that the reason he came was to reconcile everyone to the Father. (Not By Bread Alone: Daily Reflections For Lent).

Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

- Micah 7:18-19

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

- Luke 15:1-2

Talk about headaches

Okay, so I have been pretty serious on here during Lent. So, today I will quote something else I read. Nothing to do with Lent.
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Little Susie, a six-year-old, came home from school and said, "Mommy, I've got a stomachache."

"That's because your stomach is empty," her mother replied. "You'd feel better if you had something in it." She gave Susie a snack, and sure enough, Susie felt better right away.

That afternoon the family's minister dropped by. While he was chatting with Susie's mom, he mentioned he'd had a bad headache all day long.

Susie perked up. "That's because it's empty," she said. "You'd feel better if you had something in it."
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The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.