Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matt 10:39
My esteem of hummingbirds is radically downgraded. I was enchanted by their reaching beaks, emerald backs, and shimmering red throats. Flitting about the flora, they were miniature ornaments of joy on God’s Christmas tree. Then we hung a feeder by our window. One little guy took to the nectar with enthusiasm and frequency. He moved his permanent address to our tree. However, he began accosting visitors to HIS food source. My discovery and delight began to wane. Now he sits on the branch obsessing over any who would dare sip from one of his six feeding ports. We have nicknamed him ‘Hummer Scrooge’. When I took the feeder down for a re-fill, Scrooge zipped to the void and glared in as if to say, “Hey klutz, what do you think you’re doing with my feeder?”
My old nature slips easily into Scrooge’s mentality. On the outside I act cute and friendly; on the inside I want the best and I want it for myself. I accost any who would dare ask about my overabundance. Never mind that God provides it all. Years of living for myself have left a caption under my old portrait, ‘Restless, ungrateful, and aggressive.’ I am not going back there. I never found my life in that place.
God has hung what we need all around us. Partake and be satisfied. Delight that others have more. I have never been so open to receive love and laughter as when I began giving my life away. I don’t mean doling out surplus in a tithe but systematically liquidating holdings to kingdom work and living off God’s provision. It sounds drastic and impossible. Actually it is natural, the way we were intended to live. When we keep a fear of giving too deeply, we also keep stress and preoccupation. Our days become so much acquiring, accruing, and accounting. Possessions own us while we hide behind, ‘But one needs to be prudent and responsible’. Question: is it irresponsible to take Jesus’ statement, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor” at face value? (Luke 12:33) Not if we want to find our life.
Prayer: Father, help me make a plan to give it away.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Sermon – Cheerful Giving June 26, 2005
Intro
I want to talk today about a difficult and sensitive subject: money. I like the low-pressure way Harvest Christian Church collects offerings; money is not pushed and the offering box is hidden in the back. We make sure you really want to give around here. That is great because the Bible says:
2CO 9: [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Statistically only 10 percent of Christians nationwide give regularly. According to this verse, it is not that we have too many stingy Christians, but that we don’t have enough cheerful Christians. Cheerful Christians give freely.
The charity organization Bread for the World says if we could produce $13 billion more per year we could feed the world. We have over two billion Christians in the world so this would only be $6.50 each, above what we are giving, to solve world hunger.
But running around, pushing a guilt trip on Christians to give is not the answer. That is the reason offering plates are not passed here. We don’t want any grudging givers. Giving is a privilege and a joy and I want to show you seven Biblical principles about giving that have come out of my own struggle in this area.
My story began many years ago when I was making a good wage. This brings us right away to principle number one:
Principle 1 -- Wealth is Not Sin
1 Tim 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
It is not money that is the root of evil; it says the love of money is the problem. You and I were born into a wealthy country. That is not a sin. There were many in the Bible whom God blessed with great wealth such as Solomon and Job. It is okay to be rich. It is not okay to view wealth as an end in itself. Then it becomes our idol, our god. Wealth is a tool, a resource to be used for kingdom work.
I was a Christian when I started working and I wanted to give some to the Lord. The problem came when I always wanted - not needed, but wanted - more things, so there was rarely anything left over. I knew this was a problem so I disciplined myself to give a pre-tax tithe. There was nothing wrong with that approach. In fact the Bible says:
1CO 16:1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. [2] On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
So we have in this verse two more principles to add to our list:
Principle 2 – Give Regularly
1 Cor 16:2 says to set the sum aside every week. I take this to mean monthly or semi-monthly, or however I am paid; so long as it is regular.
Principle 3 – Give a Percentage
Verse 2 says a sum “in keeping with his income;” in other words, a percentage of before- tax income. My problem was in choosing the percentage, I stepped backwards into the Old Testament laws. I wanted to give the bare minimum to keep God happy so I could spend as much as possible on me. I could not find any rule or percentage given in the New Testament, so I went to the book of Leviticus and found that a tithe of everything was to be given. The word tithe means ten percent. So for many years I gave ten percent to appease my conscience.
I totally missed applying the law of the Spirit to my giving.
Rom 7: [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Christ came to free us from the regulations of the law. Let me read from the:
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
The Talmudic law of tithing extends the Mosaic Law, with most burdensome minuteness, even to the smallest products of the soil. Of these, according to some, not only the seeds, but, in certain cases, even the leaves and stalks had to be tithed (Ma'aseroth 4 5), "mint, anise, and cumin" (Dema'i 11 1; compare Mat_23:23; Luk_11:42). The general principle was that "everything that is eaten, that is watched over, and that grows out of the earth" must be tithed (Ma'aseroth 1 1).
Setting up rules on minimal amounts and grudgingly giving is exactly what Jesus came to put an end to. We are now free to be filled with the Holy Spirit and give from a place of joy. Still, the New Testament says we should decide on an amount to give.
2CO 9: [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give…
And back one chapter Paul was on the subject of giving and said:
2 Cor 8:11
11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
In other words, whatever you planned to give, give. Not only does this demonstrate the principle of planned giving, it also introduces another principle.
Principle 4 – Follow Through
So many times I had good intentions of giving, but for one reason or another the offering never got put into the box, and once skipped, I didn’t replace it the next week to catch-up.
So, back to my story. I was stuck trying to determine a percentage. I now knew a tithe was not necessarily right, but how was I to decide what to set aside every week? Several passages spoke to my heart on this. First and foremost was Romans 7:6 which we already read:
Rom 7: [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
What did it mean to serve in the new way of the Spirit? I finally discovered that my giving was to be decided by prayer and waiting on the Lord. The other passages which also helped were:
2CO 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. …
2CO 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Mark 12:41-44
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on."
Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Mat 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I needed to take a long look at where my treasure was. What I discovered was a lot of my treasure was in my garage. I had a nice house with a nice garage in which I kept nice cars and a lot of nice man-toys. We had a garage sale and it was embarrassing how much sports activities gear I had that was never used. There was a whole sporting goods section out on the lawn: tennis rackets, skis, rollerblades, a canoe, golf clubs, volleyball stuff, camping equipment, rock climbing gear (which I have yet to sell).
God tests us in this matter of giving to insure that we don’t hang on to our possessions and wealth so hard it becomes our snare. In Africa they catch monkeys by putting a banana in a jar then they wait for the monkey to reach in and grab the banana. As long as he hangs on to that banana, he can’t get his little hand out of the jar and can’t drag the heavy jar fast enough to get away. His own greed becomes his downfall.
I had my grip on my toys and it is impossible to get free of the world’s jar while hanging on to earthly treasure. So this brings us to the most important principle on giving.
Principle 5 – Live Off the Surplus
I held a concept that my income was mine and what was left over was God’s. I needed to switch that around in my head. It all belongs to God and I am blessed to use what I need to live, but it is mostly there to benefit the kingdom. I used to say, “God, thanks for the gifts. I’ll give some back to You so You’ll leave the bulk alone.” I needed to switch that around to say, “God, the bulk is yours; I can live off the surplus.”
Principle 6 – Ultimate Worship
There is probably no greater opportunity for worship than in giving. Singing to God is wonderful, prayer is important, coming to church shows our devotion, but giving is a deeper level of worship. Giving of time and money is a way to say to God, “I will give back to You what is most vital to my existence. I will give and trust You to take care of my needs.”
Perhaps you have heard the story of the acrobat in New York who announced he would tightrope across Niagara Falls? He had a cable stretched across the great gap and set up a stage. On the designated day thousands of excited fans showed up. The world - renowned acrobat carefully walked across and back. The crowed clapped and cheered. So he announced he would push a wheelbarrow across. He asked the crowd, “Do you think I can do this?” They clapped and shouted their encouragement. So he pushed the wheelbarrow across and back.
Next he announced he would push the wheelbarrow across with someone in it. He asked the thrilled masses, “Do you think I can do this?” Again they cheered and shouted their encouragement. He asked them, “Who believes in me so much they will volunteer to sit in the wheelbarrow?” Suddenly the crowd went silent. They were willing to believe in him but not to sit in the wheelbarrow.
To give generously and cheerfully of our time and money is to believe in God and to sit in the wheelbarrow while He pushes it over the tightrope of personal finances.
I can testify my life is infinitely fuller since I switched the whole of my assets over to God and chose to live off the surplus. I have so many stories of God’s faithfulness to provide for my needs I could keep you here all day. I encourage you with all my heart, don’t deprive yourself from the blessing of giving to God and seeing what He does in return.
That brings us to the final principle:
Principle 7 – You Can’t Out-give the Giver
We will end with this verse:
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
I want to talk today about a difficult and sensitive subject: money. I like the low-pressure way Harvest Christian Church collects offerings; money is not pushed and the offering box is hidden in the back. We make sure you really want to give around here. That is great because the Bible says:
2CO 9: [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Statistically only 10 percent of Christians nationwide give regularly. According to this verse, it is not that we have too many stingy Christians, but that we don’t have enough cheerful Christians. Cheerful Christians give freely.
The charity organization Bread for the World says if we could produce $13 billion more per year we could feed the world. We have over two billion Christians in the world so this would only be $6.50 each, above what we are giving, to solve world hunger.
But running around, pushing a guilt trip on Christians to give is not the answer. That is the reason offering plates are not passed here. We don’t want any grudging givers. Giving is a privilege and a joy and I want to show you seven Biblical principles about giving that have come out of my own struggle in this area.
My story began many years ago when I was making a good wage. This brings us right away to principle number one:
Principle 1 -- Wealth is Not Sin
1 Tim 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
It is not money that is the root of evil; it says the love of money is the problem. You and I were born into a wealthy country. That is not a sin. There were many in the Bible whom God blessed with great wealth such as Solomon and Job. It is okay to be rich. It is not okay to view wealth as an end in itself. Then it becomes our idol, our god. Wealth is a tool, a resource to be used for kingdom work.
I was a Christian when I started working and I wanted to give some to the Lord. The problem came when I always wanted - not needed, but wanted - more things, so there was rarely anything left over. I knew this was a problem so I disciplined myself to give a pre-tax tithe. There was nothing wrong with that approach. In fact the Bible says:
1CO 16:1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. [2] On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
So we have in this verse two more principles to add to our list:
Principle 2 – Give Regularly
1 Cor 16:2 says to set the sum aside every week. I take this to mean monthly or semi-monthly, or however I am paid; so long as it is regular.
Principle 3 – Give a Percentage
Verse 2 says a sum “in keeping with his income;” in other words, a percentage of before- tax income. My problem was in choosing the percentage, I stepped backwards into the Old Testament laws. I wanted to give the bare minimum to keep God happy so I could spend as much as possible on me. I could not find any rule or percentage given in the New Testament, so I went to the book of Leviticus and found that a tithe of everything was to be given. The word tithe means ten percent. So for many years I gave ten percent to appease my conscience.
I totally missed applying the law of the Spirit to my giving.
Rom 7: [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Christ came to free us from the regulations of the law. Let me read from the:
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
The Talmudic law of tithing extends the Mosaic Law, with most burdensome minuteness, even to the smallest products of the soil. Of these, according to some, not only the seeds, but, in certain cases, even the leaves and stalks had to be tithed (Ma'aseroth 4 5), "mint, anise, and cumin" (Dema'i 11 1; compare Mat_23:23; Luk_11:42). The general principle was that "everything that is eaten, that is watched over, and that grows out of the earth" must be tithed (Ma'aseroth 1 1).
Setting up rules on minimal amounts and grudgingly giving is exactly what Jesus came to put an end to. We are now free to be filled with the Holy Spirit and give from a place of joy. Still, the New Testament says we should decide on an amount to give.
2CO 9: [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give…
And back one chapter Paul was on the subject of giving and said:
2 Cor 8:11
11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
In other words, whatever you planned to give, give. Not only does this demonstrate the principle of planned giving, it also introduces another principle.
Principle 4 – Follow Through
So many times I had good intentions of giving, but for one reason or another the offering never got put into the box, and once skipped, I didn’t replace it the next week to catch-up.
So, back to my story. I was stuck trying to determine a percentage. I now knew a tithe was not necessarily right, but how was I to decide what to set aside every week? Several passages spoke to my heart on this. First and foremost was Romans 7:6 which we already read:
Rom 7: [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
What did it mean to serve in the new way of the Spirit? I finally discovered that my giving was to be decided by prayer and waiting on the Lord. The other passages which also helped were:
2CO 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. …
2CO 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Mark 12:41-44
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on."
Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Mat 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I needed to take a long look at where my treasure was. What I discovered was a lot of my treasure was in my garage. I had a nice house with a nice garage in which I kept nice cars and a lot of nice man-toys. We had a garage sale and it was embarrassing how much sports activities gear I had that was never used. There was a whole sporting goods section out on the lawn: tennis rackets, skis, rollerblades, a canoe, golf clubs, volleyball stuff, camping equipment, rock climbing gear (which I have yet to sell).
God tests us in this matter of giving to insure that we don’t hang on to our possessions and wealth so hard it becomes our snare. In Africa they catch monkeys by putting a banana in a jar then they wait for the monkey to reach in and grab the banana. As long as he hangs on to that banana, he can’t get his little hand out of the jar and can’t drag the heavy jar fast enough to get away. His own greed becomes his downfall.
I had my grip on my toys and it is impossible to get free of the world’s jar while hanging on to earthly treasure. So this brings us to the most important principle on giving.
Principle 5 – Live Off the Surplus
I held a concept that my income was mine and what was left over was God’s. I needed to switch that around in my head. It all belongs to God and I am blessed to use what I need to live, but it is mostly there to benefit the kingdom. I used to say, “God, thanks for the gifts. I’ll give some back to You so You’ll leave the bulk alone.” I needed to switch that around to say, “God, the bulk is yours; I can live off the surplus.”
Principle 6 – Ultimate Worship
There is probably no greater opportunity for worship than in giving. Singing to God is wonderful, prayer is important, coming to church shows our devotion, but giving is a deeper level of worship. Giving of time and money is a way to say to God, “I will give back to You what is most vital to my existence. I will give and trust You to take care of my needs.”
Perhaps you have heard the story of the acrobat in New York who announced he would tightrope across Niagara Falls? He had a cable stretched across the great gap and set up a stage. On the designated day thousands of excited fans showed up. The world - renowned acrobat carefully walked across and back. The crowed clapped and cheered. So he announced he would push a wheelbarrow across. He asked the crowd, “Do you think I can do this?” They clapped and shouted their encouragement. So he pushed the wheelbarrow across and back.
Next he announced he would push the wheelbarrow across with someone in it. He asked the thrilled masses, “Do you think I can do this?” Again they cheered and shouted their encouragement. He asked them, “Who believes in me so much they will volunteer to sit in the wheelbarrow?” Suddenly the crowd went silent. They were willing to believe in him but not to sit in the wheelbarrow.
To give generously and cheerfully of our time and money is to believe in God and to sit in the wheelbarrow while He pushes it over the tightrope of personal finances.
I can testify my life is infinitely fuller since I switched the whole of my assets over to God and chose to live off the surplus. I have so many stories of God’s faithfulness to provide for my needs I could keep you here all day. I encourage you with all my heart, don’t deprive yourself from the blessing of giving to God and seeing what He does in return.
That brings us to the final principle:
Principle 7 – You Can’t Out-give the Giver
We will end with this verse:
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Ant Lessons
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Prov 6:6
A spindly ant arrests a worm from destroying a farmer’s corn. As the parasite is carried off, the ant’s fuzzy legs unwittingly transfer pollen to waiting silks. On the journey home, the ant cordially rubs antennae with a brother carrying a seed to a new germination location. Our tiny friend skillfully places his worm deep inside tunnels that aerate the soil. Ants are more civilized, more industrious, more dependable, and benefit the earth more than humans do. In many places, they outweigh us in biomass. Yet, in our pride, we disregard the ant as an unsuccessful nuisance.
If we could ask an ant the secret of life, he would say, “Simplify. Focus on what God made you for, instead of everything else. You humans run around on the outer shell of life, chasing quantity over quality. Press your ear to God’s words and apply yourself to childlike obedience.”
This morning, I experimented with the ant’s advice. I landed in Romans 5; basic verses about peace with God. I have read this passage so many times my eyes tried to jump to what was next. Heeding the ant, I went back to meditate on the words. The Holy Spirit sent fresh insights. I saw the contrast between the hatful dissention I once had with God and the loving peace I now enjoy in Christ.
We say we understand a concept like peace with God, and because of the natural laziness of our minds, we shun further consideration. Our brains are limited, restless organs that require discipline toward deeper understanding of old truth. The ant’s wisdom gives the Spirit an opportunity to take us beyond our intellect and into spiritual knowledge.
I can hear the ant now as his antennae twitch with intensity, “Be still before God and let Him breathe long yards of truth into your heart through mere millimeters of experience.”
Prayer: Lord, I repent of my boisterous living. Grant me a quiet and attentive heart.
A spindly ant arrests a worm from destroying a farmer’s corn. As the parasite is carried off, the ant’s fuzzy legs unwittingly transfer pollen to waiting silks. On the journey home, the ant cordially rubs antennae with a brother carrying a seed to a new germination location. Our tiny friend skillfully places his worm deep inside tunnels that aerate the soil. Ants are more civilized, more industrious, more dependable, and benefit the earth more than humans do. In many places, they outweigh us in biomass. Yet, in our pride, we disregard the ant as an unsuccessful nuisance.
If we could ask an ant the secret of life, he would say, “Simplify. Focus on what God made you for, instead of everything else. You humans run around on the outer shell of life, chasing quantity over quality. Press your ear to God’s words and apply yourself to childlike obedience.”
This morning, I experimented with the ant’s advice. I landed in Romans 5; basic verses about peace with God. I have read this passage so many times my eyes tried to jump to what was next. Heeding the ant, I went back to meditate on the words. The Holy Spirit sent fresh insights. I saw the contrast between the hatful dissention I once had with God and the loving peace I now enjoy in Christ.
We say we understand a concept like peace with God, and because of the natural laziness of our minds, we shun further consideration. Our brains are limited, restless organs that require discipline toward deeper understanding of old truth. The ant’s wisdom gives the Spirit an opportunity to take us beyond our intellect and into spiritual knowledge.
I can hear the ant now as his antennae twitch with intensity, “Be still before God and let Him breathe long yards of truth into your heart through mere millimeters of experience.”
Prayer: Lord, I repent of my boisterous living. Grant me a quiet and attentive heart.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Living in the Overlap
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24
We live on the overlap. God holds a fabric emblazoned with three-dimensional patterns of iridescent colors set against a field of purest white. At its very edge He permits a brief overlap by the enemy’s bleak and repulsive fabric. The two textiles stretch side-by-side, one hem overlying the other. We live between the two edges, on the overlap. Only in death do we move fully onto one fabric or the other. One is heaven, the other hell. Our interim existence resembles paradise as much as it does the lake of fire. We walk within the mere margins of both realities. One day the two will fly from one another. Where we stand about Christ will determine which fabric becomes our eternal home.
Here on the mixed fringes we enjoy hints of spiritual gifts fully available to those who have stepped beyond onto the bright cloth. Love, joy, peace; we witness muddy hints of the luminescent graces in which they are saturated. In meditation and worship we tread right up to the barrier and are filled with joy and power to bless others. Wherever we walk the life layer is pressed into contact with the death layer. Those adopted in Christ leave a spray of life-blossoms with each footprint. By this anointing, others are enticed to seek the layer of light.
Prayer: Gracious Father, grant us discernment to separate Your cloth from the enemy’s. Beautiful Jesus, flow the rainbow-colors of Your fabric into our margin, into the grey overlap beneath our feet. Sweet Spirit, sing from Your kingdom of light. Sing power into us to heal, bless, and proclaim truth. Holy Trinity, may Your will be done, through us, on the overlap as it is in heaven.
We live on the overlap. God holds a fabric emblazoned with three-dimensional patterns of iridescent colors set against a field of purest white. At its very edge He permits a brief overlap by the enemy’s bleak and repulsive fabric. The two textiles stretch side-by-side, one hem overlying the other. We live between the two edges, on the overlap. Only in death do we move fully onto one fabric or the other. One is heaven, the other hell. Our interim existence resembles paradise as much as it does the lake of fire. We walk within the mere margins of both realities. One day the two will fly from one another. Where we stand about Christ will determine which fabric becomes our eternal home.
Here on the mixed fringes we enjoy hints of spiritual gifts fully available to those who have stepped beyond onto the bright cloth. Love, joy, peace; we witness muddy hints of the luminescent graces in which they are saturated. In meditation and worship we tread right up to the barrier and are filled with joy and power to bless others. Wherever we walk the life layer is pressed into contact with the death layer. Those adopted in Christ leave a spray of life-blossoms with each footprint. By this anointing, others are enticed to seek the layer of light.
Prayer: Gracious Father, grant us discernment to separate Your cloth from the enemy’s. Beautiful Jesus, flow the rainbow-colors of Your fabric into our margin, into the grey overlap beneath our feet. Sweet Spirit, sing from Your kingdom of light. Sing power into us to heal, bless, and proclaim truth. Holy Trinity, may Your will be done, through us, on the overlap as it is in heaven.
Barbara is Home
At 2:45 AM, Tuesday June 7th Barbara died peacefully in her sleep. She is home now celebrating real life. A calm peace surrounds us growing out of the sure knowledge of where she is. It is a relief to have her toils ended.
All are invited to a memorial service to be held Saturday June 18th at 11:00am at:
Hooper and Weaver Chapel
459 Hollow Way
Nevada City, CA
(530) 265-2429
Thank you for your prayers.
All are invited to a memorial service to be held Saturday June 18th at 11:00am at:
Hooper and Weaver Chapel
459 Hollow Way
Nevada City, CA
(530) 265-2429
Thank you for your prayers.
Monday, June 06, 2005
The Time Is Near
What do you say to a dying person? Dani’s mother, Barbara, has terminal cancer. It was diagnosed three years ago; we are in the final hours. The family is gathered. Phone calls are streaming in from caring loved ones. Barbara is now beyond communication. Anything that might bring comfort had to be said about two days ago. Here are some of the promises we reassured her with:
-Because you are adopted in Christ, paradise is yours.
-This process is not death; it is birth into real life.
-Remember when you were a little girl and you fell asleep in a strange place? Your father scooped your limp body into his arms and brought you home. In the morning, you woke to find your were no longer in that strange place, you were home. That is what is going to happen to you now. You will go to sleep and wake up at home with your Heavenly Father.
-"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 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." REV 21:3-4
There is a blessed peace surrounding this whole process. What a horror it would be if Barbara were not in Christ, or if we had to guess. She made a clear public commitment to Jesus two years ago through baptism. Please pray this experience will open closed doors for her loved ones. Barbara listed them by name as she spoke of her concern. What a fitting tribute to Barbara that she should bring several more into the kingdom as she travels home. “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1CO 15:54 Amen.
-Because you are adopted in Christ, paradise is yours.
-This process is not death; it is birth into real life.
-Remember when you were a little girl and you fell asleep in a strange place? Your father scooped your limp body into his arms and brought you home. In the morning, you woke to find your were no longer in that strange place, you were home. That is what is going to happen to you now. You will go to sleep and wake up at home with your Heavenly Father.
-"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 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." REV 21:3-4
There is a blessed peace surrounding this whole process. What a horror it would be if Barbara were not in Christ, or if we had to guess. She made a clear public commitment to Jesus two years ago through baptism. Please pray this experience will open closed doors for her loved ones. Barbara listed them by name as she spoke of her concern. What a fitting tribute to Barbara that she should bring several more into the kingdom as she travels home. “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1CO 15:54 Amen.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Sermon – No Fear June 5, 2005
Intro
(Video #1)
While we were in Africa we ran into something unusual. This was my fifth trip and, for a reason I’m still trying to make sense of, there were an unusual number of battles against demons. What we ran into were the kinds of encounters we read about in the Gospels. For example:
Luke 4:33-35
33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!"
35 "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
Mark 9:17-27
17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered. 22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
23 "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
I want to show you a couple of videos of baptisms of demon possessed people.
(Video #2)
Six times during our short trip we were involved in battling demons. It raised questions like:
What is going wrong that evil spirits are having such a hey-day?
What can we do to help?
Why does there seem to be so many more encounters I Africa?
Do we have demons here?
I have been praying about these and the Lord has given a few insights. To the question of demons in America, I’d have to defer to Ephesians 6:
Eph 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Supernatural Denial
Yes, we have demons but they use very different manifestations. In Western culture the greatest ploy of the demonic is to get humans all the way to death with little or no belief in the supernatural. This week I had a conversation with my sister-in-law, Judy. Dani’s and Judy’s mother is dieing of cancer and in her last few days on earth. I asked Judy, “Are you confident your mother is going to paradise?”
She said, “Oh, for sure and it makes all the difference.” She went on, “When my father-in-law passed away, my mother-in-law said she believed when we die we just turn into dirt and that is that. I feel really sorry for people who believe that. Their grief must be enormous.”
What better ploy could there be for demons but to get us to discount the supernatural until death. Then, when it is too late and we are in their hands for eternity, we finally learn the truth.
I hope you will come back next week to hear Lindsey’s testimony about her experience in Africa. She put it really well when she said demons in the US use materialism and pleasure to fill us instead of overt possession. We have very real enemies who are jealous of the love God has for us and so they mean to do us as much harm as possible.
Rev 12:10-12
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short."
While the demons usually manifest differently, I have seen one tactic they most often use everywhere in the world. Let’s see if you can guess what it is. I’ll give you some hints. The most frequent command in the Bible is to avoid succumbing to this tactic. Do you know what that command is?
It is what Gabriel said to Mary:
Luke 1:30
Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
KJV
It is what the angel of the Lord said to Abraham:
Gen 15:1
15:1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
"Do not be afraid, Abram.”
What the angel said to Hagar:
Gen 21:17
17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid;
What Moses said to the Israelites:
Ex 14:13
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.
What David told Solomon as he transferred the throne:
1 Chron 22:13
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
What Jesus said to the Apostles:
Jn 14:[27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
What Jesus said to the church:
Rev 1:17 "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Fear not! It is repeated over 400 times. Fear is the primary tool of demons. They are bullies and use fear to distract us from using our secret weapon. That weapon is Jesus. No demon can stand in the presence of Christ. They shriek and flee when His name is invoked. So my primary message to the Africans was the same message I now pass on to you. Use your secret weapon against all fear.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…
Jesus is perfect love. Use Jesus against fear. When you are afraid of:
Loss of health
Being fired from your job
Not being accepted
Aging
Loneliness
Not paying bills
Failure
Death
Whatever your fear, bring it to Jesus. I wanted Africans to pick up this secret weapon and take authority over their demonic bullies. We need to do the exact same thing. Listen to the authority given to those who have been adopted into God’s family.
Rom 8:15-17
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
1 Peter 3:14-15
"Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Luke 10:17-20
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Here is a verse we used over and over in Africa:
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Going Deeper
With that said, can we go one level deeper in this discussion? I am going to admit a faulty line of thinking Satan has caught me in so that it might help you avoid the same trap. That line of thinking goes like this:
I know God is God and Creator and He sent His Son and all that, but He is keeping His distance from me because He is repulsed by my weakness and pathetic lack of fortitude.
Satan has an easy time with this lie because that is exactly how we would treat somebody as sinful and unfaithful as we are. But God is not a man and He has no such thought for those who are in Christ.
Rom 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…
Once we are redeemed by Jesus, all the holiness, and splendor, and righteousness, and beauty of Christ are imparted to us. There is no fear for those in Christ. Have you said yes to Jesus? Then pull out your secret weapon and blast away all fear. If we would get a hold of this reality, all our lives would change.
Nothing in this world could touch us.
Nothing could steal our joy.
Nothing could shake our confidence.
Two words: fear not. Go in Christ’s name and live them: Fear Not!
Prayer
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