Archive for November, 2008

12
Nov

Jesus doing what He does

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Ethics and Faith

A few weeks ago our group (Graceland People) discussed what happens when Jesus comes into your life?  This discussions origin came from an unbeliever friend of mine (His not atheist but agnostic).  He didn’t understand why people say “Jesus Saved Me” when they were actually the people who decided to change.  They were the one responsible everyday to make the decision to be better.  I agreed with him.  When you give your life over to Christ there is a measure of responsibility on our part to choose change daily.  Paul said he dies to himself daily (1 Cor. 15.31). But Jesus does have a part in the change; God through the Holy Spirit does make a difference.

I think many people view “religion” or Christianity as something they do.  Our biggest opposition in America comes from “Christian” atheists who reject the existence of God. I would speculate that many of the people looking for God are convert sinners who already believe in the God of the Bible.  At the end of their ropes they turn to the poplar choice.  This story was played out in Luke 3 when John the Baptizer was poplar with the locals.

We have so many terms for people searching for God but these people were those that felt satisfied with their relationship with God.  They looked good outward, children of Abraham, possibly the “good” Jewish boys and girls.  John pointed out God can make children from rocks, what He desires is green, blossoming lives.  Life change not wet skin.

Of course their response was “what do we DO?” Religion has a way about it, causing you and me to look for actions we can act on.  John wouldn’t loose an opportunity to teach virtue. He said “have two coats, give one away,” “no more extortion,” “no shakedowns, no blackmail.” All this talk of virtue caused the crowds to ask if John was the Messiah.  I think people make the same mistake in reaction to the churches talk of virtue, confusing the Message of Jesus with acts of Christianity.

John intervened by pointing he was not the main character, not worthy to tie the Messiah’s sandal strips.  He then outlined what Jesus does in the believer.  Jesus ignites the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.  He cleans house – makes a clean sweep of your life.  He places everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he puts out with the trash to be burned (Luke 3.16-17 MSG).

What people like my friend see is the Message of Jesus.  Because when people actually get hold of true salvation it changes everything.  The words of Jesus give strength to the people, words that put heart in them (Luke 3.18 MSG).  Yes, Christians make decisions everyday to change, but it’s Jesus who gives the strength and heart to make those changes.

11
Nov

New Evangelism

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Church Plant and Faith

Maybe I’m not clear, “I’m a pastor, I lead churches, people worship and I help!” This is the thought that feels my mind as kind, thoughtful people hand me their church invitation.  I don’t understand why but I routinely get invited to visit people’s churches.  These same people often talk with me about God and church.  They are curious how I start a church, where do the people come from, and why do I work bi-vocationally if I’m a pastor.  But they still feel the need to invite me to come attend their church.  I find this very strange because they feel they are evangelist.  

They either consider my faith unequal, alluring, or it’s easier to invite me to their church – I’m a believer. I think this type of evangelism is easier.  Evangelism for much of the church has not been among unbelievers but focused on receivers – people who already accepted our worldview (~ Erwin McManus).

Honestly, the gospel at least in America has been made into a message that would only win Christians to Christ.   Our religious diversity has tended to exist within the confines of a Christian worldview.  People who respond to our mail market piece, visit our churches on Sunday, and so often heed our preaching are convert sinners who already believe in the God of the Bible.  Perhaps our most extreme opposition comes from “Christian” atheists who reject the existence of God.

Our most basic presentations of the good news of Jesus have been built and filled on the assumed authority of the Scriptures. We know that when we tell the unchurched that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life, the word “God” evokes the same image that we have. When asking an unbeliever about the destination of their soul after death, we know it is unnecessary to build an argument for the existence of heaven. 

But we have been wrong.

It’s easier to convince someone that already agrees with you.  It’s daunting to convert a stranger.  There are two dangerous temptations each of us face when confronted by a stranger (someone who thinks and acts in a way that is foreign to our religious practices). The first is a desire to transform that stranger into our own image, trying to obscure and replace their cultural and religious practices with our own. The second is to exclude and reject the stranger entirely, viewing them as a threat which must be guarded against. In one the stranger is rendered into a clone while in the other they are made into an enemy.

Jesus instructions were to go and as you go tell others, train everyone you meet in this Jesus way of living (Matt 28.19). So how do you “evangelize” unbelievers – make disciples? I believe we endeavor to demonstrate how one can faithfully ask, seek, and knock (Matt 7.6-9; Luke 11.8-11) by making this a necessary part of our lives.  Augustine once wrote, ‘God is He who gives God’, so we must realize that we cannot give God but rather, by demonstrating openness and humility, creating a space where God can give God.  In this way an evangelist can be understood as one who is open to God at all times and encourages others in this way of being – helping to produce a clearing where God is free to give God.

07
Nov

Something Different

By Chris 1 Comment
Categories: Random

squarehead

Can I be honest? Lately, I’ve felt out of place, not the same as everyone else. I’m not saying I feel superior, actually less than, just not fitting the mold. It’s more of my issue than theirs, but I let myself feel like a outsider. Maybe I enjoy the idea more than the practice.

I assume God has something to do with my exclusion. Allow me to explain. At work everyone works five days a week, I work three with a regular Saturday appearance. When I take my daughter to toddler gym, I’m the only daddy. I’m the stay-at-home dad at the playground. Mom’s stir in wonder if I’m “safe” to be there. I’m planting a church with new believers instead of recruiting mature believers. I conduct services in my living room instead of launching in a rented facility. I believe 80% of a churches income toward a Sunday morning worship experience is too much.

Somehow these all make me feel like a “Maverick” (oh no, I’m John McCain and I don’t want to loose). But I wonder if being the square in a world of circles is what God is teaching me right now. I remember a song from the 80’s (Summer what was the song?) that said “it’s hip to be square.” If I can only teach my heart and ego to believe that.