From Whom Will the Kingdom Come?

With all of the mess surrounding the South Carolina Governor and his adultery with the lady from Argentina some of us more conservative folks politically might have a tendency to fret. However, we must remember something vital: The Kingdom of righteousness does not come via kings, queens, rulers or authorities of the nations of the earth. That has never been God's plan and it never will.

The error has been in thinking that if we elect social conservatives to office God will bless us. Well, I think God can and certainly will bless those who do right if that blessing will be used to make his name known on the earth, but God is certainly not bound to bless a nation simply because they do something that happens to be righteous.

The next error has been in thinking that if a political party touts itself as "conservative" they are going to rally behind our values. That has been shown to be completely and utterly false. Example: the South Carolina Governor who was supposed to be a champion for our values. Hogwash!

Part of the Old Testament's job is to prepare us for the coming of Jesus who will bring the reign of God on the earth. When we look at the failed kings of Israel and Judah we are intended to look to one who will not fail morally, spiritually and doctrinally. We are to ask: who and when? We are to see and understand: Jesus! Prophet, priest and king.

The kingdom of God and Christ is advancing forcefully and will one day triumph at the completion of the Great Commission when King Jesus will return and rule forever the nations in peace and righteousness and we will have complete access to knowing him.

That is NOT going to happen via Republicans or Democrats. It IS going to happen through preaching the gospel to every tribe, tongue and nation. There is one God and he is Jesus. There is one kingdom, and it is God's kingdom.

We want our country to do well because we live here and have so much invested in here. We are to pray for and seek the peace and prosperity of our land because that peace and prosperity is used in the advancement of the cause.

But this is NOT our home country. Our home country is the Kingdom of God that is visible and yet invisible. Our allegiance lies to Jesus first.

Who will bring the kingdom we so desperately want to see? It will be Jesus.

So, do the best with what we have here, but do not lean on it or be down cast when it fails. Our system and political parties are bound to fail. Jesus is coming.

Lift up your head church for our redemption draws near!

Q & A What happens to children or infants who die?

This is a very difficult question that makes me nervous. It makes me nervous because the biblical text does give a direct answer to this question. The inquirer must apply their knowledge of God from the whole of the Scriptures to even begin approaching this subject. One must also take into account pastoral care. I will give you my conclusion is a simple statement and send you to an article that has helped me and continues to help me when I'm faced with this question.

One of my heros in the faith is a man named John Piper. I began reading Piper in college at the suggestion of a friend who Father graciously used to rescue me from the damning results of post-enlightenment liberal theology that was wrecking the fragile faith that had been birthed in me. Piper's obvious scholarly and intelligent yet pastoral and rock solid biblical method brought new life and bolstered my wavering faith. Therefore, I have found him to be a source for many of my own questions that I can't quite get satisfied with.

I will be the first to admit that my position, taken from Piper's, is probably not the strongest there is exegetically. However, I find evidence in the text to support this conclusion and find no evidence to deny it and it applies pastorally. Here it is: I believe that Father, in Christ saves all infants who die.

Now, are you curious as to how I got there? Good! Go read this article:http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2006/1622_What_happens_to_infants_who_die/

Remember that you must read well the biblical text, apply your knowledge of God and keep in mind pastoral application in ministering to God's people. Read, wrestle and rest that we have striven with God and he has blessed us in that!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Jesus and Math

Ok, I really stink with math. So, I do not claim to do well. Dyslexia has prevented me from being a math wiz. So, I suppose Jesus concept of math is good for me.

At Youth for Christ we are building a home for students in the foster care system, and we are doing it in an economically depressed season. Monthly income does not equal monthly expense right now. The need, however, only increases. Do you do nothing and wait out the storm or do you go and address the need?

Well, we have decided to address the need by building the house, hiring house parents and drawing on the reserves.

Needless to say this has caused some moments of doubt for me.

This morning I was reading Matthew 16:5-12. Jesus just fed 4,000 folks not counting women and children from 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. Jesus sends the 12 across the lake and they forgot to bring bread. Jesus begins to instruct them to watch out for the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the 12 start discussing whether or not Jesus was saying this because of their lack of bread or not. Jesus then pipes up, aware of their discussion, and asks them if they remember the miracle of feeding all those people with so little and all of the left overs. Then he interprets his words for them: "Beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Jesus was not concerned with the lack of bread. He could, as the creator of all things, make bread for them. He wanted to preserve the 12 from misunderstanding who he was and missing the Kingdom.

I need Jesus view of math. He does not need a sufficient monthly income to equal outflow (it is nice from our perspective and the perspective of accounting). He can take lack and make it plenty. He is more concerned with what I think about him (not in a way that he worries if we like him). He is concerned that I think on him rightly and know him and trust him and do his work. He can alter the math to add up properly.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

Lord help me to know you well enough to trust you and love you and believe you can make income equal outflow.

A Thought About Global Warming From the Vice Presidential Debate

OK, I watched the debate the other night between Biden and Palin, and as usual, got angry as I listened. I knew it would happen, but I believe I actually enjoy the emotion of anger over things I'm passionate about. I'm a glutton for punishment I suppose.

Gwen Ifill asked about the issue of global warming and what the candidates thought the cause was. Palin said she believed it was multiple factors including man. Biden said that it was solely man and his pollution of the environment.

Now these answers set me to thinking. I know and confess that I am not astute in the world of science, therefore I lean heavily upon my good friend that is closer than a brother, Mark Jones. He helps me out in the realm of science and I enjoy sitting at his feat and learning science. But this I must say, if studied without the presupposition of an atheist, I'm sure science can bear out some truth that environment change is NOT a man made issue alone. Let me tell you why I believe that.

I believe that whatever role, if any, man plays in environment change it is because man's influence is used as a tool by Jesus himself to affect creation for Jesus' own good purposes in redemption and consummation. Colossians 1:15-17 tells the Christian that by Jesus' creative hand he created all that can be seen and all that is not seen in the universe. The heavens, the earth, all in them, rulers, thrones, dominions etc. It also tells the Christian that, as creator, all things hold together by him. I believe it is a safe exegesis to include polar ice caps in that "all things hold together" by him.

If that were not enough, Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus "upholds the universe by the word of his power." That means that all he created is upheld by his active willing the creation to maintain his purposeful order. I believe it is a safe exegesis to include polar ice caps in that universe that is held together by Jesus' willing of it.

Now, here is the issue: Will Christians buy what God has said or what some dude with the presupposition of atheism will say? The fact is that not all science is objective. I have no doubt that objective science can discover general truth. However, science that begins with the assertion that there is no God can't arrive at a truthful conclusion because he does not believe that he is (Hebrews 11) and the rewarder of those who seek him. If he is avoiding, by philosophy, anything that disproves his presupposition that there is no God, then he can't arrive at truthful conclusions. It is impossible because he has started off subjectively not objectively.

Now, back to the debate. If Biden, who claims to be a Christian, assumes that all of the climate change is man made, what has he not taken into account? Do you see it? He has not taken into account our Sovereign Jesus who upholds the universe, including the darn polar ice caps.

If the word is authoritative, and if Jesus is our God, then we do not have an option on believing who is in charge of this earth, its change or anything else that happens in or on it. We can exegete that truthful answer right out of the biblical text. If it changes, regardless of the means, Jesus is the changer. If it warms, regardless of the means, Jesus is the warmer. Therefore, either Biden believes in a deistic god that has left all things to man and is not involved in his creation and man is the determiner of his destiny (unfortunately this is the kind of god many "Christians" say they believe in and is not god at all), or he assumes, like most scientists on the global warming band wagon that there really is no God. Neither one of those positions is good for a Christian. So, what is he? What are you? Do you apply the truths of Scripture to how you think on issues affecting our day? You must if you are going to represent Jesus well. To quote a marvelous man of God in our day, Ravi Zacharias, "Let my people think". If you dare to think hard check out Ravi's site www.rzim.com

What is the difference between praying persistently and in repetition?

Ok, this is a great question. Several folks have asked me, based on last week's talk, the difference between asking persistently, which Jesus obviously teaches, and asking repeatedly like the Gentiles do.

Here it goes. Last week I said that our prayers must be concise. That is saying much in few words to avoid being like the Gentiles who think they will be heard because of their many words. Remember, Jesus reminds us that he knows what we need before we ask. The peoples of other religions of that day would ask thinking they had to get their god's attention. Remember the illustration of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? Elijah taunts them in a quite funny way saying, "maybe he is off relieving himself". Baal, taking a leak! Dude, that's funny.

Anyway, the point is that we don't have to get his attention, and we don't have to be repetitive in the same setting/prayer time in order to make sure he hears us, as if he were like Baal.

When Jesus teaches us to be persistent, it is with the intention of the story in Luke 18:1-8. Faith prays (read the story). Faith in Christ Jesus displays itself in asking persistently for what is just, right and good for God and his Kingdom (we are included in that).

If the semantics throw you off, then here it goes. The difference is that one attitude prays believing they must repeat themselves to make sure God hears. The person may not intentionally be trying to display a lack of faith, but that is exactly what is going on. Faith believes God knows already, and I can ask persistently without believing I need to get God's attention.

Persistence is asking without giving up. Repetition is asking because we think God did not hear us. Persistence is done in faith. Repetition is done in pride (believing that I need to be heard, so I make sure God does hear me by acting like a child who pulls at their parent's shirt to make sure the parent hears the all important request of the child).

So, ask without giving up, believing he knows the need already, and that we are asking for what is right, good and just.

Pray! You have access to ask anytime and anywhere to ask, with confidence, for God's things. God not only loves you and I; he likes us. So ask, seek and knock!

Why go to church if I'm not supposed to consume it?

I thrive on observation, interpretation and application. This is how I study the scriptures, interpret the world around me and relate to people. It isn't difficult for me to go from seeing straight to application to myself very quickly. Sometimes it takes longer.

I'm constantly interpreting events and making life application, hopefully, from a solidly Christian, God-centered perspective.

So, when I say things like, "we do not come to church to consume a product", it comes from the process of reading the scriptures and observing life around me.

I say that to say that I really believe that statement from the very bottom of my being. It is not intended to have a surprise effect or be a "gun shot from the pulpit".

A friend asked me recently why we come to church if we are not to come in order to consume. Very good question. I gave a quick response, but for those who have asked this question as well, here is a little more.

Why go to church if I'm not to be a consumer of church?
1. We are property of Jesus, therefore we go to give him praise with all those who are his property as well.

2. Fellowship, not so much fellowship from the reception standpoint (that would be simply consuming), but fellowship from the other person's perspective. 1 John talks about the fact that if we have fellowship with Jesus we will have fellowship with others in the church. The context of that is that others need others. So, if I'm not engaged in the church, and I'm a Christian, I am robbing someone else of fellowship they may need. This is not to say that I am anything of radical importance, but if I am in Christ the Holy Spirit dwells in me and I am a part of the body of Christ and I have something to contribute to someone else. If I am absent, a piece of the body is missing that the rest need.

3. The Hebrews 10:25 Factor. Here, the writer of Hebrews says to NOT forsake the assembling together with other believers. His reason is found throughout the book. First, in chapter three he says that we are to encourage one another today as long as it is called today so that we will not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. So we have some encouragement for another person that will help in their fight against sin. To be absent is to keep that encouragement from someone else. Now that is quite selfish.

Also, in chapter 10 the writer of Hebrews says that these people had joyfully accepted the plundering of their property in order to remain faithful to Christ and they did not shrink back from the faith because of persecution. These people who were persecuted were visited by their brothers and sisters while they were imprisoned. It was those present in the lives of others who knew their need and met it while they were being persecuted. There is nothing in that language that suggests anyone was in the church for their own consumption of resources or any product. It was not because the bald guys gives good talks. The encouragement to not forsake assembly was for the purpose of making sure we are fighting sin (sin in their case would be leaving the faith to save themselves) by encouraging one another in the midst of difficulty. And to turn back from the faith when difficult times come is a deadly (chapter 6), so don't forsake coming because someone needs to be encouraged to keep on keeping on and the person coming and encouraging will get encouraged by others, but they get encouragement as a byproduct of coming to be consumed not coming to consume.

It is never wrong to be in need of others, its human. It is wrong to meet our own need at the expense of other people without giving them anything they need. That is the hight of selfishness. This is the mentality of many in the church. Evidenced in their "church shopping." They may say, "I don't like the music here." "I don't like the preacher there." "I don't like the Sunday School there." "They expect me to do stuff and not just take up space."

So these people land in a place where all of their wants have been satisfied without giving anything of themselves to others.

4. Be imitators of God Ephesians 5:1. It is intended that the church be made up of people who imitate the Son of God, Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus did not come to consume the people he would save. He came to serve them. He, God, washed their stinking feet. He washed the stinking feet of the one who would betray him and the one who would deny him and the others who would run like deer from the stirring of the crowd. So, should I come to get when Jesus came to give and I have been told to imitate God?

I'll let you answer that one.

It's easy to think one is superior then...

On my vacation a couple of weeks ago my family and I were sitting at a table in a restaurant eating, laughing and just enjoying vacation when Jennifer and I became aware that we were both listening in on a conversation at a table next to ours. Two men were were talking about church, and it was evident that they came from a tradition and perspective that I would not enjoy and pretty much avoid like the plague.

I found myself critiquing their tradition, style and strategy out loud with Jennifer, when, by what I believe to be the work of the Holy Spirit, I was cut to the heart about my attitude.

Here is the thought that I had:
These two men are talking about the faith. Not heresy. The faith. They are employing a strategy that may be old, out of date and repulsive to you, but they are talking about the faith. They love Christ enough to speak of him publicly. They love Christ enough to care about a strategy to reach the unreached. They have passion enough to attempt to make a difference. They are talking about the faith.

Now for all I believe I could critique them on, they love Christ. They were speaking of the faith that leads to life for all who believe. Faith in King Jesus.

Who am I? Nothing. I'm a fellow slave of Christ who has taken to a different strategy to display Jesus. Who am I to think less of my fellow slaves and their strategy to display the King? Nothing.

Just when I thought my way was best I was reminded that those in the body are growing up into Christ, who is the head of his body.

I am not superior in any way. I am not the head so as to be the author of strategy or style. I am just part of a much larger work. Rather than being arrogant, I should pray for brothers and do my best with my chosen strategy.

Humility is a great way to start over.