On the current (Week 8, 2011) Billboard list is the song "Grenade" by Bruno Mars. This song is about a man in love with a woman who doesn't love him back. Check out the lyrics:
Easy come, easy go
That's just how you live, oh
Take, take, take it all,
But you never give
Should of known you was trouble from the first kiss,
Why were they open?
Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked,
Cause what you don't understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same
No, no, no, no
Black, black, black and blue beat me till I'm numb
Tell the devil I said “hey” when you get back to where you're from
Mad woman, bad woman,
That's just what you are, yeah,
You’ll smile in my face then rip the breaks out my car
Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, yes you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked
Cause what you don't understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same
If my body was on fire, ooh
You’ d watch me burn down in flames
You said you loved me you're a liar
Cause you never, ever, ever did baby...
But darling I’ll still catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same.
No, you won’t do the same,
You wouldn’t do the same,
Ooh, you’ll never do the same,
No, no, no, no
As I read these lyrics I was reminded of how often we talk to people who are hurting. We are surrounded by men and women who feel the pain of rejection, break-up, divorce, unfaithfulness, and all the countless other things that rip our hearts apart.
We see single moms that are working hard and barely able to pay the bills, struggling to raise her kids feeling that she is out of control and wondering when life will get easier.
We see a man who is working a job he hates that doesn't pay enough to provide for his family in the way he was taught he should. He is struggling day in and day out wanting to do more but doors keep slamming in his face.
We see a couple who appear to have it all but it is all an act. They don't want anyone to know that their marriage is falling apart. They constantly argue and fight. He drowns his pain in his favorite drink while she cries herself to sleep every night. They both are asking the same questions, "What did I do to deserve this?"
We may see a girl who never felt the love of a father desperately seeking the love of any man who will give her attention. Or the boy who was taught that real men are tough, so he bottles everything inside until he explodes in a act of aggression and rage.
We encounter people like this every day, we might even be these people. Like Bruno Mars we are looking for the love that is willing to risk it all for us. A love that isn't here today and gone tomorrow, an enduring love.
The fact is, people will always let us down. Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways, but we will be let down. I remember when a friend and mentor of mine (someone who was helping train me for the ministry) fell in an adulterous affair. I was mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually crushed. I was ready to walk away. At first I tried to talk to him but he told me to never speak with him again. I just wanted to understand what happened.
During this time God began to show me that I had put my trust in the wrong place. I was looking to people as my source of security when God wanted to be my security. In Deuteronomy 31 we find Moses giving his farewell speech. He is telling the nation of Israel that he will no longer be leading them as they go into the Holy Land. It will be Joshua who will lead them as they cross the Jordan River. In this passage Moses encourages the people with these words, "the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
These words are still a comfort for us today. As we go through the trials of this life we can rest assured in the one who will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus said it like this in Matthew 28, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
May we remember that we never have to face anything alone; that we have a friend who is closer than a brother that loves us more than we can understand. Jesus wasn't only willing to lay down His life for you but He did it! He paid it all for you and for each and every person who is willing to let Him in their life.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
NO Perfect People Allowed
Earlier today I was thinking about the church. (I know this could come as a surprise to many, that a pastor and church planter would think about the church!) As I was thinking, I was reminded of a pastor who once said it always bugged him to drive past a church that had a sign that read, "New Testament Church", pointing out that most of the New Testament is made up of letters written to churches that are messed up. The Apostles were writing to straighten them out.
I have thought about this from time to time over the years, and I have a question that I would love to ask that pastor. "What kind of church do you want to be?" I kind of wonder if he wants his church to be the one that is not messed up? A church where everyone has it all figured out. This church wouldn't have people getting their feelings hurt, they wouldn't disagree on doctrine, everyone would be of one mind and one accord, generous, loving, giving, faithful, honest, and trustworthy. Sounds great, doesn't it?!
As much as I love the sound of this church, I see a problem in this church too - Where are the imperfect people? They can't be there!
A friend and mentor of mine has a sign in the entryway of the church he pastors at that reads, "NO Perfect People Allowed." This pastor understands that the church will not be perfect until Christ returns and removes our sinful nature. He realized that the church isn't about perfection but about the imperfect living life together, resting in the arms of a merciful God.
As I was thinking about this I began to think about the first three verses of
1 Corinthians.
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I know this isn't a passage that many people focus on but it works for the purpose of this blog.
First a little background:
Corinth (Julia Corinthus - the true name of the city) was a center of trade and commerce on the Mediterranean Sea. It was populated by around 400,000 people and as a city of commerce it was also a religious center for many Roman deities. The main deity worshiped in Corinth was Aphrodite (Venus). The great temple of Venus was a place of ritual prostitution. At any given time there were approximately 1,000 priestesses who prostituted themselves for their faith.
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth because these Christians were participating in both Christianity and the worship of Aphrodite. As worshipers of Aphrodite they had to participate in the ritual of prostitution. One day a year every follower of Aphrodite had to become a temple prostitute for any amount offered that day. For this day women where required to shave their heads, men were to grow out their hair and beards and wear make-up. These are the people Paul is writing to.
Let's look at haw Paul addresses this letter.
1. First he introduces himself. (Keep in mind he started the church in Corinth) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
He is simply Paul (means "small") The little guy called to be something, an apostle of Jesus. Paul says this isn't by my design. It was Jesus who brought me to you so that God, the Father, would be glorified in Corinth (by the will of God)
And brother Sosthenes is with me. (Chief of the synagogue at Corinth). Paul is writing this with a guy they know well.
2. Who is he writing to and what does he have to say about them.
To the church.. (Greek the word "ekklesia" meant "an assembly of citizens summoned by the crier, the legislative assembly.) The purpose of an "ekklesia" was to peacefully overthrow a corrupt government.
...of God... Paul stresses the ownership of the church. It doesn't belong to Paul or Sosthenes or to the elders of the church or even to the city. The church belongs to God and God alone. It exists for His purpose and His glory and His honor, not for anything else. This Group just happens to be in Corinth.
...to those sanctified in Christ Jesus... (Sanctification - The usually gradual or uncompleted process by which a Christian believer is made holy through the action of the Holy Spirit) Paul begins this letter by referring to them as they will be when Christ's work in them is complete. They are the ones, and called to be holy.
...together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: ... Paul then reminds them that they are part of something bigger. They a connected to believers everywhere.
3. Paul then finishes his introduction by calling for God's blessing to come upon them. "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." This is a great reminder of what they can have by living life God's way and not the way of the people living around them.
Paul doesn't come out and slam this messed up church. He reminds them how important they are and then takes the opportunity to encourage, strengthen, teach, and guide them in the ways of God.
I don't know about you but I enjoy being with people who are willing to show me who Jesus is by loving me despite myself. On my own, I am unlovable, broken, beaten, battered and bruised, but in Jesus I am a work in progress and I will be clean, healed, strong. I will be Sanctified (made Holy).
If, like me, you don't have it all together or have it all figured out, let's join together trusting that Jesus isn't finished yet and help each other in this journey of life and faith.
I have thought about this from time to time over the years, and I have a question that I would love to ask that pastor. "What kind of church do you want to be?" I kind of wonder if he wants his church to be the one that is not messed up? A church where everyone has it all figured out. This church wouldn't have people getting their feelings hurt, they wouldn't disagree on doctrine, everyone would be of one mind and one accord, generous, loving, giving, faithful, honest, and trustworthy. Sounds great, doesn't it?!
As much as I love the sound of this church, I see a problem in this church too - Where are the imperfect people? They can't be there!
A friend and mentor of mine has a sign in the entryway of the church he pastors at that reads, "NO Perfect People Allowed." This pastor understands that the church will not be perfect until Christ returns and removes our sinful nature. He realized that the church isn't about perfection but about the imperfect living life together, resting in the arms of a merciful God.
As I was thinking about this I began to think about the first three verses of
1 Corinthians.
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I know this isn't a passage that many people focus on but it works for the purpose of this blog.
First a little background:
Corinth (Julia Corinthus - the true name of the city) was a center of trade and commerce on the Mediterranean Sea. It was populated by around 400,000 people and as a city of commerce it was also a religious center for many Roman deities. The main deity worshiped in Corinth was Aphrodite (Venus). The great temple of Venus was a place of ritual prostitution. At any given time there were approximately 1,000 priestesses who prostituted themselves for their faith.
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth because these Christians were participating in both Christianity and the worship of Aphrodite. As worshipers of Aphrodite they had to participate in the ritual of prostitution. One day a year every follower of Aphrodite had to become a temple prostitute for any amount offered that day. For this day women where required to shave their heads, men were to grow out their hair and beards and wear make-up. These are the people Paul is writing to.
Let's look at haw Paul addresses this letter.
1. First he introduces himself. (Keep in mind he started the church in Corinth) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
He is simply Paul (means "small") The little guy called to be something, an apostle of Jesus. Paul says this isn't by my design. It was Jesus who brought me to you so that God, the Father, would be glorified in Corinth (by the will of God)
And brother Sosthenes is with me. (Chief of the synagogue at Corinth). Paul is writing this with a guy they know well.
2. Who is he writing to and what does he have to say about them.
To the church.. (Greek the word "ekklesia" meant "an assembly of citizens summoned by the crier, the legislative assembly.) The purpose of an "ekklesia" was to peacefully overthrow a corrupt government.
...of God... Paul stresses the ownership of the church. It doesn't belong to Paul or Sosthenes or to the elders of the church or even to the city. The church belongs to God and God alone. It exists for His purpose and His glory and His honor, not for anything else. This Group just happens to be in Corinth.
...to those sanctified in Christ Jesus... (Sanctification - The usually gradual or uncompleted process by which a Christian believer is made holy through the action of the Holy Spirit) Paul begins this letter by referring to them as they will be when Christ's work in them is complete. They are the ones, and called to be holy.
...together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: ... Paul then reminds them that they are part of something bigger. They a connected to believers everywhere.
3. Paul then finishes his introduction by calling for God's blessing to come upon them. "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." This is a great reminder of what they can have by living life God's way and not the way of the people living around them.
Paul doesn't come out and slam this messed up church. He reminds them how important they are and then takes the opportunity to encourage, strengthen, teach, and guide them in the ways of God.
I don't know about you but I enjoy being with people who are willing to show me who Jesus is by loving me despite myself. On my own, I am unlovable, broken, beaten, battered and bruised, but in Jesus I am a work in progress and I will be clean, healed, strong. I will be Sanctified (made Holy).
If, like me, you don't have it all together or have it all figured out, let's join together trusting that Jesus isn't finished yet and help each other in this journey of life and faith.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The words we use
More and more my eyes are being opened to the words that many Christians use in our day to day conversations. We speak a language that is as foreign to people as the languages of the ancient world. No, this isn't to make anyone feel bad or to put anyone down (I'm just as guilty as anyone else!)
For example, we often use words like "fellowship" yet before I was a Christ follower I never once said to my friends, "Hey, you guys want to come over and fellowship?" My friends would have just looked at me with a blank expression and then asked what drugs I was on. If you ask many Christians how they are doing they will respond with great spiritual words and phrases such as, "I am blessed" or "blessed and highly favored" or, in the case that things are rough at the moment, they may respond by saying things like, "I am under attack" or "I am in need of refreshing".
It's not that there is anything wrong with using these phrases and words, but I often wonder how often we speak this Christianese to make ourselves seem more spiritual than we are? Yet as a result we push away people who are in desperate need of "Sanctifying, regenerative begotten one." (Translation: The life changing son of God.)
Let us look at the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:19
But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language. (New Living)
Paul expresses the importance of using words that people will be able to follow and understand. Words that will help people to understand the hope that we have in Jesus. A hope that draw others into the conversation rather than push them away.
May we use words that will invite people to talk with us. May we choose our words with care so others will see us as real people and not someone putting on a show. May we speak the words of the culture that we are in to be a voice for Christ.
For example, we often use words like "fellowship" yet before I was a Christ follower I never once said to my friends, "Hey, you guys want to come over and fellowship?" My friends would have just looked at me with a blank expression and then asked what drugs I was on. If you ask many Christians how they are doing they will respond with great spiritual words and phrases such as, "I am blessed" or "blessed and highly favored" or, in the case that things are rough at the moment, they may respond by saying things like, "I am under attack" or "I am in need of refreshing".
It's not that there is anything wrong with using these phrases and words, but I often wonder how often we speak this Christianese to make ourselves seem more spiritual than we are? Yet as a result we push away people who are in desperate need of "Sanctifying, regenerative begotten one." (Translation: The life changing son of God.)
Let us look at the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:19
But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language. (New Living)
Paul expresses the importance of using words that people will be able to follow and understand. Words that will help people to understand the hope that we have in Jesus. A hope that draw others into the conversation rather than push them away.
May we use words that will invite people to talk with us. May we choose our words with care so others will see us as real people and not someone putting on a show. May we speak the words of the culture that we are in to be a voice for Christ.
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