faithnotes

Glancing back as we move forward…faithNOTES on Tuesdays

2012-02-14T16:23:00.000-06:00

There is an amazing word of hope for unsaveable sinners!

The reality of their saving faith is not in question. It is an established fact. “To those sanctified in Christ Jesus…” But the delayed maturing? That, too, is an established fact. With a loving but firm and direct letter, Paul sends correction their way. He reminds them of the secret to their inevitable growing up. “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor 1:9

He reminds them of three glorious truths:

1. It is thru the scandalous grace of the Cross that God does what no other power can do…He saves certified sinners! 1:17-18, 23-24, 30-31

2. Spiritually blind eyes are able to see with eternity’s clarity when the Cross of Christ is embraced. 2:7-8, 12-13, 16

3. We are, both individually and corporately, a work of transforming grace…in process! 3:1, 7, 11, 14-16, 22-23

But then the paternal heart of their founding pastor is laid out on the page. As he moves to addressing specific questions of living the Cross-centered life in a sin saturated community, Paul assures them that the firmness about to be revealed comes to them for their good from the very heart of one who truly loves them and is committed to them.

PATERNAL PASSION:

· “I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as beloved children” 4:14

PATERNAL POSTURE:

· “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” 4:14

PATERNAL PATTERN:

· “I urge you, then, be imitators of me” 4:16

PATERNAL PURPOSE:

· “For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power” 4:20

Let them, therefore:

REFLECT DEEPLY upon such saving grace

REJOICE GREATLY, for the penalty and the shame of sin has been removed

REACH OUT COURAGEOUSLY. There is great news for every unsaveable sinner!

Press on, Church!

Pastor Tom

Changes to Faithnotes

2012-02-14T16:16:00.000-06:00

Starting in March, we will moving Faithnotes into The City, our new communications tool. If you would still like to read and receive Faithnotes, please join the Faithnotes group in The City. If you haven't yet signed up for The City, you can do so this Sunday at the kiosk in the back of the Worship Center.

Also, beginning this week, we're going to start posting Faithnotes on Tuesday rather than Friday. This new post will be a reflection on Sunday's message rather than a prelude on Friday.

BEST. JOB. EVER.

2012-02-10T09:52:00.000-06:00

This opportunity might be the best job I have ever had!

Now, I do know a thing or two about jobs. High school farmhand. Gas station attendant. Factory line supervisor. Grocery department manager. Shopping mall custodian. Lighting technician (actually, just had security clearance in an aeronautic design center to go in and change fluorescent light bulbs J). Homebuilder. Floor covering installer. Youth pastor. Preacher. Youth pastor. Shepherd. As I said, I DO know a thing or two about jobs!

But THIS job sounds like a dream come true. I would be entrusted with the material assets of a great estate. I would have the freedom to manage those as I deemed to be the best. My task would be to distribute those resources in a manner that would cause them to increase while leaving a lasting impact through their usage. It was a heavier thing than simply keeping the stuff together. Investment for impact and increase was the goal. But to sweeten the offer even more, I would be given the complete freedom of setting my own salary! I could designate whatever portion of the owner's assets, I considered to be appropriate, to provide myself and my family a nice living wage. Now, isn't that the best job ever?

To Job He expressed it this way: "Everything under heaven belongs to Me." Job 41:11

From David it is described in this way: "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all… All this abundance that we have provided to build a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours." 1 Chronicles 29:11,16

And with this career opportunity comes some very simple directives:

1) Don't view this investment responsibility as a burden but embrace it as a privilege. 2 Cor. 8:2

2) Before you give what is in your hand, be sure you have given your hand. 2 Cor. 8:5

3) Make your investments for Him only out of what He has first given to you. 2 Cor. 8:12

4) Distribute His wealth wisely and thoughtfully. 2 Cor. 8:16ff

5) Do your resource management in a way that is encouraging to others but never in a manner of flamboyant display. 2 Cor.9:2

6) Break the cultural rules… Experience firsthand the unalterable laws of nature: Give generously and you will receive liberally 2 Cor. 9:6,10

I will never discover the joy of true contentment as the manager of God's resources until I begin to comprehend just a tidbit of His indescribable and inexpressible gift of grace. 2 Cor. 9:15

This opportunity might be the best job I have ever had! But come to think of it, this job might turn out to be the weightiest assignment I have ever had…

LIVE Generously, Church!

Pastor Tom

Loving God More and Giving Him Less

2012-02-03T10:00:00.001-06:00

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:6

They were called "set-aside acres" and he had field after field of them. After the morning service had ended, I was given directions to the home where I would be the dinner guest of one of the Elders of the host congregation. They had selected this particular house for my afternoon relaxation for one key reason. The home was just over the Nebraska line from the Wyoming community where I was preaching that weekend and Nebraska was playing in a televised game in Columbia, Missouri. My host for the game was an avid Nebraska fan and the only one in the Wyoming congregation who had the game coming into his television. So they gracious arranged for me to enjoy a great farm-cooked meal AND some great Husker football.

As I turned off the Wyoming highway onto the gravel county road, I was amazed at how many acres of land along both sides of the road appeared to be nothing more than weed beds. Mile after mile of untilled and unplanted fields surrounded me. Finally, following the sketched map in my lap, I turned off the gravel and into a long lane, driving up to a meticulously manicured farmyard. It was impressive for its orderliness and also for its absence of visible farm implements; not a tractor was in sight!

As we enjoyed home cooking, I inquired about all the unfarmed land around us. "I retired at an early age," my host said with a smile. "They actually pay me NOT to farm that ground! Those are called 'set-aside acres' and for conservation purposes I receive a check for not putting them into tillage." He lived on a beautiful farmstead and had a new career in a business in a neighboring community. Money for not planting.

Too bad the spiritual world doesn't work like that. Most of us would be doing very well these days! "I will bless you if you conserve/preserve your seed." Too many of us are actually living as though we believe that GOD has introduced a 'set-aside' program. But Paul declared, "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

If a consultant were to give you counsel regarding your financial strain and seeming lack of sufficiency, would he be shocked to find that you--perhaps in fear of loss, or regrettably, a lack of trust--were simply hoarding your resources in some reserve account rather than generously scattering them so that they might multiply to allow you to have both sufficient dollars to provide for your own family as well as give graciously to accomplish Kingdom work for God's glory? Have you defied the first rule of spiritual and financial prosperity? "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:6

God does not honor our spiritual 'set-aside acres' program. Rather, God rewards with great increase those who, by faith, take the resources He has graciously provided and scatter them wisely and widely for His Kingdom. "Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

The fourth quarter had just begun when it became necessary to begin my drive back across the state line to the church to preach once more. I was listening to the radio and was totally engrossed in the close game as I pulled into the parking lot. I stayed in my car until the very last possible minute and then headed inside. The Tigers had emerged victorious. So close…but I would have to face the playful mocking of the Wyoming crowd over a Husker loss. But then…one of the members came rushing into the auditorium just as we were about to begin the service to say, "The ball was tipped off a shoe in the end zone and the Davis kid grabbed it for a touchdown!" Husker pride rewarded in a small Wyoming church!

Set-aside acres, a profitable conservation program for the agricultural community, but a failed practice for the community of faith. God rewards only those who sow seed generously and liberally. Can God joyfully reward you?

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Grow2Go

2012-01-27T08:18:00.004-06:00

Matthew 28:18-20 / Acts 1:8

Our mission is the "equipping of God's people THRU God's Word for doing God's work in God's world."

The Great Commission, simply stated is this, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28

His name is engraved on the memorial wall. But long before he lost his life on the fields of Vietnam conflict, he found his life by simple faith in Christ. His name was forever engraved in the Lamb's Book of Life.

My Mom would often restrict our playtime, probably for good cause. The kid next door seemed to be--at times--a bad "mix" for me. The neighbor's calves just begged to be ridden! And the out-building on the boundary line of our two properties was an incredible launch pad for early Super Man flights. If mischief had a logo, the images of Larry and Tom would have fit it well.

One afternoon on a day of creative energy burning, two neighbor boys got into a serious discussion regarding matters of life and death. The conversation ended with an eternal conversion. Having heard the good news of eternal life as a free gift offered to all who would believe, the time seemed right for a declaration of commitment. My childhood buddy and I knelt by my red American Flyer wagon and he "asked Jesus to come into his heart." We were only in the first grade…but one of us was a brand new baby. Larry had been born again!

The marvelous mystery of the gospel is this: Even the young can both explain the truth and, by child-like faith, RECEIVE the Lord Jesus Christ who is Himself the message of the gospel!

So, the Great Commission is a GREAT Commission.

· Its message is the good news of hope for hopeless people

· Its method is the faithful retelling of the story of God's free gift of life

· Its mission is the rescue and transformation of sin-bound hopeless people

· Its might is the very presence and power of Christ by His Spirit

It is so simple even a child can believe. It is so powerful, it can be explained even by a child. Though he died in the act of protecting our freedom, my boyhood friend, Larry, lives today. His name is engraved on the memorial wall in Washington, DC. Long before he lost his life on the fields of Vietnam conflict, he found his life by simple faith in Christ. His name was forever engraved in the Lamb's Book of Life.

YOU go, therefore, and make disciples!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Unleashing the Church: Finding Your Fit and Blessing the Family 1 Cor. 12

2012-01-20T14:45:00.000-06:00

Unleashing the Church: Finding Your Fit and Blessing the Family 1 Cor. 12

An insignificant village became the launch pad of world evangelism. Simply because of the faithfulness of one selfless saint!

In the hands of God, the seemingly unimportant becomes great. Such is the tale of one of the cities founded by one of Noah’s three sons. Thirty-five miles to the northeast of Jerusalem stands one of the world’s oldest seaport villages. Though hardly memorable for its own sake, the very mention of its name produces a flood of stories in the minds of those who read the Scriptures. Joppa!

Seeking to provide the finest materials the world had to offer for the construction of one of the world’s most significant projects, Kings David and Solomon imported cedar trees from the north nation of Lebanon. The logs were first placed into the sea and floated south to the seaport of Joppa where they were then transported 35 miles over land to Jerusalem. There they were milled for glorious adornment for the temple of the Living God.

Loving God but hating certified sinners, Jonah ran west when his commission from the Lord should have sent him east. From the ancient seaport of Joppa he boarded a ship for the 2600-mile journey to Spain.

Some three and a half centuries before the birth of Jesus, the booted heels of the warriors of Alexander the Great’s conquering armies struck the cobblestone pavement of the city of Joppa. By the end of the first century A.D. those same stones became a riverbed for the flowing blood of the 8400 Jews who were bludgeoned to death at the hands of the Roman army.

For Gentile lovers of the Gospel (i.e. you and me), Joppa marks the launch pad for the spreading of the message of Good News to the outer reaches of the world. It was on a rooftop in that port city that a picnic blanket filled with forbidden foods was three times lowered into the presence of the Apostle Peter as God commissioned him to take the gospel to the Gentile home of Cornelius.

Perhaps the most significant name attached to this city is better known by her nickname than her given name. Peter was summoned to Joppa because Tabitha, who was described as "a woman full of good works and acts of charity," (Acts 9:36) had died. Because of her gracious acts of kindness, upon her death, the church did not feel they could live without her.

Feeling unnoticed? Unappreciated? Unneeded? Overlooked? Insignificant? Give yourself to good works and acts of charity. Live selflessly for the Church and God will publish your record in the marvelous book of HIS-story. You, like Dorcas of Joppa, will receive a name that is glorious!

An insignificant village became the launch pad of world evangelism. Simply because of the faithfulness of one selfless saint!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Equipping For Serving

2012-01-13T14:04:00.000-06:00

Back in the day, we called it "Going Cheap." Today I think it would be called, "Going Green." If you visit our home, you will notice that we live with lots of furniture bearing the "patina of life." Each well-worn piece has its own story to tell. (Linda worries that I will bore you by telling their story for them. :-)

We learned the value and promise of furnishing a home with reclamation pieces from the example and coaching of Pastor Moore. Our meager possessions, after five years of Bible college, were far from sufficient to outfit our first parsonage. But Pastor Dewey and his wife, Ruth, proudly displayed their amazing collection of beautifully restored antiques. Most were either hand-me-downs from church members or rescued from the trash before the refuse truck hauled them away. So thirty-eight years ago, Pastor Dewey taught us the basic principles of restoring the broken and discarded and making them useful for service.

The Household of God is well-furnished with the "patina of life." God has graciously and miraculously rescued, restored, refurbished and renewed lives that were broken and discarded. Paul describes these as "trophies of grace." God has taken what was no longer useable and "equipped us for His service." His grace is making us useful again. He is doing this work in His world through His Word in His Church!

In the corner of our living stands our pride and joy. The grand wardrobe cabinet has an amazing story to tell. We went northwest of G-burg to the Puhls' farm auction. The merchandise to be sold was remarkable for its age and its variety. We were optimistic that we would successfully outbid others for some select piece to "equip." We were wrong. The number of collectors and dealers present blew the prices out of the budget of this Baptist preacher. And the one piece we had set our hearts on shocked us the most. Bound together with bailing twine, nearly black because of its aged varnish finish, it attracted numerous bidders. Its price quickly blitzed $100 and it was finally sold to an elderly gentleman wearing bottle-top glasses. We concluded he simply did not know what he bought. Until...

Six months later we visited a neighbor's backyard barn. As the in-laws surveyed his inventory of restored antiques, Linda and I were stopped in our tracks. There stood the grand wardrobe cabinet. It was a gorgeous golden oak masterpiece, fully restored to its original beauty, but now with an incredible story to tell. Seeing our love for it, he offered it to us at a steal.

The household of the Lord, which is what we are as the Church, is marvelously furnished with reclaimed discards, masterfully reclaimed and restored. We who were totally useless are being mended for His glorious use. We are being "equipped."

"For we are His workmanship, created (recreated!) in Christ Jesus for good works..." Ephesians 2:10

We were going cheap...rather...we are going "green." In the corner of our living room today stands a masterpiece with its own story to tell!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

You can tell them, "Pastor Tom says I don't have to go to church anymore!"

2012-01-06T12:50:00.000-06:00

I think my record is 53. Understand that I am seriously IT challenged. I finally get the concept that perhaps my MacBook is running slow because of embedded 'cookies' and cleaning those out often restores power. But when my iPhone slowed, I had to turn to my 10-year-old granddaughter for help. With the double tap of the lower button, she began to close Apps. "Papa, did you know you had 53 Apps running? That is amazing!"

As we, the Faith Family, rapidly approach our 20th birthday (April 25, 2013), it seems appropriate to do a ministry "re-boot." We will no longer be considered adolescent but instead fall into the category of adulthood. As the years of our youth fade in the rear-view mirror, excitement grows as we lean forward to grab hold of those unique opportunities for which the Father has been preparing us. Now is the time to take inventory.

· Are we the Church He called us out to be?

· Are we faithfully doing all He has tasked us to do?

· Are we on mission?

· Are we as effective as His grace would cause us to be?

To prepare ourselves to passionately and purposefully seize our moment in HIS-story, we must pause to review our core values, reaffirm our foundational convictions and refocus our ministry endeavors. Over time, 'cookies' have become embedded and 'apps' which are no longer in use, remain in place. It's time to check the embedded cookies. Time for a double click and perhaps close some apps. Simply put, it is time for a ministry "re-boot." This is Faith Mission 2012!

We will look at the "who" and the "why" questions. We will declare again the clarity of our mission. Our corporate gatherings during the Sundays of January will be built around the theme, "I Am the Church."

Mission 2012: Reboot Faith!

So, go ahead and tell them, "Pastor Tom says I don't have to 'go' to church anymore!"

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Mary Had A Little Lamb

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000-06:00

"When man attempts to reach up to God, we call it religion. When God reaches down to man, we call it CHRISTmas."

They left the Garden fully clothed, but an innocent animal had died to give them covering. Their sons came to God with gifts in hand, but one sought His pleasure with an impressive display of the works of his hands. God, instead, smiled upon the one who offered the lamb. They found no security in shelters or rituals the night the angel of death passed by. Life was the gift only for those to whom the perfect lamb's blood was applied.

For all the impressive efforts of man to please their God, the regrettable reality is this--their feeble attempts prove completely impotent. For when man attempts to reach up to God, they call it religion.

When God reaches down to man, sends the Lamb, and we call it Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Church!

Pastor Tom

Come See…Go Tell: Till the Whole World Knows!

2011-12-16T10:25:00.001-06:00

Wise advice, delivered with humble grace and unquenchable optimism to a Bible college classroom filled with "preacher wanna-be's." It burned into my memory bank to surface frequently these many seasons later.

"Gentlemen," began Miss Elsie, "as shepherds to God's people, your responsibility will be to diligently study God's Word all week long. Then you are to prayerfully prepare your sermons. By the time you are ready to preach, you will have far too much material. Your job, then, is to select the best 10% to be delivered. Leave the rest in the can!"

Matthew's gospel record of the life and ministry of Jesus opens on a clear tone, only to close on a completely different note. He begins with a "come see" strategy. "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him," (Matthew 2:2). Matthew's opening direction, "Come see." But then, in closing out the account, the author takes a radical redirection and ends by writing, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel," (Matthew 28:19). Matthew's closing direction, "Go tell!"

Shepherds, scheduled to work the third/graveyard shift, found themselves responding to both strategies. "And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger…And all who heard it wondered at the things told them by the shepherds. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God…" (Luke 2:16,18).

Two weeks ago the "come see / go tell" movement of Matthew made it into the final sermon notes. But out of respect for the clock, it remained in the can.

"For unto you has been born a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord." Now that IS the best 10%. Invite your friends to "come see." And if they do not respond to your gracious invitation, "go tell." Don't leave it in the can!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Noel

2011-12-09T09:32:00.001-06:00

Suspended high above the street, attached to a tall light pole on both sides, was the familiar holiday word, N-O-E-L. As you turned off Hi-way 30 and drove north onto main street, you were welcomed by the old French version of Christmas greeting. It was one of those seasonal predictabilities which, after the first couple of trips through town, one simply forgot. Christmas had come to main street. Windows were decorated with tape-on window frames and spray-on snow. Christmas in a small town…the things of which Hallmark cards are made. "Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel."

With only 26 letters with which to work…common words can soon become trite. Words and phrases so much a part of our tradition that they flow in and out of our conversation, jump off the ends of our texting fingers, fall loosely from our lips and liven the poetic structures of our carols…losing the richness of their meaning simply due to their commonness. Trite seasonal expressions, until…

Until my bride pointed out a reality of which I have been totally unaware. She sent me a text asking, "Did you realize that SILENT and LISTEN both have the exact same letters?" Incredible! I have used those two words…typed those two words…sung those two words…never recognized that those two words are the same word simply arranged in different ways.

S-I-L-E-N-T L-I-S-T-E-N

And that is exactly what the first hearers of the incredible Good News did. They sat silent in order to listen! The dark night sky burst into full noon-day brilliance as hundreds of angels took their place and each sang their own part in history's first Christmas Carol. "Glory (another word that has become trite by overuse) to God in the highest!"

The shepherds broke their silence and stopped listening as they ran straight away to an audience with the newborn King. Suddenly it was the new mother's turn to be s-i-l-e-n-t and to l-i-s-t-e-n as the joy of the season flowed freely from the lips of the shepherd choir. As they returned to their fields they could no longer be silent, but they could find no one willing to listen.

Now, if you drove into our small community from the north rather than from the south, the welcome looked completely different. Rather than the French word for Christmas you were greeted by some guy's name. L-E-O-N. LEON? Same word…different arrangement!

Be Silent. Take a moment…Listen! "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold." Psalm 46:10-11

"Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel."

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Wise Men Still Adore Him

2011-12-02T09:30:00.001-06:00

Matthew 2

Horses or camels? Please tell me we didn't rent donkeys! Did we make reservations? We did book this trip on Priceline, didn't we? Is there a penalty if we cancel? You guys sure we should actually do this? I mean...we are throwing our whole lives into chaos over a strange-appearing flaming thing in the sky! We have job responsibilities to cover. We have schedules to rewrite. We have families to consider. Oh…did I mention the recent reports of assaults and robberies on that particular highway? It is not exactly safe to be traveling these days, you know! We should travel in a caravan; how many armed guards do you think it will take to guarantee security? Did it occur to any of you that the larger our traveling contingent, the more attention we attract and the greater the chance we WILL be bushwhacked! Wait till word gets out that we have gold onboard, now THAT ought to excite a few ne'er-do-wells!

I guess protocol is protocol. "Never approach a king without a gift in your hand." The appropriate gift for a king is certainly shiny gold, so I guess we will be traveling with gold. Incense? Why are we wasting packing space with incense? Isn't the gold enough? What is the baby's mom going to think when she unwraps incense--that the diaper needs changed, the barn is a bit smelly, someone needs a shower? Who's idea was it to include myrrh anyway?!? Bad enough the mom will open a package of sweet smelling stuff to burn, but stuff for a funeral? What kind of sick joke is that?!?

How far did you say we are from Israel? Have any of you guys ever been there before? Once we cross the river, how far to the capital city? We don't even know for sure he is IN the capital! Who's the coordinator of this search effort anyway? Aren't there more than a few details being overlooked? How exactly do you propose that we locate this royal infant? It's not like there is only one baby boy being delivered this time of year! Oh, and did anyone think about the chaos of the census thing? People are packing out the hotels. Room rates will be sky high, if we can even get a room! What about their testy attitudes over the newly levied taxes? I understand they aren't exactly happy about having to pay tribute anyway, but another tax levy? I'm thinking this is not such a good time to be traveling internationally!

Travel wear. Anybody think through this wardrobe thing? I mean, here at home people not only recognize this costume, but they actually respect it and the man wearing it! I'm not sure this pointy hat thing is going to be such a good idea when we get to Israel. I can almost hear the voices of middle schoolers!

Ok, if we are going to go, lets get going. Not getting any closer standing around here rattling our jaws. Time to mount up and head out! Hey, wait a minute. Who decided I would be the one eating everyone's dust back here?!? Did we draw straws while I was making that last pit stop? How about a rotation of some kind? Let's say every five miles or so the back guy (that would be ME!) goes to the front and the middle guy slips to the back? Do we have to all listen to the same music? Couldn't someone PLEASE invent an iPod with some ear buds or something? A DVD system would be fabulous for a trip like this!

Remind me again…why we are doing this? A new king is born? A historically awaited Messiah has been delivered and we are going there to see him? Oh, we are going to worship? Why didn't you say so! Let's get moving…we don't have time to waste!

"After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)

Don't forget, Church, wise men STILL adore Him!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Tom

The Fraternity of One

2011-11-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

Luke 17

"In everything give thanks (in EVERYTHING!); for this is God's will for you." 1 Thess 5:18

If a small child is taught to say "thank you" for a small piece of candy received, should not grown up Christians give thanks for innumerable graces from the Father's hand?

If we could have been reporters on the scene, we can imagine everyone confessed their gratitude. Their lives had been transformed in a moment. They had passed from death to life by the gracious healing of the Master. None would be so callous as to declare they deserved healing graces. It is quite unlikely that even one said, "It's about time!" No, being overwhelmed by God's goodness won't typically leave one unappreciative; it's just that feeling a sense of joy is a step or two short of declaring one's gratitude.

They were members of the fraternity in which no one wanted membership.

They were helpless, desperate and aware.

They were respectful.

They were believing.

They were healed.

They were ecstatic.

But nine of the ten continued dying.

He was a fraternity of one

He shared their suffering.

He shared their desperation.

He shared their respect.

He shared their healing.

He shared their joy.

He did not share their self-preoccupation.

They were members of the fraternity in which no one wanted membership. They shared all things in common; all things, that is, except race and attitude. It was the two-time outcast, the leprous Samaritan, who alone rushed back to bow in gratitude before the Jewish Master who had poured out healing grace.

"Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?'

And he said to him, 'Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.'"
Luke 17:15-19

He was twice the outcast. He was formerly leprous and was continuously Samaritan, but he was grateful. He alone was COMPLETELY healed...body, soul and spirit. He was a fraternity of one.

If a small child is taught to say "thank you" for a small piece of candy received, should not grown up Christians give thanks for innumerable graces from the Father's hand?

Happy Thanksgiving, Church!

Pastor Tom

Follow Me

2011-11-18T09:30:00.000-06:00

"The Kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." 1 Cor. 4:20

"All hat and no cattle." This is a spot-on description of the big-talking troublemakers of First Church of Corinth.

I love some of the synonym expressions as well:

All bark and no bite…
All crown and no filling…
All ham and no omelet…
All hammer and no nail…
All icing and no cake…
All shot and no powder…
All sizzle and no steak…
All wick and no candle…
All talk and no action…
All show and no go…

Full of promise and short on execution--Paul's accurate appraisal of the troublemakers of Corinth.

"We are still in the world, yet we are to be called out, distinct and not 'of the world.' We are to live according to the ethics of the kingdom of God, and those ethics are in almost every way a radical departure from the norms and values of the world. The 'Upside-Down Kingdom.' It is the kingdom where the first will be last, where the humble will exalted, and the mighty will be laid low. It is the kingdom where to be the greatest you must become the least, to lead you must serve, to gain your life you must lose it. It is the kingdom where to be filled up we must empty ourselves, where richness is found in poverty and where the meek will inherit the earth. It is a kingdom that calls us to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile, to give the cloak as well as the coat. In this kingdom we are called to love our enemies and hate our sin in the midst of a world that loves its sin and hates it enemies. It is a kingdom whose central symbol is a mark of humiliation and defeat, and whose ethics seem to be utter foolishness. It means placing His kingdom at the very center of our lives…" -Stewards in the Kingdom by R. Scott Rodin

But it was not so in Corinth, so the burdened Apostle challenged them in this way, "The Kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." 1 Cor. 4:20

"All hat and no cattle." This is an idiomatic expression describing those individuals who are full of big talk but deficient in action or substance. Regrettably, it is an accurate assessment of the floundering fellowship.

The point is this: A message that has punch and power must be more than windy speaking and fancy words. It must have within it the radically transforming dynamite of the gospel. The only message to pack such a power is the proclamation of the Cross of Christ. For this reason Jesus beckons, "Follow Me!"

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Just Wait Till Dad Gets Home…

2011-11-11T10:00:00.000-06:00

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

He always brought us gifts. Money was extremely limited and barely sufficient to cover bare necessities. But after times of travel, Dad always brought each of us a small gift to let us know he thought of us and missed us while he was gone.

"Therefore do not go on passing judgment (assessing each other) before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts..." 1 Cor. 4:5

"Just wait till Dad gets home…" Those were dreaded words! My father was an itinerate preacher and Bible conference speaker. In the days of my childhood, communication systems were nowhere near as sophisticated as they have become today. We lived 13 miles south of town on a residential high school campus. The 'compound' had a phone in the administrative office. If, during his travels, Dad desired to connect with Mom, he would call the school, someone would sprint to our house and retrieve Mom who would rush to the office to take the call. But because calls were billed by the minute, the conversations were, at best, very brief. The other form of communication was "snail mail." However, on more occasions than not, the letters would arrive after Dad had departed that area and moved on to another. Many times, Dad's letters would arrive home after he had already returned.

Mom was, on many occasions for extended periods of time, both mom AND dad in our home. She had three boys and one girl. My Sis was kind of like the Holy Spirit in the family, omnipresent and "perfect." My brothers were mischievous troublemakers. Well, I confess, I contributed more than my share to the chaos. Anyway, it seemed that no matter what trouble we were creating, my Sis would know it before WE knew it and then Mom was informed. (See what I mean by "Holy Spirit?") In the early days Mom was quite well equipped to make necessary behavioral corrections even in Dad's absence. However, as we grew, Mom's sense of influence diminished and she would more regularly resort to these frightening words, "Just wait till Dad gets home!"

As I am repeatedly reading chapter four of Paul's correspondence to First Church of Corinth, he calls on them to contemplate the three realms of judgment (or assessment) to which each must maintain awareness:

1. We are examined by others. Whether we like it or not, the observations and subsequent opinions of others DO matter. They can see what we cannot. They can provide invaluable insight and guidance. But they can never truly assess motivations of the heart. Only the spirit of a man understands the thoughts of a man.

2. We are examined by self. There must be a habit of self-reflection, a private pattern of "come to Jesus" moments. Knowing our own thoughts and our own hidden secrets means that we must take personal inventory if we are to be ultimately approved. That being said, we are prejudiced. We are self-justifying. We are more in love with ourselves, than we are loving toward others. We are self-protective and self-vindicating. We MUST exercise self-assessment. But even WE can never truly discern, with accuracy, our own dark recesses and our own flawed motives. "For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord." 1 Cor. 4:4

3. Finally, we are to be examined by God. He alone truly knows the darkness of our souls, the hidden secrets of our humanness and the authenticity of our motives. His evaluation of us is inevitable and unavoidable.

In our family, we were skillful at observing the behaviors of each other. It was called "tattling" and we were really experts at it! As already stated, my Sis was very gifted at passing early judgment. Until the moment of accountability before Mom arrived, we spent little energy in self-assessment/judgment. She would draw us into that mode by simply asking, "What were you thinking? Or WERE you thinking?!?" The thing that motivated serious attitude adjustment and influence behavioral changes was the dreaded line, "Just wait till your Dad gets home!"

If only I would have spent more time behaving myself so that my Father's return could have been anticipated with expectation rather than dread because of correction. "Just wait till your Dad gets home!"

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Must be posted where visible from the street...

2011-11-04T10:08:00.001-05:00

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

The foundation we are building upon, if the work is to be approved, is Christ. And the materials we chose to build our lives upon must be prepared for the testing by fire.

True story. I could not make this up! Doing a most unusual activity in my office this morning…I was sorting the growing pile and making liberal use of "File 13," when I opened a recently-received periodical to scan for any article of relevance or interest. This bold print that stared me in the face:

U.K.-based Stramit

StrawBoard is reportedly

seeking to establish U.S.

manufacturing for its wall

systems made of straw,

such as wheat and rice.

I could NOT make that up! It comes from an article titled, Building Blocks of a Different Nature by Bailey Webb. In it Webb writes, "Whether you have a small or a large budget, the key is to have the priorities that were established in the master planning phase guide the decisions made regarding the selection of building materials. Church facilities and buildings need to be looked at in their totality, always keeping in mind the overall master plan developed at the beginning of the planning process. Just as the master plan should reflect the vision of the church and its ministries, the materials selected should align with the mission and priorities established." (Emphasis added)

I love construction. I love watching a blueprint become a skeleton, then an enclosed shell and finally an inhabitable abode. I love the process. I find great pleasure in studying the use of materials. But when it comes to my OWN projects, I tend to be a "what is the least costly, most affordable, reusable piece of scrap available. That will do, lets use that" kind of handyman. In other words, I was well trained by my father to make use of whatever happens to be available!

But straw? I have been in "prairie soddies" and even in a straw house plastered over for ascetic appeal, but a straw church? Who would even consider building a church of straw?

Well, apparently this is not a completely new 21^st century concept. As Paul begins his "turn-around" letter to the First Church of Corinth, he actually exhorts them on the careful selection of building materials. Having reminded them that the only acceptable foundation upon which a Church could be erected is Jesus Christ--that is, His finished work on the Cross--he then writes, "Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work." 1 Cor. 3:12-13

Now, we are all familiar with the fool who built his house on the sand. We would NEVER be so foolish as to do THAT, would we? But building the Lord's dwelling place out of straw? Declaring His worth with the least costly, most easily accessible resources? Going cheap on God?!

Three house additions later and a host of upkeep projects, we are very familiar with the yellow construction permit process. The instructions declare, "Must be posted where visible from the street…" And we also know that the work has not been completed until the official inspector has signed off on the workmanship. One of the significant points of focus in the examination process is the quality of construction materials.

The foundation we are building upon, if the work is to be approved, is Christ. And the materials we chose to build our lives upon must be prepared for the testing by fire.

I think I'll take a pass on ordering the promotional packet from the U.K.-based Stramit StrawBoard. How about you?

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Best. Way. Ever.

2011-10-28T11:06:00.002-05:00

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

"...But we have the mind of Christ."

The greatest wisdom ever received may come in the form of a simple question, "So, how's that working for you?"

Wise Solomon penned it this way (so profound was this observation, that it is included TWICE in exact wording in the 31 chapters of collected proverbs), "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25.

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? But you are determined to "reform" your behavior one more time, still believing that if you work hard enough at it you can still get it right? "So how's that working for you?"

Isolated in your own small world, refusing the risk of connection with brothers and sisters in the Body, appearing alone at your own 'pity party?'" So how's that working for you?"

Pursuing riches and market success at the expense of your brother or sister, thinking only of personal profit margins with complete disregard for those injured in the process? "So how's that working for you?"

Burning through one relationship after another, still convinced that true and lasting love can be discovered thru the no-cost, no-commitment philosophy? "So how's that working for you?"

Convinced that true joy and contentment is simply one purchase away, you find yourself frantically pursuing another house, another car, another boat, another shirt, another video game, or another…. "So how's that working for you?"

The author of the oft-repeated line, "The unexamined life is not worth living" spoke volumes. So many of the people we care most about seem to simply plunge forward in an uninformed pursuit of whatever they define as abundant living, on a crash course to disaster. We are stirred to speak into their lives. We desperately want to "fix" them. We feel the burden of interference--in love to the glory of Jesus, of course--to somehow stop them from inevitable disappointment and unavoidable sorrow. "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."

Perhaps YOU are the man or the woman who is frantically grasping for "life" and contentment and meaning and satisfaction. Perhaps YOU are on a path of inevitable disaster. Then the greatest wisdom ever received may come in the form of a simple question: "So, how's that working for you?"

"…But we have the mind of Christ." Best. Way. Ever.

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Grace Point…Scandalous Cross

2011-10-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Before you will effectively communicate the life-giving message of scandalous grace, you must be actively bearing your cross.

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23

"Of all the systematic killing factories, it was a dilapidated former army barracks near a town in southwest Poland which became the scene of the greatest mass murder in history. The camp complex built at Auschwitz witnessed the deaths of an estimated 1.1 million men, women and children. One million of the dead were Jews."

If Jesus had said, "…he must take up his Auschwitz chamber daily and follow Me…"

"During the final stages of World War II, the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. These two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in a war to date. By executive order, the U.S. dropped the nuclear weapon "Little Boy" on the city of Hiroshima on Monday, August 6, 1945, followed by the detonation of "Fat Man" over Nagasaki on August 9. Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki, with roughly half of the deaths in each city occurring on the first day. The Hiroshima health department estimates that, of the people who died on the day of the explosion, 60% died from flash or flame burns, 30% from falling debris and 10% from other causes. During the following months, large numbers died from the effect of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness. In a U.S. estimate of the total immediate and short-term cause of death, 15–20% died from radiation sickness, 20–30% from flash burns, and 50–60% from other injuries, compounded by illness. In both cities, most of the dead were civilians."

If Jesus had said, "…he must take up his mushroom cloud daily, and follow Me…"

The clear fall morning skies were suddenly filled with the roar of full-throttle plane engines, the sickening crunch of metal impact and the poignant aroma of airplane-fueled infernos. 3,000 souls left this life and entered eternity.

If Jesus said, "…he must take up his twisted and collapsed Towers and follow Me..."

"Crucifixion was used for slaves, pirates and enemies of the state. It was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die. In Roman-style crucifixion, the condemned could take up to a few days to die. The dead body was left up for vultures and other birds to consume. The goal of Roman crucifixion was not just to kill the criminal, but also to mutilate and dishonor the body of the condemned. Under ancient Roman penal practice, crucifixion was also a means of exhibiting the criminal's low social status. It was the most dishonorable death imaginable, originally reserved for slaves. The Romans often broke the prisoner's legs to hasten death and usually forbade burial. In ancient tradition, an honorable death required burial; leaving a body on the cross, so as to mutilate it and prevent its burial, was a grave dishonor."

"The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." 1 Cor. 1:18; 2:2

Before you will effectively communicate the life-giving message of scandalous grace, you must be actively bearing your cross.

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Intentional Strategic Inversion

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5

Seems rather upside down, don't you think?

Want to impress people, get your name out there in the arena of recognition and seize your fair share of the market? Celebrities! Super-stars! Personalities of recognition and reputation! People love big names. People flock to big names. People are drawn to big names. Celebrity endorsement … now THAT's the way to build and sustain a movement!

But it was not; it is not the Jesus way. He establishes an earth-moving, history-altering movement by carefully focusing not on the "some-bodies" of the world, but by--according to cultural standards--calling to Himself the "no-bodies."

· "Galilee of the Gentiles" blue collar workers

· A treasonous tax guy

· A militant zealot

· Widows

· Orphans

· Certifiable sinners of stained reputation

· More slaves than slave masters

· Drunks and swindlers

· And declaring that the greatest leaders must first prove their character thru the humble tasks of service

He messed big time with the expectations of the "haves" by repeatedly calling to Himself the "have-nots." It was radical, exceptional and unusual, but it was not new. God has always applied the principles of "Intentional Strategic Inversion" to His work among people.

· A fugitive murderer becomes a spiritual leader and liberator

· A donkey serves the Master as a spokesman for the Divine

· A teenage shepherd drops a tyrannical giant

· A servant girl gives lifesaving counsel to a pagan ruler

· A homemaker with a mallet and tent stake bring to an end the career (and the life) of a militia leader

Pastor Hybels captured the principle in his popular book entitled, Descending Into Greatness. Church planter and spiritual father, Paul, highlights the principle in his summons to reconciliation to a deeply divided fellowship when he writes, "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise…mighty…noble…But God has chosen the foolish…the weak…the no-bodies…." 1 Cor. 1:26-27

Then to cap it off, He made the focal point of redemptive narrative the executioner's symbol of ultimate guilt and rejection--His cross!

Consistent with God's pattern of applying the principle of "Intentional Strategic Inversion," God fills the membership rolls of His Church with amazing trophies of His saving grace! "…so that no man may boast before God." 1 Corinthians 1:29

Hmmm, perhaps it is not so upside down after all!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Foolish Talk to Smart Folks

2011-10-07T08:07:00.003-05:00

1 Cor. 1:18-31

Note paper is so 20^th century! We felt like we were really with it. Cutting edge. Progressive. Very contemporary. In an auditorium of over 3,000 people, we sat with our iPads. We decided to take the risk, amp up the learning curve and go paper-free for a weekend. We downloaded the ESV's and opened up "Notes," placed our styluses in hand and prepared to soak up some great preaching. After a quick text message to Pastor MAK, we figured out how to quickly jump from ESV to "Notes" with a simple double click. We discovered that a tap on the screen opened up note pages in the text and found out we could quickly toggle from text to text.

Then it happened, the preacher used the H-E-double hockey sticks word, "Hell!" I was frantically tapping the screen, taking detailed notes on the message but my spell-corrector would not accept the word H-E-L-L. It repeatedly changed it to "he'll." Suddenly I am distracted from the message; I muse, instead on why my iPad doesn't want to recognize the word "hell." Wouldn't you know it? It also refused to print the word "sinless." Every time I tapped in the word, the corrector changed it to "winless." Now both theologically and pragmatically we all know that being "sinless" and being "winless" is not the same thing!

After three incredible days of hearing great gospel preaching and having our hearts once more stirred for the Great Commission--calling the Church to bring the gospel message to the ends of the earth--it was time to return to Lincoln. I have to confess; my directions were a bit screwed up in downtown Minneapolis. I had landmarks in mind AND my trusty iPhone with its GPS map in hand. We did a "search" for Minneapolis International Airport and clicked "directions" from "current location." Then came the challenge; the route on the map simply did not make as much sense as the route in my mind. We had to decide; do we go with my instincts or trust the GPS? After introducing Linda to some of the less-savory environs of downtown Minneapolis, I begrudgingly followed the GPS.

Progressive. With it. Very 21^st century. We "searched" for our destination and the map planted a "pin." A blipping blue dot marked out our progress. It worked exceptionally well…WHEN we trusted the directions!

In chapter one of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he places a "pin." All roads in the OT lead to it. All roads in the NT lead back to it. Finding the way "home" simply requires that we trust the map. Whether my iPad acknowledges it or not, there really is a H-E-L-L and there really was only one who was "sinless." Because of the reality of Hell, the Sinless One went to the cross. Trust the map. All roads to eternal life must lead one to the Cross of Jesus Christ. Place the "pin" there!

"For the word of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God."—1 Cor. 1:18

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Saved By The "M"

2011-09-30T11:08:00.001-05:00

1 Corinthians 1:26

Jesus really unnerved the young leader. He arrived with his enviable moral record and his comfortable savings. He walked away still financially loaded but spiritually bankrupt.

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."--Matthew 19:16-26

The problem with trying to get to heaven when we have lots of wealth is our stuff clings to us, making it hard for us to get thru that narrow gate. As Jesus declared, you can't be bowing to two different masters; and wealth far too often becomes just that, a master.

A quick review of the church directory at 1st Church in Corinth clearly validates Jesus' declaration, "Only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven." The membership roll revealed very few representatives of the class of the rich and famous. Very few, but not none!

There was Gaius with a house large enough to host Paul's ministry team as his guests AND be the place where the growing church assembled. Then there was Stephanas, who also hosted a church in his residence, Chloe, Crispus and a few others. "Not many noble,” but not any noble!

As the deeply disappointed idolater with the impeccable spiritual resume turned away from the Savior while gripping tightly to his riches, Jesus could be heard saying, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

"Not many noble" rather than not any noble. By God's mercy and grace, several were saved by the "M!”

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

P.S. Born into the line of royalty in the nation of India, raised in a devout Hindu family, our guest preacher this Sunday was miraculously rescued by the sovereign saving grace of God. Plan to hear Satish John at either Faith Chapel at 9:00 or the full worship service at 10:15.

Of Spats and Splits: New Life In Corinth

2011-09-16T08:17:00.001-05:00

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

They had to hear it together…

Once in a while your attention is arrested by something totally out of place or out of its time. It happened a couple of Sundays back as we walked into lunch. We both seemed to notice it at the same time…on both sides of the hallway there were pay phones! Little secluded privacy places with massive telephones hanging on the wall, phone books resting beneath the shelf (Remember phone books? Lots of pages with names, addresses and numbers all across the page and typically the page YOU needed had been torn out by someone!) with slots for coins to be dropped in order to make these antiques operational. Pay phones! Yup, right here in downtown Lincoln in 2011. We smiled, noticed them as being so out of place and walked on to our table carrying our Blackberry, iPhone and iPads. Amazing! Communication has certainly changed in a few short years!

Texting?
· Its own vocabulary, choppy thoughts, incomplete sentences, bullet concepts at best…without it, you can forget about connecting with the grandkids!

Twitter?
· 140 characters including spaces. Boil that idea down to simple thoughts and summarize while sustaining the intrigue. Friends you don’t even know will follow your every thought!

E-mail?
· Saves walking down the hallway to actually have a conversation. Can be long or short. But it lacks body language, facial expression and human connection. Best advice? Let that cursor flash! Write it…walk away…come back and read it…then, if you must, hit send!

Blog?
· It really IS all about me! And who knows how many people really DO care about me?

Facebook?
· Nobody, and I do mean NO-BODY, loves me like me! So, I just keep talking about myself, my life, my interests, my anxieties and my glamorous life…and whenever possible post some pictures of me so you can become as enamored with me as I am with me!

Letter?
· What’s a letter?

Their spiritual father in the faith heard an unsettling series of reports, which stirred his soul to action; so he sat down to write them a letter. Not having the convenience of the Postal Service (another thing which may soon also become an item of the past), he places the rolled up communication into the hands of trusted men who deliver it to the brothers and sisters of this infant church. They all gathered together to hear its reading. No Kinkos, no photocopiers, no scanners. One copy…one reader…one gathering.

“For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.” 1 Corinthians 1:11

And they had to hear it together…

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Bringing Focus Back

2011-09-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

At some point in our lives we have all been the recipient of a letter. Whether it’s a birthday card or a multi-page document, we all know what it looks like. It starts with an informal greeting, a “how are things going?” or perhaps “the weather here has been nice”, but then as the letter continues, it starts to get more personal. The real emotions and intent begin to shine through.

As we begin studying the book of 1 Corinthians, think of it as a letter because it is precisely that. Paul is addressing a serious issue that is rising up in the church at Corinth. As we take a look at the text, read it like a letter. Put yourself in a pew at the Corinthian church. As the letter is opened, you sit there in anticipation, anxious to hear what has been penned. This is a letter from Paul, the man responsible for perhaps your own conversion in Corinth. The letter is opened now, the speaker’s eyes begin to pan the writing. First a pause, then the voice begins to read, “Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sothenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth...”

v1. Paul, by God’s perfect plan, was called to be an apostle – a teacher of Christ. Notice, Paul isn’t bragging about his willingness to give his life for the sake of the Gospel. “...By the will of God...” is phrased in a way that says, “God chose me.” We will see throughout this letter that Paul continually puts the focus on God.

v2. Paul is bringing the focus back to God. The church in Corinth isn’t Paul’s church, it isn’t the people’s church, it’s God’s church. We’ll see later that the people within the church have created division by choosing sides and elevating mortal teaching over the shed blood of Christ. The city of Corinth was beginning to take root within the walls of the church. Paul is re-drawing the boundaries. “...To those sanctified in Christ Jesus...” Paul is saying, “You have been set apart.” This is a reminder to the church that they have been placed into the family of God.

v3. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” Pastor Tom provided a great definition of the word “grace” on Sunday. Grace is God’s riches at Christ’s expense. Paul is saying, “You have been given a gift of immeasurable value. You are blessed! There is no reason for any of you to have division among you. You have been given grace by God.”

v4-8. Through these next few verses, notice how Paul takes all these great traits of the church in Corinth and gives God the praise and the credit. While commending the church for what they do right, he takes the credit and the focus off of the individuals and places it on God. v4: “I thank God for showing you grace.” v5: “In every way God has enriched you in Him.” v6: “God has used you to confirm the testimony about Christ.” v7: “God has made you lack nothing as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” v8: “God will sustain you until the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Talk about stealing all their thunder! Paul is saying, “You guys have come a long way, but remember who it was that brought you here. It was by God’s grace that you have been delivered from your past and empowered for your future.”

v9. In verse 9 Paul concludes his introduction by reminding the church of God’s faithfulness. “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” What a fantastic ending to an introduction!

As we continue our study we’ll hear Paul’s passionate reminder to the Corinthian church to continually take the focus off themselves and give glory to God. In a church that has become complacent with its focus and priorities, Paul’s letter is a desperate plea to “wake up” and realize that the progress they have made isn’t from their own hands and abilities, but from the empowering grace of God.

Braggin' Rites

2011-09-08T15:55:00.000-05:00

Half right... and half wrong.

Sweet words flow as the reader of the letter stands before a nervous but attentive gathering. Word has made its way around the community and there was almost 100% attendance at the hastily called meeting. A messenger from their spiritual father in the faith, Paul, had arrived and with him was a personal letter. Nerves were a bit on edge because it had become known that a few of their number (Chloe’s people, actually) had reported some less than flattering attitudes and behaviors among them. So those assembling were, for good cause, a bit anxious as they awaited the reading. But the letter was personal and it was the man who had loved them enough to bring them the good news that broke the bondage of their sin addictions. So, though they may have feared what he might have written, they also could not wait to hear what Paul had to say.

The reader, having cleared his throat and waited for the noise to die, read, “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge…” Sweet words flowed. Yes, Paul HAD heard and he complimented them. Eloquence of communication and exceptional insight into Scriptural matters was their claim to fame, their reputation. And the reader continued, “…You are not lacking any gift…” So true, they thought smugly. We are knocking it into the upper decks in our Christian activity. Fully loaded and lacking nothing!

They had it half right. The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me…” (Jeremiah 9:23) They were pretty proud and confident that they understood God. Eloquent in proclamation and defense, persuasive in argumentation, skillful in articulating the intricate truths of theology; they “understood”.

But they regrettably also had it half wrong.

Their attitudes and behavior clearly exposed the fact that they did not “know” Him. Loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness characterize Him and therefore, are the distinguishing marks of those who “know” Him.

Corinth was proud of their understanding. Paul was deeply grieved by their lack of knowledge. To know ABOUT God can make one very proud. To KNOW God will inevitably make one very humble. The church’s pride exposed their ignorance.

We brag about things we do not understand and we need to be reminded of the things of which we CAN boast. God, by His self-initiating grace, knows us. We can boast about that!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom

Lessons From Paul's Time In Corinth

2011-09-06T10:30:00.003-05:00

What would you do if your travels took you to Las Vegas, a city reported to be full of sin and sinful people? What would you say to the people living there? How would you support yourself? Where would you go to interact with the people there? How long would you linger?

The city of Corinth in Greece was, according to reports, much like today’s Las Vegas in our country. Because Corinth was a city that saw lots of people just passing through in those days, as does Las Vegas today, it was full of opportunities to participate in many of the things which Scripture tells us to avoid. However, as we learned in Acts, the record of Paul’s travels, he didn’t run from the sinful people. We’re told Paul was in Corinth for over a year. And, because people on the move were often in need of the goods and services related to travel, Paul apparently had a good tent making business. We do know that there was a synagogue in Corinth and Paul often spent time there discussing Christ.

The parable of the sower and the seed comes to mind when thinking of Corinth. It was a path well traveled and undoubtedly, the seed of the Gospel that Paul sowed was trampled under foot. There was seemingly little chance for the seed to sprout, let alone take root. Yet, we know that God used Paul’s efforts to establish a church in Corinth. It was a church that later would receive letters from Paul with guidance and reassurance.

So, what lessons are there in Corinth that apply to us today?

First, don’t be afraid when God places you in Las Vegas, or New Orleans, or any of the other cities where you feel there is much you want to avoid.

Second, wherever you are, whomever you’re with, share the Gospel. Tell them of the difference He’s made in your life. Keep speaking.

Third, remember, you’re never alone. True, as you leave your hotel room in a large city and walk the streets, you may feel as though you know no one. Yet, God is always with you wherever you are.

Fourth, no one will harm you. Rely on the leading of the Lord as you go about your travels and He’ll watch over you.

Finally, they’re there. Yes, there are believers in Las Vegas. There are Christians in New Orleans. Look for them and you’ll surely find them.

Those are the lessons for us from Paul’s time in Corinth. As you go about your day, reflect on these words penned by Frederick F Bruce, one of the founders of the modern evangelical church.

A crucified deliverer was to Greeks an absurd contradiction in terms, just as to Jews a crucified Messiah was a piece of scandalous blasphemy. But as Paul persisted in preaching Jesus as the crucified Savior and sin-bearer, the unexpected happened: pagans, as well as self-righteous Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, believed the message and found their lives transformed by a new, liberating power, which broke the stranglehold of selfishness and vice and purified them from within. The message of Christ crucified had thus accomplished something which no body of Greek philosophic teaching nor Jewish legalisms had done for them.

God’s saving power is not the messenger, but is IN the message. Wherever you are, whomever you’re with, share the story of Christ crucified.