Just As I Am

Sunday School Lesson: Giving of Oneself

2010-08-07T18:04:00.001-04:00

Purpose: To realize that expressing the mind or attitude of Christ results in a willingness to serve others.

Scripture: Philippians 2:1 – 13

Today’s Bible lesson contains one of the best known passages in Paul’s letters. It is one of my favorites. This passage even contains an early church hymn (verses 6-11).

There is one word that is repeated three times in this passage. That word is “mind”.

When you use the word “mind” what do you mean by it?

There are at least twenty definitions for the word “mind” in Merriam-

Webster’s Dictionary, about evenly divided between noun and verb. No definition that I found matches exactly the usage of Paul in this passage.

I am going to give you a few sentences or phrases with the word “mind” and let’s talk about how the word is used:

“Keep that in mind.” = “Don’t forget about it.”

“I’ve changed my mind.” = (usually) “I’ve decided to do something else.” Or “I’m not going to do what I said I would do.”

“Don’t pay him any mind.” = “He has nothing to say of any value.” Or “He’s full of …..”

“I don’t mind.” = “You are not imposing on me.”

One definition of “mind” is, “the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons”.

This definition is not very far from Paul’s definition. Other words that could describe Paul’s us of “mind” include “personality” or “character”. But none of these words completely get it. For Paul the word “mind” included the whole person: thinking, feeling, willing, and acting.

In our student book there is mention of a Sunday School class called the Joy Class. In that class was a sign which displayed the class motto: Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last.

What do you think of that acronym?

What would Paul have thought of J.O.Y.?

Paul probably would have agreed but would have added: Putting others first is how we put Jesus first.

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

(Php 2:1-4 NRSV)

In Chapter 1 of the Letter to the Philippians Paul called on the Philippians to live “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” In these verses Paul continued to expand upon what it means to live that type of life.

What is the root cause of most internal conflicts in churches?

Paul put his finger on church conflict in verses two and three: individuals acting out of selfish ambition rather than out of humility. The opposite of “being in full accord” is to be in discord. To act out of selfish ambition is to put yourself first and to make your needs, wants, and concerns the highest priority.

Ambition itself can be a good thing as it motivates us to work hard and do the best job we can. But selfishness combined with ambition is toxic. Nothing undermines a church’s unity more quickly than individuals putting their own self interest above those of others. Selfish ambition is totally at odds with the church’s purpose.

What did Paul prescribe as the antidote to selfish ambition?

Humility. Regard others as better than ourselves and act accordingly.

What does humility mean?

The act of being humble.

How do we become humble?

Does humility require that we put ourselves down or think lowly of ourselves?

What is the difference between humility and insecurity or low self-esteem?

Humility does not mean thinking poorly of yourself. True humility is putting the needs and concerns of others above your own. The root word of “humble” is the word humus which means earth.

Is it possible to think too lowly of yourself? Can humility be overdone?

To be safe which would be better: to err on the side of being too humble or on the side of being too proud?

Humility means two things. One, a capacity for self-criticism.... The second feature is allowing others to shine, affirming others, empowering and enabling others.

Are we to ignore our own interests?

Does anything bad happen if we ignore our own interests altogether?

I must take responsibility for my own needs. If I refuse to meet my own personal needs, someone else must meet them for me. Then I am not placing their needs ahead of my own. That is not humility.

Who has been an example to you of genuine, biblical humility?

If we are to be of one mind, does that mean that we must agree on everything?

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Php 2:5-11 NRSV)

How much difference does attitude make? Can you think of an example? Anyone have a story?

There is a story of a certain organization offering a bounty of $5,000 for wolves captured alive. It turned Sam and Jed into fortune hunters. Day and night they scoured the mountains and forests looking for their valuable prey.

Exhausted one night, they fell asleep dreaming of their potential fortune. Suddenly, Sam awoke to see that they were surrounded by about fifty wolves with flaming eyes and bared teeth. He nudged his friend and said, "Jed, wake up! We're rich!"

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage?

This early hymn recorded in verses 6-11 portrays the Christ story in three movements: preexistence, existence, postexistence.

Christ has always existed with God.

To say that Christ preexisted, was with God prior to life on earth, is common in the New Testament. At least five passages attest to this idea but the passages are difficult for us because the idea of preexistence is for us finite beings a foreign idea.

Christ is equal to God because he is God.

Christ did not hold on to his preexistent state.

Though Christ is God, he became a man in order to fulfill God's plan of salvation for all people.

Christ chose to empty himself.

Christ did not just have the appearance of being a man—he actually became human to identify with us.

Christ voluntarily laid aside his divine rights and privileges out of love for his Father.

Christ died on the cross for our sins so we wouldn't have to face eternal death.

Up to this point in the hymn it is Christ who decides and who acts, relinquishing claims, emptying himself, becoming human, serving, obeying, dying. Now it is God who acts.

God highly exalted Christ because of his obedience.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

God raised Christ to his original position at the Father's right hand, where he will reign forever as our Lord and Judge.

Is submission of the lordship of Christ limited to the human realm?

How did humility benefit Jesus?

With all of these thoughts in mind what does it mean to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus”?

How does humility benefit us?

Verse 11 is one of the most important in the New Testament.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Those four words were the first creed that the Christian Church ever had. To be a Christian is to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This was a simple creed, yet all encompassing.

Over the years, there have been arguments and disagreements as to what those four words mean exactly, but it is still true and always will be that anyone who can say “Jesus Christ is Lord” is a Christian. If we can say that, we mean that we are prepared to give him an obedience that we are prepared to give to no one else.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

(Php 2:12-13 NRSV)

What is the difference between work out and work for your salvation?

What exactly does it mean to work out your salvation?

From the earliest days of the church, the relationship between the power of God and the responsibility of believers in living the Christian life has been debated.

Is the Christian life essentially a matter of passive trust or of active obedience?

Is it all God's doing, all the believer's doing, or a combination of both?

This is not an unusual question when dealing with spiritual truth; in fact, the same question arises about salvation itself.

Is it all God's doing, or is there a requirement on man's part in response to the command to believe the gospel?

Scripture makes it clear that it involves both God's sovereignty and human response.

Does Christian living require a lot of effort or very little effort?

What part does grace play in our salvation?

Sanctifying grace: for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

We work out our salvation only by the grace of God.

Sunday School Lesson for July 25

2010-07-24T14:51:00.001-04:00

Lesson: God’s Own Faithfulness

Purpose: To learn how God’s faithfulness to us requires that we live faithfully.

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3

Let’s each share the name of someone who has been one example of genuine Christian living for you?

Who have been the persons in your life who have been there when you needed them?

How do you feel when you know someone is praying for you?

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

(2Th 3:1-5 NRSV)

What did Paul request in verse 1?

Prayer

For what, specifically, did Paul ask them to pray?

He asked “that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere” and “that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people”.

For not all have faith, but the Lord is faithful. In contrast to the faithlessness of those who were opposing Paul was the great faithfulness of God.

What type of opposition does the ministries and missions of the church face today?

Have you ever been prayed for in regard to a specific mission or undertaking?

Have you ever prayed for someone else involved in mission or ministry?

For most of it’s history the Church has been in a process of slow, steady growth. Most of our ministries and outreach seem geared toward a goal of slow, steady growth. Did Paul long for slow, steady growth?

Is the church in America growing today?

After decades of net decline, more U.S. churches are being started each year (approximately 4,000) than are being closed each year (approximately 3,500). Total church membership in the US is up .49% this year to 147.3 million, just under ½ of the total population.

Is the church world-wide growing?

Worldwide the statistics are much more positive than in the US.

There are now about 600 million Christians in Africa. Protestant Christianity grew 600 percent in Vietnam in the last decade. In China there are now an estimated 130 million churchgoers.

Astounding church growth has occurred in Guatemala, Brazil, India and Ethiopia. In Nepal, which had no Christians in 1960, there are now a half-million believers. The Christian population of Indonesia has mushroomed from 1.3 million to 11 million in 40 years. Remember we had the Indonesian District Superintendent here a couple of years ago to preach to us. I got to drive him back to Atlanta after the service. A wonderful man.

The United Methodist Church in Africa, especially has spread rapidly.

What would it take to see a rapid expansion of the gospel in the United States?

How could prayer help spread the message of the Lord?

How does prayer change people or circumstances?

The root word of faithfulness is faith. In current popular usage, the word faith has come to mean in most folks minds an intellectual acknowledgement to a certain set of beliefs. In other words faith has come to be synonymous with belief.

In what ways are faith and belief synonymous?

In what ways are they different?

Faith is much more than belief. Faith is trust, loyalty. Faith is dynamic. Any believer in Jesus can veg out and become essentially a Christian “couch potato”. But faith doesn’t leave room for vegging. Faith demands action.

We are not just hearers of the Word, but also doers.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?....... faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder.

(Jas 2:14-19 NRSV)

If we accept that faith is trust, what allows trust to develop?

Trust forms only in relationship. Good relationships are built upon a foundation of trust, and nothing will undermine a relationship like a betrayal of trust.

Why is prayer important?

Prayer is the language of our relationship with God.

How does prayer protect us?

How does our belief about God affect the way we pray?

One of the ways that we live faithfully is to pray for others. When Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray, he was really asking them to be faithful in their relationship with God. Prayer is a way of connecting with God.

How does praying for someone connect you to her or him?

When we pray for someone, the person comes to the forefront of our thoughts. We focus on her or his needs and concerns and forget our own. Praying for one another connects us with what is happening in her or his life. Our prayers can lead to action on her or his behalf.

Verse 4. When he speaks of “doing the things that we command. . .” are we to do the things our pastors command, or is this commanding only a privilege of Paul and friends?

How much authority should a pastor have, biblically?

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

(2Th 3:6-13 NRSV)

There’s another command from Paul.

In this long section Paul pointed to another aspect of living faithfully. What is that?

Paul discusses idleness and work. According to Paul responsible work is another aspect of the faithful life. Why did Paul spend such effort discussing idleness?

After all, whom does idleness really harm?

Is idleness simply doing nothing, the same as laziness?

Not really. In this context, idleness involves more than doing nothing. It also involves doing the wrong things. It is subtle disobedience that is not in keeping with God’s will and purposes for us. There is a difference between doing good things and doing the things God wants us to do.

Not all good ideas are God’s ideas.

At a church administrative council meeting someone observed, “The trouble with the church is that there aren’t enough committed people.” Someone else said, “The trouble with the church is that people are over-committed to the wrong things.” Idleness can refer to being preoccupied with a thousand-and-one good things that allow us to avoid the things God really wants us to do. We may be busy, but we may be busy doing things other than the things God wants us to do.

Those in the Thessalonian church who Paul called out for their idleness were not just passively sitting around and not bothering anyone else; they were meddling in the affairs of others. What did Paul refer to them as?

“Mere busybodies.”

How could these idlers justify their unwillingness to work and earn a living?

At the root of their idleness was their belief that the day of the Lord was so close at hand that it rendered working meaningless. They apparently reasoned, “Since Christ is returning any day, why worry about living?” These idlers tried to convince their fellow church members of their belief. They were disrupting community life with their irresponsible behavior. Those who were not working were relying on the hard work of others for food and shelter, no doubt causing resentment within the church.

What are some modern parallels of this group waiting for the return of the Lord?

We actually have a term for these types of groups today. They are called “doomsday cults” and can refer to both groups that prophesy catastrophe and destruction, and those that attempt to bring it about.

We have many modern examples: the Unification Church, the group led by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Jim Jones Peoples Temple, the Branch Davidians, the Heavens Gate group, and many, many others.

For Paul, living faithfully meant working. He knew the value of hard work and commended it to the Thessalonians not only by word but also by example. Paul reminded them that he and his companions were self-supporting during their visit there and did not ask the community to support them.

For those living faithfully, voluntary idleness is not an option. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

What counts as “work worth doing”?

There is value in every kind of work, but doing the kinds of work that make positive differences in peoples lives is a great gift.

What price do the idle pay for their idleness?

Prov 13:4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Prov 15:19 19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

Prov 19:24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

Prov 20:4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

What are the benefits of hard work?

Prov 12:14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

Prov 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Prov 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

If you could, do you think you would be happier in a world where you didn’t have to work?

Studies show that workers are happier than those who don’t.

If you could engage in any kind of work, what would you do?

What percentage of your average day do you spend doing those things you really like to do?

You should ask yourself that often. If the answer is often negative, you may want to explore some options.

How does a person learn good work habits?

When have you been frustrated with a lazy person?

What kind of help do you think should be given to people who do not work?

Do you think God normally calls us into work we love?

Have you ever heard someone say: “I'm afraid to surrender my life totally to the Lord because He might send me to Africa as a missionary”? Or have you been cautioned, “Don't say what you don't want to do because, sure enough, that's what God will tell you to do”?

What do those statements say about God?

Such statements indicate a lack of trust and understanding of God's love, for He would not call you to be a missionary in Africa unless He knew such a call was best for you. There are many people who serve the Lord in dangerous or impoverished nations, and they would not want to be anywhere else in the world. They love their adopted country and its people, and they know God gave them His best when He invited them to serve Him there.

One missionary couple came back to their home in the United States for a year with their two children before returning to Zimbabwe. Their schedule in the United States was so full and hurried, they declared, “We can't wait to get back to Africa. We love African time!” The place in Africa where they work has no electricity. They go to bed when it gets dark, and they rise with the sun. When they go to a village for a meeting, no schedule drives them. Upon arrival, they send word throughout the village by children. A crowd gathers, and they meet until they are finished. The pace is far less stressful than the frenetic schedule in America.

How literally do you take verse 10?

According to verse 10, if a man won't work don't let him eat. If he comes to us saying, "I am hungry," should we tell him, "Starve."?

A common argument about our contemporary welfare system is that it is an incentive not to work. That is not the whole story. Even before the 1996 Welfare reforms limited lifetime benefits to five total years (two consecutive years) House Committee on Ways and Means analyses indicated that 56 percent of AFDC support ended within 12 months, 70 percent within 24 months, and almost 85 percent within 4 years. These exit rates clearly contradict the widespread myth that AFDC recipients wanted to remain on public assistance or that welfare dependency was permanent.

It is a very, very, very small percentage of Americans who don’t want to work.

Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.

(2Th 3:14-15 NRSV)

In these verses Paul introduced another aspect of living faithfully: how we treat those who are disruptive or difficult.

What did Paul advise the Thessalonians to do? Why?

Is what Paul suggesting a sort of “time-out” for unruly church members?

What second piece of advice did Paul offer in verse 15?

The disruptive idlers were not to be treated as enemies but as siblings. Even though they were disobedient, these persons were still part of the church.

Paul offered a first century version of tough love. He did not want the Thessalonians to tolerate irresponsible behavior, and he wanted them to do what they could to correct it. He asked them to treat the difficult members with love.

Is Paul’s advice still valid in the twenty-first century?

Do you believe that the strategies for dealing with disruptive members would work? Why or why not?

Have any of you had to confront irresponsible behavior within the church community?

What happened?

Sunday School Lesson: Glory to Christ

2010-07-10T11:14:00.001-04:00

Purpose: To discern how steadfastness and resolve during trying times bringing glory to Christ.

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1

What can we do to keep our faith growing?

What times or events in your life have been most trying?

“These are the times that try men’s souls” Those immortal words are from the opening line of the essay The Crisis written by Thomas Paine on December 23, 1776. The essay was so inspiring to General Washington that he ordered it read to the troops at Valley Forge.

War is a trying time. Especially for the warriors and their families. The winter of 1777 at Valley Forge was a very trying time. It was there that the Continental army was desperately against the ropes — bloody, beaten, battle-weary — and ready to quit. Even General Washington conceded, "If the army does not get help soon, in all likelihood it will disband."

Early into the six-month encampment, there was hunger, disease, and despair. Raw weather stung and numbed the soldiers. The images are heartrending, dramatic and so powerful that they are embedded in the nation's historical consciousness: Bloody footprints in the snow left by bootless men. Near naked soldiers wrapped in thin blankets huddled around a smoky fire of green wood. The plaintive chant from the starving: "We want meat! We want meat!"

The future promised only more desperation and starvation.

Some couldn't take the cold, hunger, and uncertainty any longer. There were numerous desertions. Disease debilitated. Death descended in droves.

No battle was fought at Valley Forge, yet it is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War.

What happened?

On June 19, 1778, exactly six months after they Americans arrived, a new army anxious to fight the British streamed out of Valley Forge toward New Jersey. They had been transformed from rebels into a Mature Army.

At Valley Forge, we read of words like "sacrifice” but the concept of suffering for freedom isn't easily to understood. What kept these men going? What happened at Valley Forge?

“These are the times that try men’s souls.”

But war is not the only time or circumstance that can try one’s soul.

Everyone has a story. Everyone has or will at some time encounter trying times – difficult, discouraging, challenging times.

Sudden illness. Don’t even get me started on that one…..

Chronic illness.

The death of a loved one.

With illness we have to deal not only with the physical issues but also the emotional.

And many illnesses are not resolved quickly. There could be years of pain and discomfort.

If the death of a loved one is sudden and unexpected the shock could be devastating and could linger for years. Even if the death is expected, there could still be long periods of grieving.

Coping with illness and surviving the death of a loved one are some of the most trying times that we will ever face in life. There are also other trials, both great and small, that confront us. Each of us knows what tries our soul.

How can a person go through trials and yet have their faith strengthened?

The believers in Thessalonica were living in a time of trial. The two letters of Paul to the Thessalonians do not detail the nature of the persecutions. Paul does let us know that the Thessalonians were suffering from “afflictions”. This does not tell us whether the suffering was physical or emotional or both. And it really doesn’t matter as to the exact nature of the suffering. Only that the suffering was a result of their Christian faith.

What they need in their trying times was the strength to survive the trials. They needed steadfastness of faith and resolve of will. According to Paul, the Thessalonian believers possessed a great measure of both.

We need steadfastness and resolve during our trying times as well.

This lesson can help us discern how these qualities of character bring glory to God.

We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

(2Th 1:3 NRSV)

Everybody pick one of Paul’s letters and turn to the first chapter of it. Read the first few verses.

Here are a few examples:

To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world.

(Rom 1:7-8 NRSV)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind--

(1Co 1:3-5 NRSV)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you,

(Php 1:2-4 NRSV)

To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

(Col 1:2-3 NRSV)

What do we learn about Paul from the greetings of his epistles?

All if Paul’s letters contain a “thanksgiving” section immediately after the initial “greeting”. Even when the purpose of one of Paul’s letters was to scold the church, he began most of his letters by stating what he most appreciated about his readers and the joy he felt because of their faith in God. We also should look for ways to encourage and build up other believers.

Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.

(2Th 1:4 NRSV)

What was the first of three specific things that Paul was thankful for in the case of the Thessalonians?

First, he was thankful that their “faith is growing abundantly”.

What was the cause of their abundant growth in faith?

Apparently and ironically, it seems as if the trials they were facing was the cause of this abundant growth in faith.

Do we usually view our trials as a positive thing?

We usually go to great lengths to avoid the pain and suffering of trials.

How can our trials become an opportunity for our faith to grow?

Henry Ward Beecher a prominent preacher of the 19^th century said, “We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.”

Think about that: faith is strengthened on the anvil of trials.

Have any of you ever watched a blacksmith at his forge?

Rough pieces of red hot iron can be shaped into many useful items by hammering on an anvil. The working surface of the iron is actually strengthened by the heating, hammering, and cooling process. This process is called annealing.

How can our faith be annealed by suffering?

What happens is that suffering gives us an opportunity to exercise our faith and trust in God. During times of trial, we tend to turn to God for empowerment and help. Every time we turn to God we strengthen that relationship.

It is the mark of developing Christians that they grow surer of Jesus Christ every day. Faith begins as theoretical and ends as a certainty. The thrill of Christian experience progresses to the discipline of Christian thought and action.

What was Paul’s second reason for thanksgiving?

Love.

The love that each of the Thessalonians had for the others was increasing.

What was the cause of the increasing love?

The answer is the same: because of persecutions and afflicitions.

How is it that suffering can increase love?

When we suffer together, there is a feeling that “we’re in this together.” Suffering common trials can draw us closer together and bring out a deeper compassion for each other. The word compassion literally means “to suffer with.”

If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; (1Co 12:26 NRSV)

I can speak to this issue also. Because of our recent trials there are people, quite a few in fact, whom I have a whole new opinion of. Not that I necessarily had bad opinions before, but folks with whom I had a casual relationship at best, I now think of as family. And family is much more family than ever before.

What is one sure mark of a healthy church?

A healthy church, grows greater in love. And that love shows itself in service. Christians begin serving others out of a sense of duty which their faith puts on them. They will eventually come to the point where serving others gives them their greatest joy. The life of service opens up the great discovery that unselfishness and joy go hand in hand.

What was the third reason Paul gave for thanksgiving?

The Thessalonians “steadfastness” in enduring persecutions and afflictions. Not only was Paul thankful for this but he boasted, like a parent proud of a child’s accomplishments.

The word Paul used (hupomone) is usually translated as steadfastness or endurance is defined as “constancy which endures”. This hupomone does not mean the ability to passively bear whatever trials may befall us but to actively overcome our trials. It accepts the blows of life but in accepting them transforms them into stepping stones to new achievement.

How do you think Paul could see the Thessalonians’ faith growing?

How did he know?

What is the evidence of a life of more and more faith?

Paul called the Thessalonians faith “growing abundantly”. Other translations say “flourishing” or “groweth exceedingly”. Paul could see that their faith was flourishing and that they were all growing in love for each other. Paul chose colorful words to describe this growth. The word translated "flourishing" (hyperauxenei) is used only here in the New Testament and speaks of the type of growth a healthy plant makes. The picture is of internal growth, like that of an oak tree. The word translated "growing" (pleonazei) is also a strong verb picturing something that spreads out or disperses widely—like floodwaters. The Thessalonians' internal faith was flourishing like a healthy plant; their external love was spreading out to many.

How do we grow our faith? What is the fertilizer for faith?

We have to go to God. Prayer, worship, Bible study, works of piety and works of compassion: all are the fertilizer of faith.

When we are going through difficulties, how do we know God hasn’t forgotten us?

What are some reasons we use to explain why we experience trials and hard times?

How could trials and hard times be part of God’s plan for us?

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

(2Th 1:5-10 NRSV)

When someone we love is hurt, what is the natural human response?

We want vengeance. We demand justice. Retribution.

Can our desire for justice cross over into vindictiveness?

Easily.

What is the difference between our idea of justice and God’s idea of justice?

God’s idea of justice:

But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.

(Mat 5:39-41 NRSV)

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

(Mat 5:43-44 NRSV)

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Mat 6:14-15 NRSV)

"Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.

(Mat 7:1-2 NRSV)

Is Paul’s view of justice consistent with Jesus’ teachings?

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

(Rom 12:17-19 NRSV)

Paul’s view of justice was in perfect alignment with Jesus’ teachings. In Paul’s view vengeance is always best left to God. God will not act out of vindictiveness but out of loving justice.

Paul was always clear that God is the judge of right and wrong and will hold all (even saved Christians) accountable.

One way to view divine justice is to see it in terms of natural consequences. Those who persecuted the Thessalonians would get what they deserved because they brought it on themselves.

What consequences would be the natural result of the persecutors of the Thessalonian church (and all sinners)?

They cut themselves off from their fellow human beings, harming the unity of their community.

They separate themselves from a life-giving relationship with God.

Paul believed that this alienation from God would continue beyond physical death.

How does grace and forgiveness fit into this picture of justice?

If accountability and consequences are one side of divine justice, then forgiveness is the other. Forgiveness is offered to all, even those who persecute Christians. Remember Paul began as a persecutor.

What did God’s forgiveness do for Paul?

It transformed him into the greatest missionary Christianity has ever known.

Do you agree or disagree with Paul’s portrayal of divine justice?

To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2Th 1:11-12 NRSV)

Our sufferings and difficulties can be easier to endure when we know there is a purpose or reason for them.

What reason did Paul give the Thessalonians for their suffering?

They were glorifying God by their steadfastness in the face of diversity.

How would it make you feel to hear this prayer of Paul in your time of suffering?

Lord, whenever things do not turn out the way we anticipate, help us not to become discouraged and fail to trust you. Give us the strength and determination to remain faithful to you regardless of the circumstances or the consequences. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Sunday School Lesson: Pleasing to God

2010-06-13T09:19:00.001-04:00

Purpose: To explore the conflicts and connections involved in pleasing God and pleasing people.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2

In 1780 John Wesley published a pamphlet titled “Directions for Renewing our Covenant with God”. For Wesley one part of what it meant to be a mature disciple of Christ was the joining together of Christian believers in a covenant "to serve God with all our heart and with all our soul."

He urged his Methodist followers to renew, "at every point, our covenant, that the Lord should be our God."

Many churches use a variation of Wesley’s Covenant Service for the first service of every new year or on Ash Wednesday. A modern version of the service is in the United Methodist Church Book of Worship.

In Wesley’s Covenant Service we find these words:

Christ has many services to be done. Some are more easy and honorable; others are more difficult and disgraceful. Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests, others are contrary to both.

In some we may please Christ and please ourselves. But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves.

It is necessary, therefore, that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ.

Do you agree that often our desire to please God comes into conflict with pleasing ourselves and others?

When have you experienced a conflict between pleasing God and pleasing others?

When have you suffered because of your faith?

Paul answered that question in today’s Bible Lesson.

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition.

(1Th 2:1-2 NRSV)

What indignities had Paul suffered at Philippi?

That incident is described in Acts 16:12-40. Paul had cast a “spirit of divination” out of a slave girl. Her owners had used this girl as a source of income. Upset over the loss of their money maker, the owners took Paul and Silas before the civil authorities with charges of “disturbing our city”.

The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

(Act 16:22-24 NRSV)

When the authorities learned that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they released them and apologized. But they still asked them to leave Philippi.

Verse 1. “You yourselves know..” Paul uses this phrase nine times throughout the letter to the Thessalonians. (1:5, 2:1, 2:2, 2:11, 3:3, 3:4, 4:2, 4:4, 5:2)
Paul is encouraging the Thessalonian believers to use their own faith experience as a testimony to the reality of the gospel.

“declare to you the gospel of God”

What is the gospel of God?

Gospel translates literally as “good news”, not “good advice” or “good ideas” or “good rules to live by”. The gospel announces the act of God in Christ for human salvation. God is both the content and the source of the good news.

What kind of welcome would Donalsonville give to a new preacher in town when word got out that he had just been released from jail and asked to leave the last town he was in?

What was Paul’s visit to Thessalonica like?

Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

(Act 17:4 NRSV)

Some, but not all:

But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar…..

(Act 17:5 NRSV)

Paul was forced to flee Thessalonica as well. So why does he say that “our coming was not in vain”?

What would have had to have been true for the trip to be a failure?

What does failure and success mean in following God?

At 7 p.m. on October 20, 1968, a few thousand spectators remained in the Mexico City Olympic Stadium. It was cool and dark. The last of the marathon runners, each exhausted, were being carried off to first-aid stations. More than an hour earlier, Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia—looking as fresh as when he started the race—crossed the finish line, the winner of the 26-mile event.

As the remaining spectators prepared to leave, those sitting near the marathon gates suddenly heard the sound of sirens and police whistles. All eyes turned to the gate. A lone figure wearing number 36 and the colors of Tanzania entered the stadium. His name was John Stephen Akhwari. He was the last man to finish the marathon. He had fallen during the race and injured his knee and ankle. Now, with his leg bloodied and bandaged, he grimaced with each hobbling step around the 400-meter track.

The spectators rose and applauded him. After crossing the finish line, Akhwari slowly walked off the field. Later, a reporter asked Akhwari the question on everyone's mind: "Why did you continue the race after you were so badly injured?"

He replied, "My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it."

Only quitters are failures at following God.

Can you think of examples of people who failed and went on to succeed greatly?

On August 6, 1999, a major-league baseball player stepped up to the plate and made another out—the 5,113th of his professional career.

Was the player discouraged that night? No. Did he think he had failed himself or his team? No. You see, earlier in the same game, in his first plate appearance, that player had reached a milestone that only twenty-one other people in the history of baseball have ever achieved. He had made his 3,000th hit. That player was Tony Gwynn.

Tony Gwynn averages one hit for every three at bats. In baseball one in three is huge.

When you hear the words charlatan and huckster, what behaviors come to mind?

For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

(1Th 2:3-8 NRSV)

Behind verse 3 there are no fewer than three charges and Paul seems to be on the defensive:

It was possible that some charged that Paul’s preaching came from delusion or deceit. Anyone with a truly original thought runs the risk of being called mad. There was even a time (Mark 3:21) when Jesus’ friends came to take him home because they thought he was mad. Christian standards are so different from the standards of the world that those who follow them with enthusiasm can appear to be out of their minds. John Wesley was accused by some of being an “enthusiast” for which he responded with a sermon on the dangers of “enthusiasm”.
It could have been said that Paul’s preaching sprang from impure motives. The word translated as impure was often used to describe sexual impurity.
Paul may have been charged with trickery or attempting to delude others. Charismatic personalities have been known to trick folks into following false beliefs. If a lie is repeated often enough and loudly enough it may become accepted as truth.

Verse 4. Why was Paul entrusted with the gospel?

What do you think Paul meant when he said that God “tests our hearts”?

Verse 5. Why didn’t Paul use flattery? Why is it wrong to use flattery?

A flatterer is a person who manipulates rather than communicates.

Are you honest and straightforward in your words and actions? Or do you tell people what they want to hear in order to get what you want or to get ahead?

Verse 6. Have you ever found yourself looking for praise of men? Have you ever seen a preacher or teacher who gave you the impression that he was only seeking praise for himself rather than giving praise to the only one worthy of praise?

Verse 7. Here for the first instance in Christian literature we have the word “apostle”.

What is an apostle?

Apostle literally means “one sent with a particular commission” such as a deputy or one’s legal representative with power of attorney.

What is the difference between “apostle” and “disciple”?

Disciple means student. All followers of Christ who progress in the faith are disciples. Disciples would necessarily be a much larger group than apostles. We commonly think of the Twelve Apostles, but Paul, James, and other New Testament figures considered themselves and were considered by others as apostles as well.

Verse 7. Who has been an example of gentleness for you?

Why is gentleness important?

Verse 8. Why is it important that we share our lives as well as the gospel?

Paul not only shared the gospel, which many of us want to do, but he shared his life as well. This involved sacrifice; looking out for others' interests and not just his own (Philippians 2:17); and close personal involvement, not impersonal clinical detachment. He loved them—entering into their lives, their joys, and their struggles.

To be effective in reaching people, we must share ourselves person-to-person. When a person feels cared for, he or she will be open to listening to us share about our faith.

You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

(1Th 2:9-12 NRSV)

Why were the missionaries willing to give their very lives for the sake of the Thessalonians? (v. 8)? How did they support themselves (v. 9)?

Love shaped by the gospel is never just a matter of feeling. It always translates into action. The missionaries had such a yearning love for the Thessalonians that they were willing to give not only the gospel but also their very lives for them (1 Thess. 2:8).

Paul now cites an obvious demonstration of his love for the Thessalonians: he supported himself by working as a tentmaker rather than accepting money for preaching to them (v. 9). Paul will later explain in 1 Corinthians 9:1–18 his practice of self-support. There he asserts that he has the right to expect to be paid for his preaching, no less because he is an apostle of Christ. However, he willingly surrenders that right so that his support will not be a burden for those to whom he preaches or an impediment to their listening to the gospel. It is a practice that imitates Christ’s own loving self-sacrifice.

How did Paul summarize the missionaries’ behavior among the Thessalonians? (v. 10)

The minister’s behavior was not just an expression of their lives before God. It also provided the example that shaped the lives of the Thessalonians. It is often said that the gospel is better “caught” than taught. Paul demonstrates that truth in this section.

What did the fatherly care of the new believers include? (v. 11)

How is maternal love different from paternal love?

Can one person embody both kinds of love?

Having previously compared themselves with a nursing mother (v. 7), Paul now compares them with a father counseling his children. He says we urged and encouraged them, stressing an urging on toward a goal, in this case a righteous life. With the word pleaded Paul expresses that his teaching had been urgent and insistent.

Stressing that they had acted this way toward each of you, Paul reminds the Thessalonian Christians of their individual attention and concern for them. Just as a good father treats his children as unique individuals, so the ministers deal with new Christians as unique individuals.

Which of the two images Paul used (nursing mother or counseling father) is more meaningful to you and why?

What does it mean to lead a life worthy of God?

His point is to urge Christians to conform their lives to the character of God as revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we know God as the God who entered the world as a human being to die for unworthy, rebellious sinners, we are compelled to submit to His authority and become conformed to His image. We want to grow in Christlikeness in response to the wonderful gift we have received.

Sunday School Lesson: Visible to God

2010-06-04T11:07:00.001-04:00

Purpose: To see how our words and deeds witness to our Christian commitment.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Who is one person you admire or look up to?

Who in your opinion are the best role models for young people?

What would it take for someone to make a lasting impression on you?

What does it mean to witness to our faith?

Do we witness by our words or by our actions? Which makes the most lasting impression?

I’d like to suggest that we are ALWAYS witnessing. Every word and every action is either a positive or negative witness to our faith.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t go to church because of the people who do”?

I have.

What are some examples of positive witness?

When we act in love, in generosity, and in genuine concern, we are witnessing to the faith within us. When we are kind, gentle, and just we offer a positive witness. When we practice civility in a world that relishes in rude and discourteous conduct we offer a positive witness.

In today’s Bible lesson, Paul praises the Christians in Thessalonica for their positive witness. He cited their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul told them that not only were they positive examples to Christians living nearby; their shining example had spread much wider and farther.

Would Paul have been able to say the same thing about us?

Into the lesson…..

What do we know about Thessalonica and the Thessalonians and Paul’s ministry there?

Thessalonica was the capital and largest city (about 200,000 population) of the Roman province of Macedonia. Thessalonica would be comparable in size with Montgomery or Mobile, Alabama or Augusta, Georgia; larger than Tallahassee, Florida or Columbus, Georgia, smaller than Birmingham, Alabama.

If we read between the lines of Acts 16 we see that the story of Paul’s coming to Macedonia is one of the most dramatic in Acts.

They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

(Act 16:6-10 NRSV)

This short narrative gives the impression of a chain of circumstances culminating in one supreme event. Paul had traveled through Phrygia and Galatia (modern day Turkey). Ahead of him lay the Hellespont, the narrow straight connecting the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara, the border between Asia and Europe. To Paul’s left lay Asia, to his right Bithynia; but the Spirit would allow him to enter neither. Something was driving him relentlessly on to the Aegean. Uncertain of which way to turn, a vision came to him: “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Paul set sail, and for the first time the gospel came to Europe.

Paul must have seen much more than a continent to be won for Christ. It was in Macedonia that he landed; Macedonia, the kingdom of Alexander the Great, who had conquered the world and wept because there were no worlds left to conquer. Paul left from Alexandrian Troas, named after Alexander; he came to Macedonia, Alexander’s original kingdom; he worked at Phillipi, named after Philip, Alexander’s father; He went on to Thessalonica, named after a half sister of Alexander who was also the wife of Cassander, King of Macedonia.

Thessalonica was a free city. It had never had resident Roman troops stationed within it. There was some debate as to whether it or Constantinople would be recognized as capital of the world. Thessalonica’s most important attribute though was that it straddled the Via Egnatia, the Egnatian Road which stretched from the Adriatic to Constantinople. The main street of Thessalonica was the very road which linked Rome with Asia. East and West converged in Thessalonica. It was said to be “in the lap of the Roman Empire”.

It is impossible to overstress the importance of the arrival of Christianity in Thessalonica. If Christianity was established there, it was bound to spread east into Asia and west to Rome. The coming of Christianity to Thessalonica was crucial to its development into a world religion.

It is highly possible that 1 Thessalonians is the earliest of all New Testament writings.

When you write a letter, what words do you begin with?

How do you begin an e-mail?

Every age and culture has norms that it uses for correspondence. In Paul’s time, letters started with a formal greeting.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

(1Th 1:1 NRSV)

What was included in Paul’s greeting?

Paul included: 1 – whom the letter was from, 2- the recipients of the letter, and 3- a greeting.

How often did Paul use the greeting of “grace and peace”?

Nearly every New Testament letter bearing Paul’s name contains the double blessing of grace and peace. (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, and Titus 1:4)

The Blessing of Grace and Peace.

Grace is God’s undeserved love and enabling power. We cannot earn and do not deserve God’s love. Yet God has extended this love to us as a free gift.

Peace has to do with our no longer being at odds with God, resisting and rebelling against God’s will for us. Peace means living in a right relationship with God.

The experience of grace and peace can make a crucial difference in the way we view and respond to life, the attitudes we express, the priorities we have, and the commitments we make. It can also make a difference in the way our lives influence the lives of other people. Grace and peace are blessings that we internalize and pass on to others.

Surely grace and peace are at the heart of the life of faith.

How have grace and peace made a difference in your beliefs, attitudes, priorities, and relationships?

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.

(1Th 1:2-5 NRSV)

Following the greeting, Paul turns to thanksgiving.

Can you find another time when Paul said, “I thank God for you?”

Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

1 Corinthians 1:4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.

Philemon 1:4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers

What made Paul believe God had chosen the Thessalonian believers?

Can we assume from this that gratitude was the habit of Paul’s life?

What are the advantages for us of being people of gratitude?

Is it possible to be grateful and grumpy?

Is it possible to be grateful and not be happy?

New research suggests that our attitude has a significant impact on our health. And, you guessed it, being grumpy does not generally result in a long, healthy life! On the flipside, living a grateful life leads to better overall health, fewer physical symptoms and more energy.

Verse 3. How are faith and works related?

Is it possible to have faith and not have works?

Would you like Christianity better if there was no working involved?

How had Paul presented the gospel to this audience?

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

(1Th 1:6-10 NRSV)

How had the Thessalonians responded to the gospel message?

They were “imitators” of Paul and his companions and of the Lord. They “received the word with joy”.

For what kind of faith were the Thessalonians known?

How had the Thessalonians’ lives been a model for others?

What changes did the Thessalonians make in their lives when they heard the gospel?

They “turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God”.

What was it that the Thessalonians were anticipating?

Rescue from the wrath that is to come.

Can anyone remember what the first requirement was to become a member of the early Methodist societies?

The candidate must possess the “desire to flee from the wrath that is to come.”

How was the Thessalonians’ hope visible for others to see?

What characteristics in a person would convince you that he or she was a genuine Christian chosen by God?

What convinces people Christianity is true?

Our witness rings hollow unless our lifestyle and attitudes validate what we say. People outside our church are watching us and taking note of whether we live the life we proclaim. They want to know if Christ is making a difference in our lives. It is not enough for us to say that we believe in Christ. We must also live like we believe in him.

What is the difference between presenting the gospel with power and deep conviction, and presenting the gospel without it?

How are the Thessalonians examples for our daily living?

In what ways do we need to imitate Jesus Christ and other Christians we know?

What idols might we need to turn away from in order to better serve God?

If Paul were to visit our church today, what evidence would he find that our words and deeds are a witness to our faith?

Let’s pray:

Jesus,

We thank you for the faith, hope, and love that you have offered us through your grace. We pray that we will always be imitators of you and of the great cloud of Christian witnesses that has come before us and been an example for us. We pray that our words and deeds are indeed worthy. Let us not be idle as we wait for your return.

In your name,

Amen

The Body of Christ

2010-04-30T08:43:00.000-04:00

The whole congregation of believers was united as one--one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them. And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.

(Act 4:32-35 MSG)

For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.

(Rom 12:4-5 NRSV)

If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

(1Co 12:26-27 NRSV)

I cannot imagine suffering through an experience such as we have without the love and support of family and loved ones. I mentioned in an earlier post that if you are part of our life, Patty and I consider you family whether kin or not. We have lots of kin but a huge family. Most of that family is the body of Christ. I thank God that most of our blood kin are also part of the body of Christ.

As Christians, we have a bond that goes much deeper than blood. We are united through the love of God, the blood of Christ, and the witness of the Holy Spirit. The spirit of Christian love has poured out on us in this situation like nothing I could have ever imagined. Your kindness and generosity is overwhelming. We are in a hospital one hour away from home and we have 33 pages in a notebook filled with the names of those who have visited or called. I could not even begin to count the text messages, e-mails, and Facebook comments that I have received. We have had as many as seven preachers visit in one day. During Patty’s surgery on Monday, four Methodist and one Church of God preacher stopped by. We have a large bag nearly full of cards and letters. We have had meals brought to us and several gift baskets of snacks. This type of outpouring of love just doesn’t exist in non-Christian secular families.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

(Joh 13:34-35 NRSV)

Sadly, not everyone shares in this bond we Christians have. There are folks here in this ICU who have had very few if any visitors and the few they have are only their immediate family. They have had no one to pray for or with them.

I lift up in prayer this morning those who are suffering illness without a church family to pray for them. I lift up in prayer this morning those of my kin who lack a loving relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. I praise God this morning for the Body of Christ which demonstrates the love of Christ by sharing that love with others.

The Will of God

2010-04-27T09:42:00.001-04:00

From "The Will of God" by Leslie Weatherhead:

Again and again, when people ask, "Is it the will of God?" I think we shall have to separate the subject in order to make an intelligent answer.

Consider, for example, the matter of disease. The Christian minister is continually confronted, as he does his visiting, by the question as to whether the onset of disease is the will of God. The important answer is No. The will of God for man is perfect health. Other things being equal, God can use a body free from disease more effectively than a diseased body. Jesus would not have been a great spiritual asset in his early ministry if he had been lame or diabetic or tubercular. But there is a will within evil circumstances; and let every sufferer who may happen to read these lines realize that if he makes the right reaction to these circumstances, the ultimate will of God will be reached as effectively as if he had not been ill. God would not allow cancer, if of itself, it had the power to defeat him.

The point may be seen, perhaps, by thinking of these diseases which are due to an invasion of germs. I suppose God is responsible for the creation of the germs, even the germs of disease. Why they are created I don't know. It may be that they serve some good function about which we know nothing. It may be that they have served, in the evolutionary process, some good function. I don't think anybody knows the answer to that question. If these germs invade a body the resistance of which evil circumstances have lowered, then the result is disease; and that disease you can call, if you like, the circumstantial will of God. But it is the will of God only within the circumstances created by evil.

Here again let me repeat that that circumstantial will can be viewed from two angles - the first natural, the second spiritual. There is the physical condition which we call disease; but, second, there is the possibility of the patient's making such a splendid response to that circumstance that he creates out of it a spiritual asset in the community of much more value than most people's health. It is because the saints have thus reacted to evil that the fallacy has got about that disease and suffering are the will of God. Let me put it this way. Given a spiritual awakening so glorious that the personality lives in close co-operation with God, the healthy body is more in line with his will. But so many healthy people are spiritually asleep and are not co-operating with him at all, and so many sick people, have, through the sickness, become spiritually awakened during their illness that out of the circumstances of evil they have created and set free spiritual energies far more valuable than the spiritual apathy of the healthy person.

I am quite sure that the battle against disease is the will of God, and I thank God for all those people who are taking part in it. In olden days in this country, wolves used to descend from the woods upon a village and do a great deal of harm. But our sturdy forefathers did not call the invasion of the wolves "the will of God." They called up all their resources, and they "liquidated" the wolves. When the community is set upon by an invasion of germs, that is not the will of God. The situation is just the same. You may tell me that the animals are smaller and the germs of disease can be seen only through a microscope, but the problem is the same, and the battle is the same. I cannot understand how anybody who has read the New Testament can ever stand at the bedside of a patient, and without explaining himself, utter the pathetic complaint that disease is the will of God. I always imagine that Jesus would speak with anger about such a thoughtless dictum. When a woman was brought to him who had been ill for a long time, he spoke of her as "this woman ... whom Satan hath bound, lo, those eighteen years." Satan! As far as I can understand Jesus' attitude, but in the words he spoke and the healing miracles he so gloriously wrought, he always regarded disease as part of the kingdom of evil, and with all his powers he fought it and instructed his followers to do the same.

I like to think of our Lord standing by the bedside of the patient and working with the doctors and nurses toward the regaining of health, working on the mind and spirit of the patient as the physicians work on the body. Then if the latter fail, I like to think of him showing the sufferer that, in co-operation with him, victory may still be wrested from defeat and the purposes of God realized.

One final thought. If you say, "Well, it's a bit casual of God to allow these things to happen if they are not his intention," I agree that there is mystery there. It would be foolish to speak as if all the ways of God to men were clear. I should not like to give the impression that I could make a glib answer to any specific case of suffering that was brought to my notice. I too am often appalled at the suffering people endure, and especially little children.

Yet I wonder if, in a sense, we are not all in the position of little children. I can imagine a child looking up to his own father who loves him, and saying to him, "Don' t you think you are rather casual to let me get hurt the way you do?" I amused myself, as I thought about this, by imagining a mass meeting of tiny toddlers who magically had the gift of putting their thoughts into words. Think of them, if you like, crowded into a great hall, with a little toddler as chairman, who adjusting his bib, addresses his fellow toddlers in some such way as this: "I am sure my parents don't care. Look at my knees!" but we do say, "Look at my frustration and sorrow and disappointment and pain! How can you be so callous, and how do you expect us to think you care?" Perhaps childhood's tragedies are to us what our tragedies are to God - not that he is callous any more than the ideal parent is, but that his perspective is different. But the thought that comforts the child comforts me. If the child thought about it, I think he would say, "There is much I don't understand, but I know that my father both loves and cares." So, for myself, I am quite certain that because God is love there is nothing in his world that can be regarded as meaningless torture. There is much I cannot understand. There must be much that I cannot be made to understand until I have passed out of childhood's stage. But because I know him through other means, and especially as revealed in Jesus, I know that although I cannot understand the answer to my questions, there is an answer, and in that I can rest content.

Time keeps on slippin'

2010-04-25T05:59:00.000-04:00

Time gets weird in the ICU. I find it difficult to grasp that we have been here for fourteen days now. It seems like just yesterday that we rode the ambulance over from Donalsonville. And then again it feels like forever since the BAD day.

Even though the doctors won’t use the word stable, we had hoped that after the orotracheal intubation and the insertion of the chest tube things would settle down a bit and Patty could begin to rest and heal.

Not to be.

On Tuesday afternoon, April 13, we had our worst crisis yet. Patty’s blood oxygen level and blood pressure suddenly and drastically dropped. This was probably caused by a pulmonary embolism. They had to remove Patty from the ventilator and manually “bag” her for over an hour before being able to stabilize her vitals and reconnect the ventilator.

The dedicated health care professionals did not give up and saved Patty’s life.

That was the worst day for me. I had convinced myself that this was “just the flu” and after a few days it would run its course and we would go home. This is not “just the flu”. This is the hellfire and brimstone of influenza.

So we count the days in many ways. Fourteen days in ICU on the Ventilator. Hospitalized for sixteen days. Fifteen days since I last was able to talk to Patty. Twenty days since she first became ill. Twenty one days since we last did a P90X workout. How many more days we’ll count only God knows.

Then I think about how this time has gone for Patty. The Doctor says that she’ll not remember any of this. But I cannot imagine what she is going to think when I tell her, “Patty, you’ve been here, unconscious for _______ weeks." Life was progressing along fairly routinely and then BAM, struck by lightning.

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture--"I believed, and so I spoke"--we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

(2Co 4:7-18 NRSV)

Amen.

More on Prayer

2010-04-24T16:18:00.001-04:00

Pam just sent me this in an e-mail:

(Thanks Pam. We love ya'll)

This is a verse and some sayings from the UMW retreat last year at Epworth lead by B.J. Funk on prayer.

2 Kings 20:5-- This is what the Lord God your ancestor David says "I have heard your prayers; I have seen your tears. Look I will Heal Patty___"

God can do marvelous things during darkness (Miracles)

Mother Teresa: " My secret is a very simple one. I pray."

Matthew 21:22: If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer

( Have no doubt I know you believe)

We are not self sufficient, so we need prayer.

Fear is the biggest fear we have to fear. But our God can knock down a door of fear.

Let Jesus get into your boat, with you. When Jesus steps in, the wind stops. Everything becomes calm.

Our circumstance may not change, but Jesus will be with us to calm us.

Prayer

2010-04-22T19:17:00.001-04:00

The sheer volume of prayers that we have received and experienced in the last two weeks is almost beyond comprehension. Every single prayer has brought us comfort and joy even in this desolate place The peace that came over me last week and that continues in me now can only be the result of your many petitions to God on my behalf. Drew is the same. We both could easily be overwrought with fear and anxiety but we are not. We both are experiencing a calm serenity that I feel can only come from the Holy Spirit.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

(2Co 1:3-7 NRSV)

Our consolation is abundant through Christ. . I cannot recall and recount each and every prayer that has been lifted up for us in this, but I would like to share a few.

Mr. Jim Brown, a man that Patty and I really love and admire, on the telephone with me spontaneously went into a wonderful prayer claiming healing and comfort for Patty. This prayer brought the first whisper of comfort into my nearly panicked soul.

Dianne Odom and Robyn Alday, who were at the hospital visiting a relative, gathered me up with the first few family members there that first morning , formed a circle and offered up some very encouraging prayers. There is a great power in a circle of Christians, hand-in-hand calling on our God, praising our God, loving our God.

Both Kirk and Scott have pulled me aside and prayed for me. I love you brothers.

Another wonderful circle with Donna Sue Roberts, Wayne and Becky Worsham, Dr. Homer, Renea Moody, Tondra Rich, and several others offering phenomenal prayers.

Gayle Thomas called me and prayed an awe-inspiring prayer over the phone. Gayle has been praying for my family for many years. I will never forget the day Patty’s mother died, standing in the hallway outside of Patty’s classroom along with some other teachers and Gayle prayed for Patty. Later Gayle read some of her poetry at Linda’s funeral. Thank you, Gayle, for years of prayers.

Slade Alday came by and prayed with us.

Raymond Burke had a conversation with God in our presence. I have known Raymond only casually for many years. I aspire to learn to talk to God the way Raymond does. It was awesome.

Being told of the prayer in the chapel at Friendship UMC where Crystal acted as surrogate for Patty warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes. That prayer took place at the exact same time that the surgeon was inserting a drain tube into Patty’s chest.

An angel prayed with Porky. Patty’s brother John (whom we affectionately call Porky) was in the lobby of the hospital making a phone call when a woman walked up behind him and told him that she felt a need to pray for him. He told her that he was here for his sister and she went into a spontaneous prayer that really moved him. He said that the woman was blonde, ivory skinned, and dressed completely in white. The only jewelry she had looked like white spoon lures. No wings or halos, though.

Josh and Crystal were here about an hour ago. They had everyone here lay hands on Mama, Drew, and me and pray.

We just prayed with a young lady here in the waiting room. This girl’s mother has been here for several days and the girl has been here all alone. Her mother just had some sort of incident and she thought that she was dying. This place is hell even when you are surrounded by friends and family. I could not imagine the thought of being here all alone.

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

(Jas 5:13-16 NRSV)

Get vaccinated

2010-04-21T08:58:00.000-04:00

This is one roller coaster ride that has gone on far too long for my nerves.

After the chest tube was inserted and over a liter of fluid was drawn off of Patty’s lung cavity, I thought the worst may be behind us. Getting all of that infected fluid out had to make the situation better. Didn’t it?

That was when we were informed that Patty was positive for Types A and B Influenza. (How can you have two flus at the same time?) An H1N1 confirmation could only be made by the CDC and was confirmed two days later. Patty went into quarantine. Her room was sealed and a powerful HEPA filter was installed. Everyone who visited her was now required to wear a particulate filter mask, gown, gloves and hairnet. Everyone who had been in contact with her for the past week, including all the physicians and nurses (who had all been vaccinated in the Fall), was also urged to get a prescription for Tamiflu anti-viral medication as a precautionary measure.

I began to seek out any information that I could find on influenza and specifically on H1N1. I have read every word concerning H1N1 that the CDC has made available on its website. This virus is a killer. I and my family have learned our lesson well. We have never had a flu shot; ever. We will be the first in line when new flu shots become available in the future. H1N1 is the prevalent flu in the US since April 2009. 99% of confirmed influenza cases in the US currently are H1N1.

Reading the CDC reports it becomes obvious that the experts at the CDC are very frustrated that so many people have not been vaccinated. I believe it is because the facts have not been reported and the seriousness of this flu has not been given the proper sense of urgency. Any bug that can affect a reasonably healthy person like Patty the way this one has is frightening. Imagine what would happen to a weaker person?

If you haven’t already, get your flu shot today.

Life in the ICU - 3

2010-04-19T11:18:00.001-04:00

Life in the ICU - 3

The phone on the wall across from me rang. A nurse ran out of the ICU, pointed at me and said, “That is for you!” My heart skipped a beat. Had something gone wrong? Was it worse than we thought? My soul was struck with grief.

“Hello”

“Tony, it’s Homer. Tell me what’s going on.”

In a moment of solitary agony nothing is as welcome as a familiar voice. Dr. Homer had learned of Patty’s predicament as he made his rounds at Donalsonville Hospital that morning. I was so struck with dread that I could barely respond. The pain in my cry must have been obvious. After a couple of stammered sentences I was back to the hallway pacing and praying, “Yea though I walk through the valley…..” And I was at that moment in the valley.

Fearing no evil is easy to say but very difficult to do. Especially when alone, without backup. Thoughts ran through my mind that morning that I wish to never have to think again. Worst case scenarios. What would I do if……? How would we…..? Oh my God, what about Drew?

Talking to Homer helped. I calmed down considerably more when Jack walked in. After filling him in on the details, we both settled down to a shocked silence. After a while Homer and Ronnie Shingler showed up. And soon after many other family members showed up.

Patty and I have always been of the mind that if you are part of our lives then you are family. Yes we do have lots of kin, but we also have numerous families and many family members. Church family, school family, work family, community family. The family spirit began showing itself that morning. That family spirit and outpouring of love is what began in me the process of claiming a conviction of faith that all will be well.

A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

(Pro 17:17 NRSV)

Or as the Message says it:

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

(Pro 17:17 MSG)

And God knows all you whom we call family have stuck with us in this time of trouble. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and humbling. I have known for almost three decades that Patty is one special child of God. It fills my heart with joy to know that all of you think so too.

As the family love began to comfort my breaking heart, Dr. Crenshaw came out and informed me that the surgeon was on the way to insert a tube into Patty’s chest wall to remove fluid that had accumulated.

Surgeon?!?

The foreboding dread returned full force.

Life in the ICU, Part 2.

2010-04-18T21:19:00.003-04:00

As I sat in the waiting room wondering what was going on with Patty, my fears nearly got the best of me. Being alone and helpless in an unfamiliar place, unable to do anything to help a loved one in distress is very likely one of the most frightening experiences of my life. I did not panic, but did become very uneasy in spirit.

Not long ago, after seeing a speaker who gave an excellent talk with no notes, I began to try to memorize scripture. I began with some easy ones: my favorite verse of the Bible, Micah 6:8 and another favorite Psalm 51:10. After memorizing a few verses, I became a little more ambitious. Going back to childhood memories of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, I remembered that as a child I had committed to memory the 23^rd Psalm. If I could memorize an entire chapter as a child, I should be able to accomplish the same feat as an adult. I tried it using the NRSV and the NIV but it just didn’t sound right. I ended up going back to the King James:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

(Psa 23:1-6)

In my moment of anguish, I began pacing the hallway reciting that Psalm as a prayer. After several repetitions of that I went through the Lord’s prayer a couple of times. Then some of the other verses that I had committed to memory. This worked well to somewhat calm my nerves.

Some of you veteran prayer warriors may not appreciate my elementary mode of prayer, but it worked and I believe is as valid an approach to God as any other. I could have just as easily walked up and down the hall saying the ABC’s or multiplication tables. God would have heard my cries either way.

Patty was unconscious, but I have no doubt that God heard her cries as well.

Rom 8:24-27 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (26) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. (27) And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Even if we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. That is a very comforting thought. I heard one person say this week that if you do not believe that your prayer is going to be answered and believe that a miracle was going to happen than you might as well not even pray. I kind of agree and disagree with that statement. Faith is, I believe, one key ingredient to answered prayer. But the power of prayer is not at all reliant on any quality of the one doing the praying. I believe that God hears and listens to prayer even if that prayer comes from an enemy of God. The power of prayer is in no way related to how eloquent the words or how faithful the supplicant. There is only one key element to a powerful prayer: you’ve got to pray it. So I welcome all of the prayers for Patty. Even if you don’t even believe in God, God believes in you. Cry out in distress and God gets it. Every time.

More later…….

Life in the ICU

2010-04-18T09:42:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday morning I was awakened by someone shaking my leg. It was Dr. Crenshaw. Dr. Crenshaw was the last person I saw Saturday night as I fell asleep. Patty had slept fitfully. She was very frightened. We had ridden the ambulance to Thomasville and Patty was admitted directly into the ICU. Drs. Santos and Crenshaw met the ambulance there and immediately went to work with the nurses and respiratory people taking samples, installing IV’s, and trying to comfort Patty. Amy, the RN assigned to Patty very compassionately asked if I would like to stay in the room with Patty. This was a gesture of kindness that I was not expecting. Amy brought a very comfortable recliner and I settled in and tried to ease Patty’s anxieties. She was very frightened. Before leaving Donalsonville, Dr. Jeff Holley had explained to us many of the possible consequences of the severe pneumonia she had developed. These consequences were very frightening. I tried to reassure her that we were in a very good place with specialists, medications, and equipment to combat any complication that may come up. It is very difficult to calm someone who feels helpless and not in control.

As I jumped up, Dr. Crenshaw said, “We’re going to have to intubate her.” The Respiratory nurse had already injected the sedatives into Patty’s IV. The only communication between Patty and me at that point was the look of terror in her eyes. The Dr. asked that I leave the room. I went into the adjacent waiting area. The only other folks in the waiting area that morning were sleeping in their chairs. I was alone in a place foreign to me while my best friend and wife of 26 years fought for her life on the other side of those institutional doors which can only be opened from the inside. We were both prisoners at that point: Patty, bound by IVs, a breathing machine, and a hospital bed; Me, caged by helplessness, fear, and those ICU doors. I was utterly alone.

To be continued…….

Thoughts on prayer, chronos, and kairos

2010-04-16T07:39:00.000-04:00

The sheer volume of prayers that have been lifted up for Patty (and the rest of us too) is almost staggering. I know of groups of people gathering to pray specifically for Patty in almost every town in Southwest Georgia. This prayer is working. The timing (chronos) of some of these is also interesting. On Sunday, around 40 members of our church gathered in the chapel to pray for healing for Patty. What they did not know was that at the exact time they were sending up those prayers, the surgeon was installing a tube into Patty’s chest wall. That procedure was a success and continues to serve its purpose in Patty’s recovery. Later on Sunday I came out of the ICU and was told by Drew that there had just been an awesome group prayer in the waiting room. What that group did not know was that at the exact time they were sending up that prayer, Patty was being attached to the dialysis machine in an attempt to remove some of the fluid that was gathered in her chest cavity. That procedure was also a success. On Tuesday just after lunch some trauma, possibly a blood clot, caused Patty’s blood oxygen levels to suddenly and sharply bottom out. This was the most frightening hour of my life to this point. She had to be removed from the ventilator and manually bagged for an entire hour before becoming stable enough to go back on the ventilator. That was when Dr. Hicks told me that we needed a miracle. So many prayers were going up you could almost feel them in the air. One lady, whose son has been in this ICU for five weeks, told me later that she felt that it would have been impossible for anything bad to enter this ICU there was such a movement of the Spirit going on. After that crisis the doctors did not offer much hope. Dr. Woolf said that he needed a CT scan of Patty’s lungs to aid in his evaluation, but that getting a scan was out of the question because he simply did not think that she could survive the trip downstairs to radiology. But on Wednesday morning Dr. Hicks came in smiling. We got our miracle. Patty’s oxygen levels had improved. Later on Wednesday morning I received a text message from Tim Bell that the Seminole County Ministerial Association had just had a healing prayer for Patty. What they did not know was that at that exact time, Patty was being moved downstairs to have the CT done. Another success.

Which brings me to the conclusion that the chronos (timing) of these various prayer events were actually kairos moments.

Chronos is the Greek word for time. It is used throughout the scriptures in verses such as Mat 2:7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time (chronos) when the star had appeared.

Chronos denotes a particular point in time, such as 12:35 PM, Tuesday, April 13, the exact time when Patty’s oxygen levels dropped.

Kairos is another Greek word for time. Kairos is also used in scripture. Mar 1:15 …., "The time (kairos) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

Kairos denotes the perfect time, or God’s time, the opportune moment. At chronos 12:35 PM on Tuesday, many prayers were delivered kairos, at the perfect, opportune moment.

Not only have your many prayers led to great results for Patty’s physical recovery, they have had a profound effect on my emotional well-being. I have to admit that this has been the most traumatic event of my life. I never saw this coming. For the first several days I was filled with dread. This was probably the nearest I have come in my life to a broken heart. But yesterday afternoon something happened. A peace came over me. I no longer have any sense of dread and am convicted that this event is going to have a hallowed outcome. The only explanation that I have for this peace is that it is another result of your many prayers. You have called the Spirit down on me. The Spirit has witnessed with my spirit….

Rom 8:11-16 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. …….. (14) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (15) For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" (16) it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

So we begin Friday, the fifth day on the ventilator with the knowledge that God is doing something. Dr. Woolf says that he sees signs of improvement in Patty’s lungs.

Thank you for all you prayers and please, please continue to pray without ceasing.

Tony

Sunday School Lesson: Prayerful Community

2008-08-29T12:44:00.002-04:00

Purpose: To rejoice that we can express in prayer that we are sick and sinful and only God can make us whole.

Scripture: James 5:13-18

What are some situations in life when most people pray?

I love the story of the man who sat on his roof while floodwaters crept up his house. The man cried out to the Lord to be rescued. He was offered a ride in a kayak. He declined. He said, “I’m waiting for God to rescue me.” He waved off a small fishing boat. He dismissed a helicopter hovering overhead. Each time he professed with ever growing indignation, “I will wait for the Lord Almighty to save me from this flood!” He was convinced the Lord would perform some spectacular miracle and deliver him from his roof.

Well, eventually, the water reached the roof and the currents swept the man away to his death. In Heaven, the man told an angel, “You know, I was faithful my entire life. Why did God not answer my prayer?”

Can you guess the angels response? “God sent you a kayak, a fishing boat, and a helicopter. What more did you need?”

Clearly, the man had his own idea of how God should deliver him from the flood, but God did not cooperate.

Have you ever been there?

We’ve all been there. “God, I know you’re the Almighty, but I believe I have a better understanding about this situation.” We often bring our concerns and requests before God, and then we give him a choice of what we consider acceptable resolutions and a time frame in which to accommodate us. We are surprised and sometimes angry when the Creator disregards our human logic and reasoning.

How have you seen prayer bring changes in people or circumstances?

What should a person do when he or she is in trouble? Why? (see James 5:13, 15)

What should a person do when he or she is happy? Why? (5:13, 15)

What should a person do when he or she is sick? Why? (5:14-15)

How can we use prayer to help someone who is sick?

When do you find it most difficult to pray? Why?

How does prayer help shape and grow your faith?

What are your views about anointing with oil and praying for healing?

When have you had the opportunity to pray specifically for someone or for a special need?

Why is prayer important? (5:15)

13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
James 5:13-18 (NRSV)

What are some things that we may be reluctant to pray about?

Why are we sometimes reluctant to pray?

What does James mean by “suffering”?

How do we respond when someone says that they have prayed for healing for another person, but the person was not healed?

I am going to tell you a story.

Some of you may have heard this before.

My daddy was dying. He had developed emphysema and had been totally unable to work for several years. At that time all he could do was sit and read. And that’s what he did. He could not even walk to the next room without an oxygen bottle. This was at the time that I was first acknowledging that I was a Christian. I, for the first time in my life, developed a prayer habit. I prayed all the normal young Christian prayers: “Thank you God for your blessings, thank you for my family and my church, take care of Daddy, amen.” In my immaturity, I always thought of that “take care of Daddy” as equivalent to “make Daddy better, heal his body.” I was not the only person praying for Daddy, I’m sure. There was my wife and daughter, my mother and my brother. And there was a preacher who was visiting Daddy regularly.

Daddy had known Andy for years. They both were both farm equipment salesmen and were acquainted through business. Andy was also a preacher, preaching at the church down the road that my daddy had grown up in. In the forty years that I had known Daddy, I could only remember a couple of funerals that he had been to inside a church. I have no memory at all of Daddy going to a church for any other reason. Daddy, being the reader he was, read the Bible and had some tough questions for Andy. Daddy knew he was dying. He also knew what the Bible said about salvation.

Andy assured Daddy that all he needed was faith, but Daddy felt a desire to be baptized. One of the most moving services that I have ever witnessed was the night that a few members of Hebrew Free-Will Baptist church gathered at Daddy’s house along with the family and Andy sprinkled Daddy and we all sprinkled tears. I cried more that night than I did at Daddy’s funeral a two months later.

Do you see the point of my telling this story?

God did “take care of Daddy”. My prayers WERE answered, only in a way that I would not have imagined. God “took care of Daddy” all right. God took care of Daddy in a way so far beyond my immature imaginings that I did not really realize the implications until much later. The healing that God brought to Daddy was much, much greater than if he had been given new lungs.

Why should we confess our sins to one another? (5:16)

What healing is promised to the person who confesses their sin to God, but never to another human being? (5:16)

Why not just confess your sin individually and privately to God-why confess to someone else?

Some Christians do practice confessing their sins to people (priests). We Protestants generally confess our sins directly to God.

Why does James say confess your sins one to another?

How does our church provide for the confession of sin so that it serves a redemptive purpose in our lives?

The Protestant Reformation never taught that we do not need to confess our sins to a priest. But….the Reformation brought us the concept of the priesthood of all believers. We are all priests.

Do we need a priest (another believer) to confess to?

What is the role of clergy in hearing confessions in the UMC?

Do you like the idea of confessing your sins to one another?

What are the benefits of confessing our sins one to another? What does it cost us to not confess our sins one to another? What happens to us individually and to the church when we fail to confess?

There is something very healing about coming clean to someone who will listen and respond in a godly way.

Quote of the day: "We are only as sick as our secrets." - Rick Warren

What qualities would you look for in someone to confess your sins to?

Do you think it would be a good idea to confess all your sins all at once, or get into it gradually?

Have you ever been hurt by confessing your sin to someone who could not keep a secret? Who has a story?

Does failure to confess affect the outcome of our prayers?

What is the effect of a righteous person’s prayers? (5:16)

How do you understand James’ statement that “the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective”?

Does our righteousness obligate God to answer our prayers?

Who is a good example of how God answers prayer? How? (5:17-18)

Think about Elijah. What do we learn about following God from Elijah?

Have you seen prayer bring changes in people or circumstances?

Would anyone care to share any real-life examples of how God answers prayer?

What hinders Christians from praying with confidence?

What hinders Christians from confessing sins and praying for each other?

If we confess our sins to God, why should anyone else have to know about it?

What circumstances beyond our control can we affect through prayer?

Do you think God is pleased when we bring our joys as well as our needs to Him in prayer?

What would it take for us to learn to be honest with God and with one another?

What does our church do to create a climate in which we all can be honest with one another and build healthy relationships?

James tells us that we are to:

¨ Pray about bad feelings and circumstances.

¨ Sing with cheerfulness.

¨ Pray for the sick.

¨ Confess our sins.

How effective is our church in providing opportunities for these things to happen?

Which of these opportunities lend themselves to small groups?

Which are better suited to a worship service?

Which has been particularly meaningful to you? Why?

Book Study

2008-08-16T11:35:00.002-04:00

We have started a new book study (Wednesday nights 6:30 in the Grace Sunday School Class room). The book is The 4:8 Priciple: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life by Tommy Newberry, a motivational speaker from Atlanta. The study is being led by Bill Burke.

The book is inspired by Philippians 4:8:
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Phil 4:8 (NRSV)

The key word in that verse being "think". If we can learn to control our thoughts, to make all of our thoughts honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable we will experience joy.

Sunday School Lesson: Wise Speakers

2008-08-16T11:21:00.002-04:00

After reading and studying this week’s lesson I am almost tempted to say let’s just read the scripture and then meditate in silence for the remainder of our time. I think that would make the most impact.

But, I also realize that the chance of this class sitting in silence is pretty slim….and that’s a good thing.

So…here’s the lesson.

Lesson: Wise Speakers

Purpose: To recognize that God’s wisdom gives us the power to control the tongue and speak true and constructive words.

Scripture: James 3

If you could hear a tape recording of everything you said last week, what would you want to edit out?

Listen to these quotes and tell me what you think of them. I’m not going to tell you who said what, but you can guess if you want to….

"I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that." (This statement made shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast)

"As millions of people anticipate the release of the latest Harry Potter book and film, we're reminded once again of Satan's ongoing attempt to deceive and destroy. The whole purpose of the Potter books is to desensitize readers and introduce them to the occult."

"Maybe we need a very small nuke thrown off on Foggy Bottom (Washington, D. C. neighborhood, home to the U. S. State Dept.) to shake things up"

"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say: "You helped this (Sept. 11) happen."

“God told me: I want you to get this going in one year or I will call you home. It will cost $8 million and I want you to believe you can raise it. "

“I've never seen a man in my life I wanted to marry. And I'm going to be blunt and plain: if one ever looks at me like that, I'm going to kill him and tell God he died.

"The United States must join Israel in a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to fulfill God’s plan for both Israel and the West… a biblically prophesied end-time confrontation with Iran, which will lead to the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming of Christ."

“The world will be destroyed by fire on April 3rd 1843.”

“My observation is that women are merely waiting for their husbands to assume leadership.”

What do all of these statements have in common?

They were all public statements made by prominent Christian leaders. Whether we agree with the statements or disagree, or whether we personally consider these folks “Christian” leaders or not really doesn’t matter. These are the folks that are in the spotlight. They are the ones who are sought out when the news reporters need a “Christian” opinion. They are the ones who the people outside of the Christian faith think of when they think of Christians. They, whether we like it or not, represent us; and, even of even more importance, they represent Jesus.

What overall impression or feeling do you get listening to those statements?

What impression do you think these statements would make on someone outside the Christian faith?

What image of God is projected by statements such as this?

Did the persons I quoted exercise careful and responsible speech?

Did the persons I quoted advance peace and understanding or did the words have the potential for creating confusion and conflict?

Like all of us, religious leaders occasionally fail to exercise the best judgment in speaking. Sometimes the Church and the faith community at large come across as judgmental, harsh, unforgiving, and exclusive because of ill-chosen words of a single religious leader quoted on a particular occasion. At times, a religious leader may promote a teaching that is unclear or unaccepted as truth within the larger faith community. Words that take only seconds to speak can cause damage that may take years to repair.

How do you react when you hear someone cursing and using abusive language or speaking improperly?

Can a person be hurt by the words of others? How?

What can you learn about a person by listening to him or her speak?

Anytime any of us speaks, we have an opportunity to build bridges of understanding, sow seeds of peace, and extend words of grace.

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
James 3:1-5a (NRSV)

We often say in our churches, "We need more teachers. Will you please teach? Please help us by teaching a class." Why does this passage suggest people ought not to teach?

What qualifications are required to be a teacher in your church? In ours the only qualification is to be willing or to possess an inability to say “no”.

What does it mean, "will be judged with greater strictness"?
In the New Testament, we get glimpses of teachers who failed in their responsibility. Some teachers tried to turn Christianity into another kind of Judaism by requiring Gentile converts to practice circumcision and follow the law (Acts 15). Some teachers lived lives which were a contradiction of what they taught (Romans 2). Some teachers tried to teach before they had learned (1 Timothy 1). Some teachers only taught what the crowd wanted to hear (2 Timothy 4).

Is James’ caution for teachers just a caution against false teaching?

James seems to think that teaching is a dangerous occupation for anyone.

What unique responsibility does a teacher bear?

There are two dangers which all teachers must avoid. Because of the position, it is very likely that you will get the opportunity to teach either those who are young in years or those who are children in the faith. Teachers must struggle to avoid two things: 1) They must take every care that they are teaching the truth, and not their own opinions or even their own prejudices. It is easy for teachers to distort the truth and to teach not God’s version but their own (see quotes above). 2) They must take great care that they do not contradict their teaching by their living. No “do as I say, not as I do”. A teacher must never get into the position where his students cannot hear what he is saying for listening to what he does.

What is the primary instrument used in teaching? Speech.

What is it’s (speech’s) agent? The tongue.

If we were able to control our tongue perfectly, what else would be true of us?
Verse 2 tells us that one who can control his tongue is totally in control of his or herself.

And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you'd have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.
(Jas 3:2 MSG)

What about the first line of verse 2: For all of us make many mistakes.

Is all sin deliberate? Is sin sometimes the result of a slip-up when we were off our guard?

Other translations use the words “slip up” or “stumble” where the NRSV uses “make many mistakes”. Does it sometimes seem as if all of life is walking on banana peels?

How much of what it means to sin has to do with what we say?

Let's test this. Turn to Exodus 20-the 10 Commandments. How many of these have to do with how you use your tongue?

There is no sin into which it is easier to fall and none which has graver consequences than the sin which is the result of something uttered. This idea was woven into Jewish thought. Jesus warned that we will give account for every word spoken.

36 I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Matt 12:36-37 (NRSV)

Of all the Jewish writers, Jesus ben Sirach, the writer of the Apocryphal book Ecclesiasticus, had the most to say about the terrifying potential of the tongue.

13 Honor and dishonor come from speaking, and the tongue of mortals may be their downfall.
Sirach 5:13 (NRSV)

11 Be quick to hear, but deliberate in answering. 12 If you know what to say, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand over your mouth.
Sirach 5:11-12 (NRSV)

1 Happy are those who do not blunder with their lips, and need not suffer remorse for sin.
Sirach 14:1 (NRSV)

16 A person may make a slip without intending it. Who has not sinned with his tongue?
Sirach 19:16 (NRSV)

The Evil Tongue
12 If you blow on a spark, it will glow; if you spit on it, it will be put out;
yet both come out of your mouth.
13 Curse the gossips and the double-tongued,
for they destroy the peace of many.
14 Slander has shaken many,
and scattered them from nation to nation; it has destroyed strong cities,
and overturned the houses of the great.
15 Slander has driven virtuous women from their homes,
and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.
16 Those who pay heed to slander will not find rest,
nor will they settle down in peace.
17 The blow of a whip raises a welt,
but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.
18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,
but not as many as have fallen because of the tongue.
19 Happy is the one who is protected from it,
who has not been exposed to its anger, who has not borne its yoke,
and has not been bound with its fetters.
20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron,
and its fetters are fetters of bronze;
21 its death is an evil death,
and Hades is preferable to it.
22 It has no power over the godly;
they will not be burned in its flame.
23 Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power;
it will burn among them and will not be put out. It will be sent out against them like a lion; like a leopard it will mangle them.
24 As you fence in your property with thorns, As you lock up your silver and gold,
25 so make a door and a bolt for your mouth. so make balances and scales for your words. 26 Take care not to err with your tongue,
and fall victim to one lying in wait.
Sirach 28:12-26 (NRSV)

What is the purpose of a bit in the mouth of a horse?

What is the purpose of the rudder of a ship?

What damage can a small spark cause to a great forest?

What similarity does a person’s tongue have to a horse’s bit, a ship’s rudder, and a spark of fire?

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
James 3:5b-12 (NRSV)

What damage do our tongues do to us?

What is so difficult about taming the tongue?

Of what inconsistencies are we capable?

In what ways are we inconsistent?

What are the ways we sin with our speech?

Why are sins of speech often overlooked as not serious?

How is our speech influenced by others around us?

What practical advice would you give someone who wanted to control his or her tongue better?

What weaknesses in our lives does our speech often expose?

In what times or places can your tongue be used for good?

Does James call us to practice silence?

Would a life of silence be an improvement over a life of harmful speech?

James does NOT want us to be silent. He is pleading for the control of the tongue, not the silence of the tongue. Aristippus, the Greek philosopher, had a saying: “The conqueror of pleasure is not the man who never uses it. He is the man who uses pleasure as a rider guides a horse, or a steersman directs a ship, and so directs them wherever he wishes” James is pleading not for the silence that comes from a fear of saying something wrong or hurtful but for a wise use of speech.

Respond to this statement: Christian living is mostly about talking right. Is that true or false?

What are some good things we can do with our speech?

Verses 9 - 12 offer some hint as to how we can gain some control over the tongue. What is it?

Let’s look at Matthew 12.33 – 35:
33 "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.
Matt 12:33-35 (NRSV)

What do these verses teach about controlling our speech?

Is this saying that if we think bad thoughts about people that those thoughts will eventually make their way out?

Matthew 12.33 says, "make the tree good." How do you do that?

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
James 3:13-18 (NRSV)

What is the best way to make a lasting positive impression on others?

What is the difference between earthly wisdom and God’s wisdom?

What life experiences increase our wisdom?

What are the marks of humility in a person?

What damage can bitter envy or selfish ambition do to a person?

How can we get or experience heavenly wisdom?

What are practical ways we can sow seeds of peace during our life?

What godly characteristics are present in our speech when we are pursuing God’s wisdom?

What kind of bitter envy or selfish ambition do you tend to hold in your heart?

Sunday School Lesson: Impartial Disciples

2008-08-08T14:59:00.002-04:00

Purpose: To realize that the expression of Christian love makes it possible to avoid social and cultural discrimination and to honor all persons.

Scripture: James 2:1-13

What are some reasons why we may think that one person is more important than another?

What is it in us that makes us want to favor certain kind of people?

Where do you see prejudice being practiced?

What is the most extreme example of prejudice that you have personally witnessed?

Have you ever been the brunt of prejudice?

Have you ever been around someone who made you feel judged? Describe how that felt?

In what ways have you been a victim of favoritism or prejudice?

How have you shown favoritism or prejudice toward other people?

Why do we often treat rich people as more important than poor people?

How do we use physical appearance, job status, and athletic ability to show favoritism toward people?

Who is richer, a man with five children or a man with five million dollars? Why?
The man with the five kids, because he doesn’t want any more.

1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
James 2:1-4 NRSV

What is the greatest threat to the church?

Does the greatest threat come from the outside or the inside?

The greatest threat to the church, in my opinion, is the threat of becoming irrelevant. If the church is no different and holds the same attitudes as the outside world, then what use is the church?

(From page 75 in Adult Bible Studies):

James asked the early church, “How can you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and show such blatant partiality on the basis of wealth and social status?” That question holds relevance for us and should cause us to reexamine our attitudes and actions.

The danger of Christians and the church adopting the secular standards of the world is ever near. Too often the finance boards of churches are composed primarily of the wealthiest members, simply because of their wealth. Those with obviously less means are still often virtually ignored in some churches. Our own social circles are usually composed of people from similar economic means and racial backgrounds.

It is one thing to run a clothing bank or food pantry; it is quite another to invite the poor to teach your children in Sunday School or to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Do you think there are certain kinds of people we treat better when they come to our church?

How can we welcome poor people in our church?

Why does God have a special concern for poor people?

Why is it wrong to show favoritism to the wealthy?
(From Life Application Study Bible):
1. It is inconsistent with Christ’s teachings.
2. It results from evil thoughts.
3. It insults people made in God’s image.
4. It is a by-product of selfish motives.
5. It goes against the biblical definition of love.
6. It shows a lack of mercy to those less fortunate.
7. It is hypocritical.
8. It is sin.

Why is it wrong to judge a person by his or her economic status?

Wealth may indicate intelligence, wise decisions, and hard work. On the other hand, it may mean only that a person had the good fortune of being born into a wealthy family. Or it can even be the sign of greed, dishonesty, and selfishness. By honoring someone just because he or she dresses well, we are making appearances more important than character.

Why would we do that?

…because (1) poverty makes us uncomfortable; we don’t want to face our responsibiblites to those who have less than we do; (2) we want to be wealthy too, and we hope to use the rich person as a means to that end; (3) we want the rich person to join our church and help support it financially. All these motives are selfish; they view neither the rich nor the poor person as a human being in need of fellowship. If we say that Christ is our Lord, then we must live as he requires, showing no favoritism and loving all people regardless of whether they are rich or poor.

Is it OK to have favorite people?

Is it OK to play favorites?

What is the difference between having favorite people and playing favorites?

What is the opposite of favoritism? (prejudice) Is it equally bad? Worse? Better?

5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
James 2:5-6 NRSV

What has God promised to the poor of this world?

Quote of the Day:
“God must love the common people because he made so many of them.” – Abraham Lincoln.

What does "rich in faith" mean? Can we control whether we are rich in faith?

James seems to be of the opinion that the poor are more likely to trust and to love God than are the wealthy. Is this true?

What are some possible reasons for why the poor may be more faithful?

It may be because the affluent rely on their riches for security, the poor have no riches on which to rely. God is their only hope for a better future. It may be easier for them to acknowledge the need for a savior. One of the greatest barriers to faith is pride.

What does the church do to the poor person when it shows favoritism toward the rich?

In what practical ways can we show genuine love to people of different races, cultures, and economic standing?

How does our church and class help the poor? What else could we do?

8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:8-13 (NRSV)

What is the royal law found in Scripture?

Why is it “royal”?

From William Barclay’s New Daily Study Bible:
It may mean the law which is of supreme excellence; it may mean the law which is given by the King of Kings; it may mean the supreme law; it may mean the law that gives the regal quality to people and is fit for royalty.

If you followed the one command in verse 8, would it be possible to sin in any other way?

How is favoritism a violation of the royal law of verse 8?

What does practicing favoritism do to a person who is trying to keep the law?

From Barclay:
James has been condemning those who pay special attention to the rich man who enters the church. “But”, they might answer, “the law tells me to love my neighbor as myself. Therefore we are duty-bound to welcome this man when he comes to church.” “Very well,” answers James, “if you are really welcoming the man because you love him as you do yourself, and you wish to give him the welcome you yourself would wish to receive, that is fine. But, if you are giving him this special welcome because he is rich, that is favoritism and that is wrong – and, far from keeping the law, you are in fact breaking it. You don’t love your neighbor, or you would not neglect the poor man. What you love is wealth – and that is not what the law commands.”

James’ key point is that wealth cannot be the criterion for assigning value to people and determining how we treat them. How does his view compare to ours?

Are there categories of sin, or are all sins alike?

How does a “minor” sin like prejudice rank against such things as adultery and murder?

What does a person have to do to be considered a lawbreaker?

Personally, I would much rather you lie to me than murder me and, if you are going to rob me, I would much rather you steal a dollar than a thousand. But I’m not sure God sees it that way.

Why is favoritism or prejudice often overlooked as a sin?

Verse 12 says that the law is a “law of liberty”.
How does the law give freedom?

If Christianity is about freedom, why do so many see it as about mere rule keeping?

Have there been times in your life when you perceived Christianity to be about mere rule keeping?

What place does rule keeping have in the Christian life?

Verse 13. Do we earn God's mercy by being merciful to others?

What does it mean mercy triumphs over judgment?

Those who have shown mercy will, in the end, find that their mercy has blotted out their own sin.

This question is just for our new members:

What has been helpful to you in feeling like you are a part of this congregation and this class?

What could our class or congregation do to make it easier for visitors and new members to feel welcomed and valued?

Sunday School Lesson: Jesus is Messiah

2008-07-31T10:25:00.002-04:00

Purpose: To understand what it means to confess that Jesus “is the Christ, the Son of the living God” and how that confession shatters our presuppositions about Jesus.

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

If you could ask any person in the world one question, whom would you ask, and what would you want to know?

Let’s locate Caesarea Philippi on a map. It is north and east of the Sea of Galilee, about halfway between the Sea of Galilee and Damascus Syria.

Why were Jesus and the Disciples at Caesarea Philippi?

They were travelling and preaching, teaching, and healing. They had just recently traveled to Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia, then returned to the Sea of Galilee and the city of Magadan where the Feeding of the Four Thousand took place, then left there and proceeded to Caesarea Philippi.

Caesarea Philippi was located at one of the sources for the Jordan River. In ancient times the location had been a shrine to the Greek and Roman nature god, Pan and was originally named Panion. Caesar Augustus gave the city to Herod the Great. Herod’s son Philip renamed the city after the emperor and himself.

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
Matt 16:13

Why do you think Jesus asked this question?

When Jesus said, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" was that like saying, "Who do people say that I am?"

From William Barclay’s The New Daily Study Bible:

Confronting Jesus at this time was one pressing and demanding problem that would not go away. His time was short; his days on earth were numbered. The problem was – was there anyone who understood him? Was there anyone who had recognized him for who and what he was? Were there any who, when he had departed from this world, would carry on his work, and labor for his kingdom? Obviously this was a crucial problem, for it involved the very survival of the Christian faith. If there were none who had grasped the truth, or even glimpsed it, then all his work was undone; if there were just a few who realized the truth, his work was safe. So Jesus was determined to put all to the test and ask his followers who they believed him to be.

Who do people today say Jesus is? If you were to ask ten people on the street, "Who do you think Jesus was?" how do you think they would answer? What are some common views of Jesus among our generation?

Why do you think Jesus cared who people said he was?

Should we care what people think of us?

What is the correct answer to the question “Who do you think Jesus was”?

Are you familiar with C.S. Lewis' "Lord, liar, or lunatic" argument? Can anyone explain that to us?

From C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity:

I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg--or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
We are faced, then, with a frightening alternative. This man we are talking about either was (and is) just what He said, or else a lunatic, or something worse. Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God. God has landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form.

14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Matthew 6:14

From Barclay:
….Jesus determined to demand a verdict from his disciples. He had to know before he set out for Jerusalem and the cross if anyone had even dimly grasped who and what he was. He did not ask the question directly; he led up to it. He began by asking what people said about him, and who they took him to be.

What different answers did Christ get to His question?

What do the answers tell us about Jesus’ reputation with the people?

For 400 years the Jewish people had believed that the time of the prophets was history. But they did believe and several passages in the Old Testament concur that the prophets would return and usher in a savior for all the people.

15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Matthew 16:15

Can you imagine that upon hearing that question, there may have come a moment of silence?

Who do you say Jesus is?

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Matthew 16:16

What does “Messiah” mean?

From the Hebrew “Mashiah”, translated into the Greek “Christos”, literally means “anointed one”, an anointed agent of God appointed to a task affecting the lot of God’s chosen people. Mashiah is used numerous times in the Old Testament most commonly connected with the anointing of kings or priests. In the New Testament it is used exclusively for Jesus. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, “Messiah” took on a specifically Christian meaning as a title that referred only to Jesus and it was used so frequently that the Greek form “Christ” became his second name. “Lord” and “Savior” are also used but not with the same frequency as “Messiah”.

What happened the first time you spoke publicly about your faith in Christ?

17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Matthew 16:17-20

Why was Peter blessed?

When Jesus says, "this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood. . ." does he mean we can't come to this conclusion without God revealing it to us?

In what way is coming to faith and understanding the gospel a supernatural event?

How did God work in your life and lead you to faith in Christ?

What does he mean by, "this rock"?

This is the first of only two times in the New Testament that Jesus speaks of a “church”.

What exactly is a church?

The word church is the English translation of the Greek “ekklesia” which literally translated means “assembly” or “gathering”.

What exactly is a church?

Some say it is Rome. Some say it is a local church as we think of it. Some think of it as any gathering of believers, formal or informal. Some think of it as the universal, invisible church. Some say that parachurch organizations such as campus ministries or mission organizations are like a church or part of the church. What exactly is a church?

Is this group, in some sense, a church?

What kind of church like activities can this group engage in?

Loving one another. Teaching one another. Encouraging one another. Forgiving one another. Bearing with one another. Greeting one another.

Are there any church-like activities that this group cannot do? What about baptism? What about the Lord's supper?

In what way is a gate a weapon? What is being suggested here?

What does it mean that “the gates of Hades will not prevail” against the church?

Gates are actually more defensive than offensive. It sounds like the church is going to take the offensive.

Barclay:

….Hades was not the place of punishment, but the place where, in primitive Jewish belief, all the dead went. Obviously, the function of gates is to keep things in, to confine them, to shut them up, control them. There was one person whom the gates of Hades could not shut in….

Who?

Barclay:

Jesus Christ…burst the bonds of death….this may be a triumphant reference to nothing less than the coming resurrection. Jesus may be saying: “You have discovered that I am the son of the living God. The time will soon come when I will be crucified, and the gates of Hades will close behind me. But they are powerless to shut me in…
However we take it, this phrase triumphantly expresses the indestructibility of Christ and his Church.

Someone explain verse 19. What does that mean?

Why do you think Jesus warned the disciples not to tell?

What two great truths can we glean from this passage?

1. Human categories, even the highest, are inadequate to describe Jesus Christ.

2. This passage teaches that our discovery of Jesus must be a personal discovery. Jesus’ question is: “You – what do you think of me?” When Pilate asked him if he was the king of the Jews, his answer was: “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

Our knowledge of Jesus must never be at second hand. We might know every thought about Jesus that human minds have ever thought out, we might be able to give a competent summary of the teaching about Jesus of every great thinker and theologian – and still not be a Christian. Christianity never consists of knowing about Jesus; it always consists in knowing Jesus. He did not ask only Peter, he asks every one of us: “You – what do you think of me?”

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." 23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
Matt 16:21-23 (NRSV)

We don't have the actual words of Jesus in verse 21. How do you imagine this-do you think Jesus just mentioned His upcoming death in passing, went into detail about it, or something in between?

We know that the disciples didn't get it. They were totally caught off guard by Jesus' death. Why didn't they get it, in light of Jesus clear teaching on this?

We sometimes only hear what we want to hear. There is an admonition for real humility for us. We have to wonder in what ways we have missed Jesus teaching and not know it. We must not be like the disciples who assumed they got it.

What do you think about Peter’s reaction in verse 22?

How do you think Jesus’ reaction made Peter feel?

What difference does it make what we believe about Jesus?

I'm back

2008-07-31T10:23:00.000-04:00

I have neglected this blog for a while, but I plan to do better in the future.

Sunday School Lesson: Love is Light

2007-03-09T09:28:00.000-05:00

Purpose: To motivate us to appreciate and live in the light of God’s love in a world of darkness.

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-17

This week we start a new series of lessons. This series follows the previous series perfectly. Last quarter we studied how in Jesus Christ we have a perfect image or portrait of God. Most of those lessons were taken from the writings of John in the Gospel of John and the First Letter of John. In this new series we will discover how the Church is called to be a portrait of Christ. These lessons will all be from the writings of John in 1 John and Revelation.

This week’s lesson is from 1 John and follows scripturally directly from our December 17 lesson. That lesson was from 1 John 1:1 – 2:6 and was titled Walking in the Light. The purpose of the December 17 lesson was: To show that the reality of the Incarnation enables us to walk in fellowship with God and one another. This week’s lesson follows thematically directly from last week’s lesson which was taken from John 15:1-17. the purpose of last week’s lesson was: To show that true life is life in Christ and that such life bears fruit worthy of Him.

From John 15:

Joh 15:4-7 ESV Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (5) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

In the lesson last week I asked several times throughout the lesson these questions:

Jesus said: “Abide in me..”

How do we abide in Jesus?

How can we tell that we are abiding in Jesus?

Our answer was that we abide in Jesus by following His Word and that we can tell that we are abiding by the fruit we produce.

We should have gone back to the December 17 lesson. That lesson gives us a better answer to: How do we abide in Jesus?

1Jn 1:5-7 ESV This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (6) If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

These were the key verses from that lesson and they do contain picture of Jesus as the perfect image of God: In Him is no darkness at all. Do these verses also contain a portrait of believers? In what way do believers portray Christ?

Back to abiding:

1Jn 2:6 ESV ....whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

How do we abide in Christ?

So the new question for this week is:

How did Jesus walk?

How do we go about walking as He walked?

What are some adjectives that come to mind that describe how Jesus walked?

1Jn 2:7-8 ESV Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. (8) At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

Any idea what commandment John is writing about?

We would probably look back and think that he was referring to the statements in verse 6: to walk as Jesus walked. How can we further define walking, abiding, and this old/new commandment.

John is very likely also referring to words of Jesus as recorded in John’s Gospel:

Joh 13:34-35 ESV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

In what sense is that commandment both old and new?

It was old in the sense that it was already there in the Old Testament:

Lev 19:18 ESV ….. you shall love your neighbor as yourself….

The Jews were taught this from earliest childhood. Jesus also taught this as an old commandment:

Mat 22:36-40 ESV "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" (37) And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (38) This is the great and first commandment. (39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (40) On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

The command to love each other was also old in the sense that this was not the first time these Christian believers had heard it. John was probably nearly 100 years old when this epistle was written. He had witnessed almost the first century of Christianity. This commandment was taught by Jesus and had been taught by the Church from the very beginning. From the very first day of entry into the Christian life, believers had been taught that the law of love must be the law of their lives. This commandment went a long way back into the history of God’s interaction with man and a long way back in the lives of the Christians to whom John was writing.

So how was it new?

It was new because of the way Jesus made it new. It was new as to who was considered a neighbor and worthy of love. Jesus included even sinners, who under the law would have been hated instead of loved. Jesus included even Gentiles, who under the law were despised. Jesus widened the boundaries of love until there was no one outside it’s embrace.

It was new because of the lengths to which it would go. No lack of response, nothing that anyone could ever do to Him, could turn Jesus’ love to hate. He even prayed for God’s mercy on those who nailed Him to the cross.

1Jn 2:9-11 ESV Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. (10) Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. (11) But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

What did John mean by the words “light” and “darkness”?

If you dislike someone, does that mean you are not a Christian or cannot be a Christian?

Is there any room for hate in a Christian heart?

How are claiming to be a Christian and loving one’s neighbor related?

How do we regard our neighbors?

Do we regard them as negligible? Do we make all of our plans without taking our neighbors into consideration at all?

Do we regard them with contempt? Do we think that they are all fools when compared with our intellectual level, so their opinions should just be brushed aside?

Do we see them as a nuisance? They are here and we have to interact with them or even care for them when necessary. But do we sometimes begrudge that necessity?

Do we see them as enemies? As our competitors?

Or do we see them as brothers and sisters?

If we walk in the light we are in fellowship with God. True?

Who else will we be in fellowship with?

Love and light go together as do hatred and darkness.

Is Christian love just a feeling or something that we can agree to intellectually?

What is required for a feeling or thoughts of love to actually become love?

What love does God hate?

1Jn 2:15-17 ESV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. (17) And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Verse 15 says not to love the world. What does that mean?

Is the "world" the earth itself?

Are we commanded to not love the earth and all the natural beauty created by God?

Is the world the people of the world?

We have already been told in this lesson that we are to love our neighbor. Is this a reversal? Are we now told that we are not to love the people of the world?

Joh 3:16 ESV "For God so loved the world (the people of the world), that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

God loved the world, but we are not supposed to?

So what is John speaking of when he says: “Do not love the world”?

Can I love a beautiful sunset?

Can I love to see a small child grin?

Can I love the family pet?

What is this world that I am commanded not to love?

Eph 6:12 ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

1Jn 5:19 ESV We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

The world in this sense does not mean the world in general, for God did indeed love the world and the people which he had made; it means the world which, in fact, had and has forsaken the God who made it.

What restrictions should we place on our affections?

What things in the world are you tempted to love?

What would you categorize as the “desire of the flesh”?

What would you categorize as the “desire of the eyes”?

What would you categorize as the “pride in riches”?

Why are the things of the world so enticing to us?

What worldly things or values do we substitute for God?

What are some ways that Christians disagree concerning the definition of worldliness?

Book Study - The Cost of Discipleship - Intermission

2007-02-28T15:22:00.000-05:00

We're giving up Bonhoeffer for Lent!

well, not really, but we are taking a break. Our Church is doing a church-wide study during Lent called Serving from the Heart: Finding Your Gifts and Talents for Service and our Book Study Group is taking part. So we'll be back on Bonhoeffer the week after Easter.

Sunday School Lesson: Secure Connections

2007-02-28T15:14:00.000-05:00

Purpose: To show that true life is life in Christ and that such life bears fruit worthy of Him.

Scripture : John 15:1-17

Joh 15:1-4 ESV "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. (2) Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (3) Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Jesus commonly used ideas or examples which were part of the religious heritage of the Jewish people. This passage from John 15 is no exception. Over and over in the Old Testament Israel is pictured or described as the vine or the vineyard of God.

Isa 5:7 ESV For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting….

Jer 2:21 ESV Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed……

Eze 19:10 ESV Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard planted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water.

Hos 10:1 ESV Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. …

Psa 80:8-9 ESV You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. (9) You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.

The vine became the symbol for the nation of Israel. The emblem on the coins of Israel was the vine. One of the greatest distinctive features of the Temple was a great golden vine on the front of the Holy Place. It was considered a great honor to give enough gold to mould even a single grape on that vine. When Jesus used references to the vine He was not introducing something new. Any reference to the vine would have been immediately recognized by any Jew of the time as a reference to Israel and her special place in the vineyard of God.

How do you think Jesus’ statement: “I am the true vine” would be understood by His Jewish audience?

What exactly was Jesus saying with that statement?

If we look closer at the Old Testament references to the symbol of the vine, we see that in the Old Testament the symbols were always in reference to a declined, degenerate, and corrupt Israel.

Isaiah pictured a vineyard that had run wild:

Isa 5:10 ESV For ten acres of vineyard shall yield but one bath….

Jeremiah complained:

Jer 2:21 ESV ….. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?
So what was Jesus’ message to Israel?

Jesus seemed to be saying: “You may think that just because you belong to the nation of Israel you are a branch of the true vine. But the nation is a degenerate vine, as reported by the prophets. It is I who am the true vine. The fact that you are Jews will not save you. The only thing that can save you is to have an intimate living fellowship with me, for I am the vine and you must be the branches joined to me.”

Who we are, which nation we are born into, which church we belong to , etc. will not save us. No external qualification can set us right with God. Only our relationship with Jesus Christ can do that.

Since the Jews had not produced righteousness, God sent the “true vine” to accomplish His work. Jesus replaces Judaism as the means by which people are connected to God. The only way to God is through Christ.

Jesus said: “Abide in me..”

How do we abide in Jesus?

How can we tell that we are abiding in Jesus?

What is the difference between “removing branches” and “pruning branches”?

Pruning is essential to grape production. Grapes are only produced on one-year old canes. Care must be taken to ensure that sufficient one-year canes are on the vine to produce a crop and also that some canes are growing to be the producing canes for next year. All two-year canes are removed as they are past their usefulness. What do you think happens to a one-year old cane that fails to produce?

They are completely removed so that they will drain away none of the plant’s strength which is needed by those that are producing fruit.

A vine cannot produce the crop of which it is capable without much severe pruning – and Jesus knew that.

And what happens to the pruned branches?

They are thrown into the fire. One curious characteristic of the vine is that the wood of the vine is good for nothing. It is too soft and not durable enough for any purpose.

Eze 15:2-5 ESV "Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? (3) Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? (4) Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything? (5) Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything!

Who was Jesus thinking of when He spoke of “fruitless” branches?

He may have been thinking of two groups. He may have been thinking of the Jews. They were certainly branches of God’s vine. But did they accept Jesus? Did they “abide” in Jesus? If they did not then their branch would wither and die.

The second group He was thinking of was more general. He was thinking of “fruitless” Christians: Christians whose Christianity consisted of profession of faith without practice of faith, Christians of words without deed. Those are useless branches, all leaves and no fruit. He may also have been thinking of Christians who heard the message and accepted and later fell away.

What is Jesus pruning tool?

In what way has God removed dead and useless branches from your life?

Have you noticed God “pruning” in you life?

What have you learned from the experience?

Joh 15:5-8 ESV I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (8) By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

How do we abide in Christ?

How do we know that we are “bearing fruit”?

Is “bearing fruit” limited to bringing others to Christ?

How well do you think we are doing at “abiding” in Christ?

What are some things that we could do to abide in Christ more than we do?

What are the benefits to abiding in Christ?

What are the costs of failing to abide in Christ?

Verse 4: “For apart from me you can do nothing.” What does that statement say to a very good person who is not a Christian?

Is there a such-thing as a “good” non-Christian?

Can a non-Christian bear good fruit?

What is the only way to live a truly good life?

Joh 15:9-11 ESV As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (10) If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. (11) These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

What is the relationship between abiding in Christ and obedience?

How is joy and love related to abiding and obedience?

What is Jesus’ goal in this lesson?

Do you think most believers enjoy their relationship with God?

How can we come to find complete, continuous joy in God?

Is the joy spoken of in this passage the kind of joy that makes you smile, or is this a deep, deep joy that no one ever sees?

How do we abide in Jesus’ love?

Can we simply tell ourselves over and over that “Jesus loves me”? Is that abiding in His love?

Is it possible to have a warm, loving relationship with God if we don’t dutifully follow His commandments?

Does the warmth of relationship always go along with the duty of obedience?

Is it possible to be dutifully obedient without being connected in a warm, loving relationship?

How does joy fit into obedience? Can you have joy without obedience?

Do you normally think of joy and obedience as going together?

Is it important that we be joyful or just that we are obedient? Is it ok to be obedient but grumpy?

Joh 15:12-15 ESV "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (13) Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (14) You are my friends if you do what I command you. (15) No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Who did Jesus say were His friends?

Why does Jesus call His disciples friends?

Can you command love? Is love that is the result of a command true love?

What does it take to be a friend of God?

As followers of Christ shouldn’t we be called servants?

We are called to obedience, but not called servants. Why?

Do we sometimes struggle to love others as Jesus has loved us?

In what ways is it hard to be Jesus’ friend?

Joh 15:16-17 ESV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (17) These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Did the disciples choose to follow Christ of their own free will?

We like to think of our relationship with Jesus as something we decided to do. Is this true? Do we choose to follow Christ of our own free will?

Why did and does Jesus choose His disciples?

What is Jesus’ commandment?

Homework:

Imagine yourself as a branch on the vine of Christ. What do you look like?

Are you a healthy branch?

What do you need? More water, fertilizer, sun?

What do you need from Christ to nourish you so that you become an outstanding specimen and bear much fruit?

Book Study – The Cost of Discipleship, Week 6 – Chapters 14-16

2007-02-28T14:59:00.000-05:00

Chapter 14 – The Hidden Righteousness

Mat 6:1-4 ESV "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (2) "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (3) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

We have already studied Matthew 5: 13-16 which tells us that our life of righteousness must be seen. The Body of Christ is to be visible in the world and known by it’s righteousness. Salt and light. Here we are told that our righteousness is to remain hidden. Which is it supposed to be? Visible or invisible?

The passage from Matthew 5 left no doubt that our discipleship must be visible to the world. If it is not seen, it probably doesn’t exist. Being a witness to the world is the purpose of discipleship. So, from whom are we to hide our discipleship?

Not from others, but from ourselves. When we begin to notice our own righteousness, we have taken our eyes off of the One who is truly righteous.

How can the visible and invisible aspects of discipleship be combined?

How can, at the same time, discipleship be both visible and invisible?

Bonhoeffer:

“To answer this question, all we need to do is to go back to chapter 5, where the extraordinary and the visible are defined as the cross of Christ beneath which the disciples stand. The cross is at once the necessary, the hidden and the visible – it is the ‘extraordinary’.”

If our “visibility” ever takes the eyes of the world away from the cross, we have crossed the line. If our discipleship ever is seen as “our” righteousness then it is no longer the righteousness of the Cross.

How is the seeming contradiction between Matthew 5 and 6 resolved?

Notice that in the Table of Contents the chapters dealing with Matthew 5 and those dealing with Matthew 6 are separated. Matthew 5 is subtitled Of the “Extraordinariness” of the Christian Life and Matthew 6 is subtitled Of the Hidden Character of the Christian Life.
Bonhoeffer:

“All that the follower of Jesus has to do is to make sure that his obedience, following, and love are entirely spontaneous and unpremeditated.”

Easy for him to say. How can we, if we are “making sure” of anything do so spontaneously and unpremeditated? If we are thinking about it enough to “make sure” it is spontaneous, we have in so doing lost it’s spontaneity.

Chapter 15 – The Hiddenness of Prayer

Mat 6:5-8 ESV "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (6) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (7) "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. (8) Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Jesus had to teach his disciples to pray. Is prayer a natural thing for man?

Bonhoeffer:

“Prayer is the supreme instance of the hidden character of the Christian life. It is the antithesis of self-display. When men pray, they have ceased to know themselves, and know only God whom they call upon. Prayer does not aim at any direct effect on the world; it is addressed to God alone, and is therefore the perfect example of undemonstrative action.”

Do you agree with the statement that “prayer does not aim at any direct effect on the world”. Isn’t that why we pray? To plead with God to “effect” the world?

John Wesley:

“God does nothing but in answer to prayer. Even people who have been converted to God without praying for it themselves (which is extremely rare) were prayed for by others. Every new victory that a soul gains is the effect of a new prayer.”

Who do you agree with, Bonhoeffer or Wesley? Does prayer “not aim at any direct effect on the world” or is every direct effect on the world the result of prayer?

Chapter 16 – The Hiddenness of the Devout Life

Mat 6:16-18 ESV "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (17) But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, (18) that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

How many of you have ever fasted?

Is it wrong to admit that I have fasted, or should my fast remain secret?

I’m sure next week folks will be asking, “What are you giving up for Lent?”

Should we just keep our Lenten fast between us and God?

Jesus doesn’t tell the disciples to fast. He takes it for granted that they will.

Bonhoeffer:

“strict exercise of self control is an essential feature of the Christian’s life.”

What does this passage say to those who desire a monastic lifestyle? Those who intentionally and very visibly seek suffering as a show of piety?

Bonhoeffer:

“This is a pious but godless ambition, for beneath it lurks the notion that it is possible for us to step into Christ’s shoes and suffer as he did and kill the old Adam. We are then presuming to undertake that bitter work of eternal redemption which Christ himself wrought for us. The motive for asceticism was more limited – to equip us for better service and deeper humility.”

If I do certain things with the intention of showing my humility, haven’t I totally defeated their intended purpose?

Sunday School Lesson: Life After Death

2007-02-11T20:15:00.000-05:00

Purpose: To explore how Christ is Lord over life and death and what this means for our present and future life.

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Joh 11:1-44 ESV Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (2) It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. (3) So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." (4) But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (5) Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (6) So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. (7) Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." (8) The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" (9) Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. (10) But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." (11) After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." (12) The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." (13) Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. (14) Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died, (15) and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." (16) So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." (17) Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. (18) Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, (19) and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. (20) So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. (21) Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (22) But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." (23) Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." (24) Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
(25) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (26) and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (27) She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world." (28) When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." (29) And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. (30) Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. (31) When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. (32) Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." (33) When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. (34) And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." (35) Jesus wept. (36) So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" (37) But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?" (38) Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
(39) Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." (40) Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" (41) So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. (42) I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." (43) When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." (44) The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

Do you believe in life after death?

What do you believe about life after death?

What were you taught as a child?

Have you beliefs changed over the years?

What do you believe is the nature of life after death?

What is heaven really like?

Hell?

Questions of life after death at some point in our life haunt all of us. We have all had friends or family who have become ill and we have all probably prayed that God would somehow intervene. We have all probably felt like responding the way Martha and Mary did in this passage:

“Lord, you could have done something about this. You still could…..if you would.”

Why did Jesus wait for Lazarus to die before coming to Bethany?

The raising of Lazarus was not Jesus’ last miracle, but it is the last one recorded by John. This particular miracle was probably chosen by John as the culmination of Jesus’ miracles for the simple fact that this is Jesus’ greatest miracle prior to the Cross. This particular miracle aroused the most response both from Jesus’ friends and his enemies. This miracle was the one, according to John, that pushed Jesus’ enemies from threats on His life to actual plots to take His life. This miracle also caused such a commotion among the people that when Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem a couple of weeks later He was met by crowds waving palm branches and singing “Hosanna!’

Let’s look at this miraculous raising of Lazarus and see what all the commotion was about…

The city of Bethany was located only a couple of miles from Jerusalem. This town was the location of the Mount of Olives. Bethany was not only the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, but also Simon the Leper who is mentioned in both Mark and Matthew. The modern city at this location is called El-Aziriyah, “the place of Lazarus” in Arabic. A church has existed from at least the sixth century on the supposed site of Lazarus tomb here and still offers tours of the tomb.

Was this the first time that Jesus had brought someone dead back to life?

He had brought back the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17) and the daughter of Jairus (Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43. Luke 8:40-55).

What was different about this miracle?

One difference is that in both of those miracles, the raising took place immediately following the death. It could be said that those two were more reviving or resuscitating than resurrecting. Those two could have still been alive with just the appearance of death and Jesus may have revived them from a comatose state. Burial in those days in Palestine followed very soon after death because the climate caused rapid decomposition. Archeologists have found evidence that frequently people in those times and in that place were buried alive because of that necessary haste in burial. It could well be that in those two cases, Jesus made a diagnosis that actually saved two young people from a dreadful death of being buried alive.

How was Lazarus’ raising different?

There is no parallel anywhere in Scripture for the raising of a man who had been dead for four days and whose body had already begun to putrefy.

Why did Jesus wait for Lazarus to die?

That was actually a trick question. If we look at the timeline, we see that Jesus did not wait for Lazarus to die. Lazarus was already dead when the messenger reached Jesus. Jesus was across the Jordan, at least a days walk from Bethany. Day 1 – the messenger was sent to Jesus. Day 2 – the messenger returns with the message in verse 4. Day 3 – Jesus and the disciples wait one more day. Day 4 – Jesus arrives in Bethany. So if Lazarus had been dead for four days, he had died on the very day the messenger left and was already dead when the messenger reached Jesus. Jesus knew this when he sent the return message to the sisters.

So why did Jesus wait at all? Why didn’t He return immediately to comfort the sisters?

He stated His reason for delay four times:

Joh 11:15 ESV …. so that you may believe…

Joh 11:25-26 ESV Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (26) and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Joh 11:40 ESV …, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"

Joh 11:42 ESV I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me."

His delay was for the sole purpose of enlightening the witnesses.

Let’s picture the scene:

A usual Palestinian tomb was either a natural cave or was hewn out of rock. There would be shelves cut in the rock and on those shelves the bodies would be placed. There were usually eight shelves in a tomb. The bodies were wrapped in grave clothes, which were wrapped round and round the body and impregnated with spices which would embalm the body. These tombs had no door, but had a great circular stone which rolled in a groove across the entrance to seal the opening.

There is a reason for four days delay. It was a Jewish belief that the deceased person’s spirit hovered around a tomb for four days, hoping for an opportunity to re-enter the body. After four days, it was believed, the spirit permanently departed, never to return, for after four days of decomposition in the Palestinian climate, the face and the body were so badly decayed that it could no longer be recognized, even by the spirit of the person who had inhabited that body. After four days there was no way anyone could be convinced that Lazarus was still alive.

Have you ever felt like Martha must have felt? Have you ever felt like questioning God, yet having faith that God is good and whatever God does is right, that we really have no right to question God, regardless the circumstances we find ourselves in?

One of the most human, heart felt speeches in the Bible has to be when Martha said to Jesus:

Joh 11:21 ESV …… "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Do you think that she would have really liked to say: “Why didn’t you come immediately when you got our message?”

“Now it’s too late! Four days! Surely Lazarus’ spirit has left him!”

Yet no sooner had she spoken her near reproach, than there follows words of great faith:

Joh 11:22 ESV But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."

These words show a faith that defied the facts of Lazarus’ death. And Jesus told her:

Joh 11:23 ESV ….. "Your brother will rise again."

There was a debate among the Jewish people at the time concerning life after death. In Old Testament times and in the writing of the Old Testament there is no indication of any real life after death. The Hebrews of the Old Testament believed that every soul, good and bad alike, went to Sheol. Sheol is not Hell, although sometimes it is mistranslated to mean hell. Sheol was not a place of torture and suffering. It was just the place of the dead, the land of shades. Every deceased soul went there and they all lived a shadowy, ghostly existence. After death, according to ancient Hebrew belief, came the land of silence, where human souls were separated from each other and from God.

Yet during the time between the Testaments a new belief in bodily physical resurrection was developed by the Jews. The major disagreement between the Pharisees and the Sadducees was on the issue of resurrection. The Pharisaic belief was in a general physical resurrection of all the dead during the end times. The martyrs of the Maccabeean revolt expected to get back from God even the parts of their bodies which were lost in battle. The Pharisaic belief eventually developed into the hope of a physical resurrection in exactly the form in which a man died, after which will come the judgment. This belief carried so far as to believe that a man would rise wearing exactly the same clothes in which he had been laid in his tomb. There were cases of dying Rabbis who gave minute and detailed instructions regarding the clothes in which they were to be buried.

The numerous statements that Jesus made throughout the Gospels concerning resurrection show that the Jewish beliefs of the time may be at least partially correct.

So Martha’s next statement to Jesus fit perfectly into the contemporary Jewish belief regarding resurrection:

Joh 11:24 ESV Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."

How do the Jewish beliefs concerning resurrection compare to Christian beliefs?

What are our Christian beliefs concerning resurrection?

Will our resurrection be spiritual or physical?

When will our resurrection occur?

Where will we live after the resurrection?

What will be our state in the time between death and resurrection?

Joh 11:25-26 ESV Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (26) and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

What did Jesus mean by that statement?

If I believe in Jesus, I will never suffer a physical death?

Jesus must not have been speaking strictly in a physical sense. It is just not true that those who believe in Him will never die. Christians experience a physical death just like everybody else. So what exactly did Jesus mean?

There is obviously more than a strictly physical meaning in this statement of Jesus. Can you think of any way that Christians are alive that is not true of non-Christians?

One possible meaning of this statement is that Jesus was thinking of the death of sin. We are all, prior to coming to Christ, dead in sin. Our sins create in us a hardness of heart that is equal to spiritual death. Sinners may become so selfish that they are dead to the needs of others. They may become so insensitive that they are dead to the feelings of others. They may become so involved in a sinful lifestyle that they are dead to honesty and integrity. Their lives may become so hopeless that the best way to describe it is spiritual death. No matter the situation, faith in Jesus can bring about a resurrection. There have been millions of just such resurrections.

There is also the resurrection to come. The life to come. As I said earlier, Jesus mentioned the end-time resurrection many times in the Gospels. This was just a theological theory to the Jews who believed in resurrection. To Jesus it seemed to be common knowledge. Jesus brought into the world the certainty that our physical death is not the end. We all die. But in the most real sense, we are not on our way to death, but on our way to life.

How does this happen?

It happens through the One who is “the resurrection and the life”. Jesus’ own resurrection is the cornerstone of all redemption.

So what kind of bodies will we have in our resurrection?

Where will we live?

Was the raising of Lazarus the same as the resurrection we are promised as Christians?

What is the difference between resurrection and resuscitation?

This event with Lazarus is more accurately described as a resuscitation. The same could be said of the widow’s son and Jairus’ daughter. Resuscitation is the act of restoring on who was dead, or very near death, back to life. This life is the same life that one previously had. EMT’s and doctors perform resuscitations every day.

Unlike resuscitation, resurrection is being given, and receiving, a totally new life. Resurrection is not being restored to the old life that one previously had. Resurrection is being “born again.” A resurrected sinner does not return to the previous sinful life. Physical resurrection means beginning a new life, perhaps in an entirely new form.

The only example we have (so far) of a physical resurrection is Jesus Himself. Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18), the two apostles on the road to Emmaus (Luke 21:13-35), even Peter and the others fishing on the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14) did not immediately recognize the resurrected Jesus. Thomas didn’t recognize Jesus until placing his hand on Jesus’ wounds (John 20:25-28). But when each and every one of them finally recognized Him there was no doubt that He was the Savior.

Thomas:

Joh 20:28 ESV Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus was not resuscitated to the life he had prior to the crucifixion. He was resurrected to a new and different life.

Those resuscitated, like Lazarus, the widow’s son, and Jairus’ daughter, will yet again die a physical death. Once resurrected, we will, like Jesus, never die again. The resurrected will be given a new life, a life everlasting.

The physical resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of redemption, both for mankind and for the earth itself. Without Christ’s resurrection and what it means – an eternal future for fully restored human beings dwelling on a fully restored Earth – there is no Christianity.

1Co 15:17-22 ESV And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (18) Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. (19) If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (20) But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (21) For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. (22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

Jesus spoke too many times of a physical resurrection for His only meaning to be spiritual. There is absolutely a spiritual resurrection for all believers. There will also absolutely be a physical resurrection for all believers. We will have bodies; whether the same bodies we now inhabit remains to be seen, but we will have bodies. Without bodies, we wouldn’t be resurrected. Our body is as much a part of us as our spirit. The essence of humanity is not just spirit. Humans are only human when their spirit is joined with their body. Our bodies are not just a house for our spirit.

Where will we live in our resurrection bodies?

2Pe 3:13 ESV But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Rev 21:1-3 ESV Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (2) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

We will live on the New Earth. The New Earth will still be Earth, just like our resurrection bodies will still be our bodies. But just like our new bodies, the New Earth will also be changed.

Are Christian’s immortal or just promised resurrection? And what is the difference?

Resurrection is not immortality. Immortality would mean that our spirits could exist without bodies and that when we die a physical death we don’t really die. This belief would mean that when our bodies die, our spirits are set free but still live.

The Christian faith rejects completely the notion of immortality. When we die, we die. Every part of us. Body, spirit, soul. We truly, entirely cease to be. But through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, we will not be left for eternity in an earthly grave. In the end, not even the death of all of the component parts of human life can separate us from the love of God.

Rom 8:38-39 ESV For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Christian faith is confident that when we are resurrected all of our parts will be resurrected, not just our spirit and soul, but also our bodies. Our bodies may not be exactly the same, but our bodies they will be. In the Apostles’ Creed we do not confess to mere belief in resurrection. Instead, we boldly confess to believe in the “resurrection of the body”.

What does “the resurrection and the life” mean to us today?

It means everything. It matters more than anything else that Jesus is the resurrection and the life for everyone who is dead in sin and dead to God today. Jesus resuscitated Lazarus those many years ago because he loved him. Jesus is the “resurrection and the life” today just as he was then. And Jesus loves us with the same love that He had for Lazarus. And that is all that really matters.

Book Study – The Cost of Discipleship – Week 5 – Chapters 10-13

2007-02-11T19:53:00.000-05:00

Chapters 9 – 13 contain Bonhoeffer’s discussion of the section from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:21-48. According to William Barclay, “This section of the teaching of Jesus is one of the most important in the whole New Testament.”

In this passage Jesus put before Christian disciples a startling standard of behavior.

Barclay:

“Jesus said that in God’s sight it was not only the person who committed murder who was guilty; the person who was angry with another person was also guilty and liable to judgment. It was not only the person who committed adultery who was guilty; anyone who seriously entertained unclean desire was also guilty.”

“It may be that we have never struck another person, but can we say that we never wished to strike someone? It may be that we have never committed adultery, but can we say that we have never experienced the desire for the forbidden thing? It was Jesus’ teaching that thoughts are just as important as deeds, and that it is not enough not to commit a sin; the only thing that is enough is not to wish to commit it. It was Jesus’ teaching that we are not judged only by our deeds, but are judged even more by the desires which never emerged into deeds. By the world’s standards, people are considered good if they never do a forbidden thing. The world is not concerned to judge people’s thoughts. By Jesus’ standards, we can only aspire to goodness when we never even desire to do a forbidden thing. Jesus is intensely concerned with our thoughts.”

Does this seem to contradict the whole idea of discipleship according to Bonhoeffer? According to Bonhoeffer, a mere intellectual acknowledgement of faith (thoughts) is not enough and we will be judged by actions. Yet in this passage, Jesus seems to say that we will be judged by our thoughts. So, which is it? Either, or, or both?

Last week we discussed the first section of this passage where Jesus declared anger as equal to murder. That was the first example of the new standard which Jesus places on Christian disciples. Let’s move on to the second new standard:

Chapter 10 – Woman

Mat 5:27-32 ESV "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' (28) But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (29) If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. (30) And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. (31) "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' (32) But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Bonhoeffer:

“Adherence to Jesus allows no free reign to desire unless it be accompanied by love.”

What would you think if you saw a new ad on TV – a surgeon who claimed to have developed a procedure that would cure you from all impure thoughts? Doesn’t sound possible, does it? We would likely label that surgeon as a quack and demand a State Board investigation. But isn’t that what Jesus prescribes? A surgical cure to lust?

The wording used is quite interesting. The phrase “causes you to sin” (other translations “causeth thee to stumble”, “offend thee”, “proves a stumbling block”) is translated from the Greek word “skandalizo” which is a form of the word “skandalethron” which literally means ‘the bait stick in a trap’. Think about that for a moment. If you are at all familiar with traps of any kind, you know that there is always a trigger or trip and the trip is always baited. Even fish traps, which are basically cages with no moving parts, must be baited. Even a fish hook is a type of trap and must be baited. What happens to any type of trap that is not baited? An un-baited trap may catch its intended prey, but if it does it is pure luck.

What is the purpose of bait? To lure the prey to the trap. It causes the prey to stumble into the waiting trap.

So are we to think that Jesus meant that we are to literally remove our eyes or limbs?

Do our eyes lure us into lust? Or is it the object seen by our eyes?

What is it that we are to surgically remove in order to protect us from sin?

Barclay:

“What they mean is that anything which helps to seduce us to sin is to be ruthlessly rooted out of life. If there is a habit which can be seduction to evil, if there is an association which can be the cause of wrongdoing, if there is a pleasure which could turn out to be our ruin, then that thing must be surgically excised from our life.”

So what do we do? Do we identify the causes of our lustful thoughts and just refuse to think about them?

What happens when we attempt to stop ourselves from thinking certain thoughts? The more we say, “Don’t think about it” the more we do in fact think about it.

Does that indicate that a vow of chastity is in fact a very dangerous thing?

So what do we do? How do we go about surgically removing our stumbling blocks?

We fill our mind with Jesus.

Bonhoeffer:

“Jesus does not impose intolerable restrictions on his disciples, he does not forbid them to look at anything, but bids them look on him. If they do that he knows that their gaze will always be pure, even when they look upon a woman. So far from imposing on them an intolerable yoke of legalism, he succors them with the grace of the gospel.”

But we must remember that no sacrifice is too great if it removes whatever keeps us away from Jesus. We must deal with our temptations as drastically and radically as necessary, and cut off or pluck out whatever bait may be leading us into a trap.

Chapter 11 – Truthfulness

Mat 5:33-37 ESV "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' (34) But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, (35) or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. (36) And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. (37) Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Does it seem that Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount was just giving the disciples and the crowds a review of what they already knew?

Surely they all knew that the law forbade murder, adultery, and lying?

Can we make oaths, or are they forbidden?

What about in court?

What if we hold an office that requires an oath?

What about the “Pledge of Allegiance”?

What do oaths prove?

Bonhoeffer:

“The very existence of oaths is a proof that there are such things as lies. If lying were unknown, there would be no need for oaths.”

What does Jesus do, according to Bonhoeffer, by forbidding oaths altogether?

Bonhoeffer:

“Jesus destroys the lie... ..the lie must be seized by Jesus in the very place to which it flees, in the oath. Therefore the oath must go, since it is a protection for the lie.”

Do oaths make lying easier?

If oaths are eliminated, does this mean that we are no longer answerable to God for our lack of truthfulness?

Bonhoeffer:

“This is not to say that the disciples are no longer answerable to the omniscient God for every word they utter, it means that every word they utter is spoken in his presence, and not only those words which are accompanied by an oath. Hence they are forbidden to swear at all. Since they always speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth, there is no need for an oath, which would only throw doubt on the veracity of all their other statements. This is why the oath is ‘of the evil one’.”

Bonhoeffer:

“For the Christian no earthly obligation is absolutely binding.”

Does this mean that we should not “pledge our allegiance” to earthly nations?

I think that if a Christian aligns himself with a political entity, an oath or pledge is not necessary. His “yes is a yes”.

Chapter 12 – Revenge

Mat 5:38-42 ESV "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' (39) But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (40) And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (41) And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (42) Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Barclay:

“Few passages of the New Testament have more of the essence of the Christian ethic in them than this one. Here is the characteristic ethic of the Christian life, and the conduct which should distinguish the Christian from others.”

Are there different “degrees” of Old Testament laws? In other words, are there some that are binding on Christians and others that only applied to the Jewish people of Old Testament times?

Are the Ten Commandments more important than the other Old Testament laws?

Is the law of “eye for eye” also known as the law of “tit for tat” binding on Christians?

Exo 21:23-25 ESV But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, (24) eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, (25) burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Lev 24:19-20 ESV If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, (20) fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.

Deu 19:21 ESV Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Are we to accept these as laws that we must follow?

Bonhoeffer:

“Jesus will not countenance the modern practice of putting the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) on a higher level than the rest of the Old Testament law. For him the law of the Old Testament is a unity, and he insists to his disciples that it must be fulfilled.”

So what do we make of this? Do we place “tit for tat” on the level with “thou shall not murder” or “thou shall not commit adultery”?

The world probably places “tit for tat” on a higher level, but what are Christians to make of it?

What happens when Jesus turns “tit for tat” into total “active”, nonviolent, non-resistance?

Bonhoeffer:

“This saying of Christ removes the Church from the sphere of politics and law… the church … is different: it has abandoned political and national status, and therefore… must patiently endure aggression.”

Has the Church in America “abandoned political and national status”?

What happens when a Christian disciple meets with injustice?

Bonhoeffer:

“At this point it becomes evident that when a Christian meets with injustice, he no longer clings to his rights and defends them at all costs.”

“The only way to overcome evil is to let it run itself to a standstill because it does not find the resistance it is looking for. Resistance merely creates further evil and adds fuel to the flames. But when evil meets no opposition and encounters no obstacle but only patient endurance, its sting is drawn, and at last it meets an opponent which is more than its match…..Then evil cannot find its mark, it can breed no further evil, and is left barren.”

How do these statements reconcile with the fact that Bonhoeffer was part of a “resistance” in Nazi Germany?

Bonhoeffer:

“There is no deed on earth so outrageous as to justify a different attitude. The worse the evil, the readier must the Christian be to suffer; he must let the evil person fall into Jesus’ hands.”

Is the call to active non-violent non-resistance only binding on persons? Are we freed from this obligation of discipleship when we see a “duty”?

Such as:

True or False:

A Christian husband and father has a “duty” to protect his wife and children, even with violence if necessary.

A government employee or official who is also a Christian has a “duty” to defend those he is charged to protect, even with violence if necessary.

If my home is invaded, I have a “duty” to defend my life and property.

Bonhoeffer:

“…this distinction between person and office is wholly alien to the teachings of Jesus…..the precept of non-violence applies equally to private life and official duty….when it comes to practice, this distinction raises insoluble difficulties. Am I ever acting only as a private person or only in an official capacity? If I am attacked am I not at once the father of my children, the pastor of my flock, and e.g. a government official? Am I no bound for that very reason to defend myself against every attack, for reason of responsibility to my office? And am I not also always an individual, face to face with Jesus, even in the performance of my official duties? Am I not therefore obliged to resist every attack just because of my responsibility for my office? Is it right to forget that the follower of Jesus is always utterly alone, always the individual, who in the last resort can only decide and act for himself? Don’t we act most responsibly on behalf of those entrusted to our care if we act in this aloneness?”

“How then can the precept of Jesus be justified in the light of experience? It is obvious that weakness and defencelessness only invite aggression. Is then the demand of Jesus nothing but an impracticable ideal? Does he refuse to face up to realities –or shall we say, to the sin of the world? There may of course be a legitimate place for such an ideal in the inner life of the Christian community, but in the outside world such an ideal appears to wear the blinkers of perfectionism, and to take no account of sin. Living as we do in a world of sin and evil, we can have no truck with anything as impracticable as that.”

“Jesus, however, tells us that it is just because we live in the world, and just because the world is evil, that the precept of non-resistance must be put into practice.”

Chapter 13 – The Enemy – The “Extraordinary”

Mat 5:43-48 ESV "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (47) And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (48) You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

What one word, according to Bonhoeffer, sums up the whole message of the Sermon on the Mount?

What one word, according to John Wesley, sums up his doctrine of “Christian Perfection”?

Love.

Bonhoeffer:

“Here, for the first time in the Sermon on the Mount, we meet the word which sums up the whole of its message, the word “love”. Love is defined in uncompromising terms as the love of our enemies. Had Jesus only told us to love our brethren, we might have misunderstood what he meant by love, but now he leaves us in no doubt whatever as to his meaning.”

Wesley:

“What is then the perfection of which man is capable while he dwells in a corruptible body? It is the complying with that kind command, "My son, give me thy heart." It is the "loving the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind." This is the sum of Christian perfection: It is all comprised in that one word, Love. The first branch of it is the love of God: And as he that loves God loves his brother also, it is inseparably connected with the second: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself:" Thou shalt love every man as thy own soul, as Christ loved us. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets:" These contain the whole of Christian perfection.” (Sermon 76, On Perfection)

Barclay:

“To the ordinary person, this passage describes essential Christianity in action, and even the person who never darkens the door of the church knows that Jesus said this, and very often condemns the professing Christian for falling short of its demands.”

What does Jesus mean by “loving our enemies”?

Is this love a passive emotive response toward our enemies?

How do we get rid of our enemies, according to popular notions?

Bonhoeffer:

“From now on there can be no more wars of faith. The only way to overcome our enemy is by loving.”

“To the natural man, the very notion of loving his enemies is an intolerable offence, and quite beyond his capacity: it cuts right across his ideas of good and evil. More important still, to man under the law, the idea of loving his enemies is clean contrary to the law of God.”

Who are our enemies?

Bonhoeffer:

“By our enemies Jesus means those who are quite intractable and utterly unresponsive to our love, who forgive us nothing when we forgive them all, who requite our love with hatred and our service with derision.”

“Christian love draws no distinction between one enemy and another, except that the more bitter our enemy’s hatred, the greater his need of love. Be his enemy political or religious, he has nothing to expect from a follower of Jesus but unqualified love. In such love there is no inner discord between private person and official capacity. In both we are disciples of Christ, or we are not Christians at all. Am I asked how this love is to behave? Jesus gives the answer: bless, do good, and pray for your enemies without reserve and without respect of persons.”

What does it really mean to be a Christian?

What separates, more than any other quality, Christians from the rest of the world.

Christians are “peculiar” in that they love their enemies.

Bonhoeffer:

“When we love those who love us, our brethren, our nation, our friends, yes, and even our own congregation, we are no better than the heathen and the publicans. Such love is ordinary and natural, and not distinctively Christian. We can love our kith and kin, our fellow countrymen and our friends, whether we are Christians or not, and there is no need for Jesus to teach us that.”

How does the extraordinary quality of the Christian life work out?

The extraordinary life is described in the beatitudes and is done by the followers of Jesus.

And then there are the Christians who justify their actions with thoughts that if we truly love our enemies we show them by dropping bombs on them.

Diversity of Discipleship

2007-02-07T17:03:00.000-05:00

It only takes a glance around the room at any church function to realize that we are a very diverse bunch. Go to a community wide church service and the diversity becomes even more apparent. There is not only diversity in the human aspect of various believers. The Body of Christ is also very diverse in belief and practice. Many people, outside and inside the church, point at our diverse opinions and doctrine as a sign of weakness in the church. Our diversity could and should be a means of strength, yet we sometimes forget our Lord’s second greatest commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Even those of us who do not love others as we should can at least acknowledge that it is our duty to love all humankind. Yet it is our very human nature that makes us very selective about those whom we share our spiritual life. We maintain a courteous and even cordial social contact with casual acquaintances, but we are very careful about those in whom we share the intimacies of our faith. Rather than concede our diversity as a sign of weakness, I contend that in our diversity lies our strength. Strength through diversity of gifts and graces given by God. This is true not only of the Body of Christ as a whole, but of individual congregations of believers as well.

Our strength lies in the one thing we all have in common, the love of Jesus Christ. While there is no limit to the range of characteristics, temperaments, interests, habits, beliefs, and convictions. God has made no two people exactly alike. Human beings have an infinite diversity. Yet all Christians can answer one question exactly the same. The question: “Is your heart true to Jesus Christ?” We must maintain an open mind and a catholic spirit and realize that as long as “your heart is true to Christ as my heart is true to Christ” then we all can maintain a unity of love and affection that truly meets the commandment of God to love our neighbor as ourselves. Though we may all think alike, we can absolutely all love alike. Though we may not all be of one opinion, we can absolutely become one in heart. Though we may not all look alike, sound alike, sing alike, or praise alike, we can be thankful that God does not care how we look, sound, sing, or praise, only that we do so with one love.

We are all of one heart, one Lord, one Savior. Yet our Savior has chosen to bless us with a wide range of gifts and graces. The diversity of qualities is undeniably and unquestioningly the work of God’s grace in our lives. Every one of us has gifts and talents which, in addition to making us unique human beings, gives us tremendous potential in our Christian discipleship.

As Jesus’ earthly ministry was coming to an end, He began to prepare His disciples for the time when they would be called upon to carry on the work He had started. Jesus was returning to God, but He promised the disciples they would not be left alone. The Holy Spirit would come and teach the disciples all they would need to know in order to continue His ministry:

Joh 14:12-18 ESV "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. (13) Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (15) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (16) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (17) even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (18) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Joh 14:26 ESV But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Joh 15:26-27 ESV "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. (27) And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and empower His disciples to carry out His commission to the ends of the earth. On the day of Pentecost, just weeks after Jesus ascension to Heaven, the Holy Spirit came with great power and three thousand people were made Christians on that day. The church was born. Those first followers of Jesus Christ received gifts of the Holy Spirit once they accepted Christ as their Savior. References to those gifts appear throughout the rest of the New Testament.

1Co 12:1-31 ESV Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. (2) You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. (3) Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.

(Belief itself is a gift of the Spirit)

(4) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; (5) and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; (6) and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (7) To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (8) For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (12) For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. (13) For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (14) For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (15) If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. (16) And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. (17) If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? (18) But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. (19) If all were a single member, where would the body be? (20) As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. (21) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." (22) On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, (23) and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, (24) which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, (25) that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (26) If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (27) Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (28) And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. (29) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? (30) Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (31) But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit did not end with the Acts of the Apostles. Gifts of the Spirit is still one common thread in all Christians in all places and times.

One task that the church can help us with is in identifying these gifts and graces, and help us to use them in the service of Jesus Christ. Notice that I said “gifts and graces”. Everything we have to offer in service to Christ is not a “gift”. We also have “graces” that we can share in service.

Our gifts and graces fall into three general categories:

1. The first category is those things about us, those qualities and talents, that make each of us a unique human being. These are in the form of natural talents and resources that we bring with us when we come to Christ.

2. The second category is the particular spiritual gifts that God has given each of us that make a unique contribution to the Body of Christ. Note that there is a distinction between natural talents and Gifts of the Spirit.

3. The third is the ways in which the Holy Spirit works in our lives so that the grace of God can make our discipleship more and more a reflection of the Christ we endeavor to honor and obey. This is our individuality, dreams and experiences.

Our church is taking an active role in the near future to help us to identify and use all of these gifts and graces in service to our Lord. We are going to do a church-wide study/assessment called Serving from the Heart: Finding your gifts and talents for Service. Members of the Leadership Committee of the church have already taken the study and will be teaching/leading it for the rest of the congregation.

One of the great weaknesses of congregational life today is that many of our members remain practically anonymous. Not literally anonymous. We do at least know the names of all of our members. But far too many are known only by name, as if that name on the roll alone establishes their identity and their place in the Body of Christ. We are familiar with all the members of the church, but how many do we really know. How many are known for their service to Christ. How many are, through their service, pointing others to Christ. The reality is that most of us know very little about our fellow church members, even in a small church like ours.

The church has made the decision to know it’s members in a meaningful way – a way that is much more than knowing names only. At the same time we will probably learn things about ourselves that we did not realize or acknowledge before. We will learn of our human qualities, our intellectual abilities, our homespun wisdom, our physical talents, our emotional generosities, our patience, understanding, and sympathy, our ambitions, determination, and vision, our willingness to help others, our concerns for social justice, our professional qualifications and accomplishments, our recreational interests, our hobbies. We will come to know a greater richness of talent and human potential than we ever thought existed in our congregation. All that can be put to use in service to our Lord.

These classes/workshops/studies will begin in three weeks and continue through the six weeks of Lent. We thought that Lent was the perfect time to search and assess our faithfulness and discipleship. The study will be given at various times and locations. It will be given during our normal Wednesday night activity time and during our Sunday School time on Sunday mornings. We are willing to schedule the class to fit your schedule. If the planned times are not convenient for you let us know and we will accommodate. Our goal is to have 100 participants during this time.

The backbone of the study is a spiritual resource inventory concept known as S.T.R.I.D.E. We have often heard our spiritual life referred to as a journey. Just as every Christian is different, so is each of our journeys different. We all have the same beginning in the New Birth in Christ and we all have the same destination to become fully sanctified in Christ. In between the two are many twists and turns. We have unique strides. One person walks slowly, and another skips all the way.

The journey of discipleship has four main paths. All four paths must be followed to reach the end of the journey. The paths are Worshipping, Growing, Giving, and Serving. Even on the paths there are various trails and we all travel with a different stride. At every level of spiritual maturity we worship God. Yet there are many ways of worship. We all seek to grow in faith, but each of us grow in a different way. Our giving may begin with small irregular offerings, to regular commitments, to tithing, and even to reverse tithing. The Serving from the Heart study will focus on the Serving trail. Just as there are different ways to worship, grow, and give, so also, there are different ways to serve.

S.T.R.I.D.E. is an acronym we use to describe the ways that Christians are unique as we travel our various paths to sanctification. As Christians we are expected to use our spiritual gifts to serve others and to glorify God. God has created each of us with a specific purpose in mind, giving us Spiritual gifts, Talents, Resources, Individuality, Dreams, and Experiences. All of these are incorporated into every Christian in ways designed to help us extend the “great invitation” and to fulfill the Great Commision.

I urge each of you to seek out one of the study groups (or start your own) and invite others to do so as we examine these six elements of our unique God-design and seek to understand God’s plan for our church as well as God’s purpose for our lives.

As Paul said:

1Co 12:1 ESV Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

Book Study - The Cost of Discipleship - Week 4 - Chapters 6-9

2007-02-02T11:05:00.000-05:00

In the first section of The Cost of Discipleship laid out his ideological understanding of discipleship, namely the requirement of costly grace. In the next section, he moves into the practical application of discipleship. According to Bonhoeffer:

“...the Sermon on the Mount is there for the purpose of being done.”

These three chapters from the Gospel of Matthew are not just theological discourses. They are in effect the disciples instruction manual. Jesus calls disciples to do His will. Matthew 5-7 gives a clear picture of what that “doing” involves.

Chapter 6 - The Beatitudes

Mat 5:1-12 ESV
(1) Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
(2) And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
(3) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(4) "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
(5) "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
(6) "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
(7) "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
(8) "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
(9) "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
(10) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(11) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
(12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Here we have, according to John Wesley, “the Son of God who came from Heaven...revealing to us the way to heaven.” (Sermon 21, Upon the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount: Discourse 1).

Who is Jesus addressing?

Is the Sermon on the Mount intended just for the disciples? Or for everyone?

According to John Wesley, that “either the entire sermon is to be applied to everyone, or else to no one.”

Bonhoeffer:

But disciples and people are one, for they are members of the Church which is called of God. Hence the aim of this beatitude is to bring all who hear it to decision and salvation. All are called to be what in the reality of God they are already. The disciples are called blessed because they have obeyed the call of Jesus, and the people as a whole because they are heirs of the promise. But will they now claim their heritage by believing in Jesus Christ and his word? Or will they fall into apostasy by refusing to accept him? That is the question which still remains to be answered?

What is the meaning of “blessed”?

Blessed means blissfully happy or contented. Beatitude means supreme blessedness or happiness. Beatus = Latin for blessed.

Why, according to Bonhoeffer, are disciples blessed?

Disciples are blessed because they obeyed Jesus’ call. It is the call itself that made them poor, afflicted, and hungry.

What is the difference between being peaceful and being a peacemaker?

How does one move from the point of seeing a need for mercy to actually being “merciful”?

Who is “pure in heart”?

John Wesley:

“…in Matthew chapter 5 our Lord lays down the sum of all true religion in eight points. (I count nine)…

Some people have theorized that Christ lays out these eight points as successive steps which Christians are to take in their journey to the promised land. Others assume that the eight points that Christ sets down apply to all Christians at all times.”

Which theory do you agree with? Or both?

Chapter 7 – The Visible Community

Mat 5:13-16 ESV "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. (14) "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (16) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

What does this passage tell us about discipleship?

Bonhoeffer:

“The disciples…must not only think of heaven; they have an earthly task as well.”

What is the “earthly task” of the disciples?

Disciples are the only hope the earth has.

Can a believer be a disciple in thought only?

What purpose does the “salt” and “light” serve?

The works of believers must be seen so as to speak out and draw all men to Jesus.

Can a disciple make a choice whether they will be “salt” and “light”?

What are those who “put their lamp under a basket” doing?

They are denying the call to discipleship. Jesus does not say, “You ought to be salt and light” or “After you’ve practiced being a Christian for a while, you may be salt and light”. Jesus says. “You are salt and light.”

What are some of the bushel baskets in our lives?

Is it the disciples themselves that are “salt” and “light”?

It is not them but their works that are to be seen. The salt and light are to point to Christ and never to self.

Chapter 8 – The Righteousness of Christ

Mat 5:17-20 ESV "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (18) For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (19) Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Does this passage void the Law?

Where does obedience to the Old Testament Law fit into the picture of discipleship?

Are disciples bound to the Old Testament Law?

Bonhoeffer:

“The question inevitably arises, Which is our final authority, Christ or the law? To which are we bound? Christ had said that no law was to come between him and his disciples. Now he tells us that to abandon the law would be to separate ourselves from him. What exactly does he mean?”

Jesus clearly requires disciples to obey the Old Testament Law. In fact, this obedience to the Law is the distinguishing mark of the better righteousness. Why is the disciples righteousness better than the Pharisees?

The disciple’s righteousness is better than the Pharisees because the disciple can obey the Law perfectly? How is that?

The disciple is able to perfectly fulfill the Law because between the disciple and the Law stands Jesus, the one who has perfectly fulfilled it. “Better righteousness” means following Christ in a real and active faith in Jesus’ righteousness. Jesus has given us a new law, the law of Christ.

Chapter 9 – The Brother

Mat 5:21-26 ESV "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' (22) But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. (23) So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, (24) leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (25) Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. (26) Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

What does the modifier “but I say to you” indicate?

It indicates that the previous statement is either being changed or made obsolete. In this instance, Jesus, the author and giver of the Law “You shall not murder” sums up the whole meaning of the Law.

Who is a “brother”?

“Brother” does not mean only family and it does not mean only other Christians. For the Christian, there can be no one who does not qualify as brother or neighbor.

How does anger equate with murder?

Even anger is a violation of the boundary of a “brothers” life.

In what way is anger an attack on a brother’s life?

Anger is an attack on the brother’s life because it interferes with that life, and, by it’s very nature, aims at or seeks the brother’s destruction. A barrier is erected between the angry person and his brother and also between the angry person and God. We must be reconciled with our brother to follow Jesus and follow God.

What component of the “extraordinary” life of the disciple is uncovered in this passage?
This component is reconciliation. The disciple exhibits his “extraordinariness” by resolving anger through reconciliation. The barriers between a man and his brother and a man and God, which are erected in anger, are torn down throught reconciliation.

Book Study - The Cost of Discipleship, Week 3 - Chapters 3-5

2007-01-29T05:36:00.000-05:00

Before we even began our first week of this study a question was asked and of which I asked that discussion be deferred until after we had discussed at least the first three chapters.

The question:

Is it all or nothing?

Are we lost unless we totally and completely surrender to the call of discipleship?

Some interesting thoughts on the subject that I have found this week:

From Class Leaders: Recovering a Tradition by David Lowes Watson (1991, Discipleship Resources, Nashville)

The Mystery of Christian Discipleship

Of all the mysteries that confront the Christian disciple - the mystery of sin, evil, and suffering, the mystery of death and resurrection, the mystery of God’s love and redemption in Jesus Christ, the mystery of time and eternity, and the mystery of the coming reign of God - there is nothing more mysterious than Christian discipleship itself...

The mystery lies ... in why so many church members who profess the name of Jesus, who witness to his saving grace, and who take part regularly in so many aspects of congregational life and work, do not seem to take seriously what the scriptures have to say about the cost of discipleship. Jesus made clear that there were conditions to following him.....

It is hard to find a word that is used so widely in the church today yet defined so loosely as “disciple”.... the reality of congregational life in the United States of America would seem to indicate one of two things: either that the great majority of church members are not Christian disciples at all; or else that many millions of Christians in the North American church are in for a rude awakening when they finally discover what they agreed to be and to do when they answered the call to discipleship.

And in a recent post Steve Manskar had this to say:

Two Kinds of Disciples

John Wesley provides some help with identifying types of discipleship in his sermon, “The More Excellent Way.” Here he reflects on the nature of Christian discipleship. He acknowledges a long held belief that there are two kinds of Christians:

The one lived an innocent life, conforming in all things not sinful to the customs and fashions of the world, doing many good works, abstaining from gross evils, and attending the ordinances of God. They endeavoured in general to have a conscience void of offence in their outward behaviour, but did not aim at any particular strictness, being in most things like their neighbours.

The other sort of Christians not only abstained from all appearance of evil, were zealous of good works in every kind, and attended all the ordinances of God; but likewise used all diligence to attain the whole mind that was in Christ, and laboured to walk in every point as their beloved Master. In order to this they walked in a constant course of universal self-denial, trampling on every pleasure which they were not divinely conscious prepared them for taking pleasure in God. They took up their cross daily. They strove, they agonized without intermission, to enter in at the strait gate. This one thing they did; they spared no pains to
arrive at the summit of Christian holiness: 'leaving the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, to go on to perfection'; 'to know all that love of God which passeth knowledge, and to be filled with all the fullness of God'. (§5)

The first group composes the vast majority of Christians. They attend worship in varying degrees of frequency, give money to the church, may attend a Sunday school class, send their children to Sunday school, and do their best to be good, decent people. Their appearance and behavior is virtually indistinguishable from that of their non-Christian and non-religious neighbors. These are the majority of disciples present in any given congregation.

The second kind of Christians described by Wesley are those women and men who have made an intentional, deeply personal commitment to following and serving Jesus Christ in the world through loving obedience to his commandments. They are more disciplined in practicing the means of grace, both the works of piety and the works of mercy. These disciples are deeply committed to Christ and exhibit a way of life that leads to holiness of heart and life.

Wesley is very clear in this sermon to say that both groups are equally “saved.” They all are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Each is following Christ in the way that best suits them at the time. That being said, Wesley also asserts that it is the responsibility of the community of faith and its leaders to encourage and equip the first type of Christians to desire to mature and move toward the second.

Both articles seem to answer the question the same way: it is not all or nothing. All Christians are “saved”. Few Christians are disciples. The job of the disciple is to serve the non-disciple Christians and all non-Christians. The moment that the disciple develops an attitude of superiority is the moment that he ceases to be a disciple.

Chapter 4 - Discipleship and the Cross

Mar 8:31-38 ESV
(31) And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.
(32) And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
(33) But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
(34) And he called to him the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
(35) For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.
(36) For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
(37) For what can a man give in return for his life?
(38) For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

In Chapter 2 we discussed the call to discipleship and in chapter 3 we discussed how the call is a call to obedience. At the beginning of chpater 4 Bonhoeffer notes that in this passage of scripture the call to follow is closely connected to Jesus’ passion. Jesus had to suffer and be rejected. Bonhoeffer went on to state that this suffering and rejection applied to disciples as well. Just as Jesus had to suffer, so disciples must also suffer. One cannot be a disciple unless one adheres to the person of Jesus. Jesus had already demanded a decision when he said, “follow me.” In this passage Jesus calls for a second decision. What is the decision called for in this passage?

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

What does it mean to deny yourself and follow Jesus?

How is suffering involved?

Rom 5:1-11 ESV
(1) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2) Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
(3) More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
(4) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
(5) and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(6) For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
(7) For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--
(8) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(9) Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
(10) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
(11) More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Luk 9:23 ESV(23) And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

How do we suffer for Christ?

What is the first suffering that all disciples must suffer?

Denying our self, abandoning worldly attachments.

In what way do we “take up our cross daily”?

Some hypothetical scenarios:

Someone we know, a great Christian, has been diagnosed with a deadly disease. He will have to face many months of agonizing treatments and will still have very little chance of survival. If the disease wins, the death will be slow and agonizing. Is this suffering for Christ, taking up a daily cross?

What is the difference in this man’s suffering and the suffering done by millions of non-Christians every day?

Another great Christian had devoted her life for the last several years to her two beautiful daughters. One day the older daughter, who rode her bike to the elementary school down the block disappeared. The bicycle was found on the sidewalk almost within sight of their home. Vanished without a trace. No clues. No physical evidence. Many years pass and the fate of the daughter is never discovered. The Christian lady’s life had been devastated. She suffered later from addictions and mental disorders. Is this suffering for Christ, taking up a daily cross?

What is the difference in this lady’s suffering and the suffering done by millions of non-Christians every day?

I would be tempted to say, and I think that Bonhoeffer would agree, that this type of suffering has nothing to do with the cross. This type of suffering experienced by all of humanity is a result of the Fall. What is the suffering that we must experience for Christ’s sake?

More hypothetical scenarios:

I have been working very hard nonstop for the past few months at a very stressful job. I am just about ready to take a few days for some much needed rest and relaxation. Some coworkers are planning on a trip to Panama City Beach. They make it sound like so much fun. A long weekend of girls and guys gone wild. A binge that you would never forget, unless of course you drank so much that you can’t remember. What would be the harm in that? What would be the damage of some “innocent” fun? But I am a Christian now. I have accepted the “exclusive attachment to the person of Christ”. I have to search my Christ-formed conscience: In taking on Christ, wherever I go and whatever I do, He is with me. Does He want in on this fun-filled weekend of debauchery? Absolutely not. And if He’s not going then I’m not either. Is this suffering for Christ? Have I just denied self and taken up a cross?

Another:

A family member is down on his luck. Just divorced, lost his job, the repo-man is on the way to haul off his double-wide. I have two choices, actually three, the two good choices would be to either take this family member into my home and help him get back on his feet or to help him financially so that he can keep his own home. The bad choice would be to just ignore his problems and let him handle them the best he can. I love this person, but really don’t want my home disrupted, so I help him out financially. Is this suffering for Christ?

What have I done that most non-Christians would not do for a family member?

Because I am a Christian and because I love that relative, I never even think about how I suffered financial hardship because I helped him. I know that Jesus said that if someone wants your coat, to give them your shirt as well and if someone wants you to carry their load for a mile, to carry it for two, and that if anyone asks you should give. Because I know all these Christian teachings, I have totally forgotten about the money that I gave to my relative. Have I suffered for Christ?

What would the average non-Christian’s feelings be toward this relative?

A few months later my relative scratches off a lottery ticket worth $100,000.

What would be the average non-Christian reaction be now?

Great. Maybe now this dead-beat will pay me back the hard-earned money that I spent on his expenses to help him out in his time of need. But what does the relative do? Well the first thing he does is head off for a wild weekend in Panama City Beach. Weeks, then months, go by with no offer of repayment.

What would be the average non-Christian reaction be now?

Most folks would want to haul this guy off to Judge Judy. We live in a world of lawsuits.

But what would be the suffering way-of-the-Cross reaction?

Can we safely say that every time we face down a worldly temptation that we have suffered for the cross?

Carrying the cross involves the suffering associated with being tempted, and since every believer is tempted every day, then every day the believer must suffer for Jesus Christ’s sake. This is the cross we bear.

“Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship.”

Taking up our cross begins with the abandonment of the world and requires a daily self-denial. Our self-denial has nothing to do with “acts of mortification” or asceticism.

Discipleship means adherence to the person of Jesus, and attachment to Jesus means submission to the teachings of Jesus: The Law of the Cross. The law of the cross calls for the denial of self and the choice to daily take up the cross given to us that day. Enduring the cross is not a tragedy but is the fruit of our exclusive attachment to Christ.

Remember that Bonhoeffer wrote this book while under a Nazi order not to write or publish. The publication of this book put him under risk of persecution. How does Bonhoeffer himself define the essence of self-denial?

“Just as Christ is Christ only in the virtue of His suffering and rejection, so the disciple is a disciple only in so far as he shares his Lord’s suffering and rejection and crucifiction.”

What does that statement mean?

Chapter 5 - Discipleship and the Individual

How does the world view individuality?

Is a person made an individual through his own personal effort?

This chapter opens with the assertion that “through the call of Jesus men become individuals.”

How is this so?

Luk 14:26 ASV
(26) If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

We all receive an individual call to be a Christian disciple. But what do we generally do with our call?

We attempt to align ourselves with others who share our beliefs. These alignments may actually even be a barrier which prevents our heeding our call.

“Every man is called separately, and must follow alone. But men are frightened of solitude, and they try to protect themselves from it by merging themselves into the society of their fellow-men and in their material environment...

But all this is only a cloak to protect them from having to make a decision. They are unwilling to stand alone before Jesus and be compelled to decide...”

Could this be an indictment of the people in the German Church?

Why is individualism a necessity for a disciple?

Individualism is the call of Christ to come apart from the world. He wants to be the center. When we receive the call, we realize that our world has been built on an illusion. When we receive his call, we realize that even in such relationships as parent and child, or husband and wife, stands Christ, and no other relationship can be as important as the one with Christ. Christ is our mediator, not only between God and man, but between individuals.

Book Study: The Cost of Discipleship - Week 2, Chapters 1-3

2007-01-18T12:32:00.000-05:00

Chapter 1 - Costly Grace

Bonhoeffer begins the book with powerful statements about grace and contrasts “cheap grace” and “costly grace”.

What is cheap grace and costly grace?

“Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin.”

“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance.”

“Cheap grace is grace without discipleship.”

“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.”

“Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.”

“It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.”

“It is costly because it because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner.”

“...it is costly because it cost God the life of His Son..., and what cost God much cannot be cheap for us.”

How would you define the contrast between the two?

Can you identify any examples of cheap grace in today’s church?

What are the “costs” of cheap grace?

Cheap grace weakens the church.

“...the collapse of the organized Church is only the inevitable consequence of our policy of making grace available to all at too low a cost.”

Does this mean that church is just for “excellent” Christians?

What, according to Bonhoeffer, is the most urgent problem that the church faces? Is this still true today?

The problem, as stated by Bonhoeffer, is this: “How can we live the Christian life in the modern world?”

How can we live in the world without being of the world?

Does meeting Jesus Christ result in a “death”? Whose?

Meeting Jesus results either in death of our old self or in death of Jesus. If our old self does not die, then Jesus does not live. Grace is going to cost.

Why is there no “middle way” of encountering Jesus?

Given this stark choice, why do so many of us still choose to encounter Jesus?

Does it seem that Bonhoeffer may be suggesting a new “phariseeism”, a new set of laws or rules that must be followed in order to be a “true” Christian?

Rom 3:23-24 MSG
(23) Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us,
(24) God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

Rom 3:23-24 ESV
(23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(24) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Eph 2:8-9 ESV
(8) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
(9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Eph 2:8-9 MSG
(8) Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish!
(9) We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing!

These passages assure us that the grace of God is free. We do not need to and cannot “pay” for God’s grace or do anything to earn it. What is the distinction between this free grace and Bonhoeffers “cheap grace”?

Phi 3:7-14 ESV
(7) But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
(8) Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
(9) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--
(10) that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
(11) that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
(12) Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
(13) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
(14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In putting his faith in Christ, what price had Paul paid? What had he given up? What had he “died” to?

Saul was a Pharisee. Saul had been a firm, loyal defender of the Law. We have to assume that one who defended the law with the zeal of Saul must have also followed the Law and from that had some assurance of his standing with God. Why did Paul now regard those prior qualifications as “rubbish”?

As you have grown with Christ, what former reasons for pride do you now consider “rubbish”?

How do verses 10 and 11 illustrate “costly grace”?

What further price was Paul willing to pay in order to participate more fully in Christ?

What motivated Paul to continue in his Christian life?

How do those motivations compare with what motivates you in your Christian life?

The religious credentials of Saul was what Bonhoeffer would call “the grace we bestow on ourselves.” Do we take pride in our religious credentials?

How are you tempted to congratulate yourself in the areas of:
ritual observance?
Christian heritage?
accomplishments?

Chapter 2 - The Call to Discipleship

Mar 2:14 ESV
(14) And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.

What was Levi’s response to Jesus’ call?

What happened between Jesus’ call and Levi’s response?

What does the life of discipleship include? What is the established program or way of life that is required of a disciple?

According to Bonhoeffer, what is the one and only requirement of discipleship?

“...there is no road to faith or discipleship, no other road - only obedience to the call of Jesus.”

Jesus said to Levi, “Follow me”. Following Jesus is the content for discipleship. This request points to the fact that there is no content for discipleship in the sense of an established program for a particular way of life.

What does it mean to “follow” Jesus?

Bonhoeffer wrote:

“when we are called to follow Christ, we are summoned to an exclusive attachment to his person”

Describe this attachment.

In our lives, what other attachments threaten our “exclusive” attachment to Christ?

Most Christians find some attachments (family, work, church, country) absolutely legitimate and even a part of our discipleship. How do we fit these into their proper place with the “exclusive” attachment to Christ?

What does the United Methodist Church require of members?

Basically the requirement of the UMC of members is stated in the vows:

Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?

Does this fulfill the call to follow Jesus?

Bonhoeffer wrote that abstract ideas, knowledge about Christianity, and doctrinal statements make discipleship “superfluous” and even “positively exclude discipleship”. Why is genuine discipleship so opposed to an abstract version of Christianity?

Recently Steve Manskar, Director of Accountable Discipleship at the UMC General Board of Discipleship wrote that Bonhoeffer’s description of cheap grace:

...is a fairly accurate description of most United Methodist congregations today. If you are shocked by this, I invite you to consider the expectations of membership in your local congregation. How does the congregation equip and help its members remain faithful to their baptismal covenant? Is there an intentional system to help members grow and mature as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? Is there even an expectation that each member will be taught and equipped for the practices of discipleship.......? My experience, as a life-long Methodist/United Methodist, is that we have very low expectations of membership. We give little more than lip service to the baptismal covenant. The result is that most local congregations are little more than social clubs with a religious veneer. There is no expectation that faith will increase, hope in Christ will be confirmed, or that you or I will be perfected in love.

In spite of what the Baptismal covenant states, the real expectations of membership are that a person attend Sunday morning worship when it is convenient and, most important, that they make regular financial contributions to the church’s budget. Consequently, membership in the church is seen more as a benefit than an obligation; more as an entitlement than as a commitment to service and obedience.

Cheap grace is killing the church. If we ever hope to turn around decades of decline we must repent of this insidious way of “doing church.”

Bonhoeffer stated that the only true relation we can have with Jesus is to follow him. What are false ways we try to relate to Jesus?

Bonhoeffer:

Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.

Bonhoeffer asserted that if one is to follow Christ he or she must take certain definite steps. The first step takes the disciple out of the old situation and into a new situation where faith is possible. Bonhoeffer used this section of Chapter 2 to defend his position against those who might say that he was promoting salvation through works.

Can we say then that there is a sequence to discipleship and that the sequence goes in the order of faith first, then obedience?

Bonhoeffer certainly believed the Bible teaches that we are justified by faith. There is a problem, though, according to Bonhoeffer when we try to come up with a sequential distinction between faith and , later, obedience. According to Bonhoeffer we must not separate the two. In order to do so we must ask the questions: when does faith start and when does obedience start?

Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.

Faith is only real when we obey. Bonhoeffer believed that faith becomes faith when we obey.

What is considered the first step of discipleship?

The first step is the call of Jesus. We cannot take the first step on our own. Faith is NOT the first step.

Peter knows he dare not climb out of the ship in his own strength - his very first step would be his undoing. And so he cries, “Lord, bid me come to thee upon the waters,” and Jesus answers: “Come.” Christ must first call him......This call is his grace, which calls him out of death into the new life of obedience. But when Christ has called him, Peter has no alternative - he must leave the ship and come to him....the first step of obedience proves to be an act of faith in the word of Christ. But we should completely misunderstand the nature of grace if we suppose that there was no need to take the first step, because faith was already there. Against that we must boldly assert that the step of obedience must be taken before faith can be possible. Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe.

Bonhoeffer continues his thoughts on obedience in Chapter 3 - Single-Minded Obedience.

After reminding us of the examples from chapter 2 - Levi, the rich young man, and Peter - Bonhoeffer wrote:

Only one thing was required in each case - to rely on Christ’s word, and cling to it as offering greater security than all the securities in the world.

What are some forces that come between the word of Christ and our obedience?

Are these forces as great as, greater than, or not as great as those faced by the biblical examples in Chapter 2?

The examples that Bonhoeffer gave are: reason, conscience, responsibility, piety, even the law and scriptural authority.

What removes the barriers?

The call of Jesus followed by obedience.

Bonhoeffer mentions “antinomianism” and “enthusiasms”. Does everyone understand these terms?

John Wesley would have appreciated the inclusion of these as he preached against both.

Antinomianism is the belief that those saved by grace are freed from any scriptural or moral laws and that salvation is obtained solely through faith and the gift of grace. Antinomianism is the polar opposite of legalism. Antinomianism has been largely rejected by the Christian community as a whole.

Enthusiasts are those who claim the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as the true source of religious authority above scripture, the creeds, and tradition. Enthusiasm is synonymous with fanaticism. John Wesley claimed that enthusiasm was a “species of madness” or a psychological disorder and claimed that pride leads to enthusiasm and enthusiasm leads to antinomianism.

Bonhoeffer says:
The... call of Jesus and the response of single-minded obedience have an irrevocable significance. By means of them Jesus calls people into an actual situation where faith is possible...it is only through actual obedience that a man can become liberated to believe.
An antinomian would likely say that simple-minded obedience is legalism.

Bonhoeffer’s response:

Struggling against the legalism of simple obedience, we end by setting up the most dangerous law of all, the law of the world and the law of grace. In our effort to combat legalism we land ourselves in the worst kind of legalism. The only way of overcoming this legalism is by real obedience to Christ when he calls us to follow him; for in Jesus the law is at once fulfilled and cancelled.

By eliminating simple obedience on principle, we drift into an unevangelical interpretation of the Bible.....the commandments of Jesus always includes the literal translation...Obedience to the call of Jesus never lies within our own power. If, for instance, we give away all our possessions, that act is not in itself the obedience to Jesus, for we might then be choosing a way of life for ourselves, some Christian ideal, or some ideal of Fransiscan poverty. Indeed in the very act of giving away his goods a man can give allegiance to himself and to an ideal and not to the command of Jesus. He is not set free from his own self but still more enslaved to himself. The step into the situation where faith is possible is not an offer which we can make to Jesus, but always his gracious offer to us......

Salvation through following Jesus is not something we men can achieve for ourselves - but with God all things are possible.