The View from a Hearse*

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage (for Sun., Oct. 21, 2012)
I Timothy 6:1-21

⁶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  I Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV)

When you come to the end of your days, how will you measure success?  Will it be be the wealth (or lack thereof) you have accumulated? Will it be the resume of accomplishments you leave in your wake?  Paul here echoes the words of Job 1:20.  "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there."  We have all heard the half-humorous jab: "YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU."  No one has ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul (except in the picture in this blog).

So, when your body lies someday in a hearse, and you look back over your days here on earth, what will you see?  This may sound depressing and morbid, but really it bears our consideration. 

Jonathan Edwards

The great evangelical pastor and leader of the Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards, was as "fully alive" as any man could be. He penned 70 Resolutions whereby he lived his life. Resolution No. 6 states:  Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.  What would such a life look like?  Paul answers: "godliness with contentment is great gain" -- a full, satisifed life lived to the glory of God!

Then, No. 7:  Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.  Edwards advises us to live NOW with consideration of that view from your hearse.  Don't do NOW that which you would regret as you look back.
And No. 9:  Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.  Edwards lived his life as if everything counted for eternity.  It is not the material things, but the God-centered things that will last. 

One of the great lines from a great movie came in Gladiator when Marcellus rallies his fellow-slaves in battle. He stoops to pick up dust and says, "Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity."

We live now as dying men and women.  There will be a day soon in which the story of your life on this earth will be finished.  What will that story be?  You are writing the pages today!


* I have borrowed the title of this blog from the great little book by the late Joseph Bayly entitled The View from a Hearse: the Christian View of Death.  It is now in reprint under the title The Last Thing We Talk About.

An Atmosphere of Honor

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage (for Sat., Oct. 21, 2012)
I Timothy 5:1-25

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. I Timothy 5:15 (NKJV)

How we honor one other is extremely important. It affects the entire atmosphere. Five groups are mentioned in this passage as worthy of honor. They are 1. Older men (vs. 1), 2. Younger men (vs. 1), 3. Older women (vs. 2), 4. Widows (vss. 3-16), and 5. the elders of the church (vs. 17). But really the list only begins here. Romans 12:10 says: Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  That's all-inclusive.  WE ARE TO LIVE IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF HONOR!

Honor and respect are characteristics of heaven. Cynicism, animosity, and disrespect are expressions of worldly individualism. Today, HONOR is an "endangered species". Our flag is no longer saluted. It may LEGALLY be burned. Our children are no longer taught to say "Yes ma'am" or "No sir". We are encouraged to always question authority and speak our minds.  Our culture is disintegrating due to lack of loyalty and honor.  But God says that we must learn again how to give honor. 

Norman Rockwell's "On My Honor"

There are six areas in which we are specifically instructed by God to show honor.  Those six areas are:
1. Government - elected officials, the king, the mayor, civic leaders - you get the idea. 
2. School - your teachers
3. Church - your pastors and elders
4. Home - your parents and family
5. All your acquaintenances - your friends, neighbours, work mates. 
6. Yourself - if you disrespect and dishonour yourself, you cannot honor others. 

When Jesus came into Nazareth early in His ministry, He found an atmosphere of contempt and 

disrespect. In that environment, He could do no miracles. (Mark 6:1-6) As we celebrate and honor one another, an atmosphere is created in which it is easy for God to do some awesome things. Ultimately, it is God Himself we honor with a thankful, generous heart. 

Training for the Last Days

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage (for Fri., Oct. 19, 2012)
I Timothy 4:1-16

... Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. I Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)

Paul begins this chapter by referring to "the latter times" (vs. 1).  He speaks of intensified spiritual conflict associated with the end of time.  Paul wrote these words nearly 2000 years ago!  WHY WOULD PAUL WRITE ABOUT THE "END TIMES" WHEN IT WAS SO FAR AWAY?  Was Paul mistaken?  Did he think the end was near when it really wasn't?  Or, was he predicting something far in the future that no meaning in his own day?

I think Paul was not trying to give predictions concerning WHEN the end will come.  Instead, he was instructing us about the patterns of spiritual conflict that will characterize history.  Jesus, Paul, and many of the Old Testament prophets often spoke of history as being like the labor pains of a woman giving birth.  It comes in cycles that will grow more and more intense until the birth finally happens.

Paul is saying, "Listen, there is going to be an unending increase of spiritual conflict as history moves toward its culmination!  YOU NEED TO BE READY."  Paul is NOT telling us WHEN  the end will come.  He is telling us that we are in a battle that is not going to let up, so we need to be IN TRAINING (vss. 6-9).

If you knew that you faced a serious physical fight within the next three months, would you begin working out to get ready for that fight?  Of course, you would!  We are not facing a PHYSICAL challenge; it is a SPIRITUAL one.  So, how are you preparing?  How are you exercising?

When Paul says, "Exercise yourself toward godliness" (vs. 7), this is not a casual (optional), "koom-ba-ya" sweet little quiet time with the Lord.  This is battle preparation!  This is gearing up for a fight against "deceiving spirits and docrines of demons" (vs. 1).  There is an attack on your family, your church, your society.  We are IN TRAINING for end-time battles.

Any athlete who is serious about winning has a workout plan -- a workout schedule.  Do you have daily disciplines that you follow as a part of your spiritual health?  Some might react by calling this legalism or "being under the law."  We don't like to think about another REQUIREMENT.

But let me conclude by saying that your daily time in the Bible is more than just a religious nicety.  It is battlefield MRE's ("meals ready to eat").  Your prayer time is not an appendage to a busy life so you can enlist God's help.  It is your COMMUNICATION SYSTEM with headquarters.  Fasting, whole-hearted worship, acts of generosity -- all these things and more are part of God's plan to build you up so that you can prevail.  You are in TRAINING FOR THE LAST DAYS.

The Church -- the Pillar and Ground of the Truth

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage (for Thurs., Oct. 18, 2012
I Timothy 3:1-16

I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  I Timothy 3:15 (NKJV)

In the area of the country where I live (north Louisiana), there are many lumber mills and paper mills.  A part of these large operations is always many elevated conveyor belts that carry wood and wood chips along in the process of producing their product.

The elevated conveyor belts are like the Church.  The Bible says that the Church is "the pillar and support of the truth" (NASB).  If truth is going to be delivered to the world -- if truth is going to have impact and bring forth fruit -- the church of the living God is the delivery system.  We hold truth up and carry it to the desired destination. 

That is the job of the Church!  We are called to deliver Jesus to the world.  We are called to deliver truth to all levels of our world.  All our buildings and progams, all the decorations and reputations are NOTHING compared to the ESSENTIAL TASK.  The Church is to be SALT AND LIGHT in the world.

So what happens if the Church fails?  What happens if we get off track?  Isaiah 59:14 says:

"Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street."

At a paper mill, if the elevated conveyor belt collapses, if its pillars are broken, then the wood product will fall and be wasted.  If the Church fails, then truth will fall into the streets, justice will cease, and righteousness will depart our land.

It is important how we conduct ourselves.  It is important not just because it affects the health of our own individual lives.  It is important because we, as the Church, are the delivery system of truth to the world.  How we carry the truth determines how the world will be reached.  That is the great call of God to the Church today. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA! Pray for our nation!

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage (for Wed., Oct. 17, 2012)
I Timothy 2:1-15

¹ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  I Timothy 2:1-4 (NKJV)

As I write these words, we here in the United States are moving toward a great general election.  In about three weeks, we will be casting our ballots concerning the direction of our nation for the next several years.  What does God say about all of this?  Is there clear direction from the Lord as we approach matters of politics, policy, and our responsibilities as Christians and citizens?

America today is DIVIDED.  It is amazing to me how far we have fallen!  The once strong foundations have eroded such that it is difficult for many to even determine right from wrong.  It is as if we have forgotten our identity.  America's great foundation is FREEDOM.  We are to be a place of freedom to worship, freedom to speak, freedom from fear of domination, freedom to be able to prosper.  These freedoms are in danger in our day!  We must know why we have been granted these freedoms and where they come from!

So what must we do?

1. PRAY for the people.

The first call from God is to PRAY.  "First of all that ... prayers ... and thanksgiving be made for all men ... " and especially for those who lead us.  Please note the first petition is not for the leaders, but for THE PEOPLE.  It was Alexis de Tocqueville, in the mid-1800's, who first said,

“In democracy we get the government we deserve”. 

I will carry that further.  GOD GIVES US THE LEADERS WE DESERVE.  Our leadership is a reflection of our own spiritual condition.  Therefore, to pray for godly leaders is secondary.  First pray for a GODLY SOCIETY!  We need REVIVAL! 

If revival sweeps our land, there will be a "people movement."  From that mass of common faith, the right leaders will rise to carry us forward. 

2. PRAY for our leaders.

Not only are we to pray for a sweeping move of God, we also are to pray specifically for those men and women who lead us.  Pray for them BY NAME.  There is a huge spiritual battle over their lives, over their families, over their decisions.  May God raise up a host of INTERCESSORS who will stand in the gap for our leaders.

3.  WORK for peace and godliness.

What is the result of good government in a nation -- in a society?  What vision does God have for our land?  The answer tells us how we should vote.  God wants PEACE.  But then, we must define peace.  Shalom peace is far more than the cessation of conflict.  It is the presence of cooperation and coordination.  Peace is "when everything works well together."  What would our city look like if it worked the way God wants it to work?  What would our state look like?  What would our nation look like?  THIS IS THE GOAL -- THE VISION!!!

Along with PEACE is GODLINESS.  This is not the prudish abstinence from "sinful things."  This is the presence of those characteristics that build us and bless us.  Things like honesty and integrity, faithfulness and generosity. 


4.  REMEMBER why America is strong. 

We are strong because of the Lord.  Once again, to quote de Tocqueville:

"In the end, the state of the Union comes down to the character of the people. ... I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, and it was not there. I sought for it in the fertile fields, and boundless prairies, and it was not there. I sought it in her rich mines, and vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power."

He goes on to say:

 

“America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

So, PRAY and WORK and VOTE for a GODLY AMERICA.  God has placed us here as a part of His redemptive mission.  God wants all men everywhere to be saved -- to come to the knowledge of the truth.  May we REMEMBER that this is not only our present opportunity, it is our ETERNAL calling.

A Spiritual MRI

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage (for Tues., Oct. 16, 2012)
I Timothy 1:1-20

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. I Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)

I was having knee problems last year, and went to the doctor about it. As a part of the diagnostic procedure, he ordered an MRI.  It was like going down inside the knee and figuring out what was wrong so it could be corrected.  The MRI doesn't actually fix anything.  It just TURNS ON THE LIGHTS so the problem CAN be fixed.

I began to wonder: what if you could get an MRI done on your soul?  What if you could look around deep inside so you would know what was wrong and how to get it fixed - things like fear, anger, envy, depression.

I think David may have gotten a spiritual MRI. He said in Psalm 51: Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. (Ps. 51:6)  He knew that God wanted to TURN THE LIGHTS ON so that he (David) could get the bad stuff fixed down in those hidden places.

I think Paul had gotten a spiritual MRI. The NIV translation of I Timothy 1:15 says:  Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  This is an amazing statement! Paul calls himself the chief of sinners - THE WORST!  

The great evangelical leader John Stott comments on this passage: "Paul is not saying he did a careful study of every sinner in human history and found out he came in last place. The truth is, rather, when we are convicted by the Holy Spirit, an immediate result is we give up all such comparisons." Paul, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, became so vividly aware of his own sins he could not conceive that anybody could be worse.  This is the language of every sinner whose conscience has been awakened and disturbed by the Holy Spirit.

It is also the place of cleansing, of healing, of wholeness. GOD TURNS ON THE LIGHTS TO HEAL - NOT TO HURT. From this place of brokenness, true strength can be experienced. This is the story of every "great" person in the Kingdom of God. God tears us down in order to build us up. 

Perhaps you need a spiritual MRI today. If so, you can pray as David prayed: Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  (Ps. 139:23-24)

Supernatural: "Atmospheric Conditions"

Here are the notes from the message delivered at New Life Community  Church on Sunday, October 14, 2012 entitled "Atmospheric Conditions".  If you would like to listen to this message, please go to our website at www.newlifesite.com.  God Bless!

Supernatural, Part 7                                                        Sunday, October 14, 2012

 “Atmospheric Conditions”

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:  I Corinthians 12:1 (NKJV)

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts.  I Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)

How can we move into this realm as a people?

There are many ways we could describe this, but I want to zero in on one that I think summarizes much what it means to be in an atmosphere in which God can move.

Illustration:  Read from THE VISION.

What atmosphere are we talking about? 

          EXPECTANCY

          FAITH

          WHOLE HEARTED WORSHIP

          Then we get into some more relational things like

          THE LOVE OF GOD

          UNITY

          COOPERATION

I want to summarize this entire thing called atmosphere in a word:  HONOR

“A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.  “It is you priests who show contempt for my name.  “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’  Malachi 1:6 (NIV)

Key Words are:
“A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.  “It is you priests who show contempt for my name.  “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’  Malachi 1:6 (NIV)
New King James uses the word DESPISE.

Question:  WHERE IS THE HONOR?

This is a condition in all of our society.  It has detrimental affect in our world, but deadly affect in the church.
Four Areas:

1.      Government

2.      School

3.      Church

4.      Home

5.      Your Own Person

¹ “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. ² If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.  Malachi 2:1-2 (NIV)

Definition of HONOR
OT Word:  Kabed
NT Word:  Timao

To make heavy or weighty

Word means:  to add value.  Weighty

Illustration:  if there is a boulder in the road ahead of you.

Opposites:
Honor – Contempt
Weighty – Take it Lightly
Treat things as common or ordinary that we should take seriously.

Illustration:  Use of cellphones.
How we treat each other:  being on time.

An Atmosphere of Honor:

1.     The degree of the HONOR determines the degree of the GIFT.

Two OT words:
SUBMIT – Kachash, which means to do it though you don’t want to.  “Your enemies shall submit themselves to you.”
OBEY – Shamea, which is similar to the Heb. Word for HEAR.  Which means to do it because you hear and understand.

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.  “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.  Mark 6:1-3 (NIV)

⁴ Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” ⁵ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. ⁶ He was amazed at their lack of faith.  Mark 6:4-6 (NIV)

2.     FAMILIARITY can breed DISHONOR.

Root word of FAMILIARITY.
As in heaven, so on earth.
See people as God sees them.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.  Romans 15:7 (NIV)

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

3.     Honor means CELEBRATING who people are instead of STUMBLING over who they are not.

Atmosphere of forgiveness.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  I Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

You can’t honor that which offends you.
You’ve got to get over those things that
We de-humanize people
Example:  in traffic

4.     An atmosphere of honor produces FREEDOM.

A safe place
An atmosphere that “pulls” the ministry out.

But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all—love].  I Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified)