Pasillo de Dios de la Fe

Pasillo de Dios de la Fe

Un sermón del Rev. Keith Kiper
Medios Pastor-Boonville Wesleyan Church

en Hebreos capítulo 11 (CEB)

Hebreos capítulo once es a menudo llamado el "Salón de la Fe" o el "capítulo de la fe" de la Biblia.Eso se debe a que este capítulo se describe para nosotros la vida de aquellos que a menudo mantienen su fe, a veces contra viento y marea increíbles, incluyendo la tortura y la muerte. Esta sala de fe incluye a aquellos, tanto en el Antiguo Testamento y el Nuevo.Muchos nombres se han añadido a lo largo de la historia de la iglesia. Esta lista incluiría Origen, Juana de Arco, Martín Lutero, Juan Wesley, Huss, Tyndale, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, además de muchos otros en todo el mundo hoy en día. Algunos fueron perseguidos mientras que otros murieron por su fe. Muchos están siendo perseguidos y martirizados en todo el mundo hoy en día.Estoy seguro de que podemos pensar en los miembros de nuestra familia toda la vida, de nuestra propia iglesia que podemos agregar a esta lista que mantuvieron su fe.

Tenemos nuestra propia sala de fe aquí en Boonville Wesleyana. Nuestra sala de fe incluiría a aquellos que han luchado contra el cáncer, las enfermedades, las dificultades financieras. Sus rostros vienen a nuestras mentes como los recordamos hoy. Algunos han llegado a su recompensa. Otros todavía están con nosotros, alentándonos con su testimonio. A pesar de las dificultades que han enfrentado ... se negaron a rendirse y mantuvieron su fe como un testimonio de la gracia maravillosa de Dios. Nos anima. Otros han llegado a conocer a Jesús por causa de su testimonio. Todo esto lo mencionamos tienen algo en común. Ellos mantuvieron su fe porque confiaban en la palabra de Dios. Ellos mantuvieron su fe porque tenían una visión de algo mejor por venir. Es casi imposible fe separada y la visión.

  Como bien dice Comentario Barnes: "No hay ninguna parte del Nuevo Testamento de más valor que este capítulo en Hebreos, ninguno que merece ser estudiado con más paciencia, o que puede ser aplicado con más frecuencia a las circunstancias de los cristianos. Estos registros invaluables están adaptadas para sostenernos en tiempos de prueba, la tentación y la persecución; para mostrarnos lo que la fe ha hecho en días pasados, y lo que puede hacer aún en circunstancias similares. Nada puede mostrar mejor el valor y el poder de la fe o de la religión verdadera, de los expedientes en este capítulo. Se ha hecho lo que ninguna otra cosa podría hacerlo. Ha permitido a hombres y mujeres a soportar lo que nada más les permitiría soportar "Usted puede preguntar:. ¿Cómo sobrevivir y mantener su fe? Me gustaría ver cuatro formas hoy aquí.

1. VISION:   En la década de 1970 se estaban haciendo preparativos para las celebraciones de inauguración de Disney World en Orlando Florida. Muchos años de planificación y diseño había entrado en la construcción del nuevo parque temático. El fundador, Walt Disney no murió mucho tiempo antes de que Disney World abrió. Uno de sus dirigentes comentó que él deseaba asegurarse de Walt Disney World puede ver ahora. Otro amigo comentó: Hizo ver que, por eso estamos aquí hoy.

Estos miembros del Salón de la Fe sabía lo que significaba tener una visión. Poseían algo aún mejor. Sabían lo que significaba tener una visión celestial, una visión que miró más allá de los actuales juicios y tribulaciones.

Se prevé que el lugar que Pedro habla, un lugar donde pudieran participar de la naturaleza divina.

          2. CONFIANZA: Que 1980 Jack Handy filósofo dijo: "A veces pienso que usted tiene derecho a marchar y exigir sus derechos, incluso si usted no sabe lo que son los derechos, o quién es la persona que está hablando. Luego, al salir, cerrar la puerta ".

            La confianza puede ser a la vez algo bueno y algo malo.No era confianza en sí mismo o el falso orgullo que alimentó los primeros cristianos. Su confianza se situó en un omnisciente, omnipotente Dios del amor perfecto. Podemos tener confianza en la Palabra escrita de Dios, la confianza en que el Espíritu Santo puede guiarnos, consolarnos, y dirigir nuestros caminos no importa lo que venga.

Pablo nos da un buen consejo en Efesios: 6:17  ^"  Y tomad el yelmo de la salvación y la espada del Espíritu, que es la palabra de Dios.

¹⁸  ofrecen oraciones y peticiones en el Espíritu en todo momento.Manténgase alerta en la horca allí y orar por todos los creyentes.  ¹⁹  En cuanto a mí, oren para que cuando abro mi boca, me sale un mensaje que con seguridad hace que este plan secreto ^[ b ]  de conocer el Evangelio.  ²⁰ Soy un embajador en cadenas por causa del evangelio. Ore para que el Señor me dará la confianza para decir lo que tengo que decir. "

3. HAMBRE :   Éxodo 33:17-20

Biblia en Inglés Común (CEB)

¹⁷  El  Señor  dijo a Moisés: "Voy a hacer exactamente lo que has pedido porque tiene mi aprobación especial, y te he conocido por tu nombre."

¹⁸  Moisés dijo: "Por favor, muéstrame tu presencia gloriosa".

²⁰  Sin embargo, "el  Señor  dijo, "usted no puede ver mi rostro, porque nadie puede verme y vivir".

Cuando Moisés le pidió a Dios que le mostrara su gloria, el Señor le advirtió que nadie puede verlo y vivir. Incluso en el Nuevo Pacto es verdad. Sólo los muertos pueden verlo. Ahora no estoy hablando de los muertos físicamente, pero los que han muerto a sí mismo. Cuando uno muere para sí mismo, hay un hambre renovada de experimentar a Dios en su plenitud por medio del Espíritu Santo. Juan Wesley llamó a esto la segunda bendición.Esto es lo que llamamos santificación en nuestras iglesias de santidad. Como cristianos debemos sacar fuerza de lo alto cuando deseamos y buscar la presencia de Dios. Ganamos fortaleza en tiempos de la depresión y la tribulación a través de la adoración colectiva. ¿Por eso congregarnos es tan importante para el cristiano. No sólo recibir a Dios "bendición s ... nos sentimos alentados por compartir peticiones de oración y necesidades. Dios puede mover entre nosotros cuando abrimos verter corazones en adoración.

            Esta hambre espiritual debe ser más que el hambre física que a veces tenemos. Aaron Wilborn escribió algunas nuevas palabras para una canción de la década de 1980.

"El pastor predicó hasta la 1:45, yo podría matar a por una hamburguesa y fríe,

no te preocupes, se feliz! "

. Leonard Ravenhill , un pastor Inglés que ha fallecido recientemente comentó:

"Estoy harto de la cristiandad llamado de nuestros días. ¿Qué hay de sobrenatural en ello?¿Cuando la gente sale del santuario pasmado y no puede hablar por una hora porque Dios ha estado en la gloria allí? Querido Dios, tan pronto como salen, hablan de fútbol, ​​o los deportes o algo o que va a ser un centro de gran venta o en algún lugar. No estamos atrapados en la eternidad. "

            

Sí, eso suena duro. Pero creo que sí describe la Laodician o presente actitud tibia en muchas de las iglesias de hoy.

El reverendo Tommy Tenney, el autor de "la búsqueda de Dios" tenían algunas reflexiones sobre el hambre espiritual también. Tenney llamado hambre de Dios, "El camino secreto a la presencia de Dios."

 Mateo 6:33 nos dice
"En cambio, el deseo  primero  y ante todo el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán para ti también. "

Cuando la gente le preguntaba cómo John Wesley señaló a multitudes tan grandes durante el Primer Gran Despertar respondió: "Me puse en el fuego, y la gente viene a verme quemar".

        Esa es la clase de hambre aquellos en el pabellón de fe de Dios poseía. Ese es el tipo de hambre que necesitamos hoy en la iglesia. Dios usó diferentes métodos en diferentes momentos a lo largo de la historia de su iglesia. Alguien bien dijo que la historia debe ser un puesto de guía, pero no un poste. Aunque creo que esto es cierto, no soy un esclavo de dispensacionalismo. ¿Qué quiero decir cuando hago esa afirmación. La Biblia nos dice que Jesús es el mismo ayer, hoy y siempre. Dispensacionalismo para mí es una palabra veinticinco dólares para las excusas. Algunos creen que todos los milagros cesaron con los discípulos. Yo creo que Dios todavía sana hoy, ahorra hoy, y puede hacer milagros en nuestra vida cotidiana. Si Dios se mueve, trabaja, y cura a su placer y dentro de Su voluntad. Pero también podemos limitar lo que hace por nuestra falta de oración y la falta de fe. Debemos sed de Él como los Salmos nos dice que los ciervos sed después del agua. Él entonces o responder a nuestras oraciones o nos da la fuerza sobrenatural de que sólo Él puede dar a soportar lo que venga.

        Smith Wigglesworth, a menudo referido como "el apóstol de la fe", fue uno de los pioneros del renacimiento (Pentecostal) que ocurrió hace un siglo. Pastor Wigglesworth mentor Lester Sumrall. Algunos de ustedes recordarán la audición Dr. Sumrall en la radio en el pasado. Sin perfeccionamiento humano y la educación fue capaz de aprovechar los recursos infinitos de Dios para traer la gracia divina a multitudes.

Miles de personas acudieron a la fe cristiana en sus reuniones, cientos fueron sanados de enfermedades graves y enfermedades como signos sobrenaturales siguieron su ministerio.

Una profunda intimidad con su Padre celestial y una incuestionable fe en la Palabra de Dios trajo resultados espectaculares, incluyendo tres casos documentados de personas, habiendo resucitado de los muertos.

¿Por qué Dios utilizar algunos aquí y otros no? ¿Por qué algunos otros cicatrizados y no? No sé la respuesta. Hay algo en común ... individuos como este estaba de acuerdo con un hambre espiritual de la presencia de Dios y una voluntad de ser persistentes en la oración.

4. RESUELVO:   El diccionario define la palabra resolver como, " Para tomar una decisión firme acerca. "O para llevar a buen término suele tener éxito" Escucha lo que dice Pablo en Filipenses 1:27-29.

^" 27  Lo más importante es vivir juntos de una manera digna del evangelio de Cristo. Haz esto, ya sea que vaya a veros, o que estoy ausente y escuchar acerca de usted. Haga esto por lo que os mantenéis firmes, unidos en un mismo espíritu y la mente a medida que lucha junto a permanecer fieles al Evangelio.  ²⁸  De este modo, no tendrá miedo de todo lo que sus enemigos lo hacen. Su fidelidad y el valor son una señal de su inminente destrucción y la salvación que viene de Dios.  ²⁹  Dios generosamente le concedió el privilegio, no sólo de creer en Cristo, sino también de sufrir por causa de Cristo ".

 La canción familiar, "He decidido seguir a Cristo" fue escrito por alguien que realmente sabía lo que significaba que resolver en medio de la persecución.

Las letras están basadas en las  últimas palabras  de un hombre en  Assam , al noreste de India, que junto con su familia se  convirtió al cristianismo  a mediados del siglo 19 a través de los esfuerzos de un galés misionero . Llamado a renunciar a su fe por el jefe de la aldea, el converso declaró: "He decidido seguir a Jesús." En respuesta a las amenazas a su familia, él continuó: "Aunque nadie se une a mí, todavía me siguen." Su esposa murió, y fue ejecutado mientras cantan: " La cruz  delante de mí, el mundo detrás de mí. "Esta muestra de fe se divulga para haber dado lugar a la conversión del jefe y los demás en el pueblo. ^[1]

La formación de estas palabras en un himno se atribuye al indio misionero  Sadhu Sundar Singh . ^[2]  La melodía también es indio, y titulada "Assam", después de la región donde se originó el texto. ^[3]  La oposición feroz es posible ya que varios tribus en esa área eran famosos antes de  la caza de cabezas . ^[4]

Un editor himno americano, William Jensen Reynolds, integrado por un arreglo que fue incluido en el 1959 Cancionero Asamblea . Su versión se convirtió en una característica regular de  Billy Graham reuniones 's de evangelización en América y en otras partes, la difusión de su popularidad. ^[5]

            Hemos echado un vistazo hoy a los miembros del Salón de la Fe de Dios. "Muchos de los que han partido antes que nosotros han hecho grandes sacrificios. Puede que seamos llamados a hacer lo mismo en el curso de nuestras vidas. No siempre se puede saber el motivo, pero conoce a Dios. Usted ve, el cristianismo no puede tener todas las respuestas. El cristianismo es la única religión que pide a todas las preguntas correctas. Al concluir hoy, demos vuelta a la página 385 y cantar "He decidido seguir a Cristo." Tal vez usted está enfrentando un juicio hoy. Jesús sigue siendo la respuesta.

God's Hall of Faith

A Sermon by Rev. Keith Kiper
Media Pastor-Boonville Wesleyan Church

from Hebrews Chapter 11 (CEB)

Hebrews chapter eleven is often called the “Hall of Faith” or the “Faith Chapter” of the Bible.  That is because this chapter outlines for us the lives of those who often maintained their faith , sometimes against incredible odds including torture and death. This hall of faith includes those in both the Old and New Testament. Many names had been added throughout the history of the church. This list would include Origin, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Huss, Tyndale,  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, plus countless others throughout the world today. Some were persecuted while others died for their faith. Many are being persecuted and martyred throughout the world today.  I’m sure we can think of those in our lifetime, family members from our own church that we can add to this list who maintained their faith.

We have our own hall of faith here at Boonville Wesleyan. Our hall of faith would include those who have battled cancer, ill health, financial difficulties. Their faces come to our minds as we remember them today. Some have gone on to their reward. Others are still with us, encouraging us with their testimony. In spite of hardships they have faced… they refused to give in and maintained their faith as a testimony to God’s amazing grace. They encouraged us. Others have come to know Jesus because of their testimony. All these we mentioned have something in common. They maintained their faith because they trusted God’s Word. They maintained their faith because they had a vision of something better to come. It is almost impossible to separate faith and vision.

  As Barnes Commentary well states, ”There is no part of the New Testament of more value than this chapter in Hebrews; none which deserves to be more patiently studied, or which may be more frequently applied to the circumstances of Christians. These invaluable records are adapted to sustain us in times of trial, temptation, and persecution; to show us what faith has done in days that are past, and what it may do still in similar circumstances. Nothing can better show the value and the power of faith, or of true religion, than the records in this chapter. It has done what nothing else could do. It has enabled men and women to endure what nothing else would enable them to bear.”You may ask: How did they survive and keep their faith? I would like to look at four ways here today.

1. VISION:  In the early 1970’s preparations were being made for the grand opening celebrations of Disney World in Orlando Florida. Many years of planning and design had gone into building the new theme park. The founder, Walt Disney died not very long before Disney World opened. One of its leaders remarked that he sure wished Walt could see Disney World now. Another friend remarked, He did see it, that’s why we are here today.

These members of the Hall of Faith knew what it meant to have a vision,. They possessed something even better. They knew what it meant to have a heavenly vision, a vision which looked past the current trials and tribulations.

They envisioned that place that Peter talks about, a place where they could partake of the divine nature.

          2. CONFIDENCE: That 1980’s philosopher Jack Handy said, ”Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don’t know what you rights are, or who the person is you are talking to. Then, on the way out, slam the door.”

            Confidence can be both a good thing and a bad thing. It wasn’t self-confidence or false pride that fueled the early Christians. Their confidence was placed in an all knowing, all powerful God of perfect love.  We can have confidence in God’s written Word, the confidence that the Holy Spirit can guide us, comfort us, and direct our paths no matter what comes our way.

Paul gives us good advice in Ephesians:6:17  ^“ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

¹⁸ Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers. ¹⁹ As for me, pray that when I open my mouth, I’ll get a message that confidently makes this secret plan^[b] of the gospel known. ²⁰ I’m an ambassador in chains for the sake of the gospel. Pray so that the Lord will give me the confidence to say what I have to say.”

3. HUNGER:  Exodus 33:17-20

Common English Bible (CEB)

¹⁷ The Lord said to Moses, “I’ll do exactly what you’ve asked because you have my special approval, and I know you by name.”

¹⁸ Moses said, “Please show me your glorious presence.”

²⁰ But,” the Lord said, “you can’t see my face because no one can see me and live.”

When Moses asked God to show him His glory, the Lord warned him that no man can see Him and live. Even in the New Covenant this is true. Only dead men can see Him. Now I’m not talking about the physically dead, but those who have died to self. When one dies to self, there is a renewed hunger to experience God in His fullness through the Holy Spirit. John Wesley called this the Second Blessing. This is what we call sanctification in our holiness churches. As Christians we draw strength from above when we desire and seek God’s presence. We gain strength in times of depression and tribulation through corporate worship. That why assembling together is so important for the Christian. We not only receive God”s blessing…we are encouraged by sharing prayer requests and needs. God can move among our midst when we open pour hearts together in worship.

            This spiritual  hunger must be more than the physical hunger we sometimes have. Aaron Wilborn wrote some new words for a song from the 1980’s.

“The pastor preached until 1:45,  I could kill for a burger and fry,

don’t worry, be happy!”

.Leonard Ravenhill , an English pastor who has passed on recently remarked:

“I'm sick to death of the so-called Christianity of our day. What's supernatural about it? When do people come out of the sanctuary awed and can't speak for an hour because God has been in glory there? Dear God, as soon as they get out, they're talking football, or sports or something or there's going to be a big sale downtown or somewhere. We are not caught up into eternity.”

            

Yes, that does sound harsh. But I feel it does describe the Laodician or luke warm attitude present in many of today’s churches.

The Rev. Tommy Tenney, the author of “The God Chasers” had some thoughts about spiritual hunger also. Tenney called hungering after God, ”The secret path to God’s presence.”

 Matthew 6:33 tells us
“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When people asked John Wesley how he drew such large crowds during the first Great awakening he replied, “I set myself on fire, and the people come to see me burn.”

        That’s the kind of hunger those in God’s hall of faith possessed. That’s the kind of hunger we need today in the church. God used different methods at different times throughout the history of His church. Someone well said that history should be a guiding post, but not a hitching post. While I believe this to be true, I’m not a slave to dispensationalism. What do I mean when I make that statement.  The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Dispensationalism to me is a twenty five dollar word for excuses. Some believe that all miracles ceased with the disciples. I believe that God still heals today, saves today, and can work miracles in our everyday life. Yes God moves, works, and heals at His pleasure and within His will. But we can also limit what he does by our lack of prayer and lack of faith. We must thirst for Him as Psalms tells us the deer thirsts after water. He will then either answer our prayers or give us the supernatural strength from only He can give to endure what comes our way.

        Smith Wigglesworth, often referred to as ‘the Apostle of Faith,’ was one of the pioneers of the (Pentecostal) revival that occurred a century ago. Pastor Wigglesworth mentored Lester Sumrall. Some of you will remember hearing Dr. Sumrall on the radio in the past.

Without human refinement and education he was able to tap into the infinite resources of God to bring divine grace to multitudes.

Thousands came to Christian faith in his meetings, hundreds were healed of serious illnesses and diseases as supernatural signs followed his ministry.

A deep intimacy with his heavenly Father and an unquestioning faith in God’s Word brought spectacular results including three documented cases of individuals being raised from the dead.

Why does God use some this way and not others? Why are some healed and not others? I don’t know the answer. There is something in common …individuals like this did share a spiritual hunger for God’s presence and a resolve to be persistent in prayer.

4. RESOLVE:  The dictionary defines the word resolve as, “To make a firm decision about.” Or to bring to a usually successful conclusion.”  Listen to what paul says in Phillipians 1:27-29

^“27 Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel. Do this, whether I come and see you or I’m absent and hear about you. Do this so that you stand firm, united in one spirit and mind as you struggle together to remain faithful to the gospel. ²⁸ That way, you won’t be afraid of anything your enemies do. Your faithfulness and courage are a sign of their coming destruction and your salvation, which is from God. ²⁹ God has generously granted you the privilege, not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for Christ’s sake.”

 The familiar song, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” was written by someone who truly knew what it meant to have resolve in face of persecution.

The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Assam, north-east India, who along with his family was converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of a Welsh missionary. Called to renounce his faith by the village chief, the convert declared, "I have decided to follow Jesus." In response to threats to his family, he continued, "Though no one joins me, still I will follow." His wife was killed, and he was executed while singing, "The cross before me, the world behind me." This display of faith is reported to have led to the conversion of the chief and others in the village.^[1]

The formation of these words into a hymn is attributed to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh.^[2] The melody is also Indian, and entitled "Assam" after the region where the text originated.^[3] The fierce opposition is possible as various tribes in that area were formerly renowned for head-hunting.^[4]

An American hymn editor, William Jensen Reynolds, composed an arrangement which was included in the 1959 Assembly Songbook. His version became a regular feature of Billy Graham's evangelistic meetings in America and elsewhere, spreading its popularity.^[5]

            We have taken a look today at members of God’s Hall of Faith.” Many who have gone on before us have made great sacrifices. WE may be called on to do the same in the course of our lives. We may not always know the reason, but God knows. You see, Christianity may not have all the answers. Christianity is the only religion that asks all the right questions. As we close today, let’s turn to page 385 and sing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” Maybe you are facing a trial today. Jesus is still the answer.

Chandler Indiana Indoor Holiness Camp 2013

• Thursday April 25th: Newburgh Church of the Nazarene-Kenton Daugherty/Chandler Nazarene
• Friday April 26th-Chandler Church of the Nazarene-Youth Night-Drew Walker/Youth & Assistant Boonville Wesleyan with special visit from "Earl and Edna"-Pizza Afterwards in gymnasium for youth!
• Saturday April 27th: Boonville Wesleyan Church-Senior Pastor Ed Ames/Assistants Sue Lochmueller/Keith Kiper
• Sunday April 28th: Boonville Wesleyan Church-Closing Service /Dennis King of Newburgh Nazarene Church

Services at 7:00PM Nightly Evansville Time and 6:00PM on Sunday. Host churches will be providing the special music nightly. Please start praying for our services now and plan to attend!

The theme as usual will be the life of holiness and how to live a pleasing life to God. Please begin praying for August Campmeeting with Larry and Tamla Leckrone!

In Memorium-Mr. Dick Bosma

Dick H. Bosma
Newburgh, IN
Dick H. Bosma, 84, of Newburgh, passed away Friday, February 01, 2013, at Deaconess Gateway Heart Hospital. He was born March 10, 1928, in Munster, IN.
He was a Carpenter Contractor and started Bosma Construction with his two sons, Steven and Alan in 1964; he worked there until retirement in 1995. Dick was a faithful member of Chandler Nazarene Church. He was Sunday School Superintendent and also served on church boards for 45 years. He was president of Chandler Holiness Camp for 13 years.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marie Lutz, Catherine Lutz; and brother, Garrett Bosma.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marilyn; daughter, Brenda (Leroy) Hartz; sons, Steve (Dawn) and Alan (Julie) Bosma; grandchildren, Brian (Kathy) and Brent (Shannon) Hartz, Shannon (Bill) Casey, Scott (Claire) Bosma, Brandi (Matthew) Elpers, Brooke (Chris) Baker, Rachel Short and Laura (Justin) Govanus; great grandchildren, Zayne, Ian, Brooks and Ashley Hartz, Harman, Hayden, and Heston Casey, Henry Bosma, Ella and Owen Elpers, and Jagger Burns; sisters, Klazina Miller and Johanna Gentry.
Services will be 1:00 PM, Monday, February 4, 2013, at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, officiated by Rev. Kenton Daugherty and Rev. Dennis King, with burial at Maple Grove Cemetery in Boonville. Friends may visit Sunday, 1-6 PM and Monday, 11:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.
Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.

Stones of Remembrance

“What Do These Stones Mean?”
A Message by BWC Media Pastor
 Rev. Keith Kiper

Our Text: Joshua 4:1-9 -
 Common English Bible (CEB)


4 When the entire nation had finished crossing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Pick twelve men from the people, one man per tribe. 3 Command them, ‘Pick up twelve stones from right here in the middle of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests had been firmly planted. Bring them across with you and put them down in the camp where you are staying tonight.’”

4 Joshua called for the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one man per tribe. 5 Joshua said to them, “Cross over into the middle of the Jordan, up to the Lord your God’s chest. Each of you, lift up a stone on his shoulder to match the number of the tribes of the Israelites. 6 This will be a symbol among you. In the future your children may ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you will tell them that the water of the Jordan was cut off before the Lord’s covenant chest. When it crossed over the Jordan, the water of the Jordan was cut off. These stones will be an enduring memorial for the Israelites.”

8 The Israelites did exactly what Joshua ordered. They lifted twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, matching the number of the tribes of the Israelites, exactly as the Lord had said to Joshua. They brought them over to the camp and put them down there. 9 Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan where the feet of the priests had stood while carrying the covenant chest. They are still there today.


A wise person once said that history should be a guiding post, not a hitching post. There really is a lot of truth in that quote, isn’t there? As time goes by, we tend to remember the best about the past, forgetting the not so good, maybe trying to completely forget some of those other foolish things we may have done back there in the good old days. Of course, that was before we became older and wiser. Someone once said it’s never too late to have a happy childhood. It may have been my wife Vicky talking about me!

History can repeat itself in the church world also. Certain trends may come and go. Worship styles may change. I personally don’t think it matters what your personal choice is as long as it centers on worshipping God and doesn’t become a routine where we are caught up in the act of worship and not honoring our reason for worshipping the Creator.
That wise 20th century philosopher Jack Handy said, "Probably the earliest fly swatters were nothing more than some sort of striking surface attached to the end of a long stick."

As we look at the book of Joshua today, we see that Joshua wanted the people to remember the past and what God had done for them. Remember when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. Yet, later they complained when in the desert because they remembered how they had eaten when they were slaves. Human nature doesn’t change much does it?

Although God would work a miracle to allow the people to cross the Jordan River on dry ground, Joshua knew that only those who saw the incident would remember it. Joshua wanted to leave a legacy for the next generation-those who would be born long after the miracle occurred. Joshua wanted to create a way to communicate God’s greatness to the children of Israel who had not yet been born. He devised a plan called the “Stones of Remembrance.” Are we in this generation leaving stones of remembrance for the next generation?
Let us take a look at this today. What are our “Stones of Remembrance?” What principles and  worldview are guiding our lives? Are we as a Church passing on the important things to our children and future generations? Do they have something to help them remember that God does not change?  If we are not, then they will only remember the secular world’s ways and ideals, and pass these on to their children and grandchildren. Worldview does matter. Just look at the suicide rates today. Tragedies like the school shooting in Connecticut seem to become commonplace in our Godless society. Yes, satan is alive and well on planet earth. But I know someone who is greater.
So, what can we do church? How can we insure that the next generation realizes what is really important. How can we pass the values on to our children? I don’t profess to have all the answers to these questions. I do believe, however, that the Bible gives us all the answer we need. Let’s take a look at some of these today.

Have you seen the car insurance commercial with the rocket scientist? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that much of our education system is in shambles in America today. Our educators unfortunately have forgotten the values and Christian principles that guided our nation in the past. The stones of a divine Creator have crumbled into the rubble of Darwinism and evolution. Situational Ethics have replaced right and wrong. And, yes, sadly, this has even affected those who have grown up in the church.

As parents, we are the ones who are responsible for our children’s moral upbringing. We not only have to teach them the meaning of right and wrong, we have to demonstrate it in our lives and actions. Our worldview must dictate how we act. Sadly, today many want to separate their life into compartments. The fall did not destroy our original calling and purpose in life, it just made it more difficult. Genesis 3:16,17 uses the same Hebrew word for the labor of childbearing as for  the labor of working and growing food.  This text tells us the two central tasks of adulthood-raising are still the next generation and making a living. We are hindered by living in a sinful and fallen world.  When God redeems us through His Son, He releases us from the guilt and power of sin.
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, our work here on earth takes on a new meaning as well. We offer our gifts to God as a way of participating in making His Kingdom come to earth. With our hearts and minds renewed, we must press on with love for God and a renewed delight in carrying out His plans through our service to Him.
In many Christian schools, the typical strategy is to inject a few narrowly defined “religious” elements into the classroom. Prayer and Bible memorization is usually added. The problem is that they teach exactly the same thing as the public government schools. This is spreading a thin layer of spiritual devotion over the subject matter like icing on a cake. The problem is the subject matter is often the same.

Dorothy Sayers said, ”If our religion does not speak to our work lives, then it has nothing to say about what we do with the vast majority of our time. No wonder people say religion is irrelevant! How can anyone remain interested with a religion which seems to have nothing in common with nine-tenths of our life.”

Most of us have heard of the veggie tales videos. The founders of veggie tales talk about how this dual thinking almost snuffed out their creative talents in creating this ministry. Phil Vescher says he always wanted to make movies. But the message he always heard growing up was that full time ministry was the only valid and meaningful Christian service. Young people had only two choices-become a missionary or a minister. So Phil packed his bags and headed off to Bible college.
Yet the more he saw the powerful influence movies were having on kids, the more he thought he should produce high quality films with a Christian message. He decided God could use a filmmaker or two. Phil and his friend Mike Nawrocki started a video company. Many of their classmates and friends became youth ministers and pastors. Phil and Mike became the voices of Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. Just think if these two had not broken free from the secular vs. sacred mindset! Every member of the body of Christ has been gifted for the benefit of the whole. We all lose out when those gifts are not used. Maybe God is calling you today to use those gifts He has given you.

Paul mentions spiritual gifts often in the New Testament and gives us some great advice. Let us look at some of these.
1 Corinthians 12:1
[ Spiritual gifts ] Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
1 Corinthians 14:1
[ Spiritual gifts and church order ] Pursue love, and use your ambition to try to get spiritual gifts but especially so that you might prophesy or teach.
1 Corinthians 14:12
The same holds true for you: since you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, use your ambition to try to work toward being the best at building up the church.

It becomes clear that these gifts are for every Christian. They are not just for those in “full time ministry.”  We must pass these truths on to our children and grandchildren. As with Joshua we need to choose our own stones of remembrance. In Joshua’s time, the Hebrew people took their tabernacle with them as they traveled. Jesus came so that we become the tabernacle where God can dwell in us. Psalm 48 celebrates Mt. Zion, or Jerusalem at the dwelling place of God. The real focus is not on the earthly city, but God Himself.
• God is great and deserving of great praise.
• He dwells with His people and is a refuge for them.
• He is the great King who is feared throughout the earth.
• He is a God who loves
• God’s praise resounds to the ends of the earth.
• He is righteous and the source of righteousness.
• He is the God of justice.
• He is God forever and forever.
• God is the guide of His people.

The Bible talks about becoming as little children. In William Bennetts book,” The Book of Virtues, he has included a poem by Olive A. Wadsworth. Even though written as a poem for children, I believe it speaks to us about the importance of a parent’s first responsibility. That is the nurture of our children and grandchildren. I believe it speaks to adults and children alike.
                       
Over in the meadow,
In a hole in a tree,
Lived an old mother bluebird
And her little birdies three.
"Sing!" said the mother;
"We sing," said the three:
So they sang, and were glad,
In a hole in the tree.
Over in the meadow,
In the reeds on the shore,
Lived an old mother muskrat
And her little ratties four.
"Dive!" said the mother;
"We dive," said the four:
So they dived and they burrowed
In the reeds on the shore.

Over in the meadow,
In a snug beehive,
Lived a mother honey bee
And her little bees five.
"Buzz!" said the mother;
"We buzz," said the five:
So they buzzed and they hummed
In the snug beehive.

Over in the meadow,
In a nest built of sticks,
Lived a black mother crow
And her little crows six.
"Caw!" said the mother;
"We caw," said the six:
So they cawed and they called
In their nest built of sticks.

Over in the meadow,
Where the quiet pools shine,
Lived a green mother frog
And her little froggies nine.
"Croak!" said the mother;
"We croak," said the nine.
So they croaked, and they splashed
Where the quiet pools shine.

Over in the meadow,
In a sly little den,
Lived a gray mother spider
And her little spiders ten.
"Spin!" said the mother;
"We spin," said the ten.
So they spun lacy webs
In their sly little den.

Advent Preparation from Breakpoint

Advent Preparation
Embracing the Story behind Christmas

By: John Stonestreet


The holiday season can seem every bit as chaotic, random and thrown together as the playlists of those obnoxious 24/7 Christmas music stations. Going from Black Friday to church pageants to being frisked by the TSA as we travel to sometimes awkward family gatherings strangely resembles going from the materialism of “Santa Baby,” to the light spirituality of “The Little Drummer Boy,” to “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” concluding with “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”
And we end up feeling like Charlie Brown screaming at Linus, “Can’t anyone tell me what Christmas is all about?”
So what do we do?  Well, one important thing is to remember what Eric Metaxas reminded us of a week ago: that it’s not really Christmas season—it’s Advent season, a time set aside by the church to help believers prepare to receive the fullness of Jesus’ coming.
And it’s not just in remembrance of His incarnation, coming to Bethlehem as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, but also in anticipation of His return as the “Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory,” who will “send his angels to gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens” (Mark 13:26-27).
Over the past few years, walking through this season of Advent in prayer, scripture and devotional readings has been a huge blessing to my family, my church, and to me personally.
Another thing that has really helped me is studying just how big this Christmas story is. Behind all the gifts, the carols, nativity scenes, and dinner parties is a narrative that spans from the creation of the heavens and earth to the re-creation of the heavens and earth.
Here’s what I mean: All those characters we remember in the Christmas story—Mary, the Wise Men, Shepherds, Angels, Joseph, Zachariah, Elizabeth, Simeon—they all have something in common. They identified what was happening to them as being firmly rooted in the promises of God—promises to His people detailed in the Old Testament. Thinking like they did—that behind all of the noise and chaos of this time of year is a story being unfolded—has changed almost everything about how I approach Advent and Christmas.
One resource I go back to over and over again to remind myself of this is Michael Card’s incredible CD “The Promise.” Rather than just picking eight to ten Christmas carols he liked and re-singing them, Michael’s CD beautifully takes us in song on the journey from the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus through the specifics of the details in the nativity, to the establishment of Jesus on the throne of David as the ruler of all things.
It’s absolutely stunning, and Michael joined me on “BreakPoint This Week” last weekend to walk through these songs and therefore the big story of Christ’s coming from the Old Testament to the New. In between Michael’s narration are key segments of many of the songs. It’s something you’ll want to listen to—go to BreakPoint.org and click on the “This Week” tab.
And I’ve partnered with T. M. Moore to prepare a special Advent study for you and your family called “He Has Come.” The study consists of a teaching DVD, devotional studies on Advent, and a CD of many sacred carols which reflect the worldview truths established by the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.
We have both the Michael Card CD and our “He Has Come” Advent study for you at the BreakPoint book store online. If you’d like both for yourself or your family or friends, we’re offering them together in a special Christmas bundle at BreakPoint.org.
And this Advent, let’s look beyond all the glitzy schmaltziness of our culture’s celebration of the holidays, and see the grand story behind Christmas, and prepare ourselves to celebrate the bedrock truth of our faith and the reason for our hope: Christ has come, and He shall come again...

Remembering Christ's Birth During Advent

Thanksgiving 2012 is now history. Most of us are probably having ham or turkey sandwiches today along with the usual leftovers. Some may even complain about leftovers while much of the world is still hungry. Christmas decorations have been hanging in the Big*Box stores since Halloween, their second biggest retail season only to Christmas, due largely to our culture's fascination with the occult and the vampire craziness of late in television and motion pictures. Black Friday is now being pushed to Thursday, even sooner on some internet shopping sites. Jesus and His birth are almost forgotten by much of our quasi-religious and atheistic culture.

A good way for the individual and the church to remember the signifigence of this Christmas Season is the observance of the four Sundays of Advent. Unfortunately there are no published sermons on Wesley’s preaching during the Advent season or even addressing the Christmas message.  However, his perpetuation of the traditional Anglican celebration of Christmas is evidenced in his instructions to the North American Methodists.  Our Catholic and most of our mainline churches already observe Advent. Sadly, many of our Wesleyan and sister churches do not. At best, some will celebrate with minimally with a service after Thanksgiving such as"Hanging of the Greens." This is great, but why stop here. Here is the 2012 Calendar:


Advent Dates for 2012
• December 2 - First Sunday of Advent 
• December 9 - Second Sunday of Advent 
• December 16 - Third Sunday of Advent 
• December 23 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30, and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24. When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last, or fourth Sunday of Advent.

In Eastern Orthodox churches which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins earlier, on November 15, and lasts 40 days, rather than 4 weeks.




Why not light a candle and read the complimentary Scriptures leading up to Christmas? This only takes a few minutes during the morning worship service and helps us to focus on what happened two thousand years ago. Its also great to hear Scripture in our Bible starved society. of today. That's what I think anyway...what are your thoughts? keith 1 Cor 13

Keith Kiper is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church. He currently serves as Media Pastor at Boonville Wesleyan Church. He is married to the former Vicky Brown. The Kiper's have  a grown daughter Kristen in college, a Maltipoo named Opie, a Cockerpoo named Jackson and two cats. Keith manages several facebook pages, blogs, and websites.

United Kingdom Wesleyans Love Haiti"

by Wesleyan Information Network | Aug. 22, 2012 |

After a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti in January 2010, God laid a short-term mission trip to the country on the hearts of Wesleyans from the United Kingdom.In April 2011, Cassius and Vanessa Francis, leaders in The Wesleyan Church of the British Isles, visited Haiti for a few days to meet with Global Partners’ Caribe Atlantic Area Director Dan and Joy Irvine and National Superintendent Rev. Doucet Desronvil. The leaders felt United Kingdom Wesleyans could be more effective than simply sending money and provisions from afar. Instead, they advised the Francises to assemble a team to return and work on a mission. As a result, the Love Haiti project was birthed.

Eleven people traveled to Haiti in August 2012 to serve in various capacities. The partnership of churches working together has been crucial to the success of the mission and broadened the ministry and learning opportunities for the entire team.
The team planned to work at with teenagers at two camps located at a new church plant in Li la Vois with Pastor Edna Joseph (Li la Vois is where people resettled after the earthquake) and in Source Matelas with Pastor Jean Claude Guerrier. However, news of the camps soon spread far and wide in both areas, and the camps were extended to include preteens. The team led corporate devotion and worship times, facilitated sports, music, and technology activities, and workshops. The United Kingdom visitors also made presentations at both churches in their Sunday morning services.
Those who traveled to Haiti have been challenged and inspired by the locals and received a warm welcome when they arrived.
“We believe the people have recognized the heart of what we were trying to achieve and why we were there,” says Cassius. “It took us a year to fundraise for the mission through various sponsored events, including a fashion show, music concerts, an art auction, and even a birthday tea party. We give God thanks that we have accomplished what we set out to do.”
Volunteers are currently planning and fundraising for the next Love Haiti Mission, August 3-17, 2013. Team members request Wesleyans to pray for various needs in Haiti:

• The youth leaders, in particular the leaders at Li la Vois and Source Matelas Wesleyan churches. They have a tremendous role in inspiring this and future generations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Dan and Joy Irvine, Rev. Doucet, and the church leaders in Haiti. They have achieved a tremendous amount, but they are well aware of the challenges and scale of the task ahead.
• Further mission opportunities to inspire the British Isles District of The Wesleyan Church

For further information on Love Haiti Mission, please visit https://www.facebook.com/#!/LveHaiti2012onMission
Cassius Francis is from The Wesleyan Church of the British Isles and is in church leadership at the Moseley Wesleyan Holiness Church in Birmingham, England.

Beams, Bigots, and the Beatitudes...My Thoughts

Keith Kiper
Media Pastor
Boonville Wesleyan Church
Re-posted from The Circuit Rider

It seems that everyone is "coming out of the closet" these days. This is even happening in the world of Gospel Music."Coming out"  the common phrase used today when someone who is a homosexual decides to let the world know about their sexual inclinations, usually someone from the Hollywood culture. Although usually not really a big surprise, many of us would rather not know. Yes, this is considered free speech and expression. Sadly the same tolerant standards don't seem to apply when the conservative Christian doesn't agree with the ungodly lifestyle of others and expresses their opinion. The Bible has a lot to say on this matter  also, we will get to that later.

We are told we should not judge others. Quotes will show up in blogs about the beam in our eye when we are focusing on the speck in our brothers eye. Some of the newer ones in response to"Love the sinner, hate the sin" tell us we should focus on hating our own sin. Of course, only the quotes of Jesus on judging others are given, none about helping our brother out of sin, or the authority of God's Word. And yes, there is some truth here as it sounds good at face value. Our preaching should point to Christ in a loving way, but sometimes we have to be specific, something lacking in many of today's sugar coated sermonettes.

Theologians have a term for focusing only on the words of red while ignoring the rest of the New Testament. They term this the Christological Fallicy. Romans Chapter one warns of the consequences of the ungodly lifestyle. The rest of Chapter One is  surprisingly up to date. No nation in history has survived for long after treading this path.

¹⁸ God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodly behavior and the injustice of human beings who silence the truth with injustice. ¹⁹ This is because what is known about God should be plain to them because God made it plain to them. ²⁰ Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through the things God has made. So humans are without excuse. ²¹ Although they knew God, they didn’t honor God as God or thank him. Instead, their reasoning became pointless, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² While they were claiming to be wise, they made fools of themselves. ²³ They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that look like mortal humans: birds, animals, and reptiles. ²⁴ So God abandoned them to their hearts’ desires, which led to the moral corruption of degrading their own bodies with each other.

The Bible does hold the Christian responsible for speaking the truth in love to others. As Christians and as Wesleyans we are obligated to do so. We have practiced civil disobedience in the past when man's law conflicted with God's law. We may have to do so again in this upside down world. I close with what James had to say about the matter. I love James' practical insights into Christian living.


^" My brothers and sisters, if any of you wander from the truth and someone turns back the wanderer, recognize that whoever brings a sinner back from the wrong path will save them from death and will bring about the forgiveness of many sins." James 5:19,20 CEB

Keith Kiper is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church. He currently serves as media pastor at Boonville Wesleyan Church. He is married to Vicky. The Kiper's have  a grown daughter Kristen, a Maltipoo named Opie, and two cats. Keith manages several facebook pages, blogs, and websites.

"Fundamentalist Blubockers?"

Guest Sermon Series

Rev. Robert D. Shofner, Jr

St. John's UCC Boonville Indiana

            I believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, which means I believe it is perfectly accurate in its present form.  Many of my colleagues, when they hear me say that, accuse me of being a fundamentalist.  I am not.  Fundamentalists believe that the Bible is to be taken literally at all times.  But that is another BluBlocker (remember those?).  The Bible is a divine library filled with history, law, poetry, songs, stories, letters, parables, drama, philosophy, sermons – and more.  We don’t want to take every word literally.

            The truth is, the fundamentalist who claims he or she does so is lying.  Just ask her if she takes Psalm 18:2 literally, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.”  Does he really think God is a “rock,” or does he think the word “rock” is metaphorical?  She will answer metaphorical, which proves she is not a true literalist. 

            Like all of us, fundamentalists make their decisions about what is literal and what is not based on their own biases.  Classic example: the Bible commands people to “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16).  Simple enough, right?  Doesn’t seem to be metaphorical.  If fundamentalists take the Bible literally, why not just obey it?  Sure, it would seem weird at first, but eventually we would get used to men kissing other men, women kissing other women.  We could replace the handshake and hug with kissing after church!  Maybe that could be a witnessing tool!  “Oh yeah.  That St. John’s Church … they really believe the Bible.  It’s so cool!  They kiss each other all the time, praise the Lord!”  Hey, it’s God’s command from His inerrant Word, right?  But I can almost guarantee that many will argue that texts like these need to be filtered through the context of the culture in which they were written. 

            But wait a minute!  How can one justify ignoring the commands of certain texts, appealing to the cultural context, while demanding others be obeyed without using the same analysis?  BluBlockers. 

            This is a huge problem in our churches, both so-called conservative and liberal.  Too many on both sides of the aisle refuse to acknowledge that human pretensions, biases, cultures, and prejudices impact our ability to interpret and understand Scripture.  This is why one needs to humbly and suspiciously approach the Bible.  Readers must cultivate humility in their hearts and be suspicious of their own penchant to wear BluBlockers.  They need to acknowledge that a literal reading of the Bible can be a dangerous oversimplification.  The same is true with those who hold a purely metaphorical reading.  The true meaning of a biblical text is often more complicated to unearth. 

            Christ followers want to be more like a guy I once knew by the name of Jerry.  Jerry was color blind.  He told me that anytime he picked out his own clothes, people stared.  When he drove, he had to be extra careful because he couldn’t tell the difference between a red light and a green light, other than its position on the pole.  I was surprised to learn that.  When I remarked how well he concealed his challenge, he said, “That’s because I don’t trust myself.  If I did, you would have known it the day you met me – I would have been the one dressed like a clown.  But I learned early on that if I don’t ask for help, I’m in trouble.”

            More people in our churches should admit they need help when it comes to negotiating scripture.

            J.I. Packer writes: “[In] approach[ing] scripture with minds already formed by the mass of accepted opinions and viewpoints with which we have come into contact, in both the Church and the world . . . It is easy to be unaware that it has happened; it is hard even to begin to realize how profoundly tradition in this sense has molded us. . . . We may never assume the complete rightness of our own established ways of thought and practice and excuse ourselves the duty of testing and reforming them.” 

            Christians should be very suspicious of their understanding of the Scriptures.  This is especially true when reading prophetic segments.  For example, if you think God directed Bible prophecy toward Americans more than Libyans, Afghans, or Sudanese, the end-times verses will read differently to you.  But if you are a Christian from the Sudan (many of whom are currently having their property seized and their children taken from them), you may think the great tribulation is taking place now and that you have already met the armies of the antichrist.

            Among the most popular topics among evangelicals is the subject of the end-times or last days.  Talk about the return of Jesus Christ often gets people motivated to serve.  But that kind of motivation isn’t healthy when people get excited about the return of Christ based on current events that are interpreted inappropriately.

            In 1988 a booklet came out titled 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988.  Tens of thousands of sincere believers bought that little book and made it central to their lives.  People I knew where passing the book out to relatives, friends, coworkers and neighbors.  They slapped bumper stickers on their cars reading: Warning: In case of Rapture, this car will be unoccupied.  The booklet created quite a stir.  I had been around the block quite a few times by 1988, so I wasn’t nearly as taken with the idea.  I remember telling those I pastored at the time, “Don’t get too excited.  Jesus said no one would know the exact time or hour of his return!  I hate to pop your end-times bubble, but I have some plans for 1989.”

            When Jesus didn’t come back, the author came out with another work with a title of 89 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1989.  It didn’t sell nearly as well.  People who got all jacked up from the first book were disappointed and embarrassed after Jesus didn’t return in 1988.  Some even slipped away from the Lord.  Why?  Talking about Jesus’ return the way Chicken Little talked about the falling sky always yields less-than-favorable results.

            Instead of forcing obscure texts onto modern news stories, wouldn’t it be better to spend energy trying to inspire people to long for Christ’s return?

            When we read the New Testament, we get the idea that the early church expected Jesus to return at any moment – and that was 2,000 years ago!  Why would those Christians talk about the return of Jesus in a way that suggested it could happen at any moment?  The answer may be found in Paul’s comment that God rewards those “who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).  God wants His children to think about, dream about, and long for the return of Jesus Christ.

            Honestly, until recently, I hardly ever did that.  There were too many things to get done … ministry, family, fun.  But as I’ve gotten older, and have learned many hard lessons, and have mourned with those who have mourned, and rejoiced with those who have rejoiced, and have read and studied scripture and many books … now I long for Christ’s return … because I want to see His face … I want to go home. 

            Before He left, Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  I am going … to prepare a place for you. … I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1).  Listen.  This planet, in its fallen state, is not our home.  At best, it’s just a motel room.  Longing for the return of Jesus needs to be based on the truth that He has made a home for believers and is coming to get them – not based on some prophecy expert’s dubious revelation.  It is said of the saints of old, “they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16). 

Go ahead and peek through that set of BluBlockers!  Personally, I hope it’s an improved version of San Diego! 

Now, let’s talk about good BluBlockers.  Jesus wore several pairs.  And we’d have a much more positive impact on the world if we wore the same lenses Jesus did.  One of Jesus’ pair of BluBlockers saw the goodness of God everywhere.  When He looked at things like the sunshine or rain, He saw God’s goodness.  When speaking about God’s incautious goodness to humanity He said, “Your Father in heaven … causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). 

Another good pair of BluBlockers we should wear is knowing that God’s love is everywhere.  God is lovingly chasing us even when there is no good reason to do so.  When the Psalmist caught a glimpse of the love and favor God had for him, he cried, “This is too much, too wonderful – I can’t take it all in!”  (Psalm 139:17).  And neither can we.

God’s love may resemble the natural kindness and love that families and couples share; but it plunges far deeper, and it is way more unconditional and deathless.  This kind of love is so “out of the box” for human understanding that Paul prayed his friends would have the “power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is (Ephesians 3:18).  It takes “power to understand” God’s love and grace toward us; God has to help us see it.

I totally get how some think all this is too good to be true.  How can God be so reckless about giving to us when we are so good at being so bad?  But that is exactly what God is like.  We matter to Him, and there’s nothing we can do to alter that.  Now that’s a sweet pair of BluBlockers!

One of my favorite BluBlockers is knowing that God made each of us on purpose.  The Bible says that before time – in eternity – God imagined every individual.  This means He manipulated the odds through history to make sure we got here.  Scripture asserts that God started from the first humans and chose the “times set” for each of us to appear in history and the “exact places” where we would be born (Acts 17:26).  The psalmist declared, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).  To God, this isn’t a world of the “survival of the fittest” – it is a world for the predestined.  He picked us.  And He has a plan for us.  This means we were a forethought in God’s mind, we are not here by chance, and, in a very real way, we are a dream come true for God.  This also means that the other people in our world – whether they agree with us about God or not – are likewise here by design.

Scripture goes so far to say God managed our growth while we were in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13) – our physicality and unique blend of personality were created on purpose.  We were chosen to show up on this planet.  The Christian story claims you and I are not accidents; we are on-purpose beings that God placed in the world as unique characters in His unfolding story.  Walking through life looking out this pair of BluBlockers will change the tone of our lives and impact how we live and how we feel about ourselves … and others.

If we approached the world with these good BluBlockers on, not only would our own views be better, but those who encounter us would have a much clearer picture of who God really is.

To wrap this up …

I learned over 40 years of riding a motorcycle to drive suspiciously.  I watch the road.  I am suspicious that other drivers may run over me, so I drive defensively.  Likewise, when I read the Bible, I am suspicious that I have biases (some I’m not even aware of), so I try to be humble and watchful.

Christians need to challenge one another’s BluBlockers – to question things more; to use common sense; to point out how opinions predispose us to judgments and how prejudice, closed-mindedness, and bigotry invariably produce destructive BluBlockers.  I always go to DEFCON whenever I hear a friend say, “The Lord showed me that this verse means …” or, “It says in the Bible …” and then precedes to tell me something that doesn’t stand up against common sense or historical and informed interpretation of Scripture.  More often than not, it isn’t the Lord at all – it’s the person’s own destructive pair of “I have unique insights” BluBlockers.

History is full of examples of people using biblical texts to justify the denigration or persecution or disenfranchising of others – all while considering themselves to be true bearers of the uncompromised “Word of God.”  Watch out!  Always approach Scripture with the awareness that you are wearing BluBlockers.  If you do so, you will have a great shot at keeping out of the land of weirdness and finding the “endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures” (Romans 15:4) that bring us hope.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which reveals all truth.  We ask that You humble our hearts that we may admit to wearing our own pair of BluBlockers.  Enable our minds to clearly see.  Convict us of our sin whenever we fall into prejudices, arrogance, and demeaning behavior toward others.  Help us to live knowing and loving You, and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.  Let our light shine so as not to blind others, but to reveal Your glory to them.

And the people said, “Amen.”