What do people say about us?

"Lex seqendi, lex credendi" meaning "the law of following is the law of belief." Ancient theologians came up with this important Latin phrase to remind people that true christian ethics and missions requires more than following a book of words and the writings of doctrine. Truth is centered in Jesus Christ and in following Him is Truth discovered. Christianity is about following Jesus. We must know and practice the Jesus of the Gospels.

So then, why do so many have such a low opinion of Christians today? Gandhi once said, "I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Others have the same opinion of the Church today. Listen to this research:
Jim Henderson made national news when he rented a person for $504 on e-Bay. He rented Matt Casper and they traveled around the country visiting churches. Henderson recorded Casper's unbiased point of view in his book, "Jim and Casper go to Church." Casper's summary of the experience was "there are so many glaring discrepancies among churches regarding what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. If they are all talking about the same Jesus then why does He look so different?" (Frost & Hirsch, Re-Jesus, p. 165)

So, what do people say about us? We are Christ followers, are we not? Would the outsider say we look and act like the Jesus of the New Testament? If they sat in on our commission meetings, business sessions, Bible studies or sermons would they say that we are seeking out and responding to the interests of Christ or closed minded defenders of our doctrine and tradition? A people of conditional or unconditional love? A people who stand firm on rules to the exclusion of relationship? Doers of the word or just mere readers/hearers of the text?

Church, it is time we get reacquainted with the Founder of our faith. As we search the heart of God for a three year strategic plan we must identify with the life and passion of Christ. Over the remainder of 2009 I ask you to focus your Bible study in the Gospels. To write down in a notebook the core truths you observe regarding the teachings and practice of Jesus. To implore God through prayer each day to make the words of Jesus your doctrine and His practice your expressions and testimony.

If you are serious about your reputation as a Christ follower then start asking some "big people" questions to others. Ask them, One, "What do you think of when you hear the word Jesus?" Two, "What comes to mind when you think of me?" What say you Christian ... R U willing to become vulnerable for the sake of Christ?

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Adrian

Sex?

I thought this title may get your attention. And, actually I anticipate my Fodder meter count to be higher today just because of the title. They say "sex sells," you know?

So, where am I going with this? Well, first to one of my favorite passages located in Ezekiel 36. Then says the Lord, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." NICE!

Why is having "a heart of flesh" important? Because a "hard heart" is unaffected and is not easily moved by emotion. We must engage our heart in order to comprehend God. One cannot think their way into a relationship with Christ...it must be experiential.

If you have spent anytime listening to preachers expound on the Old Testament then you have probably heard that the Hebrew root word for "knowledge" and "intercourse" are one in the same. In biblical Hebrew, one cannot know something just through observation, one must come into contact with it. I think you are probably starting to get the gist of all this: the only way to know Jesus is through an up close and personal relationship. Feelings are required! We must have passion, participation, involvement, and faith. To know Jesus involves our whole being and through faith Christ brings our heart alive affectedly.

What else am I saying? We not only need to have passion "for" Christ but the passion "of" Christ as well. That is the true litmus test for our faith. If we are not moved to compassion over the things that Christ was, then something has been left undone. If passion is eliminated then faith no longer exists. James' phrase for this is "faith without works is dead" (2:17). We have to engage our hearts to truly understand Jesus, to become like Him, and to follow Him.

Are you emotionally connected to the Savior? Ah wait, that was to easy. Let me ask you another question. "Are you demonstrating you relationship with Christ through your passion for the marginalized people of our society? Now that's a "big boy" question? What say you? Isn't it fun talking about sex? :-)

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Houston, we have lift off ...

I remember being mesmerized by the activity on Dad and Mom's old television set as a kid whenever NASA would send men into space. With the roar of the rocket boosters coming through the speakers I would hear the words, "Houston, we have lift off (followed by a "ping" sound). Wow! I must be old because some of that was viewed on a black and white set. How old is that? :-)

I found it interesting to recently read that throughout the Apollo missions to the moon the spacecraft regularly drifted off course. In fact, they say that more than 80 percent of their journey through space was slightly off course. To conserve fuel the spaceships would drift in space relying on gravitational pull. They only used their engines occasionally to readjust their coordinates and get them back on track. The occasional burst of the massive engine kept them heading in the right direction. (Frost & Hirsch, Re-Jesus, page 143)

Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to "keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." He is the gravitational pull that will lead us to our final destination and the coordinates necessary to keep us on track in the mean time. The Psalmist said in 141:8ff, "I will keep my eyes fixed upon You, O Sovereign Lord; in You I take refuge. You will keep me from the snare,trap, and nets of evildoers. In You will I pass by in safety." NICE!

Someday when our journey has ended we will hear, "Houston, we have landing!" Or, maybe put in more biblical terms it will be Jesus saying, "Well done good and faithful servant ... enter into your rest." So, let's stay engaged with Jesus and actively study and apply Him to our lives. This is no time to become disinterested and drift off course.

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Hiding place

"Then the man and his wife sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves ... when they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden ... they hid from the Lord" (Genesis 3:7-8). "... For I hide myself in You; teach me to do Your will" (Psalm 143:9-10). These two passages seem to indicate that humans have a natural inclination to hide. Unfortunately if we are not seeking rescue "in" God we will hide "from" our Salvation.

The contrast between the men represented in the passages just mentioned is telling. King David through transparency, is pursuing solace from his enemies in the presence of God where as Adam on the other hand, is shamefully hedging himself away from God. This is a clear reminder that all of us respond in one of two ways to the "imago Dei - the image of God in man" for it is the standard of life.

Without full surrender to Christ people will insatiably gather around themselves things to hide behind in an attempt to hedge out the imago Dei. This really is a working definition of "idolatry" as spoken of in the Bible. An "idol" is something, anything really, that we place between God and self to diminish the presence and power of God in our life. (In Exodus 20 God says, "to have no others gods before Me," meaning there is to be nothing between us and God, or standing in the way).

Every attempt to hedge out God's image is futile. There is really nowhere to hide from imago Dei nor can one erase the shame that occurs from not being fully alive or complete in Christ Jesus. We cannot flee from the presence of God when His image is woven into the very fabric of our being (Psalm 139:7). Like King David, we must run to Jesus as our hiding place to be taught this lesson.

Be fully alive today by hiding in Jesus! It's the place you were meant to be. What say you?

Thanks for stopping by today!
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Adrian

Bad becomes good???

I was talking with a friend today in the Meetinghouse. She is struggling with the empty nest syndrome. Her daughter graduated from High School this month, leaves for a summer long mission experience and then is off to college. This is major emotional hurt for a parent to handle. I know ... I've been there, done that, and got the tee shirt to prove it, as they say.

However, when I reflect upon the definition of the Kingdom of God as "God's work throughout all of creation" then can there really be any bad experiences in life? Romans 8:28-29 says that "God is using all things...to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ." We humans have a tendency to judge the circumstances of life as either "good or bad" based upon how we see it impacting us. But, if the circumstance, no matter how pain-filled it may be, is a part of God's "all things" then can it really be bad?

The key is probably surrendering "all things" over to Jesus. He is Lord and there should me no limitation to the claim He has over our life. If "all things" belong to God then there is no secular or sacred task or good or bad experience. All things are holy unto the Lord.

According to Romans 12:1-3 this is true holiness. The offering of our whole lives back to God through Jesus. It is taking all the elements that make up our human life (family, friends, money, work, possessions, success, failure, pain, loss, etc.) and giving them back to God for His glory and use, so to speak. By so doing the seemingly bad things in life then can be viewed as good.

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Break the glass in an emergency

Scholar and author Mark Sayers says that the majority of people in the United States say they believe in some form of god. However the god they believe in is so distant and their idea of him/her is so vague that it fails to make any difference at all in their life. Sayer calls this "the break the glass in an emergency god" referring to the being/deity they invoke during times of crisis or when they get into trouble.(Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways: Jesus in Disney Land, page 106).

Not having a relationship with the one true God of the Bible leaves an uncomfortable vacuum that must be filled. In the American Church the "filling of choice" is consumerism. It is the primary idol placed before God. Many think that it will provide the meaning, value, purpose, and becomes the quest for "the good life" they desire.

The safeguard for us is clearly stated in Exodus 20, "Thou shall have no other gods before Me, says the Lord." He is the only One who loves and redeems us and provides true satisfaction in life. Making Jesus the sole object of our worship will keep us in perfect peace and deliver us from the idol of consumerism: money, power, prestige, self, etc. Do not diminish His power and presence in your life. Exalt Him to His rightful place (Psalm 99:5).

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Why all the Focus on Jesus?

Once in a while someone will ask, "Why does Willoughby Hills Friends talk so much about Jesus and seem to exclude God and the Holy Spirit?" My reply, Because of our biblical worldview." The Bible teaches that God is One and that He redeems and claims all things through Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Deuteronomy 6 and Mark 12 tells us that "The Lord our God is one; and you should love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind, and with all of your strength."

Jesus said there is no greater command or insight than this in Mark 12:31. If you get it, it will revolutionize your life. In the Old Testament the Deuteronomy passage is known as the "shema" which means "pay attention too." He is One God, sovereign over all things (everything is in His Kingdom), every aspect of your life and being is sacred unto the Lord. All of life is integrated under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

To be in relationship with Jesus Christ is to experience the fullness of the Godhead. They are in perfect unity with One another, mutually submissive, and primarily present Themselves through the Person of Jesus Christ. COOL! For to know Jesus is to know God. For in Him the fullness of the Godhead dwells (1 Corinthians 8:6).

In addition, people will more often ask, "Why do you focus so much on outreach?" My reply, "Because of our biblical worldview! As we, 'pay attention - shema,' we note that our God presents Himself in scripture through Jesus Christ as good, holy, just, and compassionate and He requires us to be the same." In Mark 12:28-34 Jesus sums up the shema as "God is One, I represent the Godhead so as I have loved you you in return must go and love others" (Halvey's paraphrase).

Why all the fuss about Jesus? Because "in Him we live, move and have our being!" (Acts 17:28) He defines life for us and brings value to all things because it all belongs to King Jesus! Frame your life in that realization today ... Thanks for stopping by!

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Adrian

Refounding the company

"Refounding" is a term I remember from some of my business classes. Without it most companies will fail within a few generations. The idea behind refounding is there is a certain way of thinking and acting that must continuously be traced back to the founder for consistency and passion to remain in the organization. It refers to a foundational culture that maintains the following beliefs: values and assumptions of the founder; the continued validation of these beliefs through the learning/training experiences of employees; and the embellishment of these core beliefs into the current culture and experience of the company. No doubt, that is why "Dave's" picture seems to hang on the wall of every Wendy's restaurant (my favorite burger joint by the way) with his core values listed below.

The church must be "refounded" on Jesus Christ every time we are together or focus will soon be lost. He is the critical link for the health and success of the Church. The defining role Jesus played in the conception of our organization sprang from His life and work. We must remain preoccupied with these things!

What is the difference between the average church person and the Pharisee of the New Testament? Think about that for a moment. The Pharisees are the prime examples of what can happen to Christianity if we do not refound regularly on Jesus. They had a sincere belief system. Were extremely zealous about their religion and meticulous tithers (even beyond what was required of them). They held to a strong doctrinal/biblical moral code and believed in the authority of scripture. They even believed in miracles and were devoted to prayer. And yet, they were divorced from love, humility, mercy and God's direction and fashioned the plan which crucified Jesus. What if they had refounded in Christ?

The description I just listed for the Pharisees is a portrait of the dedicated church person today. However, like them we can all fall prey to religion if Christ is not refounded daily in our lives. Our rules will replace His core values. Our spirit of compassion will give way to being critical and judgmental of others. Living the status quo of our religion will eventually stifle our "going forth into the world" as Jesus did and will make the walls of the building sacred and our preference for worship territorial. Who knows, Jesus probably came to earth to save us from our religion!

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Where has the power gone?

That's the question I asked while reading in Philippians this morning. Paul says in 3:10 "... that I may know Him (Jesus) and the power of His resurrection." Why isn't "the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead" displayed in the church today? Deductive reasoning from this verse says, "because we do not know Jesus." Knowing and practicing His teachings and ways unleashes the manifestation of God's Spirit in our lives. Plain and simple.

Many are religious but not followers of Jesus. They know of Him historically and religiously by not personally and experientially. It is similar to what God spoke to Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos thousands of years ago, "these people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips while their hearts are far from Me, and their worship of Me is a human commandment learned by rote" (Isa. 29:13; 58; Jer. 7:3-16; Amos 5:21).

Blaise Pascal said these words about the spiritual condition of his day, "Christendom has become a union of people who, by means of sacraments, excuse themselves from knowing and loving God." Religion was and is a way of escape from knowing God. How do we safe guard this? By not reducing our faith to intellectualism or rote behavior.

The Truth that brings resurrection power into our lives, the Truth we must follow and learn of is a person-and His name is Jesus Christ. The power to live a life pleasing to God and bring transformation to men on earth comes through "real time" relationship with Jesus. We must know Him.

To know Jesus we must study the core passages about His life in the Gospels. We must note the importance they are to us individually and the Church. Then we must find examples of how to transfer His life principles into our world. Also, we must embrace His presence. He is with us through the person of the Holy Spirit. We must give Him ownership and follow His leading and direction.

Lord Jesus, send us Your power we pray!

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Participatio Christi

C. S. Lewis said, "...the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If the Church is not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose."

I think that is exactly what the Church is supposed to do. We should identify with Jesus, act like Jesus, be like Jesus and help others do the same. God has called us to be imitators of Christ. This means that we must do more than follow Him in our heart and talk about Him at our church. To imitate Christ means we must act Him out in the world.

Participatio Christi-Latin for "participating in the life and mission of Jesus." We are to be a community within the community and add value, bring wisdom, peace and grace to the community in which we live. Is this not the definition of loving people ... is this not God's will for the Church today?

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Adrian

"If you have seen Me you have seen the Father, I am the Father are one" (John 1, 14)

These verses have great importance to Christian discipleship. The Bible tells us that we are made in the image of God and these verses point out that Jesus is the revelation of God. That He defines our concept of God and models for us what a true human being should be like.

Focusing our discipleship on Jesus forces us to take serious His words and actions. It sets the agenda for our discipleship. He is the standard by which we measure ourselves. His model and teachings must become the norm for the Christian life.

This means that an authentic comprehension of Jesus becomes critical. We need a refined process of discipleship that studies the Gospels giving specific care to the words in red and less concern about doctrine and theology. Our objective is to know and emulate Jesus.

Our discipleship must have a preoccupation with the person and work of Jesus. We must determine what elements of His life we can emulate through daily activity. We may not be able to die for others as Jesus did but we can live sacrificially on their behalf. Effective discipleship will help us to understand Jesus better and provide the tools and opportunity for appropriating His example into our lives and world.

In his book The Forgotten Ways, Allan calls this process "the conspiracy of little Jesuses." He adds, "if Jesus is perfectly human, the human image of God, how bad can we or the church become if we became more like Him? Would the world not be a better place if there were more little Jesuses around?"

As we embark upon structuring a three year plan to lead us as a body of Christ followers we must ask, "are we fundamentally aligned with Jesus' purposes and will for His family on earth?" At this critical time in our church we must allow Jesus to under-mine status quo thinking and call into question our religion, the institutional process we have developed and the behavior we practice. May we never give up on this holy quest.

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian