Valentine’s Day 2012

From My Devotion:  Esther & 1 Corinthians 13

Today is Valentine’s Day, and I honestly can’t think of a better passage to study in my devotions.  I didn’t pick it - it was the daily reading for my 1-year plan.  God is good.  So is his Word.

Esther

I haven’t written a lot about Esther, but today I was struck by the unfamiliar parts of this true story.  There are complexities in this narrative that a Veggie Tale can’t quite capture.  This is not a nice story.  It is really a tale rooted in dominance and sexual exploitation.  It is also a story of Redemption as our Relentless God pursues and protects His people with an unfailing love.

Esther begins with King Xerxes growing dissatisfied with his current wife.  He is embarrassed with the lack of honor he was shown, and based on the advice of his friends, he casts the old wife away.  Then the search begins.  The king, exerting full political power, goes in search of the sexiest virgins in the nation.  (I can’t believe how casually I’ve heard this story in the past!)  After these women are found, they are taken from their families, made to undergo “beauty treatments,” and thrust before the king.  He gets to sample each girl to see whom he likes best.  By the way, this is not a Bachelor-style date.  There were to helicopter rides, rose petal hot tubs, or picnics.  There was an eager king, a scared young girl, and sex.  After the girl gives up her virginity, she is placed in the “second harem,” and is never likely to be heard from again.  These women were no longer desirable as wives for other men.  The king had laid claim to them, but they had to rights in return.  [This is not God’s plan for men and women.]  Not such a nice story, but sometimes the Bible gets REAL.

Esther is a young orphan woman being raised at the mercy of her uncle Mordecai.  With no true paternal figure in her life and as a Jew living in captivity in a foreign land, Esther’s prospects were very grim.  It’s amazing that God raised her up for, “Such a Time as This.”  In short, Esther pleases the king, and she is made queen.

It is amazing that God in his unfailing love brought redemption into this seedy tale.  In the subtext, a ride was rising against the Jews.  An evil man named Haman had been slighted by Mordecai.  He was blinded by his own political aspirations, and he convinced the king to issue an edict condemning all the Jews to death.  (this is not a Veggie Tales story - more like HBO)  This story is a careful reminder that Slighted Pride is a Deadly Force.  

When I read this story, I really begin to feel bad for the Jews.  I start to feel like they are the innocents in this story and that they are being picked on.  HOWEVER…God never intended the Jews to be in this situation.  He had provided a wonderful land, a peaceful kingdom, amazing resources, and strong defenses to protect His people.  The Israelites purchased slavery for themselves with their unwavering idolatry.  The Jews didn’t just ask for God’s punishment - they demanded it.  That is why young Esther was placed in such a terrible situation.  But God…in His Unfailing Love, saved the day.  Any lover who has been cheated on has the right to anger - the right to cut ties - the right to turn away.  But God didn’t.  God doesn’t.  In His unfailing love, He sets things right again and again.  What an awesome God we serve.

LOVE ABOVE ALL
1 Corinthians 13 - the LOVE passage

This passage has less to do with wedding ceremonies and more to do with the body of Christ.  In context, Paul is discussing Spiritual Gifts.  We should desire the gifts that are most helpful to the body.  However, none of them matter if we do not have love.

I’m preaching on this subject tonight at 7to9.  I’ll post a recap later. 

from my devotion - February 13, 2012
1 Corinthians 12

Sometimes I struggle with pride.   When I actually pause to trace the root of the struggle back to its beginning, I often find that it comes from FRUIT ENVY.  

FRUIT ENVY = the unhealthy desire of someone else’s God-given gifts, talents, blessings, or success.  Fruit envy can lead to some nasty side effects:
-  Becoming critical toward the person you actually admire
- Becoming critical about yourself
- Over compensating in other areas
- Beginning to serve from a “results-based” mindset rather than allowing Christ’s living water to flow and work through you

Fruit Envy stinks…almost literally.   It’s kind of like a gardner admiring the trees his neighbor has been pruning over time.  Rather than planting and pruning his own tree, the gardener might sneak over and grab a few of the fruits that have fallen off the healthy tree.  Taking some good old-fashioned duct tape, the gardner attaches the ripened fruit to his own plant.  Perfect….right?  Of course not.  In a matter of hours, the duct tape tree is going to be a messy, slimy, counterfeit mess.  If we’re not careful to understand our gifts rather than copying those around us, our churches begin looking a little…unnatural.

The scripture celebrates the diversity of the gifts God has given His church.  In 1 Corinthians 12 we’re reminded that we are never given gifts so that we can impress others.  Rather, they are given for the purpose of serving the church to the glory of God.  The next time you struggle with pride…trace it back.  

[Sometimes pride says, “I’m the best.”  Most of the time pride says, “I’m the worst.]  Christianity says, “Jesus is the best, and I belong to Him.”

1 Corinthians 12:18 - “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” 

How to you fight Gift Envy?
-  Work to implement authentic community in your life.  It’s really hard to be envious of someone that you are praying for and spending time with
- Encourage people’s efforts, but always give the glory of God
- Stay Kingdom Minded  (I want every ministry to grow bigger than mine…as long is mine is growing.  We’re fighting the DEVIL - not each other)
- Don’t live for compliments.  In a subtle way, when someone compliments you, give glory to God.  Allow God to give you your reward…He’s a lot better at it! 

Don’t get me wrong - they’re gorgeous creatures.  The world needs peacocks (thank you Ms. America & Ryan Seacrest).  Peacocks are wonderful, beautiful, useless creatures.  They can’t fly, you’re really not even supposed to eat them, and their “call?”  …it’s terrible.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji3TzkY_fnI

Unfortunately, some people consider themselves to be leaders,  but they’re really just a bunch of peacocks.  They screech at people and puff themselves up…but no one takes them seriously.  So what makes the difference?  What takes a person from being a critic in someone’s life to a true agent of change?  The Bible has the answer.

From My Devotion
1 Corinthians 9

Paul spends the majority of his letter giving words of strong rebuke to the Corinthians.  In chapter 9, he establishes the platform he has to speak into their lives.  A leader without a platform is a, well…a peacock.  

Paul bases his platform on two different things:  his position and his passion.  First, Paul establishes himself as an aposte of the Lord.  This is a God-given leadership role.  Paul goes on explain that this isn’t an office he sought for himself - it is one that was impressed upon him.  In fact, this portion of Paul’s letter holds one of scriptures best passages for those who feel called to the ministry.  1 Corinthians 9:16 - For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

The feeling Paul is emphasizing is that his platform was never claimed, it was received.  Paul is going to be held accountable for what he does with his influence for the glory of God.  (so will every leader).  Because of that, Paul has to speak up when he sees things going wrong.  

The second thing Paul talks about is his passion.  Specifically, his passion for the Corinthians.  In no uncertain terms, Paul reminds the Corinthian church that it is because of his love and ministry that they even heard about Christ in the first place.  Paul paid the price to rebuke the Corinthians.  Too many “puffed up” leaders peacocks want to go around rebuking people…but they have no right.  And no one will ever listen.  

A peacock squalks.  A leader receives his/her call.  A leader pays the price.  A leader does the hard things.  A leader changes the world.

Yes you’re free…but be careful with your freedom.

1 Corinthians 8 
From my Devotion

In 1776, the United States of America was made up of a group of people who knew, all toowell, the price of freedom.  Through the ensuing centuries, we’ve been given bittersweet reminders of this reality.  However, in the peaceful intervals, people tend to forget the bold truth:  freedom isn’t free at all.  Someone always pays the price.

In this chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a group of people who have received precious salvation, paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.  However, their short memories have forgotten the ransom that was paid to rescue them from sin.  (too many times I act like a Corinthian).  Paul’s message to them walks a fine line.  It would be easy to chastise this unruly group of people, and defer to legalism.  However, Paul can’t get away from the fact that the blood of Jesus Christ sets us free.  This is the unavoidable marvelous truth of the Gospel.

After a grand speech on sex and singleness in Chapter 7, Paul begins to focus on some housekeeping issues.  Apparently the Corinthians, rather than seeking after God in His wholeness and Holiness, were asking questions about small issues.  I love that it takes Paul until chapter 8 to address these questions, but he gets around to it.  The issue deals with whether or not it is appropriate to eat food that has been offered to idols.  Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, takes an unusual position.

If anything, Paul downplays the idols.  According to verse 7, he doesn’t take them seriously at all.  Paul points out that God has created all things, recognizing that nothing falls out of His reach.  In doing so, the Bible exalts the creator rather than dissecting the corrupted.  I learned a lot from this treatment.  We put way too much emphasis on this world, and on the so-called “power” held by the enemy.  This is an easy mistake to make when we’re immersed in this world.  However, it is hard to do when you’re conformed with the love and power of God.

Paul emphasizes that love is more important than heartless knowledge.  
1 Corinthians 8: 1 We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.  ² And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.  ³ But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

In review, it’s true that we have freedom.  Here comes THE BIG HOWEVER - never let your freedom get in the way of someone else’s redemption.  Ours is not a selfish freedom.  If that’s how we’re treating it, we’ve missed the point.  In doing so, we become slaves to ourselves.  What a greater freedom it is…to be free what I want, and the demands of this world, so that I can live for the glory of God.  That’s real freedom.

1 Corinthians 7

One of my favorite and most popular talks I give is entitled “The Wonder Bridge.”  Today in my devotion, I studied the passage on which this message is based.  Paul is writing to an unruly group of believers.  They have received the Gospel, and they’ve gone wild.  Rather than dodging the issue like a religious prude, Paul tackles the issue head-on, with frank language. 

Paul states upfront that it is actually good if people can avoid sex.  This does two things:  it signifies that when you are on mission, there is often a time when relationships and sex can get in the way.  The second thing Paul alludes to, is that sex is a powerful force and impulse in the lives of most people.  Rather than ignoring it (while lusts runs rampant in the dark), we should understand it.  According to the Bible, God’s plan for man and woman’s sexual impulses is marriage…between 1 man and 1 wife.  I didn’t make this up.  Jerry Falwell didn’t make this up.  The Holy-Spirit inspired sex says that people should get married so they can “do it.”

The text goes on… According to verses 3-4, the marriage relationship is unlike any other.  A man and woman give up their own claim to their bodies.  We are compelled by scripture to have sex with our spouse.  Again, this recognizes there are some times when women don’t want sex, but should lovingly “accommodate,” their husbands.  However, scripture is often intentionally specific.  In this text, husbands are admonished to give in to their wives’ appetites.  (its ok, and even BIBLICAL, for women to want sex).  1 Corinthians 7:3 - “The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs.”

All this sex talk has really nothing to do with my message, THE WONDER BRIDGE.  However, I’m sure that will make an appearance here soon.

Nehemiah 1-3

I love the book of Nehemiah.  Pastor Jim Austin preached through “The Wall Builder” book when my family first began attending BPBC.

Notes:
- Nehemiah asks his friend what’s going on in Jerusalem (real change always starts with asking the right questions)
— Nehemiah got a bad report about what was going on.  Namely, there was no wall.
— Nehemiah was so upset, he began to weep, fast, and pray (real prayer is the catalyst for real change)
— Nehemiah prays for the heart of his King

-  One of the best questions you can ever be asked:  NEHEMIAH 2:4 “⁴ Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”  So I prayed to the God of heaven”

- Grants Nehemiah favor and moves in an amazing way.  The King gives him everything he needs to go an rebuild the wall.  (when’s the last time you asked for something really big?)

Our God is kind toward us.  Our God is fierce against sin.

1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Regarding our Fellow Believers

- how DARE you file a lawsuit against a fellow believer?
-  better to accept injustice than rob yourself of your testimony
- forget your rights (forget the Little Kingdom)  vs. 11
- You have been MADE RIGHT by the Holy Spirit of God
- No more open, proud sin
- God’s freedom has literally made it possible for us to do anything…but that doesn’t mean everything is good

About Sex

- Our bodies weren’t made for sexual immorality (vs. 13)
- Our bodies are made for the Lord, and are actually part of Christ
- Run from sexual sin
—- Affects the body like none other  (greater consequences)
—- Body is a temple
—- You DO NOT BELONG TO YOURSELF

Note:  When you get saved, you are giving up who and what you were and you start becoming who Jesus IS. 

EZRA 10:1-44

Ezra’s repentance began with himself, and it brought revival and change throughout the land.  Ezra had made bold claims about the protection of God, and now he had to back them up.  Feeling distraught, Ezra enters the Temple of God and begins weeping and praying.  He cried so loudly, he attracted a crowd.  People began weeping over their own sins.  Ezra’s call to brokenness began out of his personal brokenness.  

The sin highlighted among the people:  they had taken pagan wives.  Ezra’s call to set things right didn’t just entail admitting sorrow, remorse, or guilt.  It took action.  The people made a promise to renounce the pagan wives they had married, and the children born to these women.  What a shocking reminder that our sin profoundly affects the lives of others.  It is never God’s plan to see broken families.  However, no more excuses are allowed when God is moving and restoring His people to righteousness.  In all, 112 men divorced pagan wives and sent them back to where they came from.

Let me begin by saying that my life changed for the Glory of God while attending a mega church.  I am a staff pastor at a thriving mega church.  I like to be in big rooms, with lots of people, worshipping God.  I believe that God uses mega churches in amazing ways.  According to a passage of scripture I just read, I am asking new questions regarding this gospel methodology.  

1 Corinthians 5

I just had my devotion in this amazing passage.  This has got to be a very controversial text to our sanitized society.   The predominant message here is that God hates our sin, and He is ruthless to see it sanctified from our lives.  That is not something you preach on high attendance Sunday…generally.  However, it is a message that is taking place in tons of small groups in tons of big churches.  The old maxim holds true:  as you grow larger, you must also grow smaller.  Ecclesiologically speaking, large churches are a collection of micro churches.

Let’s looks at a portion of this passage.  1 Corinthians 5:9-12 - “ ⁹ When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. ¹⁰ But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. ¹¹ I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer^[j] yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. ¹² It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.¹³ God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

In the scriptures, God has no patience for those who claim one thing and live another.  The process by which this is eliminated is the close accountability of a local fellowship.  We have to get used to dealing with each other’s sins.  It is absolutely biblical.  I think that a mega church is a place where unrepentant sinners can hide.  They get just enough Jesus to satiate themselves or a select group of others.  However, they have no intention of turning themselves completely over to God.  

As churches grow larger, members must make a concerted effort to get to know each other.  Oddly enough, so we can judge and be judged.  Glory to God.

Ezra 8-9

I love that in this passage, Ezra has gone so far out on a limb in claiming God’s faithfulness.  Then the stress gets to him.  He begins praying and desperately seeking after God.  (to be continued)

coming to a message near you…

[1 Corinthians 4:1-21]

This is a great Word God has laid on my heart for this upcoming week of preaching.   Paul has just gotten finished telling people not to separate themselves into “Paul’s People” and “Apollos’ People.”  In doing so, he instructs the church on how to view both he and Apollos.  Rather than Apostolic “Rock Stars,” he wants them to be considered as servants.  This is a really cool passage for preachers.  Paul calls us people who are entrusted with the great task of “explaining God’s mysteries.”  What a high calling!  And what a high price.  Paul makes a statement in examining the stakes of be a preaching, that I think also applies to all believers.

1 Corinthians 4:4-5 - “⁴ My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.  ⁵ So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.”

There are a couple of principles that jump out at me here.  (They’re not all preach-ery yet)

1.  Just because you feel like it’s ok doesn’t mean its ok. [verse 4a] I’ve seen a lot of people who justify their actions because they “haven’t been convicted yet.”  I believe that Jesus Christ has saved us for freedom.  However, scripture makes it clear that the goal of our freedom is to serve one another…not to serve myself.  I think that is a critical difference.  This also clearly points out the difference between the pursuit of holiness vs. legalism.  Legalists will eventually find a way to approve of everything they are doing.  Legalists follow a law, but the problem is too many times, they are the author of that law.  The pursuit of Holiness acknowledges that we are on a life-long journey of sanctification.  According to 1 Thess 5:24-25 and Phil 1:6, this is the work of the Lord.  However, I gotta get out of His way!  That is the pursuit of Holiness.  It sounds like David’s prayer, “Search me Oh God and know me…see if there be any wicked way in me.

2.  I’m not an accurate judge of others OR of myself. [verse 4b-5] Romans 12 talks about the world’s great self-esteem problem.  The problem is that often times, we have too much!  When we are the judge, too often, we become the standard.  That is a scary thing unless our name happens to be “GOD.”  

3.  It may inconvenient to deal with our Blind Spots now, but it will be heart-breaking to deal with them later. [vs. 5]  The purpose of our person holiness isn’t perfect.  It is the Glory of God.  Our lives are meant to matter for the sake of the Gospel to His Glory!  2 Corinthians 5:10

My Devotion - 2/1/12

It seems like we often put so much emphasis on our little earthly kingdoms.  We spend time arranging ourselves, and choosing our loyalties.  Many of us are identified with whom we align.  Silly stuff.

Ezra 4:24-6:22

The people of God had been forcibly stopped from building the Temple.  This must have been terrible news.  However, God was stirring a new sense of loyalty and devotion from the rubble and debris of Jerusalem.  They are a group of people who finally seem to understand exactly where they are, how they got there, and where they need to be.

verses 5:11-12 - “¹¹ And thus they returned us an answer, saying: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed. ¹² But because our fathers provoked the God of heaven to wrath, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon”

The Jews commended King Darius to search the archives to find whether or not King Cyrus had made a decree regarding the temple.  God showed favor on the Jews, and the decree was found.  Something clicked in King Darius.  Not only did he command that the temple was to be built…the pagans were to assist and fund the project.  On March 12, the Temple was completed.  The Jews had great cause for celebration.

1 Corinthians 3:5-23

It’s amazing how well these passages line up.  In this passage we see a familiar verse.  3:16 - “¹⁶ Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ¹⁷ If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”  From a Jewish mindset, it is obvious how bittersweet this passage is.  The Jews rarely worshipped God the right way when they had the chance.  When God would allow the temple to be destroyed, the Jews would long for it to be rebuilt.  It has been a tumultuous relationship (between the Jews and the Temple).

Imagine what it must have felt like when Paul essentially says:  wait a minute!  You ARE the Temple.

There are no more obstacles to worship.

Paul chides the Corinthians for spending more times determining which “little kingdom” they fit into.  (Paul / Apollos)   The whole point is that the little kingdoms are of little importance and zero eternal significance.  Jesus Christ is the only foundation.  One day, His Kingdom will come.  By His Spirit, it is already here.