BUILDING OUR FIGHT AGAINST TEMPTATION

Just a thought. We all give in to some type of temptations, right? Even though we know better, even though we know why we shouldn't do so and even though we know what might happen if we do so... Sometimes, for whatever reason, we give in... and too often, we give in way too easily. Not only that, sometimes we face continual pressure from the "bigger" temptations that often seem to overpower us. Can you relate to what I am describing? Has this been happening to you? 

As I have thought about this problem lately, I have come to a conclusion. One of the reasons that we don't do so well against the "bigger" temptations is because we allow the "smaller" temptations to win too easily. How can we expect to conquer "bigger" temptations like stealing or adultery if we can't even handle the temptations of the "smaller" ones like gluttony or gossip? Why do we give in so easily to temptations like eating too much, stretching the truth or saying something that we shouldn't?

I believe the answer is very simple. We often give in to the "smaller" temptations because we think they don't matter. "So what if I have another serving of that cake?" "It's not that big of a deal if I don't tell the whole story." "I know that wasn't nice to say but it is the truth!"

But think about this for a while. If we use the "smaller" temptations as practice for the "bigger" ones, how much can we grow in our ability to resist the temptation? If we can be firm in our faith and follow God's lead, then we will see the way of escape in each temptation as we grow in Christ. 1 Corinthians 10 says that God is faithful and with every temptation that we face, He will provide a way out. We just have to want to please Him more than ourselves. 

So try this yourself. Next time you are tempted, ask yourself "Who would I rather please right now? God or myself?" 

ONE OF THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD AND MISQUOTED VERSES IN THE BIBLE: 2 PETER 3:9

Here is how I often hear this verse quoted, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, for it is not God's will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." and when I hear somebody say that, they will also say that it is God's will that every person in the world will be saved. 

But here is how the verse is actually given to us in the King James Version. 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) — 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [Underlining added] Maybe you read the English Standard Version like we do. If so, your Bible says this, 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) — 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. And if you prefer the KJV over the ESV, you might even use this verse as one of the reasons by saying "The KJV talks about God's will but the ESV only talks about wishing." Or does it?

When you look at the original word for "will" in this verse, you will discover that Peter used the word "βούλομαι [boulomai /boo·lom·ahee/]" which means to have a purpose or to desire. So instead of the ESV saying "not wishing that any should perish", it could have said "not desiring that any should perish". And that is the same intent in the King James Version when it says "not willing that any should perish". 

If this word meant "God's will", it would have been "θέλημα [thelema /thel·ay·mah/]" which deals with the purpose of God which is to bless mankind through Christ; what God commands or chooses as shown in John 7:17 (ESV) — 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. [Underlining added]

So here is the next question. Does God wish or desire that all people will be saved? If you look at this passage by itself, you might think so but you must look at the context that surrounds this passage. 

2 Peter 3:1–7 (ESV) — 1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Let me point you to a few phrases from the those seven verses...
Verse 3 "...that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires."
Verse 4 "4 They will say..."
Verse 5 "5 For they deliberately overlook this fact..."
And all of verse 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
In the first section of chapter 3, we read about scoffers and the ungodly. We see the pronouns "they" and we see "the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly" at the end of that section of scripture. Before anyone was born, God knew who was going to heaven and who was going to hell. 

But look at the change of direction in the next few verses...

2 Peter 3:8–10 (ESV) — 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

God is not limited by time as we are. We live minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day and so on. We should always praise God with much gratitude because He is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present. God does not make mistakes. Everything He does is perfect. He is the creator and sustainer of life.

And then you see the section that answers our question about the meaning of "not willing that any should perish". 
1. Look at the word "promise". Who are God's promises for? God's people, right? God keeps His promises no matter how long it takes for them to come to pass.
2. Look at the phrase "patient toward you" and you will recognize a difference in the use of pronouns. Peter used "they" in the first section to refer to the scoffers and the ungodly but here he used "you" which refers to those who are the elect, those chosen by God.
3. So when you see the phrase "not wishing that any should perish", Peter was saying "not wishing that any [of you] should perish".
4. Which means that "all [of you or all of the elect] should reach repentance".
5. And then Peter finished that section with another statement concerning the end times when he wrote "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." 

So hopefully this will help you see the intention of verses 8-10. Keep sharing your faith. Tell everyone about Jesus because we don't know who is and who is not part of the elect. And keep thanking God for your salvation. 

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?

Christmas. "The most wonderful time of the year" or at least what it is supposed to be, isn't it? We may sing "Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright" but for so many families, this Christmas is anything but calm or bright. 

Celebrating Christmas is supposed to be focused on the birth of Jesus Christ who came to the earth tell us the good news (the gospel) in order that we could be saved from our sins. Apart from Jesus Christ, we are all doomed to hell. But thanks be to God for this most amazing gift. Right?

Or are we totally missing the point of Christmas because we are too busy focusing on other things such as arguing about how much money to spend or where you need to be on what day, worried about how we are going to pay for all of the gifts that we bought or trying to make sure that you put up more decorations than anyone else in your neighborhood?

The next time you are tempted to fight about decorations, how many gifts to buy or where to go on Christmas day, think about the many families in our community who are suffering the loss of a loved one this week. People who are wishing they had one more Christmas Day with someone that they love but now is gone. Be grateful that the "biggest problem" you are facing is money or travel arrangements. Be thankful that you get to see your loved ones again this Christmas. Pray for those who are hurting this Christmas because of an empty chair. 

Too often, we are tempted to be selfish at Christmas. We think it is all about us when it's really all about Jesus. It's His birthday, not ours. So put away your selfishness and pride so that you can experience what Christmas is really all about. "O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!" 

HOUSE OF PRAYER OR DEN OF ROBBERS?

Matthew 21:13 (ESV) — 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

Do you remember the context of this verse? When Jesus went into the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers... those who were selling the animals needed for sacrifices instead of treating the Lord's temple with respect and awe?

Is it possible that Jesus is saying the same things about our churches today? Each week when we gather together, is Jesus saying "‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers."? Sure we are not selling animals in the sanctuary to be used as sacrifices unto God but are we praying like we should be? Are we robbing God somehow?

What are some of the ways that we may be robbing God? How about our motives when we gather? Are we gathering for His glory or for our wants? Are we stealing the attention that is due Him because we want people to notice us and give us what we want? 

Another way is rebelling against Him. If we are obedient to Him, not only are we blessed for doing so but so are those around us. For example, Luke 5:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Jesus taught the crowd while He was in Peter's boat. Notice that Jesus did not dismiss the crowd when He finished teaching. He just turned to Peter and said “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter did as Jesus said and they caught so many fish that the boat began to sink. What a miraculous catch! But understand this... if Peter had disobeyed Jesus and not gone fishing, he would have robbed Jesus of the opportunity to show His power to all who were watching. Jesus wants to work through you. Don't rob Him of that opportunity.

One more way that we may be robbing God is through our giving. Malachi 3:8–12 (ESV) — 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

The next time you gather with your church family, ask yourself "Am I really trying to communicate with God through prayer today? Am I doing anything that would rob God of anything that belongs to Him?"

WHEN WE PRAY FOR YOU

Last night, I mentioned Colossians 1:3-14 in my last post. This morning, I would like to share with you that passage once again along with some notes showing how Paul was praying for this church. This will give you another example of how we should be praying for each other...

Colossians 1:3–14 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 
6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 
8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

WHEN WE PRAY FOR YOU, 
WE THANK GOD FOR YOU 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
WHY? 
1. BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
2. BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE FOR ALL OF THE SAINTS and of the love that you have for all the saints, 
3. BECAUSE OF YOUR ETERNITY IN HEAVEN 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. 
4. BECAUSE YOU HEARD THE GOSPEL Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world
5. BECAUSE THE GOSPEL IS BEARING FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
6. BECAUSE YOU HAVE HAD FAITHFUL TEACHING 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 
7. BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT YOUR LOVE IN THE SPIRIT 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 
8. BECAUSE GOD HAS SAVED YOU 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 
9. BECAUSE GOD HAS DELIVERED FROM THE DEVIL AND TO HIS SON, JESUS. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 
10. BECAUSE YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 


WE HAVE NOT CEASED TO PRAY FOR YOU
11. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 
12. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL LIVE A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, 
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
fully pleasing to him, 
bearing fruit in every good work 
increasing in the knowledge of God. 
13. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL BE STRENGTHENED BY GOD’S POWER 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, 
A. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE ENDURANCE for all endurance
B. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE PATIENCE and patience
C. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE JOY with joy, 

I QUIT, HOW ABOUT YOU?

"That's it! I am done. I quit. I am tired of business as usual and just going through the motions. I want more. I need more. God wants to me have more."

That's been my focus for the last few months. As a Christian and as a pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am so hungry for another mighty move of God... not just in my life, not just in my family or my church family, but however big God wants to make it. And not for my glory or our church's glory... but all for God's glory. I really feel a strong passion to focus on two things: God's Word and prayer. That may sound very elementary to you or too obvious but think about it for a moment. Are we really hungry for God? Is our hunger for God being shown in our Bible study and in our prayer lives?

I used to play the keyboard for a quartet called Greater Desire and tonight, I am reminded of a phrase that Kendall Bush, our tenor singer, used to say quite often. The phrase was "living beneath your privileges". If I remember the context of that saying, Kendall was referring to those who didn't know Jesus and was explaining that they are missing out on so much that God has to offer because they have not committed their lives to Christ yet. Tonight, I am thinking about the phrase in the next context which is focusing on those of who are Christians but are satisfied where we are spiritually instead of hungering for more of Him. When we pray, are we really praying to God or just mumbling some memorable phrases that we have rehearsed? When we read God's Word, do we really meditate on it or do we just rush through it so that we can get on with our busy schedules?

So what about the "That's it! I am done. I quit. I am tired of business as usual and just going through the motions. I want more. I need more. God wants to me have more."? Instead of flying on auto-pilot, I want to stop and focus more on connecting with God through reading His Word and through praying to Him. Acts 6:4 (ESV) — 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Instead of thinking "I have to read this much today", I want to focus on "What am I doing with what I read today? Have I applied His Word to my life? Have I meditated on His Word and have I prayed His Word instead of just praying the same things that I usually prayed for?" I want to experience more of God's presence in my life so that those around me will know God. What did Jesus say in Matthew 5:16 (ESV) — 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Do you see it? By letting our light shine before others (living the life that God wants us to live), they will see our good works and give all of the glory to God. Don't you want that to happen in your life too?

Will you join me in seeking for more of God's presence in our lives, in our families and in our churches? Think about the impact that our lives could have if we lived every day for His glory and asked God to make us more faithful and more fruitful. Before I close this post, I want to share with you the passage that we read tonight in our Bible study and I would encourage you to read through it slowly and pray these words for yourself and also for whoever God puts on your heart...


Colossians 1:3–14 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

PASTORS, IT'S OUR FAULT TOO

One of the trends that has had a negative effect in churches today is "consumerism". This refers to the "It's all about me" attitude that some people have when they gather with their church family. An attitude that says, "I want my kind of music" or "I want my kind of preaching". What happens in this type of situation is the disappearing of that person if he or she doesn't get what she wants when he or she attends our churches.

Researcher George Barna recently observed, “We are a designer society. We want everything customized to fit our personal needs — our clothing, our food, our education. Now its our religion.”

United Church of Christ minister and journalist G. Jeffrey MacDonald recently lamented the consumerization of faith in his book, “Thieves in the Temple: The Christian Church and the Selling of the American Soul,” (Basic Books, 2010). “Faith has become a consumer commodity in America. People shop for congregations that make them feel comfortable rather than spiritually challenged. They steer clear of formal commitments to Christian communities. They flee when they are not quickly gratified or when they encounter interpersonal problems. Changing churches has become as routine as changing jobs. As a result, churches are no longer able to help people develop solid moral characters.”

Titus Benton, who writes for a website called Relevant, said, "Many churches innovate, but innovation is based on trends. Innovations are fine, but they play to the consumer. Who is it we are trying to please? Could it be that we are obliging the very people that will cause our extinction? Could it be that the methodology we embrace will take us to a place where we are innovated-out and tired of selling?"

While it is true that all of us have shown consumerism tendencies in our lives in various ways, what are pastors and other church leaders doing in order to be the churches that God wants us to be? Or should I ask, "What are we supposed to be doing?" 

In order to reach people for Jesus Christ (which is our calling as gospel churches), many of us who are pastors and other church leaders have been guilty of looking for that next big secret to powerful church growth. Some new book or conference. Maybe something we read on the internet or something that we saw another church do. Then we take it home to our local churches and say, "Here's the answer to all of our problems! We need to start _______________________ (you fill in the blank)."

Personally, I have been guilty of that at times as well. Thinking, "What can we do to reach more people and keep them connected to our church family?" but I am convinced now more than ever that the problem is the fact that we are focusing on what we can do instead of what God can do. We need to be more focused on what God can do when we are seeking to be faithful and fruitful as He leads us.  

So what are we supposed to be doing? Faithfully preaching the Bible. Praying that God would be glorified in our personal lives as well as in His church. Singing songs in such a way that Jesus is the focus instead of our musical performance. Connecting with fellow believers in continual fellowship instead of only seeing each other occasionally at the church house. Telling others about Jesus in a way that is real and personal instead of sounding like an old infomercial. 

Let's preach the Word and sow the seed of the gospel. Let's be faithful in what God has called us to do and stop trying to find the next big gimmick that will double the size of our church in 20 minutes or our money back. Let's depend upon God who will determine the when and how our churches grow as we continue to serve Him.

Maybe, just maybe, if our congregations stop seeing us shop around for those gimmicks so much, maybe they will stop some of the consumerism as well?