2016: Worst Year Ever!?

Whew, what a year. While we can probably say that about any year, this one was one for the books. Of course I am specifically thinking about the unsavory presidential campaign that commandeered the headlines all year, but that's not all. The economy has continued to struggle—for the eighth straight year. It seems culture continues to lurch toward negativity and licentiousness. Many notable people died. Racial tension seemed to creep near to a boiling point. International tragedies and natural disasters were not uncommon: Isis, Syria, refugees, terrorism attempts (and incidents), severe drought and fires, Zika...I could go on.
But was it that much worse than other years? I'm old enough now to remember many bad years that contained terrible events and trying times. My grandparents told me of the Great Depression and the years of World War II. Those seem much worse by comparison! As I think about it, I'd trade 2016 for many others in memory. In fact, 2016 was quite good for me in many ways! Health-wise, financially (despite giving more than ever and having two kids in college), family life, experiences, good movies and sports events, lessons learned, relationships with others, spiritual growth, progress regarding our church's mission...there are so many ways 2016 was quite good!
Let me take our church's mission for example. This time last year we were over 1.7 million dollars in debt (which has been an albatross hanging around our collective necks). We don't have the final tally, but in our year of "decrease to increase" (d2i) we have paid more than 1 million dollars toward that debt ALL WHILE giving 100% of what was needed for our budget! Pretty great. Meanwhile, two of our church plants became official, independent churches during 2016! What's more, some of the churches we planted in previous years planted churches this year! That's cool!
So, we should be careful about joining the chorus of negativity. Remember, celebrities (and others) will die every year, disasters will happen, there will be wars and rumors of wars, there will be other election years. I think we would be wise to focus on victories rather than losses, feel determined rather than defeated! God is still in charge! In this I take much comfort!

The Donald Accepts

I’m watching Donald Trump’s acceptance speech for the Republican nomination for President. I’m experiencing a range of emotions. I get it. His popularity is a reaction to the years of the run amok political correctness and lurching to the left in virtually every way (socially, fiscally, national security, racial relations, illegal immigration, foreign policy, etc.), and the consequential decline America is experiencing and many are feeling. He serves up the red meat that many patriotic Americans desire, and he delivers it in abundance. 

Here’s my problem.

I don’t believe him. He’s proven to play to the galleries. He’s changed his opinion on issues (like abortion, for example) and people (like Megan Kelly, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, and every other Republican candidate) so much one’s head spins. “Believe me,” he says over and over. I just don’t. 

I also think he is a narcissist. He lives for one thing: self promotion. His god seems to be himself. Arrogance is his chief attribute. This is scary to me, and is the opposite of what the Bible teaches is commendable, especially for a leader. For example, TWO Corinthians 10:17-18 reads, “‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” He doesn’t even feign humility, braggartly talking about himself.  

Regarding the political landscape and big picture, it worries me that if Trump wins and becomes the President, he will be the object of unending derision and vehement hatred previously unknown from the media, academia, Hollywood, and virtually every other stronghold of liberalism in the world (not just the United States). I foresee further generational and racial division as Trump will no doubt offer people easy opportunities to criticize. He will no doubt serve as the stereotypical rich and cocky Republican. Don’t read me wrong, I’m not defending Republicans. But there’s little doubt what today’s Democrat party is about, and without some opposition, Democrats will have their way.

Ok, that’s off my chest.

With that said, there’s no way I will vote for Hillary Clinton. No way. I’d die first. She’s so corrupt and lies virtually every time she opens her mouth. She is the consummate political insider who has enriched herself by selling influence. She’s dead wrong on most issues, particularly abortion which is something we can KNOW she will defend in all forms. If she is elected we KNOW that she will appoint and nominate judges and justices (among others) who will promote abortion on demand and interpret the constitution in light of their own liberal ideology, not according the founders’ and framer’s intent. Does anyone think she will uphold the rule of law as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer? She who seems to always skirt accountability for her many scandals and wrongdoings? The Clintons are proof that there’s a double standard and that justice is not blind.

I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do in November. 

I’m glad God is in control of who is in control. 

TWO Corinthians 4:16-18 reads, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

I will pray and I will vote. Even more, I will believe in and trust the Unseen and Eternal One who is absolutely sovereign. 

Not the Messiah You Wanted?

[This is essentially the sermon I delivered today. I try not to do this often, but several commented and have asked for me to make it available. Of course it can be heard as it was given here.]

Tomorrow the real presidential race begins: the Iowa caucuses. It already seems like the race has been going on forever. I'm old enough to have seen many campaigns. Some things never change. In primaries candidates offer “red meat” for the base. Red meat: rhetoric about those issues the base wants to hear most, like the favorite, main-course food everyone really wants at a dinner. I like salad, but when I go to Ruth's Chris, I go for the steak. Not the dessert or the sides, the red meat!

May I use stereotypes?

For Democrats red meat issues include promoting government aid to the underprivileged and the rich paying their fair share. A key word is "inequality." The frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, in a town hall this week said the word "inequality" some 14 times in less than a minute-and-a-half to the delight of the attendees!

For Republicans red meat issues include cutting taxes, strong defense, free-market capitalism, & traditional values. This season, however, there’s a new phenomenon: frontrunner Donald Trump. He’s offering a different kind of red meat in his, "Making America Great" campaign. It's military and economic domination ("make America win again") and stopping illegal immigration ("building a big beautiful wall that Mexico will pay for"). At his rallies, the red meat is served up in generous portions to those who are (perhaps understandably) angry, as he tells them what they want to hear, whipping people into a frenzy. I get the attraction, particularly after years of waffling, politically-correct, ineffective, self-preserving, & dishonest politicians. His brash and direct style is refreshing for many. After years of economic and moral decline, foreign policy disasters, and out-of-control illegal immigration, many voters are craving strength. And he’s no fool. He has stepped into the void to tell people what they want to hear.

The Donald has done this with issues Christians care about, too. Last week he spoke at Liberty University and quoted TWO Corinthians. He’s saying “I’m pro-life” but a few years ago he said, “I’m very pro-choice.” As the Iowa caucuses are looming he's touting his protestantism saying that he will “protect Christianity” and telling how much he loves the Bible. Now well-known evangelical leaders like Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Robert Jeffress are publicly supporting him.
Let me be clear: I'm not advocating for or against any particular candidate or party—I don't do that. I just want you see how politicians offer red meat, and how susceptible we are to it…for a reason: I want to show how different Jesus is.

Some scholars call Luke 4:14-30 Jesus’ inaugural address. But I think it's more like Jesus' launch speech at the beginning of his campaign. A campaign not to merely rule the world—that'll come one day without a campaign—but to save the world. And as Trump kicked-off his campaign at Trump Tower in Manhattan, and as Bernie did so in Vermont, Rubio & Jeb in Miami, Martin O’Malley in Baltimore,  Kasich in Ohio (among others), many candidates launch before their home crowd with red meat. But NOT Jesus. Oh, he went home...but there was no red meat. Look:

Luke 4: 14And Jesus returned [from 40 days of wilderness fasting and Satan's temptations] in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 
We know by reading the other gospels that Jesus did a lot during this time that contributed to this report that spread about him. He cleansed the temple (which he would do again before his death), he met some who would become his disciples, he had conversations with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well. He turned water to wine in Cana, and did some miracles in other Galilean towns.

15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 
He’s quickly gaining fame. No doubt word about him had reached his hometown.

16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up.
Finally the local rising star has come home! I’m sure there was a buzz!

And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. Obviously the synagogue leadership gladly appointed this favorite son who was now making a name for himself in the region to read and speak. Perhaps word had spread that John Baptizer—the Billy Graham of his day—had singled Jesus out as being greater than he was—perhaps some had even heard about the voice from heaven at his baptism! I’m sure there was a full house that day at worship!

17And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 
    18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 
      because he has anointed me 
       to proclaim good news to the poor. 
    He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
       and recovering of sight to the blind, 
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 
   19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” 

This is from Isaiah 61, a passage scholars say was not often taught by Jewish rabbis. It was confusing. It seemed to be speaking of a prophet, perhaps Isaiah himself, yet it was clearly Messianic. But it’s no accident that Jesus chose it. Interesting too that he stopped where he did. The next line from Isaiah 61 is: “and [proclaim] the day of vengeance of our God.” Clearly Jesus was focusing on the first phase of the Messiah’s ministry: the teaching/healing/saving phase. By picking this passage, Here's what Jesus was forecasting about his earthly ministry: It would...
  1. Be anointed by the Holy Spirit,
  2. Proclaim good news/God’s favor,
  3. Be to the “poor” (the economically poor, and especially, the poor in spirit),
  4. Proclaim liberty for captives & oppressed (not by Rome, but by sin),
  5. Give sight to the blind (physically, but especially the spiritually blind).

20And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 
Can you feel the expectation?! “What’s he going to say? Wonder why he left out "the day of vengeance” part? Is he claiming to be a prophet, or the Messiah?” Luke seems to indicate that Jesus let them consider it…

21And he began to say to them,

…wait for it…

“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Wow! He’s absolutely claiming that this prophesy is about him! I can feel the electricity in the room as these people, so weary of Roman rule, so ready for a Messiah to come kick tail, are considering the implications. They had heard that a Messiah would come out of Galilee—no doubt, Isaiah 9:1-7 is what they’re all thinking!

Luke 4: 22And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. 
That indicates he must have said more than what Luke summarizes here. I wish I knew. All we know is he spoke words of grace and that they were impressed. But the claim was so huge! “Are we to believe he is a prophet anointed by God? Or the Messiah?!” Here is Jesus' big opportunity to begin an incredible campaign for king of Israel in front of his home crowd! Here's when he should deliver large quantities of red meat!

 And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” 
There is not agreement among scholars about whether this was complementary or skeptical. Perhaps it was both! Some were saying, "I know him, we went to school together!" Some, "He's not special, he's Joseph the carpenter's boy." Some might be saying, "Hey, isn't Joseph from David's family?" Everyone is whispering during his speech. Jesus knows this is what the murmuring was all about. And this is where Jesus offers—NOT red meat—but broccoli!

23And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” 24And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 
What? That's no way to excite a crowd. Now, listen closely to how he ends his “Messiah campaign launch” speech:

25But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
Did you catch that? Do you get what he was saying? He's saying in effect, “Listen y’all, God’s not always for who you think he’s for. He shows mercy to your enemies—even the gentiles.”  Talk about a lead balloon! No, worse! In fact, it would be worse than if Trump said to a crowd of Texans: "I’m going to build a wall, you're going to pay for it, and I'm going to kick you out and give your land to the Mexicans!" Or if Hillary said in a campaign speech, "I’m going to take your welfare and social security and medicare checks and give them to the wealthy and then tax you for them." ONLY WORSE! This was the last thing this Jewish home crowd expected to hear from their prospective Messiah. He’s saying that God’s “good news” of liberty and healing and favor isn’t intended just for Israel (as they believed) but for their enemies the gentiles!

So while they were excitedly considering whether he was really the Messiah, he said (in effect), “It doesn’t really matter what you think or whether or not you choose me. What matters is whether God chooses you! And the truth is, he’s chosen different people than those you expect. God is sending me to people other than you!”

How’d that go over?

28When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 
The church crowd became the lynch mob! "If he's wanting to be that kind of Messiah, we'd rather end his campaign right here!"

Don't think that Jesus didn't know this would happen. I'm imagining him allowing them to grab him up in a rage with proverbial torches and pitchforks and he, never feeling panicked, let them bring him to the cliff's edge where they had probably ended the lives of other criminals and blasphemers over the town's history. But then, at the climatic moment before they ended his life...

30But passing through their midst, he went away.
He just said, "That's enough." and walked through a stunned and helpless crowd. It's fun to think of what happened here. Was he Frodo Jesus, slipping the Ring of Power on his finger? Was he Jedi Jesus, waving his hand and saying, "You will not throw me off the cliff"? Was he Ninja Jesus? Bewitched (the TV show) Jesus (who froze them all in time with a wiggle of his nose)? Probably not—we just can't know. I think perhaps they all just suddenly stopped in their tracks as God's Spirit decreed, emphasizing the point: They were blind. But they didn't want to face their blindness. Therefore Jesus didn't come for them. He came for those who know they are blind. One has to wonder what those in the mob thought of their inability to finish the job of killing the offensive, self-proclaimed Messiah. "Whoa, what just happened? He just walked away!"

This passage is, of course, a great introduction to the big characteristic themes that would mark Jesus' ministry (as we will see as we continue to study Luke). But what does it mean to me TODAY? I've got four things:

•Beware of Red Meat. Whenever you sense someone saying what they think you want to hear, whether a politician, salesman, lawyer, mechanic, coach, or preacher…Beware!

•Meet Jesus on HIS terms. He is no panderer. He doesn’t come to us on our terms, desiring our approval, wanting our votes. We come on HIS terms or not at all. He does not abide the self-centered. This is something WE better hear. A Jesus for everyone? Yes. But if that bothers you, perhaps not you. He is Savior only to the broken who by faith surrender to him. Have you?

•Make sure you’re not blinded by your own narrative. Scholars have pointed out a chiasm in Luke’s telling of this event. A chiasm is an ancient middle-eastern literary device that reveals a climatic emphasis. This is hard for westerners to understand because we tend to save the climax for the ending of a story, poem, or song. Here's the Chiasm in Luke's account of Jesus' reading in the synagogue:

he went to the synagogue 
     he stood up
          scroll was given to him 
               he unrolled the scroll,
                    to proclaim good news  
                         liberty to the captives
 
                              recovering of sight to the blind
 
                         liberty those who are oppressed
 
                    to proclaim the Lord's favor
               he rolled up the scroll 
          gave it back to the attendant 
     and sat down.
all in the synagogue

The emphatic phrase in Luke's chiasm is “recovering of sight to the blind.” Point: they were blind! The Messiah's task was to offer sight, as Jesus was offering to them, and they refused! They loved their FALSE vision of a FICTIONAL messiah, more than the REAL messiah himself WHO WAS THERE BEFORE THEIR VERY EYES.

As John told us in the introduction of his Gospel:
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:9-12).

But they didn't want to see the light. They wanted red meat. They wanted Jesus to say (imagine your favorite politician speaking): “The Romans and Gentiles are evil oppressors! I’m going to drive them out and together we Jews will rule the world. And Nazareth will be famous ‘cause I’m from here!” (Imagine the crowd going wild) Yeaaaa!!! JEE-SUS! JEE-SUS! JEE-SUS!
But God's plan was much different—much better. But they couldn't see past their narrative.

Let me ask you a question: What’s your blinding narrative? Is it "Everybody’s going to heaven"? or "God will love you if you're good enough"? Or "God loves America more than others"? Or (here's one that's all too common) "If I pray a prayer, I'm saved, even if my life doesn't change. I can justify my sin—God gives grace." Let me tell you: all those narratives indicate blindness. The truth? We are all sinners and must repent, believe, and receive God’s gift of salvation through faith in Christ. Then our lives will show change as we grow in him by the power of the Holy Spirit. That's the truth. All other narratives are blinding false gospels.

•Make Christ and his kingdom your ultimate allegiance. Where do you place your highest hopes? In your own abilities? In wealth? In government solutions? Do you obsess over politics and candidates? I urge you to trust and seek the One who rules all things and who is bringing about all things according to his will. MAKE HIM FIRST. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…(Matthew 6:33). From that priority, let all other things flow. Then make your political decisions and support your candidates. Don’t let your faith be driven by your politics! Let Christ drive your politics and ALL your actions. How does Christ want me to treat others? How does Christ want me to live life? How does he want me to eat, drink, help people, spend money, tip the waitress, raise my kids, do my job…? Imagine: If Christians did this, we might not NEED government to care for poor, or do healthcare, or rebuild after disasters, or many other things…And as the Gospel is shared and lives are transformed, sin is diminished and the culture is changed profoundly. That's called "revival."

[I didn't have time Sunday to conclude as I wanted to. Here's what was left out...]

When we realize who Christ really is and surrender to him, we have a Christ-centered view about everything—including government. Meditate on what Peter said to a first-century Christian audience living under Roman rule (1Peter 2: 4-17):

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: 

    “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,       
          a cornerstone chosen and precious,      
     and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 

     “The stone that the builders rejected          
         has become the cornerstone,” 

and   

    “A stone of stumbling,          
         and a rock of offense.” 

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

As believers, we are "sojourners and exiles" as we live in this world. Our first allegiance is Christ and our home is heaven. When we keep this firmly in mind, we are better, involved citizens of our country and we make this world better!

The Meaning of a Man...Standing for the Samaritan Woman

We talk about manhood a lot at Providence Church. We feel the need to do this because it seems manhood is under attack—or at the very least there is an attempt underway to redefine what it means to be a man. I'm convinced we find the ultimate expression of manhood in the man, Jesus Christ. In his life and teaching, he shows us a man is one who exhibits integrity, discipline, humility, and courage. At Providence we have a successful once-every-month meeting called MANday Night to discuss these four "cornerstones." It takes us two years (24 monthly meetings with a lot of great food) to unpack all four. MANday Night has been exported to churches in different states and countries indicating that the need to remind guys about what it means to be a man is great in other places as well.
For more about MANday Night, contact john@providencechurch.com who can tell you when the next meeting is at Providence (usually the second Monday night of each month) along with menus, the topic, and notes for past meetings.
The subject of MANday Night and men came up during a radio show for which I was asked to be a guest. Andrew Wood, Director of Hope Resource Center, interviewed me in part about the church's role in the Abortion battle and how Christian men in particular should be engaged. You can hear the show here.

I was surprised at the number of texts and emails I received after the show aired—some from men, some from women. It seems there is a hunger for a biblical definition of godly male leadership to those facing the fallout of abortion. Courage regarding abortion and other social ills is not shown by yelling and believing the right things in the face of a politically correct culture. Courage is best shown by reaching into the culture, going behind enemy lines, as it were, and showing kindness to those who have believed the lies and are facing the consequences. Because that's what real men do. We don't just talk. We act. We rescue. We risk. We care. We LEAD.
Listen to the show and consider how God wants you and your church to be redemptive like the early church was in addressing cultural sin and its consequences. 

The Taboo Subjects

We've all heard some form of the saying, "there are two things one should never discuss: religion and politics."
There's a lot of truth to that adage. Discussing them is a great way to kill a friendly conversation and make enemies. I have to ("get" to?) talk about religion all the time...it's my job! But even I stay as far from discussing politics as I can (except for with my closest friends and family). One reason is because I'm in the business of influence. Even though I do have strong feelings about some issues that have political ramifications, and even though I'm a news junkie and read quite a bit about political issues, it could—no, it would—hurt my influence on many people if I wade often into subjects of politics. I've learned this lesson the hard way. Few matters cause people to be more defensive than ideology—particularly when one's own ideology is being challenged. For example, homosexuality has become political. There was a time (not long ago) when one could have a discussion about it with someone without being labeled and written off as an extremist. Abortion...same thing. Immigration...ditto. Racism... unions... healthcare... guns... marijuana... the Middle East... tax issues... voting laws... Do I need to continue this list? I'm not talking about discussing whether someone should be a Democrat or Republican (a toxic issue to be sure). I'm saying that you can't even discuss issues without offense because they have become so politicized—particularly with millennials. I've never seen such an easily offended generation. Comedians like Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld say so. They won't even perform on college campuses any more. I've witnessed this extreme sensitivity first hand. Recently a college-aged person marched up to me after a sermon, visibly shaking, accusing me of xenophobia and bigotry against hispanics because I mentioned a story in the news of a frequently deported illegal immigrant with a criminal record who had killed a young woman in San Francisco! I didn't even mention his race or country of origin! Yeesh!

It seems being offended is the new moral high ground. People can feel superior over others if they are outraged at someone's insensitivity. It is the new piety. I can share the plight of a victim if I express indignation over their victimization. Then I can vicariously become a victim, too! And THAT is virtual sainthood to the typical millennial.

But the presidential race has just begun. And there's no incumbent running. That means candidates in both parties are spending ridiculous amounts of money to be noticed. This means debates, TV ads, and non-stop media coverage of the horse race will be served to us ad nauseam. Because of it's ubiquity, people are going to want to talk about it. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN TO DO? You will no doubt have incognito ideologues on both sides of the political aisle asking you coded questions designed to peg you. Once you're pegged, you are labled and influence is virtually impossible. Even more, you will be tempted to rant on Facebook and other social media or on a blog like this one.

Usually we are left with two options: 1. Jump full in and get politically involved and passionate about a political solution, candidate, party; or 2. Disengage entirely.

I've always believed there must be another option.

There is.

I just read a great blog post entitled, "4 Principles for Political Engagement as a Christian." I don't think I could have written one myself that I agree with more. Take some time and read it. It's important that Believers have a well-thought-out strategy for their own involvement in politics. In the post, Jared C. Wilson combines biblical testimony, Christian History (who else, but Augustine?), and common sense to guide the Christian through the tumultuous waters in which we find ourselves these days.

I would only add one additional principle that Wilson touches on but doesn't say outright: Sincerely live out your faith for all to see. One thing that Christians have generally failed to do over the last several decades is to genuinely practice Christlikeness—no, I mean to really live like Jesus and practice his principles! Turn the other cheek, take the load the extra mile, love your enemies, have compassion on the beaten man, forgive 70x7, get up before dawn and go to a solitary place to pray, give your wealth to help the unfortunate, stay up late into the night helping the hurting, open not your mouth to defend yourself, seek and save the lost, don't worry about what you will wear, show meekness, humility, poverty of spirit, boldness to speak truth to hypocrites, and be willing to die for people who hate you. In this way we, "let [our] light[s] shine before others, so that they may see [our] good works and give glory to [our] Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). When we live like Christ, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit-filled life, we become a sweet fragrance that can draw even the most jaded, easily offended, vicariously victimized millennial to Christ. Paul said, "against such [a lifestyle], there is no law" (Galatians 5:23), including any "laws" of political correctness. The big problem is, many Christians don't look like Christ. Generally speaking, they themselves can act entitled, be easily offended, and seem holier-than-thou. They don't tip well, don't treat people kindly, and look the other way when someone is in need. They are products of our cultural Christianity, and share it's primary doctrine: God exists to make me happy. This is, of course, a bastardization of our faith. It is a false gospel. Even worse, it is subversive to the true Gospel.

In a strange way, the fact that we are living in a post-Christian America has helped me to see these shortcomings in myself. God, change me. Let me be more concerned about looking like Christ, than looking for a political solution that can make Christians a political majority.

Is God Cruel and Sexist, or a Liberator?

If you're like me you sometimes scratch your head while reading parts of the Old Testament. In the last part of Numbers alone, we're confronted with Balaam, a pagan prophet-for-hire who apparently hears from God, seems to do what God said, and is saved by a talking donkey from God's angel who is poised to kill him with a sword! Then there are God's instructions for Israel to wipe out whole nations (like the Midianites in ch. 31). Curiously, when Israel's army only killed every adult male(!), Moses was angered that they didn't finish the job. So he ordered them to kill the non-virgin women and boys, allowing Israel to keep the "young girls" alive for themselves! Whoa! What's more? This is a harbinger of things to come as the Israelites cross the Jordan and conquer the Promised Land!

One interesting subject that keeps popping up is the way women are treated in the Old Testament. I've gotten a couple of emails about this. Why does it seem that God favors men over women? In Leviticus a woman was considered ceremonially "unclean" for 40 days after giving birth to a boy, but 80 days after a girl. What’s that all about? Now in Numbers women are not counted in the censuses and sometimes seem to be considered mere property! Those who seek to discredit the Bible and Christianity like to remind us of passages like these. Famed atheist Richard Dawkins often calls God "misogynistic," and feminists have accused him of sexism and patriarchy. Perhaps today--which is "International Women's Day"--I should address this criticism.

Actually, when understood in context, God is the equalizer and ultimate liberator of women--as seen most clearly in creation and in Christ. And when we’re reading that part of God’s dealing with Israel in the wilderness, OUR present-day context taints our reading. Don’t forget, women have had the right to vote for less than 100 years in the USA! We tend to see all things throughout history through the lens of our own culture. God was dealing with Israel according to their own social and cultural mores. Truth is, the Law was a vast improvement for the women of that day compared to what was the universal norm before. Women were truly considered slaves or perhaps sexual pets at times—in many non-Christian cultures, this is still the case today. It's sad but true. This chauvinism is the result of the fall and curse. Sin resulted in much evil and inequality. Sin unrestrained brings dog-eat-dog tyranny. Of course this is not what God intended.

Gen. 1:27 reads, "And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female he created them."

God created both in his image, and has a purpose for both. Then came the fall, then the curse, then humankind gave way to sin. That’s where injustice finds its origin. The Old Testament is, in many ways, an exposé of human failure and corruption. The Law (Exodus-Deuteronomy) is a vast improvement over what preceded it, and tempered sin’s effects.

Christ, of course, brought light and truth. He conquered sin. But first, he showed by example how women were to be treated. He, God Incarnate, came to us through a woman and placed women in prominent roles in his ministry; in fact, women were last at the cross and first at the tomb! We frequently recite a verse (Gal. 3:28) that we must remember as we read the Old Testament:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

When Christ comes again, he will set all things right. I think that means absolute justice and the ultimate equality of all things! In fact, my hunch is that many will be surprised as Christ "exalts the humbled and humbles the exalted" (Matt. 23:12, Luke 14:11, 18:14) and find that many women will occupy the most exalted positions in heaven.

The whole issue of “women’s rights” is a hot political topic—including right now. It’s borderline insanity, I know, but I’m going to address this whole question on Sunday, including the issue of a woman’s role in society, family, and church. It’s going to be fun!!!

I’m reading a great book that Tony Walls (Providence Jefferson City Campus Pastor) turned me on to entitled, Is God a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God by Paul Copan. It is an extremely good read. I only wish I would have read a book like this 25 years ago! I highly recommend it.

An open letter to Susan G. Komen

Dear Susan G. Komen Foundation,

I am a pastor of a church in Knoxville, TN. My mother is a breast cancer survivor. I am profoundly grateful for your work. I have a wife, daughters, and a sister who I pray will never have breast cancer. Many people in our church have donated to and participated in SGK events. As a church, we have encouraged this participation. I was glad about the news that you would not fund Planned Parenthood, and was then very disappointed upon hearing about your retraction. By giving in to political pressure, I am afraid you have become political and have significantly hurt your altruistic cause.

As an organization, Planned Parenthood is a well-known abortion advocate, activist, and offender. Please know that for those of us who believe God creates human life, any organization promoting and performing abortions is treacherous. Most people who feel like me will not take the time to write you. They will simply make mental note and quietly choose to not participate or donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. There are other organizations that are also "fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures" for breast cancer who are not enabling others who do not share a commitment to all human life.

I am sorry that I will not be able to knowingly support any organization that funds those who disregard life. I am praying that you will retract your retraction. My support will follow that decision.

Sincerely,

Chad Sparks
Providence Church
1432 Lovell Rd.
Knoxville, TN 37932

Note: I did send this to Susan G. Komen via their website contact form. You can find it here.

Jesus and Politics

Now that the election is over, we can feel a little less tension when talking about politics, right? The message Sunday was about Jesus’ clear invitation to follow him in a revolution not of this world and not of man’s making, but of God, who has ordered all things. The people patriotically waving palm branches to Jesus screaming, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" were placing their hopes in a political savior and solution. But this was not why Jesus came. The idea of political salvation was as much a fantasy then as it is today (and it truly still exists)! The same passionate people turned on Jesus as soon as he began to tell them his true plans for change, and God’s will for this earth. They didn’t want to hear it—and they killed him.

But just like Chief Priest Caiaphas, who unwittingly prophesied that Jesus would die for all the people (John 11:50), and Mary who beautifully prefigured his burial (John 12:1-7), the crowds of Jerusalem unknowingly (and ironically) spoke volumes when they quoted from the Old Testament as Jesus rode on the donkey’s colt.

John 12:

13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out,
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,
even the King of Israel!"
14And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
15"Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!"
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.

Among that which his disciples didn’t understand at the time and later remembered is that the actual quote was from Psalm 118:25-26:

25Save us, we pray, O Lord! (Hebrew: Hoshi‘ah na’ Greek: "Hosanna")
O Lord, we pray, give us success!
26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

This quotation is just a part of a whole psalm that has an amazing connection with Jesus’ Triumphal Entry if we care to see it. There was already some real significance in the people’s choice of this psalm. It was sung frequently in Israel’s history during celebrations and significant events. In later times it was sung at feasts as a longing for the coming Messiah—especially around Jesus’ day when Israel was under Roman rule.

Let’s observe the rest of Psalm 118, at least in part. It begins:

1Oh give thanks to the LORD,
for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

This last line "his steadfast love endures forever!" is a phrase the psalmist repeats four times in the first four verses. It is obvious that God’s “steadfast love” is the main theme. He continues with why:

..5Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me free.
6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

The psalmist’s acknowledgement of God personally delivering him and favoring him causes him to not be afraid of people any more. Then a major conclusion occurs to him, a concept that is carried throughout the rest of the psalm, and even to the event we call the “Triumphal Entry.”

...8It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
9It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.

This whole psalm is about how GOD is the answer. Placing our trust in him is infinitely better than placing our hope in a political or military or human solution. The psalm continues:

14The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
15Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous:
"The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
16the right hand of the LORD exalts,
the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"

There is gladness and joy in the lives of those who trust in him. He even “exalts” those who are “righteous”! But this is a problem, is it not? None of us are righteous. We are all sinners. Even David himself said that we are conceived in sin (Psalm 51). This is what makes the Lord’s salvation different. More than just a political leader (offering earthly salvation), our Lord makes us righteous, making heaven/eternity available to us. Read this:

19Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
20This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
23This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

There is too much to comment on here! The way of salvation, the “gate” of the righteous is the LORD himself who “has become my salvation”—He IS “THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED” (see this verse quoted in Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:7), rejection that ultimately happened right after the Triumphal Entry culminating in Christ’s death. He IS NOW THE CORNERSTONE of our faith!! All of this is “the LORD’s doing” not ours! And I don’t think I ever caught that “THIS...the day the LORD has made,” was referring to the day our salvation was accomplished—when Jesus died making us righteous—was the day in which we should “rejoice and be glad!”

Now the verses the crowds quoted:

25Save us, we pray, O Lord! (Hosanna)
O Lord, we pray, give us success!
26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

The irony is stunning here as the people were asking for Jesus to “save” them politically from Roman rule. They did not know that the “Lord” was the on the donkey, and that he had come to save the entire world—including them—if they would believe. They added to the psalm and called him “king,” not realizing he was the King of kings, who made Caesar...and was the one before whom Caesar would one day bow.

The Psalm continues (It’s amazing to me):

We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27The LORD is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.

How many references have we seen in John of Jesus as the light, he even claimed this for himself in a stunning “I am” statement:“I am the light of the world” during the feast of tabernacles, a festival that included a ceremony of lights, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. But there’s more:

Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!

Interesting: The Jews chose the Passover lamb which would be sacrificed on either the day of or the day after (scholars debate which) Jesus made his Triumphal Entry, being “chosen” in effect, by the people as their “king.” These same people would cry, “crucify him” 5 days later, and kill him at the very moment the Passover Lamb was sacrificed in the Temple for the sins of the people.

Psalm 118 ends...

28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

The psalm both begins and ends with “his steadfast love endures forever.” This “steadfast love” found throughout the OT (e.g. Hosea who pictured God’s love for prostitute Israel) is what drove Christ to come as a man and die on our behalf, redeeming us to himself as his bride.

How is it that some Christians invest so much passion and place so much hope on politics? Why would we, recipients of God’s grace made available through Christ, trust in mere politicians offering merely human solutions to bring us happiness in this world?

Do not infer that I’m encouraging you not to be involved in politics. In fact, I think all Christians should vote and some should even run for office if God calls them to do so. We need more Christian statesmen and Christ-followers involved in the political process. Truth is, there are fewer evangelicals in high offices than in our history. We need more. I am pointing out what the Bible is teaching: that we dare not place our primary hope in man. We are citizens of this country. As such, we are to make it better. But much more, we are citizens of heaven—born again children of the King of kings. Our first allegiance is to him. And out of this first allegiance, all others flow.

Because Christians of the first two centuries after Christ’s ascension understood this divine order, millions received Christ, culminating in the Roman empire’s fall to the influence of Christianity. Rome becoming Christian was not all good (in fact it was quite negative in many ways on Christianity—but that’s for another blog), but Christianity now has become the greatest movement in human history. With God’s help, let’s do our part to make it greater. Our nation is governed by the people who elect our leaders. When the people walk away from God, so does our nation. When they surrender to Christ, our nation becomes more just, more moral, more ethical, kinder, more compassionate, better.

In summary, as a Christian, my first and greatest passion is for my King and his kingdom. He will take care of the rest—using me and others like me to do it—as I view the world through his will and am obedient to him. When we get that right, the rest takes care of itself.

Ronald Reagan, in a famous speech said,
"You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness."

If I may dare to offer an edit to those great words, imagining them spoken to Christians:
"You and I have a rendezvous with PROVIDENCE. We will PRESENT for ALL children this, the ONLY hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into AN ETERNITY of darkness."

This is what is at stake. Don't give your greatest passion and effort to a lesser cause (no matter how noble). Jesus said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God...and all these things will be added to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).

Vacation [continued] and America's Seven Faith Tribes

Some pics...
Top to bottom: Dara...being Dara,
Drew and I about to throw down on some Calabash seafood!
Me and D
Typical family beach setup in the sandstorm (before the umbrellas became unmanageable)




Reading on the beach is one of my favorite things in life. There’s not much better than the shade of an umbrella, a soft constant breeze, and the sound of the waves crashing interrupted only with occasional calls of seagulls! My reading this week began with a commentary on the book of John (I’m getting ready to teach John at Providence late this fall). I know, I know, only pastors read that kind of stuff. The last two days I’ve been reading the latest book by well-known researcher George Barna entitled, The Seven Faith Tribes. Great stuff! It’s really making me think.

In short, Barna’s research indicates there are seven primary faith-based “tribes” in America with different worldviews: Jews, Mormons, Muslims, Pantheists, Skeptics, and two separate Christian groups—Casual Christians and Captive Christians. I’m not finished, so I’ll save opinions on the book for later. So far, I’ve read about the two different Christian “tribes” and the Jews. It’s really got me thinking. The Casual Christians make the largest “tribe” in America with about 66% of the America’s adult population in their ranks. They are poor givers to church or charity, somewhat faithful to attend church and say they believe in God, but their worldviews are anything but biblical. They generally don’t believe all the stories in the Bible are literally true. They are average among Americans regarding divorce, porn viewing, drinking too much, media influence, gambling, and they are statistically the LEAST happy of all groups except one. They are all over the map regarding politics.

The Captives are a different group. Only 16% of the adult population, they’re the happiest of all tribes, they’re not likely to trust the media or view porn or get divorced. They consider themselves as far from perfect but have high moral standards. They are solidly biblical in their worldview. They give significantly more of their money to church and charities; they are very faithful to attend church.

As I’m reading about these two Christian tribes, I’m reminded of Jesus’ parables of the wheat and the tares, the sheep and the goats, and his explanation of the two gates and ways. I’ve been thinking of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Barna makes the comparison to Jesus’ letters to the churches of Asia Minor transcribed by John in Revelation 2-3. Of seven churches addressed by Jesus, only 2 were commended and not warned. Barna says the difference between the two groups of self-described Christians in the United States are broken down about the same. Interesting.

I must say, while reading these two chapters I thought about our church (and churches in general) in two different lights. First, I think of all the people that call Providence home whose lives do not reflect a “fully devoted follower” kind of desire. I wonder how many people in our church are Casual Christians who are relatively unchanged and unaffected by Christ’s influence on their lives? They really live for this world rather than the next, and their lives show it. Here in the south we are experts at spiritual compartmentalization and keeping God in his place. Second, I wonder if we have been primarily going after the wrong crowd of people? We generally go after the minority tribes: the Skeptic, Jew, Muslim, or Pantheist. At least, I’ve got these “unbelievers” in my mind as I preach. That’s what we usually mean by the term, “unchurched.” But if what Barna says is true, we should perhaps be more intentional about going after these Casual Christians—the “churched” or “semi-churched”—some who come to our church one out of three (or four, or five) weeks and unhesitatingly claim to be Christian. That’s what the Mormons and Skeptics do. They fill their ranks with these. My thought is that we already have a head start on them, since they are at least familiar with the Gospel. My question is how do we best reach them? Is it worthwhile to put most of our eggs in that basket to try? Thinking out loud, reaching the people of this tribe probably requires a different kind of strategy. They are, as evidenced by their own actions, uncommitted to things they have heard. So how can we help them be committed? How do we help them see that Jesus is Savior AND Lord (Master)?

Speaking from experience, adult Casuals rarely cross-over to Captive status unless something really tragic happens to them or someone they love. Death (or a close call), diagnosis of a disease or serious condition, divorce, or some other life-altering situation is what God seems to use to wake them. Perhaps sweeping revival or awakening (both are perfect terms for this) comes with a national disaster or crisis. Since our strategy depends on relationships, should we not let them feel a sense of belonging before committing and then be ready to articulate the importance of surrender when they are really listening (i.e. when faced with trial)? Once again I’m reminded of the importance of Life Groups and getting people to try this level of community.

[Three days later…]
Well, I’ve read almost all the book. I’m glad to be home! The last day at the beach was like riding 80 mph in the back of a pickup full of sand! We were pummeled by wind and sand! It made reading a real challenge. Barna’s book is great. Not sure I agree with all the conclusions, but wow, what a thought provoking read. Really helps me understand the worldviews of people and why they do what they do. I’m still processing…and finding sand in my stuff. More later.

The Fourth

I haven't posted in a long while. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic this morning, so I'll share a thought. Today is July 4th. It has always been one of my favorite holidays. Not only has God shown me his incomparable grace by calling me to be one of his children, but he has predetermined that I be born in the greatest nation in the history of the world. In fact, the two are very much related.

Because of the tyranny of the church and rulers who placed restrictions on Christians who wanted to read, interpret for themselves, and practice the Bible, hundreds of thousands had fled England and other European nations for the New World in the 1600s and 1700s. America, still under jurisdiction of the king of England, offered the opportunity for people to experience freedom because of three primary factors: 1) the king was far away, 2) the frontier (which made imposing rules difficult) was vast, and 3) the defining majority of those who came to the Colonies were English Puritans who brought several fundamental ideals that became intrinsically American. These ideals included the following: belief in God and biblical authority, human dignity, God’s grace, hard work & capitalism, the rule of law, religious freedom (they had experienced religious tyranny in England), representative democracy (republican polity and accountability), and low taxation.

However, America in the early 1700s was still a wild and untamed place (and I’m not talking about the Indians). Because of the vast frontier and the lack of law enforcement and the great amount of liberty and opportunity to own land, exploitation and crime was more the rule than the exception. Townships were weak, and the American church was (except for a few exceptions) splintered and separated by great distances. Then something profound happened: we know it as The Great Awakening. It is when America was saved. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the Colonies responded to the Gospel in a sweeping movement of God that defies reasonable explanation. It was after this revival of Christian religion that King George III came to power and patriotic sentiments began to stir in the Colonies. It is no accident that the vast majority of our founding fathers were committed Christians, a fact that is obvious in their writings.

In the last 80 years, another ideal has come to our shores—European Socialism. It is in many ways directly contradictory to the ideals that made us who we are. It is an “areligious” system of elitism and soft tyranny. It believes in the authority of the state (read: the government), which determines what activities are favored more than others, rather than the ultimate authority of God and the freedom of individuals under the protection and rule of law. It utilizes class envy and the promise of "progress" and "change" (indeed some proponents call themselves "progressives"). It encourages people to see themselves as victims and see the state as their savior. It seeks to empower elitists by creating a dependent voter base. It depends on dependence. It penalizes personal achievement by taxing those who make a profit, giving to those "disenfranchised" who pay little or no taxes at all! The "beneficiaries," who want to keep the tax burden on the "rich" ignore all manner of social engineering, loss of individual freedom, government intrusion, and moral decay AS LONG AS THEY CAN KEEP THEIR BENEFITS that their "victim" status affords them. And they will vote for any politician who will continue the deal. The "progress" the "progressives" desire almost always makes government bigger, creates dependencies, takes away freedoms, and costs taxpayers' money.

The soft tyranny of Socialism has been creeping its way into our culture and institutions (including the press) for decades. It has grown in its influence and is now about to overthrow the America we once knew as our government takes over companies, becomes less accountable & more bureaucratic, and spends trillions it doesn’t have that our children & grandchildren will! God has been removed from meaningful discussion and relegated to trivial lines in politicians’ speeches. True human rights—the right to life itself—is being sacrificed on alter of a “freedom” to do whatever I want, as abortion is made more available and the aged are not honored but considered an inconvenience.

I am profoundly thankful to God to be an American. I am profoundly concerned that we are moving fast in the wrong direction. Pray with me that God will awaken us before it is too late.