What a day! I’m blown away by a God who keeps chasing us even when we keep running from Him!
- This weekend’s message was a Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde deal for me. I KNEW God was telling me to go after a dark (often unspoken) heresy rampant in the bride of Christ today but I really, really, really didn’t want to go there…at least, not at first.
- God convicted me anew (as He so often does) to consider who I do this (preach) for. Is it an audience of many or an audience of One?
- More Jekyll / Hyde stuff…What we talked about today has to be some of the most precious and comforting of all texts while also being some of the most abused and misapplied verses in all the Bible. I knew 10 minutes into the first service of the weekend that I’d bitten off more than could possibly be chewed in one message. So I did what I had to–went long! As a result, part of the mind dump this week will be to add a bit of what was left unsaid…
- How about what I said regarding the Prodigal Son? This ring a bell?… “The prodigal son would never have wanted to return had it not been for the famine!” I said this while pounding home the point that God absolutely uses the valleys in our life to refine us (and so much more). James 1:2 confirms this. It says, “Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials(B) of various kinds, 3for you know that(C) the testing of your faith(D) produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be(E) perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Anyone who thinks those verses are tough to swallow is right! But we learned that it’s a principle (trials refine us) that holds true every time. My concern was that I didn’t have time to develop the fact that God is not up in heaven gleefully throwing the fiery trials at us left and right like some sort of cowboy God with a six shooter yelling, “Now Dance!” In fact, many of these trials we bring upon ourselves. Others are a result of our adversary (the devil) seeking to ruin us spiritually. In the case of the prodigal son, he brought it on himself by taking the money and running. With no regard for his father he demanded his inheritance (something reserved for after the father passed away) early so he could start squandering it on reckless living. But that same reckless lifestyle soon left him broken and alone and it was in this valley of brokenness that he was finally able to see the love of his father and humbly return home.
- I talked about the spoiled brat at Barnes and Nobles–remember that scenario. “Daddy, if you don’t get me everything I want, I’m pitching a fit!”What did the dad do? He gave in to his demanding daughter and kept throwing gifts at her so that she would pipe down and behave (she never did, BTW). In my opinion, that dad did exactly the wrong thing. He made matters worse and greatly reinforced her view of a father as her personal vending machine. A greater love would have been to take her out of there and ground her for life!! Ok, ok, maybe the life sentence was too much. But he should have done something! — Something opposite what he actually did! The far more loving and caring thing to do would have been to withhold from her after such a fit and explain to her why we don’t simply give our kids everything they throw a tantrum to get.
- Ever throw a tantrum with God because you didn’t get what you asked for, when you asked for it, exactly the way you asked for it? Sure you have–don’t lie. Well, since you have, consider this. Maybe the most loving thing God could have possibly done was to say no! Just like the father in B&N should have done. In doing so he’s teaching us that He also is not a vending machine God. He wants a whole lot more from us then to have us put 50 cents in (throw up a quick prayer), grab our blessings and bolt…until the next time we pitch a fit and want something from God.
- I talked about 2 separate and opposing views growing side by side in the evangelical church today–the prosperity doctrine and the true gospel. They can’t both be true–they’re polar opposites.
- Just because the prosperity doctrine isn’t biblical doesn’t mean we serve a God who does not want us to prosper. God’s love rains blessings upon us. It’s just that there’s something so much more. The abundant life He came to bring was not the same as a genie in a bottle brings. He didn’t come to earth, live a sinless life, face beatings and ridicule and ultimately die on the cross for our sins just so that we could use his name to live totally self absorbed lives. No, He wants you to know Him–intimately, deeply. He longs to show you who He is and to conform you and I into the image of His son. What does this earth have to offer that beats that?!
- Here are some more helpful reads on the right track, “Radical”by David Platt (did you go out and get this like I asked?), “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, “Primal”by Mark Batterson, “The Treasure Principle”by Randy Alcorn, “The Hole in our Gospel”by Richard Stearns. There are many, many more! I keep a list of ten or so on this blog and they change every so often. Keep checking back for updates if you are interested in what I am reading. But these should keep you busy. I need to suggest one more–place this one at the top and never stop reading it over and over again–“The Bible” by God.
- How are you doing with the 100 Day Challenge? If you’re a bit discouraged because you’ve missed some Bible reading or haven’t been as faithful in your prayer or tithe as you want–remember that we are a church, not the actual marines. What does that mean? It means there is GRACE! Jump back in and keep on going. But don’t get too far behind–the more you participate, the more of a blessing it will be to you!
- Men, remember that the Monday morning challenge continues next Monday, October 4th, in our student building (6:15 am). We’re back to guys only this time but I think we all would love another day to bring our kids–I’ll try to plan that out.