The Teeter-Totter

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

In our faith tradition we talk a lot about people getting “saved.”  What exactly happens at salvation?  According to the Bible, specifically in Paul’s teachings, “our spirit man is sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 1:13).  In other words, when we come to faith in Christ, our spirit, or the part of us that connects to the Spirit of God, comes alive.  We are born-again, saved, redeemed, (welcome to this Christian cliché festival)!  The part of us that knows and responds to God comes alive.  We are no “longer dead in our trespasses and sins.”  

According to the Bible, two classes of people exist:  “Saints and Aints” – those   who have experienced His grace and those who have yet to come to new life in Christ. 

The Bible lends support to the idea that man is a tri-part being.  He is a spirit, who lives in a body and who is guided by his soul (mind, will and emotions).  Those who experience the new birth are hot-wired to know God intimately and to hear His voice.

Then comes the body!   That part of you that stares back from the mirror every morning!  You have to love it.  The Bible discusses body care and maintenance.  Your spirit-man and soul constantly vie for control of the body man.  Yikes!

Now, let me briefly concentrate on the soul.  It’s the one that most preaching neglects to confront. 

Do you remember riding the teeter-totter on the playground at school?  Up and down, up and down!  Always balancing on the middle pole to insure a safe ride.  How many times did you crash to the ground because the other smart aleck decided to bail? 

Picture this:  The middle pole represents the spirit.  One seat represents the soul.  The other seat represents the body.  The middle pole is necessary to direct the seats.  The middle pole functions as an equalizer.  So it is with your spirit.  It is the great equalizer!  If it malfunctions, neither the soul nor the body can function properly.  The soul is governed by the spirit, and the body is guided by what the soul dictates.  Remember, our mind, will and emotions dictate the actions of the soul, who must be driven by the spirit, who derives authority and power from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  We are complex, yet intricately designed.

When we don’t feed our spirit on the Bible, God’s Word, it derives its nourishment from sources that cannot properly nourish it; and in turn, our soul takes a nosedive (like on the teeter-totter), and our body follows its own path as well.  And believe me, when we are not in line with God’s Word, we get ourselves into a mess, don’t we?

An unhealthy soul is transformed by input from the Spirit.  Root issues, when exposed by the Holy Spirit, are brought into the light of the Gospel and previously held lies are exchanged for God’s truth.  Soul issues of course, can be healed instantaneously; however, most are exposed and healed through process. 

I have just skimmed the surface of a very inexhaustive topic.  And I hope I have whetted your appetite to learn more about this tri-part teaching.  Hope Community offers Freedom Ministry, which explores the “healing of the saved,” and helps individuals come into fullness of life that Christ makes possible. Ask about our next session.

A Walk in Nature

Theologians tell us that God reveals Himself through General and Special Revelation.  In other words, He reveals Himself generally through nature and specifically in the Bible.  As I write, I am looking out the window of my home, marveling at the massive trees and beautiful terrain that surround me.  Ashtabula County really is a nice place to live.   Someone greater than I displays His handiwork!

The Designer has done well.  Centuries ago, the psalmist, while gazing upward was moved to write, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 18:1).

As a boy, I too witnessed God’s hand in creation.  Two incidents fashioned my belief in God and served as precursors to my conversion to Christ at age 14. 

It was a lazy summer day in 1963.  I was playing outdoors when suddenly I experienced a “visit from above.”  While swinging, I gazed high into the sky and was immediately overcome with emotion.  A loving presence embraced me and I cried openly as I basked in “His” wonderful love and warmth.

I can remember thinking, “I want to be a preacher.”  Later I wondered, “What is a preacher?”  You see, I wanted to preach before I personally knew the Lord! 

Five years later this unseen guest again revealed Himself to me in the middle of a severe summer thunderstorm.  For reasons I cannot remember, I retreated to our garage for solace after feeling quite upset with a family situation.  I was lonely and needing connection.

Torrents of rain eroded places in our gravel driveway.  The rain pounded heavily on the roof, and I reacted strongly to the noisy confusion.  I cried out, “God, if you’re real, make it stop raining on the roof only, and let it keep falling everywhere else.”  Immediately, the garage became quiet as heavy rainfall continued to pour around me.  Someone heard a 12-year-old boy’s request.  Overcome by emotion, I wept profusely.  Again, I was blanketed with love when heaven responded.

Two years later I heard a sermon about the Rapture of the Church preached by the late Donald Schorsch.  The same God, who twice revealed Himself to me in nature, spoke to me directly through His Word.  And I was what Jesus referred to as “born again.”  John 3:3 says, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 

Isn’t it wonderful that the Holy Spirit used 44 writers over a period of 1,600 years to bring the written Word to us?  From time to time, I’m asked the infamous question, “Will the heathen be saved?”  I was!   Both General and Special Revelation were imparted into my life.  The God of nature and the Author of the written Word is no respecter of persons.  He desires that all come to know Him intimately. 

The next time you feel down, take a walk and survey the beauties of nature.  Enjoy the designs and ask the Designer to touch you!

A Different Set of Rules

A major credit card company used to advertise, “Membership is a privilege.”  Leadership in the local church is also a privilege!

Those who lead in the Word and Worship need to understand that they “play by a different set of rules.”  Children and youth leaders are also held to higher standards.  Churches do well to run background checks on all who work with our “precious ones.”  Actually, most church insurance companies make this a requirement.

What should we look for and expect in the lives of those who have “stage” time? 

1.     Not perfection, but a consistent lifestyle that speaks well of the Christ they represent.

2.     A teachable spirit that exudes a positive outlook toward life and people in general.

3.     One who understands and possesses a love for spiritual authority. Those who cannot submit to authority must never be allowed a place of leadership.

4    A cooperative, not competitive attitude.  We’re not on American Idol or The

       Voice.

5.     A spirit of excellence, always working to improve their talents.

6.     A team player that always has the backs of his co-laborers.  Good leaders always remember they are just one part of the “whole.”  They are mandated to speak well of the entire leadership team.  No gossip allowed.  We at Hope Community say, “We are a no-drama church!”     

7.     Finally, one who continually rids his life of offenses, grudges, bitterness and anger.  Many potentially effective people have disqualified themselves from leadership because they hold on to past hurts.  Those who choose to nurse and rehearse their offenses begin to view life and any potential ministry through a “clogged” filter.  Their body language and their words betray them.  They become toxic around others and the work of God.  None of us like to be around negative people, and pastors dare not allow such people to be “front and center.”  That kind of “stuff” transfers easily to other people! 

My heart’s desire is to see leaders and future leaders rise up in wholeness and allow the Lord to use their gifts to build His kingdom.  Healed leaders who shed the hurts of their past and come into a brand new day and anointing understand they are expected to play by a different set of rules. And do so gladly! This is a privilege, not punishment!

Just WHAT is Sin?

I don’t think any of us fully realize the devastating toll that sin plays in our lives.  Its  affects are seen in our personal struggles, our relationships, nation, and of course, sin is played out on the world’s stage.  Many years ago a lady said to me, “I don’t believe in sin.”  I was amazed at her comment, as her life had been characterized by broken relationships, and alcohol was taking a destructive toll on her liver. 

I believe in sin mostly because the Bible defines it as the catalyst responsible for all of earth’s ills.  Secondly, the Scriptures make it clear that sin is a universal problem. After David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba, he realized that the deeper issue in his life was sin.  He says, “In sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).

So, what is sin?

A lot of people define sin in terms of a “do” and “do not” list.  For example, cursing, smoking, drinking, going to R-Rated movies, dancing, adultery, lusting, etc. are just a few of the “bigger sins.”  Evangelicals hold firmly to the Romans 3:23 definition:  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  I still remember the cute story about the little boy who came home from Sunday School and told his parents that his teacher talked about “fallen shorts” in class!  But I digress!  

Still, others define sin as going beyond healthy boundaries.  Therefore, they place much emphasis upon breaking the law.   While it is true the Ten Commandments were part of the Moral Code that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, and while it is equally true they are still in vogue today, breaking the commandments still does not completely define what sin is. 

So, let me ask you again, “What IS sin?”

I like the late Dr. Richard Dobbins’ definition of both sin and eternal life.  Dr. Dobbins goes deeper than most.  He minimized the affects of sin and maximized our understanding of the origin of sin as it impacts our lives.  As you might guess, there are two forces at work in the world:  sin and eternal life.  And they both collide in the mind of man.

Dr. Dobbins wrote, “Sin is an ‘invisible force’ that emanates from Satan, which stimulates the mind of man to consider life options which steal, kill and destroy his creative potential.”

“Eternal life, then, is also an ‘invisible force’ emanating from God, which stimulates the mind of man to consider creative life options.”

We then need to properly discern the origin of our thoughts.  In other words, we must ask ourselves, “Is this thought from God or Satan?”  The more we read and understand the Bible, the more readily we will discern the origin of the thoughts that come into our mind.  You see, we can’t control temptation, but we CAN control what we do when it comes our way!

Dobbins’ definitions of sin and eternal life, in my opinion, give us an easier-to-understand, wider and more Scriptural view of sin and its devastating effects in our lives.  Instead of living according to a long list of “do’s” and “do not’s,” the indwelling Holy Spirit renews our thought processes and shows us what really is pleasing to the Lord. 

The Bible says, “Don’t be conformed by what the world thinks, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).  In short, we believe what the Bible says and then line up our lives to its unchangeable truths.  Volumes have been written on the subject of sin and believe me, the subject is inexhaustible!  However, I’m not as likely to preach a sermon on the “The Evils of Alcohol” as I am a sermon entitled, “How to Be Renewed in Your Mind.”

I hate what sin does in my life and the lives of others.  My heart’s desire is that today you place your faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses from the sin; and that you learn how to discern the origin of your thoughts, and subsequently experience God’s grace, which shows you a way out of your sin predicament!

The Power of an Invitation

The Bible is full of invitations.  And invitations require a response.  When I was 20 years old, I invited my wife to the movies, and that invitation led to us to date and eventually marry.  I’m so glad she accepted my invitation! 

Following are two often quoted invitations that God sent to us in His Word:

“Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

 

“I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:2).

Invitations draw people to parties, graduations, new car purchases, weddings, dinners, and a host of other life experiences.  Invitations carry power!

I am a follower of Christ because of an invitation.  A pastor and his wife visited my boyhood home and invited my family and me to their church.  I was captured by their love and sincerity.  Their invitation eventually led to my salvation and personal call into ministry.  God’s invitations, quickened by the Holy Spirit, produce Kingdom results!

When my wife and I held “Meet and Greets” in 2013 to begin Hope Community Church, I called my friend, David Barnum, to invite him to check it out.  That invitation produced a renewed friendship (going back to childhood), and a dedicated leader in our new church!

Some time back, a friend of ours invited my wife and me to dinner.  Her invitation resulted in another team member for Lori’s next trip to Kenya and a generous gift to our building fund at Hope Community.  Isn’t God wonderful?

We have pastored several congregations, always asking the Lord to send people into those churches.  Our intentions were good, but I’m afraid misdirected.  We overlooked the power and necessity of invitations!

That’s why I constantly encourage our “family” at Hope Community to invite people to services.  God beautifully uses the influence of relationships –friends and family – to give us in-roads into their lives.  Invitations to church, coupled with already established relationships, many times yield kingdom results.  I’ll forever be grateful to my first pastors for inviting my family to church. 

By the way, that invitation produced two ministers of the gospel.  My oldest brother, Dan, has pastored several United Methodist congregations.  Our roots go back to that same invitation. 

Go ahead.  Invite someone today to sit beside you in church next Sunday!