Where Will You Be Standing?

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  (Matthew 25:31-33)


Where will you be standing on that day? Are you one of the sheep or are you a goat? Notice how these two groups are divided; many people miss the fact that the separation takes place before the behavioural identifications.


They are divided because of what they ARE – not because of what they do. The doing follows the being. I want to let you in on a little secret; we are all born goats. Now take a lesson from nature, how does a goat born on the farm become a sheep? It doesn’t, not ever – we are talking sci-fi impossibility realm here.


The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”


Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”    (Mark 10:26-27)


In nature no animal born a goat can become a sheep, this includes you and I – born goats we are doomed to be standing on the left when Jesus separates the nations. In natural terms goats do not become sheep, with man this is impossible, but not with God – with God all things are possible. We were born goats but with Jesus comes the opportunity to be born again –this time, you guessed it – as sheep!


Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  (John 3:3)
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The Gospel of His Great Mercy

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus... (Ephesians 2:4-6)



“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”


Join me this Sunday morning as we seek to more fully understand the gospel of great mercy that our compassionate and gracious God has revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures. He is slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, He is love, and the embodiment of forgiveness, grace, and justice.


Come to worship!
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On Hope

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.            (Proverbs 13:12)


As I write this things are not looking good for NHL fans in Winnipeg. The TSN “Return of the Jets” Meter has fallen back three degrees as some political heavyweights throw their significant influence behind keeping the Jets in Phoenix. I am sorry to admit that this little tilt in the wrong direction has me feeling like pulling the covers over my head and retreating into a dark cave of childish self-pity.


It’s a perfect example of my inability to live up to the requirement of God’s law. How can I claim to love God with my whole heart, mind, and strength if such minutia sends me into a tailspin of depression? If I really love my neighbour as myself I wouldn’t want the fans in Phoenix to lose their team, now would I? What a miserable man I am, powerless to meet the standard of a Holy God. If salvation is not offered as a gift by grace through faith in Jesus then there is no hope for me whatsoever.


Speaking of hope... yes I know that my hope is not tied to professional athletics in anyway... I really enjoy the game of hockey; my best memories of growing up involve early morning drives to the freezing cold rink with my Dad who was always there watching, cheering, ready to rub my feet between shifts to stave off frostbite. I want NHL hockey back in my city – where it belongs – but if not I’ll be okay.


My hope is based on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I long for the day when I will see Him face to face and join the heavenly chorus robed in white and singing; “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty!”. What a great, great day that shall be!


Just once though, before that great day, there is another day I would really like to see. A day when I will join a different chorus, a rowdy chorus not in the heavens, rather on Portage Ave, this chorus also known to be robed in white will be singing as well; “The Boys are Back in Town”. Oh yes – that too will be a good day! Go Jets Go.
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March 20, 2011 at DCC: Grapes II

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. (Ephesians 2:3)



Join us tomorrow morning at DCC as we conclude our look at the condition of man without Christ based on Ephesians 2:1-4.


The Bible refers to the wrath of God as being “just” or “righteous” and reveals that it would be folly for a Holy God to leave wrongs un-righted or sins unpunished.


This Sunday morning we will look into this idea of “righteous wrath” - can a loving God really punish guilty sinners with everlasting destruction shutting them out of His presence forever? And what about this strange concept referred to in scripture as the “wrath of the lamb”. Lamb (y) wrath? Really - I mean, I didn’t grow up on a farm; but aren’t lambs famous for being gentle even docile creatures? Just what is the Bible getting at here?
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Avoiding Dan's Version

I don’t usually use this space for this, but this film has moved me in a way very few ever have. I don’t know if it will hit you the same way it has me; afterward I had a hard time pulling myself together in order to get to my car, as the credits rolled I had to fight seriously to avoid dissolving into a puddle.

A virtuous woman, flawless in beauty and graceful in every imaginable way; is passionately pursued and eventually captured by her unlikely suitor. He has no business being with her, on the surface it is obvious that she is out of his league - scratch that surface just a little and the mismatch glares! His scars and blemishes and sins are to too evident, and too many to number, and yet; there she is, in all her glory, standing by his side ... happily ever after... almost.

In keeping with his track record he destroys his treasure. He destroys his treasure.

Like cold steel the words of Barney’s adult son pierce my side and tear deep into the dark centre of my soul,

“How could you f@*% this up? She deserved better than you; but she loved you anyway.”

God have mercy. I can’t type the sentence without weeping.

If He does not rescue me I am lost without hope. Dear Jesus, hide me in you, and save me. Save me from myself. I find within myself, like Barney, a bent toward self-destruction my sins are different from his but their end is the same.

In the strength of Christ and by his grace alone is there any chance of me finishing strong.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt. 11:28)

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Grapes of Wrath



All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.            (Ephesians 2:3)

Like the rest… like the rest we were by nature objects of wrath. I think most Christians, at least most that have not suffered under any sort of horrific tyranny in this life, wish that this entire idea of God’s wrath were not a part of the faith at all. After all how can God command us to forgive even our enemies if He then reserves the right for Himself to deal out eternal punishment on His own? Is there such a thing as “just punishment” and can it really be true that “the rest” mentioned above refers to the rest of humanity outside of Christ - being doomed automatically to suffer eternal separation from God?

Was Jesus mistaken when He said that only a few would find the narrow path to salvation? Did He misspeak when He said, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”? - If not; what is to be the fate of those who reject the free gift of salvation, of rebirth in Christ?

Saved From What?

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (1Timothy 1:15)

Just a quick question today - hoping for some feedback.

Jesus came into the world to save sinners - but from what do sinners need saving?

What was the Son of God doing on that cross?

In the Garden of Gethsemane; before Judas brought the mob and betrayed Him, Jesus prayed three times, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:36-46)

What was in the cup that Jesus did not want to drink if there was any other way?

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The Christian Side Hug?

Those who have known me since back in my youth ministry days will be able to appreciate how difficult this is for me to watch. Part of me wants to laugh hoping it is only a silly spoof of some kind, but the larger part of me still weeps over heavy burdens and a gospel message that is anything but good news.



"I'm sorry Lord for the thing I made it - When it's all about You, it's all about You Jesus!" 

When Christianity becomes a legalistic series of rules to keep and hoops to jump through is it any wonder so many have tried it out and left the fold without ever really coming to know the condemnation free life that belongs to those who are "in Christ".

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

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The Clash

Sooner or later (probably sooner) if you go into any depth at all with the Christian faith you are going to run into Biblical doctrine that grinds against everything you have ever thought or felt to be right or wrong.

It's only a matter of time.

Perhaps the Bible will label as sin something which you are absolutely positive is no sin at all - or you may discover within its sacred pages attributes assigned to God which you are beyond certain cannot possibly be true of Him. Some may find the Bible to be defining the roles which they occupy in life (husband, wife, employer, employee, father, mother, friend, etc) in ways that are offensive to put it mildly.

"If that's what the Bible says a husband/wife is to be - then I reject the Bible"

If the Bible is rejected as the inspired Word of God we are left with a Christianity that is governed by nothing more than the thoughts and feelings of man. To rob the scriptures of authority is to place the man who believes in salvation by faith in Christ alone on equal footing with the man who believes in salvation by clicking together the heels of the ruby slippers 3 times while chanting, "There's no place like heaven, there's no place like heaven..."

There are two options available to us when the clash comes:

1. Read beyond what the text says forcing it to submit to pre-determined human understanding.

2. Yield positions of human arrogance and submit to hard truth.

It's a matter of Lordship.

They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.
Isaiah 29:13

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6




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By Popular Demand

My good friend Harry Mahood (a.k.a. Hoody) is the head coach of the Phoenix Polar Bears Jr. A Hockey Team in Phoenix Arizona. After the Polar Bears lost a close game last Friday night Hoody "tweeted" the following message:

"Losing in regulation is embarrassing. Losing in OT is humiliating. Losing in a shootout has nothing to do with hockey."

Talk to most hockey purists and they will tell you that they despise the shootout; hockey is a team sport but the shootout is all about the individual. The obvious question then is, "If the majority of the people who hold the power don't like it - why does the shootout remain?"

Answer: The fans LOVE the shootout!

I guess it's only good business sense to give the paying customer what he wants, but is it possible to concede too much?
More knowledgeable men than I will decide the fate of hockey but what about church direction by popular demand? "Give the people what they want" works wonders in the business arena - but is it right to adopt these practises for building the Kingdom of God?

Why in the church is it now so rare to hear any mention of sin or its consequences?
Why has the cross become so conspicuous by its absence?
Why are so many worship songs so light and fluffy and lacking any doctrinal meat?
Why are the sermons (When they aren't replaced by video clips) so trendy and vacuous and completely gospel free?

Is there any danger in treating Christians like consumers of a religious product?
Should faith be marketed as "new and improved"?
Is it wrong to sell Jesus as a ticket to a better life?
What happens when life doesn't get better?
What happens when faith in Christ equals rejection, abandonment, persecution, or suffering? What happens if tragedy strikes?

Is it possible that by viewing the world through our North American cultural glasses we have completely misunderstood the meaning of the "abundant life" Jesus mentioned in John 10:10? The popular definition just doesn't seem to fit with Luke 9:23.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

For now it seems the customer remains king, "felt needs" rule over mankind's actual need and the congregants are free to vote with their feet heading to wherever itching ears are being scratched. 

Shame about the shootouts though.

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Jesus & the Filthy Sinners

God is Holy and a part of that Holiness is revealed to us in the fact that God is a just judge (One before whom we must all stand to give an account of our lives - Romans 14:12). Once we discover exactly what God requires of us in the law we respond in one of two ways - hardened defiance or broken contrition.

It is a horrible cruelty to preach the law (God's requirements) without following it with the gospel. (God's solution to our inability to meet His requirements). The reason so many Christians find their religion to be a burden that they drag through life is because they are hearing all law and no gospel. The following clip illustrates the point perfectly. 




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Dude Looks Like A Lady

I just finished reading a recent blog post at AlbertMohler.com about a new form of teenage rebellion known as gender bending. (Read it here.) It seems that some young men are fighting conventional social norms and sexual stereotyping by showing up for school in skirts and make-up while the young ladies are wearing anything from baggy jeans to tuxedos.


The question being addressed by Dr. Mohler seems to be;

“What is going wrong and what should Christians be doing to fix it?"

From the article -

For Christians, the issue is a matter of biblical concern. The Bible reveals a concern for respecting and honouring gender as God's gift. In the Old Testament, the Law taught respect for these distinctions and roles. In the New Testament, we find similar expectations. As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11: 7-15

Is this really a matter of Biblical concern for Christians? 

If there is a New Testament directive concerning the policing of secular society, I need someone to point it out to me. I don’t see Jesus or the apostles taking on the wicked cultural practises of the Roman Empire; yet in our day there seems to be no end of this kind of activity being pursued and promoted as the main indicator of spiritual fervency. Have we come to believe that if we can’t get people to actually become Christians then we should at least force them to act Christian as the next best thing?

This is counter-productive to the Christian cause. 

Forcing sinners to live by the rules of saints only leads to self-righteous pious secularists who cannot see their need of a savior or to closeted rebels who hate the church for meddling in their affairs. Our mission is not about changing society – our mission is about changing hearts – and hearts do not change except by rebirth. Enough of bemoaning the darkness; let's just turn on the light. 

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Bring It To Life?

With sincere apologies to the Christian prohibitionists I found this new Guinness ad on You Tube and thought it was worth sharing.



Do you like the ad or not? In your opinion does this ad make any kind of a statement about God, evolution, creation, or fallen man's desire to be like God? (Or supplant maybe?) 
I know, I know, - sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and sometimes a beer ad is just a beer ad -  but I thought this one was pretty cool and I'm interested to see if anyone else agrees or disagrees or maybe even thinks that as a pastor I should not even acknowledge the existence of beer.

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Going My Way?

Stubborn, Pig-headed, Arrogant 

Today I am thinking about pride. Not the good kind of pride, not the kind that comes in a job well done, or the kind a dad feels as he watches his son achieve a worthy goal. I'm thinking about that other kind; the dark kind.

Religious, Intellectual, Economic, Social

I'm thinking about the kind of pride that rises up and refuses to yield even when logic is screaming that it is in the wrong. I'm thinking about the kind of pride that stops ears and refuses to listen, the kind that digs in its heels and ignores everything but self.

Sarcastic, Condescending, Mocking, Belittling

It is this dark pride that loves to follow Jesus - as long as He is going my way - but if or more accurately, when the path turns - look out! When Jesus says or does something that goes against my grain - that is when I discover the identity of my one true LORD.

As a younger man bent on achieving my own warped definitions of success I used to "confess" that "Things go my way". It was great - until they didn't.
C.S. Lewis said, "Pride robs a man of common sense." and I would wholeheartedly agree. What of God in this case. Does He humble a man or does He create the circumstances that lead a man to humble himself? I'm not sure, maybe you have an opinion you'd be willing to share. I like these words of Ravi Zacharias, "Wherever there is a proud man, there is a sovereign God working behind the scenes."

A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honour. (Proverbs 29:23)

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Meet My Invisible Friend

It seems to me that there is ample evidence to support the claim that one does not need Jesus in order to experience positive life change. 

Read the right new book and you may be inspired to turn your finances around, watch a documentary on modern farm practices and you may find yourself wandering the vegetarian aisle at Safeway, experience a brush with death; maybe the unexpected heart attack of an acquaintance who just happens to be the same age as you, and you may find yourself at the gym with a new passion for health and fitness.

Here's a shocker for you - some people have spiritual experiences that result in improved moral behaviour - in religions other than Christianity!

In light of this reality do you think maybe Christians should spend a little less time promoting Jesus as the ultimate invisible friend and life coach?

Coming to the cross is not about a better life - it's about eternal life. 
Jesus didn't come to save us from unhappiness by teaching us the keys to success; Jesus came to save us from our sin by taking its penalty upon Himself.

Most of the people I meet outside of the church already believe that God loves them (if they believe that He exists at all);  - what they need to know is HOW God loves them.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.   (1 John 4:10)

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Assuming the Gospel

I'm guessing (assuming?) we are all familiar with the old saying about what happens when we assume. If not send me a private e-mail and I will explain - or just stare at the picture on the left and think really hard.

I think that one of the many mistakes I have made as a minister (and there are too many to list) over the past 20 years has been the sin of "assuming the gospel". What I mean by this is that in choosing topics and preparing sermons I have often omitted the gospel message altogether or relegated it to some secondary addendum that is addressed only to the unchurched. I have "assumed" that the regular attendees already know the gospel and so I haven't wanted to bore them with repeated information. There are three immediate problems that come to mind as a result of this assumption.

First - We wind up with a very man-centred version of Christianity (Me-ianity?). 

Lots of talk about family life, financial planning, goal setting, leadership, sexual issues, careers, education and on and on; - not so much as a mention of Christ crucified. There's nothing wrong with teaching on important aspects of human life - but these should not be allowed to supplant Christ as the central topic of Christian preaching. Christianity is not primarily about you and me and what we do; Christianity is about Jesus and what He has done, is doing and will do.

Second - In assuming the gospel we forget that fallen men and women have a default setting of legalistic piety.

Because the law of God is written on our hearts we naturally drift into works based rule keeping as the route to pleasing God. We all do it.

"God must not be pleased with me because of this thing I did - or that thing I didn't do."

All believers, myself included, need to be constantly reminded of the cross, reminded that we do not stand approved before God based on anything we have done; we stand justified because of what Jesus has done for us - that is the gospel or good news that sets Christianity apart from every other religion of man.

Third and finally - In assuming the gospel we run the risk of suffering eternal loss.

Consider for a moment that on any given Sunday I may be preaching to some individual the last sermon they will ever hear in this world. What do I want as the content of that sermon? What do I want as the content of the final sermon I will ever preach for that matter?
- Life Tips?
- Financial Aides?
- 10 Keys to Marital Bliss? - No, no, a thousand times no!

On my last day in the pulpit I want to have fulfilled the great commission, I want to have warned the wayward soul, I want to have encouraged the weary saint, and I want to go out with the glorious message of God's saving grace on my lips.

No more assuming the gospel!

Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1 Cor. 1:17-18

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What Is The Real Problem?

What is the real problem between God and man?

Is it that God is so fragile that He cannot stand the sight of me in my fallen state? Is He so easily offended that He behaves like the constantly shocked church lady of late night fame - shooing the dirty sinners away?

No the problem between God and I is not His easily offended sensibilities - the problem is that when I come into His presence the light of His holiness reveals TO ME the horrible truth of my shameful nakedness. I am the one who flees from the light; I am the one who becomes offended seeing myself as I truly am.

I either run and hide in shame or allow Him to mercifully clothe me in Christ's righteousness.

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. - Rev. 3:17-18

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What Do I Deserve?

I am just returning to normal health after a week of battling a nasty flu bug. (Not the H1N1 according to the symptom checker.) This one started last Wednesday with a sore throat then morphed into fever and a wicked headache followed by a day of steady vomiting and ended with a few days of chest congestion, runny nose and relentless coughing, all in all not a nice week. There is nothing like a little dose of the flu to get me thinking about how much I take for granted my usual good health. I don’t do sick well, I’m a bad patient, I just feel that there should be some sort of Star Trek(y) type of hypo-spray thingy that fixes me instantly by now – I mean what are we doing with all that research money anyway? I digress.

To my point - and yes I know this is infantile - at one point in the week I recall rolling over in bed and in my misery complaining/praying/whining to God; “What did I do to deserve this?”
This is what I would like to hear from you on:


Do people get what they deserve? Do we all deserve good health? Does anyone ever deserve anything bad? What about people who have done horrific things – what do they deserve? To those of you who are believers – what part does God play in all of this? Is there any justice and if so, how and when do we see it?

 

Bored at Church

Eliminate a team from play-off contention and attendance wanes.
Sell off all your stocks and following the markets becomes blasé.

It isn’t easy to stay engaged in things that have no real importance to them.


Once the team is eliminated it doesn’t really matter how slick the advertising promo is - they’re done - see ya next year!

 When it comes to finance - I don’t care if Poppy stands on her desk and sings the latest acquisition news, I have nothing invested, I’m not tuning in.

Here’s my point. There is a lot of talk these days about church being boring, especially to men. We need to find ways – we are told - to be more relevant, more engaging. Eerie warnings abound that the masses are beginning to find the “courage” to “leave church”, to exchange commitment to a local body of believers for chats about God over coffee or on the golf course. There’s a coming revolution don’t you know?

I think our quest for relevance is the problem – not the solution.

We have neutered the church by cutting out everything that might be found offensive.

There are no sinners anymore, only the horrible spectre of global injustice. There is no coming wrath, no judgement, no accounting for individual iniquity, only a call to “look for what God is doing” so we can join Him in His dream for humanity. It’s all so beautiful... one could even say Christianity is the search for beauty... but...here’s the thing though...

We don’t need a crucified savior for that – in fact what was Jesus doing up there on that cross anyway – didn’t he realize that the cure for the human condition is to switch to fair trade coffee and to drive hybrids? (yawn)

So then ... Let there be lights, motion backs, dance, drama and the arts. Bring on the professional singers, comedians, and occasional athlete testimonies, don’t forget the video announcements, secular music, and clowns in a Volkswagen - but, at the end of the day; if we are just another concerned citizens group trying to hold the attention of the crowd we are already irrelevant.

The only thing we have to offer is the message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Christ died in my place on that hill – and that never gets old - or boring!


I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! (Gal. 2:21)

This Sunday at DCC

"Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” (Acts 5:42)



They never stopped proclaiming… that Jesus is the Christ.


This Sunday morning I plan to continue on with the “Incomparable Christ” series by finishing up our look at the divinity of Christ and then launching into an examination of Jesus’ humanity.


Does it really matter if Jesus was fully human, and if so why, in fact if Jesus is both man and God as the Bible declares - doesn’t that make Him some sort of 50/50 hybrid and not really fully a man or fully God?


“We must have a human Christ, and we must have one of real flesh and blood too; not of shadows or filmy fancies. We must have one to whom we can talk, one with whom we can walk, one who is so intimately connected with us in ties of blood, that he is as with us one, the head of the family, first-born among many brethren.” - C.H. Spurgeon, March 25, 1861


Hope to see you Sunday!

A Favorite!

To Be Found In Christ

I woke up this morning with this scripture on my mind, (I should say that this waking up with Bible verses in my head is not a regular occurence):

...that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. Phil. 3:9

To gain Christ, to be found "in Him", is to be trusting in a righteousness that is not of human origin, not the result of my diligent attempts at a pious life, not anything that I can point to as validation for my ministry - or as a boost to my fragile ego.

To be found "in Him" is to rely on Him.

To rely on Him, is to cease from relying on myself. I don't know about you, but I do not want to stand before Holy God hoping that I have lived well enough to earn His favour.

What have I done that is worthy of being rewarded eternal life? What about you? Do you suppose God grades on a curve?

What We Must Preach

Many Faiths?

There are many religions in the world today and a growing number of people seem to think that although we are referring to Him/Her by many different names and observing many different rituals, we are in fact all talking to one and the same benevolent God who joyfully loves and receives everyone regardless of their various paths of ascent.

This "many faiths - one god" idea is really somewhat of a misnomer because Christianity stands alone in the faith category. Every other religion under heaven subscribes to a code of conduct that adherents must obey in order to attain the end goal of their religion; only Christians attain salvation not by obedient observance but by FAITH in Jesus.

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:28-29)

If the whole world is under the impression that Christianity is the same type of works based religion as all the others I wonder what it is that Christians should do about it? Ideas?

Incomparable Christ

"Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” (Acts 5:42)

They never stopped proclaiming… that Jesus is the Christ.

This Sunday at DCC I begin a new series entitled “Incomparable Christ”; in which we will examine the biblical claims concerning Jesus’ divinity, his humanity, and his role as sole mediator between God and man.

The first sermon will be on the divinity of Christ, a topic of crucial importance to those of us who look to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

If we take away the divinity of Christ from the gospel, we are left with no reasonable hope of salvation whatsoever. Remove the Word who was in the beginning with God, and who was God, and we are left with a leader who is nothing more than a pseudo enlightened example to follow - and one who was confused about his own make up and origins at that.
Without a divine Saviour, our gospel is a rope of sand; a drifting soap bubble; something less substantial than a dream. If Christ were not God, he was the worst kind of impostor. He was either God incarnate or else he was an arch-deceiver of men, because he fooled many of them into believing that he was God, and in that claim He managed to bring the consequences of what they called blasphemy upon Himself.

Do you have any questions, comments or relevant ideas that you think should be addressed in this series? If so I would truly appreciate your input! Clicking on the "comment" link below to respond.

Thanksgiving

"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:15-16)

The cool crisp early morning air, the leaves crunching underfoot on a walk through the park, the smell of roasting turkey and pumpkin pie filling the house, the sounds of family and friends loving and laughing while a football game drones softly in the background; these are a few of the things that make Thanksgiving the annual favorite holiday that it is for me. I cannot help but feel overwhelmed at the goodness of God as I reflect on His many blessings to me and mine - and yet, all of these temporal blessings pale in comparison; they cease to matter at all in fact when held up next to the ultimate gift that God has bestowed on each of us in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins on Calvary’s dark hill.

I want to remind you today to take time this weekend to, like the Samaritan in the passage above, throw yourself at Jesus’ feet and thank Him! If family festivities or travel plans will be preventing you from gathering with our Church family on Sunday morning, then please - wherever you may find yourself - remember to give thanks for what God has given you in Christ!

For those of you who will be joining me at DCC, please come prepared to share communion, to worship in spirit and truth from hearts of sincere gratitude; and to be fed the word of God. I am really excited to share a Thanksgiving message from Luke 17 entitled - “One Out of Ten”.

I hope to see you at 596 St. Mary's tomorrow!

The New Martha's

The cry is ringing out all over Christendom. It is time for Christians to get busy. No more sitting around listening to the teachings of the apostles (Acts 2:42), no more growing spiritually fat on sermon after sermon (1 Cor. 1:21), no more exclusionary salvation by faith in Christ alone (Acts 4:12); it’s time for Christians (or perhaps I should more accurately say “Christ followers”) to stop going to church and to start being the church!

The new Martha’s are aggressive in their pursuit of works righteousness, not content to quietly do their good deeds in secret, they insist upon having their rewards now; on letting not only the right hand know what the left is doing, but in declaring that every hand must see and participate or risk being relegated to the scrap heap of irrelevance.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against doing good deeds; as the fruit of the Holy Spirit is produced in our lives through relationship with Christ that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control is going to find expression in all sorts of wonderful ways. Husbands are going to be more loving of their wives, employees are going to be more conscientious as they do their jobs “unto the Lord” rather than from selfish ambition, widows are going to be treated with love and kindness, the sick are going to be visited and yes Martha, dinners will be served to the hungry and homeless. (Read: Jesus and His entourage)

The trouble with the new Martha’s is the same one that existed in Jesus’ day at the home of the original Martha. Not content to joyfully serve the Lord in the capacity they have chosen, like their hard working ancestor they feel compelled to criticize - even to call into question the very salvation - of the Mary’s who know and love the Lord and treasure every moment of rest, sitting and learning at His feet.

Now as then the Martha’s complain to the Lord, - now as then the answer remains the same,

"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42)

It's All Him!

In the first chapter of Acts Jesus tells His still bewildered followers that they are not to rush right out to work on His behalf; rather they are to gather and wait in Jerusalem until they have received the promised Holy Spirit. It seems they are to be baptized in a manner that has not been experienced until now in the history of humanity and that that this new baptism of fire would in some way result in their empowerment to “be” His witnesses in the whole world. Does this seem a little strange?

The job has been completed, the cross has been endured, redemption has been secured, the redeemer has risen from the dead, and all that is left is for the story to be told; yet even this is not left up to human effort. “Wait until you are empowered”.

The New Testament teaches that through faith in Christ we are reborn and that in this reborn state we actually become the temple of the Holy Spirit. God Himself comes and takes up residence in us. Think about that. Is there anything that you could possibly have done to make yourself worthy of this honour?

While we were still lost in the deep darkness of our sin, Jesus came to seek us out and to save us from the coming wrath of God. Without any acknowledgement or assistance from us He died on the cross and took upon Himself the penalty for our misdeeds and in so doing bought us back or redeemed us from our sorry condition of utter slavery. All that is required of us is faith, is to believe in the sent One, and even the faith for that is given to us by Him.

Why are we so intent on turning Christianity into a religion that requires human effort for validation?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. – Galatians 5:22-25

The Spirit of God lives in us and as we “keep in step” with Him or as we walk with Him the evidence of His presence within naturally becomes apparent; just like the apples on an apple tree, and this empowers us to spread the good news.

Apple trees do not work hard to produce apples; as long as the connection to the source is secure they just naturally appear. The same is true for Christians and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Ignore the purveyors of works based righteousness and simple enjoy walking with God. This is not an ego-centric religion; Christianity is not about what we do Christianity from beginning to end is about what Jesus does, that’s why He’s known as the Alpha and the Omega.

Really Inconvenient Truth

"You shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3

When I was kid I took religion class once a week all through grade school. The Catholic kids; because there were so many more of them, had their class in the gymnasium, which for some reason seemed like way more fun to me. My Protestant classmates and I were relegated to one of the larger classrooms which made the long hour seem like the last thing I wanted – more schooling.

I can remember sitting at my desk fidgeting, bored beyond comprehension, searching for anything that might help the time pass. My standard issue “Good News Bible” was good for a few minutes of diversion with its stick men drawings of fishermen and farmers but honestly most of the lessons were wasted on me if recollection is any indicator. I can remember the day the Gideon’s visited and presented me with a little red New Testament and Psalms (I still have it and the sinner’s prayer is signed in my wobbly grade five signature). For some unknown reason I can remember the day the lesson was on the Good Samaritan, and I can remember being taught the Ten Commandments which to my shame (and most likely somewhere out there; Padre Blacks stern disapproval) I still have not committed to memory.

That first commandment always struck me as being a little odd, unnecessary even. Why would anyone want a god other than the true God? In my mind I pictured some poor misguided individual bowing down before a lifeless carved image while all along the creator of heaven and earth could be plainly seen by anyone with the least good sense.

In Mark 10; when an anxious young seeker approaches Him with an urgent question, Jesus brings this first commandment a little closer to our modern reality.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.'"
"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." – Mark 10:17-20

This young man, it seems, has been doing a pretty good job of keeping the law; but is he “in”? Will he inherit eternal life? He’s been good since he was a boy, but is it enough? Why does he feel that something is lacking?

That’s when Jesus does something that no respectable church growth trained modern church leader would ever consider doing. He lays down the law... and offends a seeker!

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

Jesus looked at him... and loved him. Isn’t that just what we would expect? Gentle Jesus meek and mild, looking lovingly at this eager lad? What comes next though is the opposite of what we would do or what we would expect Jesus to do.

He lays down the law.

He confronts this young man with a truth that crushes him. He hears what Jesus says and his face falls, he turns and walks away sad. Why? Why would Jesus do such a thing? This is not the formula for growing a successful ministry. This is not in keeping with addressing the felt needs in the community. This is harsh, this turns people off, and this certainly seems anything but loving. So, what is going on here?

Jesus is using the law to do what the law is meant to do.

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. – Romans 3:19-20

We are supposed to be so crushed by the demands of the law, made so conscious of our sin, that we realize our need of Christ.

This rich young man is feeling good about his performance on commandments 5 though 10, so much so that he is completely overlooking his complete violation of commandment numbers 1 and 2. This young man has a small “g” god that is more important to him than the one true GOD. He loves his money and he cannot part with it... not even when presented with the opportunity to follow the Messiah in His earthly ministry.

This whole exchange blows the disciples away.

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." - Mark 10:24-27

If this is the standard Peter says, who can be saved?
With man it is impossible. If salvation is based on human performance... it is impossible, nobody will be saved; but with God, with the sacrificial lamb, with the righteousness that is a free gift imparted by faith to all who believe... with God all things are possible... even the salvation of the likes of you and I.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. - John 3:18

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. - John 6:40

Today I Need A Savior.

Today I need a savior.

I hear a lot of anger directed toward God and those who claim to proclaim His gospel these days.
“How can you serve a God, how can you even dare to believe in a God, who would condemn good people to eternal damnation?” they cry.

Hmmm, so many things wrong with that line of thought, where does one begin?

Could it be that, in our fallen state, we have so lowered the criteria as to what or who is “good”, that it now somehow actually includes some people? Do you know any “good” people?

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. – Mark 10:18

Have you somehow managed to overlook the glaring reality, have you somehow managed to convince yourself that you are a “good” person? Have you seriously earned the right to heaven? Are you meeting God’s perfect standard?

Blind Pharisee.

I started today with prayer and Bible study. I asked the Lord to help me to listen to His leading, to help me to walk in the Spirit, denying the flesh. I set out determined to love God with my whole being and my neighbour as myself; but... I cannot do it. No matter how hard I try, I fail. I do things I know I am not to do, but worse than that, I leave undone so many things I know I am meant to do. I say wrong words, I think wrong thoughts, I make harsh and wrong judgements, and I almost without fail prefer myself above my fellow man. I am not a good person.

Today I need a savior.

Not just to get me “in”.
Not just for some one time salvation experience, some momentary “rebirth”.
I need a savior today and every day, at every moment; because I cannot even come anywhere close to meeting the perfection required by the law.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. – James 2:10-11

Today I need a savior

... And thankfully, graciously, before I even realized that this need existed...

One has been provided.

Now, my detractors may fume and spit, they may correctly point to the sins I have committed, they may more justifiably rail against my sins of omission. Let them.

Today I have a savior.

Today I know freedom.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. – Romans 8:1-3

Care to join me?
Not sure how? How does one get a savior? What must I DO to be saved?

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." - Acts 16:30-31

“It can’t be that easy” you say? Trust me it is!

Forgiving the Unrepentant

I was listening to local radio talk show host Charles Adler yesterday afternoon and the hot topic was forgiveness. The discussion arose as a result of the recent tragic event within the Amish community and the widely publicized decision they have made to forgive the now dead murderer of their children. The discussion was excellent and two guests shared some incredible insights into the freedom that is gained by the forgiver in making the choice not to remain bitter and angry. Eventually a caller came on the line and said that he thought it was all complete drivel, that forgiveness was not possible unless there was repentance and restitution offered by the offender. This is an idea I have heard expressed many times over the years I have been in ministry and it illuminates a basic misunderstanding of how we are to direct our lives.

First of all I want to address the idea that Jesus does not expect us to forgive others unless they repent of their wrongdoing. Mathew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:21-35, Mark 11:25, and many more clearly state that we are to forgive others and there is no mention whatsoever of them having to seek that forgiveness first. Look at these words of Jesus in Matthew 5:43-45:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

Notice that we are not to withhold our love until our enemies are sorry and become friends.

In Matthew 7:2 we are essentially told that the way we dish it out is the way it will come back to us from the Father. How do you want to be forgiven? Only for the offenses you are aware of and repentant for, or do you want complete and total release from all guilt - even of offenses you are unaware you have committed or that you did not think were wrong at the time.

That brings about the big question - How exactly does one do that? How do we forgive someone who is not sorry or who acknowledges no wrongdoing? How does a father forgive his sons murderer? How does the abuse victim forgive the abuser?

A couple of things need to be understood.

1. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean restoration of relationship.

2. Forgiveness is an act of the will, not the emotions.

If you are under the impression that in order to forgive someone there will have to be full reconciliation of relationship then you are not going to be able to do it, nor should you. For an abuse victim to send the message that what was done was okay is unconscionable. To forgive in this instance is to say, I forgive, I refuse to give that person any further power in my life. I release all anger and bitterness toward them and I pray that God brings them to a place of repentance and that they get help for the problem that lead them to do what they did. End of story, end of association. If the offense was criminal then any effort that can be made should be made to prevent the offender from victimizing anyone else.

Most people understand the idea of letting your will set the direction for your life rather than your emotions. We all do it in some areas of life. For some reason, however, in forgiveness and often in relationships we think we should follow the direction of our emotions rather than the will. Allow me to illustrate.

We wake up on Monday morning and we don't feel like going to work. Our emotions are telling us to roll over and go back to sleep, we override those emotions with our will, which has determined that we want to keep on living in the house we are buying, and driving the car etc. The will sets the direction for life. We start a diet or exercise program. Our will is to be thin and healthy and to live a long and active life. Our emotions fight this every step of the way. We feel like eating junk food and sitting around watching TV, even though we know that the end result of that behavior is poor health and likely premature death. To the degree that we allow our emotions to set the direction in our lives we suffer unnecessarily.

So to forgive by the will, a decision must be made! Write it down if it helps.

"As of October 6, 2006, I forgive (fill in the blank)."

Now when you wake up tomorrow you will still feel the same feelings of anger and resentment you always have. Instead of dwelling on those emotions declare to yourself (out loud if no one is around), "No, I refuse to think and feel that way, I forgave that on Oct. 6" Repeat this exercise as often as it takes. Eventually your emotions will catch up to the direction that you set with your will - and you will be free!