Theology of Suffering, Disability, and the Church

While doing some online research, I came across this incredible resource.  Dallas Theological Seminary has provided a free course online, through i-Tunes.  Joni E. Tada help design, and teach the course.  It is a great resource and well worth checking out. 

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=386159228

Gifts and Expectations:

Recently I had the privilege of giving a talk entitled, “You and your gifting: Three Essential Questions.” One question I explored was, “What are God’s expectations of us regarding the use of our gifting and talents?” This question for me is kind of self serving because one thing I have learned about myself over the years, is I perform best when the expectations of me are clear. When the expectations are vague, I don’t do as well. Maybe you can relate.

While doing research for the talk I learned that Scripture has a lot to say about gifting and God’s expectations of us. So much so that it was impossible to cover all the material in one talk. However I went to several verses about gifting and extracted out everything that looked to me like something that God would expect of us regarding our gifts and talents. I then made a list and wrote it in the form of a letter from God to us, the body of Christ.

The expectations are a composite of many verses that use different analogies to describe our gifting. Sometimes in scripture, the human body is used to explain the role and function of our gifts and talents such as what we read in 1 Cor 12:12-31. At other times gifts are described as a kind of currency that we are commanded to invest in obedience to God and in service to one another, such as what we read in Mark 25:15-31. Beside each expectation, I have put the corresponding scripture verse that you can look up at your leisure if you wish.

The letter reads like this:

Dear Christ Follower, here are my expectations of you regarding your gifting:


1) Believe that I have given you at least one gift if not more to be used mightily in the Kingdom of God. Christ followers who don’t believe they have gifts, or ignore them are in danger of being assessed as lazy, fearful and self absorbed upon my return. You however, have been called to a higher standard. If you prefer, don’t think of yourself as being gifted, just think of yourself as a, “manager” or “steward” of the resources I’ve given you. All you have is mine anyway and it is to be used for the common good. (Mat 25:15) & (1 Cor 12)

2) I expect you to discover, develop and employ the gifts I give you. Developing your gifting is as much a command in scripture as trusting in me for your salvation and the Great Commission. As a matter of fact you can’t do the great commission without developing your gifts. (1 Peter 4:10) (1 Cor 12: 4-11)

3) I expect you to use your gifting within a particular context, my body, the church. This means you can’t live for yourself anymore. You are part of a much larger diversely gifted whole. (1 Cor 12:12-13)

The good news is you are more significant when the Holy Spirit arranges you in the body and we function together. No one is left out. Not even you. The bad news is, the significance of your contribution is based on what you’re a part of, Lone Ranger Christianity? There’s no such thing. You’re important but no more or less important than anyone else. Parts separated from the body become monsters. (1 Cor 12:19-24) (Rom 12:6)

4) I expect you to treat fellow Christ followers with respect. There are three things you should know about this. A) People with more gifts aren’t better than others, they just have more responsibility. Don’t envy them. 4B) Some people have gifts that are seen by everyone and thus highly valued by man. Some people have gifts that are seen by no one and are less valued in the eyes of men. But I value them all equally, from the custodian to the preacher to the prayer warrior and beyond. (1 Cor 12:19-24) Why? Because no matter how many gifts a person has or how few. No matter how flashy those gifts appear or how common, they all come from one source, the Holy Spirit. No one can take credit for that. (1 Cor 12:4-11) (Mat 25:15)

4C) Don’t ever think that there are members of the body you don’t need. While you may be able to function being toothless, hairless, eyeless and earless, even limbless, it isn’t without making compensations and being at a major disadvantage. And no one wants to speculate on what it would mean to be without a heart, lungs or brain. You need one another. (1 Cor 12: 19-24) (Rom 12:6)

5) I expect you to multiply the gifting I have entrusted to you. I want a return on my investment in you. Those with the least, to those with the most amount of gifting will be entrusted with more kingdom work to do. They will be given great honour and reward when I come to settle accounts. The only way to fail is to fail to try. (Mat 25:15-29)

6) While I expect you to use the gifts you have, I don’t expect you to use gifts, you don’t have. That stands true regardless of how many date squares are needed for the bake sale, whether the church roof needs shingles, or whether every car in the parking lot needs repair. If it ain’t your gift- don’t do it. (1 Cor 12:14-18)

7) I expect you to show up, be on time and do your best, when you are called upon to use your gifting. Quite simply, the whole body is mutually dependant on each other. When you are there and actively participating everybody receives honour. When you are not there and are not participating, everybody looses- including you. Every expression of gifting shows who I am. When gifting is not expressed, people miss out on who I am. (1 Cor 12: 14-24)

8) If you see another brother or sister not using the gifts I’ve entrusted them with, I expect you to bug them about it, but do it in love. If you don’t want to bug them, call it, “encouragement,” or “spurring each other on to good works.” (Heb: 10:24-25)

9) I expect you to remember that as a valuable part of my resurrected body, I am working through you and your gifts to bring healing, offer hope, break chains, teach truth, minister compassion, demonstrate the power of gospel, worship and show grace and forgiveness. In short, the motivation behind all your gifts is my love. I have no plan B. Our goal is the reconciliation of the human race to my heart. (1 Cor 12: 4-11)

Will you join me?

We may see those expectations and think, “Wow, God really expects a lot of me.” And I think he does, I think God does expect a lot of us around gift and talent development. The gifts and talents God has placed in us, must be realized, developed and expressed in order to advance the purposes of the Kingdom of God within our sphere of influence. That’s where hard work is often required because knowing yourself and gift development doesn’t always come easy. It is however, well worth the effort in light of the fact that the work we do in partnership with the Lord and with each other has eternal value.

Terry

More Assumptions

I've been thinking more about this problem of our rapid propensity for jumping to assumptions. How do we do this 'taking every thought captive' (2 Cor 10:5) thing? 'T'aint easy, that's for sure. It has to begin with embedding Phil 4:8 into our thinking

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

I know, it's much easier quoted than done. But, it's our only hope. We have a choice. We can let our thoughts control us, or we can learn to control our thoughts. We have much more control over this process than we think or believe. One of the reasons I think is - we just don't like the effort and discipline that is involved. It's a wrestling match - just shear out hard work. It means we've got to take responsibility for what's flashing and floating about in our head. Imagine if a light could be shone through your ears and project your thoughts up on the wall. Yikes! None of us relish that idea. However, God is exposed to all our thoughts - scripture suggests that He sees and judges our motives based on our thoughts. James tells us that not all our thoughts are 'sin', but there is a point that it crosses a line from being a random 'pop-up', and begins to take root that lays the foundation for sin potential. In my Bible, I've written in the margin this old saying. I don't know who wrote it, or where it come from - although some have laid claim to it -- it goes like this;

Sow a thought, reap act
Sow a act, reap a habit
Sow a habit, Reap a Character
Sow a character, reap a destiny

That can go both ways. We can sow good thoughts and reap good acts leading to great habits that build our character and destiny. We can also let those little thoughts go unchecked, that are 'pleasing' for the moment - hidden and private - thoughts of anger, malice, revenge, bitterness, distrust - you create the list.

We create more of our own destiny's than we think - and it often finds it root in our thought life.

David the psalmist I think had this in mind when he wrote Create in me a clean heart, O God,And renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psa 51:10). God cleans, but it is our responsibility to get in tub - and use the soap - and stay out of the dirt.

Anyway, its just what I was thinking.

The power of assumption:

A couple of years ago some friends of my wife and I offered us their trailer for a week. My wife and I pack our motorcycle, and pulled into a largely retired community of fellow campers. My bike is rather loud, and being dressed in leather, we drew a fair amount of attention as we pulled in that afternoon. We noticed a number of curtains drawing back as the quick view from neighboring trailers as we unloaded the bike. My good friend is an OPP officer. We had arranged that he would come and pick me up and I’d do a ride along with him for his night shift – on our last night at the camp ground. My friend, being one of my friends, decided that he’d come in with his lights flashing, as he pulled into the laneway, gave a quick yip of the siren. He got out of the cruiser, come to the door, knocked, I came out, walked to the cruiser, he opened the door, and I got in, and away we went on a shift. I didn’t return till early that morning, which then my wife and I load the bike and I coasted down the hill some distance way before starting the bike as to not disturb the fellow campers as much as possible.

We had a wonderful time at the camp, and where refreshed and encouraged. However, that is not the end. A few days later, I received a call from our friends that had loaned us their trailer. He asked “Um – what happened? – you guys okay?” “Yes, I replied, great why?”, “well, the story around the camp ground is that you beat up your woman and the cops were called and you were taken away in a cruiser”.

The power of assumption. So much confusion and damage is done by the assumption of motives and intentions to others. People can be hurt and damaged and reputations ruined because of unguarded and unchallenged assumption.

So many Proverbs speak to the power of both wise and fool words

The words of the godly lead to life; evil people cover up their harmful intentions

Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites trouble

Don’t talk to much, for it fosters sin, be sensible and turn off the flow

Wise people think before they speak, fools don’t and even brag out it

The talk of a fool is a rod on his back, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble

Gentle words bring life and health, a deceitful tongue brings trouble

The godly think before speaking, the wicked spout evil words.

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered. Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (17:28)

We need to take great responsibility for our words, and the assumptions that we make. I cannot control your words and assumptions, but I can mine, and need to. I can encourage others to think wisely and carefully - but I need to make that a daily practice for myself.

Too often our assumptions are just that – we’ve played the role of judge and jury and declared the verdict – convinced that our conclusion is right. But essentially what we do is we close off our minds, and whatever we hear we pre-judge.

Assumption plays a much more powerful role in our life than we think. We constantly engage in it. In fact, it takes a conscious decision and effort to break out it.

We look at people and make assumptions – by how they look, what they’re wearing, how they sound, what position they hold, what their education is, what there experience might be – whether they’re male or female – young, or old, charismatic or Baptist or…a whole host of other issues.

I found myself doing it last Sunday. I was booked to speak at a church – I had no prior information out the situation. I pulled up in front of this little country church and took one look at the people in their suits, white shirt, ties, dress and haircuts and made an assumption. I thought, O boy, I driven all this way for this little, old thinking bunch. I couldn’t have been more wrong. They were open, friendly and eager to know how they could minister better to those whom we serve. They were appreciative and receptive – and giving. I drove way thinking – Cudney, you bucket headed nincompoop your jumping to assumptions. It isn’t the just the few big churches that are going to make a difference for the people we serve, it’s the hundreds and hundreds of little faithful congregations that are just trying to do their best in serving Christ.

We do it on staff teams. We make up our minds about those we work with, those who lead us, the ministry we work for – the people we serve. We do the judge and jury thing and nothing nobody says is going to change our mind.

It can’t happen from the outside, it’s gotta happen within – We’ve got to decide that we will not be controlled by assumption. It’s not easy, for the easiest path is just to let our thoughts have their way. St. Paul urges us “take every thought captive”. There’s an energy-consuming proposition. Often my thoughts are like wild horses that are willful and undisciplined. They lead and rule me, rather than me them. You, know however, that when we do that it leads us to disaster every time.

I’ve tried to be much more careful in my later years with the assumptions I make. I’ve even taken a bolder stand in challenging some of these assumptions of my own motives, purposes and intents. Also, I’m also trying to do better with those that ‘share’ their assumptions with me. One of the quickest ways I’ve discovered to manage this, is informing the person that is doing the informing and assuming that, “you know, I think _______ needs to know this so they can correct it, or be aware of it – lets go talk to________”. People need to own the comments and assumptions they make, and as long as we continue to not hold ourselves, or other accountable potentially destructive assumptions will continue. Anyway, that’s what I think.

James 4:11-17 Of Mice and Men

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%204:11-17&version=65

James is continuing his theme of "What causes fights and quarrels among you" that we reflected on last week. He is responding directly to problems and issues that have been reported back to him and is confronting them head on. So often, we dance around issues and problems. We don’t make the changes of attitude and behaviour that God calls us to. They become the ‘little mice that ruin the harvest’.

I’ve shared with you that I grew up on the farm. Here is one of those things I learned from personal experience. When I was young, Dad would blow loose grain into the granary bins. Wherever you have food supply on the farm, you got mice. The danger was not in the amount of grain the mice would eat – for that was actually pretty minimal – the damage was in the ‘by- products’ that they would leave behind while they were eating and that would get mixed in with the grain. This is what causes the grain to potentially spoil, or bring possible disease.
Slander is like the by-product of mice that can ruin, or significantly reduce the quality of the harvest. When we slander someone, we need to consider ‘what we’re leaving behind’. A distasteful image, but the results of slanderous talk is also pretty distasteful.

Mark Twain said: It takes your enemy and your friend, working together, to hurt you: the one to slander you, and the other to get the news to you.

Judging one another is most dangerous, because it often hides under the covers of ‘truth’
It gets used to strengthen our own position at the cost of diminishing another. It seeks to make the one doing the ‘ slandering’ as virtuous or righteous.

Spin doctoring is department and art all of its own. It’s a term used to describe the ability to put a slant or spin on a story in order for it to appear in its most favourable light.

Judging’s purpose is always to self-elevate.

James is pretty direct 'Whenever you judge another and verbalize it you are slandering’. His remedy "Stop it, don’t do it". We have a great responsibility, both individually, and as a body together.

Individually, we must recognized and take responsibility for our attitudes and our behaviours. These are the mice that we let run all over the harvest, threatening to spoil it.

Corporately, as a body, we must have boldness and courage to confront it in each other. Not to ‘judge’ or to ‘criticize’ or be ‘self-righteous’ – but in gentleness, grace and humility because we love the Truth and we must all guard the harvest. If we truly engage in this with one another, we are not weakened, and tear each other down, but we strengthen and move closer to His image and His purpose.

James seems to make a jump from judging one another to Boasting about Tomorrow, but really they are tightly connected.

James 4:13-17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%204:13-17;&version=65;

He’s talking about people that are too quick with their words, and their motives are to make themselves look better in the eyes of others. They let things "Slip out" for the purpose of impression. – Name dropping, self prompting statements "I’ve done, or earned, or have, I can…."

That’s tricky stuff. You think it is difficult hearing this sometimes, you should trying preparing this and feeling the challenges and implications ‘slap you upside the head’. Scripture has this bad habit of hitting close to home.

I need to slow down, and think through more carefully what I say – before I say it. One of my Dad’s saying was "Your mouth is in motion before your brain is in gear".

I believe James had a Proverbs 27:1 –2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2027:%201-2;&version=65;

James ends this reflection this morning with the interesting line:

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

For us this morning I believe it challenges us; when we’re in a conversation that does not build up others but tears down, it isn’t enough just not to participate, we must speak up.
When we know that we have internal mice that we let run rampant within us, that affects our attitude and behaviour. We must not excuse or justify, but do the hard work, by the power of the Spirit that resides within, and don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good, pleasing, and perfect.

(Romans 12:2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2012:2;&version=65;)

Neil

James 4:1-10 Loco 'motives' and other things that drive us

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%204:1-10;&version=51;


This is one tough passage of Scripture. I’ve been back at school taking courses and one of them is early church history. We are reading the documents from that time. I know that it’s hard to believe but James is writing to an early church that was quarreling and fighting with each other. They were fighting about: Who deserved the most honour? Who carried the authority? Whose place was where? Who had the right perspective and ‘insight’ as to what should be done? and who should do it? They were fighting about who was really committed to the church, and who was there for their own agenda? They were struggling over who should be ‘kicked out’ and who were the one’s that should be forgiven? Some people were offended because they weren’t part of the inside circle and felt they should, others were defensive because they just felt like they were being ‘attacked’ all the time and they were trying to preserve the faith. Some were causing dissension from the outside by sabotaging the work of the leaders, and some leaders were wielding their authority unfairly.

Are you not glad that we’ve grown and matured beyond all this trouble as followers of Christ, that we don’t deal with such ‘petty’ issues anymore? However, we have to remember, we’ve had two thousand years to figure it out. It’s the old adage isn’t it “the more things change, the more they remain the same”.

For a 2000-year-old letter, James is amazing insightful in the human character.

James 4:1-2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%204:1-2;&version=51;

Most of the struggles that I find myself whether personally or professionally, come from the ‘the desires that battle with me, and I don’t get something I wanted. My feelings get hurt, or my way doesn’t happen, or I’m not as valued or consider the way I think that I should be. Isn’t it amazing how strong we believe that our opinion, our view, our perspective, is the right one? Most of us do it much more frequently than we willing to admit. We draw opinions, make conclusions and set judgments on those around us, and the stronger the opinion or perception, the deeper the fight or quarrel but when it comes down to the core its, it’s the desires that battle within us, and we want something, we don’t get.

James goes on to say that when we don’t get want we want we covet and kill. Remember Jesus spin on “kill”. “I tell you whenever you hate a person in your heart you have committed murder”

“I don’t hate anyone” you might say.

Who have you put someone ‘on the hook’ that you won’t let off?
Who has ‘offended’ you and you will not forgive or trust again?
Who have you set an opinion about that you will not change?
Who have you spoken unkindly about to others?
Whom do you avoid and will not talk to?
Who do you talk about with others that tears down and does not build up?
Who do you make fun of at the expense of the other person?

Whenever we engage in any of these things, we are assassins – we may not kill the body, but we murder the character and wound the soul. These wounds are deep, and can ‘kill’ a persons dignity, respect, self-worth , character and reputation.

Our Motives:

“We do not have because we do not ask with right motives”

Our motives are tricky fellows. Wise is the person who understands and wrestles with their motives. Why we do, or don’t do, things. What is the gain or the positioning that occurs – who are we seeking to ‘please’ for our benefit.

“We should often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world understood our motives.”
Francois de La Rochefoucauld (French author and moralist) (1613 - 1680)

Scripture warns us numerous times of how deceptive our hearts can be.

All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. (Prov 16:2)

1 Corinthians 4:5 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%204:5;&version=51;

If motives are so deceitful and can deceive even our own mind what are we to do?

Admit, and assume our personal motives are suspect and examine them.
We begin with the prayer “Search me, try me, see if there be any wicked way in me”

(re-read James 4:7-10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%204:7-10;&version=51; )

We need to bring our motives under obedience:

Phil 4:8 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phillipians%204:8;&version=51;


And most importantly, ‘Submit yourselves to God’. The promise is as we submit ourselves to God, and resist evil, the enemy will flee. We are called, commanded, urged to resist and flee from evil; these are our fights, quarrels and wrong motives.

We can only do this if we place our trust in God. He has called us to be ‘right’ in Him in our relationships with one another. The stakes are high. They are as high as when James pleads with the Christians of the early church to stop fighting and quarreling and battling. Because the stakes eternally high. When we permit this to be among us, we are distracted and weakened personally and as a body. We lose our focus and the passion of vision that we have been called to. God has called us to achieve something great, and we are part of something significant together.

We’ve likely heard it said that the Christian Church is the only army that shoots it own wounded. I’m not sure this is completely true – we’ve all heard the term “friendly fire” –an oxymoron if I ever heard one -- but it is true that too often, we shoot at each other – and we wound each other. Perhaps unintentionally – a careless word, and cutting jab, a joke – or laughing at the expense of another – solidifying our opinion of a person or their character, judging and assuming motives – these are all bullets that are fired – and sink into the flesh of their intended targets.

If we could see with the eyes of Christ about this room this morning, how many ‘bullet wounds’ are there, how many have bleeding wounds from being ‘shot in the back’ – how many of us have a smoking loaded gun in our hands.

Painfully, I have to admit, perhaps without my awareness I have ‘pulled the trigger’ and wounded another – because I have spoke too quick, or unthinkingly, or callously or judgmentally. As I hold my gun, I must hear the words of Jesus “Hands up! Surrender” – Not words of law enforcement – but words of gentleness and compassion, calling me to lift my hands in worship before the throne of God and utter the words of Issac Newton

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

Neil

Psssst, have you heard?

SHUN the gossip of men as much as possible, for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity.
Many a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not associated with men. Why, indeed, do we converse and gossip among ourselves when we so seldom part without a troubled conscience? We do so because we seek comfort from one another's conversation and wish to ease the mind wearied by diverse thoughts. Hence, we talk and think quite fondly of things we like very much or of things we dislike intensely. But, sad to say, we often talk vainly and to no purpose; for this external pleasure effectively bars inward and divine consolation.
Therefore we must watch and pray lest time pass idly.

When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify.
Bad habits and indifference to spiritual progress do much to remove the guard from the tongue. Devout conversation on spiritual matters, on the contrary, is a great aid to spiritual progress, especially when persons of the same mind and spirit associate together in God.

(Book 1, Chapter 10 Thomas A Kempis, The Imitation of Christ)
www.leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imb1c01-10.html#RTFToC35

James 3: 1-18 When You Open Your Mouth

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203:1-18&version=65

In the 17th century, an English poet, Alexander Pope, wrote “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread”.

In this office of about 40 people on any given day we have individuals that are quick to verbalize a thought, sometimes a half baked thought?!, while others say very little and seldom commit their thoughts to spoken words until there has been much consideration leading to a sense of rightness about what is to be spoken. I know all too well the challenges faced with quick responses.

Another author of the 17th century, Blaise Pascal said “Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men’s souls and a beautiful image it is.”

Both of these writers provide a lot of food for thought. Pascal talks of the positive impact we can have. We can make other people good-natured. Kind words produce a beautiful image on a person’s soul. I’m not sure I fully understand what he meant with that but it seems to infer that we can influence the inner being of others in a positive sense by looking for kind words that build up.

Illustration: The health care professional that looks into the back of the eye to diagnose our health. The person whose blood pressure or sugar levels indicate their success or failure in meeting their personal health challenges. Well, it would seem quite evident that God has given a tool to bring a person’s soul condition to the surface. It is a self examination tool as much as it is something that might signify a need for consideration by others. Like it or not, what we say and how we say it does influence how others evaluate us.

James, in this book that seems to be so practical cautions us, particularly those who find talking to be so natural. He says teachers, those who are ready to tell others what to do, incur a stricter judgement by God. That has always scared the living daylights out of me.

The words we speak, according to Jesus, have very special significance. At one point in His ministry he confronted the religious leaders “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”

In Matt. 15:17 Jesus teaches Peter and His disciples when they ask Him to explain a statement in the Old Testament by Isaiah. Jesus said “Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man”.

Gossip, a verbal cancer, can eat away at trust, goodwill and encouragement. It needs to be stopped in its tracks and removed as a means of communication. The obligation is for the potential listener as much as it is for the person who has fallen into the habit of relating negative hunches, rumours and personal attitudes.

Some of you will know of family members or good friends who have had their reputation destroyed through innuendo and seeds of revenge planted in the minds of others. James says that an unbridled tongue “is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” He points out that a spring cannot pour out sweet water and bitter water from the same source.

So what does this say about me? Jesus said my words give insights about my soul…the kind of person I am as I speak.

The last two verses of this chapter are worthy of being taken as a guide for our relationships. “But the wisdom from God is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Noel

James 2:14-26 Faith in Action

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%202:14-26;&version=65;

Reading from the Message:

This is an incredibly succinct passage. James articulates the fundamental of discipleship in a few verses in such a way that he traces the concept in its consistency throughout scripture, from Genesis to his own generation.

In verse 17 James is saying that faith without works (works represented by actions exhibiting trust) is literally ‘No Faith’! (discuss my Rolex ‘look alike’ watch. Looks like a Rolex, says it is a Rolex but doesn’t act like a Rolex. It is a fraud.) Of course I’m a Christian, I’m …..denomination. I was baptized, confirmed, christened, etc. etc.

Because of the confusion in today’s language I tend to use the word ‘trust’ rather than believe. It seems to me that belief is too closely related to concepts such as believing in Santa Claus, aliens from outer space or that the world is flat. Here in verse 17 James notes that Satan believes and trembles. Belief is not enough in itself. In the past, when interviewing candidates for ministry in C.H. I would ask them to define Christian. Many would speak of believing in God. If they did not go on to indicate how this faith had affected their lives I would ask “Doesn’t Satan believe in God?” He believes all right but he continues to go about his own business and interests in the face of God’s will and leading.

Then James takes us back to Abraham and confirms what Paul says of Abraham’s faith in Romans. As a young Christian I was taught that in the Old Testament people had to keep the law in order to know God’s salvation and that in the New Testament it was no longer the law that was supreme but rather the commitment of a person to accept God’s grace to obtain forgiveness and to be born again, this time into God’s family. The Old Testament had the law. The New Testament had faith.

However, that isn’t the case. Abraham was not counted righteous because he was a good man and did what God asked him to do. He was counted righteous, even then, because he put his faith or trust in God and then lived his life (quite imperfectly from time to time) but he trusted God and trusted himself to doing things God’s way. It wasn’t being good and then being made righteous but rather trusting God and being declared righteous that motivated Abraham to live for God to the best of his ability. Can’t you see someone in the Hebrew community saying I am a Jew a descendent of Abraham. Paul and now James says you are a descendent of this patriarch of faith only if you exhibit the same faith, trust that Abraham did. It isn’t the blood in your veins but you personal commitment to the leadership of Christ in your life.

It wasn’t just Abraham that failed many times. David, Solomon, and virtually every other person outside of Jesus failed to achieve righteousness in their lives. Remember that even Paul had to confess that he was a great sinner and that the good that he most wanted to do he often left undone and the things he knew were not godly he often did. But from beginning to the end men and women in scripture who found favour with God were men and women who trusted God and committed themselves to honour Him as they faced choices and actions in their lives. Like a bumper sticker I once read “Be patient with me, I’m not yet perfect.” But for those who have trusted God, that end is secure and we shall stand in heaven made new, without spot or blemish, glorified in an eternal home.

So works don’t save us from God’s wrath. All our righteousness is like filthy rages! But trust or faith in God saves us from God’s wrath and that trust is exhibited in how we live our lives as His friends. (using the term of endearment for Abraham in this passage.) Re-read passage in conclusion.

Noel

James 2:1-12 The Royal Rule of Love

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%202:1-12&version=65

There is a standard that is set throughout scripture. Again it seems to fly in the face of society’s norms. In Mary ’s Song (Luke 1:51-53) with Jesus constricted to a few cells in the womb of Mary she praised God. She was a peasant girl in a backwater town and she raised her voice and said "He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thought. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty."

It would seem that the proud apparently can not imagine their poverty, their destitution while their gaze focuses on material things. In their eyes they are okay and can successfully handle whatever life throws at them. In Matt. 9:12 Jesus explains why He reaches out to those who acknowledge their personal poverty. Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick….for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." The woman accused of adultery, the leper distanced from the rest of society, the thief being punished at Calvary, the centurion who sought Jesus’ help for his servant…the list is full of variety but the common denominator remains the same. Those that sought, found. Jesus by example and word shows those of us who would follow Him that we too are to avoid secular utilitarian values being placed on individuals. We are to respond, even embrace all those who, aware of their need, seek salvation and fulfillment in Jesus.

Some people are wired up differently than others. Some are gentle, some are abrasive! Some are attractive, some draw stares and avoidance! We are called to roll out the Royal Red Carpet to all who desire to draw close to God. God’s love is experienced through your willingness and my willingness to be identified with people that society has marginalized. Places of honour we initiate, according to the scriptures, often tend to be inappropriate. We elevate and by so doing we also relegate others to lower positions. Jesus tells us in Mark 9:35 "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Paul tells us that we are members of the body of Christ and that honour is due to all parts as they are gifted according to God’s will. (Rom. 12:3-9) (1 Cor. 12:14-26). It appears to me that the communion table is one table. There is no head table here but brother and sister join together in Christ Jesus, Lord and Saviour. (1 Cor. 11:17-29)

I find it interesting and confirming that after Paul speaks of the various parts of the Body of Christ in 1 Cor. 12 the last verse goes on "And now I will show you the most excellent way". This statement leads right into 1 Cor. 13 the love chapter and ends with "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Follow the way of love."

Noel

James 1:21-26 Act on What you Hear

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:21-26&version=51

What and incredibly tall order. To get rid of all filth and evil in your lives. To wrap my head around what is considered ‘filth and evil’ and to see the ‘message’ that God has implanted into our souls, my mind went to two other (many others) scripture passages.

Galatians 5:16-23 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galatians%205:16-23;&version=51;


Philippians 4:8 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%204:8;&version=51;

James 1:22-24 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:22-24;&version=51;

That’s the crux of the problem isn’t it? I hear the message, I’ve listened to the message over and over again – how often do I ‘fool’ myself? Because I know the message, hey, I’ve even preached the message, -- I wonder – “how is it that I fool myself.” We know that our heart can be deceitful- it constantly seeks to justify itself, our ‘flesh’ resists the life of the Spirit God calls us to. There are moments, either in a message, in a private devotions time, or my prayers that for that brief second I catch a glimpse of myself ‘in the mirror’. If we are truthful we all have these times. Our ‘spirit’ is pricked – we know that there is movement required on our part, but as soon as we look away the desire fades. But there is a corner of discontent that remains, because we know that we are out of sync with where we ought to be. As Christians we have a problem. We can easily create a dualism within our lives that prevents us from finding contentment and peace of mind. The dualism is created when we know we are not what we should be, but continue to retain within us elements of the ‘filth and evil’: attitudes, behaviours, habits etc. We need to bring our spirit, which is willing, and our flesh that is weak to the throne of grace and truth. Our mind and heart (our intellect and will), and our body (our passions, emotions, and impulses) need to be united by Spiritual renewal and formation. When we don’t we create great conflict within ourselves that cause the split. Last week we saw James refers to this as being ‘double minded and unstable’. We will never truly find contentment of heart, mind and spirit until we do.

As far as God’s Word is concerned, there is only one way to bring our divided selves back into one.

James 1: 25 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:25;&version=51;

There is a great effort required on our part, and our flesh resists it greatly – it complains of being tired, or to busy, or a host of other excuses that we use – blaming others, letting our emotions and ‘feelings’ make our decisions rather than obedience to direct truth from His Word. We know the very familiar passage “Love your God with ALL OF YOUR heart (our emotions and feelings), ALL OF YOUR mind (our intellect and will), ALL OF YOUR soul (our eternal infinite self) , ALL OF YOUR Strength (our body).

All these things must be wrestled into control, and dragged at times, kicking and screaming under the Lordship of Christ.


James 1:26 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:26;&version=51;

I pose myself a question – and invite you to ask the same question – ‘is my religion worthless?” Am I controlling my tongue? Or does my tongue control me? Am I living beyond my selfishness motives and opinions? Am I the living the gospel to others? Am I refusing to the let the world corrupt me

Can I be vulnerable with you for a moment? It is not a question that I can answer quickly. I must confess, in each of the areas I fail – it is so easy for me to justify, to allow, to be lazy and passive. I must bring myself back – perhaps, drag myself by the scruff of the neck - before the mirror of Christ, and gaze intently into it, regardless of my own personal pain and fleshly struggle not to – it’s mine and it’s your only hope.

And because it is not ‘all about me’ I must realize there are other in this room – having a ‘spirit that it is willing and a flesh that is weak.’ Not in a ‘justification or allowance’ kind of way – but in an open, forgiving, together we are on a journey’ kind of way.

Let’s pray.
Father, I come before you this morning, we come before you this morning – we seek to look intently into Your image, painfully and perhaps shamefully aware of the reflection we see of ourselves in Your mirror. Grant us the courage and the strength not to look away – or because of that pain to walk away. May we hear Your gentle voice inviting us closer, urging us to with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, all our body, take a step toward you this moment. As we step, consume the filth and evil we’ve allow to attach to us – as we live here, may we not step away from your mirror, but keep it before us that we not forget whose image we seek to become.

Neil

James 1:20-27 She's gonna blow!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:20-27&version=31

We all have times in our lives when we are living ‘under pressure’. Pressures of personal lives, home life, church life, work life. Normally, we are able to manage and keep ourselves ‘under wraps’ so to speak. Occasionally, we have pressure cooker experiences when multiple pressures are applied and something happens that causes the lid to come flying off! All the contents in the pot end up on the ceiling, and someone just got hit with the lid! Sadly, many of us have had regrettable times when we ‘blew up’. The problem becomes when we excuse these explosions in our lives. It is not only a problem for us, but also those around us who have to endure it. We need to be aware of is this; the contents of the heart burst forth from the mouth when sufficient pressure is applied. Such as when we hit our thumb with a hammer and unexpected expletive may leap away from us. We rationalize that these isolated responses ‘are not really ‘us’, it was heat of the moment. However, it can be these kinds of experiences that bring to the surface the things that we have kept in the dark. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known (Matt 10:26).

We seek to avoid or deny these inner dark spots, but it would seem, that although God may not ‘will’ difficult events upon us, He oft uses them as opportunities to reveal what ‘lies hidden within’. Things that we wish to keep buried, God ‘pushes’ to the surface where we must confront and deal with them. We are not to despair of these times; in fact, it is God’s desire that they would be an encouragement – urging us on in the development and healing of our character. It is like…um … okay, sorry, a zit on our face. It is annoying, it hurts, it gets increasingly sore and red until one day we squeeze it, and out pops the contents. A rather unpleasant experience, but it must be dealt with or infection can set in. The problem is when we are not dealing with the infection, and the festering just starts all over again until the next unfortunate release on some hapless soul who is in our path.

Our inner lives need the Holy Spirit cleanser, to constantly be washing way the impurities that continually lodge themselves in our hearts. Difficult, absolutely! But essential. That is why James tells us that if we are struggling we are to ask God for wisdom and He will give it to us. The warning is don’t ask just for the sake of asking or as a way of ‘easing our conscious’. Be sure you’re a) wanting His wisdom, and b) willing to apply it. We all have pressures in our lives regardless of our position or role in life – and we all tend to think ours are greater than another. We must recognize we are prone to see the imperfects of another, and completely miss (or excuse) the zits in our own lives that are exploding. Messy gross picture to be sure, but when our responses and relations are driven by pressure build ups this is an accurate illustration of others experience with us. It is not right, nor fair that others deal with our outbursts.

We can never say ‘this is who or how God made me’ or ‘we can’t help it’ or ‘it is your problem’ or any other rationalization we placid ourselves with. How others experience us as a follower of Christ is very close to His heart. God wants the ‘good and perfect’ to flow forth from us and be the result of the testing. He desires that this testing would increasingly be transforming our character.. We all have a distance to travel. Let us not weary in doing good, but press on with the transformation into Christ’s image.

Challenge: We end today with James well know words “My Children, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight. Let us put this verse to memory this week. In communications with each other, our relationships, our responses, let us to bring it under His Lordship. Our goal is not to ‘keep things bottle in’, but, that we would allow Him through His testing of us, bring these things to light, in His presence, where healing and character building can occur.


Prayer: Father, search me and try me, see if there is any wicked way in me. Help me to see through Your eyes my inward parts. May the meditation of my heart, and the words of my mouth be filled with Your mercy and grace. Cause me to quickly seek Your forgiveness, the forgiveness of others – and may I forgive, as You have forgive me.

Neil

James 1: 1-19 Faith Under Pressure

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:1-19&version=65

Reading from The Message:
When things seem upside down, we turn to the scriptures to find what God explains to be up side up. We often can’t comprehend what is truly a blessing or success and what is a curse or defeat. James, the brother of Jesus, and a leader of the early church in Jerusalem is in a position of being able, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, to help people in his day and ours with similar challenges. It is more than attitude, it is altitude…being above our circumstances. Consider it pure joy???? whenever you face trials of many kinds.
God obviously needed to place Joseph in authority in Egypt. Yet in the process of getting there it seemed that it was one failure after another. However, Joseph held fast in his faith and lived to see God pour out unimaginable blessing through Joseph.
Job had more than his share of trouble. His wife in essence, counseled him to curse God and commit suicide. His friends questioned his honour. Yet Job remained faithful to God in the midst of no answers and confusion. God honoured Job ’s loyalty and Job ends by praising God for all that he has learned throughout his time of utter and seemingly futile dependence on God.
Do we need to consider Daniel and his friends Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego? Whether a den of lions or an overheated oven, their faith remained constant. They did not understand but they knew of no better place to put their trust.
It is hard to imagine more glorious praise being lifted to heaven than the faithfulness of His people when under stress. Grapes under pressure produce the fine wines. Steel produced under great pressure produces the strongest steel. And Christians living their lives for God in the midst of life’s confusing dilemmas are magnificent testimonies of the faithfulness of our God. Show me the person that has most influenced you in your faith and I will show you a person that has counted the cost and chosen to remain faithful to Christ throughout their trials. I’m feel sure that such people know the experience of apparent failure when it seems that wrong is victorious and that the heavens are as brass…their prayers and questions seem to go unanswered.
Listen to what James has to say: "Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance….so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man or woman who perseveres under trial because when he or she has stood the test, he or she will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Noel