His Way

“My power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Cor 12:9

What is the most frequently played song at British funerals? What live recording of Elvis Presley was later released in October of 1977 several weeks after his death? Well, if you answered “My Way” you would be correct. But, it was Frank Sinatra who really popularized the song in the late 60’s. The song, “My Way”, speaks of a stoic individualism that pushes through and reaches its goal against all odds. “Individualism” is often praised and admired in our American culture, but is it all good, what does God think about it?

Though there are merits to individualism, the danger is an over-rated belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence which then eclipse the need for real dependence and humility toward God. Our verse today reminds us of our most safe place in the scheme of things. It seems that God has designed us to be dependent on Him in a way that is beneficial and allows Him to direct and use us in ways we might not have chosen. God is glorified by our dependence such that, like the apostle Paul, we might long to be always weak so that He can be always strong. Prayer is simply an outward expression of this ‘weakness’. The apostle Paul learnt that it is not out of weakness but in weakness that God’s power is made perfect. To think of yourself as weak, little and nothing does not mean annihilation of the self but full dependence on God such that He can transform us into a Pentecostal flame of fire. It was at Pentecost that the Church received her baptism of fire and if we are to move in the same power the obstacles of rugged individualism and self confidence must be removed. In our weakness we are not passive but actively dependent which manifests as a dynamic love relationship with Jesus. This is His way to happiness.

When we know the rest of utter weakness then we know the way of faith as opposed to individualism’s self-reliance. This is the way of the Spirit as opposed to the flesh. Faith is simply dependence expressed in prayer. It is not a sleepy passivity but tenaciously riveted focus as the “Spirit helps us in our weakness”.

Flickering, Flaming Fire

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind.”  Acts 2:2

We are just a few days from celebrating Pentecost Sunday. Today, as we reflect on the context of our verse we are brought to the account of the first Pentecost in the life of the early Church. One aspect of Pentecost is the reminder of the importance of prayer. Prayer is power and it is not meant to be simply an exercise to calm our spirit. Prayer is more than aligning ourselves with the will of God, prayer has the potential to move and change the plans of God.

The Jewish Pentecost festival was an annual gathering which took place 50 days after Passover but the experience of the Pentecost Sunday, as recorded in the book of Acts, came according to a new Promise(Acts 1.4) and in the context of 10 days of persevering in constant prayer following Christ’s ascension. Gathered in an upper room were 120 dedicated followers of Christ.

The Spirit of God came suddenly and surprisingly. Into this quiet, private, domestic scene the Spirit made His thunderous, spectacular arrival. It was loud, threatening, and perhaps frightening, but unlike a violent storm He came to comfort and empower. Now some may have expected the image of the Spirit’s descent to be a gentle dove, or doves, but here it was fire. Wind and fire are a dangerous combination in my mind. Growing up in Australia, wild fire on a windy day was always associated with extreme danger and here the image reminds me of the fact that the Spirit is dynamic and exuberant; but in a safe sense.

Wind and fire are symbols for God’s Spirit. Wind is heavenly and mysterious while fire is animated and dangerous. Pentecost began a new epoch of salvation history and prayer became even more crucial in the life of the believers. More crucial because Pentecost reminds us that God has called us to a life and ministry that is way beyond our natural abilities. More crucial, because God intends for believers to have access to life changing supernatural power. Let us pray, “Holy Spirit consume us with your fire and make us to be a flame of love”. So whether you are a prince or a pauper, a principal or a pupil you are called to live a life of prayer.

Ascended into Heaven

“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven.” Mark16:19

The resurrected Christ ascended into heaven. We remember it tomorrow just 10 days away from celebrating Pentecost. Separation from the one you love is agony. The disciples took up praise and prayer in the interim and I am sure they spoke to the Lord of their love for him and their desire to see Him again. Psalm 91 contains a wonderful promise to those who express their anxiety in the context of maintaining a love relationship with God. “Because he loves me, “says the Lord, “I will rescue him” (v.14). God will rescue or come to the aid of those who are in anguish and who cry out to Him for help. He promises to not leave them in their situation. The coming of the Spirit at Pentecost marks the answer to this kind of prayer.

The other interesting piece of information about the ascension comes from the gospel record of the location. One might think that Jesus would have ascended from somewhere as significant as the Temple courts. A promotional manager might have pointed out that this would have provided the greatest potential for impact, impression and influence. But as I wrote last week, this is more the predictable outcome of a worldly gospel. Christ chooses the lower and more humble route in His leaving from the region of Bethany and the Mt of Olives.

We have good reason to believe that Bethany, in the time of Christ, was the last stopping point on the way to Jerusalem for Galileans making a pilgrimage. Added to this, it appears to have been a center of ministry to the poor and destitute. I find this insight fascinating as it reminds us that the way of the cross is not for those aspiring to be well-heeled. Jesus ascended to manhood from a humble cattle feed-trough and ascends to His heavenly throne from an area that took in the needy, weak and poor.

           

It might be good to pray for a warming in our spirit as we approach Pentecost. Tell Him where your heart is today on this matter – cold, tepid, or hot – and your desire to know Him more until you are like a red-hot coal that ignites everything it touches. Lord, grant me a new Pentecost.

Defend the Castle

“Man does not live on bread alone.” Matt 4:4

Many children have built “forts” or “cubbies” in their youth. In a child’s fantasy world these primitive structures represented a hide-out, or even a stronghold, like a castle, to protect their little kingdom. Though we do not live in castles, as Christians we are citizens of a real and dynamic kingdom – God’s Kingdom. In our experience of the Kingdom we encounter faith-based organizations or individual Christians in the workplace wanting to work with a Kingdom alignment. I want to ask what might be the salient distinctives – characteristics we cannot live without – to be promoting and defending this position.

In kingdom work I want to propose that simply being obedient to a high moral code is admirable but is not enough. Working hard and treating workmates and clients with fairness and kindness is praiseworthy but is not enough. Pointing people to Jesus and operating under Biblical principles is constructive but is not enough.

Christ’s wilderness series of temptations shows us the classic three pronged temptation that seeks to attack and destroy kingdom distinctiveness. On the flip side, it also gives us some valuable clues to what it means to be a kingdom worker. The three temptations are the worldly quests for self centered a) impact b) impression, and c) influence. Pause and re-read this list in the light of your current motives and work strategies. The list may have become more invasive to your life than you might realize.  But the way of Christ seems to call us to be counter-cultural in three different ways:

To embrace a life of contemplative prayer and communion with God,

to pursue community interdependence and tenderness toward others,

and to be sensitive to  the leadings of God for direction

Can we learn to receive the Father’s love and to live in dependence on Him? It is through continually talking and listening to the Father, in actively engaging in a shared ministry life and then following His Truth wherever it leads that we best model the Kingdom’s salient distinctives.

National Day of Prayer

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray.” 2Chron 7:14

It is amazing to live in a country that values prayer and where the citizens have established a National Day of Prayer.  This is wonderful! In Kearney, prayer meetings have already begun this week. This evening we plan to meet above Yandas Music store to pray and intercede around the issue of the sanctity of life and the protection of life in this land (see www.abetterwayforkearney.com). We are at the middle or center of the week and this issue is placed here on this day as it is deemed to be the core issue for our nation’s future and health. Baptist pastor and founder of “Love Worth Finding”, Adrian Rogers (1931-2005), made the statement,

 “I believe as the West goes, so goes the world. And as America goes, so goes the West. And as the Church goes, so goes America. And as believers fast and pray, so goes the Church.”

The church must lead the way in defending life but research indicates that the church in America is under attack and weakening. Politically new pressures are asking the church to compromise on key issues of the gospel of life. From statistics gathered in the last ten years we have learned that in proportion to the U.S. population, there are less than half as many churches today as there were in 1900. Since 1950, there are 30 percent fewer churches for today’s population. Roughly 4,000 churches are begun every year, while 7,000 die and close their doors. North America, Australia and Europe are the only continents in the world where Christianity is not growing. All is not well.

As a church architect I get a unique view of the church of America. It is not always encouraging and we, of all Christians in the world, should feel the burden to pray for new resolve and strength to promote a culture of life and not death. Rather than simply opposing this culture of death we should want to be proposing God’s better way. Let’s also ask God to revive His people for the arduous challenges possibly coming our way. America is at the crossroads and needs our prayers.