The Kingdom, The Kids, & The Cowboys

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Category: Discipleship (Page 12 of 30)

Sabbath Rest

July 15, 2015 / / 0 Comments

“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest, you must rest.” ~Exodus 34:21

SabbathRest

Rest. Relax. Be still. Slow down. Impossible? Yeah, almost. In the middle of a busy summer in the middle of a hectic life in the middle of a rushing world, the idea of a night off is almost unthinkable. We say it would be nice, but we rarely take the time to do it. There’s just too much going on. Always.

An important part of following Jesus is paying attention to your inner life. Quiet time with God, just being still and basking in his holy presence — when do you do that? Sitting down at the same table with your whole family for a relaxed meal with nowhere to go and nothing else to do — when was the last time that happened? A long conversation with a close friend? Reading through an entire Gospel in one sitting? Just you and your spouse in the car at Sonic for half-price shakes, no kids, no iPhones, talking about your future? Praying with someone you love for what you both really need, not just what you want? An art project with the grandkids? When will you do these things?

During our “In the Zone” Wednesday nights this summer, we’re focusing on the four areas where we believe God’s Spirit does his best transforming work. And tonight we zero in on the “Inner Life” and practice Sabbath rest. There won’t be any meal or any programs at our church building tonight. We’re setting aside everything — our gatherings, our goals, our activities — and asking our people to please use the time to reconnect with our God and with someone they love.

Don’t use the time to get caught up on work. Don’t kick your feet up and watch more TV. Don’t clean the house or your email inbox. Do something you hardly ever do that will connect you more closely to our Lord and to his people.

Peace,

Allan

Pastors & Pistols

June 26, 2015 / / 2 Comments

“My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my Kingdom is from another place.” ~ Jesus

Pastors&PistolsThe graphic behind the news anchor on one of our local stations last night was of a handgun positioned on top of a Bible with the words “Pastors and Pistols” in red letters across the top. According to the story, it seems the Potter County Sheriff’s Office, in response to last week’s deadly shooting at a church in Charleston, wants to train and arm our city’s Christian ministers in order to protect themselves and their parishioners from a similar attack. The sergeant promoting the program stated matter-of-factly that using guns to protect churches is “an important ministry, it’s a part of the church.”

God, help us.

One of my great fears is that someday some guy is going to open fire in a worship service somewhere and six disciples of Jesus are going to shoot him dead. And it’ll be celebrated. And cheered. And the Christians who killed the criminal will be honored as heroes.

I’m not sure all of us are thinking clearly about this. Which is better: that followers of Jesus are killed in a worship service while praying for their attacker and forgiving him and pleading to the Lord for mercy for him; or that disciples of Jesus, in an effort to protect themselves, kill somebody in the middle of church?

Which situation better exemplifies forgiveness and grace and love? Which circumstance faithfully places one’s ultimate safety and security in the hands of our Lord? Which response better follows the teachings and example of the Christ? Which reaction gets more publicity as a radical, I-can’t-believe-they-did-that, testimony to our commitment to the non-violent ways of Jesus?

Which response says loudly and clearly that the church is actually very much like the kingdom of this world? Not very different at all…

I’m often surprised by Christians, when discussing such matters and thinking about such questions, who say out loud things like, “Well, Jesus wouldn’t do it, but I would.” That makes you, actually, not a Christian.

I’ve been surprised this week to see a couple of comments on national news stories from people who claim to be Christian, when asked what Jesus would do, reply, “Jesus would not allow himself to be a victim.” Actually, Jesus willingly left his home in glory, put all of his trust in the One who judges justly, and purposefully submitted to being the worst kind of victim. He blessed those who attacked him, he loved those who hated him, he forgave those who killed him.

How does shooting anybody — anybody! — in church conform to that?

Christians, leave your guns at home this Sunday. Practice prayer. Practice forgiveness and mercy. Practice discipleship and obedience. Pray to God that nobody with violent intent ever attacks your church family in the sanctuary. But also pray to God for the strength, if it ever happened, to respond in ways that will honor our Lord, the Prince of Peace.

Peace,

Allan

Do Whatever Jesus Tells You

May 12, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Do Whatever Jesus Tells YouWe’re not sure what the mother of Jesus was thinking at that wedding in Cana when she told her son the hosts had run out of wine. But she was clearly expecting Jesus to do something. The timing was wrong and the Messiah seemed a little less than enthusiastic about inserting himself into the situation, but his mother was asking him to do something. And then she told the servants of the house, “Do whatever Jesus tells you.”

Mary knew that Jesus would provide what was needed. And whatever he chose to do and however he chose to do it, Mary believed would be for the best of everybody involved. She trusted that Jesus would come through. And he did.

Jesus provided more wine at that party than anybody could possibly drink. The conservative estimate in Scripture claims anywhere from 150-180 gallons of wine. That’s a lot of wine. And not just any wine; this was the very best wine. This wine was so good the caterer complained to the groom.

“Do whatever Jesus tells you” is a statement of faith and confidence in that grace and in the Lord of that grace. You can’t do much better than that. Advising people to do whatever Jesus tells them and you, yourself, doing whatever Jesus tells you is a pretty good rule of life.

Jesus delivered more than Mary could have possibly asked or imagined. He provided an abundance of blessing. There’s grace in this miracle. There’s grace and provision for a pushy mom and grace and provision for everybody who had been invited to the feast. Abundant grace and provision. From Jesus. More than you need.

Peace,

Allan

 

The Right Question

April 14, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Many, many times over the past six or seven years, I’ve asked people who are going through a major life thing: “What is God doing with this right now?” If you’re putting your dad in a nursing home or you’re pregnant with twins — whatever life change thing is happening, good or bad — I’m going to ask you this question: “Hey, this is pretty big. What do you think God is doing in this?”

And this is what I hear in response most of the time: “I haven’t thought about that.”

Haven’t thought about it?!? Well, for crying out loud, start thinking about it!!!

God has not abandoned you. He’s not left you alone in this. God is not on vacation somewhere and so can’t see you or help you. He has not forgotten you. “Rejoice in the Lord always. The Lord is near!” He is in this thing with you. Pay attention to what he’s doing. Don’t go through a major milestone in your life and not be changed. Don’t miss what God’s doing with you right now. Be aware. Be on the lookout.

When something really, really great happens to you, think about how God is shaping you in that. You know that every good and perfect gift comes from God. You know that the whole earth belongs to the Lord and everything in it. So every single thing belongs to God, including this great blessing he’s given you. So, you’re just a manager of this blessing, this gift. How is God wanting you to manage it? Pay attention. Ask the question.

When something really, really awful happens to you, think about how God is forming you in that. You know that God is working in all things for your ultimate good. You know that his strength is experienced in your weakness. So this tough thing is a holy opportunity for growth and witness. How is God wanting you to mature in this? How is God wanting you to testify through this? Pay attention. Ask the question.

Life is going to happen to us. Good things and bad things — that’s just the way it is. And when life happens, we can wring our hands and say, “Oh, I don’t know!” Or, we can lift our hands and say, “God knows!” and align our minds and lives with Christ. We can confidently say with Peter, “Lord, only you have the words of eternal life. Only you. You’ve got this, Lord. You’ve got me.”

Peace,

Allan

Among You

February 23, 2015 / / 1 Comment

“The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the Kingdom of God is among you.” ~Luke 17:21

The Kingdom of God is not just about Christ’s power on earth. The Kingdom of God is about God’s empowerment of ordinary men and women to be agents of his eternal reign. Not everybody can see it because it’s carried out by a weak little band of disciples. It’s expressed in a single act of forgiveness by a wounded man. It’s realized in a single act of kindness by a little old lady. It’s accomplished in the worship and service rendered by a church in Amarillo.

To talk about conquering power and ruling the world in these tiny little terms might seem silly — as silly as a great tree growing out of a mustard seed. But we see it. You and I have been blessed to see that God in Christ uses these incredibly small things to miraculously grow his eternal Kingdom.

We know that with the coming of Jesus, the old world is losing its grip and a new world is being born. Rome’s rule is coming to an end — for people who thought too highly of the Roman Empire, that was unsettling news. The U.S.A.’s rule is coming to an end — that’s unsettling news for people who think too highly of the American Empire. But it’s true. The Kingdom of God has come and it is coming. Among us. And King Jesus says, “Give up your agenda and take up mine!” Or, to actually quote him:

“The time has come! The Kingdom of God is here! Repent and believe the good news!” ~Mark 1:15

God’s purposes have already been accomplished in Christ. What remains is the unfolding of what’s already been established. So, repent. Repent. Change your life. The realities of the Kingdom of God among us demand it. It’s not feeling differently in your heart; it’s living differently on the ground. The Kingdom of God is not a new religion or a fuzzy spiritual experience or even a plan for personal salvation. The Kingdom of God is about the whole world at last becoming what God has always intended it to be. A whole new world where mourners are always comforted and the hungry are always filled.

So, our lives have to be changed. It’s not just conversion, it’s discipleship; not just individual faith, but Christian unity; not merely forgiveness of sins, but a brand new creation! Jesus’ challenge is not, “How can I have a more meaningful life?” It’s “How can I get my life aligned with God’s will for the world?”

The way Jesus acted, the way he thought, the way he behaved is not how we get into the Kingdom. It’s not “Behave this way and perform all this really well and someday you’ll be worthy to enter the Kingdom of God.” No! Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection says that God’s Kingdom has come to us and is coming among us. Right here, right now, today! So, wake up and live in the light of these new facts of life!

Sometimes we’ll hear people say, “Forgiveness is noble, up to a point, as long as you’re realistic about its limits.” Or, “Prayer can be powerful, but sometimes you just have to face the facts.” Hey, for those of us who have been given the eyes to see the coming of God’s Kingdom, God’s promised victory is an accomplished fact! It is the true reality!

So, we must live it right now. Not like the world lives — no, just the opposite. Like Jesus lives. Unconditional love, unlimited forgiveness, sacrificial service, never violence or threat, always peace and joy. Not so that we’re doormats for the world. No, that’s living and thinking in the wrong reality, the reality that’s being conquered and taken over, fading away. We live in mercy and love actually as a way of taking charge of the world in the name and manner of our Lord, joining the revolution, living in and practicing the great turnaround toward the ultimate reality that one day will be trumpeted as:

“The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,
and he will reign for ever and ever!” ~Revelation 11:15

Confidence to live every day like Jesus in the world he rules comes from conviction. The problem is, we’re not convinced of the truth of our own good news. We’re too inattentive, too distracted. What Jesus shows us about the Kingdom of God should dramatically impact us. We must give attention to his rule. We must be defined by it. We must solve our problems by applying it.

We think the church is a place that puts on services. Please, come on! God is sovereign and Jesus is Lord and the Holy Spirit lives among us and the powers of the world are in big trouble! This is the truth! This is the reality! And we are called to re-order everything to live into it.

Peace,

Allan

All In

December 8, 2014 / / 0 Comments

What does it mean to be “all in” for Jesus? What does it look like to be totally “sold out” for our Lord? He calls us to surrender all. We sing that we surrender all. So what does that look like?

People declare their desires to follow Jesus all the time. During his earthly ministry, people were always coming up to Jesus, asking to be his disciple. And he continually rejected the ones who were not willing to give up everything for him and his cause.

The rich young ruler who couldn’t let go of his money. The would be disciples in Luke 9 and Luke 14 who wanted to put comfort and family and business before their walks with the Lord. The clear message in the Gospels is that we follow Jesus on his terms, not ours.

“Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” ~Luke 14:33

Frederic Huntington says:

It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism, that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity.”

Ouch.

So what does “all in” for Jesus look like for you? What does it mean for you to be “sold out” for our Lord?

Peace,

Allan

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