God Is Not Like Me

I have a really hard time, sometimes, thinking about God. God gives Himself human attributes - hands, voice, emotions, etc - throughout the Bible. Jesus even said, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9) But of course, we have no physical description of Jesus. It's not about His humanness but about His heart, His compassion, His love.

If I try to picture God, I want to make Him a better version of the best people I know, like Billy Graham or Mother Teresa. But bringing God down to human terms diminishes Him. (God is NOT like me.) The Bible tells us God lives in unapproachable light.(1 Timothy 6:15-16) He can't be compared to anyone.(Isaiah 40:25-26) He is everlasting and never grows tired.(Isaiah 40:28) His thoughts and ways are different than mine.(Isaiah 55:9) He created everything.(Isaiah 42:5)

I just can't grasp infinite, all holy, all wise, all knowing, all loving, all powerful, all merciful which God is, because I am finite and sinful. So because God is NOT like me, He needed some way for me to understand Him so He communicates with me in terms I can grasp. Sometimes that makes me think God is like me but He is not.

I have heard people say I couldn't love a God who sends people to Hell. Well, He doesn't. Send people to Hell. We send ourselves when we reject His offer of salvation. Heaven is His home and if I want to live there I need to follow the house rule (only one) which is salvation through Jesus Christ alone. My parents always had house rules that I was expected to obey as part of the family so why would I think God is cruel if He does the same thing.

God gives us opportunity to do what He asks. When the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years, God said it's time for them to go back home. Each time Moses came to Pharaoh with the demand to let the people go, he also gave God's consequence if Pharaoh didn't comply. Pharaoh's heart was hard so he would not comply. And because God never lies, He did what He said He would do. 

When Jonah was told to go to the people of Ninevah and preach a message of repent or be destroyed, he didn't want to do it. He feared and hated these people so much that he wanted them to be destroyed. And because God never lies, when Jonah eventually preached the message and they repented, God spared them. (God was NOT like Jonah!)

Then someone might say but what about those who never hear of Jesus. I don't know but I do know that God is perfect and His justice is perfect. (God is NOT like me.) In Romans 1:18-22 Paul writes that man is without excuse. I guess my biggest problem is that sometimes I think God owes me something - like an explanation. He only owes me death because of my sin, because of my arrogance, because of my disregard of Him. But He has promised life to those who do things His way, those who accept His terms.

Once my heart was hard toward God. I wanted to live my life, my way. What a sad existence! What an empty futile life! There is more...so much more...to be found in a life fully surrendered to God.

"Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand." St Augustine

Passover Lamb

I don't know how many times I have read the story of Jesus' crucifixion and the last supper just before Jesus and the disciples left for the garden of Gethsemane to pray. While in that garden the Jews came to arrest Jesus and so began the road to His death and my life.

Whenever I think about this event, I always think of Easter. But this time I thought about the Passover. Jesus's death could have taken place any time of the year. But God chose to have these events unfold during Passover.

Passover was initiated by God as He was using Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God told them from now on, this month will "be the first month of the year for you." They were to take a lamb "without blemish, a male a year old" to be sacrificed. After killing the lamb they were to "take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses." God was about to pass through the land of Egypt to strike all the firstborn in the land. But He told His people, "when I see the blood, I will pass over you , and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt."  (Exodus 12:1-20)

John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God. And not just any lamb - but the Lamb "who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) So during the Passover, during this time of celebrating God's goodness, His rescue from death, His salvation from the tyranny of the Egyptians, God sent HIS Lamb. His perfect, sinless Son to be MY Passover lamb.

When God sees the blood of HIS lamb surrounding me, He passes over my sin, my guilt, my shame to rescue me from certain death. How could He love me so much? I don't know. But I do know that I am grateful and humbled and an in awe of my God who would provide for me the Lamb needed to save me.

Amazing Day

Yesterday, Sunday, September 25,2011, was an amazing day at NewSpring. As we wrapped up the Revelation series, Perry called people go public with their faith in Christ by being baptized by immersion after salvation.

Perry told us how he was baptized twice, once as an 8 year old and again as a teenager, because he'd prayed a prayer in church as a 5 year old and had been told he was saved. When he was about 19, he actually met Jesus and asked Him to take over his life and so he was baptized a third time.

At the end of the service, people were asked to take their next step of baptism if that was what God was leading them to do. In Greenville 253 people were baptized. All campuses together saw 1442 people get dunked after they answered the question, "Who is your Lord and Savior?" with "Jesus Christ".

I am really in awe of such a gracious and loving God who would stir the hearts of so many people to get their relationship with Jesus in line with His teaching. Even more amazing to me is that He lets me be part of what HE is doing! Thank You, thank You, thank You!

Hearing

Mark tells us that Jesus spoke in parables "as they were able to hear it." Mark 4:33-34

Sometimes I am not able to hear God speak to me because I am not dealing - or don't want to deal - with what He is talking about. The thing I have to be careful about is wondering why others are not hearing God.

Maybe God has already dealt with me on a particular sin in my life and I'm beyond that now. So then I wonder why someone else is not beyond it. I mean, God's word is so clear, how can anyone not know what they are doing is not pleasing to God. Surely God is dealing with them about it. Surely they hear the truth preached on Sunday. Surely they see it in Scripture.

Maybe not. Maybe that person is not ABLE to hear. Maybe they have other issues going on in their lives that Jesus needs to deal with first.

I just need to be kind and loving as I speak truth into lives as Jesus directs. Not everyone reads their Bible daily. Not everyone seeks out Christian counsel. Not everyone is ready to deal with sin in their lives. Not everyone wants to please Jesus above themselves or other people. Maybe they are just beginning their walk with Jesus or perhaps they think salvation is the end of the journey rather than the beginning.

As I "work out [my] own salvation with fear and trembling" striving for the "holiness without which no one will see God",  I need never to forget that this has been a long journey and often a struggle with recurring sin and doubt, with times of impulsiveness and an unwillingness to let God lead me. Others may be where I once was so I just might be the voice God uses to help them to hear his truth. But if I speak without love, I am not going to speak well.

Afraid

How many times am I afraid to do what Jesus asks me to do? How many times am I like the disciples in Mark 4:35-41?

Jesus had been teaching and said let's go over there. Going over there meant getting in a boat and going across the lake. This in itself was not a problem for these guys. Several of them were fishermen and were used to handling a boat.

But then a storm came along. It was no longer easy. In fact the waves were so high the water was crashing into the boat and filling it with water. I can understand their fear, their uncertainty that they would be okay. They even went so far as to awaken Jesus and say don't you care?!

Hmmm...have I ever made that accusation against Jesus. I'm going along doing what I am supposed to be doing and trouble arises. Don't you care, Jesus? Why is this happening to me, Jesus? Where are You, Jesus? If I'm following You shouldn't it be smooth sailing with calm seas?

Jesus was right there with the disciples in the boat. He got up and calmed the wind and the waves. But He asked a very important question, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And that is the question He still asks whenever I am afraid. Afraid of the diagnosis the doctor gives. Afraid of the financial crisis that may be looming. Afraid of what the future may or may not hold. Have you no faith?

It's easy to have faith when all is sunshine and roses. But real faith is tested in the storms - when the waves are crashing all around. Jesus was right there in the boat with the disciples as they were doing what He had asked them to do. And yet they were afraid. Jesus is always in my "boat" as well. He has promised never to leave or forsake me. I should never be afraid with Jesus by my side.

Celebrate

Yesterday at NewSpring, Perry spent some time helping us celebrate what God has done over the past year in and through NewSpring Church. Some of the statistics are amazing. But of course it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God. Although celebrating the past is good, anticipating what God will do in the future is just, or maybe more, important.

This morning I began to think about Jesus and how and why He chooses people and/or churches to bless. We know that He chose Judas to be one of His twelve closest companions and that Judas was in charge of the money for the group. But we also know that Jesus knew that Judas was a thief and that Judas would betray Him. But still Jesus chose him.

Jesus chose Simon Peter who would declare boldly "You are the Christ!" and "Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You!" But Peter did deny Him, just as Jesus said he would. Peter was hot-headed and impulsive but Jesus chose him anyway.

The disciples had their flaws. Thomas the doubter. Nathaniel the skeptic. James and John the glory seekers. Yet Jesus chose them. Jesus knows that we are flawed by sin but if we allow Him to work in our hearts and lives, we can be completely new creations.

There are many people who think THEY have to clean themselves up; they have to get their act together before they can come to Jesus. And what is even worse is people who profess Christ who look at someone and think he/she is not redeemable so we don't even attempt to introduce them to Jesus. We don't want their messy lives to make a mess of our pretty churches.

Maybe that is one of the reasons Jesus is blessing NewSpring Church. We welcome those with messy lives; those who live like non-Christians because they don't have a clue about who Christ is. But they come to NewSpring and hear the gospel and Jesus transforms their lives. HE cleans them up. HE helps them get their act together. Just as He did for me and countless numbers of others through out history. Example: our opening song yesterday was "Glory Train" by Ozzie Osborne. A guy attending in Charleston said he came with all sorts of walls up. Walked in and heard Glory Train and the walls came down. After hearing the gospel preached, he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ who performed the miracle of raising this man from the dead - along with 79 others yesterday at NewSpring.

So the celebration is not about NewSpring but about Jesus and life change. People who were dead and are now alive. And our anticipation is that Jesus will continue to raise people to new life until He returns.

Sad, Sad, Sad

When I read about the Pharisees and their reaction to Jesus, it just makes me sad. Jesus healed a man's withered hand by simply saying, "Stretch out your hand...But the Pharisees went out and conspired against [Jesus], how to destroy Him." (Matthew 12:9-14) 

Later, after Jesus healed a demon possessed man, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." (Matthew 12:22-24)

As Jesus was telling parables one day, the chief priests and the Pharisees knew He was talking about them but they "were seeking to arrest Him." (Matthew 21:33-46)

And that doesn't count all the times they tried to trick Him with their questions about taxes and divorce and the resurrection and fasting and cleansing and the Sabbath. How could they do that when Jesus was right in front of them? It's just sad that they were so blind to who He really is!

But haven't I done those same things? How about before I surrendered to Christ? Didn't I sneer at His followers and think it was all rather dull and stupid?

And even now...do I ever worry when Jesus has said not to? (Matthew 6:25-34) Do I ever doubt His ability to see me through tough times? Do I refuse to tell others about Him because they might not like me any more or think I'm weird? Do my words and my thoughts and actions always line up; or do I say one thing and do another? Do I sometimes try to earn God's love by being "good"? Do I ever pat myself on the back for MY accomplishments rather than giving Jesus all the glory? Do I ever encounter someone and say, with pride, thank you that I am not like them rather than recognizing that I used to BE them and it is only by the grace of God that I am no longer them?

Hmmm. Could be very easy to take up the roll of Pharisee. It could be me that Jesus shakes HIS head over saying sad, sad, sad. Building a good relationship is hard work and even more so when it involves always denying myself. The Christian life goes against everything our society tells us, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25) That's why I must spend time with Jesus each day. At the end of life I don't want Jesus to call me a hypocrite or deny me because I denied Him. I want my Master to say "well done!"

Miracles

Last Thursday I spent 13 hours on my feet at the NewSpring Leadership Conference (NLC) in Anderson, SC. This was a most amazing day. I arrived at 6 AM and soon met up with the Facilities Cleaning Crew. Heather and I volunteered for the women's bathroom downstairs just outside the main auditorium. Our job was to clean counters, sinks and toilets, refill paper towel and toilet paper holders, and empty trash after each 15 minute break (one an hour). While the facilities were in use, we wiped up water and soap that dribbled onto the counters from hand washing. 

While the ladies stood in line, I was able to engage the women in small talk about the day and their church back home. I believe everyone I spoke to lived east of the Mississippi River except one pastor's wife from England. I was glad to meet her because the church her husband and she lead is one that we - NewSpring - help support.

When I finished the last cleanup and walked out the door at 6:50 PM, I was worn out! I didn't get to hear the speakers but I will listen when the podcasts go up in a week or so. The men who spoke are some of the most innovative leaders in the Church today. 

One woman, late in the day, heard me make the comment that I have never experienced anything like NewSpring. We began to talk and she asked why I thought God was doing so many great things in and through this particular church.

I gave her several reasons. Our pastor, Perry Noble, is very open about the struggles he has faced, the sins that he has overcome, and the counseling he has to help him stay the course; he's a regular guy who has been touched by God. Perry always tells us what the Bible says and is very direct in telling us what we need to do to be obedient to Christ. We are told over and over, invite your friends - invite, invite, invite - so we do and unbelievers come and hear the gospel and Jesus saves them. Perry tells us every week, last week was good but this week is going to be better. This breeds an anticipation that God is going to show up and He is going to do amazing things that only He can do.

As I was reading in Matthew this morning I read about Jesus being rejected in His hometown of Nazareth. The Bible says that Jesus "did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief."  Then I read a great blog post by Pastor Steven Furtick entitled, "Jesus: What You See Is What You Get" on this same passage.

Too many times people in churches all across America don't expect Jesus to show up in powerful ways on Sunday - or any other day for that matter. So He doesn't. Not because He can't but because the people don't anticipate it. I don't ever want to get beyond the awe, the wonder that comes from encountering Jesus. I don't ever want to just go through the motions; I want to fully engage, fully anticipate that He will do something amazing in my life or lives of those around me. Miracles still happen!

Authority of Christ

One of the things that struck the people of Jesus' day as He talked to them was the authority with which He spoke. During the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:37), Jesus spoke of His fulfillment of the law. (Matthew 5:17-18). Then he began to speak about the law...murder, you have heard...but I say to you (Matthew 5:21-26); adultery, you have heard...but I say to you (Matthew 5:27-30); divorce, you have heard...but I say to you (Matthew 5:31-32); lying, you have heard...but I say to you (Matthew 5:33-37); retaliation, you have heard...but I say to you (Matthew 5:38-42); enemies, you have heard...but I say to you (Matthew 5:43-48). He went on to talk about giving to the needy, and attitudes in prayer and fasting with the admonition of "I say to you." (Matthew 6:1-19)

Here was a teacher, a Rabbi, who was not just reading the law to them but actually expanding the law to get to the heart of God. No one had ever done that before. "...the crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes." (Matthew 7:28-29)

You just know it when you meet a person with authority; a school principal, a police office, a judge. If we read the Bible we will certainly learn of Jesus' authority. He had authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:10, Luke 5:24), to drive out impure spirits (Luke 4:36), to judge (John 5:27), to lay down His life and to take it up again (John 10:18), to give eternal life (John 17:2).

Some of Jesus' last words were "All authority in heaven and on earth have been given to Me. Go, therefore..." The church leaders of Jesus day were not willing to submit to His authority although they recognized the miracles He was doing even asking "Who gave You authority to do this?" (Mark 11:28)

When we recognize the authority of Jesus, it requires a response. Will I trust, submit and obey or question, deny and defy? Just as defying the authority of those around us can have dire consequences so can denying and defying the authority of Jesus. Only those consequences are for eternity.

Change

A lot of people don't like change. They always drive the same way to and from work or school or church. They eat lunch at the same place every weekend. They go to the same vacation spot every year. They sit in the same seat at church every week. A lot of people live by routine and are most comfortable with sameness.

I happen to like a certain amount of change. I drive different routes to and from work and church. Not every day but a couple of times a week. I especially like driving different routes home because it's OK if it takes me 10 or 15 minutes longer. I go to services at church at different times and sit in different places so I can I see different people.

I've changed jobs 4 times in 7 years (doing things I'd never done before) but only after 37 years at the same job. I changed churches but only after 23 years at the same church. I have found these changes to stimulating and definitely guided by the hand of God. Sometimes I wonder what I would be doing if I had been more attentive to God and the changes He asked me to make that I resisted long years ago.

As a follower of Jesus Christ my relationship with Him should always be growing, always changing, always seeing and hearing and understanding more about Him. If I'm not growing, not changing, I am stagnant. When I think of stagnant I see a stinking pond of scummy water. Maybe there is life there but it is not obvious to anyone. No one wants to jump in and swim around. My life in Christ is to be characterized by flowing rivers of living water. (John 7:38) Flowing rivers are moving and changing.

My church likes change as well. In fact one of our core values is growing things change. Since I've been at NewSpring during the last 3 years, our logo, our stated core values, our color scheme, the number of campuses, the number of people we serve, the way we celebrate Mother's Day, the location for the summer youth trip - all these have changed. We are growing so change is inevitable.

Just recently at the Greenville campus the Campus Pastor, the Discipleship Director, the Student Pastor, and the Audio Director changed. These changes did not come about because people left NewSpring or got fired or anything like that. Not at all. A couple were new hires but NewSpring is changing so the staff is constantly evaluated to be sure their gifts and talents are being utilized to the fullest so they are moving around. Well, except the former Student Pastor; Davey and Amanda are going to Indianapolis to plant a church.

The one thing that NEVER changes at NewSpring is the message of Jesus Christ alone for salvation. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

What does the Lord Require

"With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? will the Lord be please with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my trangression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:6-8)

As I read these verses from Micah this morning I was reminded again that God is not after my performance but after my heart.

This could read, shall I come before him with my perfect attendance at church or my list of volunteer service or my daily Bible reading plan? Saying, in essence, see the sacrifices and the offerings I am giving to You. See all the good things I am doing in Your name.

And Jesus would answer, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength. AND love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31) That is a heart issue.

Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God - heart issues. Sure there are a couple of action verbs there but they are rooted in the heart, not the feet or hands.

Jesus even went so far as to say, "On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' " (Matthew 7:22-23)

Why did He not know them? Because their HEART did not belong to Him. (Mark 7:6) Do I know that my heart belongs to Jesus? Yes, I do. How? First, because I have seen the changes He has made in my life, the wants and desires and speech and thinking and attitudes. But mostly because Jesus is enough. He sustains me and encourages me and guides me and comforts me and teaches me. No matter what this world throws at me - good or bad, Jesus is enough for each day. "Give us this day our daily bread." Jesus is the bread of life for me.