Lose to Gain

I have been meditating lately on exactly what Paul meant in Philippians 3:1-11. He obviously has experienced the loss of many things for his Christian faith, and I get that. He was a man of stature and favor with men. He was a man of worldly dignity and great potential from a Jewish/Pharisaical perspective. At his conversion, he had to give up all of that promise - all of that potential - all of that history - to follow Jesus. It had to be something spectacular to cause this kind of a "shift," wouldn't you agree?

I heard a preacher not too long ago who gave an example to this effect:

Let's say I told you that 10 minutes before I sat down to write this post, I was walking across my street and got hit by an 18-wheeler going about 45 miles an hour. Then, I came in here, sat down, and started writing. You would either call me a liar or delusional, wouldn't you. After all, it's impossible to have a real encounter with something that big, and not be permanently changed. 

How much bigger is God? In Acts chapter 9, you can read about Saul's (Paul's) conversion to Christianity. It was big. Real big. He encountered the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, and it permanently changed him. After you're done with Acts 9, look over at 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. Paul is battling the Sadducidic rejection of the body's physical resurrection from the dead. He gives three things that are "most important" in the gospel message...

1. The scriptural death of Christ
2. The burial of Christ
3. The resurrection of Christ.

Paul, in essence, says, "Look, you can deny the resurrection of Christ if you want, but it would be illogical. He (Jesus) appeared to over 500 people at one time. Then he appeared to a few other select people... and lastly, he appeared to me. As one who was unwanted among all men, one who was like an aborted child, Christ appeared to me. And you can't tell me what I did or didn't see. I had an encounter with the living Christ and it changed me forever."

You can't have a real encounter with something as big as God and NOT be permanently changed. 

Now back to Philippians Chapter 3... Not only did Paul change... he chose to consider all of those things he had going for him as "refuse." The Greek word literally means "dung," and it is the only time Paul ever uses the word in the New Testament. All of that stuff he had accumulated for himself - all of the plans he had - all of the potential he showed - even his own identity!!! - he considered DUNG! And WHY??? For what???! Verse 8 - - - in light of the "surpassing value" of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord." Wow. I have to admit that I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one. The Greek New Testament's word that we translate "surpassing value" is uperechon. A better translation would be the "EXCELLENCY" of knowing Jesus... How excellent is it to know Jesus as Lord? How surpassingly valuable? How preeminently glorious? How wonderfully superior?!! Paul is saying that his surpassing goal... his most excellent endeavor... his greatest joy and desire is to know Christ as Lord. And in that perspective, EVERYTHING ELSE IS DUNG!

Is that your highest priority? Christian, do you consider everything else dispensable in view of the excellency of knowing Christ as Lord? What does that look like? I know what it looked like for Paul - it was evidenced in his radical change to follow Christ because of his effectual encounter with Him.

And even with all of this... knowing Paul's deliberately selfless lifestyle for Christ... what is his (Paul's) life goal? Look at verse 10...

"My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, 

being conformed to His death..."

I'm just in awe of this. Paul - the guy who wrote half of the New Testament - his goal is to know Christ even more. Man, I have a long way to go. What's even more shocking is what exactly it is about Christ that Paul wants to get to know...

1. The power of his resurrection.
       Now, I believe it is the hope of all Christians to know the power of Christ's resurrection. Even though it is utterly incomprehensible, it is the ultimate hope of the Christian's faith.

2. The fellowship of His sufferings.
        The Greek word that Paul uses for "fellowship" is koinonian - the same word he uses in Galatians 2:9 when describing how James, Peter, and John accepted him (gave him the hand of koinonian) and Barnabas. No doubt, in the Galatians passage, the trio was recognizing Paul and Barnabas as equals in the object of the agreement (which was the grace given to them by God to share the Gospel with the Gentile world). Back to Philippians - is Paul saying that he wishes to be equal with Christ in His sufferings? I think so, friends. I think Paul realized, like we all should, that to know Christ means to suffer with Him - the things that bring Him pain should bring us pain. The things that set Him off should set us off. The sinful desires of the flesh that He painfully resisted in the Spirit we should also resist. The human will that He graciously relinquished for our benefit, we should also give up (Ma. 46:22).
    
3. Being conformed to His death.
       I wrote about this in a previous blog, so I don't want to re-hash it. Being alive in Christ means being dead to yourself. Read my previous Blog post "Death for Life" if you want more info on this.

I don't think we know what it means to "lose" anything. We leave our comfortable homes, get in our comfortable cars, and drive to our comfortable church where we enjoy some comfortable fellowship with comfortable friends, sing some comfortable music, hear a comfortable sermon, and then head to a comfortable restaurant where we are waited on hand and foot.

I realized a few years ago that I've never felt "hunger" in my entire life. Every time my little tummy growls, I grab some chips, or heat up a hot-pocket. I have no clue what it's like to be hungry. Now, I'm not saying we all need to go live in the hills and experience need like we never have before - we are to be thankful for all of God's great blessings. But we also need to understand that living in Christ has a more excellently predominant value than anything else we could ever even hope to experience. Some of us have touched the bumper of God Almighty - but how many of us have had a life-changing encounter with the King of kings and the Lord of Lords?

It's all about perspective, friends. Everything I have could be gone tomorrow - except for my Lord. Ever read the book of Job? I will always be thankful for my family, my job, my friends, my comfortable life... but I will also always press on toward the goal of knowing Christ more fully. And even if all the other commodities of life pass away, how excellent it will be to know that the Creator of the Universe is my personal Savior and Friend.

Grace and Peace,
Tony

Isaiah 66:2 (Personal Entry)

Isaiah 66:2

A personal entry -

I cannot believe the overwhelming desire I have right now to be in the center of God's will for my life. I don't know what it is lately, but I have just been taken over by a sense of passionate obedience to God's Word and His direction for me and my family. I long for conformity to His character. I desire to be lost in His presence. I want to know Him more fully.

I feel like, for such a long time I've been learning, searching, serving, and giving... and all the while, yes, it has been "worth it." But lately, I have realized a greater sense of God's perfect plan for my life and I cannot wait to see what He's going to do in me, through me, and around me tomorrow - and then the next day - and then the next.

Lately, I've felt more surrendered to His will. It's like sitting on the porch of a cabin in the mountains and experiencing the serenity that His creation facilitates... but at the same time, I'm just so anxious to climb the mountain in front of me and take it for His name and for His glory. And then realizing that when I get to the top, I'll see an entire range of mountains just ripe for the claiming. They are my mountains. No one can take them but me. God made them for me. And He has gone ahead of me to prepare the way. He knows the steps I'll miss - He knows the limbs I'll trip on - He knows the Rock I'll rest on. And He's committed to my spiritual success on this life journey.

I've been spending a LOT of time in His Word lately. It is overwhelming - the depth of His glorious truth, that is. I don't think I'll ever fully understand all of the truth that His eternal Word has to offer - but I want to try. I need it - I long for it.

Isaiah 66:2 -

"I (God) will look favorably on this kind of person: 

one who is humble, submissive/broken in spirit, and who trembles at My word." 

I'm almost at the end of my MAR degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. It's not even the "big" seminary degree (M.Div. - that I plan on working toward after I finish this one)... but reflecting on the amount of time I've spent in the Word and in prayer with my Lord over the past few years, it makes me hungry for more. I feel like I've come so far, but there's still a long, yet promising road ahead. Every time I open the Bible, I learn something else. And when I learn about the character of God and about His commitment to my future in Him, I tremble. He is the God of the universe. He is THE God - there is no other. And yet He knows me personally... and He calls me by name... and He gives me the purpose, security, and significance that I so desperately need.

I hope it's okay for me to get vulnerable with you, blog. You don't seem to mind what I write. I just had to get this out there.
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Psalm 119:25-32 -

"My life is down in the dust; give me life through Your word. I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. Help me understand the meanings of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word. Keep me from the way of deceit, and graciously give me Your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me. I cling to Your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of Your commands, for You enlarge my heart."

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- May I forever surrender to Your will.

- May I never cease to glory in Your truth.

- May I be lost in Your presence always.  

You, God, are my hope.  I will trust in You.

- Give me wisdom, oh Lord.

- Grant me understanding in Your Word.

- Glorify Yourself through me.  

You, God are my hope.  I will trust in You.

- Unashamedly I will claim You.
- Undividedly I will teach Your truth.

- Unceasingly I will follow You.  

You, God are my hope.  I will trust in You.

The "Give-Me" God

       We are starting the book of James in our Sunday morning Bible Study class this week. I'm very excited, as this book deals with a lot of questions that we have in our religious culture. I know it's going to be incredibly beneficial for us as a group, and I pray that God expands our knowledge and gives us insight into His great will for our lives and into more of His perfect character and love. I pray that I, too, would grow in knowledge of Him as we embark on this glorious adventure together.

       One of the very first things we'll be dealing with is a passage that, when mis-read in light of its context, can give the Christian a very wrong perception of who God is. I'm referring to Chapter 1, Verses 6-8. If you read these without including verse 5, you get the impression that if you ask anything of God, having "enough" faith, then it will be given to you. And in turn, when you ask something of God and He does not give it to you, you can deduce, then, that you have not had "enough faith."

I remember counseling a woman a few years ago who was desperately in love with her husband who had left her... she kept asking God and asking God to restore their relationship, and it never was restored. Her conclusion was that she must not have enough faith.

Then, there was that time in college when a group of us "believers" (from all different denominations) were in the break room. One of the crew admitted difficulty in a situation, and so we decided to pray for her. Well, a sister in Christ began to pray while we were all there and she began commanding God to do certain things. Her rationale was that she was not "double-minded," but knew exactly what she wanted - and if she prayed with any less assurance of her demand, then she would be "doubting God."

And one more example - the "give-Me" God preachers... you know who I'm talking about. "God wants you to be prosperous financially. He wants you to be healthy physically. And if you are lacking in one of these areas, it is because you do not have enough faith."

Now I know that there are a lot of other scripture verses that these kinds of "Christians" take out of context and distort their meanings... and I could give you a list of them... but alas, we are going to focus on James 1.

The verse in context reads: (by the way, part of this was the theme verse for LifeWay's VBS this year)

"If any of you is lacking in wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, not doubting. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown around and tossed by the wind. That man shouldn't expect anything from God, for he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:5-8)

What is the object of the question here? It is wisdom. God gives WISDOM to all liberally and without reproach. Not anything you ask for. That's just silly.

Then we pull out James 4:2... "You desire and do not have. You do not have because you do not ask." But wait a minute... that's not all the passage says... "You ask and do not receive because you ask for the wrong reasons," (verse 3). And all of this is encapsulated by a description of the selfish "war" within us. We are at "war" within ourselves. Our judgement is clouded by our preferences and narcissism.

I'm recalling now a quote from Benny Hinn that goes something like this: "God will begin to prosper you. Money always follows righteousness.” What??? Where did he get that? And most of us reading this blog would admit that sounds a little ridiculous. But don't we expect that a lot of times?


I think many of us EXPECT God to bless us financially. We pray and pray an pray that He would give us prosperity and health. Can I just ask you, "WHY are you asking for this? What is your MOTIVATION?" 


Look back at James 1:2-3... "Consider it joy, brothers, when you face trials of many kinds. For the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Have you considered that maybe - just maybe - it IS God's will for you to experience the trial you're in? Maybe He desires for you to understand that He is sovereign. Maybe you need to realize, and even verbalize your dependancy on Him. Maybe you need to reconsider or rediscover your NEEDS. What do you need to be whole? What do you need to be "happy?" What do you need to be significant and secure? 


I don't serve a "Give-Me" god. I serve the sovereign, righteous, holy God Who has never failed me - even when I have walked through the darkest, most desolate valleys of my life, He has never - not even once - forsaken me or let me down. And with every trial comes more joy. Because I know that He is "for me," (Romans 8:31). 
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Well, let's hear it... Can you think of some other scriptures that "Name-It-Claim-It" or "Give-Me God" preachers pull out of context and use for their twisted purposes? 


Grace and Peace,
Tony

President Obama's Liberation Theology

       Riding in the car on the way to pick up my boys from my parents house last weekend, my wife and I were listening to the Glenn Beck Program on talk radio, as I often do to pass the time. Yes - I know he's a Mormon, and no, I don't agree with every single thing he says. Let's get all that out of the way right now. I am not endorsing Glenn Beck here. However, while I listened, I heard him play an audio clip of a speech that President Barack Obama had made at a commencement address to Wesleyen University in May of 2008. I was so taken back by what he said that I had to go look it up for myself. Here is a link to the speech  he made. What I am referring to in this blog is about 1/3 of the way down.

http://www.wfsb.com/news/16389467/detail.html

       Now before I go too much further, I want to clarify something. I am in no way attempting to discredit, badmouth, or belittle President Obama in this blog - so for all of my left-wing friends who I know read this blog... read carefully. This short discourse concerns only the theological aspect of the President's thought processes and program/legislative implementations. That being said... here we go -

       The quote I'm addressing is this one, made about 1/3 of the way down as you read his speech:

"...our individual salvation depends on collective salvation. Because thinking only about yourself, fulfilling your immediate wants and needs, betrays a poverty of ambition. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential and discover the role you’ll play in writing the next great chapter in America’s story."

When I heard this on the radio, and then when I read it in the speech, a light bulb went off. President Obama's sociology, legislative implementations, and general ideology is based on what theologians in recent history have named, "liberation theology." This kind of theology has roots in the humanizing and socializing of the gospel. It started as a Latin concept and expanded quickly to a more wide-spread, diverse crowd including blacks, women, and the homeless population. Liberation Theology derived from conversations between the church and the "state," so to speak, about the connections between the gospel and the impoverished - the person of Jesus and the oppressed. Jesus came to "set the captive free" (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18-19) and for the benefit of the poor, the lame, the afflicted, and the oppressed. 


       The problem with liberation theology, as with many other theologies, is that it takes out one portion of scripture - and no doubt, an important one - and ignores the rest of scripture. The bible obviously teaches social justice - but it does not teach that this justice leads to collective salvation.


       Back to the President now... for every person, I hold that whatever you believe spiritually directly influences the way you act and the way you interpret your surroundings. In the conservative Christian world, we call this a "worldview." Your core spiritual beliefs are the glasses through which you view the world. Obama's spiritual glasses have "liberation theology" written all over them. 
       How do you get this, Tony? Allow me to explain... whether you want to call it "socialism" or not, it is obvious that President Obama has instituted laws and programs that redistribute the wealth in America. Who benefits from these laws and programs? The poor. Am I for helping the poor? You bet I am - but voluntarily, through willful giving... and only to those who honestly cannot earn an income for themselves. The Bible does not support helping those who are able, but refuse to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13). Benevolent assistance is always best administered through the church body. When the government demands it, it is not benevolent. It is mandated.
     
       In this shocking statement that Obama made (the one quoted), it is obvious that he believes each of our own spiritual "salvation" is dependent upon the amount of social justice we exhibit. We must work collectively, even if by force, to provide for and liberate the oppressed. Only then can we achieve the salvation of our souls. This viewpoint is NOT supported by scripture.

       Can you see it? Can you see how President Obama's ideology is based on liberation theology? If so, and if you are brave enough, comment with an example. How does the President exhibit liberation theology in his actions, implementations, programs, speeches, etc? BUT REMEMBER - This is not an Obama bashing session. This conversation is to produce spiritual reflection on ideologistic and theologistic viewpoints and implementations. If you are anti-Obama, please be respectful of the office of President and honor his role while communicating truthful, but humble information. 

Grace and Peace,
Tony

Spiritual Investment

In ministry, I try to make it a point to invest in people. It is not a new concept, and for it, I can claim no originality - for I, too, have been invested in by many a great Pastor, fellow Music Minister, and wise / Godly church member in my history. Because of the example of these great men and women in my life, spiritual and ministerial investment is second nature to me.

What is an investment? No doubt, it involves a significant upfront cost for the investor. In the case of ministry, this cost is usually in the form of time and knowledge, and involves some form of monetary depositing as well. Why do we invest? Any wise investor seeks out investments which promise a pleasing return. Something that will benefit him (the investor) in the future. The ministerial / Christian investor hopes to see returns in the form of kingdom growth and impact. There is no greater return than seeing the ones in whom you've invested making an impact on the culture for the gospel of Christ. As young as I am, the returns I've seen are only minimal - but one day, I'm confident that the broader effects of my investments will be something that brings me considerable joy in my late years on this earth. 

I'd like us to look at an example from scripture. In the book of Acts, it is recorded that Saul of Tarsus had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ that changed him permanently (Acts chapter 9), after which, Paul (Saul's new name) began to learn, teach, and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We see in verse 27 that not long after Paul's conversion, a man named Barnabas took him in and began to teach and train him. Barnabas, the "son of encouragement" as his name is translated, was an investor. Before too long, he was able to see his investment return thousands of souls and I know that he must have thought, "Well, this is the best investment I've ever made." 

Paul and Barnabas ministered together for a long time. They journeyed together through Antioch, Salamis, Iconium, Lystra, and Jerusalem sharing with Jews and Gentiles alike. What an incredible journey that must have been. And I can only imagine the joy that Barnabas must have felt. What thoughts do you believe were going through their heads? Maybe some things like, "We are a great team!" "God is really using us mightily." "We'll be together for the rest of our lives!" Then enters the controversy over John Mark.

At the end of Acts 15, Paul wanted to go back to the towns they had already visited to continue with encouragement and evangelism. Barnabas agreed, but wanted to take John Mark with them. Now, apparently (v. 38), Mark had abandoned Paul and Barnabas previously (for an undisclosed reason), and Paul was bitter against him. Paul refused to give Mark a second chance. In fact, he disagreed with Barnabas so sharply on this that he (Paul) and Barnabas actually split up! Oh the anger, the disappointment, the hurt that must have been present! Here is a team that has been so effective for Christ, and now they have to split up! I'll bet you this had more of an impact on the feelings/emotions of Paul and Barnabas than you or I can imagine. 

So Paul took Silas, and went back to the churches he and Barnabas had started, encouraging them. But Barnabas took Mark and went on to Cyprus. It is obvious that Barnabas, the encourager, trained Mark in much the same way that he had trained Paul. Now, Barnabas is investing in Mark. This will be important later. In Acts 16 (immediately following the split-up), Paul selects young Timothy to go with him. Now Paul is investing in Timothy just as Barnabas had invested in Paul. 

I want to fast-forward quite some time now to 2 Timothy 4. Paul is in prison, and near the end of his life. What do you think he is reflecting on? Obviously, he is writing to Timothy, and desires for him (Timothy) to come see him soon. But look at verse 11. Who else does Paul want for Timothy to bring? You got it. Mark. The same Mark he had given up on so many years before and in whom Barnabas has been investing, just as he invested in Paul. And why does Paul want to see Mark? - because Mark is "useful" to Paul. I think Paul realized that he might have been wrong to reject Mark for deserting him and Barnabas so many years ago. 

I also think Paul learned his lesson. In his letter to Philemon, Paul is defending Onesimus. Onesimus was Philemon's servant who ran away from his master. Paul encounters him, leads him to Jesus, and urges Philemon very strongly to welcome him back as a brother. I'm sure you can draw the parallels. Paul has learned his lesson.

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WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME???!!! I'm so glad you asked. The life of the Christian is all about investment. Every time you share the gospel message, you are investing in someone. And you never know how that person will affect the culture in the future. So I say make as many investments as you can. 

Then, there are those who you just know have a special call about them. They exhibit the qualities of a great leader, and they are gifted by God in certain areas. Spend some time with them. Give them the knowledge you have gained. Invest in them.

Lastly, it is obvious that sometimes, people fail our expectations. I have many an investment out there right now that has "deserted" his or her call. Be patient. Be encouraging but honest. Lift him or her up in prayer constantly. You never know when the day will come that you may be asking for them to come to you because they are useful to you. 

Grace and Peace,

Tony