Sermon Video: God responds to the foolish choice of Abram and Sarai - Genesis 16

 

Abraham and Sarah are heroes of the faith, but they made plenty of mistakes along the way.  One of the most serious of them was the decision by Sarai to offer her slave Hagar to her husband Abram as a 2nd wife in the hopes that a son born to Abram and Hagar could be considered her son by adoption.  This way an effort to "assist" the fulfillment of God's promise.  Here's the thing: God doesn't need immoral help to accomplish his will.

In the end, the plan works in that Hagar bears Ishmael, but is a disaster in all other respects because it spawns a bitterness between Sarai and Hagar.  In the end, God intervenes to protect Hagar and her son, preventing Abram and Sarai's mistake from going further off the rails.

Sermon Video: "Everything that does not come from faith is sin." - Romans 14:22-23

Having established the grace we need to give each other in disputable matters, Paul ends the discussion with a warning toward those who might act against their own conscience, and thus do so without faith.

Along the way, we also have the important advice to "not condemn ourselves" by approving of things that we should not, and the clarification that it is not with respect to faith in God or his will that we should hesitate to act on faith if we doubt (in that case we ought to "dare Great things for God") but our own understanding, when we doubt ourselves Paul is telling us to err on the side of caution.

Doubt and Faithfulness are not polar opposites: A Lesson from "Doubting Thomas" - John 20:24-29

 

I find Caravaggio's The Incredulity of Saint Thomas to be a fascinating painting.  One of the reasons why is that the text of John's Gospel, which is the basis for the moment the painting portrays, never actually says that Thomas touched Jesus' wounds, only that he declared he wouldn't believe that Jesus had risen from the dead without doing so.  The painting aside, the episode of Thomas' doubt is deeply illustrative of how God deals with doubt throughout the scriptures.  Again and again we see heroes of the faith depicted as having doubt: doubt in themselves, doubt in what they've been told by angels, even doubt after working miracles in God's name.  From Abraham's twice invoked "she's really just my sister" routine in Genesis, to Moses' attempt to put the responsibility on his younger brother instead of himself in Exodus, to Gideon's repeated requests for confirmation in Judges, to Elijah's exhaustion because he thinks he's the only one fighting for God in 1 Kings, to Esther's hesitancy to step forward in Esther, and finally Zechariah's doubt while standing in the Temple itself talking to the angel Gabriel in Luke, we see these great men and women who accomplished amazing things by the power of God, expressing their doubt and hesitancy.

And here's the key thing: In none of those instances does God search for the 'smite' key {A reference to one of my favorite Far Side cartoons} and ditch the person expressing how they really feel.  Instead, in each case God offers a second chance in the form of reassurance and patience until the person with doubt is able, thanks to this act of grace from God, to overcome it and continue fulfilling their purpose in God's plan. The point is, they were still useful to God.

How does the Church treat doubt?  I'm not talking about those who deny the Trinity or the Virgin Birth, for example, thanks to heretical teachings, that's false conviction not doubt, but rather those who have genuine doubts about God, his will or purpose, because the life they've lived has brought these feelings into focus.  Too often the Church can feel like the last place you would want to admit that you're struggling with doubt, anxiety, fear, even anger toward God.  It feels like a judgmental place, a place where, "nobody has doubts, but me."  Why?  Not because that's true, not because you're the only person who has been wounded by life, but because for whatever reason we choose to portray faith as an all-or-nothing proposition.  In reality, faith is a journey, a commitment, the kind of thing that can take a hit, get knocked down, but then rise once more and continue on, even if the person holding onto it has some scars from the experience.  Faith isn't made of glass, it is capable of dealing with reality, looking at difficult questions with humility, and acknowledging when we don't have all the answers.  Why?  Because faith is primarily a relationship with God, not an intellectual pursuit on our part.  Yes, our minds are involved, we need to know and accept who God is and what God has done for us in order to have faith, but that faith is IN God, a person, not a concept or construct, a person (who just so happens to be the Creator of the universe, a key thing faith has going for itself).

If you're having difficulties, if your faith feels battered and bruised, you won't be alone if you go to church, God be merciful on us if those you find there make you think you are, because you're not, they may not be willing to admit it, but a number of the people sitting, singing, and prayer with you know just how you feel because they were there once too, and maybe still are.  In the end, God isn't going to give up on you, for each and every person who faith and hope are in Jesus Christ is an adopted child-of-God, we're safe in our Father's arms, especially when we have to ask God to 'hold us tighter'.

Sermon Video: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" - Mark 9:14-29

 Is faith all or nothing?  Is there room for hesitancy, fear, or doubt?  Faith isn't like a light switch, all on or all off, but a continuim, it can grow and it can be weakened.  As Jesus helps a father whose son health need is too difficult for his own disciples to overcome, he also confronts the issue of wavering faith.  Jesus does not condemn the man who admits that his faith is weak, he helps him.  As Christians, and as a Church, we need to do likewise: admit our own weaknesses and help those in need.

Sermon Video: "Don't be afraid, just believe." - Mark 5:21-43

 On the way to heal Jairus' sick daughter, Jesus is interrupted by a desperate woman who has suffered from a painful malady for twelve years. This woman only touches Jesus cloak, but is still healed. Stopping, Jesus seeks out the woman, and when she falls trembling at his feet, he does not scold her for her impudence, but says to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." Meanwhile, Jairus' daughter has died, prompting Jesus' bold words, "Don't be afraid, just believe." How can this be? Faith is not meant to be irrational or absurd, so how can Jesus say such a thing? Simple. In the last 24 hours Jesus has demonstrated lordship over Nature (calming the storm) and the spiritual realm (driving out the Legion of demons), now he will demonstrate his lordship over Death as well. God is the giver of Life, all life, God can bring life back to the dead as well. Jesus then proves that faith placed in God's promises (Word) are well placed, as he precedes to bring the young girl back to life.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video: Building up God's people, including the doubters - Jude 17-23

Given the need that the Church has to be on its guard against false teachers and divisive people, what ought we to do about those who have doubts?  Doubt (and with it: fear, anxiety, etc.) is NOT a cause for excluding people from the fellowship of God's people.  Rather than judge those who doubt, Jude tells us to show them mercy.  In addition, those who are in danger of judgment should be "snatched from the fire", and even those who are in mired in darkness likewise should receive mercy from the people of God.  The reasons and the cure for doubt/anxiety/fear are a larger topic, the attitude of reaching out a helping hand to others is a simple principle to build upon.  {Also, this topic is yet another reason why 'church' is not a solo operation, why we need to be a part of God's people, both giving and receiving help in times of need}.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" Luke 24:1-12

In Luke's account of the resurrection of Jesus, there is no effort taken to hide the initial reactions of the women at the tomb (frightened, confused), nor of the apostles (disbelief, confusion, wonder).  Luke's Gospel is not a sanitized version of events, but rather an account of real people grappling with incredible news at a time when they were still trying to process the emotionally and psychologically devastating news of Jesus' execution.  God's Word does not condemn, initial, hesitancy or doubt, rather it requires that we move from that beginning toward trust and belief.  What brought this period of confusion/doubt to an end for the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection?  His appearance personally among them.  And while we of this generation have not been afforded the blessing of seeing Jesus face to face, we can still get to know Jesus more, still deepen our faith and set doubt aside.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Atheist Minister Gretta Vosper is being defrocked, why wouldn't she be?

A 23 person committee of the United Church of Canada voted 19-4 recently that Gretta Vosper, minister at the West Hill United Church in Scarborough, is "unsuitable to continue serving" as a minister in the United Church of Canada.  By her own proud admission, Vosper does not believe in God, nor Jesus Christ, nor the Holy Spirit. Vosper responded to the decision, according to the Toronto Star, by saying, “My sadness is for the many clergy and members and individuals currently studying for leadership in the UCC who are now also being told they need to keep quiet about their true beliefs or risk censure...The majority report said nothing about ethos and spoke exclusively to theological belief. A very sad day for the UCC.”
The United Church of Canada, "a historically inclusive and open-minded Protestant denomination" according to the article in the Star, has at least been willing to take a stand that its ministers need to believe in God.  Vosper in an interview with the Washington Post said, “We don’t talk about God,” and then added that the church needs to give up “the idolatry of a theistic god.”
The correct term for Gretta Vosper is not atheist, but apostate.  She has, like Bart Ehrman to cite a famous example, abandoned the faith that she previously professed.  It doesn't really matter what Vosper wants to replace God with, according to the Star interview, it is "adopting a more metaphorical interpretation of religious symbols and a greater emphasis on humanist, environmental and social justice causes."  Without God, whatever you put in his place, is meaningless and void.  This shouldn't be controversial in the least, that Vosper has been allowed to continue down this path for years should be shocking.
There is no way, at all, to apply the term "Christian" to what she is doing.  What we believe matters, for our hearts determine our actions, not the other way around, as Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45)  The heart of the Gospel is that mankind apart from God is lost in sin, we are hopeless on our own, and thus our ONLY hope is in salvation by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  These beliefs are not optional, they're essential in every way.
A "Christian", let alone a minister, who does not believe in God, AND more than that, who does not embrace the Gospel, would be a nonsense proposition to John Calvin, Martin Luther, Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, the Apostle Paul, the Apostle Peter, and of course Jesus himself.  For two thousand years the Church has proclaimed the Truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead in victory over sin and death.  To share the Gospel and make disciples of Jesus' followers, is why the Church exists.
Gretta Vosper may think that it is a "sad day" when 19 out of 23 members of a committee vote that an Apostate minister is unfit to lead the Church of Jesus Christ, I happen to see it as a "sad day" that 4 of the 23 voted to allow her to remain.

For additional consideration, Vosper's Church, West Hill, officially ended its use of the Lord's Prayer among other prayers, rewriting them along with classic hymns, for example:

From The Lord’s Prayer...

Then:

Our loving God, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses …

To Words of Commitment...

Now:

As I live every day, I want to be a channel for peace. May I bring love where there is hatred and healing where there is hurt; joy where there is sadness, and hope where there is fear …

From “How Great Art Thou Art …”

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

By Carl G. Boberg

To “Then Sings My Soul …”

Then sings my soul in wonder, full and free,

amazed at all I hear and see!

Then sings my soul in wonder, full and free,

a sacred gift is life to me!

By Gretta Vosper and Scott Kearns (2007)

The purposeful exaggeration of Bart Ehrman on Textual Variants

I'm in the process of reading Darrell Bock and Daniel Wallace's excellent book, Dethroning Jesus: Exposing Popular Culture's Quest to Unseat the Biblical Christ, and their first chapter confirms something I've noticed (not uniquely) about the writings and interviews of Biblical scholar, skeptic, and former evangelical, Bart Ehrman who is most famous for his book, Misquoting Jesus.  Dr. Ehrman routinely lists facts about the text of the N.T. that are not disputed by believing Biblical scholars, in fact most of what he says is very educational and helpful, but then he ends his recitation of the facts with a conclusion that is hardly necessary and in fact a rather significant amount of hyperbole.  For example, when listing off the most important textual variants that affect our ability to know the original text, Ehrman begins with Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:53-8:11 (the longer ending of Mark and the woman caught in adultery), as if these two texts are somehow not already well known for having been late additions to the text.  Those two additions, thirteen and twelve verses, are by far the most significant "changes" to the text, but neither passage has anything to do with Christian Orthodoxy, neither proclaims an exclusive doctrine, and concluding that both are not original doesn't hurt the Christian faith one bit.  How are these examples of significant changes that will destroy our faith?  The other passages listed by Ehrman in Misquoting Jesus (p. 208) as being a danger to the accepted Biblical text are: Mark 1:41, Hebrews 2:8-9, John 1:18, I John 5:7-8, and Matthew 24:36.  In Dethroning Jesus, Bock and Wallace look at each reference in turn, only to uncover that whether or not Jesus is "angry" in Mark 1:41 is not going to shake the foundations of the Church, nor will it harm us to have to see the Trinity in the totality of the N.T. instead of relying upon the late addition of I John 5:7-8, something that Erasmus knew was inauthentic over 500 years ago.  In the end, Ehrman is much sound and fury, eloquently stated with passion to be sure, but rest assured, his earth shattering revelations are far from it.

Sermon Video: The Sign of Jonah - Luke 11:29-36

How does God respond to unbelief and doubt?  While it is true that God often shows exceeding amounts of patience, especially to the Lost who do not know him, God also responds with disappointment, even anger, when those who should already know him persist in not hearing his word and obeying it.  Jesus was asked by a crowd of his fellow Jews, people of the Covenant who have the Law and the Prophets to guide them, who have the Temple and the priests, and who were raised to know the name of the LORD, for a sign from heaven.  This request for a sign came on the heels of yet another miraculous healing by Jesus.  The response to the request by Jesus was to tell the crowd that no new sign would be given to them except “the sign of Jonah”.  Jesus then explains that the people of Nineveh, a wicked people with no advantages of Law and no prophets before Jonah, had repented when he warned them of God’s impending judgment, and because they repented, despite their lack of advantages, that the people of Nineveh would condemn the generation who listened to Jesus and rejected him.  When you consider all the advantages those listening to Jesus had in comparison to the people of Nineveh, it is little wonder that God would be exasperated with them.

                Jesus then offers a second analogy, comparing the curiosity of the Queen of Sheba, who came to hear of Solomon’s wisdom after hearing a rumor of it, to the stubbornness of those listening to Jesus who though they already know of God, are not interested in listening to his emissary.  After having told the crowd that no new sign would be forthcoming, Jesus concludes by comparing the doubt and unbelief of those who know God, or know of God, but won’t listen to him, to someone who lights a lamp and then places it under a bowl.  The purpose of a light is to shine forth, if the Covenant people are too darkened by sin and unbelief to accept the light, then that light will go elsewhere. 

                The warning to the Covenant people that the Gentiles, who found God’s grace despite not being a part of the Covenant, will stand in judgment against them, is a warning that applies equally to the Church.  There will be no excuse for those raised in the church, or those living in lands where the Church of Christ is active, who fail to respond to the message of the Gospel.  What excuse do a people have who live in freedom, who have an abundance of Bibles, and a Christian neighbors demonstrating the love of Christ, if those people fail to accept God’s offer of forgiveness?  None.  The warning is dire, but so is the need for humanity to accept the grace of God through Christ.  As Christians, such a warning ought to spur us on to vigilance in our own house (both family and church) knowing that each must choose Christ, and it ought to give us further incentive to continue our efforts of personal evangelism to those in our lives who have not yet found the light of Christ.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video

Why the Bible skeptics and KJV only fanatics have something in common.

As I continue to prepare for my upcoming History of the Bible series, I’ve been watching some of the Youtube videos of James White’s debates with both Biblical skeptics and KJV fanatics.  In doing so I’ve come to a realization, although I’m sure someone else has noticed this already, to me it was still worth noting.  The skeptics and the KJV fanatics are two sides of the same coin.  Now, they certainly won’t say that, and would likely have a hard time having a civil conversation, but that doesn’t change the fact that both groups are over-reacting to the same historical fact that we don’t have a perfectly preserved New Testament text, a fact which has been known since at least Erasmus first published his Greek NT over 500 years ago, but one that both groups never tire of using as some sort of “secret” that the Church doesn’t want you to know.

            The skeptics, like Bart Ehrman and John Shelby Spong, look at the textual history of the NT, see that there are certainly uncertainties, (which any rational Bible believing scholar readily admits without fear) and erroneously and over-zealously concludes that the entire NT is therefore untrustworthy, that Jesus never claimed to be God, that the resurrection and the virgin birth are myths, and that the Church has been part of some Dan Brown-like conspiracy to hide the truth from the rubes that still believe such things.

            The KJV only fanatics, like Peter Ruckman and Sam Gipp, look at the textual history of the NT, see that there are certainly uncertainties, and erroneously and over-zealously conclude that the only solution is to posit a perfect re-inspiration of the Bible in the form of the KJV, thus concluding that whatever mistakes the KJV contains don’t actually exists, that all further scholarship and all modern translations are perversions of the devil, and that the only option for the Church is blind faith in the KJV to the extent that even foreign missionaries should teach illiterate tribes English so that they can read the KJV instead of doing new translation work.

            That both of these positions are clearly unnecessary and exceedingly dangerous is clear.  If either group had their way, the Church as we know it would be destroyed and be replaced by something that either has no soul, because it has lost its faith to doubt, or no mind, because it has had to silence its intellect to exist. 

            The history of the Bible isn’t a fairy tale full of perfect people, but it also isn’t something to be afraid of.  For those who wish to maintain both their faith and their intellect, the study of the history of how the Bibles we have today came to exist is both enlightening and enriching.  Don’t let the skeptics or the fanatics scare you away, the truth is not our enemy.

* On a personal note.  This observation of the connection between these two groups occurred to me as I lay in bed, rather than hoping I remembered it the next day, I got up to post it to my blog.  I assumed that somebody else had noticed this before be, and of course they had.  Two days later I was watching a debate between Dr. Bart Ehrman and Dan Wallace, during which Wallace drew the comparison between skeptics like Bart and KJV Only advocates.  Thus my "original" observation lasted only two days before I found out it had already been made by a NT expert, oh well.

Sermon Video: Do we need to look anywhere else? - Luke 7:11-23

If you or I were arranging the material that Luke had to work with when writing his Gospel, I don’t think we would have placed the episode of the doubt of John the Baptist while in prison immediately following the healing of the centurion’s servant and the raising from the dead of the widow’s son.  These two demonstrations of Jesus’ intimate connection with his Father should be proof for even those who were skeptical beforehand, let alone for the man whose mission in life was to prepare the way for his cousin to be the Messiah of Israel.  And yet, as John’s time in prison grows, doubt has crept into his mind.  After early success in the wilderness, with throngs of people proclaiming him a mighty prophet, maybe even the Messiah, John’s career has taken an abrupt about-face with the arrest by Herod for daring to publicly denounce Herod’s clearly sinful stealing of his brother’s wife.

            How will Jesus respond to John’s doubt?  Will he criticize him from not holding firm, or offer him solace in the same way that God comforted Elijah when his strength failed?  Rather than directly addressing John’s most pressing need, freedom from prison, Jesus tells John’s followers that the proof of who he is has been made clear in the healing of the sick, blind, lame, deaf, and the raising of the dead.  Why doesn’t Jesus offer his cousin a word of encouragement, John is after all in dire circumstances at this very moment?  The truth of the person of Jesus Christ, that he is indeed the Son of God and the Son of Man, that he has come to save the lost through self-sacrifice; this truth is greater than the circumstances that John is facing.  It may not be the easiest thing to hear when we ourselves are enduring suffering, but God’s plan to redeem humanity is far greater than anything we are, or will, ever endure.  The difficulties we experience in life are very real, the pain or sorrow equally so, but in the end, the love shown to us by God will have the victory.

            If you doubt, you are not alone, if you are afraid, you are not alone; God is greater, his love for you is greater, you don't have to look anywhere else.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video 

Sermon Video, "Stop doubting and believe' - John 20:24-29

A week after the resurrection, Jesus appears to Thomas, the last disciple to see the risen Christ with his own eyes.  Previously, Thomas had refused to believe on the word of the other disciples, he wanted to see and touch the wounds of Jesus for himself.  How would God respond to this doubt?  In the past, God had shown patient with doubters, including Sarah, Moses, Gideon, Esther, and Zechariah, still including them in his plan to bless his people, but what of Thomas?  Instead of punishing Thomas, Jesus offers him eyewitness proof to which Thomas responds, "My Lord and my God".
Do we need to see Jesus to believe, is a miracle the only thing that can prove God to us?  Actually, Jesus tells the disciples that those who believe without seeing will be more "blessed" because their faith is greater than those who must see first before they believe.  We have ample proof of the Gospel all around us, the wonders of God are daily in contrast with the evil of mankind, but a group of people who chosen a different path.  These followers of Jesus, by their willingness to sacrifice for others and be servants, are more clear proof than any miracle.  We have indeed seen Jesus when we see those who have been transformed by their belief in him.  Now, stop doubting and believe.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Ed's Story

I've been watching the film series "Ed's Story" that is seven (5 completed, 2 in the works) episodes about the life of Ed Dobson as he has battled with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for the past ten years.  If you know anyony who is facing a difficult disease, perhaps cancer or Alzheimer's, or depression; or anyone who has dealt with a severe loss, perhaps a marriage break-up or the death of a loved one.  Please recommend this series to them.  I can be downloaded from the website for under $10, the DVD's are about $20.
The series itself offers powerful insight into what it means to trust God, to put your faith in his lovingkindness even when your life seems to be all but over.  Our Sunday school class is using one episode each week as a springboard to talk about the Scripture references in them as well.
Ed also wrote the book, The Year of Living Like Jesus on the topic of what it takes to really live like Jesus would have.  Often funny, and very insightful, it'll open your eyes to the real cost of discipleship.
Those of us who followed Ed's career at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids would never have imagined that God could use him more mightily than he already was, but having read the book and watched the videos, it is clear that God, in his wisdom, chose to use his servant for a higher purpose.  As John the Baptist said, "he must become greater, I must become less."