Christmas is upon us once again. You'd be hard pressed to find an American who hasn't heard of Christmas. Most of those same people know that the holiday is somehow connected to a child, a manger, some angels, maybe something about a star. In other words, we all seem to know a little bit about Christmas. But do we know about why this particular child's birth has been remembered for over 2,000 years? It was certainly worth noting that Jesus was born of a virgin, that doesn't happen every day does it? But more importantly, Jesus was Immanuel, which means "God with us". Jesus is the incarnation (God taking on humanity) of God. In this case, he is literally, God with us. When the world was created, God walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. There was nothing between God and his creation. After the sin of Adam and Eve (the Fall), an unbridgable gap opened up between God's perfection and our fallen state. We had no way to come to God, and he couldn't be with us any longer. Perfection and imperfection don't mix. With the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the finale of the process of God's redemption of humanity was set in motion. As God, Jesus could achieve the perfection that we cannot. As a man, Jesus could stand in our place before God and receive our punishment. The baby in the manager 2,000 years ago made it possible for us to be reunited with God by dying on a cross thirty years later and rising from the dead. He is indeed, God with us.
Merry Christmas.
This blog serves as an outreach for Pastor Randy Powell of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, PA. Feel free to ask questions or send me an e-mail at pastorpowell@hotmail.com
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The last time the World was supposed to end...
I've been reading Tom Holland's The Forge of Christendom: The End of Day and the Epic Rise of the West which focuses on the End Times fascination and/or hysteria that occured throughout Christendom in and around the turning of the Millenium (1000 AD). The book is excellent, and it reminds me that throughout Christian history there have been voices crying out that their particular generation had become so corrupt and morally bankrupt that surely the return of Christ was imminent. And yet the world continues to turn and the day and hour that only the Father knows is not yet upon us.
One of the interesting aspects of Holland's book is the numerous reminders that Churchmen KNEW that knowledge of the specific Day of the LORD was forbidden, that only the Father knows (and he isn't sharing that one). And yet, those same priest and bishops went on to speculate to their flocks or interested kings that the End Times were upon us because of all of the "signs"
We certainly aren't immune to that same specualtion fever. During my early years the Soviet Union was portrayed as the Evil Empire that woud rise up behind the Anti-Christ; when the Soviets crumbled a new home needed to be found...Fast forward to 9/11, another event that was portrayed as a sign of the beginning of the end...And yet, speculation of this nature continues to be dangerous or at least futile. It conditions Christians to give up fighting for their communities, to assume that decay is inevitable and that we're doomed to failure.
This generation is certainly corrupt, we've perfected the art of killing the unborn child and passing it off as convenience (like one-hour photo), we've embraced the destruction of marriage and enshrined the celebration of sexual immorality. We've done all this and more, but we're not better or not worse than the generations that came before us. When your grandparents were kids their parents were decrying the corruption of the youth and worrying about the future. And yet God always sparks a revival through the faith of his people, God gives us a chance to swing the pendulum back toward righteousness and justice. Our God is a God of restoration and hope; as his people, we must be ministers of hope and renewal.
When is Christ coming back, you'll never hear me speculating, I have no idea. I'm here to do the work of the Lord today, I'll let God decide the future.
One of the interesting aspects of Holland's book is the numerous reminders that Churchmen KNEW that knowledge of the specific Day of the LORD was forbidden, that only the Father knows (and he isn't sharing that one). And yet, those same priest and bishops went on to speculate to their flocks or interested kings that the End Times were upon us because of all of the "signs"
We certainly aren't immune to that same specualtion fever. During my early years the Soviet Union was portrayed as the Evil Empire that woud rise up behind the Anti-Christ; when the Soviets crumbled a new home needed to be found...Fast forward to 9/11, another event that was portrayed as a sign of the beginning of the end...And yet, speculation of this nature continues to be dangerous or at least futile. It conditions Christians to give up fighting for their communities, to assume that decay is inevitable and that we're doomed to failure.
This generation is certainly corrupt, we've perfected the art of killing the unborn child and passing it off as convenience (like one-hour photo), we've embraced the destruction of marriage and enshrined the celebration of sexual immorality. We've done all this and more, but we're not better or not worse than the generations that came before us. When your grandparents were kids their parents were decrying the corruption of the youth and worrying about the future. And yet God always sparks a revival through the faith of his people, God gives us a chance to swing the pendulum back toward righteousness and justice. Our God is a God of restoration and hope; as his people, we must be ministers of hope and renewal.
When is Christ coming back, you'll never hear me speculating, I have no idea. I'm here to do the work of the Lord today, I'll let God decide the future.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Ten years and counting...
It was ten years ago today that Nicole and I shared our first kiss. From that day forward we've been together (married 8 1/2 years now). We've already lasted beyond the average length of marriages in America today (somewhere around 7-8 years) and we have no intention of stopping. The sad truth is that many in our society, and far too many of them are Christians, don't take their marriage vows seriously. People stand before God, promise to love someone for the rest of their life, and then simply walk away when the grass is greener or they just don't feel "happy". Forget for a moment the disaster this has been for children whose lives are torn apart (and who may never really trust anyone as a result), and simply marvel at the audacity of assuming that a promise made to another Christian (assuming Christians at least follow Paul's guidelines in this; I know many do not) in the house of God; standing before the altar, with a man of God giving witness; marvel that this promise isn't considered to be more important than one's own "happiness". {we don't need to debate whether divorced people are happier than married people, they are clearly not happier being "free"}
It is amazing to me that people can simply give up. {I'm not talking about the two exceptions that I believe the Bible would sanction, the cheated upon spouse who MAY leave if they want, or the spouse who is abused}. Most divorces in America today end for reasons of convenience; a horrible excuse if ever there was one.
Of all of the challenges facing the Church today, this may be the most dire. If we don't promote marriage, encourage marriage, and support marriage (on an individual basis and the principles behind it), how can we possibly bear witness to the Gospel's power to change lives? If Christianity in America is going to stand against moral relativism and offer true Hope for those who are lost, we MUST redeem the marriage in our own house and begin to once again take our vows seriously.
For Nicole and I the very idea of considering an end to our marriage is off limits. Neither of us has ever threatened anything of the sort while mad, nor do we allow ourselves to wonder what life might be like apart; we're in this together, together for life.
It's been ten years since my wife and I first kissed, God willing, we'll be celbrating this day for many years to come.
It is amazing to me that people can simply give up. {I'm not talking about the two exceptions that I believe the Bible would sanction, the cheated upon spouse who MAY leave if they want, or the spouse who is abused}. Most divorces in America today end for reasons of convenience; a horrible excuse if ever there was one.
Of all of the challenges facing the Church today, this may be the most dire. If we don't promote marriage, encourage marriage, and support marriage (on an individual basis and the principles behind it), how can we possibly bear witness to the Gospel's power to change lives? If Christianity in America is going to stand against moral relativism and offer true Hope for those who are lost, we MUST redeem the marriage in our own house and begin to once again take our vows seriously.
For Nicole and I the very idea of considering an end to our marriage is off limits. Neither of us has ever threatened anything of the sort while mad, nor do we allow ourselves to wonder what life might be like apart; we're in this together, together for life.
It's been ten years since my wife and I first kissed, God willing, we'll be celbrating this day for many years to come.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Rest for the Weary
Having just spent half of Thanksgiving driving up to Traverse City (to my in-laws) and back, I am reminded that during the Christmas season we often find it very difficult to actually take time to rest from our labors. Genesis 2:2 tells us, "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." This was the first occassion that illustrates the need to take a break from our labors. That same principle was enshrined in the Ten Commandments alongside such staples as "do not murder", do not commit adultery", "do not steal", etc. which tend to get all of the attention. Yet purposefully taking the time to REST was so to God that it was included.
In the modern world, we're connected 24/7 to our jobs and our social networks so much so that many people never really rest at all. I know that many people may laugh at the notion of disconnecting themselves in order to have some peace and quiet, but that is precisely what God has commanded us to do. During holidays we become so fixated with all of the things that need to be done (many of them useful or worthy tasks) that we don't allow ourselves to experience the purpose of the holy day that we are commemorating.
Christians have traditionally used Sunday as our day of rest, but I know from experience that many Americans don't even pause from their yardwork, shopping, texting, sports, or anything else in honor of the Sabbath that God took when he finished his labor. As a pastor, Sunday is actually my busiest day which forces me to find time on another day to obey God's command to rest, but it's a command, not a suggestion.
If you're one of those people who feels the need to fill every waking moment with some task or other, don't. Take the examle of our God's rest to heart and schedule (if you have to) some time this Christmas to REST.
In the modern world, we're connected 24/7 to our jobs and our social networks so much so that many people never really rest at all. I know that many people may laugh at the notion of disconnecting themselves in order to have some peace and quiet, but that is precisely what God has commanded us to do. During holidays we become so fixated with all of the things that need to be done (many of them useful or worthy tasks) that we don't allow ourselves to experience the purpose of the holy day that we are commemorating.
Christians have traditionally used Sunday as our day of rest, but I know from experience that many Americans don't even pause from their yardwork, shopping, texting, sports, or anything else in honor of the Sabbath that God took when he finished his labor. As a pastor, Sunday is actually my busiest day which forces me to find time on another day to obey God's command to rest, but it's a command, not a suggestion.
If you're one of those people who feels the need to fill every waking moment with some task or other, don't. Take the examle of our God's rest to heart and schedule (if you have to) some time this Christmas to REST.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The End of the World as We Know it
It seems that mankind has a never ending thirst for rumors and speculation about the end of the world. Since we are the only species on this planet that can contemplate our own existence and see that it has a possibility to not continue it should seem odd that we're perpetually dispelling such myths. My wife and I enjoy a good disaster flick, Independence Day for example, but man has been fascinated about this topic since long before the motion pictures came along to give it special effects.
Why is it that we can't seem to put an end to such speculation? The minute one deadline passes (like Y2K), another pops up (like 2012). The minute one crisis is averted (Nuclear Winter) another comes to the fore (Global Warming). What is it about humanity (in general) that ensures that such speculation always finds an audience?
The answer is relatively simple. Because we are aware of our own personal existence, and because we have reasonable concerns about what will happen to us when we die, we seek out comfort and hope through religion (or philosophy) to assure us that it will be ok. For Christians, we have our hope in Jesus Christ, a hope that is secure and a promise that we can count on. Others may find some comfort in the Eight-Fold Path or the Five Pillars (Buddhism and Islam), but they won't find the Hope that can quite the anxiety of their hearts.
This quest for assurance, and fear of the future is simply writ large when it comes to humanity as a whole. Millions of people throughout the world are hopelessly looking for some sort of answer to their own personal need and as such are willing to listen to those who predict an end to this struggle even if it means that they begin to believe that we are all doomed (at least that would solve their problem too). Each time one of these false doomsayers is proven false, another pops up with a "new" scenario to find ever willing listeners.
By the way, it's a waste of time to argue the folly of such ideas, the improbability of them actually adds to the appeal (When logic and reasoning haven't led to answeres, people will embrace the illogical and the unreasoned)
What does the future hold? How will this world end? Take a look at Revelation if you want the visions that the Apostle John saw, just don't ask me to explain all of them. There is at least one thing that I'm confident to say I understand about those future prediction though: "'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Why is it that we can't seem to put an end to such speculation? The minute one deadline passes (like Y2K), another pops up (like 2012). The minute one crisis is averted (Nuclear Winter) another comes to the fore (Global Warming). What is it about humanity (in general) that ensures that such speculation always finds an audience?
The answer is relatively simple. Because we are aware of our own personal existence, and because we have reasonable concerns about what will happen to us when we die, we seek out comfort and hope through religion (or philosophy) to assure us that it will be ok. For Christians, we have our hope in Jesus Christ, a hope that is secure and a promise that we can count on. Others may find some comfort in the Eight-Fold Path or the Five Pillars (Buddhism and Islam), but they won't find the Hope that can quite the anxiety of their hearts.
This quest for assurance, and fear of the future is simply writ large when it comes to humanity as a whole. Millions of people throughout the world are hopelessly looking for some sort of answer to their own personal need and as such are willing to listen to those who predict an end to this struggle even if it means that they begin to believe that we are all doomed (at least that would solve their problem too). Each time one of these false doomsayers is proven false, another pops up with a "new" scenario to find ever willing listeners.
By the way, it's a waste of time to argue the folly of such ideas, the improbability of them actually adds to the appeal (When logic and reasoning haven't led to answeres, people will embrace the illogical and the unreasoned)
What does the future hold? How will this world end? Take a look at Revelation if you want the visions that the Apostle John saw, just don't ask me to explain all of them. There is at least one thing that I'm confident to say I understand about those future prediction though: "'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
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