That's My King!

Sunday, I was introduced to the anthem of S. M. Lockridge's sermon titled, "That's My King," and I could no more sit for that than for the "Star Spangled Banner!" If you have never heard this sermon, allow me to introduce you to it. Prepare to be stirred by a man's account of the indescribable King of kings that was God's gracious gift to mankind. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:15)

If the video does not appear, click here.

Whitewashed Tombs

A Communion Meditation

At Communion time, we often hear the familiar passage from 1 Corinthians 11:28, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces seven “woes” to the congregation before him. In the crowd were some who were eagerly seeking Jesus, the hungry, the sick, the empty, and the lonely, those looking for the Way to a better life. There were also in the crowd, hypocrites, those whose religion was only surface deep. Jesus cried out, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” When we truly look on the inside of ourselves, do we see darkness and decay, or is it truly the home...of the Light of Life?

That familiar passage in 1 Corinthians 11 continues, “But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.” Just because we realize that we have some cleaning up to do, does not mean we are not welcome at the Lord's table. In fact 1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. The good news of the gospel is, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God cleans us up!

Zacchaeus knew that he was a wee, little man and would not be able to come to Jesus on his short legs. When Jesus saw that he was eager enough to find him, that he, a grown man, climbed a tree just to get a glimpse, Jesus had compassion and was faithful to come into his home and life.

When we, in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds the Lord our God has made... When we see the clouds and hear the rolling thunder, and see His power throughout the universe displayed... We should consider just how small we are compared to a Great and Awesome God as that. We should consider the rottenness underneath the whitewashed facade, and seek Him out, whatever it takes, so that He can come into our homes and lives.

The miracle of the Lord's Supper is that the Most High has furnished a way for wee little men to commune with the Great and Powerful Master of the Universe. By taking this bread of life, we restore flesh to the decaying bones inside us. This cup of the blood of the Lamb washes us clean, from the inside, out.

Allow me to read a few verses from Psalm 51. I pray you will apply these to your hearts.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

The Pyramid of Purpose: Why the Church Exists

The purpose of the church, while sermonized and complicated by many, can be summed up in three basic pillars: worship, fellowship, and discipleship. When the three are combined, the result is a healthy church. As each pillar grows, so will the church.

Worship

God created each of us with an empty hole of longing for Him. Saint Augustine wrote in Confessions, “Man is one of your creatures, Lord, and his instinct is to praise you. He bears about him the mark of death…But still, since he is a part of your creation, he wishes to praise you. The thought of you stirs him so deeply that he cannot be content unless he praises you, because you made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.” (Augustine, Confessions, Translated by R. S. Pine-Coffin (London: Penguin, 1961), 21.)

When we finally find God and apply His salvation to our lives, the emotional result is joy, peace, and love, all the heavy-hitters of the “fruit of the Spirit” list in Galations 5. Our physical response to God, our praise, our sacrifice, our devotion, our righteous living, and even our service when motivated by our love for Him are defined as worship, and are referred to in the Bible repeatedly as the manner in which we, “glorify God.” As a father glows with pride when his son performs well, demonstrates honor, or offers compliments, so our Heavenly Father’s glory is intensified when we speak praise or demonstrate honor by our behavior.

Worship begins alone. It is the connection between a human soul and an infinite God. As worship grows, it includes more people. “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) Congregational or “corporate” worship serves both to set the tone for our private worship, and to exponentially multiply the glory to God. John speaks of the glory of God being a bright light which emanates from the Lord. (Revelation 21:11, 23) As the worshipping body of Christ grows, either in number or in sincerity and depth of relationship with Him, so His glory glows brighter. As the church, the bride of Christ, assembles and offers praise to God, it collectively calls to the halo of God’s presence, “Let there be light!”

Fellowship

Along with our natural draw toward the divine, God has put into each of us a desire for community. We long to associate with others with whom we share something in common. For Christians, the most defining characteristic is our Christianity. We need each other. When He realized the only flaw in His incomplete creation, “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’” (Genesis 2:18) Our grouping together for the good of one another is called “fellowship.” Fellowship serves to glorify God as we encourage and support one another.

Christ charged us to don a new identifying characteristic. He commanded us to be known for the way we sacrificially love each other. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) We are made to function together to compliment and supplement each other. As Paul repeatedly said, “in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5; see also 1 Corinthians 12:24; Ephesians 3:6, 4:25, 5:30; and Colossians 3:15)

As we spend time together, we learn to love, and are given more opportunity to demonstrate it practically. Regardless of how we choose to display it, as we “greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Peter 5:14) we share with one another a sense of belonging. Sharing with one another our time and service builds this sense of community, and strengthens relationships. When the inevitable trials come, the communal nature of our fellowship gives us each a means of sharing the burden. “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Discipleship

God wants us to share with one another as though we were one, but not just as an exclusive club or social organization. He equips us with the love, faith, and peace of knowing Him, and surrounds us with community of the fellowship of the saints, so that we can be prepared to follow his marching orders, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) The body of Christ has been assembled to increase itself. Width, one dimension of the church’s growth called for in this order, is called “evangelism.” Congregations that do not engage themselves about the purpose of evangelism tend to end up being identified by words like “clique-ish” and “friendly but exclusive.” When a church congregation finds contentment in this state, it suffers at least two problems: 1) their population ages, and is only replaced by whatever descendants they propagate; and, 2) they refuse to grow in spiritual depth, and become the milk-drinkers described by Paul in Hebrews 5:12-14. Deeper understanding of Spiritual truths will not allow a true disciple to ignore the call for service and outreach.

Evangelism is only part of discipleship. Jesus did not ask us to play Christian tag, recruiting new Christians, and then leaving them to fend for themselves. Once inside the congregational fold, members of the flock are also called to shepherd one another. We are to pass on what we have learned, “teaching them to obey everything I (Jesus) have commanded you.” This is another part of discipleship, to hone our skills as Christians on one another. Perfecting the ministries of love, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, etc. requires practice. Who better to practice on than those around us trying to do the same thing? “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) We wield the sword of the Spirit with care as we spar with our partners, gently admonishing and instructing one another in the Word. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

The final part of discipleship finds itself in the ministerial purpose of all mankind. It amazes me that secular service organizations do more for their communities than most Christian churches. This should not be! Mankind wanders this world seeking the answer to the oldest question, “Why am I here?” The answer can be found without climbing an icy mountain to some obscure guru. It is spelled out clearly in the Bible. God’s purpose for His people is to serve one another. “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) We exist on this planet, which is really just a series of training tools, confidence courses, and testing grounds, to demonstrate our love for God in the way we serve others, and in so doing glorify God. This is the ultimate purpose of man, of Christians, of our local congregations, and of the worldwide Body of Christ.

Worship, our relationship with God; Fellowship, our relationship with others; and Discipleship, our responsibility to build others up into a relationship with God, are the three pillars of a healthy, complete church congregation. It is only as we recognize our purpose individually and in our local congregations that we can serve it as a part of the global Church.

God is In the Storm!

Nahum 1

As I sit at my post, between the web updates, television, and radio, trying to keep my colleagues informed and equipped for the latest tropical storm, I cannot help but think about the power of the natural forces God put into motion. One member of my agency pointed out that the rush of flood waters can reach twenty-two miles per hour, and compared that to the Nantahala River, famous for its white water rafting, which races at an average of nine miles per hour. Rain and winds are blowing past my door, which is open so I can keep lookout against tornadoes. As I think about the fierceness of the storm, I am reminded that this is not even a sneeze compared with the power of God. I was looking up storm references in the concordance and I was reminded of Nahum’s prophecy.

(Nahum 1:3-4)
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power;
the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.

He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
he makes all the rivers run dry.

While we in Northeast Florida are praying for Him to dry up a few of the flooded streets and highways, it is comforting to know that He, who makes the rivers run dry, is just the One to get it done. Other thoughts about who God is came to me as I meditated on the phrase, “His way is in the whirlwind and the storm.”

1. The Whirlwind and the Storm are Organized
Floridians know that when a storm system becomes “organized” it’s time to bring in the lawn furniture and batten down the storm shutters. The more defined a tropical system is, the more devastating its effect. Even now, as Tropical Storm Fay loses organization, we are already breathing, to a certain extent, a sigh of relief. God is not one to act without a plan. He has always ordained and condoned structure. From the day He formed the oceans and bound them by divine instruction, “This far you will come and no farther,” (Job 38:11) to the organizational structure for which John was told to write commendations and rebukes regarding the churches, on the Isle of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9-11) In whatever He does, we can rest assured that He has chosen a systematic approach. As Paul pointed out, “God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)

2. The Storm’s Destructive Power is Undeniable
The windblown news reporter stands just outside some safe structure as close to the beach as humanly possible, apparently bent on getting his microphone wet to show you how brave he is and how devastating the winds of the current storm are. “I’m Gayle Force, coming to you from ground zero, where the beaches and anything around them are being pounded by this storm!” The scene, with flying debris in the background, is ridiculously predictable, and painfully obvious. Invariably, however, when the storm comes, someone feels the need to demonstrate to you, by the flapping of his rain-suit and the wetness of his hair, that the storm has a power that should not be experienced by mere mortal humans. God’s power is so much more powerful than that sandblasted tele-journalist could describe! Nahum continues:

Nahum 1:5-6
The mountains quake before him
and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
the world and all who live in it.

Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
the rocks are shattered before him.

3. The Whirlwind and the Storm Refresh the Surface
There is a strange cleanness that is evident after a storm. In the air the freshness is palatable with every breath. Anything weak, dead, or dying is cleared away. Brown palm fronds litter streets and yards, leaving nothing but healthy green on the trees. Only the strongest branches and best rooted trees remain. Rough surfaces are smoothed over by erosion. Beaches are redefined. After the changing of a few tides and the arrival of the waste removal teams, the area is left with a sparkle of aesthetic gleam that would rival any household cleaner commercial. Likewise when God moves, the breath of His Spirit erodes away all our rough surfaces, breaks away any weakness, clears out all that hinders, and makes room for a fresh, new growth.

Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.


When God revealed Himself to Moses, He covered him with His hand in a rocky crag until the devastation of His presence had passed by. Then He allowed Moses to look at His back as He moved away. I thank God for His goodness that accompanies His power. Even though He has the power to make the universe tremble and melt, He gently picks me up and cradles me with His loving care, polishes me clean, and finds there something worth dying for. That is why I love Him.

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.

Warning: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

ATTENTION ALL SHEEP! THERE IS A DANGEROUS LIAR ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM SHE MAY DEVOUR.

A friend of mine recently showed me this video. I am not among Oprah Winfrey's viewing audience, so I was shocked to hear of the vile, deceptive teachings she is spewing at millions of people. They are the ancient lies of Satan, the mystic practice of self-worship, and all under a "New Age" label.

Be warned! There is a deceiver in your television set, and she has a loyal following that probably includes someone you know.

"One of the mistakes human beings make is believing that there is only one way... There are many paths to what you call 'God', and her path might be something else, and when she gets there, she might call it 'the light.' ...There couldn't possibly be just one way!" Oprah said to her objecting audience.

• Isaiah 59:8, "The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace."
• John 14:6, "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
• Romans 5:17, "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

Her spiritual guide, Eckhart Tolle, when asked what happens when we die, answered, "I don't give it any thought." That's a great answer for a child of Satan! None on the losing side likes to think about what is going to happen to them in the end.

Oprah says her own objection to religion began when she heard a preacher say that God was a jealous god. She could not rationalize that with what she felt God should be. She could not believe that God is a jealous God. Let me help make this clear by posting some more Scripture:

• Exodus 20:5, "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me"
• Exodus 34:14, "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
• Joshua 24:19, "...He is a holy God; he is a jealous God."
• The list goes on: Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9, 6:15, 32:21; Joshua 24:19; Nahum 1:2
• The Apostle Paul even said, "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy." (2 Corinthians 11:2)

My hope is that in hearing this, you are able to reach out to someone you know and show them how dangerous this kind of teaching can be. Men, be sure your wives are grounded in the truth and are not following this wolf in sheep's clothing! Women be wise. Don't allow this garbage in your mind or your homes. Job 28:28, "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

Terminal Distraction

I was so excited! I had won an all-expense paid trip to an island paradise and it was finally time to leave.

As the car arrived to take me to the terminal, the trim sparkled, the tires glistened, and the glass was like crystal. I was welcomed into the car by the suppleness of the leather and the smoothness of everything I touched. The powerful engine quickly propelled me to the terminal.

At the terminal, I was pampered with luxury. Attendants carried my bags and I was left to tarry there in the terminal. I wandered the great hall and found there a means to meet my every desire. I found a cushioned place in which to rest, and escaped in various stories I found in the vast bookstore. I indulged in the decadence of an endless supply of cinnamon pastries and soft pretzels, until the thought of my destination seemed a distant memory. I made up my mind to live in that terminal and be quite content.

Then, as I reclined somewhere between the shoeshine stand and the pizza vendor, a stranger approached me, dressed in an apron. He seemed to know exactly who I was, and addressed me by my name. He handed me a tropical cocktail with all the vibrant colors and succulent delicacies of the islands. When I sat up to pay the strange servant, he simply said, “I have paid the price. Remember me!”

I leaned forward and took a sip. As the fragrant concoction washed over my tongue, I could almost see the coconut trees! I took a bit of pineapple off the rim of my cup and put it into my mouth. The beaches! The warm breeze! I could taste it! I could feel it. I could remember it. All at once, in the tasting of the stuff of that token cup, what I was missing became apparent to me.

How could I have been so blinded by the distractions of the port that I forgot my destination? How could I have fallen in love with the props and glamor of the terminal that I had betrayed the prospect of paradise?

This life and everything in it are mere distractions. Fear, pride, greed, lust, fanaticism, ambition, these are the idolatries that seek to divide us from our devotion to the goal.

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul describes the purpose of the bread and wine of our communion sacrament, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” “Do this, whenever you drink it,” Christ instructed, “in remembrance of me.”

Remember Him! Do not be distracted by the illusions of this world and all its cares.

Remember Him! Proclaim His death until He comes. Claim it for yourself.

Remember Him! Apply the Bread of His flesh to your dry bones.

Remember Him! Wash white your filthy existence in the blood of the Lamb.

Remember Him! Consider the lashes He bore for your sin, the price He paid for your redemption.

Remember Him! Take now this token meal, and look forward to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' These are the true words of God. (Rev.19:9)

Remember Him!



Note to reader(s): I haven't posted in a while, because I would rather be silent than write when I have nothing to say. When the Spirit moves me to write, I write. When I have nothing to say, I read or pray. It was time for another communion meditation, so I forced myself to write. What do you know? When you schedule an appointment with the Spirit, God never fails!