But It Didn't!

Immaculate conception.  That’s what theologians would later call it.  But right then it meant shame, excommunication, and possible death for a teenage girl.  If not for the obedience of a just and righteous man named Joseph, the story might have ended there.  But it didn’t.

From a manger he went to a humble home soon visited by foreign dignitaries who were commissioned by a ruthless king to locate the babe for his disposal at will.  If it were not for the obedience of worshipping magi, the story might have ended there.  But it didn’t.

From a weeping city, they fled to the land of Egypt where history itself might have swallowed them.  But for the obedience of a faithful father and mother, it might have ended there.  But it didn’t.

From the common rude city of Nazareth to the Jerusalem temple they came with the boy Jesus for a rite of passage.  Questioned by teachers and lawyers for days, he was almost lost to his family.  But for frantic loving parents, it might have ended there.  But it didn’t.

From a carpenter’s shop to the river Jordan and on into the wilderness the man Jesus faced some of the greatest temptations ever known on earth.  But for the Word of God itself, the man Jesus might have failed.  It might have ended there.  But it didn’t.

Through three years of teaching and experiencing both adulation and hate, Jesus walked on toward a fate He knew and understood but no one else seemed to grasp.  Once they tried to throw him off a cliff and more than once they tried to crown him king.  It could have ended there.  But it didn’t.

From a donkey’s back amid a cheering crowd, to an intimate supper in an upper room, then to a Garden where he sweat great drops of blood, but for the solace of Heaven, it might have ended there.  But it didn’t.

From a midnight kangaroo court, to a Roman whipping post, steadfastly onward to a cross of untold agony where legions of angels waited in vain to set him free, everyone thought it ended there.  But it didn’t.

Three days later, the Lord of Glory asserted His heavenliness over his earthiness.  His life triumphed over death.  His power triumphed over all principalities of the earth.  He restored his disciples. He reinforced his resurrection to hundreds of known witnesses.  He commissioned His followers.  He returned to Heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father, victorious over sin, death, hell, and the grave.  It might have ended there but it didn’t.

Commissioned by their Lord and Savior and filled with His Spirit of Comfort, across the nations and generations in the millennia since that first Christmas His disciples have spread the glorious message of the Gospel of Christ: good news for all mankind.  And today nearly the whole earth celebrates His birth whether they know it or not. It could end there.  But it doesn’t.

Today we continue to spread the message of His love in our community and around the world.  We do this as we await the sound of trumpets heralding the return of the Christmas Baby from so long ago who will arrive this time – not damp with afterbirth in the stench of a stable – but on a cloud of Glory to catch us - His bride - away!  It might end there.  But it won’t.

 

On and on for all eternity we will rejoice in His presence and fellowship with all who have gone on before us and the run the race with patience unto the receiving of the prize.  This is why we celebrate all we do at Christmastime!  Thank you for your participation and praise today.  It is my prayer as Pastor that you will continue your rejoicing throughout this season.

Seed Flingers

It's Christmas time here in Hampton Roads and we are LOVING the 65-70 degree weather!  It's not often you have a Christmas this warm!  We are still doing all the seasonal things though: singing "winter wonderland," going Christmas caroling, wrapping presents, and building Christmas boxes.  That's what made me think about this thought today.

As we made our first attempts this year at many things as a church, it feels unusual - out of the comfort zone.  Are we truly doing any good or just going through the motions?  We had our first annual Christmas program, sang Christmas carols at two assisted living facilities, and built a Christmas box for a small struggling family.  It doesn't seem like much against the backdrop of a community so full of lost and hurting people. 

But God reminded me of something today.  We are "seed flingers."  You remember the parable: "a sower went forth to sow...."  When Jesus taught His disciples, he said the seed was the Word of God and proclaimed that it would fall on all types of soil.  He never said the sower should stop flinging seed just because some of it would be gobbled up or wasted.  All He did was prepare us for the responses to the seed.  He also said that some seed WOULD fall on good soil and bring forth a great harvest. 

In the context of this and other Scriptures, I am reminded that we are to be "Seed Flingers" and "Harvest Reapers."  Don't fret that what we are doing is not enough or that it is not easy or that it is uncomfortable.  Rather focus on spreading the magnificent message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every venue available.  Let us demonstrate His love toward others even when they are yet sinners without the knowledge of Christ.  Let us fling the seeds of His Word everywhere and trust Him to bring the harvest!  Merry Christmas!

The Context of Nine & The Subtext of His Glory

What a wonderful day God gave us yesterday: all nine of us. Yes indeed. I said "nine." In the morning service there were only nine people including the Pastor. Nearly all of our families, including most of mine, were absent due to sickness or life events. Let me tell you, the morning you preach to eight people is a good morning to feel discouraged. However, I was encouraged! You see, when the context is disheartening, our subtext is still true. A subtext is an underlying theme of a play, drama, or performance that may not be explicitly stated but is still true. Our subtext proclaims that victory comes through faith in the unseen. Our subtext directs us to look beyond the visible to the invisible. Our subtext describes our God is Mighty above all else. Our subtext emphasizes His glory above all else. When the context of circumstances looks bleak, our subtext declares victory!

So even with nine people, we set up the church expecting a crowd. Even with nine people, we set up the sound system. Even with nine people we set up the powerpoint projector. Even without a pianist we set up the piano. With only nine people we invited God's presence and He came. We gave Him praise. We prayed and He blessed. You see, it makes you boil it down to what really matters. Do we really sing to give God praise or do we sing for the benefit of others? Do we pray to be heard by God or men? Do we do all we do in church for His glory? Well, I found out that with only nine people HE really becomes your focus, much more than the professional presentation of a scripted service. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate a well choreographed service as much as the next guy. However, this Sunday's experience reminded me we need to focus less on the art form of having church and more on HIS glory. That's what it's supposed to be all about.

I am happy to say in the evening service our attendance doubled! But I am thankful for the "Context of Nine" that reminded me of the "Subtext of His Glory."

More Than an Introduction

How well do you know Christ?  I mean, really know Him?  I have been thinking a lot about this question.  Let me phrase the question this way: when you get to Heaven, will it be an introduction or a reunion?

For far too many of us, our relationship with God is cursory or perhaps entry-level at best.  We want to know Him just enough to get in the door: kind of like the friend you have that you know just well enough to get you tickets or a good seat in the restaurant.

But God wants to know us far better.  Enoch walked so closely with Him that he walked right out of this world into the next.  Abraham was called a God’s “friend.”  Moses was allowed to see Him in person and hear his voice.  Isaiah, saw Him and cried, “Woe is me for I am a man of unclean lips.”  Enough people in the annals of Bible history knew God well enough to lead me to the conclusion this is supposed to be the “norm,” not the exception.

Jesus went further, calling himself the heavenly bridegroom and describing the relationship of the church with Himself as a marriage.  Beyond this, Jesus commanded His disciples to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that the very essence of Heaven could flow through them into this world. These are concepts of intimacy.  Why then do we think we can or should live shallow lives devoid of His presence?

Instead of possessing the atmosphere of our lives, bringing our thoughts into captivity to the law of Christ, and instigating major change in our spheres of influence, we settle for “sermons on Sunday” and occasional “prayers in a pinch” during the week.  So much more is available, and I am in pursuit of it.

I want to have a relationship with God that is genuine and deep, one that permeates every thread of my life’s fabric.  I want to be on close speaking terms with my Heavenly Father.  He promised he would listen when I call and answer when I knock.  He promised if I would seek Him first, I could have anything I ask for in the name of His Son, my fellow heir.    He promised that if I would surrender and obey, He would guide and bless.  He didn’t say it would be comfortable, easy, or fun (in fact He indicated otherwise).  But, He did promise He would dwell with me, commune with me, and give me peace that passes all understanding. 

Imagine it: all of Heaven stopping stock still so God can hear the sound of your prayer; every angel pausing for the possibility of a new assignment when you knock on Heaven’s door; the throne room cleared to make room for your ascending praise when you lift it from your heart!  This is intimacy with Heaven’s King!

This is what I want: to know God intimately, not so I can be famous or successful, but so that I may breathe a whiff of Heaven’s air here on earth.  I want to know Him so well, that when I come before the throne, it is like meeting an old friend: not being introduced to a God I barely know. 

How about you?  Are you ready to Ask, Seek, and Knock so you can find this powerful peace ready to be given at the open door of Heaven?