Shining Like Stars

Friends,

If you have been watching the news, and you have an interest in science…particularly astronomy…then you are likely aware that astronomers believe that they have found a star and planet similar to our sun and earth.  The planet is called Kepler 452b (after famous astronomer Johannes Kepler). Both star and planet are slightly larger than our version of “home”, but this is interesting news for those who would like to escape this world. The universe is a really big place…so large, that we can’t really begin to comprehend it.  As one person shared…one way to try to grasp it is that the earth is like a grain of sand, and the universe of other stars, planets and galaxies would be all of the sand on all of the beaches of the world.  And even this wouldn’t even begin to be enough. That is difficult to wrap the mind around if you are a typical human being.  Some scientists try to tell us that everything that we know came into existence via some cataclysmic event called “the Big Bang.”  I experienced a big bang one time when I walked near a significantly large firework blast that went off by me when I was a kid. :-) What I do know, and understand by faith, is that God created the universe. And, if He chose to do so through the process of some sort of big bang then that is His business.  What I also know is that God created “light.”  And He has been sending His light into the world ever since.  He did so via the sun.  Then, at the appointed time, He did so through His Son.  Now, God sends us out as His instruments to be light to the world.  We do not have to light up the entire universe…but, you and I have the ability and responsibility to light our world.  As such, Paul tells the believers in Philippi that, as Jesus was the Light, they also must shine like lights in the darkness of the world.  We do indeed have the same responsibility!

Paul wants us to know that we need to continually strive to be like Christ.  This requires obedience and effort, or as he tells the Philippians…”work out your own salvation” (Philippians 2:12-18). This is not to be confused with any mistaken concept of “working for or to salvation.”  I knew a lady one time that when I explained this principle, it was like a light went on. She had never considered that she couldn’t do enough or be good enough to be a Christian.  This was sad in one sense, but good in another. She began to understand that it is all about what Jesus has done, and our connection to it.  There is no way that we can work for, do enough, be good enough in order to gain salvation.  It is the free gift of grace from God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  This is precisely Jesus’ point with the rich, young ruler (Matthew 19). 

Paul is dealing with people who are Christians already, but some seem to be struggling and have quit growing to be like Jesus.  He continues to help them, and all of us, to continue to meet the challenge of growing in Christ by contrasting the life of believers with those of unbelievers.  God’s purpose for us, His people, is to achieve Christ-likeness.  Church and Christian living is never to be about you or me or anyone else…it is all about Jesus. He is to be our all in all!  Paul says that those who belong to the world make it a course of their lives to grumble and find fault, but not those in Christ.  We are to rejoice and give thanks at all times.  How can this be so?  We understand that we are not working to grab hold of some sort of victory, but that we are living our lives in Christ striving from victory.  We have every opportunity to be able to enjoy our salvation with fellow believers…those we meet with on Sundays…and those who we meet with at other times.  We have the greatest principle in common -- grace and thanksgiving as the result of what Jesus has done for each and every one of us in setting us free from sin, death and the world!  We have a unity in this which no one can take away.

And what is even more interesting is that grace, thanksgiving and joy all have the same root in the original language – char.  This is where our English words charity, charisma, and character find their meaning.  In this, we continue to work out God’s purposes for our lives, spiritually, charitably living as His witnesses…shining in the world around us.  As we are confronted with the needs and the difficulties of real life, we continue to grow and become more Christ-like.  The struggles we face make us better, stronger for Him.  We can offer thanksgiving to the Lord for the opportunity to continue to grow and become more like His Son. 

Another principle that Paul wants us to understand is that it is God who is at work in us, and He must be doing this before He can work through us.  Some people obey God because of pressures from the outside (people, circumstances), and not from the power that comes from within us (the Holy Spirit).  And this is to be the power working in us, the Holy Spirit…God’s personal presence.  The power is at our disposal -- truly “greater is He (Spirit) who is within us that He who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).  God uses “tools” such as the Word, prayer, suffering and fellowship in order to bear fruit in the lives of His people. We discover that as we continue to grow that all of these virtues on earth are transforming our spirits in order for us to be ready for the glory in heaven being prepared for us.  We receive eternal life and joy because of our submission.  Just as Jesus submitted Himself to the will of the Father and was exalted, so will we be one day.

The beauty of the spiritual struggle is that we are not left to simply muster more of our strength, but we are invited to tap into His!  It is only through surrender to His will, and allowing His Spirit to work in us that we are able to grow and understand spiritual matters.  This all means that the victories and accomplishments that we have in the spiritual realm should be acknowledged as coming from the Lord…and we should give Him the glory.  We cannot do good enough or be good enough to achieve this victory.  But, we need to be surrendered enough, committed enough to be able to live out our Christian lives abundantly from victory.  When we have spiritual character, charisma, we understand that grace, thanksgiving, unity isn’t something that we do…it is who we are!  It all simply means that we can live the Christian life, free from negative attitudes such as fear, bitterness, self-sufficiency, because our dependence is on Him.  And this is precisely why we can be grace-filled, Spirit-filled, thankful, united people…because it is not about us -- it is all about what Jesus has done on our behalf! 

Blessings, Don

Keeping the Resurrection Real

Friends,

Rodney Buchanan shares this story -- I read a recent magazine article about a pastor and his encounter with some unbelievers while having breakfast. Here is how he tells the story: “My wife and I were vacationing in Estes Park, Colorado, and had breakfast in a coffee shop. It was empty except for four men at another table. One was mocking Christianity, and in particular, the Resurrection of Christ. He went on and on about what a stupid teaching that was. I could feel the Lord asking me: ‘Are you going to let this go unchallenged?’ However I was thinking, But I don’t even know these guys. He’s bigger than me. He’s got cowboy boots on and looks tough. I was agitated and frightened about doing anything. But I knew I had to stand for Jesus. Finally, I told Susan to pray. I took my last drink of water and went over and challenged him. With probably a squeaky voice, I said, ‘I’ve been listening to you, and you don’t know what you’re talking about.’ I did my best to give him a flying rundown of the proofs for the resurrection. He was speechless, and I was half dead. I must have shaken for an hour after that. But I had to take a stand. We cannot remain anonymous in our faith forever. God has a way of flushing us out of our quiet little places, and when He does we must be ready to speak for him.” I admire this pastor’s courage and his determination to be a witness, regardless of how difficult it was. A lot of Christians would have just sat there in fear or fumed, thinking about how terrible the things were that these men were saying. I realize that I have the opportunity of looking back with hindsight on the situation, but it seems to me that he missed the most important and impressive proof of the resurrection — his own life. I wonder if it would not have been more effective to walk over to the men at the table and say something like this: “You know, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation, and found it very interesting. If you don’t mind, I would like to pay for all of your breakfasts. The reason I want to do this is that, because of the resurrection, Jesus Christ has changed my life and lives in me, and wants to communicate his tremendous love for you.” Rational arguments do not change people…changed lives do. Changed lives change the lives of others, and thereby change the world. 

I want to take a closer look at resurrection applied, now that we are about a month removed from Easter.  Resurrection does not mean a whole lot to us unless we are living like “resurrection” people who one day will be resurrected. And this brings us to Pauls’ explanation concerning the importance of the resurrection for us. (1 Corinthians 15:1-23) Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, and there are some there who have some misunderstandings concerning Jesus’ resurrection.  Paul seeks to correct these issues.  Paul shares that one of the greatest proofs of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ were His many post-resurrection appearances.  15:6 says that Jesus appears to more than 500 people!  So, there are many people that could testify to the trustworthiness of the Resurrection of Jesus. The reality of His appearance is that a transformation in Jesus’ followers takes place. This is evidence of the reality of the resurrection.  Lee Strobel writes, “Nobody willingly dies for something that they know is false.”(Case for Easter, p.88). But they know that the Resurrection is true, so they are willing their lives because of their belief in the resurrection of Jesus.  And the reality of the resurrection’s transforming power doesn’t stop with the eyewitnesses, but ultimately affects thousands of people.

So the question is, “Why should Christ’s resurrection be important to me?”  As we have seen, the Resurrection proves that Jesus is God and not an imposter. Paul opens the letter to the Romans (1:1-4) and reveals that the Resurrection proves Jesus to be the Son of God and brings us face to face with the fact that He is who He claims to be -- God. The founder of every other religion has found a way to die and stayed dead. Jesus rose again. This is important to us because it forces us to make a decision about our lives. Since Christ is who He claimed to be, how will you respond to Him? We need to come to understand that the Resurrection makes your salvation possible. Without the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, every person is still dead in their sins. If Christ did not rise, then you are still dead in your sins and your Christian faith is worthless and anyone you’ve known who died a believer is just as lost as an unbeliever. But, faith in Christ is not in vain. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:25)  It is important to you, because Jesus’ being alive means the way to God has been “paved” by Jesus and you can be made right with Him and have relationship with Him this morning.

One final, important matter to consider is that the Resurrection makes your resurrection possible.  You and I are spirit and body -- we are spiritual and physical. Our resurrection is only made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Stanley Horton points out, “Christ’s resurrection and ours are part of one and the same plan of God.” (Horton, Stanley. I & II Corinthians. p. 150)  Christ’s resurrection guarantees our own “spiritual,” bodily resurrection. The Bible refers to Him as being the ‘first fruits,’ which guarantees the whole harvest, of which you and I are a part if we are in Christ. In other words, since He was raised first, we know we will be raised. (vv. 20-23)  Paul says, “We ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” (Romans 8:23)  This ‘first fruits of the Spirit’ spoken of in Romans 8:23 is elsewhere referred to as a deposit or guarantee, in Ephesians 1:14, 2 Corinthians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:5.  The Spirit’s indwelling is a guarantee that much more is on the way. We have the down payment of the Spirit, but are awaiting the full transaction that will come to fruition when our bodies are resurrected and we live forever with Him. When will our resurrection take place? The passage says “When he comes”…whenever that is to be. When we receive “resurrected” spiritual bodies at Jesus’ second coming, our current bodies will be transformed.  They will be bodies completely perfect and dominated by the Spirit rather than the sinful nature. We are awaiting the day our bodies are completely made new and free of the weight of sin and be entirely spiritual. “For in this hope we were saved” indeed…resurrection is our hope.  When Christ returns we will see Him and we will be transformed -- what a blessed hope indeed!

Unlike the beliefs of the Greek philosophers who thought the body was evil and something we should want to be released from, God made our bodies as part of who we are and they complete us. Right now our bodies are affected by sin and they die, but God has a plan to resurrect our bodies to perfection. So now, just look at yourself. Take a minute. Do you feel too fat? Too thin? Got hurting knees or allergies? Losing your hair? Whatever problems and imperfections you have are temporary and will one day be changed in the twinkling of an eye…if you are in Christ.  That is our hope. It is the completion for us of “the extreme body makeover”…a heavenly body for eternal living. While you may be as broken as Humpty Dumpty because of sin that is not fixable by anyone in the world, the tomb is genuinely empty and Jesus is definitely alive.  What He did on the cross paid for your sins and you’ve been given an opportunity to not only be fixed, but to become a new creation and to have fellowship with God. This is the joy of living in the Resurrection. God can fix you spiritually and you can have the hope that He will one day complete your redemption by redeeming your body to be something like Jesus’ body!  

Blessings, Don

Considering Jesus’ Discussion with Nicodemus…Why This Is the Definitive Passage Concerning Baptism

Friends,

This message is something of a follow-up to my post a couple of months ago concerning "Reconciling the Abijah Accounts"...and it concerns a passage (John 3:1-21) that I have read and studied dozens of times, and yet I keep coming back to it, much like I do the message in chapter 4 concerning the Samaritan woman.  Why?  I have come to believe that there a many nuggets of gold to mine out of these places, and the Holy Spirit continues to bless and help in this matter…and for this, I am grateful.  A study of the Gospel of John reveals that this is a gospel that is not as interested in a chronology of the life of Jesus as much as a theology concerning His belief and activities.  This is why I believe that this story concerning Jesus with Nicodemus is at the front of the book following closely the primarily introductory material, although it is certainly important in and of itself. 

What we have tried to do…particularly those from our fellowship, but not exclusively so…is to rationalize a spiritual concept that is not going to fit into the tidy box that we have tried to fit it in.  This is why I believe that Jesus was really saying more to Nicodemus than he…or anyone else…was going to understand at the time.  I have heard the arguments concerning whether this passage is even concerning baptism and conversion…and whether it was a looking ahead to Christian baptism (or not).  I am now convinced, more than ever, that it is concerning these matters and so much more.

Nonetheless, let us consider what is taking place in this section of John.  There is much concerning this passage that is familiar.  We know that Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin (the rulers of the Jews), comes to Jesus to see him and visit with Him, and he does so at night.  We can surmise that he does this in order to avoid detection by his fellow-Jewish leaders who would immediately become suspect of Him since Jesus was already on their “watch list” of religious leaders who were suspect because of their teachings.  This is also, in part, why I believe this material would likely fall later in a “chronological” gospel, because this story seems to assume that Jesus has already gained a certain number of antagonists.  Another reason for His coming at a late hour would be to avoid the multitudes of people who would otherwise be crowding around Him during the day, making it difficult to impossible to speak with Him.  Nicodemus is apparently not only speaking for himself, but some others who would like to understand more about Jesus…as he says, “’We’” know that you are a teacher who has come from God” (3:2). Most of the Jewish leaders would not make this assertion, certainly…as in other passages…they indicate that Jesus is from Beelzebub, and that He has a demon.  Nicodemus and some others recognize Jesus as a “teacher” or “Rabbi”…one who is learned in the ways of God, as well as the Jewish teachings and culture.  They understand that Jesus has to be from God or else He would not be capable of performing the signs that He has been doing to this point.

In typical fashion, Jesus gives an answer to a question that has not even been raised…or at least has not been raised yet.  As the Sovereign Lord, Jesus had the ability to know the heart of those with whom He was dealing.  He does this a number of times, and here are a couple of examples -- with the Syro-Phoenician woman, Jesus makes leading statements in order to engage her in a conversation concerning salvation…and with the Samaritan woman, He asks a leading question so as to peak her curiosity concerning who He was.  Now, in this case, Jesus makes a statement concerning salvation, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3, NIV).  Apparently Nicodemus is wondering if Jesus really is the One who has the words of life.  Perhaps it is because time is short, or that Jesus understands that Nicodemus needs the line of reasoning He is going to pursue, but He does not mince words here, coming right to the point with Nicodemus.  Many might believe that Jesus has overestimated Nicodemus’ reasoning abilities, as he misunderstands what Jesus is saying here, thinking that Jesus is speaking “literally”…that he would have to born again physically, rather than be born again “spiritually.” 

Why does the story from John 3 concerning Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus inspire us so? Is it the innocence? Is it the one on one meeting with Jesus? Is it that we can relate to this man in so many ways? I have always loved this story because Jesus sets Nicodemus straight. He tells him about Christian baptism -- be born of water and Spirit -- and that settles it, right? Get it right Nicodemus! I guess I have always thought that Nicodemus was somewhat clueless. What is wrong with him? Why doesn't he get it? (And this always has been easy enough to say, since I/we have had the benefit of the 2000 years since the Word became flesh). After all, he should at least understand the "water" aspect of baptism, since he was a teacher of the Jews, he should have been aware of mikvah -- the ritual purification washings which the Jews would undergo. Also, he should have been aware of what was taking place concerning the baptism of John. Still, he thinks that being "born again" is to re-enter the womb and go through the process all over again! But, it is the Spirit...that is also causing him to stumble. There is not a great deal of mention of the Spirit's work in the Old Covenant...enough that Nicodemus should have been familiar with Him, but in this context? No. The Ephesian disciples (Acts 19) would also be "brought up to speed" by Paul in relationship to the connection of the Spirit to baptism. As with the Ephesians, the Spirit is an important part of the equation for Nicodemus to consider (v.8) as it relates to understanding Christian baptism.

It is likely that the wind was blowing the evening that Jesus and Nicodemus were having their conversation...it may have been an easy segue for Jesus to talk about the Spirit. It is interesting to note that the word "wind," (pneuma in the original language), is the same word used for "the Spirit," as well as "breath." In fact wind or breath are symbols of the Spirit of God elsewhere (Job 33:4, John 20:22, Acts 2:2). Like the wind, the Spirit is invisible, but powerful -- He is subtle at times, and at other times, mighty in His work. We can't fully explain or predict how the Spirit is going to work in the life of a believer...but we know that he does, be it like a breeze, or like a storm. This is precisely why so many people resist Him. Many Christians want their "faith" and "religion" to be nice and comfortable. Yet, as we see with Nicodemus, even, this is not always going to be the case. Striving to live by faith is challenging...it requires allowing God "to tip over our religious box" so that His Spirit can really begin working in our lives. Nicodemus had to know that this was going to take place, as He came to Jesus by night, so as not to upset the Sanhedrin apple cart.

The key to the whole discussion is found in v.10. Nicodemus came at night, but he is still in the dark. He has difficulty understanding "new birth" even after Jesus has fully explained it to him -- "are you the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand these things?" He should know the truths from the OT Scriptures, but this "teacher" knows only the facts. One of the great struggles for Nicodemus is that he, being one of the religious leaders, would not submit to the authority of Jesus (3:11). I believe that this is why Jesus says what he does to him here. After all, why wouldn't Nicodemus think just like the other "religious Jews" -- "Rabbi we know that you have come from God...because no one could do the signs you do unless he was from God" (v.2). Always looking for signs were the Jews. So, perhaps, it is not so much that Nicodemus is "innocent" here, as much as he is "ignorant," which is a significant difference.

I am convinced that Nicodemus did not have an easier time seeing Jesus and grasping what the Lord was sharing with him, in part, because he could not let go. He would or could not let go of his human reasoning, his presuppositions of things that he had already been taught. In this case, he was not going to understand what Jesus was saying until he let go of what he had already known and accept Jesus at face value -- by faith. How many others did Jesus have contact with where the same general situation was evident...the Samaritan woman(?), the rich, young ruler(?), the man born blind(?), the centurion(?). And what about us? How many of us in our own day and time have to let go of what we have been taught by good, well-meaning people in order to see Jesus by faith? How many of us are willing to ask the Nicodemus questions or some similar and be taught by and about the Spirit of God? We have to be willing to lay it all on the table, as Jesus challenges Nicodemus -- all of our reasoning, presuppositions. This isn't easy...in fact, it is often painful, difficult. Jesus was as straightforward with Nicodemus as anyone in the Word. The facts were indeed all laid out on the table for him. Did He come to understand? Read John 7:50-53, 19:38-40 and consider.
 
All of the above said, I completely agree with the fact that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). I also agree with the fact that "baptism" is not the "end of the process" or a "check mark," so to speak. When I was younger, I tended to agree that baptism was the target...that it was the end of the process. I now understand that it is somewhere in the process, but that it also is "a critical portion" of this process. This is not to say that it is an "idol" or a "work" as some have said, but that it is a necessary part of the process of faith in coming to Christ. So, my struggle has not been that baptism is the end or the beginning of the process, but that somehow baptism is "subservient to faith".  Baptism is important...I teach it 100% of the time…but somehow the "essential aspect" of baptism, which I believe is also born out in the Scriptures seems "to get lost" somewhat. I believe that much of this is a matter of perspective. I believe that what Peter says in 1 Peter 3:21 is true, however...that there is a certain aspect of baptism that does indeed save us (otherwise Peter would not speak concerning it in this way). He would have said, as does the note in the Ryrie Study Bible, "baptism does not really save you...it is only an appeal." Peter says that "you are saved by or in your appeal through baptism." It is a connection with the grace of God in order for us to be able to experience a clear conscience; but, it is indeed in "the baptism itself" that salvation is able to come and bring us a clear conscience. It is also because of passages such as Romans 6:3-4, Acts 2:38-39, Mark 16:15 and also 1 John 5:6-8 that speak to the subject. It is through baptism that we come into contact with the blood of Jesus that cleanses our sins. We cannot have a relationship with salvation through the blood of Jesus unless our sins have been cleansed -- it is impossible! Sin is what separates us from God. How can we have a saving relationship with Jesus through faith unless there has been cleansing of sin? (This is what the message to the Hebrews is all about, in many respects). 

Then there is this confounding aspect concerning the Holy Spirit that we see in the Acts and John passages that is ignored by some, but that makes all of the difference in understanding this message...and baptism itself. The Spirit is evidence that we are children of God according to Paul in Romans 8 and Ephesians 1:13-14. We receive the Holy Spirit at baptism as evidenced in the above passages and it is Him who is the cleansing agent concerning our sins (see also 1 John 1:7) among other things that the Spirit does for us (which is not the point of discussion now). So, my concern is that somehow baptism is more than simply "subservient" to faith, but that it "walks hand and hand with faith through obedience." I believe that they all must go together. Baptism may not be the "target," but it is also not simply subservient to faith in the process; it has to be somewhere in between (particularly concerning the Holy Spirit's portion in the process) for all of the above reasons.  I will say, given my fellowship's historic propensity to need book, chapter, verse to explain everything about faith and practice, that it has made baptism...a spiritual subject...difficult to comprehend because we have tried to understand it primarily from a "legal" perspective.  This will not work. If the Holy Spirit is involved in it...then it is a spiritual event...and no longer something that we can pigeon hole as "this is exactly how it has to be." I respect that there are certain elements involved in it, and a number of Scriptures that indicate what these are...but, at the end of the day, the most important "element" is what the Holy Spirit is doing through the blood of Jesus in the life of believer...however that is to be for each individual.

In concluding, I have heard great preachers share some significant messages over the years…one sermon by Landon Saunders at ACU some years ago comes to mind. I knew in my spirit that what he was saying was right about Christianity and the church, but it did not square with where I was positioned at the time, theologically.  I believe that this passage in John 3 goes a long way in order to address those concerns and "ponderings" that I have experienced.  And now, I will allow you to ponder them, as well.   

Blessings, Don