Missionary Dating...

This summer as a church we have been involved in a sermon series looking at a letter in the Old Testament of our Bibles called the book of Malachi. This week I would like to look at a section of this Old Testament letter where Malachi accuses the Jewish people of taking another detour when it came to their relationship with God. And it is in the prophet’s accusation and the evidence that he presents we will see God reveal for us a timeless detour that can get us off track when it comes to our relationship with God and can result in us living a life that dishonors God. So let’s look together as Malachi makes his accusation, beginning in Malachi 2:10:

"Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers? "Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god.

Malachi begins his accusation of the Jewish people with a rhetorical question: Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? These questions, if asked in the language we use in our culture today, would have sounded something like this: “Are we as Jewish people not created by God to live in a special relationship with God as His chosen people and children? Shouldn’t we be united and faithful in our love for one another as brothers and sisters as a result of the relationship that we have with God as our Creator and Heavenly Father?”

There was no need for Malachi to provide the answer to the question, because the answer was obvious. As part of the family of God that has been loved and rescued by their Heavenly Father, they should show their love for their Heavenly Father by being loving and faithful to one another.

Malachi then, like any good prosecuting attorney, presents his accusation against the Jewish people in the form of a question: Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers? What is so interesting here is that the word treacherously, in the language that this letter was originally written in, literally means to deal with someone in an unfaithful or untrustworthy manner.

And it was this unfaithful and untrustworthy behavior that the Jewish people were displaying with one another that resulted in the Jewish people profaning the covenant of our fathers. In other words, the Jewish people’s unfaithful and untrustworthy behavior with one another was polluting and robbing the significance and worth of the covenant relationship that the Jewish people had with God. Their unfaithfulness to one another was revealing their unfaithfulness to God.

In verse 11, Malachi explains that the unfaithfulness of the Jewish people was morally detestable and was polluting the Holy and sacred relationship that the Jewish people had with God. Malachi then reveals the specific acts of unfaithfulness that the Jewish people were involved in. The Jewish people were polluting and robbing the significance and worth of their covenant relationship with God by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.

You see, when God rescued the Jewish people from slavery at the hands of the nation of Egypt and entered into a covenant relationship with them, a part of that covenant relationship was that they were not to enter into a marriage relationship with any of the cultures and nations around them that worshipped false gods. We see God provide this command and the reason behind the command in Deuteronomy 7:3-4:

"Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons.”For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you.

However, the Jewish people, throughout their history, failed to follow God’s command. And once again, even after being conquered and taken to captivity as a result of their selfishness and rebellion, even after God extended grace to bring them back to Israel, the Jewish people were once again selfishly rebelling and rejecting God’s command by marrying those who did not believe or follow God. The Jewish people were violating their covenant relationship with God by entering into covenant relationships with those who rejected God.

Now you might be thinking, “Why is God making such a big deal here? I mean Dave, if I am a follower of Jesus, does it really matter if I date or marry someone that is not a follower of Jesus?” If those questions are running through your mind, I just wanted to let you know that they are great questions to be asking. So let’s take a minute to answer those questions together.

Throughout the pages of the Bible, in both the New and the Old Testament, we see God clearly communicate that marriage relationships should only be entered into by individuals who agree on a common set of spiritual beliefs. In church mumbo jumbo talk, we refer to this as being “equally yoked”. In the Jewish culture in which the bible was written, a yoke was an instrument that was used to connect animals together in order to plow a field or pull a cart. For example, if you were plowing a field, you would want to dig straight furrows in the field in order to plant a crop.

Now imagine what would happen in you put a horse on one side of a yoke and a goat on the other side of a yoke. Would you get a straight line? No, the larger horse would end up pulling the goat in their direction. So a horse and a goat would be unequally yoked; they would not move in the same direction. For the animals to be effective they needed to be equally yoked; they needed to be the same type of animal that was in the same physical condition for them to move in the same direction and be effective.

That is the word picture that the phrase “equally yoked” was designed to communicate when it came to marriage relationships. For a marriage relationship to move in the same direction and be effective, both husband and wife should be in the same spiritual condition and share the same beliefs and world-view when it comes to God and spirituality.

So, if you do not buy the whole Jesus, Bible, church thing, the Bible teaches that you should not date or marry a person who is a follower of Jesus. Instead you should date and marry another person who does not buy the whole Jesus, Bible, church thing. If you are a follower of Jesus, you should not date or marry a person who is not a follower of Jesus. Instead, you should marry a person who shares your set of beliefs and is in a similar spiritual condition when it comes to their relationship with Jesus.

Now if you find yourself pushing back to what I am saying, here is a question to consider: If you do not share the same spiritual beliefs or are in a similar spiritual condition, what are you going to agree on? Are you going to agree on how you should handle money? How to raise your kids? To attend church and, if so, what church? If you do not agree on spiritual issues, what are you going to agree on?

And because you do not agree, you will either go to war every time a significant issue is brought up, because almost every decision involves a spiritual component, or one or the other of you are going to be pulled in a different direction.

And, if you do not go to war, do you know which direction you are going to be pulled? You are going to be pulled away from God, aren’t you? Because that is what has happened throughout history; and that was exactly what was happening to the Jewish people in Malachi’s day. The Jewish people in Malachi’s day were being pulled away from God and pulled to the worship of false gods as a result of their marriage relationships to those who did not believe in God. The Jewish people were violating their covenant relationship with God by entering into covenant relationships with those who rejected God.

Tomorrow, we will see Malachi reveal God’s response to the unfaithfulness of the Jewish people…

Refelctions on the EFCA Challenge Conference, Part 7...

This week, I have been continuing to share some reflections on what I experienced with nine High School students and staff as we traveled to New Orleans for the EFCA Challenge Conference. The theme of the conference was "Everything is New" and focused on the fact the Jesus life, death, and resurrection changes everything.

Yesterday, I shared what Bryan McWhite challenged us with from the third chapter of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles called the book of Colossians. Today, I would like to share with you a the final message of the conference that Shane Stacey shared with us, as he unpacked the reality that we have a new mission as a result of our relationship with Jesus.

Shane began by sharing the principle that our joy increases when that which you delight in is shared with others. Shane then explained that our new mission as followers of Jesus is to live sent together to spread the fame of Jesus with our lives and our lips, which the Apostle Paul unpacks for us in Colossians 4:2-6:

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;  praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

In these verses, Shane explained that we see that living sent lives starts on our knees, asking God to be a witness for Him. In addition, being a witness is not something you do. Instead being a witness is something you are. Shane encouraged us to live our lives in such a way that our lives stir up curiosity as a result of following Jesus.

Shane concluded by explaining living sent also means living wisely. When we wisely live sent lives on mission, that life begins on our knees and then moves with our feet. Living sent lives then moves through our lips and means living lives of integrity through our lips and our lives.

Shane concluded the conference by challenging us to leave Challenge 2012 living sent lives together to spread the fame of Jesus through our lips and our lives in the communities that we live in. Challenge 2012 was an impactful conference and I find myself already looking forward to Challenge 2014 in Kansas City.

In the meantime, have you embraced the new mission we have as a result of the new life we have in Jesus.

Reflections on the EFCA Challenge Conference, Part 6...

This week, I have been continuing to share some reflections on what I experienced with nine High School students and staff as we traveled to New Orleans for the EFCA Challenge Conference. The theme of the conference was "Everything is New" and focused on the fact the Jesus life, death, and resurrection changes everything.

Yesterday, I shared what Craig Gross challenged us with from the third chapter of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles called the book of Colossians. Today, I would like to share with you a message that Bryan McWhite shared with us, as he unpacked the reality that we have a new catalyst as a result of our relationship with Jesus.

Bryan began by explaining that, in our culture today, faithfulness is the new radical.  Unfortunately, faithfulness is no longer a priority in our culture, whether it comes to relationships, employment, or finances. Bryan then unpacked that faithfulness in the day to day small stuff is the new radical by pointing us to Colossians 3:18-4:1:

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.  Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.  Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.  For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

Bryan revealed for us the reality that, so often, in our passion to do extraordinary things, we forget to recognize that faithfulness in the ordinary everyday things is extraordinary. Whether in our family relationships, or in our relationships in school or the workplace, it is our faithfulness in the everyday things that enables us to do extraordinary things for Jesus.

Bryan closed with a probing and pointed question: What would faithfulness in the everyday things look like?

So, what would faithfulness in the everyday things look like to you? And what do you need to do to be faithful in the everyday things?

Reflections on the EFCA Challenge Conference, Part 5...

This week, I would like to continue sharing some reflections on what I experienced with nine High School students and staff as we traveled to New Orleans for the EFCA Challenge Conference. The theme of the conference was "Everything is New" and focused on the fact the Jesus life, death, and resurrection changes everything.

Thursday, I shared what Eric Mason challenged us with from the third chapter of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles called the book of Colossians. Today, I would like to share with you a message that Craig Gross shared with us, as he unpacked the reality that there is a new "you" and a new "we" as a result of our relationship with Jesus. Craig pointed us to reality beginning in Colossians 3:5:

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

Craig explained that as a result of our new life with Christ, that Jesus is our life. Jesus wants to help us become like Him, so instead of hiding stuff from God, we are to run to God. Jesus is our life and our life is with Jesus. Craig then explained that a new "we" requires being honest with one another. Craig pointed us to reality in the first part of Colossians 3:9:

Do not lie to one another,

Instead of lying and avoiding others, Craig explained that, as followers of Jesus, we are to get connected with others who care for us. And as we get connected with others, we are to seek loving accountability that keeps us focused on following Jesus and getting rid of the old self that is opposed to Jesus. We see this beginning in the second half of verse 9:

since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Craig explained that we are to get rid of the old, because the old holds us back from what God wants to do. And until we clean up the old, we are going to continue to go back to the old way of living life before we came to know Jesus.

Craig concluded that you cannot manage the old self because it does not get easier over time. Instead, we are to get rid of the old and put on the new "you" as part of the new "we" called the community of faith.

So, where do you need to get rid of the old so that you can experience the new "you" as a part of a new "we"?

Reflections on the EFCA Challenge Conference, Part 4...

This week, I have been sharing some reflections on what I experienced with nine High School students and staff as we traveled to New Orleans for the EFCA Challenge Conference. The theme of the conference was "Everything is New" and focused on the fact the Jesus life, death, and resurrection changes everything.

Yesterday, I shared what Eric Mason challenged us with from the second chapter of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles called the book of Colossians. Today, I would like to share with you a second message that Eric shared with us,  as he unpacked the reality that we have a new kind of life as a result of our relationship with Jesus.

Eric began by explaining that if we are going to have a new kind of life, we have to recognize that our life is rooted in eternity, which the Apostle Paul reveals for us in Colossians 3:1-4:

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

In this passage, Eric unpacked for us that a person who has a new kind of life has an undomesticated passion for Jesus. In addition, a person who has a new kind of life has a heart that is no longer hardened to God. And as a result, a person who has a new kind of life will walk with God through difficulty.

Eric then challenged us that a person who has a new kind of life will prioritize Heaven's agenda. They will understand that God will edit your life to what He wants it to be. Also, a person who has a new kind of life that recognizes several Heavenly realities. First, they recognize that they have a new identity as a result of their relationship with Christ.

Second, they recognize and respond with a deep sense of the love of God. Third, they find themselves always feeling a sense of awkwardness in the world. Because their mind is set on the things above by having a spiritual mindset, they feel awkward with the fleshly mindset that is focused on the things of this earth.

And fourth, a person who has a new kind of life has an understanding that God gives us the grace to connect what is unconnectable. Jesus is our life and connects us with God as a result of His transformational activity.

Eric then concluded by reminding us that when Jesus returns, we will return with Him to experience the fullness of the life we were created for.

So, are you living a new life as a follower of Jesus that is rooted in eternity?

Reflections on the EFCA Challenge Conference, Part 3...

This week, I am sharing some reflections on what I experienced with nine High School students and staff as we traveled to New Orleans for the EFCA Challenge Conference. The theme of the conference was "Everything is New" and focused on the fact the Jesus life, death, and resurrection changes everything.

Yesterday, I shared what Bryan McWhite challenged us with from the second chapter of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles called the book of Colossians. Today, I would like to share with you what the third speaker, Eric Mason, shared with us as he unpacked the reality that we have a new kind of death as a result of our relationship with Jesus.

Eric began by explaining that we are trained in our culture to do things on our own. We are driven to be independent and self-sufficient. However, following Jesus requires us to experience and new kind of death; a death to two different types of lifestyles that Paul begins to expose in Colossians 2:16-19:

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

Eric explained that in these verses we see that if we are going to live a new kind of death to self, we must recognize that Jesus is more powerful than man-made religion. In these verses, Paul was revealing the reality that the Old Testament rules and regulations were a shadow that reveals Jesus. Just as a shadow is flows from and points to the source that casts the shadow, the Old Testament flows from and points to Jesus Christ. Eric then pointed to a second lifestyle that we must die to in Colossians 2:20-23:

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Eric explained that in these verses we see that if we are going to live a new kind of death to self, we must recognize that Jesus is more powerful than lone human effort. In these verses, we discover that Spirituality is not based on what you give up or on human effort, but on what Christ has done and is doing in our lives.

While religion is based on "I obey and I am accepted", Eric reminded us that a relationship with Jesus is based on "I am accepted so I obey". Our manner of life and obedience to Jesus should be driven by a response of gratitude.

Eric concluded by driving home the reality that Jesus not only supplies our needs; Jesus is enough. Jesus plus nothing is everything.

So, are you living a lifestyle that is based on man-made religion or on lone human effort? Or are you living a new kind of death; a death to self that recognizes that Jesus is more powerful than religion and our own efforts...

Reflections on the EFCA Challenge Conference, Part 2...

This week, I am sharing some reflections on what I experienced with nine High School students and staff as we traveled to New Orleans for the EFCA Challenge Conference. The theme of the conference was "Everything is New" and focused on the fact the Jesus life, death, and resurrection changes everything. Yesterday, I shared what Francis Chan challenged us with from the first chapter of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles called the book of Colossians.

Today, I would like to share with you what the second speaker, Bryan McWhite, shared with us as he unpacked the reality that we have a new status as a result of our relationship with Jesus. Bryan began by making the provocative statement that "some of you are dead and you do not know it, and some of you are alive and do not know it".

Bryan then asked the question "What doe sit mean to be alive?" and pointed us to Colossians 2:6-15 for the answer:

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,  having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Bryan explained that when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are signing up for a new Lord. We are not praying a prayer to get to Heaven, but to have a new King. Following Jesus is not about getting a ticket to Heaven, but is getting a new King and Lord. Bryan then challenged us with the reality that obedience is hard. While it is easy to be disobedient, striving to be obedient requires submitting our desires and our lives to follow Jesus.

Bryan then reminded us that no external behavior modification can do what Jesus has already done in you if you are a follower of Jesus. Jesus not only gives us life after death; Jesus gives us life before death.

Bryan then illustrated this reality by making a comparison between Superman and Batman. You see, Batman's true identity is Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne needs to work out, train, and put on his external uniform to become Batman. However, Superman's real identity is Superman. Superman is always Superman. He may put on clothes and glasses to be Clark Kent, but at the end of the day, his true identity is Superman.

Bryan's point is that as followers of Jesus, we need to live like Superman instead of Batman. We do not have to try to live beautiful lives because of Christ because we are already beautiful because of Christ.

Bryan then ended our time together by asking a pointed question: How are you walking in the ways of the dead instead of walking alive in the new life and status we have in Christ?

So, how would you answer that question?

Reflections on the EFCA Challenge Conference, Part 1...

Last week, I had the opportunity to travel with nine High School students and staff to attend the EFCA Challenge Conference in New Orleans. This week, I would like to share with you some reflections on what we experienced through the four speakers who spoke during Challenge 2012.

The theme of the conference was "Everything is New" and focused on the fact that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus changes everything. We spent our time together looking at a letter that is recorded for us in the New Testament of our Bibles today called the book of Colossians.

The first speaker, Francis Chan, unpacked the reality that we serve a new kind of God, by looking at Colossians 1:15-19:
 

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

Here we see Paul reveal for us the reality that Jesus Christ is supreme and rules over all of creation. But not only is Jesus Christ large and in charge of all creation,  everything in creation was created through Jesus and for Jesus.

And if that is not enough, Paul reveals for us the reality that Jesus holds all things together. Jesus holds the universe in place. The last breathe you took, you were able to take because Jesus allowed you to.

Paul's point, reinforced by Francis Chan, was that God uses all people to bring glory to Him. God even uses those who reject Him to bring glory to Him.

The next morning, Francis Chan unpacked the reality that we have a new kind of news, by looking at Colossians 1:20-29:

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach--  if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

Francis Chan challenged us to not allow familiarity with God's word to rob us of the wonder of God's word. The new kind of news is that we have been reconciled to God through Jesus. Jesus, who hold all things together reconcile us back to God.

To reconcile is to bring two people together who are at odds with one another. And in the passage we see that Jesus reconciliation removes alienation from God through faith in Him. Jesus made everything and made everything right by the cross.

We ended our time with Francis Chan asking us a very pointed question: If everyone turned their back on Jesus, what would you do? Would you stand firm?

So, how would you answer that question...