Posted by David on May 9, 2010 under Bulletin Articles
Sandwiched between “the parable of the unjust steward” and the story of the rich man and Lazarus is an interesting verse. It is fascinating because a religiously conservative influence in “then” Jewish society “scoffed” at Jesus and his teachings. The Pharisees were the “main stream” voice for following scripture and returning to the ancient ways!
What is scoffing? Today, scoffing might be identified with these statements: “Surely you are not serious! You are kidding! Everyone knows it cannot work that way! That is ridiculous! God’s outlook does not allow such ridiculous thinking! Get serious!” In the Bible, scoffing is mocking or deriding.
Scoffing is too common among Christians. It often occurs when we seek to make society’s ways or values compatible with Jesus’ ways or values. If the call of society and the call of Jesus Christ are identical-at least similar-we can follow both Jesus and society if we avoid being a “bad” person. Hey, we could increase the appeal of being Christian if we can love money and love Jesus at the same time! If we could be Christian and live like everyone else, that would be great-hard choices would be eliminated!
Becoming a Christian is more than adopting a statement or agreeing with a declaration. It basically adopts a contrasting set of values. It is more than a list of “how tos”-how to worship, how to do church, etc. Christianity involves the courage to live as an example among people who say, “You are not serious! You have got to be kidding! Everyone knows that is not the way it works! That is ridiculous! Get serious!”
Being an example involves how you treat your spouse, your children, business, people you like, strangers, and even people you do not like. Most of all, it is about how you use life. These are not about rules and regulations, but about Jesus’ values in our lives.
Do you have the courage to follow Jesus to new values? Those values will make you an example! Those seeking hope will bless you for your courage to follow Jesus!
Posted by Chris on May 2, 2010 under Sermons
Parables – part 5
Luke 16:1-15
This is one of the most misunderstood parables of them all.
There seems to be no consistent interpretation of this parable.
Part of the problem that God’s people have had interpreting and understanding this parable comes from the very problem that this parable addresses: God’s people often lose their creativity and cleverness!
Prudishness has caused us to attempt a “clean-up” of a parable that Jesus intended to be filled with rogues and scoundrels.
We are Children of Light:
- The parable of Luke 16 has been very controversial. Don’t avoid the shock and controversy. The main character of the parable is a scoundrel. The master of the servant is also a scoundrel. They are both crafty and shrewd. Let’s make no bones about it, they are dishonest and self-centered. They are the children of this world; the servants of mammon.
- Attempts have been made to clean the story up, but that’s special pleading.
- Jesus is intentionally opening a window into the ruthless world of greedy people. That is how he is going to make his point. Jesus shows that these people who supposedly “worship” money are actually cavalier and careless in their efforts to acquire it and control it. And they are clever.
- Jesus is showing us that if people like this – the sons of this world – are so focused and clever and dedicated in their service to the false God of money, then shouldn’t the children of light be all the more clever, ingenious, and dedicated in our service to God?
- Adopt their scruples? Not at all. But we ought to consider what is really important to us.
- The Pharisees offered lip service to God, but their conservative, hoarding, timid approach to using their money was actually a deeper form of wealth-worship than the shifty manager who was a bit free with his master’s wealth.
We are managers of a “kingdom” trust. We have responsibility to use that trust for God’s purposes (parable of the talents), but we are also called to “use it” and be creative and resourceful.
Eugene Peterson describes the point of the parable well in his translation, The Message:
Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way – but for what is right – using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.
— Jesus in Luke 16:8-9, from The Message by E. Peterson.
Posted by Chris on under Sermons
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
The Greek term “tous exo” is typically translated as “outsiders.” (See also 1 Corinthians 5:12 and 1 Thessalonians 4:12.) The phrase literally means “the ones out.” Good English would render it as “outsider,” or “those outside.”
It is not the Greek I wish to emphasize, but the English. The connotation of the two legit English translations can influence how we regard our fellowship and our mission …
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“Outsiders” – We think of a bounded set. We focus on boundaries. Outsiders are not permitted to enter without permission or pass. We post signs to keep trespassers out. We control access because we are focused on the fence and the gate. We pay attention to who is not “with us.”
- The Lord knows who are his – he manages the gate and the fence (2 Timothy 2:19).
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“Those Outside” – We think of a centered set. What defines us is the core. We gather around a source of life (such as a well). Those on the outside are simply those who need to come in. Outsider is not a label but simply a description of location.
- Leslie Newbigin describes the church in India as wherever the crowd gathers around. There are always outsiders looking in.
- There should always be people on the edge moving in toward the center.
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How do we move people from being those outside to those inside?
- They need to be aware of the center.
- We need to be creative and wise (Colossians 4).
- Pay attention to what is going on at the core and around it.
First Impressions –
- “Still one issue of first impression stands clearly above others in importance.” – Thom S. Rainer, Surprising Insights from the Unchurched, p. 95
- “The formerly unchurched told us that one of the key reasons for their returning to a particular church [after a single visit] was the friendliness of the members.
- 88% – FRIENDLINESS was an important first impression.
- Sometimes we are friendly, but only with those we already know.
- There is a relationship between the friendliness of a church and its fear of change. Churches that are more fearful of change are less friendly.
- We need the gifted people to use their gifts of friendliness and hospitality to lead us.
- ALL OF US need to be friendly
- Be creative
- Be friendly
- Be kind
Mother’s Day Opportunity – We have made cards that we want you to use as you look for opportunities to be wise in the way you act toward outsiders.
- Share a simple act of kindness with women who are not in your family
- Mow a lawn
- Take them a box of cookies
- Tip the waitress
- Leave flowers for the nurses, attendants who care for your mother
Do not worry about results – just make the most of opportunities.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles
The majority of Christians want to change the daily behavior of all the living, but all the living-including some Christians-have no desire to change daily actions. Some love indulgence in evil. Some see no connection between our behavior and who we are-because we deliberately do bad things at times does not make us bad persons. Some do not believe evil exists-all behavior is explained by personal conditioning, environment, and chemical reactions. Obviously, people’s behavior is a complex consideration!
“Joining a church” does not necessarily change behavior-there are “bad” people in all congregations. Exerting power over people does not change people-when the power which demands conformity is removed, most people revert to old behaviors. Thus neither issuing threats nor offering incentives change people. Neither scare tactics nor bribery endures. People cannot be “tricked” or “forced” into being “good,” even if all could agree on a mutually accepted definition of “good.”
People truly change when their values change. People cease abusing and exploiting people when they value people. People sacrificially serve when they understand Someone bigger than themselves exists. People seek higher values when they realize they can be deceived. People search for enduring values when they realize life is about more than right now. What God did/does for us in Christ changes our values!
The heart of God’s “good news” is not about heaven, or having what you physically desire. It is about what God did for us in Jesus Christ, and is willing to do for us. In that is the reason for changing our values. If our values change, we remain who we are even if the “church” is attacked or coercive power is removed. Being Christian is more than what we believe; it is about who we are, always. Do we belong to God through Christ?
