23

Jump Start # 2621

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2621

1 Corinthians 13:13 “But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

I have what I call an archive room. It’s filled with old periodicals, books and files, mostly about the restoration movement. On the walls are framed several old journals and pictures. Lately, I have been assembling a new project to be framed and put on the walls, old sermons. Not mine. Definitely, not mine. But from preachers long ago, many of whom have passed from this place to the next. I found a file of handwritten sermons belonging to a preacher who has been dead for more than sixty years. One file contained dozens of handwritten sermons all on the subject of love. God’s love for us. How we are to love. Love this way. Love that way. I had never seen so many sermons on that one topic.

All of that took me to our verse today. The greatest of these is love. Love is greater than hope. Love is greater than faith. Had God not said that, I probably would have changed that order in my mind. I expect that I’d put faith at the top of the list. Of the three, I think hope would come next. Love is important, and God is love, however, not greater than faith and hope. That’s the way I would put it. But, thankfully, we don’t have to put these in an order. God already has. Love is at the top. Love comes first.

Why does love come before faith? If we do not believe, we will be lost. Jesus rebuked the disciples multiple times for not having faith. I don’t remember any time He got on them for not having love.

Let’s put some thought to this:

First, this love is not an emotion or a feeling. This is not romance. The King James uses the word ‘charity’ for love. We understand charity. Donations, comes to our mind. Charity is one way. We do not donate with the idea of getting something in return. Charity is not purchasing something. It is giving something away. And, why does someone donate or get involved with charities? Because they care. That is the heart of this word ‘love.’ It is to care. God cares about you. God loves you. This word is expressed in actions. God so loves you that He sent Jesus. God’s care, God’s love, led Him to do something. But, more than that, we care about ourselves. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t care if we were saved or lost. But we do care. That love that we find in God causes us to listen, believe and there comes faith.

Second, love causes a person to make changes. If you realize that your eating habits is leading to an early death, you would make adjustments. No salt. Cut down on the sugar. Back off the sodas. Why would a person do that? Because they care. They love. Spiritually, love leads us to making changes. We repent. We put on Christ. We think differently. We toss out attitudes that are sinful and wrong. We learn to transform our hearts and become molded in the way that Jesus wants. Love will do that.

Third, love will want to worship and honor God. When one sees how much God cares and loves him, worship becomes a blessing and a privilege. God is so good to us. Love will humble our hearts, bow our heads and praise the Lord of Heaven and Earth. God has been there during storms, dark valleys, and dark nights. God has been there when we were afraid. God has been there when we were worried. God has been there when we were uncertain. Faith trusts, but love cares.

Fourth, love will open our eyes to others. Love will lead us to forgive and apologize. Love will cause us to share the Gospel message of Christ to others. Love will turn us into servants, who want to help others. Love will have us praying for others, even our enemies. Love isn’t bound by oceans, borders, race, or differences. Love wishes all to excel and do well. Love eliminates hatred and prejudice. Love sees the best and through love, hope is built.

Without love, what is worship? Just a tradition or a ritual. Songs that are not believed. Prayers that are not heartfelt. Empty. Cold. Lifeless. Poor Ephesus left their first love in Revelation. That first love must be Christ. Nothing is greater than a love for the Lord. That is the motivation for all that we do. This is why we go out of our way. This is why we don’t grow weary. This is why never quit. Our love for the Lord is strong, rich and unending.

And, what is so remarkable about this love is that God loved us when we were not loveable. Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners. We hadn’t stopped. We hadn’t changed. We hadn’t reformed. Not yet. God loves us, even when we were unlovable. Yet, God has always been lovable. God has never had any bad moments. God has never had to apologize. God never made a mistake. God never sinned.

What a contrast: God loves us when we were not very lovable and we are to love Him when He is always lovable. God is the definition of love. And, the greatest of these three is love. Love is greater than hope. Love is greater than faith. Love is the greatest.

And, if we truly love, or care, then we will be mindful of the way we worship, the way we talk, and the way we treat others. Our actions show that we care or love.

Roger

22

Jump Start # 2620

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2620

1 Timothy 5:21 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.”

The words within our verse today have a very serious tone to them. It’s a call to order. Timothy was charged in the presence of God and His angels to keep the principles Paul had laid upon him. Contextually, the subject is dealing with elders who lead God’s people. A positive and a negative are found here. Those that are doing well, deserve honor. Some may even be paid for what they are doing. But then there are those who are not doing well. There is sin among them. People know. Accusations are made. Leaders are not perfect. Some would rather stay in the sin than change. Those leaders that refused to change would be rebuked by Timothy. Then comes our verse about keeping these principles without partiality or bias.

Here are some thoughts:

First, it is very likely that the men filling the roles of elders would be older than Timothy. For a young man to rebuke an older man takes spiritual courage and backbone. That wouldn’t be easy. Some would not take that well. A real dog fight could follow. Age doesn’t give a person a pass on living as they should. Age doesn’t mean a person knows more than a younger person. Timothy had Scripture on his side. It wasn’t Timothy vs. the sinful elder. That wouldn’t go well. It was the word of God pointed towards a disciple that was not walking as he should have been. Elder or not, he was not where he ought to be.

Second, the temptation to look the other way, especially towards those in charge can be a real problem. Twice in this verse Paul warns about that. Do not show bias. Do nothing in a spirit of partiality. Don’t play favorites. There are no double standards. Many preacher kids years ago felt like there was two sets of rules. The preacher’s kids had to live proper and good and all the other kids in the church could be as mean as devils. That double standard ruined a lot of kids whose dads preached. No one is above the law. No one gets a pass because they have years in the congregation. The idea of a founding member, charter member doesn’t carry any weight with the Scriptures. We all must walk by the same standard and the same rule. That applies to the leaders, the deacons, the preachers, their wives and everyone else. Sometimes the wives of the leaders can be the hardest ones’ to deal with. Don’t show partiality. Don’t allow them to threaten you to the point that you back down and back away. Shame on us when we misuse our position to get away with gossip, unkind acts, selfishness and rudeness. The Bible reads the same, no matter whose hands it is in.

Third, when we do what is right, wonderful blessings take place. A spirit of love, joy and unity fills the air. Trust abounds. We feel safe, cared for and watched over. But when there is sin in the camp, especially among the leaders, trust is shattered. Hope is lost. Everyone starts looking out for themselves. Tongues begin to spread negative things when people know the leaders are doing wrong and no one will do anything about it. Often, the flock is so intimidated and fearful of the leaders, that no one would dare try to say anything. Ezekiel rebukes the shepherds of Israel who used force to dominate the people. Fear and guilt will cause people to line up and be quiet. But what a terrible, terrible way to lead God’s people. This is wrong and this has gone on for decades. Preachers get fed up and leave. Some get the nerve and break away and start a new congregation. Everyone else just cowers in fear, hoping they are not the next one to get taken to the woodshed for a verbal spanking. Such men ought never to be placed in a leadership role. They don’t get it.

In a right setting, one would hope that the elders would police themselves. That if one is caught in a sin, the others would rise up and stand with the Lord and lead the man to either repentance or resignation and discipline.

Fourth, in the setting of this passage, cheap shots are not allowed to be taken of God’s leaders. Accusations are to be based upon two or three witnesses. This keeps a person from making up stuff just to throw darts at the leaders. The two or three are to be witnesses. They are not two or three that have heard the gossip and have rallied around the one who is making senseless charges. What if two or three are not found? Then, either go talk one on one with that elder or keep quiet. For far too long this admonition as been ignored. Get a group of disgruntled members together and before dessert is served, they are roasting the elders and trash talking about how terrible they are. These leaders are God’s anointed. David understood that role when his men offered to kill King Saul who was causing trouble to David. David would have no part in that. He knew God would deal with Saul in time. Respect for the office is what David understood. And, it could be that so few want to serve in the leadership role because they have seen and heard what people say about the other leaders. This kind of talk needs to stop. If there is a problem, address it in the Biblical fashion. If a person doesn’t want to do that, then hush.

Finally, we all need each other. The leaders need the flock as much as the flock needs the leaders. When one has been charged with sin it is an embarrassing, and guilty feeling. However, when things calm down and he sees the love behind it and that people want him to do well and go to Heaven, he ought to be thankful that they care enough about him. Sadly, there are those who choose to stay wrong rather than repent and do what is right. This is true of leaders. This is true of the church. Some have gone to serve Satan. They have joined the enemy and have changed allegiance. That is a sad day for the church. Discipline will soon follow. Influence and good has been lost. Years of good are now washed down the drain. It is beyond reason why one would sell their soul to the Devil, but some do. They would rather have the immediate joy of sin and not think about the consequences. What they lose is a wonderful fellowship with God’s people. What they lose is the grace of God. What they lose is the hope of Heaven. The world becomes darker. A sad atmosphere covers the church. Others may be hurt by the wrong choices of this one.

Being part of God’s family brings blessings as well as responsibilities and obligations. One can’t have the blessings without also fulfilling his role in what God expects. We can’t live like a sinner and die like a saint. Solemn words about serious situations.

Roger

22

Jump Start # 2620

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2620

1 Timothy 5:21 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.”

The words within our verse today have a very serious tone to them. It’s a call to order. Timothy was charged in the presence of God and His angels to keep the principles Paul had laid upon him. Contextually, the subject is dealing with elders who lead God’s people. A positive and a negative are found here. Those that are doing well, deserve honor. Some may even be paid for what they are doing. But then there are those who are not doing well. There is sin among them. People know. Accusations are made. Leaders are not perfect. Some would rather stay in the sin than change. Those leaders that refused to change would be rebuked by Timothy. Then comes our verse about keeping these principles without partiality or bias.

Here are some thoughts:

First, it is very likely that the men filling the roles of elders would be older than Timothy. For a young man to rebuke an older man takes spiritual courage and backbone. That wouldn’t be easy. Some would not take that well. A real dog fight could follow. Age doesn’t give a person a pass on living as they should. Age doesn’t mean a person knows more than a younger person. Timothy had Scripture on his side. It wasn’t Timothy vs. the sinful elder. That wouldn’t go well. It was the word of God pointed towards a disciple that was not walking as he should have been. Elder or not, he was not where he ought to be.

Second, the temptation to look the other way, especially towards those in charge can be a real problem. Twice in this verse Paul warns about that. Do not show bias. Do nothing in a spirit of partiality. Don’t play favorites. There are no double standards. Many preacher kids years ago felt like there was two sets of rules. The preacher’s kids had to live proper and good and all the other kids in the church could be as mean as devils. That double standard ruined a lot of kids whose dads preached. No one is above the law. No one gets a pass because they have years in the congregation. The idea of a founding member, charter member doesn’t carry any weight with the Scriptures. We all must walk by the same standard and the same rule. That applies to the leaders, the deacons, the preachers, their wives and everyone else. Sometimes the wives of the leaders can be the hardest ones’ to deal with. Don’t show partiality. Don’t allow them to threaten you to the point that you back down and back away. Shame on us when we misuse our position to get away with gossip, unkind acts, selfishness and rudeness. The Bible reads the same, no matter whose hands it is in.

Third, when we do what is right, wonderful blessings take place. A spirit of love, joy and unity fills the air. Trust abounds. We feel safe, cared for and watched over. But when there is sin in the camp, especially among the leaders, trust is shattered. Hope is lost. Everyone starts looking out for themselves. Tongues begin to spread negative things when people know the leaders are doing wrong and no one will do anything about it. Often, the flock is so intimidated and fearful of the leaders, that no one would dare try to say anything. Ezekiel rebukes the shepherds of Israel who used force to dominate the people. Fear and guilt will cause people to line up and be quiet. But what a terrible, terrible way to lead God’s people. This is wrong and this has gone on for decades. Preachers get fed up and leave. Some get the nerve and break away and start a new congregation. Everyone else just cowers in fear, hoping they are not the next one to get taken to the woodshed for a verbal spanking. Such men ought never to be placed in a leadership role. They don’t get it.

In a right setting, one would hope that the elders would police themselves. That if one is caught in a sin, the others would rise up and stand with the Lord and lead the man to either repentance or resignation and discipline.

Fourth, in the setting of this passage, cheap shots are not allowed to be taken of God’s leaders. Accusations are to be based upon two or three witnesses. This keeps a person from making up stuff just to throw darts at the leaders. The two or three are to be witnesses. They are not two or three that have heard the gossip and have rallied around the one who is making senseless charges. What if two or three are not found? Then, either go talk one on one with that elder or keep quiet. For far too long this admonition as been ignored. Get a group of disgruntled members together and before dessert is served, they are roasting the elders and trash talking about how terrible they are. These leaders are God’s anointed. David understood that role when his men offered to kill King Saul who was causing trouble to David. David would have no part in that. He knew God would deal with Saul in time. Respect for the office is what David understood. And, it could be that so few want to serve in the leadership role because they have seen and heard what people say about the other leaders. This kind of talk needs to stop. If there is a problem, address it in the Biblical fashion. If a person doesn’t want to do that, then hush.

Finally, we all need each other. The leaders need the flock as much as the flock needs the leaders. When one has been charged with sin it is an embarrassing, and guilty feeling. However, when things calm down and he sees the love behind it and that people want him to do well and go to Heaven, he ought to be thankful that they care enough about him. Sadly, there are those who choose to stay wrong rather than repent and do what is right. This is true of leaders. This is true of the church. Some have gone to serve Satan. They have joined the enemy and have changed allegiance. That is a sad day for the church. Discipline will soon follow. Influence and good has been lost. Years of good are now washed down the drain. It is beyond reason why one would sell their soul to the Devil, but some do. They would rather have the immediate joy of sin and not think about the consequences. What they lose is a wonderful fellowship with God’s people. What they lose is the grace of God. What they lose is the hope of Heaven. The world becomes darker. A sad atmosphere covers the church. Others may be hurt by the wrong choices of this one.

Being part of God’s family brings blessings as well as responsibilities and obligations. One can’t have the blessings without also fulfilling his role in what God expects. We can’t live like a sinner and die like a saint. Solemn words about serious situations.

Roger

19

Jump Start # 2619

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2619

Mark 5:19 “And He did not let him, but He said to him, ‘Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.’”

This is a special Jump Start that is designed for you to copy, put your name at the bottom and send to a family member or dear friend who may not be a Christian. Even during this difficult time of social distancing, we must be evangelistic. The Gospel message is not bound by walls, oceans, calendars, or even pandemics. We hope that you will find this to be a useful tool and a bridge to help others come to know the Lord as you have. This is just one way to tell ‘your people’ what great things the Lord has done for you.

We have known each other for a long time. I have come to appreciate you, respect you and always enjoyed the times we could be together. There is something that I have been wanting to share with you for a long time, and that’s what the Lord has done for me. I know the subject of God, religion and the Bible can be very uncomfortable and even very confusing. But you know me and the Lord is so important to me. He has changed my life and has helped me so much.

 

Please understand, this is not a guilt trip to get you to come to church. You have come to know me and respect me and what you see in me is how the Lord has shaped me. I haven’t always been this way and I am far from perfect now, but I have come a long, long way through the love and grace of Jesus. Worship is important to me, you know that. But this is so much more than just sitting in a church building on Sunday morning. Through the Bible, I now see things so much differently than ever before. In these uneasy times of that our nation is going through, I feel a sense of calm and peace because I know the Lord sits upon the throne. And, no matter what happens, I have a confident hope that someday I will be with the Lord in Heaven.

 

The subject of Jesus is not limited to just salvation. It’s a way that one looks at life. It’s a perspective that sees eternity. And, because of that, this has shaped my choices, my values and my heart. The Lord has been good to me. There has been storms in my life. There has been dark periods of my life. You may know about some of these. But, the Lord has always been there.

 

And, because of the Lord, I have been able to meet some of the kindest and best people in the world. They are not perfect, but they are certainly trying to be like Jesus. There is a goodness that comes from being with them. And, what I have learned from the Bible has been amazing. It’s a great book that reads as if it were written just for today.

 

It just wouldn’t be right for us to be friends as we are, and me never to tell you about the greatest thing in my life. I remember how uncomfortable I was when someone first talked to me about Jesus. And, the first time I walked into that church building, I thought everyone was staring at me. I didn’t know a thing. I had so many questions and I fought and resisted for a long time. Every question I asked was answered with a passage from the Bible. It was all there. Things started to make sense and fall in place. I was baptized because I believed and that’s what I found in the Bible. I wasn’t sure if I could stick with it, but I have, and what a difference it has made. I find my life so much better today. I thought I was happy, but now I really am. I don’t worry as much as I used to. I don’t try to figure everything out. I don’t get as upset as I once did. And, I certainly do not get afraid as I once did. The Lord has changed me.

 

I would like to just sit down with you and have you talk to me. Where you are now is where I once was. I remember. But where I am now, I would love for you to be. There is such a joy in being a child of God. I am not interested in judging others, comparing churches, but only looking in our Bibles together. The only thing that matters is what does God say. I’m not going to twist your arm, talk you into something that you do not believe, nor be upset if you are not interested. If you found a sure way to save money, I’d hope and even except you to share that with me. That’s what friends do.

 

This is why I am sharing this with you. I do love you. I hope you will find a time for us to sit down, have some coffee and talk about these things. You will never hurt my feelings. You are my friend.

 

Much love to you…

18

Jump Start # 2618

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2618

Galatians 5:25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

Our verse today reminds us that we are a Spirit driven people. To live by the Spirit but not walk that way is inconsistent. It would lead one to question our position and our faith. It’s easy to talk a good game, but one must show it by their actions. Sitting in a church house, surrounded by fellow believers is a comfortable setting to discuss the golden rule, fruit of the Spirit, the good Samaritan, turning our cheek and loving our enemy. Now doing those things is much harder. It’s much harder the next day when we are not surrounded by fellow believers. It’s much harder when all around us are those who do not walk that way.

The following verse in Galatians states, “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” The immediate platform of “one another” are the fellow Christians. Don’t push be the one who causes tension in the flock. Don’t stir things up. Don’t be a trouble maker.

Boastful: arrogant, pride, “I’m better than you,” or, worse, “you have change, because I said so.” Boasting about what I did and reminding you of what you didn’t do. Boasting about how great a Christian I am. Boasting about how blessed I am. Boasting doesn’t set well. It’s rude, unbalanced and stirs things up. Those without the Spirit boast. They have to. They don’t have anything else but themselves to lean upon. Disciples of Jesus have the Lord. There is no need to put folks down, look down at others, or feel that we are better than others. This is not about race, education, or status. This is all about walking by the Spirit.

Challenging one another: don’t confuse this with motivating others. This is emotionally pushing someone. It is questioning them. It is making them defend and prove themselves. This naturally follows boasting. Not only are these folks pounding their chests, believing that they are something great, but they are pushing the other guy down. Challenging is aggressive. Challenging puts the other on the defensive. Challenging forces one to prove why they are worthy to be with the others. Challenging creates tension within the flock.

Envying one another: this is where pride ends up. This is where being challenged puts you. You wish you were on the other side. You wish you were like the boastful. You wish you were the one challenging, not being challenged. You envy others. You want what they have. You wish you could be like them. You are not, but you wish you could be. You’d like to be included. You’d like to be at the top. But you are not.

Most of us can remember those three words, boastful, challenging and envy, as we walked down the high school hallway. Bullies roamed those hallways with their little pack following them. Loud. Arrogant. Challenging. Picking on those who were alone, different and unsure.

But Paul’s words are not addressed to a high school setting. He is talking to a congregation of God’s people who are supposed to be walking by the Spirit. Tension within the flock causes some to drop out. It makes some feel that they are never accepted or part of the group. It’s often hard for someone new to fit in. Those that have been around won’t let that happen. They control the fellowship. They call the shots. This can go on for years and years. A person feels like they have to earn their place among those who are truly leading the church. It’s not the shepherds who are guiding the flock, but the boastful, challenging ones who are not walking as they ought to. Not from the right family, or not from around that area, or didn’t go to the right schools, and a person can be treated as a perpetual outsider. Never included. Never invited. Rarely talked to. Ignored often. Ideas never considered. A fellowship in name only. The congregation becomes a “old boys’ club” that if you don’t fit in, you’ll never fit in.

We want to say that those things do not exist, but they do. It happened in Corinth. It happen among the Galatian churches. It was felt in Jerusalem. A growing church faces the problem of having everyone get along. New faces and the old regular faces have to accept, love and work together. In Keller’s masterpiece book on Psalms 23, he names a few factors that will harm sheep and among them are tensions in the flock. The church can’t have ‘bullies.’ We all must humbly walk with our Savior. No one is too good for Bible classes or coming to services. No one can say, “I don’t need to come.” That boastful spirit is what causes tension.

How do we get along? How do we smooth out the tension?

First, spend time with each other. Include those you do not know well. Broaden your circle of people you talk to, invite over, and do things with. It’s hard to fit in when the same ‘ole always includes the same ‘ole.

Second, listen. One common characteristic of pride is that the person likes to talk. He likes to dominate. He controls the conversation, the direction of the conversation and who is allowed to talk. Let the air out of that big head and allow others to talk. Realize that they may bring a perspective, an experience, a life lesson that you don’t know about. You can learn from others. We all can.

Third, walk by the Spirit. Those were Paul’s words. That’s what God wants. Walking by the Spirit will cause us to settle down, accept others, and find our proper place with the Lord.

Tension is unsettling. It is like stretching a rubber band. You know before long it will either snap and hurt or it will simply break. The same is true of congregations. The best thing one can do is to make sure you are doing what you ought to be doing. Are you walking as God would want you to? Are you loving the people that God loves? Are you helping or are you part of the problem?

Tense times, reminds us that we do not have to be a part of the problem.

Roger