26

Jump Start # 2789

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2789

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

I used this passage a while back in a sermon. There are several interesting things to consider.

First, all these hundreds of years later, we understand someone knocking on the door. That’s what they did back then and people still do it today. Even with doorbells, cameras on our porch to catch who is walking up  to the door, the concept remains the same. There was a time not too long ago when evangelizing included “door knocking.” That’s not done much today, because many would never open the door to a stranger.

Second, Jesus wasn’t just knocking, He was speaking. The passage says, “Hears My voice.” So, it’s not a stranger at the door. The person at the door, is identifying Himself. It’s Jesus and He wants to come in. The voice of Jesus is spoken through the N.T. The door Jesus is knocking on is your heart. You’ve read about Jesus in the Bible. For some, that’s enough. Check off your daily Bible reading and go on your way. Listen to a sermon, follow along with a few passages, then head to lunch. And, with that, you and I can keep Jesus on the outside. He remains on the porch. We heard Him knocking. We’ve listened to His voice. However, the door has remained closed.

Third, the opening of the door is not done by God, but by us. Jesus doesn’t “break into” your home. He doesn’t force His way into your life. He knocks, and you welcome Him in. He knocks and you invite Him in. He’ll stand on the porch all day long. He won’t come to the back door. He won’t go through a window. You don’t have to fear Jesus breaking in like a criminal. He’s not like that. He wants to come in, but you must open that door. You must invite Jesus in. You must want Jesus to come in.

Fourth, when Jesus comes in, it is to dine with us. He’s not coming to take stuff out. He’s not coming to beat you, hurt you or rob you. In the first century, the most intimate fellowship was around food. When the prodigal came home, the celebration included eating the fat calf. In the home of Mary and Martha, while Jesus was teaching, Martha was preparing the food. The last events Jesus had with the apostles before the cross was eating the Passover meal and transitioning to the Lord’s Supper.

Even today, friends gather and we eat. The family comes and we eat. Jesus didn’t come in to watch TV. He didn’t come in to help you paint a wall. He came in to dine with you. He didn’t just come in to eat, but to eat with you. It’s the “with you” that makes all the difference.

Now, stretch that thought for a moment. Let your mind go there. Imagine just you and Jesus sitting across a table. There’s bread, grapes, some meat, and a cup with something to drink. It’s not the food, it’s the company that matters. It’s not so much to fill the belly, as it is to fill the heart. This is not fast food, this is time spent with the Savior.

What do you think you and Jesus would talk about? Would that setting make you uncomfortable and nervous? Would you want the Lord to leave quickly? I doubt the conversation would be about ballgames and how your team is doing. I doubt the Lord would be concerned about politics, policy and things like that. I doubt the Lord would have much interest in your paintings on the wall, your furniture, of how much balance you have on your mortgage. I doubt the Lord would ask you about your company’s matching 401 program. Interestingly, how quickly after worship ends, our conversations turn to these things. It sure makes one wonder doesn’t it?

Here is my short list of how I imagine a conversation with the Lord would go. These are just my thoughts:

  • I could see the Lord asking us how we’ve done with the pandemic. At first, we’d tell the Lord about how hard it’s been to worship at home, and how stressful it’s been having the kids do school at home. I’d probably complain about masks and how many times I’ve forgotten one and had to go back to get one. But the Lord, would smile, shake His head, and ask, “But how are you doing?” “Has this made you thankful for what you had?” “Has this opened your eyes to help others?” “Has this shown you how wonderful worship is?” Likely, thoughts I haven’t had before. It’s so easy to focus upon self and the storm clouds and fail to see the sunrays of blessings coming down.
  • The Lord might see a picture of our family, framed, sitting on a table. He’d ask about your marriage. Has the pandemic given you more time to pray together? Being around each other, have you helped each other more?
  • The Lord might look out the window and see the melting snow and smile and say, “Wasn’t that beautiful when it was coming down? It’s like the Father’s blessings every day.”
  • I expect the Lord would look into our eyes and tell us that He thinks about us every day. I can see the Lord saying, “I know you’ll get through all of this. You are so strong and I love you so much.” As, He left, He’d embrace us and hold our hands like no one has ever done before. He’d look again deep into our eyes and remind us, “I’m coming back for you.” And, then smile and then leave.

The concept of dinning with the Lord was not to bring guilt, fear or shame. It was meant to bring warmth, love and closeness. This was a good thing not something to be dreaded.

I stand at the door and knock. Will you let the Lord in?

Roger

25

Jump Start # 2788

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2788

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

I like to listen to music while I work. I have a variety of special music based upon what I’m doing. I have music that I play while I’m writing sermons. I have background music I play while I’m reading. I have music I listen to while I’m driving. I have music I play when I’m mowing the yard. Big variety from 60’s to classical to instrumental pop to Bluegrass. The other day I was listening to Gordon Lightfoot. On came his song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” A sad song about a tragic shipwreck on the great lakes. The song is long, very long. I believe I could write an entire series of sermons before that song concluded. It was playing the other day. Along came the line, “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?” Interesting thought. Intriguing question.

Where does the love of God go during a storm? When the darkness of night never seems to end and the problems do not seem to get any better, where is God? When the cancer treatments no longer are working, where is the love of God? When the prayers are answered, “No,” where does the love of God go? Where is the love of God when brethren separate and congregations split? Where is that love, when a spouse walks away from a marriage and never looks back?

Great question, Gordon and a question that many wonder about. It’s these kinds of thoughts that lead many to throw the towel in on God. Where is He when I needed Him? Why didn’t He do something? The tears of broken hearts and the pains of suffering have made many conclude that either God does not exist or at the best, He doesn’t like them. Where is the love of God when the ship goes down?

Some thoughts:

First, our verse reminds us that God loved us when we didn’t love Him. He loved us while we were still sinful. And, not only does God love us, but He has proven His love. He has demonstrated that love. When someone asks, “I’m not sure God loves me,” Paul provides the answer. The answer is not smooth sailing, clear nights, and a pain free life. The proof and the answer is the Ole’ Rugged Cross. The Cross is God’s exclamation point. It, more than anything else, illustrates God’s love.

It may be that our definitions and expectations need to be readjusted. It may be that we have defined love in selfish terms. If God loved me, then everything would work out. I’d make the team, get the scholarship, land the job, buy the house, have healthy kids, nail the promotion and watch the sun go down in a carefree retirement. Now, that’s love. No. That’s selfish. Do you think God ought to love you more than Abraham? How about Moses? How about Noah? How about Paul? How about Peter? Trace their lives. On the move. Oppressed. Suffering. Persecuted. Ill treated. Yet, Paul, while sitting in a prison, never wrote a hymn with the line, “Where does the love of God go…” He knew God loved him. What happened to these heroes of faith was no reflection on how God loved them.

Second, we have little tolerance for hardship in our lives. The moment things get tough, some are ready to run the other way, screaming, “God doesn’t love us anymore.” Patience, virtue and faith are forged on the anvils of hardship. Tough times should not drive us away from God. Instead they ought to draw us closer to the Lord. Last year has been tough, very tough. Schools, businesses, churches were all impacted. There has been so many families I know that had funerals. Has God pulled away from us? No. Has God given up on us? No. Maybe these tough times were needed to firm up our faith. Maybe we’ve taken worship for granted. Maybe we preachers got a bit lazy. We’ve had to work like never before. Maybe all of this has been a blessing rather than a curse.

Third, death is the enemy of God. That’s the way it’s described in Corinthians. God allows it. God uses it. But it’s not the way life was intended. Death was a curse, not a blessing. Death was not part of that original Eden plan. So, when ships sink and the crew is lost, was that the work of God or Satan? Job’s problems were Satan sent. God allowed it, but Satan was the cause. We blame God for the bad and rarely thank God for the good. The crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald all died. So, did the crew of the space ship Challenger. So, did the brave soldiers at the Alamo. History is filled with tragic events and lives suddenly thrust into eternity. There has been wars and epidemics and accidents and violent crimes in every generation. The world is broken, not because the Love of God is missing, but because man has chosen sin and self over God.

Fourth, to answer Lightfoot’s question in his ballad, does anyone know where the love of God goes, it goes to the same place when Pharaoh was killing the babies of Israel. It goes to the same place when Herod was killing the little boys in Judea. It goes to the same place when Stephen was murdered. It goes to the same place when Jesus was nailed to that cross. It doesn’t go anywhere. God’s love remains. He loves us when we do not love Him. He loves us when we ignore Him. He loves us when we turn to Him. He loves us when the ship is going down. He loves us when the angels are summoned to carry us home.

I’ve never been a fan of Lightfoots’ account of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The song has little variation or movement. There is no real chorus. It’s not a happy tune. It’s not one you sing with your friends. And, it questions the love of our God who has never ever stopped loving us.

Where does God’s love go when the storms come? It’s still there. Maybe I need to stop looking at the clouds and look above them to see a mighty God who is greater than any problem we can have.

Roger

24

Jump Start # 2787

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2787

Nehemiah 8:13 “Then on the second day the heads of father’s households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.”

Our verse shows us day two of the large worship gathering in Nehemiah’s day. On the first day, people stood for hours when the Law of God was read. They wept. The law was explained and the people understood. Now, it’s the next day. They didn’t get it all on the previous day. They still had a hunger in their hearts for the Lord.

And, within this verse is the expression that they might “gain insight into the words of the law.” Insight. In Hebrews we see that the mature could discern good and evil. In Psalms, the blessed man is the one who meditates upon God’s word day and night. In a section about worry, Jesus told the disciples to observe how the lilies of the field grow. Observe. Insight. Discernment. Meditating. All of these words carry the idea of thinking. They involve taking your mind to places that will help you grow, get stronger and closer to the Lord. Much too often, we don’t find time to think, outside of work. We allow others to direct our minds and thoughts and that influences our moods and our behavior. Insight. Observe. Mediate. Discern.

Let me take you to a personal story.

Lillie died yesterday. She was my age. I’ve known her for almost twenty-five years. She was a beautiful person. Charming on the outside as well as the inside. She was a believer and a disciple of Jesus. She taught Bible classes, opened her home up to hospitality and a true model of what one ought to be. She and my wife were friends. She was my friend. Cheerful, smiling and a delight to be around—that’s how she was.

She had some tough moments in her life. Her husband had broken his vows to her and was living immorally. I remember those days. Lillie came to me for advice. As painful as it was, she filed for divorce. I went to the court house with her. She became a single mom. Later, she met a man on a Christian dating site. I had lunch with this man. I was being Lillie’s big brother. I questioned him, quizzed him and analyzed him. I sure wanted to protect Lillie. Ron was a gem. A great man and he made a great husband to Lillie. We became friends. Ron became my go to handy man when I needed something done. When I was out on the road preaching, it was Ron that my wife would call to help fix whatever needed fixing.

We left Kansas City. Moved to where I am now. Big church. Lots of people to know and connect with. Our kids married and then came the grandkids. We’d hear from our Kansas City friends now and then, but states away, we drifted apart. They moved to another state.

Last summer, while on vacation, we heard that Lillie had advanced cancer. It was very serious. We made arrangements to drive to their home to spend a couple of hours with our old friends. We laughed. We remembered old stories. Lillie and my wife, who is an oncology nurse, talked about treatment and medicines. We cried as we left. My wife kept in touch. She and Lillie were texting often. We sent things for Lillie. Just a couple of weeks ago I received a sympathy card from them after my dad had passed away. Now that the holidays are over, and the snow storm is behind us, we were seriously thinking about going to see her again.

But yesterday morning, Lillie died. I called Ron her husband. All I could think to say was, “I’m so sorry.” No one expected her passing to be this soon. No one, that is, except the Lord. And, as I lay awake most of the night thinking about our friends, discernment, insight, observation and meditation filled my heart and mind.

Some thoughts:

First, every once in a while the Lord puts quality people in our lives. That doesn’t happen often, but when it does what a difference it can make. People of faith. People that genuinely love you and their desire is Heaven. What a blessing it is when we recognize this and we utilize these wonderful people to enrich our lives.

We are talking much, much more than just friends. Everyone has friends. And, someone might say that they have great friends from work or school. And, I’m sure they do. But unless those people are the high spiritual quality that is found only in Christians, you will never experience the wonder and joy of true friendships. Certainly, you can laugh with your friends. They may come when you need them. But there is an upper dimension, only understood and only found among Christians. And, sadly, so many go through life without ever reaching that dimension. The Lord has crisscrossed their lives with all kinds of high quality people, but they do not discern, recognize, observe or appreciate them. They’d rather have worldly friends and what a loss that is. And, I believe in just about every congregation you will find those wonderful, high quality Christians that would love to be your friend. Lillie was such a person. I wonder if we settle for the consolation prizes in life rather than striving for excellence. We can do this in marriage. We can do this with friendships. Good people or the best people—there is a difference.

Second, preachers can often get so tied up with the church that they are working with that they lose connections to the people of other places. Most of us preachers who have moved have left good friendships. And, in my shameful case, we get so caught up with those around us, that we forget about those dear ones in other places. I am ashamed of myself for allowing over a decade to pass with very little contact with our friends. Oh, I could justify it with busy schedule, growing church, family ties, but in the end, I feel that I fumbled on this one. I feel terrible about it now and wonder how many other friendships I have done the same to. Sometimes we hide behind the word “work” and allow that to be an excuse to neglect family and friends. I will try to do better. I will be better.

Third, Lillie was my age. I thought about that a lot last night. What if it had been me? What if the roles had changed? What if I had passed through that door of death. Has my presence on this planet made any difference? Have I glorified the Lord? How will others remember me? Simply, as all work? Many would say that they have lived a good life, but that definition involves doing whatever they felt like doing. We know better than that. Have we made this place better because we have been here? Remember, discern, observe, meditate, insight.

Fourth, the Lord sends His angels when He is ready, not when we are. We have plans. We’ve got a lot more to do. We’ve got things we still want to see. We are holding on to life with both hands, often very tightly at that. But when the angels come for the righteous, it’s time to let go and head home. Discern. Observe. Mediate. Insight. Each day is important, so don’t waste it. Every relationship is precious, so treasure them. Every opportunity to worship the Lord is a golden moment, honor it.

Insight. Discern. Observe. Mediate. What have you done with your life? How has your life honored and reflected the Lord? One day will be your last day—make the most of the time you have. Find the high level spiritual quality people and connect with them often. Become such a person yourself and reach out to others.

Safe in the arms of Jesus. That’s where you’ll find Lillie. That’s where we need to be.

Roger

23

Jump Start # 2786

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2786

Proverbs 14:15 “The naïve believes everything, but the sensible person considers his steps.”

Our passage today, typical of Proverbs, is wrapped around a couple of contrasts. Opposites, is another way of expressing this. The naïve and the sensible. Believing everything and considering the steps. It is this last statement that I want to build some thoughts on today. Consideration of ones’ steps. Being careful. A big segment of the country understood that literally last week. Most of the country was covered with snow and ice. Driving was tough. Walking to the mail box was tough. Slipping and sliding and trying to keep from falling was the task of the day. We had to consider our steps. We were careful.

But our passages is not about walking on wintery sidewalks. It is about the thoughtful consideration of one’s behavior, attitude and choices. The wise or sensible person is one who doesn’t just plow ahead full steam. He’s thinking before he acts. He things before he speaks. He considers influence. He considers consequences. He considers the impact his choice will have upon his soul. A lot to think about. And, something that seems to be missing so much today. So many celebrities, athletes, politicians, and, reporters have said things that weren’t thought out. Their mouths were running faster than their brain. And, they get in trouble. Some have been fired. Many have had to come back and apologize and beg for their jobs. What they lacked was considering their steps.

Now, take that thought to a different area. As we consider consideration, wrap that around congregations starting back up once again.

First, this is an opportunity to really evaluate, consider and look at the entire worship package including Bible classes. Here is a fresh window to start new, fresh and make adjustments. Many places will just go right back to the same schedule and way things were done in the past. Nothing wrong with that, but put some consideration into that before the decision is made.

For instance:

  • Are two Sunday services working and if so, are two sermons on Sunday the best and most effective way to teach and accomplish your goals? Some places have made adjustments through the pandemic and have gone nearly a year with just one Sunday service. Did that work well? What could be done better?
  • Are Sunday morning Bible classes and the format of those classes working? Could it be that video lessons made during the week are used as a basis of the class and then discussion be built around those? Are classes on Sunday the best means to teach or have we found a class during the week works better?
  • Have we found that the 13 week quarter system of classes could be changed and made better?
  • Have we seen that using disposable Lord’s Supper elements are much more sanitary and having a basket or drop box for the contribution works well?
  • Congregations got through a year with few or no Gospel Meetings. Maybe it’s time to think about the purpose of those, the length of those and what we are wanting from them.

The business community is making some serious evaluations as we move to the other side of the pandemic. Large office buildings are expensive to maintain and working from home, for many actually works better. School systems are taking a look at different methods of teaching having gone through long periods of Zoom classes and e-learning. Restaurants are looking at things differently now. The menu that everyone touches may be made safer. Seating may be different. And, what we are witnessing is that on the other side of the storm, adjustments are made. Some have found better and safer ways of doing things. Some are making preparations in case something like this happens again.

And, for congregations, the post pandemic church may come out stronger, closer and more focused than ever before. Wise and sensible leaders will consider the best steps in not just getting everyone back, but in how things will be done. Don’t just assume the way before the pandemic is the only way nor the best way. Put some thought into worship—the hours you meet, the order of things in worship, the number of songs, where you place the Lord’s Supper in the worship, livestreaming and so many other things. Here is a window to make great adjustments and do things better. Better worship to God. Better Bible classes. Better fellowship. Better mentoring. Better leadership.

We can just get back to the way things were, or we can consider how to make things better. These are the things to be talked about, thought out and prayed about. Before everything returns to normal, make sure that your normal is the best way of doing things. Talk to others and find out what they are doing. Share some ideas. Try some things, as long as you stay within the Biblical guidelines.

This is a time to do some considering…

Roger

22

Jump Start # 2785

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2785

Daniel 3:18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

There has been so many wonderful lessons that have come from the story of the fiery furnace in Babylon. The three Jewish young men were put on the spot. Bow down or die. Away from home, having no one, other than themselves, to encourage each other, they remained absolute in their decision. Our verse expresses their words, “we are not going to serve your gods.” We refer to that as conviction.

Conviction is something that is at one’s core. This is what I believe. And, based upon that belief I make the choices in life. Conviction ought to be solid like steel. It ought to remain the same in sunny days and stormy nights. It ought to be the same whether I’m in a crowd or by myself. Conviction doesn’t follow the crowd. Conviction doesn’t change day after day. For us, we stand upon the word of God. That is the rock that the wise man built his house upon. That is hope, assurance and confidence that we have.

All of this sounds good, especially on a Sunday morning while sitting in the church house. But these days, convictions are under assault. Pressure from those who do not agree attack that very core of conviction. They say that our core conviction is wrong. Our core belief is harmful to them and injurious to society. You must change your core belief or else you will be exiled, labeled, mocked and abused.

The most recent victim was the author Max Lucado. Max, light years ago, preached among the churches of Christ. He’s moved beyond that and his international status as a writer has led him to evolving his views on many points. But recently, Max was verbally attacked for his views against same-sex marriage. A petition was formed to ban him from attending a national prayer service. A decades old sermon surfaced where Max defended the Biblical view of marriage. The fireworks started. The LBGTQ community claimed they were offended, wounded and hurt by the views of Max. Pressure mounted. Max caved in. I expect behind the scenes the publishing houses were ready to dump his contracts and burn his books. So, Max bowed down. He wrote a letter of apology. The powerful LBGTQ movement claimed another victory. Another voice silenced. Given enough pressure, they all seem to back down and bow down.

And, for us, this is everything. Powerful pressure and fear can move convictions. This is why we need to consider our verse today.

First, refusing to bow to the king’s idol insulted and offended the king. That it did. Convictions tend to do that to those who have different views. Yet, with that, the Jewish three stood. Brought before the king and offered a second chance, the three refused. With the threat of death, they refused. They would rather die, being right with the Lord, than live having sold out to the devil.

If you have Biblical convictions, you will upset some in your family and in your place of work. Some will push you to test your faith. Some will look for you to slip up. Some will try you. And, as the Jewish three found out, there are consequences that come with convictions. You may not be included, invited or welcome any more. You may be pressured out of your job. You may be ridiculed and eventually forced off of social media. You may be on the outs with your family. Peter sat in a prison cell. Paul was dragged out of town and stoned. Fear and pressure will try to chip away your convictions. Faith will help you remain loyal and true.

Second, we do not find the Jewish three being obnoxious about their convictions. Some invite persecution because of the ’in-your-face’ attitude they manifest. Jesus was never like that. His words offended those who didn’t agree, but you don’t find Jesus picking a fight. Kindness, gentleness are not the opposites of boldness and firmness. They go together. One doesn’t have to be mean to be confident.

Third, the world would rather change the Bible than change it’s ways. That’s always been true. The world is in love with sin more than it is in love with the Lord. The shocking news about Max Lucado is that at the front of his opposition was a group of “religious” leaders. Their twisted theology had left the Bible so long ago that they do not even realize who they are following. We’d like to think honest talk would change some. It won’t. We’d like to think putting the evidence out on the table will help others to see. It won’t. This isn’t a search for truth. Some have redefined the truth in such a way that they are not interested in anything but their current agenda. And, if anyone stands in their way, they will be knocked down.

Fourth, our world is getting darker and darker. I saw a report that claimed there are 63 gender choices. I don’t understand that. I thought there was male and female and God made that choice for us. The “in-crowd” is refusing to use the expression “baby.” The word today is “weebee.”  Parents are going to let their child determine their gender. Will they let the child determine whether he goes to school? How about what language to speak? Better yet, maybe that child will choose new parents, and get a better set next time. Nothing is wrong these days except religious conviction. Everything is in, except the Bible. Don’t offend. Don’t hurt my feelings. Don’t make me feel bad. It doesn’t matter that you offend God, hurt His feelings, and make Him feel bad. Those weak in faith, will be causalities. They will cave in to social pressure. Those with convictions will be mocked and pressured. But, the truth goes on. It must go on.

If the Bible is indeed right, then we must stand upon that with all of our heart. Man is to follow the Bible, not the Bible follow man. We will not bow down! Defiant. Sure. Absolute. Convicted. True to God.

Let’s hope and pray that we can have some genuine convictions.

Roger