31

Jump Start # 3257

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3257

Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Our verse today reminds us of the importance of taking ownership of our faith. The “let no one,” falls upon each of us. Just believing someone because he has charism, a cute smile, an energetic spirit and makes you laugh, is all it takes for some to wander off into the weeds of error. The words of this passage is “empty words.” Empty not filled. Empty, lacking hope. Empty, meaning vain, useless, without promise and without God. The words sound good, but they are not. Like that hollow chocolate bunny at Easter time, there is nothing on the insides. No substance. No Biblical backing. No foundations. Just empty words. Untrue promises. False hope.

And, through this the apostle tells them to “let no one deceive you.” It’s up to each person, not the church, not others, to keep you where you ought to be. Don’t be deceived. Don’t be fooled.

Now, just how is this accomplished?

First, one must establish boundaries. Boundaries are necessary to keep out things that do not belong in my life. In our world, we have property lines, fences, and even “No Trespassing” signs that are posted. There are boundaries in golf, baseball, basketball and football. In bounds and out of bounds makes all the difference. Establishing boundaries means that I will not let people walk through my mind or my heart that do not belong there. Two neighbors living side by side may have totally different kinds of yards. One yard looks like a golf course. Beautiful. Weed free. The other is a mess. Trash is in the yard. Weeds everywhere. Patches of grass and a lot of bare spots. The neighbor with the nice yard can’t make the other guy work in his yard. He may not want to. He may be lazy. Yard work may not be his thing. But what the nice yard guy can do is to keep his neighbors yard from coming into his yard. He does that by picking up the trash in his own yard. He does that by digging out weeds in his own yard. What he has done was to establish a boundary. There are influences, people and other things that will take me away from the Lord. Sometimes, those very things are family. And, we allow family to walk all through our hearts, saying anything they want and they leave us wrecked, ruined and hurting. Establish boundaries. I cannot change you if you do not want to be changed. But I can keep you from influencing me. Boundaries may mean putting some distance between me and someone else. It may mean saying, “no,” to some people. What you are doing is not allowing someone to deceive you or hurt you emotionally, mentally or spiritually. Boundaries.

Second, it is paramount to know the truth. If one doesn’t know God’s word, then empty words may sound good. If one doesn’t recognize what is wrong, then he is very likely to embrace wrong and be content with wrong. Satan is a master of making wrong look right. I have got to stop letting the church, the preacher, or others simply tell me what to do. I must know myself. I must walk by faith. The choices I make must be wrapped around my faith and not because someone told me what to do. Recognize empty words. Don’t be deceived.

Empty words vanish away when put beside truth. A little digging. A little homework. A little consideration and one quickly learns what is truth and what is empty. Don’t fall for the empty.

Third, these things matter. This is how the verse ends. Empty words come from empty heads. Empty words are the product of someone not following God. Sons of Disobedience is how the apostle expressed it. And, God doesn’t give this a pass. He doesn’t look the other way. We are responsible for what we do and for what we say. There are consequences to what we say. Freedom of speech does not give us a pass with God when it comes to the things we say. The wrath of God comes. Consequences from Heaven follows empty words. It matters what we listen to. It matters what we say.

With a solid faith and an open Bible in our hands, empty words will just flitter on by. They won’t land. They won’t harm us. It’s when we are wavering in faith, uncertain and unsure, our Bibles closed and our attention upon others and not the Lord, that empty words find a spot in our hearts.

Later, this same church, Ephesus, would not endure evil men and put to test those who claimed to be apostles but were not. Doctrines of the Nicolaitans would not find a resting spot in the Ephesian church. Let no one deceive you…

Great reminders in a cloudy world of today.

Roger

30

Jump Start # 3256

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3256

Genesis 4:25 “Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for she said, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.”

The first family on this planet had trouble and pain. A death, actually a murder had taken place. And, now, Eve has another son, Seth.

There are three unique things about the birth of Seth:

First, Seth never knew his brother Abel. Very likely he learned the stories. Very likely he saw the pain through the eyes of his parents. But the righteous Abel never had an opportunity to lead or guide Seth. But as Hebrews reminds us, though dead, he still speaks. The innocent dying by the hands of the guilty is an image that would be fully seen at the cross. Abel made a sacrifice that pleased the Lord.

Second, Seth’s birth was connected to God’s promise of salvation. It wasn’t through Cain, but through Seth that hope and forgiveness would be found. Through Seth comes a godly line that would lead to David, and eventually Joseph who was betrothed to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Eve seems to recognize God’s part in this. The name “Seth” is footnoted  to literally mean “appointed.” After the sin in the garden, the Lord had said that her seed would crush the head of the serpent. Did Eve think that Seth was the fulfillment of that promise? Did she believe that immediately the Lord was bringing salvation? Or, did she understand this to be that through Seth’s descendants, and not Cain, salvation would come in time?

As Genesis four ends, the text says, “Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.” In Genesis five, a chapter of genealogy, that runs through Adam and then Seth, we find the names of Mahalalel, which has a form of God in his name. We find Enoch, who walked with God. We find Noah, who God favored. A line of believers. A line that taught one another. A line that loved the Lord. That line would lead to Jesus. It was the death and resurrection of Jesus that destroyed the works of Satan. The resurrection crushed the greatest power Satan has. We will be raised because He was raised. A promise, running all through the Bible, centuries in the making, but kept by God.

Third, Eve viewed Seth as a replacement for Abel. The passage says, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel…”  The CEB and the NIV uses the expression, “In place of Abel.” Eve was given another son, but he couldn’t replace Abel. Each person is special and unique in personality, character and drive. We are not shown the day to day life of Seth growing up, but if Eve was trying to make him into Abel, that would have been a big mistake. We understand this in the pet world. A pet dies. The family gets another pet of the exact same breed and color. But that new pet won’t be the same as the other one.

Magnified even more, parents make a huge mistake when they try to compare their kids with one another or expect one to do like another one. The middle child can often get stuck with this comparison. “Your brother made the honor roll.” The impression is that you should to. “Your sister was varsity.” The idea is that you should be as good as she was. Where one child excels, others may not. Seth may have filled a spot at the kitchen table, he was not Abel. He was not Abel’s replacement. Seth was Seth.

A divorce takes place and mom marries another man. That new face may fill the role of a dad, but he is not the same. He brings in his own experiences, background, feelings and ideas. He may be a better father. He likely will not do things the same way as the other father did. We cannot replace one person with another.

This is true in our congregations when a new preacher stands behind the pulpit. He is the replacement some say, and that is true in one sense, but do not expect him to be the same. He will bring in his own work ethic, style and way of doing things. And, when people make comparisons, it’s bound to hurt.

Seth was the third son. Seth was Seth, not Abel, Jr.

Even in a home broken by sin and trouble, God had not abandoned them. Promise, hope and salvation was on the way. Out of the deadness of winter, a little flower blooms, showing the first signs of a coming spring. Such it is with God. Such it is for us. The pain and sorrow of Cain is not that remains. Hope comes in Seth. Hope comes in Jesus.

The story of Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, and Seth in many ways is our story. Broken lives. Sin. Sorrow. Pain. But, hope. Forgiveness. Help.

Roger

27

Jump Start # 3255

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3255

2 Corinthians 7:2 “Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.”

Our verse today begins with a great expression, ‘make room for us in your hearts.’ That’s hard for some folks. As a young parent with one child it’s hard to think that you have any room to love another child. But you do. Your heart just expands and you love both of your children fully and equally.

Paul’s words were to the Corinthian brethren. What follows those words are three declarative statements. We didn’t hurt anyone. No one was wronged. No one was corrupted. No one was taken advantage of. Had that been the case, the door to the Corinthian heart would likely have been closed and locked. They would have reasons to say that we have no room to love you. You mistreated us and that’s it. That wasn’t the case. They needed to make room for Paul in their hearts.

Some lessons for us spiritually:

First, when new folks come in, it’s easy for them to always feel like the outsiders. They may not be included, invited and the impression is left that they are “not one of us.” That hurts fellowship. That can be the undoing for that new couple. After a few months, they leave looking for another place. They left never feeling like they were accepted or welcomed. Make room in your hearts for us, that’s the answer.

Second, when prodigals come home they can feel like a second class citizen. They sense that people are always watching them, just waiting for them to mess up again. No running towards them, like the father in Luke 15. No celebrations. No feasts. Just Questions and Suspicion and lots of Doubts. Make room in your hearts, that ‘s the answer. Love them. Forgive them. Open your heart to them.

Third, it takes some effort on our hearts to find the room for others. It’s like putting suitcases in the trunk of your car for a trip. Things have to be adjusted, moved around and squeezed in, but it can be done. Pride and stubbornness on our parts can close that trunk shut with the statement, “There just isn’t any room.” I have stood at subways and as the doors open and you see how packed the cars are, one thinks there is no way. But you get in there and you find a spot. Room was made.

Our dislike of someone or believing that someone is different can keep others on the outside. Not everyone will be like you. Not everyone will be like me. That’s good. Not all the apostles were the same. Not all the early Christians were the same. Business woman like Lydia, a wealthy Ethiopian, a Roman officer, Jews, Gentiles, men, women, slaves and owners—that was the makeup of those early churches. It was the potential to be a real powder keg of problems. How do you smooth all of those wrinkles out? How do people who culturally do not like each other, accept one another? Make room in your hearts, that’s the answer.

Fourth, when I find room in my heart for you, I come to like you. I learn from you. I appreciate you. I thank my God for you. You help me and I hope I help you. Together we journey. Together we fight Satan. Together we build the kingdom. Common goals. Same interests. Like minded. Making room for you becomes a blessing to me. Making room for you adds value to me. Making room for you is one of the best things I could do.

And, after a while, a person thinks, ‘How do I manage without you?’

Making room, implies making time. It involves making effort. It means to make the most of what we can.

Got any room left in your heart? Bet you do. Move things around a bit and you might just find a tiny spot for me, and I’ll do the same for you.

Make room in your heart for me…love that thought.

Roger

26

Jump Start # 3254

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3254

Acts 20:30 “and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them.”

Recently, I spent a Saturday morning with our shepherds teaching a class about shepherding. This is one of my favorite topics and I am very passionate about it. Shepherding the people of God, was the title I put on the booklet I made for them. One of the lessons was about unity among the shepherds.

Often when we speak about unity, it’s on a grand scale. Unity among the flock is preached often, and it should be. But, on a more specific scale, there must be unity among the leaders. There must be unity within the eldership. There needs to be unity between the preachers. And, there needs to be unity between the preachers and the shepherds. Everyone on the same page, that’s what this is about.

Here is why this is so important:

First, just like at home, some will go to one and if they don’t get the answer they want, they will go to another. Kids try this with mom and dad. And, unless mom and dad are on the same page, mixed signals are given and the kids quickly learn which one will say “Yes.” It’s the same way in the church. If the shepherds are not on the same page, some will find the one elder that will give them a green light and they will continue to go to that elder. It is important for the shepherds to be united, one mind, one voice.

Second, the nature of a plurality of elders does not mean each one acts independent and makes decisions on his own without first talking things through with the others. What a disaster happens when an eldership is not united. One elder decides he doesn’t like the preacher, so he fires him. Another elder decides that he does like that preacher so he hires him back. Back and forth, so confusing, and the church just spins in circles. With three elders or five elders, it’s not three or five independent voices deciding things. They must speak as one.

To do this, there must be great communication, transparency and trust among the shepherds. When one hears of things that involves the church or impacts the church, that needs to be shared among them. No secrets. No, “I know something that you don’t.” Emails and texts ought to be passing back and forth throughout the week as they work together to lead the flock of God.

There also needs to be some Bible studies among the elders on key doctrinal themes that they often face with leading the flock. The very idea of shepherds studying together is novel for so many. And, because of that, when things do come up, discussions can be heated, uncomfortable and members left wondering about the leadership. On the same page about discipline. On the same page about divorce. On the same page about the function and role of the church. On the same page about social drinking. On the same page about modesty. On the same page about worship. Sitting across a table with a couple who are wanting to place membership and suddenly there is a disagreement among the shepherds about a pivotal issue leads to all kinds of trouble in the future. Have those studies, if you haven’t. Talk it out. Study the Scriptures. Come to an agreement about what the Bible teaches. Be one mind, one voice, united.

Third, division among the leaders often destroys the leadership. Unable to resolve differences, some resign. Some move to another place. And, the church suffers. Taking out the leaders is an old, old tactic of Satan. With no one at the helm, the church drifts. No one leading, no one feeding, no one watching, and the wolves move in.

Before new shepherds are appointed, it would be healthy and good to sit down with the current shepherds and get everyone on the same page. No intimidation. No bullying. But openness, honesty and Biblically looking at the very things that impact sheep.

Our verse today, Paul’s warnings to the Ephesian elders, illustrates a division among them. From among them, some would arise and lead people away. There were two immediate problems. First, they would be speaking perverse things. That word means, “crooked.” It wasn’t straight. Not straight with God and not straight with God’s word. That implies that there was a division of thought among them. Secondly, there was an arrogant motive listed. They were trying to draw disciples after them. It wasn’t truth that they were striving for. It was a following. Those men should have never been in that eldership.

Shepherds must trust each other. There is no pecking order within the eldership. The closer the eldership becomes to each other and the stronger their bonds are, the more apparent to the church that unity runs through the hearts of their leaders.

Unity among the shepherds. That’s something that ought to be preached! More so, that’s something that ought to be practiced.

Roger

25

Jump Start # 3253

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3253

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.”

I went to the movie theatre the other day. I like Tom Hanks so I caught the movie, “A man called Otto”. That title grabbed my attention because that was the name of my grandfather. I wouldn’t recommend this movie to young audiences. I’ll try not to put spoilers in here for those that want to see it, but it is a classic demonstration of our verse today. A widower cannot deal with the loss of his wife. Time and time again he attempts suicide. Never in the movie is Heaven, God or hope brought up. And, this is the grief that one experiences when life is lived without God. It’s over. They don’t believe that they will ever see that person again. Despair. Agony. Loneliness.

The movie has some funny spots and a touching ending and there seems to be transition that takes place in the character Hanks plays, but it’s all about here, it is all secular. Hollywood left God a long time ago. No passages read. No spiritual help. Nothing. And, as Solomon wondered about in Ecclesiastes, what advantage is there over the fool and the beast? They both die. The same is true of the wise man. Death is the great leveler in life. Walk through any cemetery and you’ll find the graves of local heroes, businessmen, and the town drunk. All resting together, side by side. Same outcome. Same fate.

And, as Solomon later says in that powerful journal called Ecclesiastes, what does the labor of man accomplish? What’s the purpose, or, what’s the point, even if a person lives a long, long life? Without God, it’s all about self. It’s all about stuff. It’s all about trying to maintain happiness in a world that is broken and miserable and that destroys true joy. Life looks good until death enters. What a lonely ending it has without God.

What a different picture for the disciple. He knows where his faith takes him. He understands the divine purpose in life. Stuff and things and trips can put a smile on our faces for a moment, but that’s not what life is about. It must have a purpose. It must have a direction. It must have some meaning, some value. That’s where God makes all the difference. We were put here on purpose for a purpose.

Tears come when we think about the passing of a dear family member, but when that person is a disciple, we know that they live on with the Lord. We know that they are in the best place ever. We know that God will take care of them. Our grief doesn’t shatter us. It doesn’t cripple us. It doesn’t stop us. We journey on with a purpose and a promise. Solomon lived “a life under the sun.” He had a horizontal view of life. And, that horizontal view is depressing. Our view is vertical. We live life ABOVE the sun, that makes all the difference in the world. Not every day will be sunny. Not everything will go the way I want it to. Not every moment is joy and happiness. However, knowing that God sits upon the eternal throne of Heaven makes all the difference.

I fear that for many who see that movie, they won’t see the spiritual bridge that is missing. I expect many will walk away thinking, ‘Yep, that’s life.’ And, many may see nothing wrong with the suicide answer to loneliness. Why not, if this world is all you believe in. Why not, if God is no longer meaningful to you.

What we have in Jesus Christ is hope. We have hope in this life and we have hope in the next.

How powerful the hymn, “This world is not my home.” I do a bit of traveling. I’ve stayed in a lot of places from hotels, to Air B & B’s, to being a guest with brethren. I’ve been in some really fancy places. But, there’s no place like home. There is a comfort level at home. Coffee just tastes better when it’s from your own cup while you are sitting at your own table. We try our best to make this world comfortable, but it just not. There are always reminders that something is wrong. A shooting. A disaster. A scandal. A ugly slur. Broken and needing a good fixing, this world is not my home. This world is like sleeping on a lumpy couch. You turn this way and that way and you just can’t find a comfortable spot. By morning you are worn out. It’s like you wrestled a bear all night long. And, that’s the world for a disciple. Things are just not right. It’s hard to find comfort here. And, so, this world is not my home.

Different kinds of hope. Different kinds of grief. It’s all based upon the direction you are facing. Some are looking here for the answers. Their hope is in the state house, the court house and the White house. For the disciple, we are facing another direction. Our hope is not here, but there. Our hope is not in us, but in Him. And, that makes all the difference, both for now and for eternity.

A man named Otto. A man named Jesus. That difference, is all the difference.

Roger