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Jump Start # 3315

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3315

1 Corinthians 5:13 “But those who are outside God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”

I’ve been looking at 1 Corinthians 5. It is layered with many lessons. There is a moral argument that even the Gentiles understood that some things were out of bounds. It seems every person has a point that once that line is crossed, it is wrong. Even the pagans, the Gentiles, knew that one does not have sexual relations with the wife of your father. That’s wrong and just about everyone knew that. The Corinthians rather than having meetings to form a plan as to what action ought to be taken, they had boasted and even became arrogant about this. Was it because who this person was? Were they afraid to cross him? Was he one of their favorites and no matter what he did, he could never do wrong?

As the chapter ends, Paul refers to this man as “so called brother” (11), ”immoral” (10), and “wicked” (13). Paul is shaken by such bad news. He hits this hard. The man was to be removed, cleaned out and they were not to associate with him. Tough talk for troublesome times.

And, all of this leads to some thoughts about discipline.

First, no one likes to have to practice discipline. Whether we talk about what happens in the home, the church or in society, discipline involves someone who has done something wrong. Looking the other way is always the easiest thing to do. Just kicking the can down the road and hoping that things will get better is not God’s way of things.

The steps leading to discipline involve having those tough conversations. The guilty often denies. The guilty may lie. The guilty points fingers at others. The talk dad must have with one of his teenagers. The talk that must take place between the shepherds and a wayward sheep. Before those conversations ever take place one needs to think out what needs to be said. One needs to pray hard about all the hearts involved. One needs to enter the conversation calm. Shouting and screaming only shuts down the conversation.

The words of our verse are not directed towards the sinful man. They are directed towards the Corinthian church that had become sinful because they were not doing anything.

Second, the goal of discipline is to change behavior. Discipline is a teaching moment. Accountability has taken place. The guilty can promise to stop with the hopes that nothing further will be done. But has he learned anything? Has he learned why the behavior was wrong? Has he learned that there cannot be another time with this sin?

One disciplines not to cush the guilty, but rather to save the guilty. Many see discipline as “unloving.” The unloving thing to do would be nothing. Let the person remain in sin. Let the person continue the course of wrong. That shows no concern for their soul.

So, discipline without instruction often only makes the guilty person more mad and steadfast in their ways. Within this chapter Paul reminds the church of the unleavened sacrifice of Christ. That’s the goal. That’s where they need to be. To get there, something must be done with the leaven of sin among them.

Third, through the disciplinary process prayers for open hearts are essential. The major issue in Corinth was not about the relationship between the church and this sinful brother, but it was about Christ. How are we to walk in Jesus Christ? Being a disciple means that we have learned to be holy as He is holy. When discipline becomes a issue of “Us” and “Them,” things will not go well. The lines will be drawn. People will leave. But when the focus is placed upon what Christ would have us to do, it’s a matter between the guilty and God.

Fourth, one needs to reinforce love, even though discipline is taking place. This is very important in the home. It is easy for a child to conclude that mom and dad do not like me because they disciplined me. Reaffirming your love is important. Your feelings for the person has not changed. You do not tolerate wrong behavior, but you always will love the person.

It’s hard for one who has been disciplined by the church to believe that they are welcomed back. They may interpret what happened as a form of getting kicked out. Keeping the welcoming mat out and the light on the front porch allows prodigals to come back home. I wonder how many would love to come back but they are afraid of what people will whisper or think about them. The more bridges that can be built the more likely the guilty will cross one of them someday.

Remove the wicked man—tough words. Hard to stick with those words and do them. However, they are necessary if a church wants to continue walking with the Lord.

Roger

27

Jump Start # 3314

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

Jump Start # 3314

Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”

Recently I used our verse today for a study with some teens. Great kids. Exciting always to be around them. There are two questions that naturally flow out of this verse. These are questions that ought to cause all of us to do a bit of thinking, observing and applying.

Abel: though he is dead, he still speaks.

First question: Who hears Abel? He is speaking, but who is listening? Have you thought about that? Obviously, not everyone. There are many who couldn’t tell you anything about Abel. If asked, where in the Bible would you find the story of Abel, a huge majority would have no idea. Asked, who were Abel’s parents, it’s no telling what bizarre answers some might come up with. That’s the world. How about us?

Who hears Abel? The answer must be the righteous. It is the righteous who know the story of Cain and Abel. It is the righteous that know why Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God and Cain’s was rejected. Abel is speaking. Who hears him? The people of God do.

Second question: What is Abel saying? Though he is dead, he still speaks. Well, what does he say? This is not some sort of spooky, mysterious, ghost like circumstance. This is not creepy. What he is saying is heard by those who are listening.

Abel, as the Hebrew passage puts forth, is an example of one who lived by faith. By faith, he offered to God a sacrifice of a lamb. That lamb wasn’t coming back. That lamb shed it’s blood. That lamb would be a picture of the sacrifices of ancient Israel and an image of the coming Christ.

Cain offered vegetables. There isn’t much sacrifice in picking a tomato off the vine. Picking one veggie doesn’t even kill the plant. Cain was convenient, Abel was sacrifice. Cain was easy. Abel was costly. And, what Abel reminds us of, what he is speaking is, that we must follow what the Lord says. Shortcuts, what feels right, what we want, what is easy, the cheapest way is not what God requires. It took time to kill a lamb and sacrifice it. Putting a cucumber on the altar is simple and doesn’t require much thought, let alone, faith.

Abel is a reminder to us in our culture that doesn’t like to be inconvenienced, that following God sometimes takes time, effort and costs. Abel speaks that. Though he died, he lives. Though he died, he continues to remind. Though he died, he still speaks.

The Burger King mentality of “Have it your own way,” has filtered into the church. What I want and what I like becomes the message of the hour. The theme of worship becomes fun. The focus turns to us. The attention is upon how we feel. God is squeezed out. We like hymns that have a beat more than a message. We like sermons that are lite and contain less doctrine. We are more interested in our fellowship than fellowship with the Almighty. These are the times we live in. And, yet with all this technology around us, there is a voice still speaking. It is a voice that is very, very ancient. And, that voice calls us back to the pure ways of God. That voice reminds us that God is upon the throne, not a stage. That voice echoes the message that it does matter what we offer to God. Worship can be wrong. Sacrifices can anger God. And, there is a way to do things and it must be God’s way.

A voice speaking to us through the pages of the Bible. A voice that reminds us that others may not agree with you, even your own family. Yet, that voice tells us that pleasing God is the most important thing.

He’s dead, but he still speaks. Do you hear him? Do you hear what he is saying?

Roger

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Jump Start # 3313

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

Jump Start # 3313

Romans 12:5 “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

I have an “R” problem. It’s annoying. It’s causing me to redo things that I have already done. The “R” problem? Most of my work is done at the church house where I have an old laptop but it’s very comfortable to me. At home, I have a newer laptop. Touch screen. Lots of amazing features, such as the screen turns. But it’s on this newer computer that the letter “R” sometimes doesn’t respond. Then there are times when I push the letter “R” harder and suddenly about five “Rs” appear. The program I use to do most of my work will immediately underline in red a misspelled word. I will look at the screen and see many words underlined. There is a common problem. It’s the letter “R.” Either the “R” was left out, or there were too many “Rs”. And, all of this makes me have to go back and fix the problems created by the letter “R.”

And all of that led me to thinking about us:

First, just one of us out of place and that can create all kinds of commotion, friction and trouble in the church. Where we belong, we are not often there. We are missing. And, the reason we are often missing is because the way someone has “pushed” us, just like a letter on the keyboard.

Someone didn’t talk to me after services, so I’m upset and may not return. Someone didn’t invite me to a get together. Now my feelings are hurt and I may not talk to that person ever again. Something the preacher said in the sermon, I know was directed just to me, and now I don’t know if I can hear any more of his sermons.

One letter out of place and a word is misspelled. One member out of place and trouble can begin. People begin talking. Assumptions, without facts are made. Conclusions are drawn. And in no time, a nothing becomes a something.

Second, each of us are needed. One day I had a lot of typing to do. The letter “R” was giving me fits. I thought about getting a screwdriver and just pulling the key off the keyboard and being done with it. But there are too many words, including my first name, that needs the letter “R.” Had this been a “z” or a “q” I might have gotten away with it. But not the “R.” And, so it is with us. Each of us are necessary and each of us fills a valuable role in the kingdom. The young, the aged, the families, the kids, the leaders, the teachers, everyone is significant and everyone is necessary. When someone feels that they could just drop off and no one would miss them points to both a fellowship problem and a participation problem. You don’t have to do anything big or even public to make an impact. Taking food to a family that is hurting is important. Giving someone a ride is important. Posting something from the church on Facebook is valuable. Supporting the work financially is important. No, the letter “R” is needed, just as you are needed in your congregation.

Third, I’m sure there is a way that I could have that key looked at and even fixed, but I’ve learned to look especially at words that use the letter “R.” Most times as I type, I don’t think about the keys. I just type away very fast. But now, on my home computer, the letter “R” grabs my attention. I look for it and I think about it as I type. And, such we are. We often try to turn everyone into the same mold and the same model, but we don’t all fit like that. We are unique in our own way. Where one has strengths, the other may have weakness. Yet, in other areas, it’s just the opposite. When we become mindful of one another and sensitive to each other, then we get along better. Some like the old hymns that have been sung for decades and decades. A song leader will recognize that and once in a while lead hymns that he knows are precious to some in the audience. It’s like me understanding the letter “R” on my keyboard. There are some who like to stand and talk and talk and talk. And, when you ask them how they are doing, you get play by play of the past five doctor visits. All you were hoping for was a nice, “I’m fine.” There is that letter “R”. You understand that that person likes to talk, so you give them a listening ear. For someone else, they need to vent and complain. There’s always something not right in their world. That’s that letter “R,” again. You smile. You try to find something positive. You remind them that it is good to see them.

Working with my letter “R,” is a lesson in patience and understanding. Why can’t the letter “R,” be like the letter “T.” It once was, but now it’s not. And, through time, many of us change. Some for the better and others for the worse. Some get sweeter through the years and some just become old cranks. Now, we can avoid some, but that just doesn’t work well. Or, we can adjust and learn to make the most of it.

Our verse today reminds us that as individual disciples, we are connected. We are connected to the Lord and we are connected to each other. One Christian does not make the church. We are part of the church, but not the whole church. Yet, each individual member, unique and different as we are, are important and valuable to the work in the kingdom.

The letter “R” is important when typing, and you are important, both to the Lord and God’s kingdom.

oger

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Jump Start # 3312

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

Jump Start # 3312

2 Samuel 12:7 “Nathan then said to David, ‘You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.’”

Our verse today is that difficult and courageous conversation that the prophet had with the king. Nathan and David. Most know the story. Rather than being off in battle as usual, David was at home. Standing upon his rooftop he sees a beautiful neighbor bathing. She is married. She is married to a Hittite, who happened to be one of David’s mighty men. The very fact that a foreigner lived nearby the palace shows the confidence and trust the king in this man. David’s lust takes hold of him. He sends for the woman. They have sexual relations. In time, word reaches David that she is carrying his child. Scandal rather than shame and coverup rather than guilt fills David’s thoughts. He calls the warrior home from the battlefront. He sends him home, but he won’t go home. He gets him drunk, but he won’t leave the king. Time is ticking and David is running out of options. He sends the unsuspecting husband back to the front lines, carrying a note that will bring about his death. In the heat of the battle, Israel is to withdraw. They’ve never done that under David’s command. Uriah is killed. David now marries the widow and the coverup seems to have worked.

Time passes. God is patient. David does nothing. The baby is born. Then comes our verse. God sends the prophet Nathan with a critical message, David has sinned. “Thou art the man,” is the revelation that the prophet knew, God knew and David’s secret was demanding repentance.

Great lessons for us here:

First, great men of God stumble. Leaders make mistakes. Preachers fumble. We all sin. We don’t like it when our heroes have feet of clay. We want our parents to be perfect and our congregation to be flawless. Well, that’s not the way it is. Sometimes we are quick to toss leaders that sin. Maybe some patience, grace and help is what they really need. David sinned, but God wasn’t finished with him.

Second, there are times when we need a spiritual backbone and the courage to say what needs to be said. People can intimidate us and bully us to the extent that we give them a pass for the wrong that was done. Nathan had God on his side and David had the power of the kingdom on his side. Nathan did not know how David would receive these words. Would he lock the prophet up, like what happened to Jeremiah later on? Would he kill him, like what a ruler did to John the baptist? Fearing the consequences can keep our lips silent. But with truth and the Lord on your side, one must take the chance and say what needs to be said. Far too many places the guilty is defended, excused and justified, while others sit back in silence shaking their heads. Why won’t someone speak up? Why won’t someone speak as the Lord has shown us?

Correcting is to be done with gentleness and patience. But correcting will never bring about godly changes if one waters down the message so much that it stands for nothing. David was guilty. David had sinned. David needed to repent. Yes, preachers have been fired by ungodly shepherds who were more interested in their power than following the Lord. Yes, congregations have split over right and wrong, because some were unwilling to sell out to the popular notions of some. Oh, to have a Nathan among us in these times. Someone who will stand for the Lord. Someone who cares enough that he risks all to save a soul.

Third, there comes a time when action must take place. Jezebel, in Revelation, was given time to repent but she did not want to repent. Some are too quick on things and need conversations first. Others are much too slow, even to the point of doing nothing. God let David alone for several months. Nothing was happening. It looked like David had gotten away with multiple sins. Then God sent the prophet.

When no positive actions are taking place and no apologies or repentance is seen, there comes a time to put on the boots and get over to the person’s house and have a conversation. Take your Bible. Show Scriptures. Stand your ground. If change takes place, rejoice and start the process of reconciliation. If the person remains unmoved, then it’s time for some discipline from the church.

God sent Nathan. Nathan spoke. David listened. A soul was restored and saved.

It is impressing that Nathan obeyed the Lord. Nathan didn’t tell others. Nathan didn’t gossip. He did as the Lord wanted him to do. Nathan used a story to get David to see himself. Nathan was plain and pointed, “You are the man.” You are that wicked man in the story who stole his neighbor’s one pet lamb. You are the man what has given no thought to others. You are the man who violated the law of God. You are the man who ruined a home. You are the man.

Courage. Conviction. Truth. Good things happen when those all run together in our hearts.

Roger

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Jump Start # 3311

Posted on April 24, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3311

1 Corinthians 7:1 “Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.”

The layout of the Corinthian letter is very fascinating. In the first six chapters Paul addresses the pertinent things first. He has been told things by Chloe’s people. That’s the first chapter. Chapter five continues, “It is actually reported,” which continues Paul’s dealings with things that are on the front burner.

But, by the time we reach chapter seven, Paul begins answering the questions that the Corinthians had written to him. “Now concerning the things about which you wrote,” is how the seventh chapter begins. They had questions. They went to the right source to find their answers. There were more questions. Chapter eight begins, “now concerning the things sacrificed to idols.” More questions. Chapter twelve begins, “now concerning spiritual gifts.” Still more questions. Chapter sixteen begins, “Now concerning the collection fo the saints.”

One by one, the apostle answers their questions. We are not told if these are addressed in the same order that they wrote them, or, if Paul is arranging them in an order that he feels is most important. Our verse today, begins the first of these questions and the apostle’s answer. The seventh chapter addresses the subject of marriage, sexuality and what happens if an unbeliever leaves.

Now, some thoughts for us:

First, it is interesting that they would ask Paul about sexuality in marriage now that one is a Christian. I do not see that these were private or independent questions submitted to Paul. It seems that this was a letter sent from the church to Paul. The fact that they talked about this and even formed questions about this would be uncomfortable for many of us today.

This shows us that they were taking their faith very practically, personally and taking it home. Was a mixed marriage, one being a Christian and one not a Christian, now void? Do the relations within a marriage change when one becomes a Christian? This shows that they were not leaving their faith in worship. What happened at home was a concern to them. Does becoming a Christian change things?

Second, rather than just making assumptions, they sought answers from an apostle. If anyone ought to know, an apostle would. I wonder if we would be brave enough to even ask such a question? Do we think about what our faith does to our marriage? Or, what does our faith do to our jobs? What does our faith do to our finances? This practical, everyday application is what the Corinthians were seeking. That is refreshing. They wanted to know, so they asked an apostle. When we want to know, we need to open the Bible.

Third, Paul takes a long time in answering that question. The seventh chapter is devoted to just one question. But it allows Paul to spin off and talk about singles. He talks about what is expected from God’s people. The running thought through these answers is that the Christian is not to send the unbelieving mate away. Three times in a row he states, “not send” away (vs. 11, 12, 13).

There is a great lesson for us here. Giving a quick, easy and safe answer often doesn’t answer the question at all. There are layers of concerns, other thoughts that lead to other questions. Paul is thorough in looking at each of these. As the chapter ends, so ought their question. He has explained it well and completely.

We ought never be ashamed to ask hard questions. We need to seek those who will be kind in their response, Biblical in their answer and who will treat us with gentleness. Every generation will need to ask questions that we have answered before. Every generation needs to learn.

Now concerning…they asked and the apostle answered. There is something good about that.

Roger