Monday, February 24, 2014

The right thing and the flat earth society

Jesus looks at the sky and then beyond his disciples to the crowds and speaks, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it turns out. And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It will be a hot day,' and so it turns out. You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and sky, but why do you not analyze this present time. And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right." Luke 12:54-57

U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, speaking from Indonesia said recently, 'Everyone and every country must take responsibility for the problem and act immediately. We should not allow a tiny minority of shoddy scientists and science and extreme ideologues to compete with scientific facts. nor should we allow any room for those who think that the costs associated with doing the right thing outweighs the benefits. We don't have time for a meeting anywhere of the flat earth society. It's not an exaggeration to say that your entire way of life is at risk. In a sense, climate change can now be considered the world's largest weapon of mass destruction.'

I find it interesting that Secretary Kerry and Jesus both emphasize the right thing. Kerry says that the right thing is to act on our knowledge of climate change to save the planet. Jesus says that if you can figure out the weather with great certainty you are without excuse on weightier issues.  I think Jesus would ask, 'You can figure out the weather but you remain confused about marriage between a man and a woman?  How can this be?' More to the point he would say, 'There is no excuse for being confused about the Son of Man. Put your 'polar vortex' smarts to work studying the Gospels. (The true eye witness accounts of the life of Jesus found in the Bible) The evidence is right before your eyes."  

Earlier in his discourse Jesus says, "I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled. But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished." Luke 12:49,20  It doesn't take a meteorologist to figure out that Jesus is speaking about his appointment with the cross & saving the world from mass destruction! Something is dreadfully wrong with planet earth and it isn't the weather.  It would take the death and resurrection of God's own Son to set it right.  How well he knew it. And if you can figure out the weather you can too!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Jesus the capitalist

For the sake of clarity let me make this clear - I am not saying that Jesus is a member of a political persuasion or that he hates socialists or chooses sides in national disagreements. Jesus came to redeem everyone regardless of affiliation or ethnicity by offering his perfect life on a cross in exchange for each crusty one. For those who responded he began his own program on earth which he called 'the kingdom of God'. It's this 'Jesus Nation' that embraces spiritual capitalism. The 'apprentice-citizen' knows God as just & generous. God generously gives good gifts to people just as he chooses. He expects the Jesus citizen to capitalize on his gift without comparing himself to others. He does not gift all people the same - like in the Parable of the Talents. (One got 5. One got 2. One got 1.) Jesus expected a return on his investment. One turned his 5 into 10. Another turned his 2 into 4. Both were rewarded handsomely. The man who buried his talent got a stern punishment. (God is just.) He said he knew the master was 'a hard man, reaping where he did not scatter seed.' He did not see God as generous or just. Perhaps he was resentful of the fact that he only got one rather than being grateful he got one. In another story Jesus told, an 'employer', stayed up late at night eating, drinking and watching TV (ok I added that) so that he became tired and grouchy and saw his employees as irritants.  He soon began treating them in rude and abusive ways. He too received a stern punishment.  The lesson is clear: Treat everyone humanely. Jesus is not concerned that each person receive gifts of equal value as he is that each one grasp the challenge at hand and bloom where he is planted. God expects a return on his investment.  Besides, when businesses treat employees humanely and employees give an honest days work doesn't everything run a little better?

So how does this relate to the Jesus nation? 

The 'citizen-apprentice' trusts God, who for his own reasons gifts individuals and gives out different levels of responsibility and hardship. He treats everyone with dignity as a person created in the image of God, regardless of his status.The Jesus nation (of which a church was a part) is meant to have a robust economy fuelled by people with different gifts and responsibilities trusting God in risky obedience at every level.  This economy produces surprising acts of faith and generosity as each one gives God a healthy return on his investment. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit spontaneously flow. In the Jesus nation each one is responsible to God for his own effort and anyone is welcome. It is a place where 'everyone is forcing their way in' (Lk16:16) because it's a great place to be! It is the place where everyone is respected for who they are and how they are gifted but are expected to contribute by capitalizing on how God has blessed them. Industry and joy abound and Jesus is Lord.

And here's the real kicker: when it's all over you are welcomed into another world much better than this one where you get to use your honed skills even more for the glory of God.

Monday, February 10, 2014

The rich life of an apprentice

In Luke 12:15 Jesus 'double dog' warns his apprentices to 'beware and be on guard' against 'the desire for more' - commonly known as greed. Of course no one is greedy; while at the same time everyone wants more. But Jesus is concerned that the inner life of the apprentice be rich.  He places before us two very important qualities (Luke 12:15-34) that can only be gained if we protect our hearts.  These are contentment and trust.  More money will not make you a better apprentice of Jesus Christ and neither will worrying about your life.  Jesus is not interested in making your boss or your family give you what you deserve.  He is interested that your soul reflect a profound contentment with what he has blessed you with and that you are fearlessly possessing his kingdom.  'Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.' v32 Jesus affectionately recognizes our vulnerability by calling us his 'little flock'.  Sheep were pretty dependent and a little flock is pretty unimpressive. But our Father has chosen the apprentice for kingdom work and he is pretty stoked about what he's going to do as we trust him. So don't look at the steep challenge. Instead of being motivated by more stuff or worrying about our lives we are to champion the kingdom.  We forgive everyone, everything, always. We honor the truth and live grace. We bring healing, comfort and wholeness to a hurting world.  Jesus hyperbolic way of speaking was meant to jolt the apprentice into seeing life from an eternal perspective. 

I purchased a Valkyrie Cruiser about a year ago.  For the uninitiated, this is a classic Honda Goldwing without the bling. How does an apprentice justify such a thing?  Here are 5 simple questions I ask myself:

1. Is it practical?
2. Can I afford it?
3. How does it increase my usefulness to Jesus? 
4. Does it bring me closer to God?
5. Does it bring more joy or more stress into my life?

The answer on all counts is 'yes'.  The wife of a devoted biker asked me a week ago: 'My husband says that riding his motorcycle makes him feel closer to God. Is that true with you?'  Without hesitation I responded 'of course'.  It's true. But the thing that has truly surprised me is how it has opened up ministry for me with a whole new tribe of people I never knew existed.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Speak of Jesus Often

Jesus said, 'Everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God.' (Luke 12:8) It strikes me that this is what a good apprentice of Jesus does; he honors Jesus openly, often. Here are the main points of a little booklet called '5 Habits of Highly Missional People' by Michael Frost:

1. Bless people.  Three people a week, at least one that is not in your circle of believing friends. Blessing means words of affirmation, acts of kindness or the giving of gifts. Recipients thrive on the love and thoughtfulness and effort that goes into a gift.

2. Eat with people (other than family) at least 3 times a week. Again, one of these 3 should be with someone who is not in your believing circle.  It's the great equalizer, often invites reciprocation and you have to eat anyway so you might as well enjoy outside company.

3. Listen to the Spirit, for one 'period' a week.  Designate a time. Eliminate distractions. Consciously allow God in and enjoy his presence.  (Worship is always appropriate.)  And importantly, act on His promptings. He will lead you on an adventure of ministry. Just eating with people could easily lead to gossip or drunkenness or horrors - gluttony.  Your interactions with others could also lead to a critical or judgmental heart, which generally will bring a blossoming new relationship to a screeching halt. You need this to be in tune with the Holy Spirit. (Check out Galatians 5:13-26)

4. Learn Jesus. It has been popular to sport WWJD bracelets and paraphernalia. It's kind of like that.  One spends time each week reading and meditating on the gospels, developing a collection of 'Jesus movies', and read good books on who Jesus was and what he expected of his apprentices and the like. It's kind of contagious.

5. Sent. Journal daily ways that you have alerted others to the kingdom & reign of Christ. Jesus commanded his apprentices to announce his kingdom - what Paul described as 'righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). It is not only the company of the redeemed but the place where Jesus reigns supreme.  The apprentice does this by announcing and championing forgiveness & reconciliation. Promoting justice.  Sharing a fascination with beauty and creation with other earth travelers.  He or she brings healing, comfort, wholeness and speaks truth into a broken world when appropriate.

Here's the catch.  It takes about 75 days to establish a habit.  Each of these is set in a weekly fashion. Not a single one is hard BUT we are facing spiritual resistance and even inner rebellion at simply doing what will make us effective missionaries. And we just forget sometimes.  Excuses out of the way, I'd like to challenge you to join me on this adventure of developing the habits of highly missional people who represent Jesus often.