St. Andrew’s Blog

22 June 08

James Chapter 1: 1 - 12

Today I want to begin a new series on the NT book of James which is the first letter addressed to Christian’s in general. All the letters that come before James are addressed to specific Churches about their specific problems but James has a message for us all.

The overall theme of James’s letter is ‘practical Christian living’ – James has been called a ‘manual on Christian maturity’ and since ‘maturity in Christ’ is the goal of our Christian life James has a lot to teach us.

It’s very sad that we don’t have to look very far to see examples of immaturity.

It is for example the # 1 problem in relationship breakdowns today; it’s primarily why marriages fail.

Couples having marriage problems often just need to grow up and not be so self centred and immature.

But it’s not just in marriage: we get ourselves into all kinds of trouble by saying immature things making immature decisions acting in immature ways.

When we grow up our relationships work much better and so does our life.

It is God’s plan that we should all keep on growing – ‘growth is the evidence of life’.

Heb 6:1 ‘Let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity.’

I. What is maturity i.e. how we measure it?

Let me begin by giving you four things that maturity is not related to.

i) Maturity is not related to age – nor is it related to how long we have been a Christian (it should be but it’s not always true)

Someone may have been a Christian for 50 years but may still be quite immature in the way they behave and speak.

Bumper sticker says it all, “I may be immature but I refuse to grow up.” But this is not God’s plan for us.

ii) Maturity is not related to appearance – some people may look more sophisticated then the rest of us, or more holy but their lives and behavior can totally contradict how they appear. Maturity has nothing to do with appearance.

iii) Maturity has nothing to do with achievements.

You don’t for example need to be mature to be a football star, or make a million dollars; you just need to be good at sport or business.

iv) Maturity has nothing to do with intellect or education.

You might have so many degrees that they call you Dr. Fahren Height, but it won’t make you more mature.

v) God says that maturity is having the right ‘attitude or character’, i.e. the attitude of Christ.

D.L. Moody said, “Character is what you are in the dark”

Recognition is what people say about us. Character is what God, knows about us. We should be much more concerned about what God knows than men think.

So it’s our attitude that determines whether or not we are mature and God wants us to grow up in Christ i.e. to develop a Christ like attitude.

Q. How do we measure Spiritual Maturity?

Not by comparing ourselves with other people but by comparing ourselves with the Word of God and in the letter of James we have God’s measure of maturity.

The Greek word for ‘mature’ is ‘teleaos’ – meaning ‘complete’ or ‘perfect’ So when Jesus said,

“Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt 5: 48)

He is essentially talking about our maturity in Christ. You see perfection begins with the right attitude just like sin is the outworking of the wrong attitude.

Now James uses this word ‘teleaos’ five times in five chapters and because of this, James is a very helpful in learning how to become mature.

II) The Qualities of a Mature Person.

1. A mature person is positive under pressure.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-4 NIV

Q So how well do you handle the hard times in your life and how do you react to problems?

Christianity is not a religion it’s a ‘way of life’. The early believers were called, ‘The people of the Way’ (Acts 9:2) before they were ever called Christians. They fully embraced the way of life that Jesus had taught them.

Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, life in all its fullness.” Jn 10:10.

What does Jesus offer us and others? He came to offer the world a ‘life’ in place what for many people is only an ‘existence’.

Now we all know that life is difficult and it brings with it many challenges but “life in all its fullness” offers us the way of facing and solving our problems with the right attitude.

Q. What is your usual response to you problems?

Are you negative or positive? Are you basically a supportive person or are you a skeptical person?

Is your life filled with gratitude or grumbling? Are you affirming or critical, gracious or angry most of the time?

James says, “Blessed is the man who preservers under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”. 1:12 NIV

We may have a wonderful knowledge of the Bible but be as cantankerous as anything but a mature person not like that, they stay positive under pressure.

2. A mature person is sensitive to other people

“If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, you are doing right”. James 2:8 NIV

The first thing a mature person sees is the needs of other people, above his own. He understands and attends to other people’s hurts before his own.

Young children are by nature very self centred – they often say, ‘I want this, I want that without any thought for anyone else.’

Paul said to the Ephesians we need to grow up, not behave like children.

James gets very specific in Jas 2:1-6, where he wrote; ‘don’t show favoritism, don’t be a snob, don’t look down on people, don’t judge by appearance, don’t insult or exploit people’. Basically it’s all about love.

Q. So the way we treat people is our second test of maturity.

Paul wrote,

‘I may win all kinds of people to the Lord, I may build great church buildings, write many books, give all my money away to the poor but if I don’t have love, I am a noisy gong and clanging cymbal”. 1 Cor 13

It’s not how many Bible verses we know, not how many times we are in church, and it’s not a matter of our reputation. It comes down to how we treat people and respond to their needs.

3. A mature person has control of the tongue.

“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” James 3:2

Q. Ever had a doctor ask you to ‘stick out your tongue’, when you go for a physical check up?

The Doctor uses your tongue to check your general health.

God is also interested in our tongue as a measure of our spiritual health.

Self control comes from tongue control and James chapter 3 gives several illustrations. James says the tongue is like a rudder on a boat (sets the direction) or the bit in a horses mouth or a spark which can destroy a whole forest.

“Loose lips sink ships and destroy lives”.

So our tongue which is quite small is a powerful force for good or evil – and it controls the direction of our life and sometimes other people’s lives. (‘Norman Vincent Peel’ personal story)

Q. Do you ever hear people say, “I just say what is in my mind”, as if it was virtue? Frankness is not always a virtue – it may be measure of immaturity. Tactfulness is a virtue.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your months, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” Eph 4: 29 NIV

If what we are tempted to say doesn’t built someone – its better not to say it – even if we think it’s true.

So a mature person learns to manage their tongues. And if we haven’t managed to do that we have a long way to go to reach maturity in Christ.

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

James 1:26 NIV

I other words if we like to gossip our religion is worthless - gossip is ‘hearing something you like about someone you don’t like’.

But spreading rumors, exaggerating, speaking impulsively makes our faith and testimony worthless.

Alexander White a distinguished Christian writer,

‘The test of maturity is to manage our tongues, so that nothing, untrue or unhelpful, or unnecessary comes out of our mouth’.

Speaking the truth in love means: speaking out with the right attitude, at the right time, in the right place with the right motive in order to build others up.

The Bible is very practical – it doesn’t matter how much we know about God – if our attitude isn’t the same as Christ, we are missing the mark.

4. A mature person is a peace maker not a trouble maker.

“What cause fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” James 4:1

James is talking about conflict and people, who are always in conflict, betray their lack of maturity.

Paul told the Corinthian Church; “You guys are bunch of babies” and they were because they argued about everything.

They argued about the Lord’s Supper, Spiritual gifts and leadership in the church.

So much of what we now know as 1 and 2 Corinthians in our Bibles was in response to their immaturity and Paul’s need to write and try to put things right.

Q. Why is there still so much conflict in the world; In marriages, in the work place, between family members, between Christians and between us and God?

James gives two reasons for conflict.

“When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3 NIV

i. The first cause of conflict is selfishness.

How do you know if a person is immature? Their prayers will betray them. If someone’s prayers are self centred – they will sound like this.

‘Lord help me, bless me, protect me and sort out that person who disagrees with me’.

If we only ever pray about our own needs and concerns then we are betraying our lack of maturity.

Q. Ask yourself how much time do I give to praying for others?

Prov 13:10 is a good verse for married couples and anyone who likes to argue, “Only by pride comes contention”.

When we have conflict in marriage it’s usually because we are too proud to admit that we are wrong. Pride will guarantee conflict at home and at work, school, church wherever. So the first cause of conflict is selfishness.

ii The other cause of conflict is judgmentalism.

“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbour”? James 4:11-12 NIV.

So don’t judge others – if you do, you are asking for a fight.

Q. Why is it wrong to judge? (3 reasons)

i. I’m not God – its okay to judge behavior but as soon as we judge people we move into God’s territory.

2. Only God has all the facts – when we judge, we certainly don’t have all the facts.

3. I don’t know the motives. We can never know with certainty what is in people’s heart, only God knows!

The decision and out come of someone’s choice may be wrong but the motive may not and it’s the motive that matters to God.

So only God has the right to judge – He alone has all the facts. He alone knows everything; He alone knows all motives – sees into our hearts.

God says these two things selfishness and judgmentalism cause conflict.

Q. What is the opposite of a – trouble maker?

Answer – a peace maker;

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called sons of God” Matt 5: 9 NIV.

So the fourth characteristic of maturity is being a peacemaker and not a troublemaker.

5. A mature person is patient and prayerful.

“Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord’s coming.” James 5:7 NIV

“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.”

James 5:11, and vs 16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Key words are patient and prayerful; and in chapter 5, ‘patience is used four times and ‘prayer’ seven times.’

In Chapter 5: 7 Paul gives the illustrations of a farmer.

“See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.”

If anyone has to be patient it’s a farmer – because he has no control over the weather. All he can do is wait, hope, pray and expect.

There are not overnight crops – between the planting and the harvest there is a growing time.

Now just as a farmer has to wait for his crop to grow, we have to wait on God to the answers to our prayers to work His miracle in our life.

Sometimes God answer is simply to change our attitudes.

Prayer doesn’t always change our circumstances but it will always change us for the better

So patience is a mark of maturity and the only way we will learn patience is in God’s ‘waiting room’.

Philip Brook once said that, ‘our problem is that we while we are in a hurry, God isn’t’ and that’s so true. But He does always answer, every prayer of faith, even if He declines our invitation to be early.

So there they are James five tests of Christian maturity. How well do you measure up to them?

Let’s pray reflecting on each of these five things.

1. How well do you handle your problem? – do you get uptight, negative, grumpy, angry or are you peaceful and positive under pressure?

2. Are you sensitive to others – concerned about their needs, cares and hurts or do you often only see yourself? Only ever pray for yourself.

3. Are you in control of your tongue? – So that you refuse to pass a gossip and are able to hold your tongues when provoked.

4. Are you a trouble maker or peace makers? Do you carry a grudge? Find yourself nursing bitterness or are you committed to reconciliation.

5. How long are you prepared to wait for an answer to your prayers and to pray without giving up?

Q. How mature are you by Gods’ Standard?

“Lord this is very challenging for us all but we thank you that you are our sufficiency – that we have the Holy Spirit to help us to grow to full maturity in Christ. We gladly confess all the aspects of immaturity in order to grow to become more and more like Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.

On 29-Jun-08, the Fellowship Committee will be holding this quarter’s Church Brunch.
Come join us for a time of fellowship and delicious food.

On the same day, Church Camp 2008 will also be open for registration.
Church Camp 2008 will be on the long weekend of Oct 25-27 at Kuantan’s Swiss Garden Resort & Spa.

Topic: Living out God’s Purpose
Speaker: Mr Ooi Chin Aik, Founder & President, Ministries for Asia Pacific

Accomodataion package includes:
2 nights accomodation
2 buffet breakfast
1 set lunch
1 Chinese sit down dinner
1 BBQ pool side dinner
4 coffee/tea breaks (for adults)
Rates:
Adult
RM300 per person (twin share) - RM430 per person (single)
Children (4-12 years old)
RM155 per child with bed and meals
RM95 per child without bed, with meals

Sign up early for early-bird gifts.

Pastor Keith and Frances will be on holiday this week and all pastoral concerns should be addressed to Elder Siew or the office.

15 June 2008

Philippians 2: 19-30

A man called Weldon Harden Brook has written a book titled “Missing from Action: Vanishing Manhood in America.” In which he identifies four different types of false male images.

1. The first image group he called the ‘Macho Maniac’. Dirty Harry, Rambo, and characters often played by Bruce Willis. These characters;

i) Deny all their feelings, ignore and break all the laws. They never worry, they never complain, they never apologize, they just sweat.

ii) They accomplish the impossible every 10 minutes and take whatever they want and look out anyone who gets in their way. And the strange thing is we love them for it.

2. The second image is that of the Great Pretender – when Weldon Harden Brook wrote his book, it was the age of Archie Bunkers of US TV fame and Alf Garnett on English television. Maybe today it’s characters like Ricky Gervgis from ‘The Office’ fame.

i) These are men try to build up their self esteem by belittling everybody else; particularly their wives and family.

ii) The Great Pretender imagines that he rules his family with supreme authority but really behind his back everyone is ridiculing him.

iii) He is frightened by the world (especially change) so, he keeps it at arms length by talking tough and being critical.

3. The third false image is the World Class Wimp. In Harden Brook’s day there was a character called Dagwood Bumstead. I’m not sure, who they are characterised today, maybe Homa Simpson.

i) World class wimp is so inept that he is constantly outwitted by his wife, children and even his dogs. Nobody takes him seriously.

ii) His motto is blessed are the passive for they well avoid conflict at all costs.

4. The forth image are the Gender Benders. They are the Michael Jacksons, and Boy Georges of this world.

i) They don’t even pretend to be masculine they have a complete reversal of roles and identity.

5. And more today we have the Sensitive New Age Man. Who I think is a reaction to these false male images that I have talked about. I’m not sure that I do understand them but I do want to talk about a Biblical alternative; God’s measure of manhood – and how to be a hero to your kids. And I want to begin with two observations:

1^st Observation:

Being male is a matter of birth, but being a man is a matter of choice: tragically too many have abandoned God’s model of manhood in favour of one these false male images.

In today’s reading Paul gives us two examples of men who he admired and they are Timothy and Epaphroditus.

In Phil 2:27 and he says; “I have no one else like Timothy” and of Epaphroditus he wrote, “Hold men like him in highest honor.”

2^nd Observation:

A man’s greatness is not determined by the value of his wealth but by the wealth of his values.

I want to suggest five values that God looks for in the life of a real man.

1. Compassion

God is looking for men who put people before position or profits or power.

Over the long haul our relationships are more valuable than any of these other things.

Paul says if we fail in our relationships it really doesn’t matter what we achieve.

i) I may be a gifted speaker, a great entrepreneur, give away more money than Bill Gates – but if I have no love, I’m nothing.

ii. We can be successful in every way, but if we don’t have love in our lives, we are a failure. God is looking for men of compassion.

(Q) What is compassion?

Compassion is protecting the needs and rights of others especially those in a more vulnerable position than ourselves.

Too often we only interested in for ourselves not caring about what other people need. Paul’s young friend Timothy wasn’t like that.

“He is the only one who really cares about you. Everyone else is concerned only with his own affairs and cares nothing about the cause of Christ”. (vs. 20 – 21)

There is no one like him, he’s compassionate.

It is possible for us men to become so wrapped up in our work that we forget our family? Sadly this is true of lot of fathers.

On the other hand Jesus told a story about a compassionate man who we know as the Good Samaritan.

He was on a business trip from Jerusalem to Jericho and on a remote part of the Jericho road he came upon a man who had been beaten, robbed and left for dead.

His immediate response was to put his journey on hold in order to tend to the man’s wounds and take him to a local Inn. Further more he gives the Inn Keeper his credit card and says ‘Charge it to My Account’.

A wonderful example of compassion for a total stranger!

(Q) Would you or I have done as much?

God is looking for men of compassion who put people before profits.

2. Consistency

God is looking for men who put character before conformity (who won’t compromise) who are not afraid to be different from the culture around them. Men who will stand alone if necessary.

Paul continues, “Timothy has proved himself. He has served with me in the work of the Gospel”. (vs.22)

The word translated “proved” means ‘a tested character’, it Implies integrity. Timothy’s name means “One who honours God” - he didn’t cave into pressure.

It’s been well said that, ‘if we don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything’.

(Q) What are you willing to stand for in life?

God is looking for men of conviction who can not be bought at any price. They are committed to their values and totally consistent in their beliefs and convictions.

There are a lot of men who are half committed but in God’s eyes that’s no commitment at all. Remember what Jesus said to the Church at Laodicea,

“You are either for me or against me” – and then he said “your lukewarmness makes me sick”.

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes cooked paths will be found out”. Prov 10:9

What matters to God is our integrity.

A good personality will make a good first impression but success over the long haul is built on character not on image. (Story of a man who refused to lie for his boss; his defense was “If I will lie for you, you won’t know when I might lie to you”) He became the bosses most trust confidant.

A man of integrity will not be afraid of what is going to be found out about him – there are no skeletons in his closet.

(Q) Is your private life consistent with your public image – if not then you’re being double minded. And James says,

“The double minded man should not expect anything from God.”

3. Cooperation

God is looking for men, who are good team players – willing to work together – who will cooperate rather than compete.

Paul knew he could achieve more if he worked with others;

“I think it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier.” (V25)

It’s interesting that Paul uses three different terms of relationship, Epaphroditus is my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier which remind us of three aspects of the Christian life.

i. We are in the same family, we are related – 133 times in the NT Paul uses the word brother to describe the relationship that exists between Christians.

ii. It’s a fellowship – we have the same job to do and the same assignments; To fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, we are working together not independently.

iii. Paul says we are fellow soldiers. When you become a Christian you become an enemy of the devil, the battle lines are drawn – this is what Ephesians 6 is all about.

We are to defend, protect and support each other. Life is a battle that we should never have to fight it on our own.

(Q) Can other Christian men use these terms about us; a brother, a fellow worker and a fellow soldier?

Accordingly to one article only 10% of men have real friends. We don’t know how to relate to each other. We are afraid to let everybody too get close to us and yet the Bible says, “Bear one another burdens”.

There is tremendous power in unity. Let’s put aside our individualism and competitiveness and cooperate for the glory of God, that’s how to make the church strong.

In Judges 20:11 there is a verse that says this; “So all the men of Israel got together and united as one man against the city.”

Through their unity a wrong was righted.

4. Commitment

God is looking for men, who put the cause of Christ ahead of comfort.

Paul says of Epaphroditus,

“He is your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs… He was ill and almost died. But God had mercy on him…” vs 25b - 27

Paul was in prison in Rome and the people in Philippi took up an offering to help Paul.

Epaphroditus volunteered to take it to Paul, a journey of 1280 kms, about 6 weeks travel over difficult country. On route he got sick and nearly died. And yet he kept going in spite of his suffering.

We all know a lot of men who were great starters but they never finished anything, people who have given up on their marriages, families and ultimately themselves.

I know men who have given up the ministry because it was too difficult. Others have dropped out of leadership positions in the church for the same reasons and many more never got started.

God is looking for men who are willing to pay the price of commitment to the Gospel.

“Faith by itself if it’s not accompanied by action is dead.” James 2: 17

James says, ‘don’t talk about your faith show me your actions’. Walk the talk, if you believe it then do it! .

Do you know that the number one complaint from wives is passive husbands in the home!

Men who may be aggressive and happy to take the lead at work but at home abdicate their leadership to their wives or anyone else that will take it.

They are passive in their spiritual life and in their parenting.

Spiritual awakening often occurs when men in the church become participates not just spectators.

5. Courage

God is looking for men who will put service before security.

(Q) What has this to do with courage?

The message of modern culture urges us to do everything we can to make ourselves secure and so financial security has become the goal of life rather than service.

God is looking for men with courage who are willing to risk their financial security for the Kingdom of God.

It’s the greatest cause you will ever invest in because you will never out give God! But it takes courage to walk by faith not by sight.

“Welcome him (Epaphroditus) in the Lord, with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, Risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me”. VS 29-30

‘Risking’ is a gambling term that means stating everything on the role of a dice.

Epaphroditus was a gambler for God – he gambled everything for the sake of the Gospel. He risked his life and almost died.

Jim Elliot wrote in his journal a short while being killed by the South American Indian’s he was hoping to reach with the Gospel;

‘He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not loose.’

Christianity looses its teeth when churches are made up religious wimps who don’t take up the challenge to be what God wants us to be.

I hope that we will never be a church that just becomes a place where nice people meet to have nice services of worship and nice discussion groups during the week. Nice is okay but we can get nice anywhere.

If we are essentially no different to the people who never put foot inside the church, we are missing the point – why should non believers want to join us.

If you want to be a hero to your kids make a stand for God – be salt and light.

If St Andrews Church is going to make a difference in our community we need Christian men to play their part.

But understand it will come at a cost because we are going to have to have the courage to put service before security.

When Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome he said this;

“So then, my brothers, because of God great mercy to us…. offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. Don’t conform to the standard of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by the complete change of your mind”.

Rom 12:1 – 2 GN

Don’t accept the world’s standards for manhood, to “offer ourselves” means to volunteer.

(Q) Ask yourself what have I volunteered for lately - in the service of Christ and what am I sacrificing for the cause of Christ? (Note the difference between offering and sacrifice)

The problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the alter.

(Q) How many times have you been inspired in church to say, “Lord I want to give you everything” and we climb up on the altar of sacrifice and then on Monday we crawl off again.

On Sunday we sing ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ and Monday we go AWOL.

(Q) What are you sacrificing for Christ?

(Q) Ask yourself; ‘do I have the courage to practice sacrificial giving’ – or am I so worried about my security that I can’t trust God to look after me in this life?

Have you even thought about, why are there so many bored unfulfilled men who don’t enjoy their job – hanging out for retirement.

Many have lost the spirit of adventure that they had as young men and they aren’t taking risks anymore. This is what will happen to us if we don’t learn to trust God with a servant heart.

When you stop taking risks you begin to die because the challenge goes out of life.

Every man needs a challenge and goal bigger than himself.

Jesus said;

“Only those who give away their lives for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, will ever know what it means to really live.” Mark 8:35

If you want an exciting life, be prepared to take risks for Christ and you will be amazed at what he can do through you.

At the beginning of the 20^th century, Nicolai Lenin gave a challenge to a group of 10 – 12 men;

“Give me 100 totally committed men and I will change the world”.

Communism has fallen from grace – as it was bound to do because you can’t leave God out forever.

But for a large part of the 20^th century two thirds of the world was under Communist domination. That’s the power of commitment.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV

God is looking for people to use. If you are usable – He will wear you out but it will be for something that will last forever.

God is looking for men of compassion, consistency, cooperation, commitment and courage.

But finally did you notice the very sad comment that Paul made about Timothy,

“I have no one else like him”. Why not?

(Q) Why are there not more men of God like Timothy today?

Let me tell you where it begins. In fact our wives will tell us; how many times do we hear our wives say, “I want to grow spiritually but my husband doesn’t”.

Women generally are more interested in spiritual growth – and more committed to spiritual values than are their husbands.

Some husbands even hinder their wives growth and in the process become a stumbling block.

One of the greatest challenges you will ever face in your life as a man is to live for Jesus Christ in front of your wife and your family and our friends and work mates or associates.

Are we men enough to do that?

Q. What does it mean for you to be a follower of Jesus for the 97% of your time when you are not at Church?

Timothy and Epaphroditus were just ordinary men not superstars. Yet 2000 years later we are still talking about them.

Ask yourself when I look at my life and work as a man, how much is going to count 50 yrs from now or 100 or even a 1000 years?

Will what I do make any difference in the long run?

This is the question by which I think we do well to evaluate the success, the measure of our lives.

And the conclusion I have reached is that, only things done for the Kingdom of God, which course means people, will last forever.

If you agree with me then let’s pray together.

Prayer

Heavenly Father you have created us to build something, with Christ as our head that would last forever. Forgive us for all the times we have exchanged our lofty calling for something that is neither ultimately satisfying nor enduring.

We want to invest in your Kingdom so that at the end of our life we will know that we have contributed to something much greater than ourselves and which will endure throughout the rest of this life and on into eternity.

Lord help us to surrender all our false images of manhood and fully embrace the values that we find in your Word. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, And self control? - Galatians 5:22.
You may find it all in the Adult Christian Education’s video/discussion/teaching series on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Bring a teachable heart and a cup of coffee at 10:00 sharp.

Led by Jim Smith.

We are approaching the end of our Sunday School year so will have a break on the Sundays of 20th - 27th July 2008.
Until we begin new classes on 7th September, we will hold combined classes. Details will be up on the notice board. We bid farewell and God Bless to families leaving Kuala Lumpur including some of our Sunday School teachers and their families. Heartfelt thanks from the Sunday School Team - it has been a blessing and a joy serving God together with you at St. Andrew’s : Jenny Arnerlof (2 - 3’s leader), Patrick and Rosa Moore and Susan Miller (8 - 11’s)

 
Irene Lim
Convenor, Christian Education

The draft is now ready for you to review. Please go to the fellowship hall to
check your details and make any changes you’d like to make. The draft will be
available next week also, before being sent for printing.

This seminar primarily a motivational gifts is planned for July 12, 1-4pm
Open to anyone interested in discovering the way God has shaped them for ministry.

This Sunday we not only want to recognise Father’s Day but I want to talk about what it means to be a man in today’s world and how to clarify and incorporated the the values that God has in mind for us as husbands and fathers. There are so many confusing models of manhood portrayed through the media that it’s no wonder that men are often confused about what is required of them and many have abdicated their responsibilities in the home and in the church. Have you even thought about, why are there so many bored unfulfilled men who don’t enjoy their job – hanging out for retirement. Many have lost the spirit of adventure that they had as young men and they aren’t taking risks anymore. This is what will happen to us if we don’t learn to trust God with a servant heart. When you stop taking risks you begin to die because the challenge goes out of life. Every man needs a challenge and goal bigger than himself.  Being male is a matter of birth, but being a man is a matter of choice so come and test your manhood against God’s model.See you Sunday.

Post 40 Days                                  

8 June 2008

Heb 12: 1- 7

If you have participated in ‘Purpose Driven Life’, which most of us have you may be feeling a little bit of and anticlimax right now.

So my subject today is ‘how to sustain our spiritual momentum’;

how to keep going strongly through the highs and lows of life.

The highest point on the surface of the earth is Mt Everest, rising 29035 feet above sea level and since 1921 people have been trying to climb to the top of Everest.

It was first conquered in 1953 by a New Zealander Edward Hillary. Since then about 1600 people have reached the summit (top) and about 160 of them are known to have perished in the attempt.

For the privilege of joining an Everest expedition people pay about 300,000 RM, give up 90 days of their life and 10% don’t make it back safely. So, why would you try?

(Q) Why do people risk so much to become members of such a small but elite group of people?

There is something in the human spirit that finds it very compelling to reach the highest place on earth.

Now is it more dangerous to ascend (go up) the mountain, or to descend, do you think?

The correct answer is that more people have died coming down than climbing up.

A climber standing on the top of Mt Everest knows that he/she dare not linger too long in the glory of the moment because the most difficult part of the climb is still to come.

And I guess we have all learned that life is like that - a series of highs and lows; of good and the bad.

And to survive we have to keep these two contrasting experiences of life in balance; to keep ourselves level headed and prepared for what may come next.

If we don’t we are in for a roller coaster ride as far as our emotions are concerned, like the man listening to his friend’s story of woe?

“Did you hear that John fell out of a plane” said the friend? “Oh no that’s terrible” said the man.

“No he had a parachute” said the friend. “Oh thank goodness” came back the reply.

“But the parachute didn’t open” said the friend. “Oh that’s bad”, said the man.

‘No there was a haystack, said the friend, “Oh, that’s good” came the reply”.

“No, there was a pitch fork in the hay stack,” replied the friend. “Oh that’s bad”,

“No, he missed the pitch fork,” “Oh that’s good.” said the man.

‘He also missed the haystack’.

Now that was bad – really, really bad!

Sometimes our stories must sound a little like that to God.

The highs are so good and the lows are so painful, that there is something within us that just wants to capture and hang on to as much of heaven on earth as we possibly can rather than to face the challenges of life.

In Matt 17 we find an example of this very thing when Jesus went with 3 of his disciples onto the Mt of Transfiguration and they had a wonderful and uplifting experience.

It was the time when God affirmed His Son knowing what he was about to go through.

But when Jesus was getting ready to come down off the mountain, the disciples wanted to stay and prolong the experience;

“Couldn’t we please just stay here for a little while longer” they asked and Peter said, “I’ll build three shelters” - for Moses, Elijah and Jesus.

But Jesus understood that his life on earth wasn’t meant to be a mountain top experience but an experience of suffering and of sacrifice on the cross.

And it’s the same for us God doesn’t promise us a comfortable ride, what he promises is for a safe landing.

Don’t be like the Christians who always want their faith journey to be triumphant and exciting. The truth is that we are strengthened more through suffering than success.

We are like a little boy who had a pet turtle called Albert and one day Albert rolled over on his back and lay completely still.

The little boy – very upset carried Albert to his father. And his father knowing he has to say something to comfort his distressed son explained now, Albert was now happy walking around in heaven with his turtle family.

And he said to his son, “I’ll tell you what we are going to do. We are going to have a funeral party and you can invite your friends and we will have lots of food and games. It will be great”.

And the little boy smiled broadly and the Father knew that he has done a good job of avoiding a potential crisis.

“Ok”, he said “let’s go outside and bury Albert in the backyard”.

So Albert is tenderly carried out into the garden in the shoe box which the little boy opens for one final look inside. And to his surprise Albert is not dead but on his feet and moving around.

With a disappointed look on his face, the boy looks up at his dad and says, “Dad, can we bury him anyway and still have the party?” (Now you know that didn’t happen so don’t be upset with me)

But there is a spiritual application to this story.

As much as we love the times when we celebrate our faith and fly high with God, the fact is there are also going to be many times when things are spiritually difficult and hard going for us.

We will have the party but we have to wait until we get to heaven for everlasting joy.

As you read your Bible you will find many of stories of people like us who experienced highs and lows on their spiritual journey through life.

Consider the life Jonah. Jonah was God’s prophet esteemed by God; a definite high point in his life.

But then God gave Jonah a mission to go to Nineveh, which he didn’t want and he ran away from God; that a low point.

He found a ship going in the opposite direct and that seemed like the solution to his problem (a definite high) but them God sent a storm and Jonah who was thrown overboard was swallowed by a great fish that was another low.

The fish vomited him up on dry ground (is that a high or a low)? It’s definitely a high – there is only two ways out of a fish!

And throughout the rest of the story, Jonah’s life follows the same pattern (highs and lows).

Jesus life also followed the same pattern. He was greatly affirmed by his Heavenly Father at his baptism, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” - a wonderful high point in Jesus life.

But immediately Jesus was lead into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil; from a human point of view that is a definite low.

Following His temptation for three years Jesus had a wonderful ministry transforming lives, performing miracles usually accompanied by a great crowd. That was a wonderful high.

But then the crowds began to fall away and he was arrested, tried and crucified; a huge low for Jesus and his disciples, only to be followed by the most wonderful high when on the third day he was raised to life again.

Now here is what I want to share with you.

Jesus remained faithful to God in the highs and lows of his life and it’s in the highs and lows of our lives that we will learn to become like him.

Now the passage I want us to reflect on for a few minutes this morning helps answer our question about sustaining spiritual momentum.

In the first two verses of Hebrews 12 the author wants us to imagine is that we are like athletes in a race.

And the there are five things that we are to do, to help us run a good race and finish well.

1. Find Strength from those who have gone before

The Bible is not just a history book. The Bible is the living word of God written for us now.

Paul wrote; “Even if it was written in scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us”. Romans 15:4 Msg

Hebrews 12 begins;

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses”

Paul has just finished writing about his ‘All star team of God’s Saints’ which contain a long list of the OT heroes who all have one thing in common.

They have an unswervingly faith and commitment to God.

Despite great hardship and opposition, they didn’t give up – even though there were no visible rewards for their faith during their life time.

Just because we follow God it does not mean we are going to have a life of comfort and prosperity without hardship.

The Christian life is difficult sometimes but we will have all eternity to enjoy the rewards of knowing that we didn’t give up.

We also have people to encourage us.

So what person or people of faith, do you know who can strengthen your Christian walk? May be it’s the people in your small group.

Fill in the blank space on your answer study sheet________________.

If I am to run a good race and finish well;

2. I will put off everything that hinders me.

“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress”. vs 1b NLT

In the 2003 London marathon, a contestant by the name of Lloyd Scott recorded the slowest time in the history of the marathon, he finished in 5 days, 8 hours & 29 minutes because instead running in shorts and shoes, he wore a diver’s suit with a full metal helmet. (He did it as a fund raiser).

But that’s not normally how you would expect people to run. Yet many people try to run the Christian race wade down by too many extras.

Hebrews mentions 2 things in vs 1.

i) Let go ungodly sin.

As you, have been through 40 days of Purpose you may have felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to deal with areas of your life that are not pleasing to God. Let them go, strip them away because they will hinder your growth.

ii) Let go unnecessary baggage.

Some of the things we do aren’t necessarily sinful, they just slow us down. They use up valuable time and resources. So write your answer to the next question on your sheet;

In order to finish well I need to let go of …………………….. (what)?

To run a good race I will;

3) Choose to persevere until I cross the finish line.

The last part of Hebrews 12:1 says “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”.

In any context, greatness is defined by the ability to persevere.

Walt Disney was once fired by a news paper for a lack of ideas.

Thomas Edison’s teacher gave up on him and wrote on his report; “He is too stupid to accomplish anything”.

Henry Ford failed and went bankrupt five times before he succeeded.

Albert Einstein performed so badly in high school except in mathematics that his teaches encouraged his parents to pull him out of school.

In the race of life, God is far more interested in how we finish than how we began.

The philosopher Frederick Nietche wrote that,

“The essential thing in heaven and earth is that there is a long obedience in the same direction”.

But ‘a long obedience in the same direction’ is not something we do well in our culture today – we like, quick, convenient, instant, fast and efficient despite the fact that we know the ‘good things take times’ to mature.

Eugene Peterson has written, “There is a great market for religious experience in our world, but there is little enthusiasm for the patient, acquisition of character and virtue.”

And Paul wrote “Therefore, my dear brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. 1Cor 15:58 (NIV)

Paul says, once you make the decision to follow Christ; make it ‘steadfast and immovable’ no matter what the hardship, the lows in life.

There will always be a valley for every corresponding peak.

There will be times when God seems distant and there will be circumstances that you cannot explain and that don’t make sense.

In those times we need to know with certainty that we have decided to follow Jesus – no turning back. And now is the time to decide to have such a resolute faith and commitment. Don’t wait for a crisis to bring you cap in hand to God.

So, let me ask you to fill in this third statement.

“I know God wants me to keep on doing…………………….. (what?) Where do you need to persevere?

If I am going to run the race well;

4. I will keep a single minded focus.

Hebrews says that the way to do this is to ‘keep our eyes fixed on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish’. Vs 2

If as a result of doing 40 Days of Purpose of you have not come to love Jesus more, then the course has failed you.

One of the strengths of a course like 40 days is that it slows us down enough to really focus on what’s important.

While life is a race we can’t develop spiritual intimacy with God on the run.

“Be careful that you don’t let the world squeeze you into its mould.”

The world is obsessed with pace and how to pack more things into our days and weeks;

There is now a restaurant in Tokyo, I understand, that doesn’t charge you for your food but for the amount of time you are at their table.

We are increasingly encouraged to multitask and worst example that I’ve heard about is the businessman who installed a telephone beside a toilet.

(Q) Now I ask you, is this really a room where we need to multi task? (The toilet is the last bastion of contemplation)

I mention it only because; if we are to know and hear God we have to create space in our life.

Paul wrote “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ”. Phil 3:8 NIV

Paul says that nothing is more important than our relationship with Christ.

If we don’t resolve to keep Christ in first place there will be plenty of other voices clamouring for our loyalty?

So complete the next statement;

In order to stay single minded I will………………………(what)?

5. I will endure the suffering to see the smile.

“He (Jesus) was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards. Now he is seated in the place of the highest honour besides God’s throne in heaven.” Heb 12:2 NLT

Jesus looked passed the suffering of the cross to the joy that would be his when he was again in the presence of his Father.

On the other side of finish line is the smiling face of our Heavenly Father. And in this race called life, we need to regularly lift our heads and look up towards the finish line.

When life becomes especially difficult imagine your Heavenly Father cheering you on.

Paul wrote;

“These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing at all.”

Sometimes it is difficult to completely trust God but Paul says;

‘Look past the obstacles to the finish line and the joy that will be yours”.

“I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us to heaven”. Phil 3:14 NLT

So complete the final statement;

I am able to endure the present because I know ………… (What?)

For someone here the answer may be ‘because I know that one day the pain will be gone, or the relationship restored’.

What ever your situation verse 3 offers us our inspiration in the meantime;

“So keep your eyes on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.” Heb 12: 3 CEV

Prayer

Let’s pray together. Lord I pray for every person here today. Help us not to give up when the going gets tough. Help us to do what it takes to stay close to you.

When the feelings fade and the excitement goes, Lord let us stand firm on our commitment because we know it’s worth it.

We want to persevere to finish well. We know that this is what you want and we live for that day when we will be with you and hear say to us, ‘well done, good and faithful servant enter into my rest’.

Father may these words be for us all. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.