Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Spiritual Health
One of the privileges that God has given me is to interact with about a score of small churches in New England. I try to visit each one several times annually, and maintain contact via phone, email, one on one visits and large scale gatherings in the interim. Much of my focus is to encourage them in their faith and spiritual growth. Some churches seem healthier than others. What are some of the characteristics of a healthy group? One is an outward focus in which the people of the group are ministering Christ to others, and particularly to those that don't have a personal relationship with him. Another is the love of the people in the group for one another. A third is a willingness to take the Word of God seriously. Earlier this week I was talking with a brother whom God has raised up to lead one of the healthiest groups that I know. We were discussing the scene in Acts 8:24ff when Philip meets the Ethiopian eunuch. The man is reading the Scripture (in Isaiah), seeking to understand, and willing to be teachable by allowing Philip to explain it to him. This humility is key. Sanford's humble consistent focus on responding to life by asking "What does the Word of God say?" has resulted in ongoing conversions, baptisms, evangelism, and a genuine willingness on the part of the brethren to submit to the Lordship of Christ through obeying His Word. So often we are derailed in our growth in the faith by our unwillingness to do this basic thing.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Image- Bearing
Genesis 1:26a tells us that "God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." (ESV) After giving man dominion over the animals, the Holy Spirit goes on to say that "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. So the very first thing that we learn about the creation of the human race is that we are made like God. This is not said of angels, animals or any other part of his creation. Adam's sin mars and distorts this. But Romans 8:29 says that "those whom he (God) foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (ESV) One way to understand the process of sanctification is as the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in regenerated people to make them more like Jesus. "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thess 2:13-14 ESV)
On reflection of how we respond to this sanctifying work of the Spirit, it appears there are three primary ways. One is by divine revelation where God gives a person insight through reading the Word, prayer etc. In a famous passage, Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..." (Matthew 11:28-29a ESV) Mathetes, the underlying Greek word translated "disciple" means a learner. A second method is through others, whether in direct teaching, or by observation. Psalm 145:4 says, "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (ESV) Fathers are told to bring up their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4 ESV) Finally we have what I refer to as the "hard way," i.e. painful, personal experience. God is faithful to do this when we choose not to employ the other methods. (Heb. 12:6) It seems that human nature requires most of us to learn in this way much of the time. While all learning, or sanctification has value, the hard way often takes years or even decades. As long as we are learning, however slowly, the Holy Spirit is bringing us closer to the glorious privilege of bearing the image of God through Christ as originally intended.
On reflection of how we respond to this sanctifying work of the Spirit, it appears there are three primary ways. One is by divine revelation where God gives a person insight through reading the Word, prayer etc. In a famous passage, Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..." (Matthew 11:28-29a ESV) Mathetes, the underlying Greek word translated "disciple" means a learner. A second method is through others, whether in direct teaching, or by observation. Psalm 145:4 says, "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (ESV) Fathers are told to bring up their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4 ESV) Finally we have what I refer to as the "hard way," i.e. painful, personal experience. God is faithful to do this when we choose not to employ the other methods. (Heb. 12:6) It seems that human nature requires most of us to learn in this way much of the time. While all learning, or sanctification has value, the hard way often takes years or even decades. As long as we are learning, however slowly, the Holy Spirit is bringing us closer to the glorious privilege of bearing the image of God through Christ as originally intended.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Unfermented wine?
While I am not a fan of controversy, and certainly do not want to use this blog to impose my personal theological convictions, occasionally I am exercised enough by what others are saying that I am willing to enter the lists. In this post I am tackling the misleading theme of unfermented wine. I am neither a NT Greek scholar nor an expert in ancient viticulture. However, by the grace of God I can read. The argument is that Jesus drank only unfermented ( non-alcoholic) wine, and that it is sinful for a genuine follower of Christ to have alcohol at any time. It is true that alcoholism is a scourge of any society, and has proven the ruin of many people. Numerous others have been battered by its destructiveness, and the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments strongly warns against drunkeness, e.g. Proverbs 23:29-35, Galatians 5:21, 1 Peter 4:3. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 states that drunkards, among others, will not inherit the kingdom of God, thus putting to rest the idea that it is a disease for which people bear no personal responsibility.
Today, I am responding to those at the other extreme. Mentioning Jesus' first miracle at Cana ( John 2:1-11) when he turned approximately 150 gallons ( about 600 liters) of water into wine, or Paul's admonition to “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments,” ( 1 Timothy 5:23) is circumvented by the phrase unfermented wine. The reality is that we have a phrase in English, grape juice, which describes this perfectly. There really is no such thing as unfermented wine. Wine has alcohol in it; grape juice does not. Until the advent of modern technology it wasn't possible to store grape juice for any length of time before it began to ferment. This is why the name of Thomas Welch, a Methodist, is associated with grape juice, because he invented a process of pasteurization to prevent fermentation ca 1869. NT Greek has three different words to describe wine, the most common of which is transliterated as “oinos.” It also has a word for grape juice, “trux” which is nowhere used in the NT. While these simple facts should be sufficient to close the debate, I am confident that attempts will be made to dismiss them.
For the record, I do not drink alcohol, and haven't since February 5th, 1973. However, I do not attempt to impose my practice on others or refuse to fellowship with those who do partake. I believe that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” ( Romans 14:17) Because I do not wish to tempt or stumble others, ( Romans 14:21), I relinquish the freedom to drink in moderation that Christ gives us.
Now some will grant that believers may partake but that anyone in a leadership role is forbidden. One wonders why the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:3 or Titus 1:7 that state that an elder must not be a drunkard are insufficient. Are we, like the Pharisees that Jesus rebukes in Matthew 15 and Mark 7, adding our own traditions to the commandments of God?
Today, I am responding to those at the other extreme. Mentioning Jesus' first miracle at Cana ( John 2:1-11) when he turned approximately 150 gallons ( about 600 liters) of water into wine, or Paul's admonition to “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments,” ( 1 Timothy 5:23) is circumvented by the phrase unfermented wine. The reality is that we have a phrase in English, grape juice, which describes this perfectly. There really is no such thing as unfermented wine. Wine has alcohol in it; grape juice does not. Until the advent of modern technology it wasn't possible to store grape juice for any length of time before it began to ferment. This is why the name of Thomas Welch, a Methodist, is associated with grape juice, because he invented a process of pasteurization to prevent fermentation ca 1869. NT Greek has three different words to describe wine, the most common of which is transliterated as “oinos.” It also has a word for grape juice, “trux” which is nowhere used in the NT. While these simple facts should be sufficient to close the debate, I am confident that attempts will be made to dismiss them.
For the record, I do not drink alcohol, and haven't since February 5th, 1973. However, I do not attempt to impose my practice on others or refuse to fellowship with those who do partake. I believe that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” ( Romans 14:17) Because I do not wish to tempt or stumble others, ( Romans 14:21), I relinquish the freedom to drink in moderation that Christ gives us.
Now some will grant that believers may partake but that anyone in a leadership role is forbidden. One wonders why the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:3 or Titus 1:7 that state that an elder must not be a drunkard are insufficient. Are we, like the Pharisees that Jesus rebukes in Matthew 15 and Mark 7, adding our own traditions to the commandments of God?
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Discipleship
Thankful for a busy weekend in the Lord. Friday evening met with Matt, Juliano & Marcio. Enjoyed good food, fellowship, and prayer together. Obrigado, Pai (Thank you, Father) for what You are doing. Saturday morning met with Matt & Matt. We explored several questions pertaining to consensus.
What level of commitment is needed to be part of the decision making consensus?
What constitutes a consensus? I.E. simple majority, super majority, unanimity?
What needs to be decided by consensus? Everything?
The more trust, relationship, and commitment are present among the brethren, the less these questions matter yet guidelines are helpful.
Off at noon to visit my friend Gary, and then down to Waterford, CT. to visit Paul & Donna. They have true shepherd's hearts. The following morning had the opportunity to share in the gathering, beginning by asking the following question. How many of you have ever had someone that mentored you in the Christian faith? Someone who cared for you, poured their life into yours, in an intentional way over a period of several years. In a room of about ten people only three had this experience. It is very difficult to show someone else how to do something when no one has ever shown you. I suspect that most American Christians that actually are disciples had to disciple themselves. God is faithful but I doubt this is His ideal plan. But so much energy goes into keeping churches going that we don't have time for this type of relationship.
What level of commitment is needed to be part of the decision making consensus?
What constitutes a consensus? I.E. simple majority, super majority, unanimity?
What needs to be decided by consensus? Everything?
The more trust, relationship, and commitment are present among the brethren, the less these questions matter yet guidelines are helpful.
Off at noon to visit my friend Gary, and then down to Waterford, CT. to visit Paul & Donna. They have true shepherd's hearts. The following morning had the opportunity to share in the gathering, beginning by asking the following question. How many of you have ever had someone that mentored you in the Christian faith? Someone who cared for you, poured their life into yours, in an intentional way over a period of several years. In a room of about ten people only three had this experience. It is very difficult to show someone else how to do something when no one has ever shown you. I suspect that most American Christians that actually are disciples had to disciple themselves. God is faithful but I doubt this is His ideal plan. But so much energy goes into keeping churches going that we don't have time for this type of relationship.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
House Church Conference
This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the 11th annual New England House Church Conference organized by our brother Matt Durning. I begin by thanking him, his wife Karen, Mike & Pam Derewianka, and their respective children for all of their hard work in putting this on. Also a thank you to Ed Caouette, the original conference organizer. Two excellent Ephesians 4:11 teachers, Steve Atkerson, and Beresford Job taught a primary and secondary track. Steve shared on NT church practice. Every year he tinkers with and adds a little more to his presentation. I was particularly struck this year with his wine/wineskins analogy in which he emphasized that without the wine ( Jesus) the wineskin was irrelevant. His best attended session dealt with heresy in house church settings, and the gradations of error, false teaching and heresy. Beresford taught a series on Biblical Truth. I only caught two sessions; I look forward to getting the audio tapes so that I can get the whole story.
About sixty adults attended. A number were from places outside New England like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and even Nova Scotia.
I continue working on Portuguese, making slow progress. "But I have trusted in your steadfast love, my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me." ( Ps. 13:5-6 ESV)
About sixty adults attended. A number were from places outside New England like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and even Nova Scotia.
I continue working on Portuguese, making slow progress. "But I have trusted in your steadfast love, my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me." ( Ps. 13:5-6 ESV)
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
California Report/ Bill Ireland
Maybe i should go to California in the winter when it's freezing in New England rather than in the fall. Last Wednesday evening brethren from the S. F. HC gathered. James and Dale facilitated worship, and I shared on the theme of discipleship. Thursday and Friday were quiet days, walking around Lake Merced again, reading and resting. Saturday morning Marcus and Stine picked me up, took me to the airport. They were also flying to the LA area. My daughter picked me up from the Long Beach airport, and we hastened to the Pasadena wedding of Kenton & Sally, one of a number of couples whom I know that have met through E- Harmony. My friend Matt co-officiated, and my daughter got to meet some of my friends. We went to the reception where i had a good conversation with Chris and Angela. Sunday morning returned to my daughter's church, where we looked at Romans 10:14-17. The emphasis was on speaking the truth of the gospel in the joy of Christ. That afternoon we took a walk in the hills. Almost 90F. That evening back to Long Beach on an overnight flight. As I can't sleep on planes I didn't finally get to sleep until noon on Monday. Slept from noon until 7, and again from midnight until 7:30 this morning.
Want to take this opportunity to introduce my friend Bill Ireland, a brother whom I first met about forty years ago at a Christian commune called the Lighthouse Ranch. We were together again in the LA area. I didn't see him again for almost thirty years but got reaCQUAinted in 2009. He is a humble, solid brother who has just started a blog called The Glowing Scroll. Hopefully you can access it from my dashboard page. "Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." ( Prov. 25:25 ESV)
Want to take this opportunity to introduce my friend Bill Ireland, a brother whom I first met about forty years ago at a Christian commune called the Lighthouse Ranch. We were together again in the LA area. I didn't see him again for almost thirty years but got reaCQUAinted in 2009. He is a humble, solid brother who has just started a blog called The Glowing Scroll. Hopefully you can access it from my dashboard page. "Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." ( Prov. 25:25 ESV)
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