heaven came down

My kids know my whistle.  I don’t necessarily whistle all that loudly or all that long.  But if I want to get their attention amidst distraction, I just whistle.  When we’re all in the Family Life Center on Wednesday evenings and there are people talking and kids everywhere and I need to get one of my boy’s attention in the sea of children on the basketball court, I just whistle, and their heads turn.  Not in a fearful way or a worrisome way.  They just know my whistle.  When we’re at home and they’re playing outside with other kids, and in one of their friend’s back yard, and Tiersa and I need them to come home, I just step out on the front porch and whistle, and I soon here a, “Coming!…” from a few houses down.  The whistle is sort of like “Heads up!” or “Hey, look this direction!”

John the Baptist came proclaiming the Kingdom is at hand!  The Kingdom is close.  The Kingdom is near.  Heads up!  Pay attention!  It’s near!  The Kingdom is near!  And then, the Kingdom (the reign and rule of God) is made a reality in Jesus.

As the old hymn declares, “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.”

The Kingdom of heaven.  The reign of God as His Spirit rains down upon human hearts through divine will.  The Kingdom of heaven.  Heaven coming down.  Glory filling our souls.

That’s our reality.  Here’s my question: What was John’s role?  What is John the Baptist’s task in this?  Fulfilling the will and purpose of God?  Yes.  “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him” (Mt 3:3)?  Absolutely.  But ultimately, John’s God-ordained position is to announce.  To call attention.  “Heads up!”  “Hey, look this direction!” (cf. Jn 1:29,35).   “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near!” (Mt 3:2).  The Kingdom is near!  Heaven is coming down!

Calling people wherever they were in life to come, and to be a part of the Kingdom.

Our role, our task, our purpose is the same….  To call people wherever they are in life to come, and to be a part of the Kingdom of heaven.

Glory to God!

Jason

ten words

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14).  Ten words.  That changed everything.

In an instant, everything changed.  It was all in God’s divine plan.  All in His divine providence.  All founded in His divine initiative.

Decades later (and especially a century later), the incarnation would be at the center of debate.  There were many who questioned the validity of the Word becoming flesh.  It wasn’t entirely Christ’s deity that was under scrutiny.  It wasn’t solely His humanity that was doubted.  It was the mental gymnastics required to accept that He was both.  Divine and human.  Simultaneously.  Upon initial consideration, can we blame them?  We have the benefit of 2000 years of theology.  But the reality that Christ was 100% God and 100% human, you have to admit, is a doctrine that must be based solely upon faith.  Because it makes no earthly sense.

But He was.  Christ was with God in the beginning (John 1:1).  And then He became (John 1:14).  He became, He took on flesh, and He lived and walked and ministered among us.  The incarnation is intended to blow our minds.  And it should!  That God was willing, that Christ was willing, to “take on the nature of a servant” and be made “in human likeness” and to become “obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:1-11) should amaze us!  It is certainly designed to.

And the amazement of the incarnation must not end there.  Because the wonder of it all is that Christ is “incarnate” in us (if we can use that terminology).  God is revealed “in the flesh” when His people live out our calling as those who belong to Him.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).  Verse 27 comes at the conclusion of an entire section of Paul’s letter to the Colossian church which centers upon the incarnation of God in Jesus.  He then transitions to the incarnation of Christ, in us!

That a holy God would, through His perfect Son, reside within an unholy and imperfect people should amaze us!  It is certainly designed to.  Our reality as those who have been sanctified by the Spirit purposes you and I to reveal His deity in our humanity.  In our divine and human nature(s).  Christ is us, the hope of glory.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14).  Ten words.  That changed everything.  Ten words.  That change us still.

Glory to God!

Jason

acknowledging our brokenness

Last week our focus Sunday evening was upon the Bread of God.  We began with the manna from heaven in Israel’s wilderness experience (Ex 16).  We then transitioned to the call of the Ezekiel, as the Prophet eats the scroll of the Word of the Lord (Ez 2:8-3:4).  The scroll tasted sweet as honey, like manna.  Our next stop along the way together was the Psalms, where we read from Psalm 19:7-10 and connected to David’s praise that “the Law of the Lord” and “the precepts of the Lord” are “sweeter than honey.”  Our final text came from John 6 where Jesus explains that He is the Bread of God, that gives life to the world.

Our emphasis was upon being sustained by God.  Being filled by God.  Being satisfied by God.  In every way.  Recognizing and receiving the daily bread of the Lord (His Word, His Spirit, our experiences, the simple joys of life).  Our call was to filled by Him.  Spiritually.  And we acknowledged that we are only filled to the extent that we hunger for Him (ref. Mt 5:6).

But I want to flesh this out (pun intended, see Jn 6) and take it a step further (and if this finds its way into a sermon later on just act like you’re hearing it then for the first time)….  As we come to the table each week and commune with our Savior and commune with one another and commune with the body of Christ the world over, we break the bread in remembrance of the Messiah (Lk 22:19).  Jesus says, “This is my body given for you.”

And as we accept the Lordship of Christ we become a part of the body of Christ.  When in Christ we are the body of Christ (1 Co 12:27).  As we commune with our Lord each week, we celebrate the Good News of Jesus.  And we refocus ourselves upon who the Gospel calls us each to be.  But I wonder, do we see ourselves in the bread?  (Stay with me for a second….)  Because only when we are broken, can God do in us and with us and through us what only He can do.  Only when we take ownership of our brokenness can our Father begin to create within us that which is Christ-like.  When we accept the Lordship of Christ, as we are baptized into Christ, we acknowledge our brokenness and we come to Him to make us whole.  As we break the bread each week, do we recognize our brokenness?  As those who are the body of Christ, are we in that moment consciously aware that only in Him we are made whole?

Glory to God!

Jason

kingdoms in conflict

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”  “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied.  “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me.  What is it you have done?”  Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.  If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my Kingdom is from another place.”  “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.  Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king.  In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” – John 18:33-37

There is a collision between Christ and Culture.  When we respond to the call of Jesus and cling to the Kingdom of God it is required of us that we release the kingdom of this world.  The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world are in conflict with one another.  They are opposed to one another.  Jesus declares, “My Kingdom is not of this world.”  And only to those who are of the Kingdom does the Kingdom make sense.

So why is it that so much of what occupies our thoughts is worldly?  Why is so very much of our focus upon the temporal?  Why do we give the worldliness of this world such an audience?  And how can Jesus so readily be relegated to an afterthought?

Do we separate life into eternal Kingdom and temporal kingdom compartments?  Do we elevate the eternal when we look to the day to day?  What I mean is that as we go about our day-to-day living are our minds and hearts in tune with what really matters?  Because in the grand scheme of it all only the things of God matter.  Right?  Why is it then that we spend so much energy focusing upon the minutia of the kingdom of this world, rather than the wonder of the Kingdom of God?

“You are right in saying that I am a king,” Jesus affirms.

But the question remains: Is He really your King?

Glory to God!

Jason

following Jesus. hearing His voice.

At WE we’ve spoken a lot lately about simplifying.  Focusing on what really matters.  Removing the clutter from our lives.  Freeing ourselves from the noose that we’ve slipped into.  “Throwing off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily trips us up and running this Christian race well” (to paraphrase Hebrews 12:2).

We’re unpacking some key spiritual disciplines on Sunday mornings together.  We’re seeking to practice the presence of God and striving to live lives that reflect the Lordship of Jesus in very real and very practical ways.  Discipline is key.  And as we’ve set things into motion over the last few weeks, we’ll consider in the weeks ahead not only the familiar disciplines of prayer and study and Christian community, but also the not so familiar disciplines of fasting and silence and contentment (as well as others).

Jesus says, “The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.  The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:2-4).

I can’t read these words of Jesus in John 10 and not think of what the writer of the Hebrew letter reveals to us as he states, “Therefore brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body… let us draw near to God….” (Hebrews 10:19-22a).

Jesus is the way to God.  In Him we have access to God.  In Him we are brought near to God.  It’s a close, intimate, spiritual connection and relationship.

But… can we hear our Savior’s voice?

Tuning in to God.  Getting rid of the static of our lives and hearing our Savior’s voice.  “He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.”  How can we follow Him well, if His voice is drowned out by all the noise we are allowing in?

Glory to God!

Jason

you are not alone

“God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:16b-18).

There’s a lot that has brought the Apostle John to this point in his first letter.  There are those who feel as if they have the market cornered on God and who readily belittle others who they consider as “less spiritual.” John writes to encourage those who are taking criticism and who are truly seeking to have high view of God and humble view of themselves.

The theme of “love” is a thread that runs throughout John’s literature.  John assures that the very nature of God is love.  The Apostle affirms that love is not only the foundation of our relationship with the Father, but is foundational in our relationship with others.  With both those whom we agree and those we do not.

Everything of course is encompassed within Jesus’ beautiful message: “God so loved…” (John 3:16).

But here in 1 John, the Apostle moves from “love” to “fear.”  “There is no fear in love.”  “Perfect love drives out fear.”  The connection to love (and context of John’s message) is enveloped in relationship.  Relationship with God.  And relationship with others.  And what I believe our Father through His servant John hopes to communicate with us in this is that for those who are in a right relationship with God fear is not a part of the equation.  The perfect love of God revealed in the Gospel of Jesus drives it away.  However, if we were to be honest, we each, very often, have our fears.  And even though John is speaking of eternity and how there is no fear (“condemnation” to use Paul’s word – cf. Romans 8:1) for those who are in Christ Jesus, I wonder what might be weighing on your heart and mind right now?

I wonder: What is it that you’re afraid of?  What is it that is causing you concern right now?  What is it that is weighing you down?  What is it that is keeping you up at night?  What is it that is dividing your attention?  What are your fears?

Because the message of Jesus can be summed up in these words: “You are not alone.”

Jon Walker in his book, Costly Grace, writes: “Fear whispers in our ear that we face danger alone, that God is unaware of our plight and that Jesus is unavailable in our time of need” (p217).

You are not alone.  You can trust God.  You can trust our Father.  You can trust Him.

You are not alone.

Glory to God!

Jason

one church

For weeks now, as a church family, we have been building up to our “One Church” bilingual worship service which will come to fruition this coming Sunday morning, August 26^th.  It has been something that we as a ministry team have been in conversation about since our “One Church” gathering last year.  And a time that we have been especially envisioning since the beginning of this year as to what our time together might look like.  Having confidence that no matter our plans and discussions, our God will reveal Himself in a wonderful way through our time together in worship, as well as our fellowship at the FLC and beyond.

What an encouraging, amazing opportunity for our English-speaking and Spanish-speaking congregation(s) to come together as one.  To learn from one another, to encourage one another, and to praise our Father together.  And what a phenomenal opportunity to experience, in a very real way, the presence of God, as we acknowledge our oneness of need, our oneness of desire, our oneness of faith, and our oneness of conviction.  Our oneness in following the Way of Jesus.

In Ephesians, the Apostle’s prayer is that “the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened” (Ephesians 1:18).  He reminds us there is “one body and one Spirit,” “one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

John records in his Gospel, the desire of our Savior, as He prays we would be one, just as He and the Father are one (John 17:21).

We talk often about unity.  About oneness in the Kingdom.  About being one in Christ.  Unity amidst diversity.  But I wonder if we’ll every fully get it, this side of eternity?  Too often it proves difficult in the narrowness of our worldviews or presuppositions and, if we’re honest, in the shallowness of our hearts, to make room for others.  Some do well at this.  Others of us need “the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened” a bit.

We’ll get a glimpse of oneness in Christ this week.  I ask you to be in prayer.  And to pray the prayer of Paul for the church then and the church now.  That “the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened.”  To pray the prayer of our Savior.  That we would be one as He and the Father are one.

For it is through hearts that are open and willing that our Father does His most amazing work.

Glory to God!

Jason

the story we are telling

Much has been said and continues to be said about the influence of the church in the world.  It’s not the need to reach out to the world that’s at issue; we not only easily recognize the biblical principle but readily acknowledge the urgency of our mission as believers to share the message of Jesus.  We know there are those who are spiritually lost and dying without Him.  We look within ourselves and testify to the very real need we each have for the Gospel to be spoken into our lives as well.

The question therefore becomes: How?  How do we share?  How do we connect?  How do we influence?

Because the question of many outside of Christ is: Why?  Why is relationship with Christ important?  Why should I seek to be faithful to Christ?  Why concern myself with salvation when the odds are that eternity is decades away?

The answer is quickly found in the story of the Gospel.  But the greatest need that we have in sharing Christ with others is helping them to see themselves in the story.

Maybe you’ve heard the name “Billy Sunday.”  Sunday was a circuit preacher during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  He preached a “hell fire and brimstone” message.  The sermon was not complete until Sunday had sweated and screamed himself into exhaustion.  Thousands responded.  One of the things Sunday preached was that the ideal life, and ideal end, was to be baptized and then to immediately walk out of the church doors and be hit by a truck!

What do you think?  Is that the perfect life?

I believe Jesus was after more than that when He said “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly,” don’t you?

What we quickly learn when we peer into the ministry of Jesus is that He walked right along side of people in their journey as he ministered to them.  He was constant in who He was.  And He helped others to see where they fit into what God was doing.

I think Jesus talked more than He preached.  He lived in such a way that God was undeniable.  Certainly the response to openness to God was left completely up to the individual.  But I believe that so many in Jesus’ ministry left a conversation with Him open to the Kingdom simply because they wanted to be a part of the story He was telling.

What I want to convey in all of this is that you have the ability to minister to people that I will never meet.  That only you can minister to.  God crafts us each to be who we are.  Our task is to bring them into the story we are telling.  To help them to see where they fit into what God is doing today.

Glory to God!

Jason

Christian community

What a fantastic day we had together on Friendship Day!  I am so very grateful for every one of you who invested in our time together as a church family.  You invited friends and family, acquaintances and loved ones, those that you know very well and even those that you don’t (but who came to participate in our day together anyway).

God is at work in our fellowship.  He is active in our faith.  He is present in our worship.  And He is revealed in all of the facets of church life that we experience together – every day! – and He was revealed in a wonderful way in the things that we were about last Sunday.  I am humbled and thankful to be a part of such genuine fellowship and honest community.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes that “the church only exists when she exists in community.”

As Christ’s church we are created to exist in community with one another.

Our communion with God is predicated in His divine nature.

To accept the Trinitarian nature of God is founded upon the basis of faith.  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit exist in community.  They are three and yet one.  As well, we are created in the image of God.  We are spiritual.  We are created with a spirit within.  We have a spiritual nature.  We are spiritual beings.  And a central facet to our being created in the image of God is that we are created to exist in community.

We are wired in such a way, by God, that we possess an innate need for communion.  Not Communion with a big “C,” but communion (although the communal aspect of Communion is too often lost in our theology and practice).  We are communal beings.  Just as God the Father, Son, and Spirit exist in holy community (communion), so too we are intrinsically designed, spiritually, that we are only whole and complete when we go about living life founded within active communion.  Communion with God.  And communion with one another.

When we engage in this sort of life we come closer to living into the prayer that our Savior prayed the night before the cross: “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21).

Glory to God!

Jason

Light in Darkness

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’  And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day” (Genesis 1:1-5).

“God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”

From the beginning of time.  From Creation.  From the word “go” (literally).  Light is separated from darkness.  They are opposed to one another.  Where one is present the other is not.

The Apostle John proclaims, “God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5b).  Christ boldly declares, “I AM the Light of the World” (John 8:12).  And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to be spiritual light in a spiritually dark world: “You are the light of the world!” (Matthew 5:14).

We are called to be light.  Light in a world of darkness.  Why is it then that we so often toy with darkness?  Why is it that we too often concede and rationalize and justify any relationship with spiritual darkness?  With that which is spiritually opposed to the God we serve?

The Apostle Paul writing of the spiritual tempo of our lives asks, “What fellowship does light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14b).  Light and darkness are enemies.  The presence of one defies the presence of the other.  How is that we can so easily walk out of spiritual light and into darkness?  Is our faith so shallow?

In Ephesians 2:8 he asserts, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”  He doesn’t even say, “We were once in darkness, but rather we were darkness.”  Outside of God.  Outside of His light.  But in Christ Jesus, our reality has radically changed.

Colossians 1:13 declares, “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves.”

John affirms our calling in Christ and challenges that if we “claim to have fellowship with God and yet walk (live) in darkness we lie and do not live by (in) the truth” (1 John 1:6).

The call is just that.  To accept and live into the calling that we have in this life in Christ Jesus to be light in a spiritually dark world.  A city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14).  A lamp on a stand that gives light to all (Matthew 5:15).

Where there is light, darkness scatters.  In our lives and in the lives of those we influence to the glory of the God we serve.

Glory to God!

Jason