Sorry, I seemed to have forgotten all the songs you've taught me...except this one. Is this one...enough? I should get this tuned up. Maybe I can play again for you, someday.
1. Why are you a Christian?
2. Who is your god?
3. Why do you do the things you do?
- Sermon on the Mount
- "Christianity is a relationship"...how well do you understand that?
- To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. - Mark 12.33 (NIV)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Winter Retreat
When I first accepted the position as coordinator for CCF's coming Winter Retreat, I had actually thought it was going to be okay. Sure, I know it's crazy and that the responsibility of 80+ Christians' spiritual life for those two days now rest in my hands. As I struggle with trying to come up with a solid focus to base the Retreat around...more and more I realize my inadequacy. More and more I realize that I'm much more further away than I thought I was. And the more I realize how much is REALLY at stake...it's a good thing I'm not training to be a pastor...
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 5.17-20 (NIV)
This early segment to Sermon on the Mount points out two things.
1. The OT is not invalid. The Laws are important, and are to followed. Whatever Christ and anyone else says, is to be built upon and understood with the Law. Understand the Law.
2. Just being like the Pharisees is not enough. A while ago, I was given some background on the Pharisees ("set apart")...this group of people rose after the Exiles returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian conquest. Realizing that idolatry was what caused God's anger, these people vowed to never break God's Laws again, and set themselves and others to follow. Over time, they lost the meaning of what they were doing, and simply followed the rules, believing that it was enough. Following the Law is not enough.
Much of the Sermon on the Mount goes into explaining the meanings behind the Law...and what it will take to surpass the legalists. But here's a key...this Christian living that Christ is calling us...is attainable by non-Christians. Not keep grudges, avoiding lustful situations...not divorcing or swearing oaths...helping the needy, being humble about doing a good deed...it's HARD. But it's not impossible. And a non-Christian can do these. A non-Christian can surpass a Pharisee.
1. The OT is not invalid. The Laws are important, and are to followed. Whatever Christ and anyone else says, is to be built upon and understood with the Law. Understand the Law.
2. Just being like the Pharisees is not enough. A while ago, I was given some background on the Pharisees ("set apart")...this group of people rose after the Exiles returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian conquest. Realizing that idolatry was what caused God's anger, these people vowed to never break God's Laws again, and set themselves and others to follow. Over time, they lost the meaning of what they were doing, and simply followed the rules, believing that it was enough. Following the Law is not enough.
Much of the Sermon on the Mount goes into explaining the meanings behind the Law...and what it will take to surpass the legalists. But here's a key...this Christian living that Christ is calling us...is attainable by non-Christians. Not keep grudges, avoiding lustful situations...not divorcing or swearing oaths...helping the needy, being humble about doing a good deed...it's HARD. But it's not impossible. And a non-Christian can do these. A non-Christian can surpass a Pharisee.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
- Matthew 7.21-23 (NIV)
He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
- Matthew 12.30 (NIV)
I've often heard that there's no such thing as the lukewarm Christian. You're either all for Christ...or you might as well not bother. The full weight of the Matthew 7 passage is starting to dawn on me...everything in the Law are actions. The Sermon on the Mount builds upon the Law, and therefore as also actions. "Lord, Lord", prophesizing, driving out demons and miracles are all actions.
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- John 14.6b (NIV)
Actions are not what gets someone to Heaven. Christ stated that He is the only way. What does that mean?
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
- Luke 10.41-42 (NIV)
It is not action then, but "choosing what is better"...that is, to follow Christ. The very word "Christian", meaning Christ-follower, is what sets us apart from non-Christians. Actions can be imitated. Following Christ cannot. What then, does it mean to follow Christ?
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
- Luke 14.25-26 (NIV)
...what?! Surly Christ didn't mean what He said. That's a direct violation of 5th Commandment! Of course He meant what He said. Christ would not lie. What He meant was...you must love Him so much that everything else...including your relationship with your own family, seems like hatred in comparison. He is NOT saying go hate your family.
I've often heard that Christianity is not about following rules. Yet when we hear about people dating non-Christians...or premarital sexual relationships...or prideful boasting and verbose liars...we first instincts is to gasp. We have become the Pharisees. I've done my best to keep the 10 Commandments. But I have broken every single point of the Sermon on the Mount. I can't recall the last time someone accused me of being a bad Christian. Why would they? I've got enough biblical knowledge to back up my actions. I can pray long and elaborately. I've served as everything from a background AV techie to a member of the CCF Executive Committee. But as a Pharisee...when times are hard, I will falter. Just like how when I don't have my CCF, I will falter.
I hear these words so often that it has lost its meaning. No deeds of your hands will earn you Heaven. Or...it is by the Grace of God that you are saved. Or even In the name of Christ Jesus I pray...
And so here I stand, looking at this vast field. How do I even start? What does it mean to follow after Christ for me? Ignoring all the stuff about the parable of the talent and using what I was given...for that too is merely action. I can ask people to think. But unless we can change hearts...nothing will change. Even though I'm not there yet, I must teach.
CCF, this is your Winter Retreat Coordinator talking. I don't know what we're doing. I broke my Butterfly and need a new Eaglehorn. I've got my Quarterstaff, but an Eaglehorn is much harder to find. What do I do? What do I do...
I've often heard that Christianity is not about following rules. Yet when we hear about people dating non-Christians...or premarital sexual relationships...or prideful boasting and verbose liars...we first instincts is to gasp. We have become the Pharisees. I've done my best to keep the 10 Commandments. But I have broken every single point of the Sermon on the Mount. I can't recall the last time someone accused me of being a bad Christian. Why would they? I've got enough biblical knowledge to back up my actions. I can pray long and elaborately. I've served as everything from a background AV techie to a member of the CCF Executive Committee. But as a Pharisee...when times are hard, I will falter. Just like how when I don't have my CCF, I will falter.
I hear these words so often that it has lost its meaning. No deeds of your hands will earn you Heaven. Or...it is by the Grace of God that you are saved. Or even In the name of Christ Jesus I pray...
And so here I stand, looking at this vast field. How do I even start? What does it mean to follow after Christ for me? Ignoring all the stuff about the parable of the talent and using what I was given...for that too is merely action. I can ask people to think. But unless we can change hearts...nothing will change. Even though I'm not there yet, I must teach.
CCF, this is your Winter Retreat Coordinator talking. I don't know what we're doing. I broke my Butterfly and need a new Eaglehorn. I've got my Quarterstaff, but an Eaglehorn is much harder to find. What do I do? What do I do...
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