Isn't the Old Testament...just old?

 

“The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge 
but to change our lives.” D.L. Moody

 

Have you ever had a TV show that for you was a “must see”? I’ve had a few; 24, Star Trek Next Generation and Band of Brothers. The only one with depth and life lessons would be Band of Brothers. The others were just “entertainment.” The Bible is so different. It’s life changing, both for this life and eternity. 

  This morning we’re picking up our series in 2 Samuel with chapter 5. Unlike most TV shows, Scripture doesn’t have happy endings. The heroes often act terribly unheroic – just like us. And rarely do most TV shows have an ongoing story. Everything is tied up in a nice, neat package in less than an hour. But life isn’t like that. Our failures often have long-term consequences, affecting us and our descendants. So, 2 Samuel, like the rest of the Bible, isn’t about good people. It’s about a great and gracious God.

  Like us, David truly loves God and wants to do the right thing, but he has a sin nature. When he succumbs to sin, it has huge ramifications. God though loves to take our messes and transform them into His masterpieces. It’s why we need a Savior and someone to rescue us…from ourselves. As we work through 2 Samuel, I hope it encourages you to read and study not just 2 Samuel but all of the Old Testament. So, here are some reasons why New Testament Christians should study the Old Testament.  

  The Old Testament was Jesus’s only Bible and makes up 75% of our Bibles. If word count says anything, the Old Testament matters to God. The Old Testament was His first special revelation. It sets the foundation for the fulfillment that we find in Jesus in the New Testament. The Old Testament was the Bible of Jesus and the early church (e.g., Luke 24:44; Acts 24:14; 2 Timothy 3:15). It’s a major part of our Bible. Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 5:17). “The Law and the Prophets” that Jesus is referring to is the Old Testament.

  The God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. The book of Hebrews begins: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The same God who spoke through Old Testament prophets like Moses, Isaiah, and Malachi speaks through Jesus! The same God who had His hand on David’s life is the same God who had His hand on the early church in the book of Acts.

  Sometimes someone will ask, “Isn’t the Old Testament’s God one of wrath and judgement, but the God of the New Testament is about grace and freedom?” Yet God is as just and wrathful in the New Testament as He is in the Old. That’s because He’s holy and has perfect justice. Certainly, there are numerous expressions of God’s righteous anger in the Old Testament, just as there are massive manifestations of blood-bought mercy in the New Testament. Wonderfully, in Jesus all saving grace reaches its climax. In the whole Bible we meet a God who is faithful to His promises. He takes both sin and repentance seriously, and so should we!

  The Old Testament announces the same “Good News” that New Testament Christians enjoy. The word gospel means “good news.” It refers to the truth that, through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, God reigns over all and rescues sinners who commit their lives to Him. Paul wrote, “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall all the nations be blessed’” (Galatians 3:8). Abraham knew of the message of global salvation that we enjoy. Prophets, like Isaiah, anticipated the day when the Messiah, and the many servants identified with Him, would share comforting news to the poor and broken, news that the saving God reigns through His coming King and deliverer. Reading the Old Testament is one of God’s ways for us to better grasp and cherish the gospel.

  Jesus said that all the Old Testament points to Him. After his first meeting with Jesus, Philip told Nathanael, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote” (John 1:45). Do you want to know as much about Jesus as you can? The Old Testament authors wrote about Him! Speaking of the Old Testament, Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me” (John 5:39). Following His resurrection, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27).

  That doesn’t mean we limit teaching about Jesus’ to a few messianic prophecies about His first coming. The Old Testament clearly anticipates both the first and second coming of Jesus, David’s greater Son. If you want to know Jesus, read the Old Testament as well as the New. It’s vital that we read, teach, study and live out the Old Testament like Jesus and the Apostles did for our own personal spiritual growth and the good and spiritual growth of God’s church.

  New Testament authors expect us to read and study the Old Testament. The New Testament quotes the Old Testament in ways that encourage us to look back to the original context. For example, Matthew 27-28, portrays Christ’s pain and triumph at the cross by referring back to Psalm 22. To fully understand their words, New Testament authors lead us back to the Old Testament through their quotations, references and allusions.

  In our study of 2 Samuel, we’ll see both the highs and lows of a man of God. We’ll see the heavy destruction of giving into temptation. We’ll discover that like us; David needed a Savior. From a human perspective David had it all – power, fame, wealth – but like us, without Jesus, it’s never enough. 

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

When Holiday Inn was kind...

 

“Kindness is a readiness to do good, to help, to relieve burdens, to be useful, to serve, to be tender, and to be sympathetic to others. It has been said,

‘Kindness is love in work clothes’.” Alexander Strauch

 
Was this your experience? One of our children had a special blanket that they couldn’t sleep without. I remembered that when I read recently of a toddler who left his beloved toy behind at a Holiday Inn Express in Richmond, Virginia. Wonderfully, that’s only the first chapter in this story.
  The family contacted the hotel and the employees helped reunite the little guy with his beloved plush toy, a little dog. The four-year-old was traveling with his family when they stopped to stay at the Holiday Inn Express. After departing, the family realized their son had left his stuffed animal toy behind. Those Holiday Inn employees were so kind. Not only were they quick to find the missing toy and promised to ship it to the family as soon as possible, they went the extra mile. They took that stuffed animal around the hotel, placed it in various spots and snapped pictures. One shows the animal getting some work done on a hotel computer. Another of the animal greeting guests in the lobby — with employees noting that he was “the star of the show.” They even took the toy to the hotel fitness room where he sat on the seat of an exercise bike. 
  The dad of the toddler, named Michael, said in a media statement that the pictures the hotel employees took helped ease the pain of the missing toy. “He was really upset that it was missing, as it’s one of his favorite toys. He was so happy to see how much fun his snuggle puppy was having and wanted me to read it over and over so everyone could hear.”
  It takes so little to be so kind. Yet, when we are kind, we are so like Jesus.
  A current cultural phenomena are Swifties – fans of Taylor Swift and considered one of the largest, most devoted fanbases. They’re known for their high levels of participation, creativity, community, and fanaticism and are the focus of widespread coverage by the media. With her fame, it’s not hard to be kind to a Taylor Swift. Everyone wants to be near a celebrity.
  While most of us don’t interact with celebrities, we are easily focused on the powerful, wealthy, popular, talented and attractive…even in the Church. They’re the ones that we go out of our way to be kind to, but that’s not Jesus. Our Lord was kind to everyone…the rejects, the nobodies, the social outcasts…sometimes people like me and you. As His followers that’s who we’re to be kind to – EVERYONE.
  Jesus was kind to lepers who were the outcasts of His day. Because of the contagiousness of their disease, they were isolated and “untouchable.” Not only was Jesus kind to them, He broke social etiquette by touching and healing them.
  Would you be willing to dine with a gang banger, a known drug dealer? Zacchaeus may not have been a convicted criminal, but in the eyes of the Jews, he might as well have been. In Jesus’ day, tax collectors abused their power to legally steal as government agents, but Jesus asked to have lunch with him.
  Xenophobia is a big problem in our world, but it’s not new. In John 4, Jesus not only talked to a Samaritan woman, He asked her for a favor, for a drink of water. Jesus broke all the societal boundaries and demonstrated for us that kindness is to be universal.
  Jesus was not only kind, but He also forgave those who betrayed and crucified Him. He knew Judas was going to betray Him yet hours before that Jesus washed Judas’ feet.
  Forgiving those who’ve wronged us is one of the greatest acts of kindness you can do. Forgiveness, more than any other act, shows we truly know the Forgiver of our souls. It’s not easy. Yet, as those who have been forgiven an unpayable debt, it’s what we’re commanded to do (Ephesians 4:31-32).
  God has called us to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). BUT God has never called us to be hateful or unkind. The Lord Jesus died for the sins we find the most repulsive. There are many moral and social problems today. While the sin is wrong, those who commit them are victims of the Enemy (Satan), not our enemy. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world” (no one is excluded). As Christ-followers, we’re to be kind to those who humanly we might shun. We’re called to live out Jesus’ supernatural love.
  If we’re going to be Jesus to our world, we must show His love to the victims of sexual sin from adulterers to pedophiles…and everything in between. If we’re going to be Jesus to our world, we must show His love to abortionists and murderers…and everything in between. If we’re going to be Jesus to our world, we must show His love to those who are atheists and Islamic radicals…and everything in between. If we’re going to be Jesus to our world, we must show His love to those on the extreme right politically and to those on the extreme left politically, and the ones in the middle.
  When someone is arrested, no matter what the crime, the Christ-follower should be one of the first to reach out to them. When someone is going through a divorce, the Christ-follower should be one of the first to show grace to both parties. When someone has been fired, the Christ-follower should be one of the first ones reaching out and encouraging them.
  Our world slights and ignores the poor, the obese, the mentally ill, the homeless, alcoholics, addicts and even smokers. We can’t do that! We are commanded to show Christ’s love to them.
  I’ve now been the pastor at Grace for over 35 years. Over the course of those years, I’ve angered a few people. From my perspective, some have badly mistreated me and our church. Am I tempted to give in to anger and bitterness? Yes, but it would be wrong and a sin. By God’s grace, I seek to live out Romans 12:14-21. I pray for them and ask the Lord to love them through me. It’s not always easy yet we’re not called to do what’s easy. We’re to do what is right! As someone who has been forgiven so much, it would be so evil to hold back what I have been so undeservingly given. My adopted Dad often said, “I’ve never regretted being too kind.” I try to live by that. I too have never regretted being too kind and you won’t either.

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

He's the YOU you need!

 “God made Christmas happen; friends make Christmas beautiful, music makes Christmas festive; giving makes Christmas joyous, love makes Christmas.”  William Arthur Ward

 

  According to this year’s data the most played Christmas song is Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas, followed by Wham!’s Last Christmas, and Ariana Grande’s Santa Tell Me. Some top songs make indirect references to the religious aspect of Christmas, but most stick to love, the weather, or an occasional chestnut. Globally, the most popular Christmas song to mention Jesus is Boney M.’s Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord, which comes in at No. 71. It’s followed by Nina Nesbitt’s O Holy Night at 79 and Josh Groban and Faith Hill performing The First Nöel at 90. 

  The presence of Jesus in popular Christmas music varies widely by country revealing differences in musical taste, holiday traditions, and the spread of Christianity by missionaries, markets, and immigration.

  Though it’s not the intent of the song, Mariah Carey’s, All I Want for Christmas is you has the right goal – it’s just the wrong “you.” Many believe that if they had someone to love or to love them, if they had someone in their life, some “you” then Christmas would be perfect. Experience demonstrates that a human “you” won’t satisfy. The only “You” that will truly satisfy our heart’s greatest longings is the YOU who came on that first Christmas 2,000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

  Two millennia later tragically most of the world still doesn’t know who that YOU truly is. While Jesus has been acclaimed as the greatest religious leader to ever live, the most influential person to have walked on this planet, and unique to the degree that no one can be compared to Him, the true Jesus is still an unknown. Considering Jesus Christ merely on the basis of an exemplary life and His superior moral teaching will never remove the stumbling blocks to Christianity raised by an unbelieving world. The real test of what one thinks of Jesus revolves around who He claimed to be and what He accomplished during His brief mission to this world. Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ life is an empty stocking. 

  John Blanchard estimated that, of all of the people who have ever lived since the dawn of civilization, there have been about 60 billion people that have walked this planet. Of those 60 billion, only a handful have made any real, lasting impression or have actually changed the world. And in that handful, there is One who stands head and shoulders above all of the others—His name is Jesus. More attention has been given to Him; more devotion has been given to Him; more criticism has been given to Him; more adoration has been given to Him; more opposition has been given to this one person than all of the others combined.

  Every recorded word that He said has been more sifted, analyzed, scrutinized, debated—every word—than all of the historians and the philosophers and scientists put together. After 2,000 years, there is never one minute on this earth that millions are not studying what He said. Here’s a person who lived in a minuscule, tiny little land two millennia ago; and yet, His birth divides the centuries—BC and AD; Before Christ and Anno Domini, the year of our Lord. Even the more modern BCE, which attempts “religious neutrality” and to deny the impact Christ had on this world, still begins with Christ’s entry into this world of time and space. 

  He never wrote a book and yet, library after library could be filled with the volumes, the multiplied millions of volumes, which have been written about Jesus. He never painted a picture, so far as we know; and yet, the world’s greatest art, the world’s greatest dramas, the world’s greatest music, the world’s greatest literature has Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, as its source. He never raised an army, yet multiplied millions have died for Him. He never traveled more than fifty miles from His birthplace and yet, His testimony has gone around, and around, and around the world. He only had a handful of followers that followed Him in His ministry; and yet, today, over 30% of the world’s population names His name—the largest such grouping on Earth today—Jesus of Nazareth. A public ministry of only three short years and yet, here we are, 2,000 years later, saying, “Jesus, Your name is wonderful,” because His name is. He had no formal education. He didn’t attend a university or seminary yet thousands of universities, seminaries, colleges, and schools are built in His name. No one can call himself, herself, educated who does not understand Jesus Christ. As historian Kenneth Scott Latourette said: “Jesus has had more effect on the history of mankind than any other of His race who ever existed.” 

  Who is Jesus? He is many things but the reason that He came was to be our Savior. There is only one Savior, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). In His Son, God sent the greatest gift for sinners like us. No wonder the Apostle Paul exclaims, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:24).

  The greatest event in all human history is the coming of a Savior from heaven to earth. Without His coming, there is no meaning to history. Jesus came into the world to save the world and us from divine destruction.

  Why do we need a Savior? Because we are all guilty sinners. We need a Savior to take the guilt of our sins and to die our eternal death. That’s why Jesus died on the cross. All have sinned, including the virgin Mary; we all need a Savior. The shepherds of Bethlehem represent all sinners. To them, God announced that He had sent a Savior—His greatest gift to mankind. In Him, we receive grace and salvation. 

  A missionary, Gene Dulin, tells of standing in Austria, looking at a hand-carved nativity scene. The figures were a bit larger than life-size. It was one of the most beautiful that he’d ever seen. As he stood contemplating the meaning of the nativity, a grandmother stopped with her three-year-old grandchild. She stooped over and began talking with the child. She pointed to Mary, then to Joseph, and to the baby. Dulin says that while he couldn’t understand her language, he knew she was telling the story of Jesus to her grandchild. Then Dulin added, “For 2000 years parents and grandparents have passed on the story of Jesus. It has changed millions of lives and the whole world.” And it still does! That’s the gift of the baby in the manger but He didn’t just come to be born. He was born to die so He could be our Savior. Is He your Savior? 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Christmas Stress

 “Three phrases that sum up Christmas are: 

Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men and Batteries are not included.

  A few days before Christmas two men in Florida decided to go sailing while their wives went Christmas shopping. While these guys were out sailing a terrible storm arose. They had great difficulty keeping their boat under control. As they maneuvered their way back to land their boat got grounded on a sandbar. Finally, they had to jump overboard and push with all their might trying to get their boat into deeper water. As they did the wind was blowing terribly, the waves were rushing on them, they were soaking wet and knee-deep in mud. But then one of the guys looked at his buddy and said, “You know it sure beats Christmas shopping though.”  

  Too often what should be the most wonderful season of the year, the time of year that should bring us joy and warm our hearts, instead often brings stress, anger, headaches and depression. The stress associated with Christmas can make what should be a joyous time of year a miserable mess. Because of this, many (maybe that’s you) actually dread Christmas. The stress that can plague us at this time of the year are rooted in three basic sources; Time (getting everything done), Money (paying for it) and Emotions (conflict with family and past painful memories that resurface).

  Through the years I’ve suffered from all three of those. You’d think that if you had some bad Christmas memories from growing up, you’d write new chapters in adulthood. I wish that were true. There are some pages though from raising my own children that are worthy of a good book burning or at least chapter burning. I’m so glad God is gracious and my own family is forgiving. Let me share some thoughts for a less stressful Christmas.

  Remember, it really is all about Jesus. Ask most people what Christmas is about and you’ll hear a myriad of answers. Sadly, what’s lost in the Christmas rush is that it’s a celebration of Jesus. His miraculous birth 2,000 years ago and His birth in our hearts is the reason we celebrate Christmas. It’s not about Santa, holidays, family, gifts, food or anything else. When we look to things of this world to give the season true meaning, none of it works. Jesus is the most wonderful part of Christmas. Each time family, food, and parties get to be too much, turn your eyes back on Jesus. The world may forget, but we remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

  We must choose to purposefully reclaim the joy of Jesus in the festive season. Jesus is the source of joy for believers. Joy is independent of outward circumstances. It rises from within and is a choice. Be overwhelmed with joy or with stress. You decide.

  No matter how many cookies you burn, candy you eat, or family criticisms you endure; determine to rejoice in the Lord. Smile when another car takes your parking spot. Laugh when the Christmas lights blow a fuse. Things go wrong. Roll with it. Keep rejoicing in Jesus because you’re celebrating His birth, after all.

  Slow down. Have you ever noticed when people are stressed not only do they do everything faster, but they talk faster? So slow down. When we’re pressured we foolishly skip on what will give us the strength to truly have peace in our hearts – time with the Lord. Please don’t do that. You don’t have to make your Quiet Time a marathon. Some days it might be more like a short sprint. It will though better prepare you for whatever is thrown at you if you start the day with the Prince of Peace. Spend time in His Word. Pray for wisdom and strength. I’ve found starting the day praying Psalm 19:14 helps me: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

  Set limits. Determine your family’s limits when it comes to holiday get-togethers. As much as you may want to please everyone, determine what you and your family can handle. Put the most important events on the calendar early so you don’t overschedule.

  Set limits on spending and gift-giving. Having a budget will help you stay on track and not have a regretful January when the bills arrive. Keeping the gift-giving simple is an easy way to maintain the focus on the birth of Christ and not the commercialization of the holiday. 

  One gift that we too easily overlook can be one of our most precious gifts – T-I-M-E. Perhaps instead of this year’s hot toy, give your child an hour or two each month with just you and your child. Too many of us herd our kids when they need one on one time with us. If you know your Dad loves sports, schedule to go to a game with him. If your Mom loves a certain activity, give her the gift of time by doing with her what she loves. Go sit with a grandparent and listen to their stories (even if it’s for the 100^th time).

  Give sacrificially. Gift giving began when our generous God gave His Son as the very first Christmas gift to this world. “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15). Jesus willingly gave up glories beyond our wildest imaginations to come to earth for us. He unobtrusively came into the world in a stable; amongst cattle, donkeys, and sheep. He came to give His life. He was born to die.

  When we contemplate such love and sacrifice, you’d think Christmas would be a time when people would lay aside their own demands and bend over backwards to accommodate others. Selfishness sadly often contaminates what should be a season of giving.

  As God was kind to us, even when we were His enemies (Rom. 5:10), it’s a time for us to let His kindness flow through us. It’s a time to be kind to that tired and whiny child or that sibling who can drive you nuts. After all what’s the opposite of selfishness? Grace - undeserved favor. Selfish behavior produces anger and hostility. Instead, as we have been given the gift of grace, give it to others and watch irritation and selfishness shrink.

  Over the years our family has gone out and sang carols to shut-ins or folk alone at Christmas. We take baked goods to neighbors. We look for ways to be a blessing to someone in need, usually anonymously. We always find that giving does so much for us. It changes our hearts and gives us just a glimpse of our Heavenly Father’s generosity to us.

  The peace of God can’t be purchased. It’s a gift. Peace and being stress free comes from Christ living in our hearts. Open your heart and choose to let Him give you His peace this Christmas.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Who is Jesus?

“He became what we are that He might make us what He is.”

Athanasius

  C. S. Lewis, the famed author, was also a professor at Cambridge University and once an agnostic, wrote this about Jesus:  “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse…You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

  As we come into the Easter Season, more are thinking about and considering that vital question: Who is Jesus? There is no more critical question. The best way to find the answer is to read the biographies about Jesus found in the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It’s amazing how Jesus becomes real as we read about His life from those early biographies of His life. When you read the original writings, you will quickly discover that the Jesus of the Bible is very different from some of the common misconceptions about Jesus. Many believe in a Jesus that doesn’t exist. Maybe that’s you.

  For example, there’s the John Lennon Jesus? All you need is love, that’s all that really matters. Just love and peace and spirituality. We could call this Jesus the “why can’t we all just get along?” one. But that’s not Jesus.  

  There’s the Tony Robbins Jesus. You’ll see this Jesus in an infomercial. You were created to succeed! You’re a winner, so call yourself one. All you have to do is picture it, believe it, and achieve it. But that’s not Jesus.  

  A childhood favorite is the Mr. Rogers Jesus. We all need to be careful not to hurt anybody’s feelings, make sure we love everybody and treat everybody fairly. Don’t do anything to offend anyone because we’re all God’s children. But that’s not Jesus.  

  What about the Oprah Jesus? You’re doing a great job. You can do it, just believe in yourself. You’re beautiful! You’re strong! Everything you need to succeed is already inside of you. You don’t need anyone else. But that’s not Jesus.  

  Perhaps the American favorite is the Genie Jesus. Everyone loves Genie Jesus because He sits up in Heaven just waiting for us to ask for whatever we need and then we just have to say those three magic words, “In Jesus’s name.” It’s the ask and you shall receive Jesus. But that’s not Jesus.  

  All of these Jesuses and many more have two very important things in common. First, a lot of people believe in them. Second, and much more important – they’re all myths. They don’t exist. Essentially, they’re an adult version of an imaginary friend that we’ve given the name Jesus to.

  There’s only one Jesus – the Jesus revealed to us in the Bible. Without question, Jesus is the most dominating figure in history. Who was He? Or, in the words of Jesus Himself in a question to the leaders of the Jewish community, “What do you think of the Christ?” Every intellectually reflective person must come to grips with this engaging question.

The Jesus that the Bible describes is called the Son of God, the Christ. The Jesus of the Bible is described as Redeemer, King of Kings, Righteous Judge, Bread of Life, Good Shepherd, Great I Am, and the Resurrection and the Life. That’s the real Jesus. He’s not some karma Jesus, sports Jesus, vegan Jesus, career Jesus, racist Jesus, butler Jesus or some good man or good teacher Jesus. Who Jesus is isn’t some hypothetical question. It’s a life-changing one, an eternal destiny changing one. It’s imperative then that we have a right understanding of who Jesus is. Who is Jesus to you? It’s a question each of us must answer. When this question is personalized, it becomes the most important question one will ever be asked or will ever answer: Who is Jesus Christ to YOU? 

  Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10).  Who wouldn’t want to have a fulfilled and satisfying life? Then, in 1 John 5:11-13 we’re told that if we have the Son of God in our life we can know that we have eternal life. The bottom line is that Jesus is the only way for us to live an abundant life here on earth and receive eternal life in fellowship with God in eternity.

  Easter is about Jesus dying on the cross to take the punishment for our sins so we could be forgiven and justified with God. If we don’t receive the free gift of eternal life by experiencing the forgiveness achieved by Jesus, justice demands that we will receive the punishment we justly deserve.

  Jesus must become the Lord of our lives. Imagine your life as an automobile—Jesus must be behind the wheel of your life. Jesus doesn’t want us to clean up our acts, He wants us to surrender our mess to Him. He wants to revolutionize your life at this very moment.

  It begins with owning your mess – admitting your sin, repent of it before God, believing that Jesus died for your sin on the cross and receiving the gift of eternal life which Jesus died to freely give you. That’s the real Jesus. He wants to come into your life and give you new life now and eternity in heaven. Please don’t believe some contemporary fairy tale Jesus. Read one of the biographies about Jesus for yourself. Before you decide it’s a big hoax, check it out for yourself. What do you really have to lose?

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Why don't we talk about Home more?

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

C. S. Lewis

  If something is important to you, you think about it a lot…you talk about it a lot. This weekend will finish what has been a long anticipated time for our family. For several months our whole family has been looking forward to Aaron coming home for a visit from Taiwan with his fiancé, Jiaya Tsai. Not only were we longing to see Aaron, we were looking forward to meeting this new member of our family. It’s hard to believe that the last time Aaron was home was a year ago. Though we are all very proud of him and support what he is doing, (teaching English in Taiwan), we greatly miss him. We love Aaron and would love to have him closer. These times when we are all together again are so special to us. Praise the Lord, we live in a time of modern technology and Aaron is literally a video call away!

  Recently, I had lunch with a dear friend who lost his wife to cancer a few months ago. His hurt will no doubt never go away on this side of eternity. He loves and dearly misses his wife. Before her Homegoing, I remember often talking with Mom Cummins and she’d express her heartache and how much she longed to go Home and be re-united with Dad. A believer has something that an unbeliever can’t understand – Hope! Yes, there’s pain and hurt, but we know that it’s all temporary. We know that it’s truly “Good-night” not “Good-bye” on this side of heaven.

  Yet, other than funerals or when someone is elderly or ill, we hardly think about heaven. Most of us talk more about retirement, which at best will last a few decades, but rarely do we long for our eternal Home. Sadly, I have to confess that I’m far too this world oriented. I think more about this life, my “To Do” list, or even what I’m going to eat, than I do eternity.

  And if something isn’t important to us, we’re not going to talk about it with those we care about, much less a total stranger. For example, when I go to a restaurant that’s really good, I tell my friends about it. Recently, Jane and tried out a new one because a friend had highly recommended it.

  It used to be that Christians were accused of being so “heavenly minded that they were no earthly good.” That’s not really a problem today. Unfortunately, at least, I know it’s not my problem. I find that the Apostle Paul’s words prick my earth-limited heart, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2). Being with Christ for all eternity must be the focus of life. We should be actively training our minds to think about the day when Christ is revealed and we’re finally Home. It’s easy to be distracted. Temporal concerns easily grab our attention and overall it seems like we don’t think about heaven very much. Part of our difficulty is that the Bible tells us more about what won’t be in heaven than what will be there. Then, some foolishly think that heaven is going to be boring, like one very long church service. It’s not! It will be every joy, thrill, peace and satisfaction that’s beyond our imagination on this sin contaminated earth.

  The best part of heaven though is that Jesus will be there. The One who loved us so much that He died for us, even though He knew how sinful we all are. Jesus loved us, died for us and paid the price for all of our sin.

  One of my favorite hymn writers is Fanny Crosby, who wrote more than 9,000 hymns. She wrote so many that she was forced to use pen names so hymnals wouldn’t be filled with her name. The most remarkable thing about her was that she did this in spite of being blind from infancy.

  One time a well-meaning preacher commented to her, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when he showered so many other gifts upon you.” Fanny Crosby responded at once, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind? Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.” No wonder she wrote:

  Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But, O the joy when I shall wake
Within the presence of the King! 

Some day my earthly house will fall,
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be,
But this I know—my All in all
Has now a place with Him for me.

And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story, saved by grace:
And I shall see Him face to face,
  And tell the story, saved by grace.   

  We are so thankful that Aaron is home. Wonderfully, he didn’t come alone. I don’t want to go Home alone, do you? In my Quiet Time with the Lord, I have several folk who I love that don’t yet know my Savior that I’m praying will know my Jesus. Heaven is so wonderful and Jesus is so incomparable that it would break my heart if they missed it. I don’t want to go to heaven alone, do you? Let’s focus on the real world!  

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

Christianity and a Social Revolution for Women

“Earth has nothing more tender than a woman’s heart when it is the abode of piety.”  Martin Luther

  If you say something loud enough and often enough, people will accept it as true. A cultural myth continually made against the Bible, the Church and Christianity is that they are all anti-female and even oppressive to women. It’s the false notion that Jesus and the Bible endorse misogyny. Or, worse, God hates women. It’s not true. History clearly demonstrates Jesus and biblical Christianity revolutionized the role of women in society. 

  Because too often we are ignorant of history, we’re unaware of how horrible life was for many groups prior to Christ’s coming. Jesus’ coming changed everything. Do you want to know what the status of women would be today if Jesus had not come? You don’t need to go back in time, you just need to go across the world. Look at the status of women in most present-day Islamic countries and it will give you a snapshot of what it was like to be a woman before the Incarnation.

  In large segments of our world, women are treated little better than livestock. They are denied most rights. When they go out in public, they must be veiled, and often chaperoned. In many countries, women are not allowed to even drive a car.

  As noted psychoanalyst, Dr. Joan Lachkar, states: “In this ever changing world of multiculturalism, we are continually faced with contrasting dynamics. What is considered abuse in our country is considered ‘normal’ in another. You cannot beat your wife. That is considered abuse in the West and you would get arrested for domestic violence, but in Islamic societies wife beating is permitted when they are disobedient!” Not only does a man have the right to beat his wife, he can desert her, all with the full support of the Quran.

  It’s because of Christianity those of us in Western Civilization value equality for all. Most people do not realize women were among the disciples and traveled with Jesus throughout His ministry. Luke 8:1-3: “Soon afterward [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”

  These verses continue a common theme in the New Testament – women whose lives are revolutionized by Jesus. Some had previously been demonized. They’re now filled with gratitude and love, giving of themselves for the cause of Christ. Throughout His ministry, it was women who faithfully followed Jesus to the end from the Cross to the tomb. In a culture that dehumanized women, Jesus gave them significance.

  Our Lord loved women and treated them with great respect and dignity. The remainder of the New Testament’s teaching on women further developed His perspective. The value of women permeating the New Testament isn’t found in Greco-Roman culture or cultures of other societies. Even in Israel, prior to Christ’s coming Jewish women were barred from public speaking or from reading the Torah out loud. Synagogue worship was segregated with women never allowed to be heard.

  Jesus literally revolutionized the role of women in society, overthrowing centuries of Jewish law and custom. He consistently treated women and men as equals. He violated numerous Old Testament regulations which specified gender inequality and refused to follow the behavioral rules established by the three main Jewish religious groups of the day: the Essenes, Pharisees and Sadducees. For example…

  Jesus talked to foreign women. John 4:7-30 describes His conversation with a Samaritan woman. She was doubly ritually unclean since she was both a foreigner and a woman. Men weren’t allowed to talk to women, except within their own families. Jesus also helped a Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:22-28. Although He described non-Jews as “dogs,” He was willing to talk to her and cured her daughter of demon-possession.

  Jesus taught women students. Jewish tradition didn’t allow women to be educated. Rabbi Eliezer wrote in the 1^st century, “Rather should the words of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman…Whoever teaches his daughter the Torah is like one who teaches her obscenity.” Jesus overthrew centuries of tradition. In Luke 10:38-42 we find Him teaching Mary, the sister of Martha.

  Jesus accepted women into His inner circle. Luke 8:1-3 describes the inner circle of Jesus' followers, 12 male disciples and an unspecified number female supporters. It appears that about half of His closest followers were women.

  Mostly women were present at Jesus’ execution. Matthew 27:55-56 and Mark 15:40-41 describe many women who followed Jesus from Galilee and were present at His crucifixion. The men had fled from the scene. Only His disciple John stayed with Him to the end.

  Jesus appeared first to women after His resurrection. Matthew 28:9-10 describes how Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” were the first followers to meet Him after His resurrection.

  Jesus equalized the place of women in marriage. The biblical view of husbands and wives as equal partners brought about dramatic change in marriage. Christian women started marrying later and married men of their own choosing. It eroded the ancient practice of men marrying child brides against their will. Today a Western woman isn’t forced to marry someone she does not want, nor can she legally be married off as a child bride, though the practice continues where Christianity has little or no presence. 

  As a result of Jesus Christ’s coming and His teachings, women in much of the world today, particularly in the West, enjoy more privileges and rights than at any other time in human history. It takes only a cursory trip to an Arab nation or the 3^rd World to see how little freedom women have in cultures where Christianity has little or no presence. Jesus Christ and the birth of Christianity is the best thing that has ever happened to women.

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Why do we talk about everything but Jesus at church...

“Communication is the art of expressing in godly ways what is in my heart and of hearing completely and understanding what another thinks and feels.” Tedd Tripp

Okay, I’ve got what you might consider to be a strange question. While I have some opinions on this, I honestly don’t have the answer. And just in case this ticks you off that I’d even bring this up, I’m “innocent.” A friend brought it up to me first. His question was triggered by a book he’s reading where the same question came up (So have I engaged enough layers of protection and deniability now to keep me off the proverbial hook? J)

  Here’s the question: Why is it when Christians gather in church to worship God, we essentially talk about anything and everything BUT God and worship? I’m not talking about formal or organized times, such as a Bible study or small group session. I’m talking about normal conversations when we see each other, like in the hallways or at the coffee bar or in the foyer. And in interest of full disclosure, I know that I’m guilty as well.

  What triggered this question was the testimony of a liberal lesbian who started seeking answers about God. She began visiting evangelical churches and was astounded that while they talked about God and the Bible from the pulpit and in small groups, there were rarely any other “God” conversations between those attending the worship service. Ouch!

  The very last thing I want to do is encourage us to become a bunch of Pharisees where those who engage in spiritual conversations are “godly” and those who don’t are “carnal.” Legalism is always enticing because it feeds our egos and tempts us to succumb to pride. Yet, on the other hand, if you think about it, this is a bit strange.

  Imagine going to a Packers game and no one talked about football, their opponents, Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews or even Mike McCarthy. Don’t you think there would be conversations about other historic games played there or previous experiences that one had at Lambeau Field? If you went to a political convention would you be shocked if people talked about…politics? At an auto show wouldn’t people talk about…cars?

  Obviously, when we gather together, there’s going to be some catching up and social interaction. The weekend services are the only time many of us see each other all week. Yet, shouldn’t there be some God conversations, some dialogues about what we’re learning as we study God’s Word, how God has been answering prayer or sharing prayer burdens we’re carrying, work that the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives? Shouldn’t there be some sharing of how we’ve shared with someone who didn’t know the Lord the Gospel and asking for prayer that the seed would take root and bear fruit? Shouldn’t there be some sharing of praises and blessings? Isn’t this the time, too, when we can easily live out those one another commands our New Testaments are peppered with: encourage one another, pray for one another, bear one another’s burdens, encourage one another, accept one another, comfort one another, confess your faults to one another, love one another…to name just a few? If there is a “spiritual” conversation, would it truly be considered godly? Aren’t they frequently about some “issue” or even a concern about the church, not exactly a spiritual conversation about how God is working in our church or lives?

  Yet, is there any other segment of our lives where we’d supposedly gather for one purpose and focus, but never even have a casual, candid conversation about the very subject we’ve gathered together for? Isn’t that strange? Even odd? So why is this often the case at church?

  I’m not sure. As I’ve contemplated this over, these are some of my random thoughts. Hopefully, this will stir your thinking and you’ll come up with other reasons why this is often the case, and we’ll all grow in this area together. Hopefully, too, it will challenge all of us to have conversations, particularly when we’ve gathered together with more spiritual substance and eternal significance. So these are some reasons I don’t think we talk about God even when we’ve come to worship God.

  We don’t want to come off as hyper-spiritual. While we have little concern about being perceived as a “fan” in nearly every other area of our life, most of us have encountered an obnoxious Christian who turned us  and everyone else off. As a result, we fear being caricatured as a fanatic.

  We’re so glad to see our friends we never get around to it. Sometimes the worship service is the only time we see some of our friends. There’s so much to catch up on that we never really get around to spiritual matters.    

  We’re just not sure how to start the conversation. It’s not familiar turf for most of us. In all of our other relationships, we talk about the weather, politics, sports, family, etc. Those are familiar subjects where we feel very comfortable. There are so few individuals we can have a spiritual conversation with so when we have an opportunity, we’re not sure how or even where to start.

  We feel very inadequate to talk about spiritual things. When it comes to God or the Bible, we feel that we’re over our head. So rather than say something dumb or off the wall, we just keep quiet.

  And this one is scary and I truly hope it’s not the case…We’ve come to the service because it’s a spiritual habit, not because we’re actually spiritually engaged in what’s taking place. Sadly, that’s the case with some. Let’s just hope and pray it’s unusual and not the norm…and let’s make sure it’s not true of us.

  So what can we do? Start. Begin having spiritually minded conversations. Come with your heart prepared to worship and you’ll find it’s easier to talk about spiritual matters. Maybe come prepared with something you’re comfortable opening with as a spiritual conversation starter. Pray and ask the Lord to lead you to the right person and to give you the right words. Then, look for those you can encourage and/or pray with. Honestly evaluate your thinking and focus as you come to worship. Are you in a spiritual mindset when you come? If not, why not? Honestly evaluate the conversations you’re typically part of. Could they take place with an unsaved friend or neighbor? If so, is it really how you want to use those precious minutes we have together each week with God’s family?

  At Grace, let’s all determine to have more family conversations about our Father, His Word and family when we’re together with our forever family.