Category: Men of Steel

What is Bad Religion?

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Have you ever been disappointed or even angry with religion? Perhaps you’ve heard someone say that the church is full of hypocrites. Maybe you’ve even said that yourself!

This is a passage of Scripture that we looked at last night, the first is out series on Decision: Seeking God’s Guidance. At the end, you’ll see how this chapter fits into the topic.

Isaiah rebuked Israel for practicing bad religion—religion that benefited no one and offended God (Isaiah 58:1–14). The prophet specifically zeroed in on fasting (Isaiah 58:2–5), pointing out ways in which the people misused this important spiritual discipline:

  • They nagged God in the interests of their own personal gain.
  • While seeking their own self-interests, they exploited their laborers.
  • Their fasts became a source of strife, debate, and hostility toward others.
  • They used severe fasting practices to call attention to themselves.

After challenging these practices, Isaiah described what true fasting ought to be like (Isaiah 58:6–13):

  • It should result in bringing relief to the oppressed.
  • It should result in feeding the hungry.
  • It should result in the poor being taken into homes for shelter and clothing.
  • Superior attitudes of finger pointing and evil should decline and ultimately disappear.
  • It should lead to repairing things, including damaged relationships.
  • It should involve treating the Sabbath as a day to worship the Lord rather than continuing to work for personal gain.

It’s easy to point the finger at others and criticize or ridicule their religious practices and spiritual life, but what about your own patterns of faith? How do they measure up to the Lord’s description of true religion? If there are places where you need to change, find at least one other person who will hold you accountable for making the necessary reforms.

For me, Isaiah 58:11 ties this chapter to the key on seeking God’s guidance: The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. Pay attention to THIS chapter to better position yourself to hear from God and allow him to guide you.

Equality of the Genders

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John MacArthur supports the “traditional view of women,” but he has a nice summation of the equality of the genders before God, in his book Different by Design.

The prevalent Jewish tradition about women did not come from the Old Testament, which makes it clear women are spiritually equal to men in that:

They Had the Same Responsibilities as Men: To obey God’s Law (in Exodus 20 the Ten Commandments are given to both men and women), to teach God’s Law (Deuteronomy 6:6–7 and Proverbs 6:20 indicates both are responsible to teach the Law to their children, which means both must first know it), and to participate in religious festivals (e.g., Exodus 12 and the Passover).

They Had the Same Protection as Men: Penalties given for crimes against women are the same as those for crimes against men (e.g., Exodus 21:28–32). God equally values the life of a man and the life of a woman.

They Took the Same Vows as Men: The highest level of spiritual commitment available to an Old Testament believer was the Nazirite vow, which was an act of separation from the world and devotion to God. Women as well as men could take that vow (Numbers 6:2).

They Had the Same Access to God as Men: God dealt directly with women in the Old Testament; He didn’t go through a man when He wanted to communicate with a woman. For example, the Angel of the Lord (a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ) appeared to Hagar (Genesis 16:8–13) and Samson’s mother (Judges 13:2–5).

The New Testament, like the Old, teaches the spiritual equality. Galatians 3:28 teaches the absolute spiritual equality of men and women in Christ. The New Testament does not treat women as spiritual inferiors:

They Had the Same Responsibilities as Men: All the commands, promises, and blessings of the New Testament are given equally to men and women. We have the same spiritual resources and the same spiritual responsibilities.

They Had the Same Access to Jesus as Men: The first person Jesus revealed His messiahship to in the Gospel record was a woman (John 4). Jesus healed women (Matthew 8:14–15), showing them just as much compassion as He did men. He taught them (Luke 10:38–42), and allowed them to minister to Him personally (Luke 8:3). The first person to see the resurrected Christ was a woman (Mark 16:9; John 20:11–18).

He goes on to explain that roles between men and women were different, but I do not agree with his position on leadership and ordination being limited to men alone. When a woman is called by God into the ministry, she has an obligation to follow that leadership and calling as much as any man.

Patrick Morley, in his book Man in the Mirror has a chapter on how to be happily married and brings up roles.

If a man’s greatest need is to be respected, then submission is the appropriate response to a husband since the opposite of submission is resistance. The main problem with marriages on this topic is that men don’t know what it means to love as Christ loved the church. Biblical love is a decision, not a feeling. He adds four types of marriages in in a submit/resist and love/hate matrix:

  1. Love and Submit (Ozzie and Harriet Nelson): these couples share life together and share responsibilities. Biblical examples could be Abraham and Sarah or Mary and Joseph.
  2. Hate and Submit (Edith and Archie Bunker): this may be the most common type of marriage that is not working. The husband does not get it (Colossians 3:19, 1 Peter 3:7, 1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 5:28-29).
  3. Love and Resist (The Lockhorns comic strip, or the BBC’s Keeping Up Appearances): this is about a wimpy little guy dominated by a strong willed and screechy woman. Perhaps this has grown out of the feminist movement, but even a “housewife” is not immune to this. It is the man’s responsibility to love her irrespective of his wife’s response.
  4. Hate and Resist (JR and Sue Ellen Ewing): she nags him, idles the day away, contends with his authority, disrespects him, she is sarcastic towards him. He treats her harshly, doesn’t consider her feelings, and disrespects her. More than likely those in this type are already divorced, except for one partner hanging in there to make it work.

I’m not an expert on marriage but have been with the same godly woman for over 30 years.

A Man Fell in a Hole

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This is a modern parable. The video examines the life of a man searching through the false promises of other religions and finding his salvation in Christ. Have you ever found yourself stuck in a situation that you couldn’t get out of? Perhaps you know people like this and you didn’t know how to help them, where do you turn? How do you get out? Our culture believes that there are many paths in life we can take, but this video illustration demonstrates that none of them will ultimately help you out of your situation.

This reminds me of the famous story about CS Lewis where he proclaimed the most distinguishing fact of Christianity. Here is a quote from Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace? (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997, p 45).

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods’ appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until CS Lewis wandered into the room. What’s the rumpus about? he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace. Grace makes Christianity unique from all other religions because it marks the stark difference in believing in a God that will come down into a hole and pull you out of your mess, verses a God that requires you to earn its approval. When we search for God, the Bible promises that we will find Him. The difference between Christianity and other religions can be explained by the words Do and Done.

What People Will Remember

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“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

-Maya Angelou (Author and Poet)

As children we remember most those individuals that made us feel special. Was it a grandmother, a grandfather, a friend, a Sunday School teacher or a neighbor? What was it that they said or did that drew you like a magnet to them? Their words and actions have probably faded away, but you still remember them. Why?

It was the fact that they made you feel important, valued and worth something. Their love was unquestionable and their loyalty was forever.

As an adult, are you willing to be there for others in a way that they will choose to remember how you made them feel? Could you begin today to be that magnet of caring for others?

What Counts in Life?

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“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

-Albert Einstein (Theoretical Physicist, 1879-1955)

What do people keep score counting?

  • Personal offenses
  • Failures
  • Money
  • Hours slept
  • Points in games like touchdowns and goals
  • Length of pain
  • Times not chosen
  • Missing items
  • Stolen possessions

Are these items that really matter or make a difference over time? Hardly.

On the other hand, what IS worthwhile in life that matters and counts but cannot be quantified? Try these:

  • Love for one another, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
  • Quality of relationships
  • Depth of friendships
  • Loyalty
  • Wisdom
  • Honesty

How will you spend your time counting during your lifetime? Choose wisely.

Seven Steps to Success

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Leadership expert John Maxwell shares Seven Steps to Success:

  1. Make a commitment to grow daily.
  2. Value the process more than events.
  3. Don’t wait for inspiration.
  4. Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity.
  5. Dream big.
  6. Plan your priorities.
  7. Give up to go up.

Do you want to become a success? How does one become a success and another person does not? The seven steps presented lend credence to a plan for success. Consider incorporating these steps in your daily walk and perhaps your results can confirm the outcome of success.

I like them all but step 4 really speaks to me. Making sacrifices is not usually high on a person’s to-do list. In our microwave culture, we want it now and don’t want it to cost us anything to acquire it.

No Success Without Failure

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“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

-Michael Jordan (Professional Basketball Player)

Michael Jordan acquired the reputation for being the greatest basketball player of all time. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Although Michael acknowledged the numerous times he met failure on the court of his professional sports life, his passionate attitude propelled him into a league of his own.

How many of us have given up on our first few failures? Facing failure constructively means we don’t give in to failure but revs us up for improvement. As you begin your day, “be like Mike.” Recognize failure, build on EVERY failure that comes along and be SUCCESSFUL in whatever you attempt.

The Key to Finishing Well

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“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.”

-Bessie Stanley (Writer, 1879 – 1952)

Culture and media try to dictate what brings happiness and success to people. Unfortunately, many individuals become misled into thinking money, fame and popularity lead to a happy and success filled life. Many will chase the dream of wealth and ignore the power of relationships with family and friends.

  1. Who or what dictates your happiness?
  2. Ask yourself, “Is what I am listening to and following leading me to temporary success or does it lead to an enduring legacy of inner beauty and success?”

Small Groups May-June 2012

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Our discipleship groups are designed for people to get better connected to God and with other people who are on a similar life journey. I am facilitating two new classes for May-June 2012 (Tuesdays and Thursdays):

Janice is leading the ladies through this new Beth Moore study:

Registration: You may sign up for the group of your choice on any Sunday using the Connection Card or on the website using this form.

How to Get Connected at King’s Grant Baptist

Have you considered what membership at King’s Grant is all about? We offer a Connections Class, a class offered many times over the course of the year, where we will help you explore church membership and discover what baptism and ministry through the church are all about. [ More ]

What to do with Your Money

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While there are those in America who can’t afford food or shelter, but generally speaking, if you compare yourself to others around the world, you are filthy rich. American Christians are among the wealthiest believers to have ever lived! I remember reading a book in seminary called, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (ethics class), and I have been empathetic to the poor ever since.

There’s nothing wrong with being rich, but God has some very specific things to say to rich Christians. I even delivered a message back in 2010 about Investing in Eternity.

Take a look at 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Paul tells Timothy to give rich Christians some information.

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

So let’s take a look at 10 things God wants rich Christians to do:

1. Don’t Be Proud: Some translations use the word, haughty, which is blatantly and disdainfully proud. It might indicate the stereotypical rich snob, who feels they have more self worth than others because they have more net worth than others.

2. Don’t Put Your Trust in Money: It’s funny how we feel more comfortable and at ease when our bank account is full, and much less comfortable when our bank account is empty. Those are natural feelings, but where do they come from? Many times it’s because money is our idol and we put our hope and trust in our cash instead of the sovereign Creator of all things.

3. Put Your Trust in God: God is the One who promises to take care of his children. Everything we have ever earned, received, or worked for is a direct gift from him. He is the One we look to for our hope, faith, and trust, not wealth.

4. Enjoy Your Money: God created us to glorify and worship him by enjoying Him forever. We enjoy Him by enjoying the things He has given us. God gives us money to invest in eternity, but he also wants us to enjoy it as well. Use it to glorify him by enjoying what he’s given you, and always remember him as the source!

5. Do Good: Use your money for good things, like helping others and giving to the poor. Don’t just spend lavishly on yourself.

6. Be Wealthy With Good Works: Instead of constantly trying to dream of ways to build wealth with your business or work, dream about how to build wealth in terms of your good works towards others.

7. Be Generous: Generosity should be the mark of every Christian, especially rich Christians. After all, Christ gave up all the riches of heaven to become poor so that we (through his life, death, and resurrection) might become eternally rich!

8. Be Ready to Share: You become ready to share by getting rid of generosity killers like debt, greed, pride and busyness!

9. Store Up Treasure in Heaven: What does it mean to store up treasure in heaven? Back in those days, Jews would have understood treasure in heaven to mean deeds of mercy and deeds of kindness to those in need. We build great wealth in heaven by eagerly helping the poor, needy, and distressed of this world.

10. Experience True Life: True and lasting life is an eternity spent with your heavenly Father who loves you and sent his Son to die for you. Jesus lived the perfect life that you and I never could to make atonement for sins we have committed. He died a gruesome and horrendous death on a cross, one that you and I deserved to die. And yet, he laid his life down willingly. For the joy that was set before Him, he endured the beatings. He scorned the shame of a Roman cross, for you. He went to that hill to die and all the while he whispered that he loves you.

That is what we cling to, not our wealth. Not our money-making plans, or our business ventures. Those things aren’t wrong, but they aren’t true life! Look to Jesus Christ, the source of true life!