Pulling a "Da Vinci"

I hope Leonardo will forgive me but I would like to start using his last name with somewhat of a different twist: the act of a Da Vinci occurs when someone believes the word of someone or anyone but God. Let me give you an example of someone pulling a Da Vinci.

In the recent article in Maclean's (Apr.3'06), Michael Baigent (author of Holy Blood, Holy Grail) is said to have begun The Jesus Papers with the following story (as told by Maclean's): Years ago a respected Anglican cleric told Baigent that a long-dead, famous churchman named Canon Alfred Liley (1860-1948) had told him that he, Liley, has seen indisputable evidence about 1892 that Christ was still alive in 45 CE, long after the Crucifixion. Baigent is sure he will never see the proof, but he firmly believes it. The story is, in effect, a version of Catholicism's apostolic succession - a true knowledge, passed from one pair of trusted hands to another and to another, over the course of more than a century. (p. 36)

That is a classic Da Vinci under my new definition. He pulled a serious, blatant Da Vinci without looking back. Baigent puts his belief in a Canon and on evidence he will never see with his own eyes - and he firmly believes it.

We may ask why? And why this craze over The Da Vinci Code? Here is what I think. If the Bible is true and if Jesus is who he says he is and if he lived a perfect life, died and rose again, ascended to heaven - if all of this is true, then all who know this truth and this Jesus must bend their knee and confess Jesus as Saviour and King. They must come in repentance and faith and find life alone in Jesus. The ultimate heart of the battle is not the truth and untruth of the Gospels (although that is a serious battle) but a battle of the heart. Men and women refuse to believe they are sinful and Jesus is the only answer to their problem.

So, when someone pulls a Da Vinci go ahead and tell them about the trustworthiness and the authority of God's Word but don't stop. Tell them the good news story of the historical Jesus who answered this question the following way: Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires? Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent. (John 6.28-29) Believe in Jesus, repent of your sins and follow Him - He alone is our hope.

Thank You for the Cross

Revelation 1.4-8: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (ESV)

Jesus, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of kings on earth - it is he who died for His people. Jesus, the one who loved us and has freed us from our sins by his blood - it is he who died for His people. Jesus, the one who has made us a kingdom, priests of his God and Father so that God may receive glory and power forever and ever - it is he who died for His people. Jesus, the one who will return on the clouds to bring His people home with him and to bring judgment on those who do not love him - it is he who died for His people.

Jesus, I thank you for who you are, for who you are making us, and for the joy of living in Your kingdom. Jesus, I thank you for the cross.

Love Your Children

A court has ruled in Alberta Canada that it is fine for a 35 year old male to have an explicit sexual conversation on the computer and later phone a 12 year old girl at her house. The reason he was found not guilty: he did not try to lure her to have sex with him.

Understand this - it is not a crime to have a very explicit conversation with a minor and it is not wrong to phone her at her home, all without her parent's knowledge. We do not punish this sick behavior simply because at that time he made no attempt to meet her.

And so in an attempt to explain what has gone wrong we point the finger at our soft judges, our lenient justice system, our out of touch politicians or the smut on the computer. All these fingers pointing away from ourselves. We shift the blame elsewhere.

I believe one of the main reasons we read stories such as this is not courts or judges or politicians but a heart condition, that is a sin, called selfishness. Yes, pointing the finger at self we see our love of self. We are a selfish generation as we care for self first. Now, in polite circles we don't talk in such frank ways. Rather we say things like "we can't survive on one salary" or "I am just not fulfilled at home" and so on. But beneath all of this is self, pure and simple.

The result? We have a generation of children that have been ignored by their parents in the name of self. Our society no longer values children within the family and they are easily shipped out to others or left alone while parents go out and pursue their dreams. One prime example is the divorce rate. Enough said.

And sadly our children grow up alone figuring a lot of this world out on their own - or with their friends. I am not saying this mom did not love her 12 year old girl. I am saying that instead of blaming others, begin in your home and ask what place do your children have in your home? Do you value your children and spend time nurturing, guiding and loving them?

We have somehow believed a lie that says our children will be happy with the latest shoes and not the presence of their mom and dad. We have convinced ourselves that it is fine to give the most impressionable years of our children to others as we pay down a mortgage on an oversized house.

And then we wonder when a 12 year old girl finds herself on line with a 35 year old pervert wondering if this is love. Parents - they are your children, a gift given. Cherish them and love them for His sake.

Good News In Ethiopia

Last night at our evening church service, Melissa talked about her 6 month mission trip to Ethiopia. She showed many pictures and shared her experiences, followed by a time of questions. There were two striking moments for me Sunday night. The first was a story told of the children who came to their children's ministry and being very lethargic. They tried to do excercises to liven the children up but that did not work. They finally figured out that the reason the children were so weak was because they were not eating. They simply had nothing to eat. So at the beginning of their time together, they gave them something to eat and drink.

The second moment was the pictures of children/teens in boys and girls homes, without parents. Beautiful children and teens but with no family. Melissa mentioned the times she would be with both groups and seek to love them, in the name of Jesus.

And that is the value of doing more than social work in Ethiopia on a mission's trip. Melissa not only fed the children and developed relationships with those in the groups homes but she also was able to speak of the living water, the living bread and a heavenly Father. The gospel as it goes forward meets the ultimate need - pointing others to the death and love of Jesus Christ.

I thank the Lord Melissa was able to go to Ethiopia to feed the children and encourage the teens. But I also thank the Lord that she was able to take the great message of Jesus half way across the world and tell them of a gracious Father, a loving Christ and a Christian family.

What Every Believer Needs to Know To Serve God: A Lesson from Gideon

As believers, what is the first lesson we need to learn when we are serving God? Gideon was surrounded by a massive army who was ruthless and oppressive when the angel of the Lord came to him and said, The Lord is with you, mighty warrior (Judges 6.12). Gideon follows this statement with two questions. One deals with the presence of the Lord and the other questioning the title "mighty warrior", both of which the Lord answers by assuring Gideon of His almighty presence. The point: the Lord is with you. If Gideon was going to serve the Lord, He needed to know first and foremost, the Lord is present. And if the Lord was with Gideon, Gideon would be mighty for the Lord.

And that is why the first battle God calls Gideon to fight is so important. Remember the Lord calls Gideon to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole, both of which Gideon does at night. The people of the town search for the one who would dare attack their gods and they finally come up with Gideon. Approaching his father, they demand Gideon's life, to which his father answers: ... If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.

What is so significant about this battle? In the ironic words of Gideon's father, Baal and Asherah are impotent. Gideon's God is not only present but all-powerful. The following scene when Gideon asks God to make the fleece damp and the ground dry, and then vise-versa, assures Gideon once again, in a very personal manner, the Lord would be with him: Yes, Gideon, God says, I am with you.

What an encouragement to Gideon as he was assured of God's power and presence. It's no wonder that when the Lord whittles his army down to 300, he does not protest. He has learned the lesson every believer needs to learn - God is powerful and the false gods cannot stand up to Him. And yes, God is ever-present with His people.

When He Saw The Crowds

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9.35-36

Jesus had come from heaven, became a man and as a man, never sinned, being perfectly righteous in every way. In a word, Jesus was holy. In his complete holiness, he knew the sinfulness of sin. As sinful humans, we can be offended by sin but not in the way Jesus could be offended. He was and is God and He saw sin for what it was and is in the human heart.

And yet, when he looked out over the crowds, he had compassion. The Holy One had compassion as he healed the sick and preached the gospel. It is a good lesson when we grow cynical and hard towards sinners - do we walk in this world with a compassionate heart, weeping for the lost harassed and helpless sheep.

Jesus knew the heights of holiness and the depths of sin and yet he reached out with compassion. We who stand alongside sinners need to show compassion - mercy in action - to sinners. We need to learn to once again view them as Jesus viewed the crowds and then seek to reach out in practical mercy and gospel proclamation. May God take your heart and give you compassion for the lost and boldness to live as Christ in this world.

Jesus - Pastor and Deacon

We hear a lot about Jesus being the Great Shepherd - and He is and we are so thankful. What a blessing to be in his flock as he protects and keeps us in green pastures. We even have the assurance that if we are to wander, He will leave the 99 and come and rescue us, bringing us back.

But we also read that Jesus is the Great Deacon - a minister of compassion and mercy. One example out of many in the life of Jesus is found in Matthew 20.29-34 when Jesus gives sight to two blind men. In verse 32 we read that Jesus stopped - the first step in showing mercy. Jesus cared for people by first of making time for them. He stopped in his busy schedule and he called them, What do you want me to do for you? The second step is looking for opportunities to show mercy. Stop but then ask and look for what needs to be done.

Well, the blind men asked to receive their sight. When we want to learn how to show mercy, we go to the latest book written or guru on caring out ministry in our modern culture. We ought to first look at the simple acts of Jesus - he stopped, he inquired and then he did three simple acts of kindness: Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes (Verse 34) He had compassion, he reached out and he touched them. That is the example of the Great Deacon.

Stop. Ask. Be compassionate. Reach out. Touch. The Great Deacon has preached a simple sermon on how to be a minister of mercy in our hurting world. We may not be able to heal the blind, but we are able to visit the sick, visit those in prison, give bread tot he hungry and water to the thirsty - and it all begins when we STOP our busy schedules and show mercy.

A Matter of Time

God is so gracious! He really is even when we look at a passage like 1 Timothy 5.24-25: The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden (5.24).

You see, sin is so deceitful that we can believe we have begun to beat God at His game - we can continue to live in sin and serve God. But God in His grace loves us so much that He essentially says, I know what is going on and just because the sin that you are hiding has not been found out yet, it will if you continue in it. And so God in His grace warns us - stop your hidden sins or they will find you out. Any hidden sins?

But there is more. Covering up sins is tiring. We need to constantly look over our shoulder to see if anyone is looking or worse, we need to remember the lies we have told. Satan is so deceitful in that he is able to convince us that the supposed pleasure, which is wiping us out, is satisfying! And God intervenes in grace and says Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

If you are hiding sins, ask God to give you grace to deal with them. You will find forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit to give you power to confess and repent. Come to Jesus and you will find rest. However, if you choose to continue to hide your sins, know God's Word: and even those that are not cannot be hidden. In God's grace, He has warned you!

How Big Is Your Church?

Pastoral success is in numbers and so we hear the question often and are judged accordingly. In fact, we judge ourselves as to how successful we are as numbers increase or decrease. I don't think it is just a "pastor problem" but also a "pew problem" - we are in a good church if it has good programs or a church that is moving forward if numbers are increasing- everyone wants to be part of this church!

I do not disagree that numbers should be noted - after Peter preached his first sermon we are told how many are saved. But when they become the focus and measure of success, the church begins to judge her efforts by worldly standards (must have a good report to our "shareholders"). What really is the "measure of success" for preacher and congregation? Is it not found in the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians2.19: For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not You? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. Paul will then speak of how much he wants to see the believers so they sent Timothy ... to strengthen and encourage you in the faith (verse 3) because Paul was ...afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts would have been useless (verse 5).

But Timothy reported to Paul good news about their faith and love so Paul writes: For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. Trials and persecution had not dimmed the Thessaloniuan believer's faith and love as they stand firm for the Lord.

What was Paul's joy? What was his meaure of success? Was it not found when his people were standing firm in face of temptation? When they were strengthened in holiness and love? When they were abounding in love and good works? When sinners were being saved?

So yes, how big is your church? but more importantly, are your people standing firm and bearing fruit in spite of opposition and temptation? Are you part of church that is not only growing but a church that is looking you square in the heart and challenging and encouraging you to stand firm for Christ in all circumstances?

Unlike the world, there is not safety in numbers in the church; our safety is found in Jesus - alone.

The Church Is Full of Hypocrites - Really?

We have all heard it - I don't go to church because they are all hypocrites. Really? First of all, at some level, we are all hypocrites, church-goer or non-church-goer. Who has not said I'm all right, when inside they are not alright. I will still go to work or a hockey game even though the workplace and the arena are filled with hypocrites.

But I think there is a deeper misunderstanding. What is often the response of the Christian when they hear someone make that astute observation about pew-sitting hypocrites? We agree and apologize! Why? Instead we ought to use it as a time of evangelism. If we are going to evangelize, we need to first understand the distinction between justification and progressive sanctification. Justification tells us of our right standing before God, not others in the church; progressive sanctification tells us of our standing before those in the church.

When we go to church, our standing before God is right through the work of Jesus' death and resurrection - we stand as if we are righteous in the presence of God. At the same time, when we sit in our chairs and worship with one another, we are those who are still growing in Christ-likeness. No, we are not all hypocrites - no one that I have met recently has claimed sinlessness in everyday living. While forgiven in Christ, the church is filled with saved sinners seeking to love God and be Christ-like, but fail and sin against God and one another.

Martin Luther writes about the Christian life: The life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it; the process is not yet finished but it is going on; this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.

Instead of apologizing for those in the church, tell the astute observers the gospel message. Talk about justification in ways they will understand and their need for a Saviour. Explain that to be saved doesn't mean perfection in this life. In others words, proclaim the gospel and the results of a changed heart, gently and honestly: God is at work to transform His people to look more like Him. We are not perfectly righteous but we are growing in righteousness; we do not yet perfectly love but we are learning to love; and we do not yet live like Jesus calls us to live, but we are growing in Christ-likeness.

So, this is good news for those who won't come to church because it is full of hypocrites. If the church is not full of hypocrites but sinners who are saved and are learning to love Jesus more each day, they should feel welcome.

So won't you come to church and know of the love of Jesus for sinners? Come on - you are more than welcome!!

Xerxes Throws a Party - Jesus Outdoes Him

I love the book of Esther as God leads, guides and protects His people in captivity. As I was reading Esther 1, I was struck by the wealth of King Xerxes - ruling 127 provinces from India to the upper Nile region, throwing an open house (palace) for 180 days so people could be amazed at the lavish lifestyle, and then throwing a 7 day party, serving wine to each as they wished at no cost to them.

But then I thought - where is the wealth now? Really! Can anyone find it? What about the vast and great kingdom? Where is Xerxes now? Did he come to Esther's God? Life is fleeting, riches come and go, wine goblets empty, and kingdoms fade.

A good reminder as we can become consumed with riches, the here and now. Jesus says: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.

Look around you at your car, your house, your job, your wrinkle free face and muscle-toned body - they will all disappear. Does the time and energy into physical health and wealth surpass your investment of spiritual health and wealth? If so, your treasure is on earth and you will reap your reward. But how great are the words of Jesus and the warning of Xerxes: there is a better life with greater rewards and blessings all through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Come and enjoy him who is the great giver of life.

One final thought: as I read Esther 1, I was impressed with Xerxes riches. I certainly would have attended the party and looked around. But then we think of the riches of Jesus and the banquet to which he invites us. Jesus, His Kingdom reaching from east to west, the earth His footstool, invites us into His presence and experience His blessings. Jesus again says: In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

So here are the two questions that remain: whose kingdom is greater and whose party would you rather attend? In the words of Joshua, As for me and my household, I will serve the Lord.

Psalm 13: Hope In the Battle With Sin

What to do with guilt? Where to bring it? Where to go when we are persistently bombarded with temptation? How to find hope when we consistently fall into the same sin and feel defeated? You may struggle with these questions as sin seems to gain ground and darkness spreads, causing you to doubt your salvation. Psalm 13 helps us as we watch the Psalmist struggle with an enemy that seems to be gaining ground.

Psalm 13.1-2 tells us of the struggle. The first utterance from the psalmist's mouth is like many a prayer found in our most painful moment - short and honest: How long, O Lord? David then elaborates: How long will you forget me - forever? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts, have sorrow in my heart and have the enemy triumph over me? Sin, the enemy is winning and gaining ground.

What is David's concern? Why the struggle? Psalm 13.3-4 tell us that if God does not answer, the enemy will laugh at him and claim victory. Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. This is a real fear in the believer's life - does the advance of the enemy mean God's love has left me and the enemy is becoming to powerful.

What does David do? Give up? Renounce God as powerless and join the "dark side"? Does he even doubt his faith (sometimes what may seem to be a very spiritual act in itself)? No, no and no. He states three truths he may not see by sight but holds to by faith.

1. But I trust in your unfailing love: when I do not love you like I should, I trust in your love that does not let me go.
2. My heart rejoices in your salvation: when I struggle and am losing ground, I rejoice in your salvation that you have given me. You have saved me, knowing my sin and who I am - I have not saved me from my sins.
3. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me: I will simply begin to sing of God's goodness and if God is good, then He will protect me, empower me, keep me safe and ultimately give me victory over my sin.

This prayer is valuable as it teaches us how to pray in desperate times when struggling with sin. Cry out to God and be honest - brutally honest; tell him your heartfelt fears; and finally, think "God" thoughts by asking what do you know to be true? Does God love me with an unfailing, everlasting love? Then he will not reject me. Has God saved me? Then he will not condemn me or give me over to my enemy. Has God been good? Then I will sing even while the enemy surrounds me and seems to be winning.

A Personal Moment With Abraham - Genesis 20

Abraham had been sent into a land that was filled with those who did not fear God - and he was afraid. Genesis 20.11 Abraham tells Abimelech that the reason he told him Sarah was his wife was because I said to myself, 'There is not fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. This is a very personal moment with Abraham - friends sitting down to coffee, talking honestly. Abraham, the man of faith, after a sip says "I was afraid." And why not? Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 shows us the wickedness of the day. Abraham wandered primarily among people who he ought to fear, humanly speaking. Do we not fear what wickedness can do to our wives and children?

But Genesis 20 tells us of His protective grace over the life of His people. Behind the scenes God worked for the good of His people. His promise to guide and protect Abraham never failed - despite Abraham's lack of faith in God's sovereign protection.

What Christian hasn't looked to God and said I am afraid - God protect and keep me (and my family). But thank God we can be afraid and He still protects and keeps us. When Peter walked on the water to meet Jesus and his eyes began to look at the waves and he began to sink, the hand of Jesus pulled Peter to him. Abraham - a man of great faith was afraid. God - a great God guarded and guided His son. We are reminded that we have a gracious Father who guides, protects and keeps His people in a land filled with those who have no fear of God - and so we need not be afraid.

Thanks for the coffee Abraham.

Speaking the Gospel Message Today: A Lesson from Acts 17

Acts 17:16 tells us that as Paul was waiting in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. The word distressed is also used in 1 Cor 13.5 when Paul speaks of love being not easily angered. Paul was distressed, irritated, provoked to anger at the gods that spread throughout the city of Athens. So what did Paul do? He preached the gospel. Did he preach an "angry gospel"? No. His anger at the idols led him to preach a message of grace and truth to a people who loved works and tolerance.

Today, we ought to be "distressed", "irritated", and "filled with anger" at the idols of the age. It is not enough for people to be interested in "another idea". But how do we preach or speak the gospel? Paul poured out his heart as he spoke of the glory of God and the resurrection of the dead. The lesson: be distressed and angry at the gods of the age but speak graciously of the glory of God.

Light In Darkness

In the recent Journal of Biblical Counseling Paul David Tripp writes an excellent article entitled Little Moments That Change the World. He begins the article by writing: When does radical makeover occur? The simple answer is this: Radical makeover happens when radical intervention meets radical need. If we are to have radical intervention to meet the radical needs of the world, we must know first the radical need, which means we must know our environment - this dark world.

Using Matthew 5.14-16, he characterizes darkness in two ways, the first being the darkness of foolishness. Psalm 14 says that "the fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" Tripp writes: There is nothing more foolish than living in the middle of the world that God created and not see God. What is and what happens display His glory. There can be no deeper irrationality than to deny Him, whether philosophically or functionally in your everyday experience. But we continue to deny him.

In Isaiah we read that the angels declare the whole earth to be full of the glory of God. The foolish heart denies God's glory and lives in darkness.

The second characteristic of darkness is the darkness of selfishness. Tripp again writes: If I don't see God's glory, if I am not magnetized by the greater glory of God, then there's only one other glory that will grip me. It's the glory of me, the glory of my life, the glory of my agenda. ... When we are absorbed in our own selfishness, it is possible to stand in the sea of human need and not see any of it. Just as we go blind to God, so we go blind to people.

Interesting insight from Tripp and a great challenge to remove the bowl and let our light shine. How easy it is to read this passage and apply it to our lives at a comfortable level. But for Jesus the challenge to His disciples was and is never about comfort. If it doesn't shock us or challenge us, we haven't understood Jesus' words. To let our light shine is to shine the glory of God the Father through Jesus in a dark world, in truth, in word and in deed. Matthew 5.16: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.