Is the USA “the hope of the world”? If so, we’re in big trouble.
Now don’t get me wrong. I love my country. It has a lot going for it.
But to say this country is “the hope of the world”—as a politician did several weeks ago at a national convention—is a little over the top.
Talking about hope is all the rage this election cycle. And hope is a good thing. But if our hope is in the wrong thing it will be a sad thing. A disappointed hope.
In his book “The Audacity of Hope,” Presidential candidate Barack Obama sees a future that involves repairing a “political process that is broken” and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch with people.
Amazon.com asked Obama to summarize the main idea of his book in a follow up interview. He said it was, “Get involved in an issue that you’re passionate about.”
Passion is good but, unfortunately, passion by itself doesn’t save the day. We live in a day of political polarization. The right and the left are full of passion. But they seem more intent on destroying each other than on governing effectively.
Now hold it right there for just a minute. If that’s the case, where can we find hope?
What people desperately need is the true Man of Hope. And according to the Bible, Jesus Christ and his church are the hope of the world. Jesus is the real deal.
The hope offered in Christ is a peace that Jesus said is “not of this world.” It involves a complete reconciliation that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet—reconciliation with God and with our fellow man.
The hope offered by politicians and governments is the absence of conflict. “Peace” treaties don’t actually bring peace. All they bring is the cessation of war. Ending hostilities doesn’t automatically end conflict. Anyone that’s been in a schoolyard fight knows that.
To end conflict requires changing the human heart. And the only hope of changing the human heart is the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ.
The good news is that, even though we can’t meet God’s standard of goodness (the Ten Commandments), God provided a way for us to be forgiven. And what a plan!
Jesus Christ met God’s standard perfectly. But on the cross he took sin’s punishment as our substitute. God accepts that and forgives us when we repent and turn from our sin.
Then the Bible says, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” And if you have ever met someone who is truly converted, the change is remarkable.
What about the church? In the New Testament book of Acts we see a church focused on serving God and serving others. They proclaimed the simple gospel of Jesus Christ: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Lives were changed. Needs were met.
What the church does that’s unique is offer Jesus Christ to the world. And when people turn to Christ they find hope where they were hopeless.
In the church people find a community that accepts, loves and encourages them to be all that God made them to be. When a church is working right it’s an amazing place!
No church is perfect. But we have a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Through faith in him we have peace with God and man, joy in our hearts and the forgiveness of sin.
All of that plus God’s promise of eternal life--now that’s a hope you can believe in!
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Hope or Hype?
When the church is working right it is the Hope of the world.
When the church is not working right it fails the world. It’s just a lot of hype.
Many churches ceased being the “Hope of the world” years ago. What’s sad is that most of the members didn’t realize it. These churches gradually became “Christian Clubs” with songs, rituals and gatherings that focus inward instead of outward. They served themselves, not others.
Hold it right there for just a minute! What does a church that’s “working right” look like?
To answer that we must turn to the Bible, the only authoritative Word of God. There, in the New Testament book of Acts, we find the answer. It’s a vibrant growing group of people focused on worship, God’s Word, fellowship and serving others. They proclaimed the simple gospel of Jesus Christ: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Lives were changed.
The result was that “everyone was filled with awe” and the church grew incredibly fast.
What a church! It was the “happening place” in Jerusalem. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of it? Broken lives were put together, desperate people found help, the fearful found peace, empty people were filled with purpose and those overcome with sorrow found joy. Wow.
Sadly, most Christians have settled for a church that is so much less. In some the worship service is the most boring hour of the week. Where is the awe and excitement? What happened?
What happened is that man tried to “improve” on God’s plan for the church.
Some just stopped taking the gospel message to others and focused on fellowship.
Other groups strayed from the simple gospel of Christ. Instead of teaching forgiveness for all our sins is a gift of God, they taught you must believe in Jesus Christ AND follow all their laws, ordinances and rituals. Rather than salvation by GRACE, it was by “Good Works.”
Some even went so far as to say, “The most damnable, heretical doctrine ever proclaimed by man is 'saved by grace.’” Amazing--since that’s how God’s Word says we are saved from sin!
The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Once we understand that forgiveness and a new life are a gift from God, everything changes. The joy and freedom that result from faith in Christ are indescribable! Money and things, while still necessary, lose their luster. They are no longer the main reason for living.
People whose lives are truly changed by the gospel want everyone to have the same joy and freedom they have in Christ. The love of God in their heart gives them a compassion and love for others—just like Jesus. Life is no longer just about them and the desire for things.
A Church, with leaders and people like that, is an oasis of hope in a hopeless world.
When a church is “working right” lives are changed forever, prejudice is overcome, failures are forgiven, selfishness is reduced, compassion grows, and real hope becomes a reality.
The solution is for people to return to the message and mission of the church in the Bible.
If you are not a part of a church like the Bible describes, change yours or find one that is!
The church I pastor is not, nor is any church, “perfect.” But we do have a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Through faith in him we have peace with God, joy in our hearts and the forgiveness of sin. We have Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to provide, protect and lead us. All of that, plus God’s promise of eternal life--now that’s hope!
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
When the church is not working right it fails the world. It’s just a lot of hype.
Many churches ceased being the “Hope of the world” years ago. What’s sad is that most of the members didn’t realize it. These churches gradually became “Christian Clubs” with songs, rituals and gatherings that focus inward instead of outward. They served themselves, not others.
Hold it right there for just a minute! What does a church that’s “working right” look like?
To answer that we must turn to the Bible, the only authoritative Word of God. There, in the New Testament book of Acts, we find the answer. It’s a vibrant growing group of people focused on worship, God’s Word, fellowship and serving others. They proclaimed the simple gospel of Jesus Christ: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Lives were changed.
The result was that “everyone was filled with awe” and the church grew incredibly fast.
What a church! It was the “happening place” in Jerusalem. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of it? Broken lives were put together, desperate people found help, the fearful found peace, empty people were filled with purpose and those overcome with sorrow found joy. Wow.
Sadly, most Christians have settled for a church that is so much less. In some the worship service is the most boring hour of the week. Where is the awe and excitement? What happened?
What happened is that man tried to “improve” on God’s plan for the church.
Some just stopped taking the gospel message to others and focused on fellowship.
Other groups strayed from the simple gospel of Christ. Instead of teaching forgiveness for all our sins is a gift of God, they taught you must believe in Jesus Christ AND follow all their laws, ordinances and rituals. Rather than salvation by GRACE, it was by “Good Works.”
Some even went so far as to say, “The most damnable, heretical doctrine ever proclaimed by man is 'saved by grace.’” Amazing--since that’s how God’s Word says we are saved from sin!
The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Once we understand that forgiveness and a new life are a gift from God, everything changes. The joy and freedom that result from faith in Christ are indescribable! Money and things, while still necessary, lose their luster. They are no longer the main reason for living.
People whose lives are truly changed by the gospel want everyone to have the same joy and freedom they have in Christ. The love of God in their heart gives them a compassion and love for others—just like Jesus. Life is no longer just about them and the desire for things.
A Church, with leaders and people like that, is an oasis of hope in a hopeless world.
When a church is “working right” lives are changed forever, prejudice is overcome, failures are forgiven, selfishness is reduced, compassion grows, and real hope becomes a reality.
The solution is for people to return to the message and mission of the church in the Bible.
If you are not a part of a church like the Bible describes, change yours or find one that is!
The church I pastor is not, nor is any church, “perfect.” But we do have a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Through faith in him we have peace with God, joy in our hearts and the forgiveness of sin. We have Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to provide, protect and lead us. All of that, plus God’s promise of eternal life--now that’s hope!
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Holy Terror
It was midnight when the screaming began.
Terrifying screams startled us awake and it sounded like murder. My wife and I bolted from our bed and rushed in to the next room to find our toddler sound asleep but screaming.
Nothing we did seemed to help or calm our child. What’s worse, it continued nightly. Soon we decided that a visit to the pediatrician was in order.
We learned that small children can experience “Night Terrors” and that the cause is still a mystery. There was no real treatment and we were told that our child would “outgrow it.”
With a lighter wallet and no hope we returned home to sleepless nights. The hardest part was that there was no solution. There was nothing we could do about it.
We’ve probably all had terrifying nightmares. But what if you faced a nightmare that never ended--something far worse than living in a horror movie?
Just imagine facing a holy, righteous God without knowing your sins were forgiven. Picture yourself standing before him but Jesus Christ doesn’t claim you as one of his own.
Hey--hold on just a minute! Doesn’t the Bible say that God loves us?
Yes, but the Bible also warns us that if we hear the good news that Jesus died for our sins and then reject it, what awaits us is God’s judgment and a terrifying sentence.
After encouraging us to draw near to God, the Bible warns, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God…. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Now that’s a holy terror!
We are so privileged to live in a culture saturated with the gospel. “Bible Belt” towns are full of churches. Bibles are available everywhere. Christian Radio and TV programs fill the airwaves. Many Americans know the story that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins. They’ve heard that through faith in him sins are forgiven.
But, as they say, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Many ignore the gospel story.
God is not trying to scare us into becoming Christians. He gave each of us a free will and wants us to choose whether or not we will serve him. But he also wants us to have all the facts.
Right after telling us how much God loved the world in John 3:16, Jesus said, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
God constantly tells us in the Bible how much he loves us. But because he is holy and righteous, he cannot permit sin in his presence. His great love for us moved him to send his Son, Jesus, to take care of our sin problem. And since Jesus’ death on the cross allows God to forgive our sin, the only choice we face is whether to accept or reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Some people think they’ve screwed up their lives so badly that there’s no hope, no solution and nothing they can do about it. And without Jesus Christ there would be no hope.
But when we trust him we receive forgiveness, joy and eternal life. However, God also wants us to know that if we reject him the consequences are terrible. It’s as if God is saying to us, “I’ve given you all the facts. Now you choose. Choose wisely. Choose Jesus.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Terrifying screams startled us awake and it sounded like murder. My wife and I bolted from our bed and rushed in to the next room to find our toddler sound asleep but screaming.
Nothing we did seemed to help or calm our child. What’s worse, it continued nightly. Soon we decided that a visit to the pediatrician was in order.
We learned that small children can experience “Night Terrors” and that the cause is still a mystery. There was no real treatment and we were told that our child would “outgrow it.”
With a lighter wallet and no hope we returned home to sleepless nights. The hardest part was that there was no solution. There was nothing we could do about it.
We’ve probably all had terrifying nightmares. But what if you faced a nightmare that never ended--something far worse than living in a horror movie?
Just imagine facing a holy, righteous God without knowing your sins were forgiven. Picture yourself standing before him but Jesus Christ doesn’t claim you as one of his own.
Hey--hold on just a minute! Doesn’t the Bible say that God loves us?
Yes, but the Bible also warns us that if we hear the good news that Jesus died for our sins and then reject it, what awaits us is God’s judgment and a terrifying sentence.
After encouraging us to draw near to God, the Bible warns, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God…. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Now that’s a holy terror!
We are so privileged to live in a culture saturated with the gospel. “Bible Belt” towns are full of churches. Bibles are available everywhere. Christian Radio and TV programs fill the airwaves. Many Americans know the story that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins. They’ve heard that through faith in him sins are forgiven.
But, as they say, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Many ignore the gospel story.
God is not trying to scare us into becoming Christians. He gave each of us a free will and wants us to choose whether or not we will serve him. But he also wants us to have all the facts.
Right after telling us how much God loved the world in John 3:16, Jesus said, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
God constantly tells us in the Bible how much he loves us. But because he is holy and righteous, he cannot permit sin in his presence. His great love for us moved him to send his Son, Jesus, to take care of our sin problem. And since Jesus’ death on the cross allows God to forgive our sin, the only choice we face is whether to accept or reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Some people think they’ve screwed up their lives so badly that there’s no hope, no solution and nothing they can do about it. And without Jesus Christ there would be no hope.
But when we trust him we receive forgiveness, joy and eternal life. However, God also wants us to know that if we reject him the consequences are terrible. It’s as if God is saying to us, “I’ve given you all the facts. Now you choose. Choose wisely. Choose Jesus.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
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