The sports world is all abuzz with the stand Brigham Young University took in dismissing a player from the men's basketball team for a violation of the school honor code this Monday. The student-athlete dismissed was the center, Brandon Davies. The team was ranked in the Top-10 nationally with a 27-2 record. This was probably the greatest basketball team in BYU history. Davies was the best big man on the team and the third-leading scorer. He was critical to the realistic aspirations of a national championship for BYU. Now all those dreams seem dashed as Davies has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of the honor code for an undisclosed reason. However, a swarming media has uncovered that the violation of the honor code was that Davies and his girlfriend engaged in premarital sex. Davies is on record admitting to this and accepting his dismissal as appropriate, while apologizing to his coaches and teammates for this transgression. The revelation of Davies specific “wrong” sparked even more debate.
As you may know there is a large segment of society that view the college years as a time to “sow your wild oats”. Thus, they are aghast at the honor code that BYU maintains and that all students commit to when enrolling there. The BYU honor code calls for students to “live a chaste and virtuous life, to use clean language, to abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse and to observe dress and grooming standards.” Furthermore, the code calls for honesty, respecting others, participation in church services and encouraging others to keep the honor code. Clearly, some of these standards reflect the particular beliefs of the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Now due to Davies’ dismissal the BYU honor code has come under heavy scrutiny by a populace that finds it prudish and restrictive. Many collegians hear of these standards and say that it forbids some of the very things they were looking forward to. The mocking and laughter at the honor code has provided a sad commentary about the moral slide we have experienced in America over the past 60 years.
Yet at the same time others have expressed profound respect for students who would commit to such an honor code and for a school that would enforce that code at great cost. Articles such as the one by Pat Forde on ESPN.com entitled BYU Puts Principle Over Performance express this sentiment. It seems that even when people do not understand why a university or a person would choose to live by such standards the people respect a stand for what they deem to be right. It seems God knows that people of all ages would do that. Therefore, he led the Apostle Paul to write to the Christ-followers in first-century Thessalonica that they should live “so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders... (1 Thessalonians 4:12).” That’s quite a win!
What kind of daily life was talking about? The verses preceding these in Chapter 4 inform us. They include words like these: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality…. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life (1 Thess. 4:3, 7). Is everything that is in the BYU honor code found in Scripture? Certainly not. The Bible says nothing against facial hair or caffeine, for example. Surely, such codes run the risk of going beyond Scripture and becoming legalistic. Furthermore, keeping an honor code or being moral will not grant one entry into heaven. However, it is a curious thing to see a university trying to have moral standards for students in a culture that appears to be in moral decline.
Let me be clear, I do not agree with the Mormon doctrine that BYU students are exposed to. For example, Mormonism teaches that God the Father is an exalted Man, that Jesus, angels, and human beings were all the literal spirit offspring of our "heavenly Father and Mother," and that the ultimate goal of the Christian life is to become exalted to Godhood ourselves. The Mormon Church has their own "scripture" that includes alleged modern revelations given to Joseph Smith. The Bible teaches that God is not a man (Num. 23:19) but is transcendent, omnipresent Spirit (1 Kings 8:27; Is. 31:3; John 4:24), that there are no other Gods alongside him, and that there will be no Gods formed in the future (Is. 43:10; 44:6-8). In fact, I would ardently disagree with the attempt of the Mormon Church to portray itself as a “Christian” group. In reality, they are a cult and their teachings lead people away from the saving gospel of the Christian Scriptures (see www.4thruth.net).
Nevertheless, that does not limit my respect for the stand BYU has taken in this case involving Brandon Davies. While they may win less basketball games due to their stand, they may win something greater in the long run—respect. I would even pray that the stand BYU has made would awaken believers in Jesus to be encouraged in their own attempts to live a life or purity and holiness. For this incident has shown us that though some may tease or mock a lifestyle of purity, in the end, they respect it.
Respectable only by the grace of Jesus,
Pastor Scott
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Persecuted Christians in Egypt
As events have unfolded in Egypt in recent weeks I have continually prayed for the Lord to bring about that which would most effectively advance His kingdom in that part of the world. Additionally, I have prayed for the safety of believers there, understanding persecution may intensify without the restraining force of a structured government and law enforcement. Concerns over persecution were elevated within me after reading an article posted by Greg Burke of Fox News. His article about the conditions in Egypt was entitled Christians Should Be Worried.
In this article Burke quoted a Christ-following young adult named Maged who regularly tweets on Twitter about the situation in Egypt. Burke quotes Maged expressing fears over the Muslim Brotherhood ascending to power in Egypt. Maged called the Muslim Brotherhood as “the mother of all fears.”
Such a characterization may seem alarmist given recent news reports from our media outlets. However, one simply needs to remember that Al-Qaeda’s number two leader, Egyptian doctor Ayman al-Zawahiri, was a member of this group. This group also birthed Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement, groups that have promoted violence toward Israel. These are commonly known truths. “The Muslim Brotherhood has a long-term commitment to establishing an Islamic state under sharia rule in Egypt,” Nina Shea, Director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, told FoxNews.Com.
Tom Doyle, Middle East director for E3 Partners, has said, “With the Muslim Brotherhood rising up, Christians are very nervous about who might be next in line to take over for Mubarak.” Doyle also recently reported the murder of 15 Christians outside Al-Minya, Egypt. Sadly, the U.S. government and media leave these acts of persecution largely unreported.
Egypt does have the largest Christian population of any Middle East nation, with many of these being members of the Coptic Church. Up to 10 percent of the population in Egypt claim to be Christian. Alexandria, Egypt was an early center for Christianity from the first century onward. Yet the Islamic conquest of Egypt in the seventh century reduced the Christian population as many fled or were killed. Nina Shea envisions such a possible exodus of the remaining Christians again if the Muslim Brotherhood has a candidate ascend to power. She has told Foxnews.com “The Copts and other Christians should be worried.”
While perhaps she might say they should worry from a political point of view I will be praying they do not. Rather, I will be praying all true Christ-followers in Egypt will be strengthened in their faith. I will continue to pray for the God’s will to be done in Egypt and throughout the Middle East. I will pray for the advance of the gospel through these events for I believe in a God who is Sovereign. Finally, I will give thanks to God for the perseverance and courage of my brothers and sisters in Christ in Egypt as they endure the political turmoil of these tense times. I think the words of the Apostle Paul express what I feel about the persecuted church in Egypt and elsewhere:
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Praying for the persecuted!
Pastor Scott
In this article Burke quoted a Christ-following young adult named Maged who regularly tweets on Twitter about the situation in Egypt. Burke quotes Maged expressing fears over the Muslim Brotherhood ascending to power in Egypt. Maged called the Muslim Brotherhood as “the mother of all fears.”
Such a characterization may seem alarmist given recent news reports from our media outlets. However, one simply needs to remember that Al-Qaeda’s number two leader, Egyptian doctor Ayman al-Zawahiri, was a member of this group. This group also birthed Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement, groups that have promoted violence toward Israel. These are commonly known truths. “The Muslim Brotherhood has a long-term commitment to establishing an Islamic state under sharia rule in Egypt,” Nina Shea, Director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, told FoxNews.Com.
Tom Doyle, Middle East director for E3 Partners, has said, “With the Muslim Brotherhood rising up, Christians are very nervous about who might be next in line to take over for Mubarak.” Doyle also recently reported the murder of 15 Christians outside Al-Minya, Egypt. Sadly, the U.S. government and media leave these acts of persecution largely unreported.
Egypt does have the largest Christian population of any Middle East nation, with many of these being members of the Coptic Church. Up to 10 percent of the population in Egypt claim to be Christian. Alexandria, Egypt was an early center for Christianity from the first century onward. Yet the Islamic conquest of Egypt in the seventh century reduced the Christian population as many fled or were killed. Nina Shea envisions such a possible exodus of the remaining Christians again if the Muslim Brotherhood has a candidate ascend to power. She has told Foxnews.com “The Copts and other Christians should be worried.”
While perhaps she might say they should worry from a political point of view I will be praying they do not. Rather, I will be praying all true Christ-followers in Egypt will be strengthened in their faith. I will continue to pray for the God’s will to be done in Egypt and throughout the Middle East. I will pray for the advance of the gospel through these events for I believe in a God who is Sovereign. Finally, I will give thanks to God for the perseverance and courage of my brothers and sisters in Christ in Egypt as they endure the political turmoil of these tense times. I think the words of the Apostle Paul express what I feel about the persecuted church in Egypt and elsewhere:
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Praying for the persecuted!
Pastor Scott
Communicating for a Change
A recent Gallup Poll Report stated, “In an era of increasingly fragile marriages, a couple’s ability to communicate is the single most important contributor to a stable and satisfying marriage.” Wow, did you read that? The “single most important contributor”…is communication?
Wayne Mack, teachers and author, has written in Strengthening Your Marriage, “Deep oneness can be achieved only where good communication exists.” Mack leaves no wiggle room. Good communication is required to deep marital oneness.
Christian Counseling pioneer Jay Adams has written, “A sound husband and wife relationship is impossible without good communication.” Impossible? Again, not very favorable odds being given there for a strong marriage without good communication.
Obviously, I could likely cite a hundred more sources like these. Nearly every person who has written anything on marriage will stress the need for quality communication within marriage. Good communication is needed in the early years of marriage as the two adjust to becoming one through the marriage covenant. It is needed in the child-rearing years as children need to hear the same message from both parents and young parents strain to find time for dialogue together. Communication is indispensible when it comes to the inevitable conflict resolution with each other or with children as the move toward independence. Pursuing meaningful communication allows a couple to re-discover each other in new and fresh ways during the empty nest years when time for each other is more plentiful. Finally, open and honest communication is vital as a married couple ages and enters into retirement, face health issues, endure life-changing limitations, and make big decisions in their golden years. Thus, communication between a husband and wife is crucial for every stage of marriage.
1 Peter 3:10 beckons couple of all ages toward rewarding communication. It read, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” What is the result of honest and wholesome speech? An enjoyable life and good days are ahead for those who speak to one another as God prescribes. This is the kind of rewarding communication we want to encourage all the couples in FBC toward.
Therefore, the focal teaching element of our Spring MarriageBuilder Event is on the theme of communication. The event is on Saturday, March 5. It will include a Shrimp Boil as your meal, or as an alternative grilled chicken with roasted potatoes and corn. So the meal and evening will be relaxed and informal (guests welcome!). There will be some fun games as we start the evening and a little music too. The teaching time I will lead will include interactive exercises between spouses, fiancés, those dating or friends. Obviously, the communication principles have application beyond marriage. However, that will be the primary relational context we will be focusing on.
So I invite you to join me for this wonderful evening of fellowship and encouragement! I am praying each couple who comes will leave communicating better than when they arrived so our marriages will bring us all the joy and oneness that God desires.
Loving the Bridegroom, my bride, & the Bride of Christ!
Pastor Scott
Wayne Mack, teachers and author, has written in Strengthening Your Marriage, “Deep oneness can be achieved only where good communication exists.” Mack leaves no wiggle room. Good communication is required to deep marital oneness.
Christian Counseling pioneer Jay Adams has written, “A sound husband and wife relationship is impossible without good communication.” Impossible? Again, not very favorable odds being given there for a strong marriage without good communication.
Obviously, I could likely cite a hundred more sources like these. Nearly every person who has written anything on marriage will stress the need for quality communication within marriage. Good communication is needed in the early years of marriage as the two adjust to becoming one through the marriage covenant. It is needed in the child-rearing years as children need to hear the same message from both parents and young parents strain to find time for dialogue together. Communication is indispensible when it comes to the inevitable conflict resolution with each other or with children as the move toward independence. Pursuing meaningful communication allows a couple to re-discover each other in new and fresh ways during the empty nest years when time for each other is more plentiful. Finally, open and honest communication is vital as a married couple ages and enters into retirement, face health issues, endure life-changing limitations, and make big decisions in their golden years. Thus, communication between a husband and wife is crucial for every stage of marriage.
1 Peter 3:10 beckons couple of all ages toward rewarding communication. It read, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” What is the result of honest and wholesome speech? An enjoyable life and good days are ahead for those who speak to one another as God prescribes. This is the kind of rewarding communication we want to encourage all the couples in FBC toward.
Therefore, the focal teaching element of our Spring MarriageBuilder Event is on the theme of communication. The event is on Saturday, March 5. It will include a Shrimp Boil as your meal, or as an alternative grilled chicken with roasted potatoes and corn. So the meal and evening will be relaxed and informal (guests welcome!). There will be some fun games as we start the evening and a little music too. The teaching time I will lead will include interactive exercises between spouses, fiancés, those dating or friends. Obviously, the communication principles have application beyond marriage. However, that will be the primary relational context we will be focusing on.
So I invite you to join me for this wonderful evening of fellowship and encouragement! I am praying each couple who comes will leave communicating better than when they arrived so our marriages will bring us all the joy and oneness that God desires.
Loving the Bridegroom, my bride, & the Bride of Christ!
Pastor Scott
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Power of a Story
Those unfamiliar with the Christian Scriptures often think the Bible is full of rules and regulations. They expect to find in it a series of propositions and imperatives. However, the truth is the most common type of literature in the Bible is narrative. As Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart write, "Narratives are stories--purposeful stories retelling the historical events of the past that are intended to give meaning and direction for a given people in the present" (How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 90). As stories the narrative type of biblical text can capture the imagination as the plot unfolds. Readers can identify with characters. Indeed, like all stories biblical narratives have the same features of a narrator, scenes, characters, a plot, and dialogue. However as Fee and Stuart note, "A crucial difference between biblical narratives and all others...[is they are] inspired by the Holy Spirit...[and] the story they tell is not so much our story as it is God's story–and it becomes ours as he 'writes' us into it (90)."
Narratives are particularly common in the Old Testament. In fact, over 40 percent of the Old Testament is narrative. Numerous Old Testament books are largely or completely narrative. Among them is the compelling book of Ruth. Ruth is a wonderfully crafted narrative that is full of irony, realistic characters, a dramatic act of redemption, and a surprise ending. I am excited about presenting Ruth as a message series to our church (FBC, Lake Wales) in February. I will present a chapter each week since each chapter is essentially a scene unto itself. I will read it with comments of application along the way to make this ancient story relevant to your life. There are many life-changing truths to highlight as we follow the engaging narrative. I hope you will come eager to learn from the Spirit and Living Word of God. You might even consider inviting someone you know who enjoys a good story. For Ruth is that--and so much more!
Loving the Lord & His written revelation!
Pastor Scott
Narratives are particularly common in the Old Testament. In fact, over 40 percent of the Old Testament is narrative. Numerous Old Testament books are largely or completely narrative. Among them is the compelling book of Ruth. Ruth is a wonderfully crafted narrative that is full of irony, realistic characters, a dramatic act of redemption, and a surprise ending. I am excited about presenting Ruth as a message series to our church (FBC, Lake Wales) in February. I will present a chapter each week since each chapter is essentially a scene unto itself. I will read it with comments of application along the way to make this ancient story relevant to your life. There are many life-changing truths to highlight as we follow the engaging narrative. I hope you will come eager to learn from the Spirit and Living Word of God. You might even consider inviting someone you know who enjoys a good story. For Ruth is that--and so much more!
Loving the Lord & His written revelation!
Pastor Scott
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Rethinking Retirement
Economics, a longer life span, and the enjoyment of work are keeping more senior adults in the work force than there has been in decades. Earlier this month Laura Vanderkam wrote an article for USA Today discussing the changing views of retirement in America. She reported:
After decades of decline, the labor force participation rate among people older than 65 rose from a low of 10.7% in 1987 to more than 17% now. Nearly a third of those ages 65-69 are working or looking for work, up from less than 20% in the 1980s, and surveys of Baby Boomers find that many don't intend to retire immediately either.
This reality has potential benefits and challenges for the individual senior adult and for American society as a whole. Yet what many of this generation forget is that the concept of retirement is of rather recent origins. Most historians trace it back to Otto von Bismarck’s social changes in Germany during the late 19th Century. When President Franklin Roosevelt introduced Social Security to this country in the 1930s, life expectancy (at birth) was 58 for men and 62 for women. Now more men and women live to age 65 and many live to 85. This means retirement will last for decades for some. While that may sound pleasurable, with continual cost of living increases and increasing medical expenses it can make living 20 years without a paycheck a frightening prospect. At the national level the increased life expectancy of Americans is straining the Social Security System in ways unforeseen by Roosevelt or others.
Of course, another reason more senior adults are delaying retirement is because they simply enjoy their job and are under no pressure to retire. Still others are now re-entering the work force in what some are referring to as ‘encore careers’—work that is less demanding, flexible in hours, and directly adds value to the lives of others. Such careers are said to offer a little needed income and can add purpose to life.
Well, as a pastor I read this and I recognize that this is a scenario that has remarkable redemptive potential for the kingdom of God. What better way to add value to the lives of others than to serve them in Jesus’ Name? I think of all the untapped ministry potential that exists within the current generation of senior adults and of the Baby Boomers right on their heels. Imagine if those able to retire did so only to engage in an ‘encore career’ through the local church. Yes, some might invest their time to keep up the facilities, assist in office work, and staff existing church activities–all as volunteers! Others can organize ministry to church members that are now homebound or in healthcare facilities. Yet others could offer leadership and service in new ministry initiatives that would take the church into the community. They could start tutoring programs, read Christian children’s books in elementary schools, lead food pantries and clothing closets, or lead ministries to internationals who tend to more highly regard older adults than most Americans do. The list of possibilities seems limited only by the vision and passion of the retiree’s. I thank God that quite a few in our church are already investing their retirement years in some of these ministries. I pray that God would continue to give our retiring adults a vision for and commitment to kingdom work during their retirement years.
It all makes sense doesn’t it? Clearly, the Scriptures dignify work as being of the Lord. Since Adam worked before the sinful Fall of humanity we cannot claim work is an accursed result of the Fall. Genesis 2:15 states, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Likewise the Scriptures speak well of being “full of years”. A long life is seen as a blessing from the biblical point of view. Nowhere does Scripture suggest our latter years be used for leisure as the modern American view of retirement does. Rather, useful service to the Lord until we are physically unable or the Lord calls us home seems to be the biblical picture given.
So whether you are in retirement or looking forward to it I urge you to re-think how you might spend those years. As Al Mohler has written on this subject, “There is room in the Christian life for leisure, but not for a life devoted to leisure.” May your view of retirement and mine be more shaped by Scripture than culture! May we not spend those last years on trivialities, but invest them in lasting kingdom work!
Seeking first His Kingdom!
Pastor Scott
After decades of decline, the labor force participation rate among people older than 65 rose from a low of 10.7% in 1987 to more than 17% now. Nearly a third of those ages 65-69 are working or looking for work, up from less than 20% in the 1980s, and surveys of Baby Boomers find that many don't intend to retire immediately either.
This reality has potential benefits and challenges for the individual senior adult and for American society as a whole. Yet what many of this generation forget is that the concept of retirement is of rather recent origins. Most historians trace it back to Otto von Bismarck’s social changes in Germany during the late 19th Century. When President Franklin Roosevelt introduced Social Security to this country in the 1930s, life expectancy (at birth) was 58 for men and 62 for women. Now more men and women live to age 65 and many live to 85. This means retirement will last for decades for some. While that may sound pleasurable, with continual cost of living increases and increasing medical expenses it can make living 20 years without a paycheck a frightening prospect. At the national level the increased life expectancy of Americans is straining the Social Security System in ways unforeseen by Roosevelt or others.
Of course, another reason more senior adults are delaying retirement is because they simply enjoy their job and are under no pressure to retire. Still others are now re-entering the work force in what some are referring to as ‘encore careers’—work that is less demanding, flexible in hours, and directly adds value to the lives of others. Such careers are said to offer a little needed income and can add purpose to life.
Well, as a pastor I read this and I recognize that this is a scenario that has remarkable redemptive potential for the kingdom of God. What better way to add value to the lives of others than to serve them in Jesus’ Name? I think of all the untapped ministry potential that exists within the current generation of senior adults and of the Baby Boomers right on their heels. Imagine if those able to retire did so only to engage in an ‘encore career’ through the local church. Yes, some might invest their time to keep up the facilities, assist in office work, and staff existing church activities–all as volunteers! Others can organize ministry to church members that are now homebound or in healthcare facilities. Yet others could offer leadership and service in new ministry initiatives that would take the church into the community. They could start tutoring programs, read Christian children’s books in elementary schools, lead food pantries and clothing closets, or lead ministries to internationals who tend to more highly regard older adults than most Americans do. The list of possibilities seems limited only by the vision and passion of the retiree’s. I thank God that quite a few in our church are already investing their retirement years in some of these ministries. I pray that God would continue to give our retiring adults a vision for and commitment to kingdom work during their retirement years.
It all makes sense doesn’t it? Clearly, the Scriptures dignify work as being of the Lord. Since Adam worked before the sinful Fall of humanity we cannot claim work is an accursed result of the Fall. Genesis 2:15 states, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Likewise the Scriptures speak well of being “full of years”. A long life is seen as a blessing from the biblical point of view. Nowhere does Scripture suggest our latter years be used for leisure as the modern American view of retirement does. Rather, useful service to the Lord until we are physically unable or the Lord calls us home seems to be the biblical picture given.
So whether you are in retirement or looking forward to it I urge you to re-think how you might spend those years. As Al Mohler has written on this subject, “There is room in the Christian life for leisure, but not for a life devoted to leisure.” May your view of retirement and mine be more shaped by Scripture than culture! May we not spend those last years on trivialities, but invest them in lasting kingdom work!
Seeking first His Kingdom!
Pastor Scott
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Christmas Songs
This Christmas I have been thinking about Christmas songs more than ever. Largely, this is because at our church I have been preaching through Luke 1 in December. Luke 1 contains two songs—the song of Mary and the song of Zechariah. Some refer to these as the Magnificat and Benedictus based upon the first Latin word used in each song. Though the Scripture merely says Mary and Zechariah “said” these words, the poetic construction of the words have caused people through the ages to refer to them as songs.
Studying these two Christmas songs has caused me to consider how much songs are a part of the Christmas “Season”. Wikipedia states there are over 400 radio stations nationally that play Christmas music 24 hours a day during the month of December. Many stations find a spike in their market share of listeners by playing Christmas music. Obviously, they are seeking to leverage the Christmas music to gain new listeners. Of course, as people walk through malls and stores festive Christmas music is piped in—some stores doing so before Thanksgiving. Surely this is an attempt to get people into a “Christmas mood”, or more accurately a “shopping mood”, as soon as possible.
However, lest I become too cynical I know that God-centered Christmas music also is a tool of instruction about the incarnation and a means of stirring up greater praise to God. In fact, initially all Christmas music was for the purpose of worship to God and the incarnate Son. When Christmas became an official “holy-day” of the church, that is declared such by the Roman Catholic Church, there was music written to add to that celebration. The songs written then were chant, litanies and hymns, done in Latin of course. How curious to think how far we have come now with Christmas songs that are about snowmen, reindeer, Santa Claus and jingling bells. Hey listen, I’m not being a prude here. I enjoy singing about Rudolph or the Grinch like a lot of people. I just think it is stunning to consider the contrast of the lyrics found in many modern Christmas songs on the airwaves compared to the ones spoken by Mary and Zechariah. And I guess I actually feel a sadness in my soul to know that some people know nothing of the latter—they are so overrun with the silly songs about Christmas that they do not know even know the ones that herald the birth of Jesus. Which ones do our children and grandchildren know and sing? Which do we hum as we stroll along merrily in December?
These next two Sundays I am excited to share with First Baptist Church, Lake Wales those first Christmas songs—those expressed by Mary and Zechariah. Their themes are clear and powerful and draw attention to the mercy and salvation from the Lord. I hope if you are nearby you will join me for a look at them. Then also this weekend down by Lake Wales we will share some wonderful Christmas songs that also express wonder and worship over God made flesh! We will host Christmas by the Lake on Saturday and Sunday (12/18-19) evening at 6 PM near the basketball court and gazebo.
I hope this Christmas will continue to be full of wonderful Christ-exalting songs for you and your family. Sing them by the lake. Sing them in the church. Sing them on the city streets. Just sing them with rejoicing like Mary and Zechariah about the merciful God who has sent a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
Singing to the Son of God!
Pastor Scott
Studying these two Christmas songs has caused me to consider how much songs are a part of the Christmas “Season”. Wikipedia states there are over 400 radio stations nationally that play Christmas music 24 hours a day during the month of December. Many stations find a spike in their market share of listeners by playing Christmas music. Obviously, they are seeking to leverage the Christmas music to gain new listeners. Of course, as people walk through malls and stores festive Christmas music is piped in—some stores doing so before Thanksgiving. Surely this is an attempt to get people into a “Christmas mood”, or more accurately a “shopping mood”, as soon as possible.
However, lest I become too cynical I know that God-centered Christmas music also is a tool of instruction about the incarnation and a means of stirring up greater praise to God. In fact, initially all Christmas music was for the purpose of worship to God and the incarnate Son. When Christmas became an official “holy-day” of the church, that is declared such by the Roman Catholic Church, there was music written to add to that celebration. The songs written then were chant, litanies and hymns, done in Latin of course. How curious to think how far we have come now with Christmas songs that are about snowmen, reindeer, Santa Claus and jingling bells. Hey listen, I’m not being a prude here. I enjoy singing about Rudolph or the Grinch like a lot of people. I just think it is stunning to consider the contrast of the lyrics found in many modern Christmas songs on the airwaves compared to the ones spoken by Mary and Zechariah. And I guess I actually feel a sadness in my soul to know that some people know nothing of the latter—they are so overrun with the silly songs about Christmas that they do not know even know the ones that herald the birth of Jesus. Which ones do our children and grandchildren know and sing? Which do we hum as we stroll along merrily in December?
These next two Sundays I am excited to share with First Baptist Church, Lake Wales those first Christmas songs—those expressed by Mary and Zechariah. Their themes are clear and powerful and draw attention to the mercy and salvation from the Lord. I hope if you are nearby you will join me for a look at them. Then also this weekend down by Lake Wales we will share some wonderful Christmas songs that also express wonder and worship over God made flesh! We will host Christmas by the Lake on Saturday and Sunday (12/18-19) evening at 6 PM near the basketball court and gazebo.
I hope this Christmas will continue to be full of wonderful Christ-exalting songs for you and your family. Sing them by the lake. Sing them in the church. Sing them on the city streets. Just sing them with rejoicing like Mary and Zechariah about the merciful God who has sent a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
Singing to the Son of God!
Pastor Scott
Friday, December 3, 2010
Great joy for ALL people?
And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people Luke 2:10 (ESV)
These words spoken by the heavenly messenger to the shepherds on the hillside somewhere near Bethlehem is familiar to many of us. If you’ve been any church for a Christmas or two or watched The Peanuts Christmas Special you have heard these words. But do we believe them?
Do we believe the message of the birth of Christ the Lord is good news? Or is it just more news, other news, some news to recall once a year? Is it really good news to you and if so why?
Good news of great joy…the angel announced. So does this good news fill you with great joy? Does it bring you not just some joy or a decent portion of joy but great joy? How great? Since his coming alters our eternal destiny maybe a joy as great as if your boss said you were getting a raise, your team won the championship, you hit a hole-in-one, he proposed or she said she’d marry you. Yeah, a reverberating, life-altering great joy! Not a whimsical, passing emotion but a deep abiding sense of rejoicing that salvation has come due to the birth of Jesus.
Yet I think the words we believe the least in the angel’s announcement are the last words in Luke 2:10. We may believe it is good news of great joy for us and some other people too, but for ALL people? Do you believe that? It is good news of great joy for people in North Korea, Tibet, Iran, and the Sudan? It is good news of great joy for your co-worker, your neighbor, your classmate, your Uncle Bill and sister Susan?
Christmas is a holiday widely acknowledged in our culture. International missionaries tell us every year that it gives them wonderful opportunities to share about the life and salvation Jesus offers. Those missionaries certainly believe it is good news of great joy for all the people. In fact, they are staking their lives on it (more on that next week.)!
Yet sadly the silence of many of us each Christmas season seems to indicate we really don’t believe it is good news of great joy for ALL people. If we really believed this would we not tell person after person we interact with over this holiday season that Jesus’ coming means they can have great joy in Him? Why do we pull back from telling our unbelieving relatives and friends? This message is for them. It means joy for them, right? So why are we so hesitant to share?
Okay, you say you believe it is good news of great joy, but you are just unsure of how to start a conversation. Gotcha! Then let me just give you a couple Christmas discussion starting questions. Ready? Ask either of these:
Do you think people understand the real meaning of Christmas anymore? Why or why not?
What difference does it make to you that Jesus was born?
Both of these questions allow you to listen to what they think about Christmas and the birth of Jesus? The first is for someone who may not know of Christ’s birth and life, whereas the second assumes they know that central event of the Christmas story. Then, both allow you to share of what Christmas and the birth of Jesus means to you personally. In other words, it allows you to share the testimony of how Jesus has brought you great joy through faith in Him.
Do you really believe the coming of Jesus is good news of great joy for ALL people? Then, will you and I boldly ask these questions this Christmas? Will we share of our great joy in Christ?
I am praying we will. And I am praying we will invite people to come to services at FBC this month and/or to Christmas by the Lake (Dec. 18 & 19 – 6 PM) using the tickets available this Sunday. Let’s use the Christmas season as a chance to tell ALL people the good news of great joy!
Sharing HIS joy!
Pastor Scott
These words spoken by the heavenly messenger to the shepherds on the hillside somewhere near Bethlehem is familiar to many of us. If you’ve been any church for a Christmas or two or watched The Peanuts Christmas Special you have heard these words. But do we believe them?
Do we believe the message of the birth of Christ the Lord is good news? Or is it just more news, other news, some news to recall once a year? Is it really good news to you and if so why?
Good news of great joy…the angel announced. So does this good news fill you with great joy? Does it bring you not just some joy or a decent portion of joy but great joy? How great? Since his coming alters our eternal destiny maybe a joy as great as if your boss said you were getting a raise, your team won the championship, you hit a hole-in-one, he proposed or she said she’d marry you. Yeah, a reverberating, life-altering great joy! Not a whimsical, passing emotion but a deep abiding sense of rejoicing that salvation has come due to the birth of Jesus.
Yet I think the words we believe the least in the angel’s announcement are the last words in Luke 2:10. We may believe it is good news of great joy for us and some other people too, but for ALL people? Do you believe that? It is good news of great joy for people in North Korea, Tibet, Iran, and the Sudan? It is good news of great joy for your co-worker, your neighbor, your classmate, your Uncle Bill and sister Susan?
Christmas is a holiday widely acknowledged in our culture. International missionaries tell us every year that it gives them wonderful opportunities to share about the life and salvation Jesus offers. Those missionaries certainly believe it is good news of great joy for all the people. In fact, they are staking their lives on it (more on that next week.)!
Yet sadly the silence of many of us each Christmas season seems to indicate we really don’t believe it is good news of great joy for ALL people. If we really believed this would we not tell person after person we interact with over this holiday season that Jesus’ coming means they can have great joy in Him? Why do we pull back from telling our unbelieving relatives and friends? This message is for them. It means joy for them, right? So why are we so hesitant to share?
Okay, you say you believe it is good news of great joy, but you are just unsure of how to start a conversation. Gotcha! Then let me just give you a couple Christmas discussion starting questions. Ready? Ask either of these:
Do you think people understand the real meaning of Christmas anymore? Why or why not?
What difference does it make to you that Jesus was born?
Both of these questions allow you to listen to what they think about Christmas and the birth of Jesus? The first is for someone who may not know of Christ’s birth and life, whereas the second assumes they know that central event of the Christmas story. Then, both allow you to share of what Christmas and the birth of Jesus means to you personally. In other words, it allows you to share the testimony of how Jesus has brought you great joy through faith in Him.
Do you really believe the coming of Jesus is good news of great joy for ALL people? Then, will you and I boldly ask these questions this Christmas? Will we share of our great joy in Christ?
I am praying we will. And I am praying we will invite people to come to services at FBC this month and/or to Christmas by the Lake (Dec. 18 & 19 – 6 PM) using the tickets available this Sunday. Let’s use the Christmas season as a chance to tell ALL people the good news of great joy!
Sharing HIS joy!
Pastor Scott
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