nobrokenreed

So What?

by 1 Comment

I’m having an email exchange with a pastor who writes a blog about the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24. I agree entirely with his thinking, which to me at least, is fresh and exciting – in a nutshell, he says that Jesus was talking exclusively about AD70 in this passage, not the end times. The arguments, read with a determination not to be coloured by years of teaching, are persuasive. Most of all though, they are impactful.

Recently, I asked the writer, ‘so what does it mean’ if this is actually correct? He hadn’t answered that question, the most important question. He’s decided to answer it in the blog, but it would seem he’s missed the point. He, the writer, has simply loaded more doctrine onto more theology. The real ‘so what’ in my view at least, is that if Matthew 24 is only about AD70 and the Old Covenant at that point was totally destroyed, we exist in something fantastically new. Except we don’t.

We haven’t been out on the streets recently for various reasons, and things have changed. It’s meant that we don’t have that passion for taking the Gospel to the world – whereas once we would stop and pray for people anywhere (and everywhere) we are now more hesitant. Whereas once we were so unashamed of the Gospel, now we hide it more. We are more comfortable with the world and our Christianity becomes only for ourselves and other believers. As a result, our entire relationship with Christ has become more jaded. Fortunately though, Christ is not quite so content to leave things as they are with us.

I spent Sunday morning with an old addict friend of mine – someone I originally met on the streets. He has been clean for 100 days, and when he is clean he is the most delightful person in the world. I really enjoy his company. He is suspicious of Christians, and all things church, which in turn reflect his attitude towards Christ. But, he sees Christ in what we are trying to do, and it piques his interest. I get to bring Jesus into conversations and pray with him. This morning was a refreshing morning as I was reminded that we have many friendships from the streets, and many of the people still want to hear more of the Gospel. There is much work to be done and it has given me the impetus to start ‘getting out there’, wherever God shows ‘out there’ to be to us; who knows maybe even you too?

And the ‘So What?’ point of all this is..?

The New Covenant in Christ, changed everything. In particular, it changed where Christ would meet with people, and who he would meet with. The priesthood, the buildings, the structure of worship, the money, the tithing, the rules, all of it was gone. At least it should be. It certainly disappeared in the New Testament. Christ, the Disciples and his church moved out of the Temple, the synagogue and into the marketplace. Christ, the ‘perousia’ is ever present, ruling with his church in the here and now. I would challenge that wherever there is a move of the Spirit in revival, it is where people start proclaiming the Gospel in the marketplace. Indonesia, China, Arabia, think about it. Christ on the streets.

We have though, kept certain things from the Old Covenant. We have kept particularly the structure, but also the company – our Western churches especially are filled often with ‘nice people’ who are perhaps 2nd or 3rd generation believers. Few others, if we’re honest, would ever darken the doors of a church. There is a costly risk in embracing the New Covenant, and we don’t want to give up our day job so much to embrace it fully. The Old Covenant was so convenient, because we could go through the ritual without it having much impact in our lives. Sound familiar?

But reading this blog has become a revelation and a revolution in my own life. If the Old Covenant really did end in AD70, then the implications are enormous for how we, Christ’s church here on earth, live our lives. We are called to be very different, to deny ourselves, and to give up everything for him.  Are you and I living like that?

One poignant thing is this – in AD70 God enacted serious vengeance on the nation of Israel for rejecting his message over the centuries, and especially for rejecting his precious Son. It would seem that period was one of the worst in history, and one designed specifically by God. The message was clear.

I wonder if we feel so safe continuing to ignore him today. We shouldn’t test his patience.

Redemption, Righteousness and Worship

by 1 Comment

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to falsehood, who does not swear deceitfully. – Psalm 24

We’ve been out on the streets recently, sharing Jesus with whomever would listen. More than that, in the few gatherings we belong to, some are discovering Jesus, and even beginning to share him with others. It is exciting, watching a movement begin.

At some stage with everyone we meet, the true Gospel has to be shared. It doesn’t have to be denominational, or religious, but it does need to be comprehensive. While tools such as 3 Circles are excellent to introduce people to Christ, and to get them to even think about God and his plan for their lives, it is not enough.

There is a logical, and chronological sequence to the Gospel story, that inevitably starts with redemption. Jesus has redeemed us. From what you may ask, from our sin. When we acknowledge that and only when we acknowledge that, can God possibly forgive us. Why is it then, that so many shy away from bringing this into a conversation? Friends, has it been so long since you have felt the crippling consequences of sin, and what it means to have that lifted? Are we somehow not confident of the redemptive power Jesus will have in someone’s life, when they seek his forgiveness? Do we no longer understand that God will forgive us through Christ, only when we seek his pardon?

We stopped talking about redemption, the moment we decided that the numbers of empty seats in our church would increase dramatically, if people were faced with such a message.

When we are redeemed, we are then made righteous in Christ. Paul spoke more of this than almost anything, a person who turned humbly to God for the forgiveness of sin, was given the righteousness of Christ. Further, if it were possible there could even be more, that indwelling of Christ’s spirit in a believer means they have the power to overcome sin in their lives. We can intentionally pursue righteousness.

As a believer moves through all of this, at last they are able to wander as a child into the very throne room of the Almighty and lift their arms to their Heavenly Father in love and adoration. Throughout their entire earthly lives, this cycle will repeat and draw them ever deeper into God. Transformation is continual.

Why is it we have become so reluctant, or even inept at telling this incredible story? Why, in a world addicted to drugs and sex, filled with depression, disease and violence are we so unable to provide an answer?

Part of that answer is surely that the modern Western believer cannot. We don’t know how. Many sitting in our comfortable churches, have been so used to one person doing all the talking, teaching and thinking that they simply do not know how to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a non-believer. I know, because for many years I was one.

For the overwhelming majority in this world, nobody has ever walked into their lives and caused them to stop and think about what is coming. Death has been cleverly carved out of the conversation by the enemy, sin has been nullified and sanitised by secularism, and Jesus is now simply one on a menu of many.

Which leave us, just a few of us, to try and change that. We simply cannot keep turning our back on the world, ignoring Christ’s command to his followers and pretend that we have more pressing priorities. It will not wash, in fact it never has. Surely Jesus expects more from us.

What an unbelieving world finds unbelievable

by Leave a Comment

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.  – Brennan Manning, ex-Alcoholic Catholic Priest

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. – Titus

There’s a new friend in my life, a business man. Highly intelligent with a first-class honours in Maths, we have been discussing some projects together. Along the way, we have had several discussions about God, Jesus and the main purpose of life. As an agnostic, he is intrigued that someone would seemingly be so open about their faith. Apparently, I don’t appear so naïve that I should put my faith in the God of the Bible. How can that be?

I suggested to my friend, that he might like to read CS Lewis on one of his next trips. As one academic to another, he would at the least find Lewis entertaining. To my surprise, my friend took me up on the idea, downloaded the CS Lewis classics and read them on a recent flight to China. It certainly did get him thinking, what if it’s all right? This week at coffee, he talked about what he had discovered in his brief journey towards Christ. One thing he realised was that eventually, not everyone has all the answers – Christianity contains a strong element of faith, a hope unseen. There is only so much we can see and experience from outside the boat, we actually have to get in to experience it all.

So then, where to from here?

Well, here’s the real stumbling block..surely, my friend said, if all that was true, how do we possibly see the pathetic reality of so many Christians lives? If we believe in a God who not only saves us, but also will judge us, either we should fall on our faces in deep gratitude, or tremble in fear enough to change our ways. Yet, the journey seems replete with bent Catholic priests, charismaniacs who worship mamon more even than the world, and day to day believers whose lives reflect no differently from those around them.

This week, I have heard stories of youth pastors at a large well known church, sleeping with their youth group, others suffering chronic depression and eating disorders, along with a well known worship leader who is a closet lesbian. My friend – the clever one, has a business partner in his practice, who is gay. Fairly common fare today, except this man left his wife some years ago, took up with a man and managed to get himself onto the governing board of the Uniting Church.

You see, for a person beginning to explore the person of Jesus Christ, it can be difficult to distinguish between the true light, and the rotting remnants of a bygone era of a ‘Christian country.’ As you read the New Testament, one of the outstanding hallmarks, is the purity of the church, and the very genuine fear of a Holy God. Little of that enough, is found in our version of Christianity.

Things have to change, for surely God is more aware of the problem than I am.

Eventually, if my friend reads enough of Lewis, he will come to the bit where Lewis expounds that God invariably has to change people – societies even, by taking them through a great deal of pain. Purity and persecution are common bedfellows in the New Testament, and in any place today where the church is thriving.

We need to watch out. It is certainly coming our way.

The Beauty of the Discovery Bible Study

by Leave a Comment

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. – Mark 11 (please read the rest of the story)

There’s something about a person reading the Bible for themselves. That is, as opposed to having someone else reading it to them. There is a difference.

This last week, we were invited to run church at the Northcott Housing Commission on Saturday evening, before cooking a bbq. We have been a few times. The expectation was established from the beginning; we were there to teach, and we had an audience. Imagine then, the surprise when we announced, “tonight we would like to do something a little different…”

Tonight, there would be no preacher or teacher, other than Christ through his Spirit, ever present. Tonight, everyone would read, everyone discuss and everyone have an opportunity to layout what the passage means to them. From a few simple questions – ‘what does this passage tell us about Jesus’ or ‘what example does this give us to follow?’ people began to share what the passage spoke to them.

Want to know what was the best thing about it all? The change in people’s demeanour.

From the outset, doubt was replaced by a lighting up of people’s face as they realised they could contribute. For years, all we have been taught to do – ever, is listen to somebody else, a priest perhaps. They read the Bible, and then tell us what it says and what we should think about it. Have you ever watched someone who isn’t used to reading the Bible, a believer or non-believer, actually read it out loud? Their physical features change, as their Spirit radiates.

By the end of the evening, people weren’t asleep, they were wide awake, discussing, sharing thinking. At the end, all of us were challenged by this one question, “who will we share this with this week?” We went around the table, and each of us had to nominate somebody we would share the Fig Tree story with this week. Next week, when we come back again, we will all be held accountable for sharing the Gospel. Have we been obedient? A Gospel not just of knowledge, but of obedience.

This is the third Discovery Group I’ve been part of this week. All the groups have been small, ad hoc, in a local setting. All we need is a Bible, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. At least half the people have not been believers. Picture that, agnostics, Muslims, uncertain’s – all of them discovering Christ by reading the Bible.

There is a paradigm shift happening around the World. Discovery Bible studies everywhere are transforming the way people discover Christ. Are they everything? No. Are we to worship them, or make a doctrine out of them? No, of course not. Years ago, when I grew up, it went something like this; we invite someone to church, they get saved by saying a prayer, and then they go through a disciple making programme to become a disciple. They learn mostly information, doctrine, what we believe.

Today, as shown up largely in developing countries it goes more like this; believers, that is ordinary people like you and me, are walking into a community and beginning to show others how to discover Jesus through a Discovery Bible Study. As they begin to discover Jesus, so along the journey they become a disciple and perhaps eventually get saved. Learning obedience from the outset, they then go out and begin to reproduce the model, looking for others in their community or another community, who will become, and then make disciples. We never take people out of their community, but rather take Christ into it.

So Jesus is taken into a community, where he can be discovered by all, without the need of anyone – a priest, one that is ordained, a theologian, anybody except someone willing to obey the simple command of Christ, Go and make disciples.

How beautiful, how unpretentious Christ is. We should follow him.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Contact