7:28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Can you think of your favorite teacher that you had growing up or in college? I remember my American Philosophy professor at Texas A&M – John McDermott. Dr. McDermott was hardly a Christian. He would have called himself a “pragmatist.” Rather than being rooted in Hebrew and Christian scripture – he was rooted in the writings of Josiah Royce, William James, John Dewey, and Charles Peirce – all philosophers from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. And yet, I list him at the top of “My Favorite Teachers” list and after twenty years since I graduated from college, I can still remember his classroom presence.
You see, Dr. McDermott wasn’t just someone who conveyed information about what philosophers wrote – he was passionate about seeing the possibilities of taking those writings and thoughts and using them to reorient modern culture and political life. In other words, for him, his craft of philosophy wasn’t an ancient and arcane practice, but a living, breathing source of inspiration. And this passion came out vividly in the classroom as Dr. McDermott would pace in front of the chalkboard or sit on top of one of the front row desks – his tweed jacket with patches reeking of aromatic pipe smoke. When Dr. McDermott spoke, the class couldn’t help but listen.
I’ve chosen a different path than John McDermott. In fact, on my Senior Paper on Alfred North Whitehead’s Process Philosophy – he wrote at the top of the page – “Beware the snares of the ministry.” I didn’t take that advice and have since fallen deeply into ministry’s snares. But I can’t help but remember a teacher who spoke with authority because he passionately believed and lived the truth and life of his message. And so, thousands of students experienced his class and were transformed by his ideas. Who was your John McDermott?
Jesus’ message wasn’t a rehash of the Old Testament prophets and the Law – even though he liked to quote them and used them often to illustrate his understanding of the Kingdom of God. The point of Jesus’ teaching was to show how all the things that had been promised in the Hebrew scriptures were now coming to life in the presence of the people of Israel. The blind were receiving their sight. The deaf were able to hear. The lame could walk. Good news was being preached to the poor (Luke 7:21-22).
When we share our stories of faith in God, lives are transformed! The reason Jesus spoke with authority was because he lived what he taught and the Kingdom of God that he talked about always seemed to follow Him wherever he went.
I believe that this sort of faith “to move mountains” is attainable by us today. That when we speak of Jesus’ love and presence to our friends and loved ones, we do so knowing that a life is about to be changed forever! The same authority that John McDermott had in a classroom at Texas A&M is nothing compared to the authority that WE walk in when we passionately believe in and practice the living, breathing Kingdom of God! What the world needs today isn’t a new philosophy, but a way of life rooted in the deep things of God. A “way” of life, not a philosophy “about” life. There is incredible power in our practice of the way of Jesus that far exceeds our mere words! (see 1 Corinthians 2:1-5!!!) -- Jay
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Whose Right to Judge?
1Co 4:1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
The Corinthian church – which Paul had planted – questioned his authority to later come back and coach them through some difficult problems they were having as a church. There were some people from Judea (in Palestine) who had come and told the Corinthians that to be good before God they needed to follow the Old Testament Law. There were others – probably more steeped in Greek hedonistic philosophy – who taught an “anything goes” theology. They said that since Jesus had come – everything was permissible, since we were covered now by God’s grace.
Paul knew the importance of remembering their roots in Jewish scripture and practice and yet knew that it was “for freedom” that we had been set free. Christians were no longer bound to the law to be measured under the law. At the same time, Paul also knew that people’s lives were a reflection of the holiness of God. And so, not all things were permissible, rather Jesus followers had been called to lives of holiness and faithfulness and witness.
It’s hard being a servant of God, isn’t it.
The good news is that ultimately our only judge is God. Christians may have the confidence to be bold, courageous, and truth-telling at all times because we stand under no human court. We are God’s children – entrusted with the mysteries of God. The more we seek God and surrender to Him, the more we are entrusted with heavenly things. The more we understand. The more we discern in the Spirit. The more authority and power we walk in as servants of the world. So let us walk in humility and grace – reflecting the character of God in our lives, allowing all that we are to fall under His Lordship and not man’s! God will honor our submission and everywhere we look, we will see plainly his kingdom and dominion.
The Corinthian church – which Paul had planted – questioned his authority to later come back and coach them through some difficult problems they were having as a church. There were some people from Judea (in Palestine) who had come and told the Corinthians that to be good before God they needed to follow the Old Testament Law. There were others – probably more steeped in Greek hedonistic philosophy – who taught an “anything goes” theology. They said that since Jesus had come – everything was permissible, since we were covered now by God’s grace.
Paul knew the importance of remembering their roots in Jewish scripture and practice and yet knew that it was “for freedom” that we had been set free. Christians were no longer bound to the law to be measured under the law. At the same time, Paul also knew that people’s lives were a reflection of the holiness of God. And so, not all things were permissible, rather Jesus followers had been called to lives of holiness and faithfulness and witness.
It’s hard being a servant of God, isn’t it.
The good news is that ultimately our only judge is God. Christians may have the confidence to be bold, courageous, and truth-telling at all times because we stand under no human court. We are God’s children – entrusted with the mysteries of God. The more we seek God and surrender to Him, the more we are entrusted with heavenly things. The more we understand. The more we discern in the Spirit. The more authority and power we walk in as servants of the world. So let us walk in humility and grace – reflecting the character of God in our lives, allowing all that we are to fall under His Lordship and not man’s! God will honor our submission and everywhere we look, we will see plainly his kingdom and dominion.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Moving In Freeedom
Gal 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
I grew up in a church and in a “movement” that taught that any difference in practice or theology from the “norm” meant that someone was in deep error and could in fact be in danger of going to hell! Writing these words now, I’m struck by just how harsh that sounds. In twenty years of ministry it never ceases to amaze me how people “use” heaven and hell to manipulate other into conformity!
A few years ago, after having experienced burnout in a long pastorate in Memphis, the Lord began to show me a new way to express my faith and worship! As I would learn – it didn’t mean giving up deep theological truth that I had come to know from scripture and solid teaching – rather it began to look like the passion and commitment and fire that drew me to ministry in the first place!
Today at Promise Church we are coming to know as a fellowship that there is incredible freedom in surrender to God and God’s purposes! At first, this may look or feel awkward to us. After all, surrender isn’t easy. It means letting go to ways of thinking and living that even though they didn’t work for us still made us feel some odd sense of “comfort.”
But as we go deeper into the “mystery” and the “deep things” of God we have a unique opportunity to experience the freedom we have always wanted but really were afraid to go after!
I’d like to encourage you. As someone who has travelled and IS travelling that pathway, I can assure you that there is incredible LIFE down the road. It doesn’t come easy. It doesn’t come without some pain and a lot of letting go. It doesn’t come without – as a famous Christian mystic once called it – a “dark night of the soul.”
But the wonderful thing about this journey is that beyond darkness of the night is the brightness of the new morning. And it’s the new morning that draws me forward toward! You are all in Susan’s and my prayers!!
I grew up in a church and in a “movement” that taught that any difference in practice or theology from the “norm” meant that someone was in deep error and could in fact be in danger of going to hell! Writing these words now, I’m struck by just how harsh that sounds. In twenty years of ministry it never ceases to amaze me how people “use” heaven and hell to manipulate other into conformity!
A few years ago, after having experienced burnout in a long pastorate in Memphis, the Lord began to show me a new way to express my faith and worship! As I would learn – it didn’t mean giving up deep theological truth that I had come to know from scripture and solid teaching – rather it began to look like the passion and commitment and fire that drew me to ministry in the first place!
Today at Promise Church we are coming to know as a fellowship that there is incredible freedom in surrender to God and God’s purposes! At first, this may look or feel awkward to us. After all, surrender isn’t easy. It means letting go to ways of thinking and living that even though they didn’t work for us still made us feel some odd sense of “comfort.”
But as we go deeper into the “mystery” and the “deep things” of God we have a unique opportunity to experience the freedom we have always wanted but really were afraid to go after!
I’d like to encourage you. As someone who has travelled and IS travelling that pathway, I can assure you that there is incredible LIFE down the road. It doesn’t come easy. It doesn’t come without some pain and a lot of letting go. It doesn’t come without – as a famous Christian mystic once called it – a “dark night of the soul.”
But the wonderful thing about this journey is that beyond darkness of the night is the brightness of the new morning. And it’s the new morning that draws me forward toward! You are all in Susan’s and my prayers!!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Encouraged!
Tony Woodall and I just returned from the Jackson Association of Ministers (JAMA) meeting feeling pumped about what Ted Leach - Senior Minister of First Methodist and JAMA President - described as "the Holy Spirit moving in Jackson."
Forty pastors gathered today at Mother Liberty C.M.E. Church downtown and heard a presentation from Dr. Vicki Lott (V.P. at Lane College) on the structure of dialogue needed to needed to foster an environment of racial reconciliation in Jackson. The most beautiful thing about the gathering wasn't just Dr. Lott's presentation which was excellent but the suggestion that the JAMA ministers gather for an overnight retreat together and pray through a response to the issue of race. WOW!!!!! I very nearly cried! Yes, there's a "task force" for discerning and outlining the issues but to suggest that we retreat and PRAY as ONE!!! I could only cry out in my spirit, "Yes Lord!!! Yes Lord!!!"
Jackson is blessed to have ministers like Ted Leach, Craig Christina (First Baptist), and Willie Miles (Sign of the Dove) and many others who are expressing a profound willingness to serve humbly. As they model surrenderedness to the Lord they are leading the rest of us toward visible and practical unity as a city-wide fellowship of Christians. Please keep these leaders in your prayers!
I don't know what will come next, but the Spirit of unity is moving across all fronts in Jackson. Who knows? Perhaps the revival in Jackson will become a model for the rest of the country as ministers from very different backgrounds and traditions come together for Kingdom Work!
P.S. Promise Church will be the host for the NEXT JAMA meeting the second Thursday in June - June 12th at 11:45am. See our website - www.promisechurch.info - for directions.
Forty pastors gathered today at Mother Liberty C.M.E. Church downtown and heard a presentation from Dr. Vicki Lott (V.P. at Lane College) on the structure of dialogue needed to needed to foster an environment of racial reconciliation in Jackson. The most beautiful thing about the gathering wasn't just Dr. Lott's presentation which was excellent but the suggestion that the JAMA ministers gather for an overnight retreat together and pray through a response to the issue of race. WOW!!!!! I very nearly cried! Yes, there's a "task force" for discerning and outlining the issues but to suggest that we retreat and PRAY as ONE!!! I could only cry out in my spirit, "Yes Lord!!! Yes Lord!!!"
Jackson is blessed to have ministers like Ted Leach, Craig Christina (First Baptist), and Willie Miles (Sign of the Dove) and many others who are expressing a profound willingness to serve humbly. As they model surrenderedness to the Lord they are leading the rest of us toward visible and practical unity as a city-wide fellowship of Christians. Please keep these leaders in your prayers!
I don't know what will come next, but the Spirit of unity is moving across all fronts in Jackson. Who knows? Perhaps the revival in Jackson will become a model for the rest of the country as ministers from very different backgrounds and traditions come together for Kingdom Work!
P.S. Promise Church will be the host for the NEXT JAMA meeting the second Thursday in June - June 12th at 11:45am. See our website - www.promisechurch.info - for directions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Team In Spirit Explosion
I was reminded today as we hear more and more how God is revealing powerful vision to individuals how important it is to "submit to one another!" (Eph. 5:21) Each one of us hears in part and sees in part. The beauty of community is that all of our parts come together and in God's kingdom the whole is ALWAYS greater than the sum of the parts! And when the Spirit moves powerfully as we've seen recently at Promise Church there exists an even greater opportunity for appreciating our individual visions as well as our corporate vision of mission.
In God's kingdom, it's never WIN-LOSE, but WIN-WIN! God has given individuals vision for a reason. The body does well to acknowledge and celebrate what God is doing in the life and Spirit of a person. We desperately desire to hear from God understanding that God's voice often is heard in people that aren't at the center of leadership! And at the same time, that vision becomes even further empowered when it is SHARED, prayed for, and CONNECTED to the larger vision of a community!
In God's kingdom, it's never WIN-LOSE, but WIN-WIN! God has given individuals vision for a reason. The body does well to acknowledge and celebrate what God is doing in the life and Spirit of a person. We desperately desire to hear from God understanding that God's voice often is heard in people that aren't at the center of leadership! And at the same time, that vision becomes even further empowered when it is SHARED, prayed for, and CONNECTED to the larger vision of a community!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
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