Who’s Your Carol?

Our reading is Jonah 1:1-3. Jonah is one of the twelve Minor Prophets. They are considered minor because their books are brief. Tradition tells us Jonah was written by the prophet himself. The date it was written is approximately 600 BC. One of the most intriguing elements of this Old Testament book are the New Testament undertones. For example, the name Jonah means “dove,” the New Testament symbol of the Holy Spirit. Also, Jonah was saved by a great fish, which is the New Testament symbol of the Christian faith. However, what is important to us today is the basic storyline. Everyone knows the story of Jonah.

His calling comes in the very first verse of the book, “The word of the Lord came to Jonah.”  That was a common phrase when prophets were called. It is found in other places in the Old Testament. Never forget, prophets were called to speak on behalf of God, not predict future events. The problem is not that Jonah didn’t understand his calling. The problem was Jonah didn’t want to deliver the divine message. God tells him to go to Nineveh and preach a message of repentance. Jonah didn’t care for the Ninevites. Instead of Nineveh, he headed in the opposite direction. He goes to the coastal town of Joppa and bought a ticket for Tarshish. Geography is important in this story. The two cities, Nineveh and Tarshish, represented the opposite ends of the commercial world in ancient times. Nineveh was located on the Tigris River in modern day Assyria, and Tarshish was located on the coast in modern day southwestern Spain. Jonah has been called the reluctant prophet. He forgot God is always present, everywhere. However, his story leads us to an interesting question.

How many souls have you won for Jesus Christ? Did you know, according to various sources, only 1% of all Christians have won a soul for Jesus Christ? That means 99% of us have never won a soul for Jesus Christ. Maybe that is why so many know the story of Jonah. We can relate to Jonah. He was to go to Nineveh and call them to repent, but he refused to go. We are to win the world for Jesus Christ, but we refuse to evangelize. How many souls have you won for Jesus Christ? Here is another question.

Why aren’t Christian’s evangelizing? That is the question Steven Lee tried to answer. He is the pastor of the North Church in Mounds, Minnesota. In a website called Desiring God, he says there are four basic reasons why Christians don’t evangelize. Maybe you will find yourself on this list.

  1. Ignorance Some don’t share the Gospel message because they don’t understand Jesus’ sacrificial death. They believe they can earn their salvation.
  • Fear Some don’t share the Gospel message because they are afraid. They are afraid of not being accepted by their community or circle of friends. Some are afraid of losing respect within their group or losing popularity.
  • Discrimination Some don’t share the Gospel message because they don’t care for an entire group of people. That was Jonah’s story. He didn’t want to go to Nineveh because he didn’t like the Ninevites. How many groups do you belittle?

Can I be honest with you?  I believe the 99% statistic is wrong. I believe many more than 1% of all Christians have won a soul for Jesus Christ. I believe that statistic is wrong because the question is flawed. The question, have you won a soul for Jesus Christ, reminds us of Billy Graham’s (1918-2018) great evangelistic crusades. At the end of every service an altar call was given, and countless people came forward to accept Jesus Christ. However, evangelism is not limited to altar calls. Evangelism is not limited to a one-time experience. Evangelism is anytime we share Jesus. How many times have you shared Jesus with your words or actions? Let me tell you a little story.

My wife Kathryn was raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. The entire family attended the local United Methodist Church. She attended Sunday school weekly.

Kathryn will tell you the best Sunday school teacher she ever had was a woman by the name of Carol. She was a stay at home mother who raised her three sons with her husband Bob. She wanted the best for them, and the best she had to offer them was Jesus. It was for this reason that she taught the high school class, which included her sons and my wife. Every Sunday morning at 9:30, she was with a group of high school students talking about Jesus. Not a single student in that class questioned her sincerity, she had known Jesus for years. Not a single student in the class questioned her commitment to them. She wanted the best for them and the best for them was Jesus. She wanted that group of teenagers to live for Jesus. My wife felt her first calling into the ministry thanks to Carol.

As a loving husband, I have to say, Carol changed my wife’s life. When Kathryn was in high school, Carol made her feel special. When Kathryn was in college, Carol prayed for her regularly. When Kathryn was in seminary, Carol invited her to come back to the church to speak to a small group of women. It was a way to encourage her. When Kathryn took those first United Methodist appointments, Carol saw her potential. When Kathryn and I moved to the Cleveland area, Carol visited our churches. When we travelled back to Kathryn’s hometown, Carol was on the itinerary. When our daughter Anna (who Carol had watched as a baby) graduated high school, Carol was invited to the party. They are now friends on Facebook. We travelled back to the Cleveland area several years ago to celebrate Carol’s special birthday. She wanted to know what Jesus was doing in our lives. She has always brought the best out of other people because she always wanted the best for them. She knew the best she could offer them was Jesus. She is simply one of the finest people I have ever known. Ask Carol if she saved Kathryn’s soul for Jesus Christ and she will say, “No!” But she has been evangelizing to Kathryn for years. Let me ask you a question.

Who is your Carol? Who led you to Jesus and encouraged your growth in the Christian faith? It is safe to say that person did not have an advanced degree in evangelism. It is equally safe to say, that person knew Jesus and wanted the best for you. The best we can offer people is Jesus. International evangelist Luis Palau (1934-2021) must have known Carol. He once said, “Evangelism is not an option for the Christian life.”

202 Midwood Street

Our reading is Nahum 1:7-11. Nahum spoke to the people in the city of Ninevah. Those were complex times for Ninevah because it was the capital of the cruel and wicked Assyrian Empire, which covered parts of present-day Iraq, Iran and Turkey. God had had enough of their sinning, so the people must pay. Those were not empty words. History tells us Ninevah was destroyed by a great fire in the year 612 BC. The book of Nahum teaches us sin must be taken seriously. It is as true today as it was in Nahum’s time.

According to Webster, a sin is an immoral act against divine law. Sin must be taken seriously because our sins damage our relationship with God. While most of us are not known for our cruelty or wickedness, everyone is a sinner. Roman 3:23, “All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.”  That means we are more like the Ninevites than we care to admit.

James W. Moore (1938-2019) was the pastor of the St. Luke United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas from 1984-2006.  He received his Master of Divinity degree from the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. Through the years he wrote many books, which are nothing more than his printed sermons. One of those books is entitled Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned, But I Have Several Excellent Excuses. In that book, he tells us our sins originate from four sources.

Sometimes, we sin by being led astray. That is what happens in the parable of the lost coin. (Luke 15:8-10) A coin was equal to a day’s wages. That means it is worth finding. The coin did not grow legs and walk away. The coin was lost because someone misplaced it. That is what happens with people. Some sin because of the influence of others. That is why parents evaluate their children’s friends. That is why parents want their children to participate in wholesome activities. God fears we will be led astray by others too. Who are the most influential people in your life?

Sometimes, we sin by running away. That is what happens in the parable of the prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32). It is a story of selfishness. Impatient for his father’s death, a son asks for his share of the inheritance while his father is still living. He took the cash and ran. For a short time, he lived life in the fast lane. Then, his money ran out, and he ended up struggling to survive. You can call it selfishness. Some sin because they think too highly of themselves and have no concern for others. Do the people in your life consider you selfish?

Sometimes, we sin because of resentment. The parable of the prodigal son reveals two sources of sin. The first is selfishness. The second is resentment. It is found in the older son who stayed home. While his little brother was out there living the wild life, he stayed home. He got up early daily and went to work. You can call him responsible, but he felt foolish. He dreamed of the adventures he was missing. At first, he must have admired his brother, but in the end, he resented his bother. It is no fun working when others are having fun. This could be the greatest source of sin in the church today. It is no fun trying to keep the church going when so many have forgotten the church. Who do you resent?

Sometimes we sin by wandering off. That was the story of the Ninevites. One hundred years earlier, God’s reluctant prophet, Jonah, arrived and told them they must repent. The people did, but in time they backslid. The Ninevites are not much different from us. We know what God wants us to do but often we refuse to do it. How far have you wandered away from God? Nahum reminds us there is a price to pay for sinning. However, this is the good news for today.

Nahum lived in Old Testament times, and we live in New Testament times. Ninevah got what they deserved. Their city was destroyed. We deserve to be punished too, but it will never happen because Jesus died for our sins. His death was not pretty because our sins are not pretty. Jesus’ death handled the sin problem. How you respond to Jesus’s death is extremely important. Is it just a passing thought, or is it a life changing experience?

My maternal grandparents lived at 202 Midwood Street in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, we visited my grandparents annually. Through my young eyes, their house was a mansion. Recently, I researched that massive home. It was constructed in 1901 and is 1,800 square feet. The market value of that home today is over $1.9 million. It is hard to compare property values in Brooklyn, New York with northeast, Ohio. Externally, the house was not original. My mother called it a “Brown Stone.” The entire neighborhood was filled with them. Each one was identical. Each one was constructed with brown stones, a flat roof, a bay window, and a flight of stairs leading up to the front door. The only thing that changed about each dwelling was the address. My grandparents lived at 202 Midwood Street. I will never forget that address because of an event that happened to me one day during one of our visits.

I was not very old. I must have been six or seven. My grandparents wanted to entertain me, so they borrowed a bicycle from a neighbor.  The problem was there are very few places for a child to ride in the middle of Brooklyn. My only option was to ride up and down Midwood Street. I am confident my parents told me to be careful, and I am confident they told me the address, 202 Midwood Street, as all the houses looked the same. The problem was I did not listen to them. I was more interested in trying out the bicycle. When I jumped on the bike, I dreamed of wild adventures. I picked up speed fast and I imagined being in all kinds of exciting places. I was having a great time! When I snapped back to reality, I discovered the truth. I was lost in New York. All the homes were identical, and I did not know which one belonged to my grandparents. Emotionally, I went from the highest mountaintop to the lowest valley. Fear flooded through me. I thought I would never see my family again. How would I survive in the streets of New York alone? There was only one option, I began to cry. I promised myself I would never ride a bicycle again, and I prayed that God would help me.

God heard my prayer. My savior came to rescue me. In that emotional moment I heard comforting words. It was my mother, who had been watching me from the window the whole time. I do not remember her exact words, but I do remember the relief I felt when I saw her. I was safe. My mother took me by the hand, wiped my tears, and led me home. I took one last look at that horrible bicycle and walked inside. Can I ask you a question? When was the last time you were lost?

It is not just a story about a small boy lost in a big city. It is the story of the Christian faith, itself. We are lost in sin. Everyone sins. It comes in many forms, each one damaging our relationship with God. We deserve what the people of Nineveh got, punishment. But our punishment never comes because Jesus came to die for our sins. Grace is a wonderful thing. This is the question; how do you respond to God’s grace? It has been said, “God’s grace is not an excuse to sin, but rather a reason to love and serve him more fully.”

Are You Listening?

Our reading is 1 Samuel 3:1-10. This is the background – there was a woman by the name of Hannah, who had a difficult time conceiving a child. Hannah prayed so earnestly for a child she caught the attention of a priest named Eli, who had compassion on her. He prays for her and, in time, she gives birth to a boy. She named the child Samuel, which means “the Lord heard.” She is so thankful for her son; Hannah dedicates Samuel to the service of the Lord and entrusts his care to Eli. According to our reading, Samuel stayed with Eli for many years.

According to our reading, God began to speak to Samuel when he was a boy. The great historian Josephus (37-100) tells us, God began to speak to Samuel when he was twelve years old. That is a significant age in that culture. Twelve-year-old boys were considered men. According to the Bible, Samuel was lying down in the temple when he heard his name and assumed Eli was calling him. One should never assume. It took God three attempts to get Samuel’s attention. This is the question you must answer. How many times would it take God to get your attention?After all, we have a difficult time simply hearing one another.

There are several reasons for not hearing one another. Sometimes, we don’t hear one another because our ears are broken. Did you know over fifty million Americans are hearing impaired? That is more than 14% of our national population. Sometimes, we don’t hear another because we are preoccupied. That is my story. I will be standing next to someone, but my mind is a hundred miles away. I say it regularly, “I’m sorry. What did you say?” Sometimes, we don’t hear one another because we refuse to hear what is being said, like when your doctor says to lose weight and exercise. We have a hard time hearing one another. However, the story is not about hearing other people. The story is about hearing God. Eli put Samuel in the best possible position to hear God.

Beliefnet is an online Christian resource and community focused faith, spirituality, and lifestyle. In 2019, they posted an article about putting yourself in the best possible position to hear God and this is their list: 

Pray – Did you know, according to the Pew Research Group, 44% of Americans pray every day? That means 56% of Americans don’t pray every day.

Read the Bible – Did you know, according to Lifeway Research, 10% of Americans have never read a single word in the Bible?

Find a quiet space – Our world is full of noise. The music is always playing. The television is always on. Someone is always talking. Someone is always cutting down a tree or mowing the lawn. It is hard to hear God through all the noise.

Read spiritually rich material – The Christian faith is more than 2,000 years old. God has touched every generation, and, in every generation, people have written about their experiences with God. Read their words. Read what Augustine (354-430) had to say. Read what John Calvin (1509-1564) had to say. Read what John Knox (1514-1572) had to say. Read what John Wesley (1703-1791) had to say.

Look for God – For over twenty years, the youth at my church participated in Group Work Camps. At camp they were challenged to look for God, they called it a God sighting. If you train yourself to look for God, you will find Him.

Talk to other believers – The Christian faith was never meant to lived out in isolation. The Christian faith is meant to be lived out in community. That is why church is so important. In the true church we encourage and support. In the true church we are honest with one another and hunger for what is best. 

Worship – God expects us to worship Him. (Matthew 4:10) Sadly, many don’t. Did you know, according to the Pew Research Group, only 30% of American Christians attend church weekly?

Know yourself – You are so valuable Christ died for your sins so you could spend eternity in heaven. Sadly, many don’t believe it. Did you know, according to NBC News, 85% of Americans have a low self-esteem. Maybe one of the reasons we don’t hear God, is we don’t like ourselves?

This is the point. Eli positioned Samuel to hear God. Are you in the best possible position to hear God?

In 2019, my wife Kathryn and I traveled to Scotland. It is a special place full of beautiful landscapes, history and wonderful people. Part of the adventure was traveling by train. Every day, we would check the train schedules. We traveled during non-peak hours so it would be easier. Nearly every day we would sit together on the train. One day, the car was full, and we were forced to sit apart. Kathryn sat with a couple from Sweden and discussed the royal family. I sat next to a young man, who was lost in thought. When I first arrived, he seemed annoyed. He was forced to move his sack lunch so I could sit down. I apologized and introduced himself. He told me his first name and said he was a local. I told him how impressed I was with Scotland. I told him about our travels. I told him about where we were planning go. I told him about my home and job. I told him about my family and our pets. I told him I loved baseball, but I knew nothing about soccer. I told him everything. Then, it hit me – I had been doing all the talking! I stopped talking and looked at him for a response. He was a million miles away. When he finally looked at me, he pushed his shaggy hair back and pulled his earbuds out. He looked at me and said, “Did you say something? I can’t hear anything when I am listening to my music.” I simply said, “That’s fine”, and I stopped talking. Why waste your breath if someone isn’t listening? Why waste your breath if someone doesn’t want to listen? Could that be our story?

God is talking to us, but we just aren’t listening. Could it be we are too preoccupied to listen to God? Could it be we are too busy to listen to God? Could it be we don’t want to listen to God because we are afraid of what he will say to us? We want God to say he loves and accepts us. We don’t want God to say that we are sinners who need to repent. We don’t want God to say that we are a disappointment. This is the question you must answer: are you putting yourself in the best possible position to hear God? I hope the answer is yes, because author Bryant H. McGill (born 1969) isn’t wrong. He once said, “One of the sincerest forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” 

Why Are You Here?

Appearing in over 100 films in his four-decade career, George Sanders (1906-1972) was a true Hollywood star. In 1951, he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the movie All About Eve. He seemed to have it all, both fame and fortune. He should have been a happy man, but he wasn’t. On April 23, 1972, Sanders committed suicide in a hotel near Barcelona, Spain. Left behind a note. It read:

Dear world, I am leaving because I am bored. I have lived long enough. I am leaving you and your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck! 

How can a man with so much have so little? According to the world, Sanders had everything you needed to be happy. He did have everything he needed to be happy, but he was ignorant of his divine purpose. There is more to life than collecting and buying things. There is more to life than partying. Everyone must be able to answer the question: why are you here? God doesn’t call us to be consumers. God calls us to make a difference in this world. That leads us to our reading.

According to the Revised Common Lectionary, this Sunday is the Second Sunday in Lent. The Old Testament reading is Genesis 12:1-4, the calling of Abram. It is not our first introduction to Abram, later Abraham. He was mentioned in the previous chapter. According to chapter eleven, Abram’s father was named Terah. The entire family lived in Haran, until Terah’s death at the age of 205. The death of a loved one is always hard, and many make major changes during a time of loss. That is what happened to Abram.  

The twelfth chapter begins with Abram making a major change in his life. However, Abram does not initiate the changes. It is God, who initiated the change. At seventy-five years old, God instructs Abram to move to a new land. The name of the land is not identified, but it will be the home of Abram’s future descendants. Abram’s relocation is a large part of his divine purpose. Names are important in the Bible. Abram means “exalted father.” Abraham means “the father of the multitude.” Abram’s descendants include Jesus. That means, Abram is our spiritual ancestor too. I love this story because Abram started the greatest challenge of his life as a senior citizen.

In 2002, pastor of the Saddleback Church in California Rick Warren (born 1954) released a book called “The Purpose Driven Life.”  The book was extremely popular. More than 50 million copies were sold in 85 countries. It was popular for an obvious reason. Everyone wanted to know their divine purpose. In other words, everyone wants to know why God put them in the world. No one just wants to be a consumer. Everyone wants to make a difference. Abram’s divine purpose was to be the father of a new nation.

Today, many are unsure of their divine purpose. Research tells us only 38% of all Christians know their divine purpose. Abram did three things to clarify his purpose. We need to do these three things too to clarify our purpose as well.

First, Abram trusted God. Prior to our reading, the scripture says Abram had a good life. He was prosperous and stable in Haran. There is no sign Abram was interested in leaving and had every reason to stay. It was God who initiated the move. This is the key line – there is no sign Abram questioned God. He trusted God and was open to God’s leading. Moving to a new land made no logical sense, but Abram did it because he trusted God. God has a plan for your life too. How far do you trust God?

Second, Abram trusted the people in his life. Abram didn’t travel alone. The scripture tells us he took with him his wife Sarai and nephew Lot. He took his possessions and the people he had acquired in Haran. That includes both employees and slaves. This is the point. When Abram accepted God’s call, it didn’t just affect his life, it affected many lives, including the people who stayed behind. If Abram was going to maximize his purpose, then he had to trust the people in his life too. How far do you trust the people in your life?

Third, Abraham trusted himself. God calls Abram to move to a new land to start a new race. Abraham goes because he trusts God and Abram goes because he trusts the people in his life. Abram goes because Abraham believes in himself. There is no sign in the scripture Abraham doubted himself. Abram believed in Abram. According to NBC News, 85% of people have low esteem. Are you in that group? Do you believe in yourself?

If you want to discover your divine purpose, then you must trust God, the people in your life and yourself. Never dismiss the value of knowing your divine purpose. It is essential to your well-being, acting as a compass that drives motivation, resilience and mental health while contributing to longer happier lives. Your purpose is not necessarily your vocation. However, your vocation may pay for your purpose. Your divine purpose stands at the intersection where your personal interests meet human need. What is that one thing you enjoy doing that benefits someone else? That is your divine purpose. I am convinced there are as many purposes as there are individuals. People who don’t know their divine purpose live shallow lives.

What is your purpose? Abraham’s purpose was to be the father of new nation. What is your purpose? Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author, political activist, and lecturer. She was also the first blind-deaf person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1904, she received that degree from Radcliffe College. Keller once said, “True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”  Never forget, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, and he expects you to make a difference. What is he calling you to do?

Lent is…

Lent is the solemn liturgical season prior to Easter on the Christian liturgical calendar. It lasts forty days to remind us of the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness prior to being tempted by Satan before beginning his public ministry. The purpose of Lent is to draw near to God and make progress in the Christian faith. Lent is observed by many denominations. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter morning. (However, technically it ends on Maundy Thursday.) This year, Ash Wednesday is February 18 and Easter is April 5. It has been said, Lent is a time to go into the wilderness with the Lord.

In this blog, I what to give you three principles you need to remember during this sacred season. Each one is illustrated in John 1:43-51, the calling of Nathanael. These thoughts are not original. They came from United Methodist clergyman James W. Moore (1938-2019). This is principle number one.

Lent is a time to be honest. Our reading is early in Jesus’ earthly ministry. As a matter of fact, he only has three disciples. They are Simon, Andrew and Philip. It is Philip who told Nathanael about Jesus. Verse forty-five says, “Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”  That fact is not surprising. Studies tell us 90% of all people who accept Christ are introduced to him by an acquaintance. Nathanael’s response with brutally honest, it exposes his humanity. It is filled with human pride and arrogance. Verse forty-six says, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”  Still today, every community has a stigma. Lent is a time to be honest. It is a time to be honest with the people in your life, honest with God and honest with yourself. Self-honesty is challenging.

Self-honesty looks past personal biases, defenses and illusions to confront uncomfortable truths, ultimately fostering growth, better relationships and mental health. In the fourth century monastic monks lived in the Egyptian desert and practiced self-honesty. They would bring their shortcomings back to the Abby and share them with their brothers. The entire community supported one another. They illustrate for us the Christian faith was never meant to be lived in isolation. We need one another when we deal with self-honesty. Lent is a time to be honest. This is the second principle.

History tells us one night the founder of the great Methodist movement John Wesley (1703-1791) was once robbed. The thief was disappointed in his small take and turned to run away. Wesley told him to stop and said to him, “I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!'” The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit. Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. That stranger was the one-time robber. He had been transformed. Now a believer in Christ, he was a successful businessman. He said, “I owe it all to you.” Wesley responded, “Oh no, my friend, not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!” This is principle number two.

Lent is a time to experience Jesus for yourself. Philip told Nathanael about Jesus, but he was not impressed. He tries to dismiss Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Philip doesn’t argue with him, but he does encourage him to experience Jesus for himself. In verse forty-six Philip says, “come and see.”  Once Nathanael experienced Jesus for himself everything changed. God has no grandchildren, only children. Lent is a time to experience Jesus for yourself.

One of the greatest names in world history is Michelangelo (1475-1564). He is remembered for his great works of art. When he was ordered to paint the Sistine Chapel, he refused. He didn’t consider himself a great painter; he saw himself primarily as a sculptor. He was told his refusal would not be accepted. When he discovered that there was no alternative without unpleasant consequences, he mixed his colors and went to work, creating one of the world’s finest murals. No one was more surprised than Michelangelo. Like Michelangelo, few realize their full potential, but Jesus recognizes our full potential. Jesus is more interested in what we can become, than what we are. This is principle number three.

Lent is a time of redemption. Go back to the text with me. Philip told Nathanael about Jesus, but he wasn’t impressed. He wasn’t impressed until he met Jesus for himself. Jesus knew more about him then was humanly possible. However, what was more important was that Jesus was impressed with Nathanael because he saw him standing under the fig tree. Why is that important? Jews stood under the fig tree for two reasons. First, they went for shade. Second, they went under the fig tree to meditate on God’s word and pray. Jesus was impressed with Nathanael and saw his full potential. Jesus sees our full potential. Lent is a time of redemption. Let me ask you the question again.

Are you going to be any closer to Jesus in forty days then you are right now? Lent is a journey. It is a journey that will take forty days to complete. If you want to be closer to Jesus in forty days, then remember these three things. First, Lent is a time to be honest. Be honest with yourself. Second, Lent is a time experience Jesus for yourself. No one can experience Jesus for you. Third, Lent is a time of redemption. Hiding inside of you is the person God intended from the very beginning. Are you going to be any closer to Jesus in forty days then you are right now? The answer all depends on you.

Our Unchanging God

Located just off the Marblehead Peninsula in Ottawa County, Ohio is Johnson’s Island. Over the past few decades the island has been developing, but for many years it remained rustic. On the north coast of the island is a Civil War cemetery. At one time it was the site of a Confederate Civil War prisoner of war camp, but now the cemetery is all that remains. It is the final resting spot for 206 former Confederate officers who never returned home. History tells us no prisoner ever escaped from the camp because the island was so remote. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the Daughters of the Confederacy.

I have been to the cemetery on Johnson’s Island numerous times. It is a short walk from the cemetery to the shore of Lake Erie. If you look out across the water, you can see Cedar Point Amusement Park, the home of eighteen world-class roller coasters. Every time I visited Johnson’s Island, I was moved by the contrast. If you looked toward Lake Erie, you saw the amusement park; if you looked away from Lake Erie you saw the Civil War graves. The contrast is shocking. Let me state the obvious. Our world has completely changed since the Civil War. Our world is always changing, but God remains the same. That takes us to our reading, Malachi 3:1-6.

Many years ago, before man walked on the moon, before a civil war threatened to divide America, or before Columbus discovered a New World, there was a man who spoke for God. His name meant “my messenger,” but we just call him Malachi. He lived in approximately the year 400 BC. According to the Bible, by that time the temple had been reconstructed, but God’s chosen people were stuck in a spiritual funk. The book of Malachi echoes their spiritual condition. Our reading is a dialogue between God and His chosen people. Malachi acts as the go-between. God is concerned about the people’s unfaithfulness, yet God does not give up on them. The book ends with a word of hope. Someday the Messiah will come, and a great spiritual revolution will begin. Jesus led that revolution four hundred years later. The background is interesting, but one verse stands above the rest. Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord do not change. So, you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”  That verse grabbed both my attention and imagination. Most consider it the most important verse in the entire book. In a world that is constantly changing, it is refreshing to find something that remains the same. How much has the world changed in your lifetime?

I was born in 1957. The world has changed completely in my lifetime. My parents bought their first home in northeast Ohio in 1950. They paid $5,400. When I was very young my parents only had one car. I remember my mother riding the city bus when she shopped. My family’s black and white television set only got three stations. When we finally got a color television set the whole family celebrated. There was a nob to adjust the color from red to green. The first movie we watched in color was Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. At some point, we got an antenna that moved so we could watch Cleveland or Pittsburgh television. We were so excited! I was in the first grade when John Kennedy (1917-1963) was assassinated. My school’s principal made the announcement over the school’s public address system; my teacher, Mrs. Fuller, cried. I remember the day Martin Luther King (1929-1968) was shot and my parents wondered how the world could get any worse. It did. I remember the milk man coming to the house. He left the milk in a small silver box on the front porch. His name was Gilbert. He sold popsicles on the side for a nickel. Do I have to go on or do you get the point? The world has changed quite a bit during my life. How much has the world changed in your lifetime? Only a fool would think our world has not changed!

Our world has been changing for a long time, but God remains the same. This blog could have been called “Our Changing World,” but I have decided to call this blog “Our Unchanging God.” This message is not about volatility; it is about stability. We hear it in the Malachi reading, “I the Lord do not change.” Psalm 90:2 says, “From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.” This is not a new concept or discovery. It should be a foundational piece of your understanding of God.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, you should always be trying to expand your understanding of God. That is one of the primary functions of the church. Churches teach about God in a variety of ways – sometimes from the pulpit, sometimes in the classroom, sometimes in our music. Hymns are not just a collection of pleasing notes. Hymns teach us theology. They teach us about the basic elements of the Christian faith. Let me give you an example. In 1867, a new hymn came out. It was called Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise. It was written by Walter C. Smith (1824-1908). It is a beloved hymn in traditional worship. My churches sang it many times over the years. There is a stanza in that hymn about the unchanging character of God. Do you remember it? It goes:

          We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,

          And wither and perish – but naught changeth Thee!

In other words, we change regularly, but God remains the same. God is God and God does not change. Whatever God is, God always has been, and God always will be. That is important to remember in our changing world.

Theologians call it immutability. The word is not about God’s physical appearance. It deals with God’s character. Immutability is defined as: unchanging over time, or unable to be changed. Our reading for today, Malachi 3:6, is one of several verses which attests to the immutability of God. So, in what ways does God not change? This is the list.

God is:

          Always wise

          Always powerful

          Always holy

          Always just

          Always good

          Always true

          Always gracious

          Always present

          Always knowledgeable

          Always sovereign

          Always loving

Those things have been part of God’s nature from the very beginning and they always will be.

In 2020, my wife Kathryn and I traveled to Yellowstone National Park. I was really looking forward to seeing Old Faithful. It has always fascinated me. It was named by explorers in September 1870. In the early days of the park, it was used as a laundry because of the ample hot water. It erupts approximately every ninety minutes and shoots up to 8,400 gallons of hot water into the air some 150 feet. Historians tell us there are records of Old Faithful erupting 500 years ago. Old Faithful has erupted more than 1,000,000 times. It is safe to say it is as old as the earth itself.

I found Old Faithful to be impressive, but not as impressive as God. Our unchanging God transcends time. Malachi said it best four hundred years before the birth of Christ, “I the Lord do not change.”

John’s Greatest Priority

Our reading is Matthew 14:1-12. The scene is Herod Antipas’s (72 BC- 4 BCE) birthday party. He was a powerful man, the Herodian ruler of Galilee and Perea. The entertainment for the evening was Herodias’s (15 BC-39 AD) daughter. The first century Jewish historian Josephus (AD 37-100) gives us her name, Salome (AD 14-71). Herod’s life was complicated. It sounds like a country song; Salome was Herod’s stepdaughter and niece. Salome’s dance pleases Herod. It was not the dance of an innocent child, it was an erotic dance. Herod was pleased with her performance, he says she can have anything she desires. She, with encouragement from her mother, requests “The head of John the Baptist on a platter.” There is no easy way to say it. By the end of the evening John’s head was delivered, never to speak again.

I have always found this story to be shocking. It is so shocking that it blinds us from the divine truth. The divine truth is found in John’s priorities. Look at the story with me one more time. The life of John the Baptist and the life of Herod Antipas stand in complete contrast. John was preoccupied with the eternal, trying to please God. Herod Antipas was preoccupied with the temporary, trying to please himself. John the Baptist’s priorities and Herod Antipas’s priorities are opposites. This story challenges us to examine our own priorities. How much time do you spend worrying about the temporary? How much time do you spend worrying about the eternal?

Years ago, I called my good friend Bill Johnson. (No, not the former Congressman, now President of Youngstown State University, the preacher.) This was not unusual, I called Bill regularly. Normally, he spoke in a clear voice, but on that day, he was whispering. I asked him why he was whispering and he responded, “I am at the Genesee of the Abbey near Rochester, New York.I am only to use electronic devices in case of an emergency. I am supposed to be focused on God.” I said, “Bill, I am not an emergency.” He said, “No. However, you are a priority.” I asked, “Do you answer when the wife calls.” He said, “Yes! I talked to her this morning.” He added, “I think I am in trouble. They caught me using my iPad to see if the Guardians won last night.”

Bill illustrates for us the simple point that good things can take our attention away from the best thing, God. He is supposed to be our greatest priority, because only God is eternal. That is what Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  God expects total and unconditional commitment from us. There is nothing wrong with friends and family. There is nothing wrong with our favorite professional sports team. However, none of those things should be our greatest priority because they are temporary. God is supposed to be our greatest priority because only God is eternal. How many good things in your life are distracting you from God? Consider these three good things that can distract us from God.

It would be easy to make patriotism your greatest priority. Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859) was a French political thinker and writer. In 1831 he came to America and found what makes America great. According to him, our greatness is not found in our natural resources, our educational system, our form of government, or our economic success. He said, “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”  I cannot disagree with him.

I have been to some amazing places in this world but there is no place like America. I always feel a sense of relief when I am flying home and enter U.S. air space. I am both proud and thankful to be an America. It would be easy to make America your greatest priority, but don’t do it. America is not God. America is a country. God must be your greatest priority!

It would be easy to make your local church your greatest priority. Your local church is more than a building. Some of life’s most significant experiences happen in your local church. For example, your grandmother sold pies to buy the pews. Your grandfather helped roof the church on the hottest day one summer. In the sanctuary you buried your brother who left too soon. You married the love of your life in church. You baptized your children at church. Years later, you can still point to the place at the kneeing rail where you accepted Jesus at church. You still remember how the whole church prayed just for you before your big medical test. The fellowship hall is filled with memories of past church gatherings and heated church debates. It would be easy to make your local church your top priority, but don’t do it. The church is not God. The church is an organization to teach you about God. God must be your greatest priority! 

It would be easy to make family your greatest priority. There is so much to love about being in a family. They are the ones we call during life’s greatest, and saddest, experiences. They are the ones that give us the greatest since of satisfaction. They are the ones we sacrifice for and the ones who will sacrifice for us. Everything we have would mean nothing without family. It would be easy to make family your greatest priority, but don’t do it. Your family is not God. God must be your greatest priority. There is nothing wrong with making patriotism, your local church, or your family a priority in your life, but they can’t be your greatest priority, because they are not God. John teaches us, we must make God our greatest priority because only God is eternal. What is your greatest priority?

As I write this blog, we are hours away from the XXV Olympic Winter Games. They are being held in Milan and Cortina, Italy. NBC will have 7,000 hours of total coverage over their various networks, featuring all 329 events. We will learn about the various events and the story of some of the athletes. We will not hear much about the Duomo di Milan, the symbol of the city of Milan. I had the great privilege of visiting there years ago. It is a wonderful place.

The cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete. Construction began in 1386 and was not completed until 1965. The cathedral has five huge doors to welcome visitors. The center three doors grab our attention. Over the first side door is a sculptured wreath of roses, and underneath it are the words, “All which pleases is just for a moment.”  Over the second side door is sculptured a cross, and the words, “All that troubles is just for a moment.”  But underneath the giant central entrance leading to the main aisle is the inscription, “Only the eternal is important.”  That is what John is telling us in our reading. That is why God must be your greatest priority. Only God is eternal. What is your greatest priority?

John’s Question

Born in Eastern Europe, Isidor I. Rabi (1898-1988) moved to America as an infant. In time, he would study physics at MIT, Columbia and Cornell. In 1942, he won the Nobel Prize in Physics “for his resonance method for recording the magnetic properties of atomic nuclei.” (Whatever that is.) He credited his mother for his success. He said that every day after school his mother would talk to him about his school day. She wasn’t interested in his daily schedule. She was more interested in the questions he asked. Daily, she asked him, “Did you ask any good questions today?” “Asking good questions,” Rabi said, “made me become a better scientist.” In our reading, Matthew 11:1-6, John the Baptist had his disciples ask Jesus an excellent question, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

There is nothing innocent about this story. John the Baptist had been imprisoned because he had made an enemy of a powerful man, Herod Antipas (72 BC- 4 BCE). He was the son of Herod the Great (BC 72-BC 4) and the grandson of Antipater the Idumaean (BCE 114-BCE 43). He was appointed by the Romans as Herodian ruler of Galilee and Perea in 4 BCE. His political connections do not impress John. He called all to repent, including Herod Antipas. His story was well known and filled with immorality – it sounds like the storyline from a contemporary soap opera. Herod went to Rome to visit his brother, and became infatuated with his sister-in-law, Herodias (15 BC- 39 AD). He seduced her, took her home for himself and divorced his wife. While many stayed silent, John proclaimed it as morally wrong. John’s protests came to the attention of Herod Antipas, who imprisoned John near the Dead Sea.

Like Jesus, all teachers had students or disciples who believed in them, including John. John sent his disciples to Jesus with our question, are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else? This question is not unique to Matthew, it is also found in Luke 7:19-23. It is a great question. The issue that haunts the entire text is why John had his disciples ask the question. John knew Jesus’s identity. He knew it from within his mother’s womb (Luke 1:44) and he heard Jesus’s identity proclaimed by God at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:15). There is no sign that John doubted or became frustrated with Jesus. So why did John have his disciples ask the question, “Are you the one who has come, or should we expect another?” 

The key to understanding John’s question is evangelism. We understand evangelism to be sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, calling individuals to repentance and faith in Him as their Lord and Savior. John knew Jesus was the Messiah and he wanted to make sure his disciples understood Jesus to be the Messiah. He knew the benefits of discipleship, and he wanted his disciples to experience those benefits too. Consider it the pastoral side of John. He sends them to Jesus to ask the question, “are you the one who has come, or should we expect another,” because he wanted them to have the right answer too. He wanted the best for his disciples. The best we have to offer someone is Jesus. No one can accept Jesus for you, you must do it for yourself.  There is a world of difference between learning about Jesus and experiencing Jesus! That reminds me of a parishioner I met years ago.

Her name was Nancy and she lived in a Cleveland, Ohio suburb. She visited my church one Sunday, and I arranged to meet her several days later. We connected in the first few minutes and she told me her story. She had just been honorably discharged from the United States Navy and moved back home to attend college. She was studying nursing and confessed it was hard for her to be living at home with her mother.  She went as far as to tell me her mother was mad at her for visiting my church, because she had been raised Roman Catholic. She felt disconnected from the Roman Catholic Church during her military service. During those years, she tried various Christian traditions and had read the Bible cover to cover. Near the end of our discussion, she looked at me and said, “I know everything there is to know about Jesus, but I’m still not sure I am going to heaven when I die.” I looked at Nancy and said, “There is a world of difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus.” I asked her if she knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She did not, so I led her to salvation. She thanked me and walked out of my church a different person.

Can you relate to Nancy’s story? You know everything there is to know about Jesus. You go to church and read the Bible. You pray for the sick and read your devotional. However, you still aren’t sure about your own salvation. John the Baptist knew it from the very beginning. You can know everything about Jesus and still not know Jesus. He sent his disciples to Jesus with the question, “are you the one who has come, or should we expect another,” so they could experience Jesus for themselves. Do you know Jesus, or do you just know about Jesus? Until you know Jesus, you know nothing at all!

Moments of Self-Doubt

Our reading is Matthew 27:20-26. Normally, we hear these words during Holy Week. However, that does not mean it doesn’t have something for us today. The scene is powerful. Jesus is on his way to the cross and is standing next to Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. The crowd must choose who they will release, the notorious rebel and murderer Barabbas, or Jesus. The crowd chooses Barabbas. Think about that scene for a moment. Jesus and Pilate made a strange pair. Pilate has everything this world has to offer – fame, power, and influence. Jesus has nothing this world has to offer. However, the man with nothing is filled with self-confidence. The man with everything is rattled with self-doubt. What does Jesus have that Pilate lacked?

In this blog I want to help restore your self-confidence. It is Satan who puts self-doubt into your life because he doesn’t want you to maximize your full potential. He wants you to live in a shell, afraid to come out. God, on the other hand, wants you to live up to your full potential because he wants you to have the greatest impact on your little corner of the world. As a disciple of Jesus, you are His ambassador and that changes everything. So let me ask you three questions. These questions are not original. They came from United Methodist clergyman James W. Moore (1938-20019).

First, how secure are you? Jesus was secure because Jesus knew who he was. The scriptures tell us very little about Jesus’s childhood. We are told that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and lived in Egypt for a short time as an infant. Jesus called Nazareth home, and at twelve years old, he went to the temple and amazed the elders. He stayed near his mother until he was thirty. We know very little about Jesus’ life, but I am comfortable saying Jesus knew who he was from the very beginning. Jesus knew he was the son of God. Jesus knew being the son of God brought unique opportunities, but it also brought unique challenges. Jesus was not arrogant; Jesus was secure. Jesus knew who he was. How many secure people do you know? Do you consider yourself a secure person? Do you know yourself?

In a few months I will turn sixty-nine years old. My age does not bother me, because I have had all this time to learn about myself. When I was young, I tried to act like I knew everything. The truth is, I am ignorant about many things. I know nothing about plumbing, auto repair, foreign policy, sewing, crafts, and the finer details of physics. I can’t speak a word of Portuguese. It is extremely difficult to know everything. Then, somewhere along the way I learned three little words that liberated me, “I don’t know!” It doesn’t mean I don’t know anything. It only means I don’t know about certain things. I don’t know anything about cardiology, but I know something about God, preaching, the Bible, church growth, and group dynamics. I like being my age because I have had all these years to learn about myself. I consider myself a secure person. Do you consider yourself a secure person? Jesus knew who he was. Self-confident people know themselves. How secure are you?

Second, do you know whose you are? Our reading happened over two thousand years ago, so you know how the story ends.Pilate permits Jesus to be crucified, and Jesus was buried in a cave-like tomb. Jesus spent his earthly ministry surrounded by people, but when the end came, he was alone. The crowds of Palm Sunday disappeared and, except for God, he was alone. Jesus had self-confidence because he knew he was loved by God. You can have self-confidence because you are loved by God.

One of the great preachers of yesteryear was Philip Brooks (1835-1893). He was extremely confident and optimistic. A close friend asked him what the source of his attitude about life was. He replied, “It is quite simple. I am a Christian.”  Once you discover God’s love for you, everything changes. Being a disciple of Jesus means you know you are loved by God. In the end, God will be victorious and He wants to share the spoils of that victory with you! It really doesn’t matter what the world says about you, the only thing that really matters is that God loves you! Jesus was self-confident because he knew whose he was. You can be self-confident because God loves you. You belong to God. Do you know whose you are?

Third, do you know where you are going? Jesus’s final destination is not a secret. It is found in the Apostle’s Creed: He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Jesus knew he was going to heaven when it was all over. All he had to do was hang on. The same is true for us – the trials and challenges of this world are temporary, all we must do is endure them. Heaven is going to last for eternity. Do you know where you are going?  

History tells us Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was fatally shot at Washington DC’s Ford Theater on April 14, 1865. Much has been written about the shooting and the political climate of America on that day. Very little has been written about the contents found inside of the pockets of our sixteenth president. It was reported in President Lincoln’s pockets were found: 

1. A handkerchief, embroidered “A. Lincoln”  
            2. A country boy’s pen knife  
            3. A spectacles case repaired with string  
            4. A purse containing a $5 Confederate bill  
            5. Some old and worn newspaper clippings  

One of the clippings was an article written by John Bright (1811-1877). He called Lincoln, “one of the greatest minds of all times.” Today, that is common knowledge but that wasn’t the case in Lincoln’s time. In 1865, millions shared quite a contrary opinion. The President’s critics were fierce. The country was in turmoil and was ripped to shreds by hatred and a cruel, costly war. Lincoln kept Bright’s words because he couldn’t believe anyone would say he had a great mind. All these years later, we can confess Lincoln suffered from depression. He was crippled with self-doubt and haunted by a poor self-image. Do you know of anyone who is crippled with self-doubt and haunted by a poor self-image? Maybe that person is you?

I do not have an article saying you are brilliant, but if you are reading this then you have something better. You are a disciple of Jesus Christ, and that fact changes everything. Because you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you know who you are. Discover your own strengths and weaknesses. Never be afraid to say those three liberating words, “I don’t know.” Because you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you know whose you are. Never forget, God loves you! Because you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you know where you are going. The challenges of this world are only temporary. Someday we are going to be in heaven together! 

Why was Jesus Baptized?

The story of the baptism of Jesus is found in all four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Our reading, Matthew 3:13-17, is Matthew’s version. According to the text, Jesus went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. The Baptizer was a charismatic character who came with one message. Everything he ate, wore, and said communicated one message, repent! It was the perfect message for his audience. Herod the Great had been cruel and the Roman miliary had been harsh to the people of Israel. Most of the people longed for a religious solution to their intolerable political situation. The people flocked to the desert region to hear John’s message of repentance. He offered them a sinner’s baptism as a sign of their repentance. One of the faces in the crowd was Jesus.

One of our core understandings about Jesus is that he was sinless. That is what made him the perfect sacrifice on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says,“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

1 Peter 2:22 says, “He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth.”  1 John 3:5 says, “You know he appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.”  I could go on, but I won’t. You get the point. Jesus was sinless. So, why would the sinless Jesus require a sinner’s baptism? Consider these four things with me.

First, Jesus’s baptism exposed his identity. The people had been waiting for the Messiah a long time. Some hoped John was the Messiah (Luke 3:15). Matthew 3:17 tells us Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah,“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”  In other words, God is identifying Jesus as the Messiah. Several years later, he would be the suffering servant mentioned in Isaiah 53. On that horrible day, “Jesus was rejected by mankind. He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him.”  Matthew 3:17 eliminated all questions. From that point on, no one questioned Jesus’s identity. He was the Messiah. Never underestimate the importance of correct identification. Jesus’s baptism exposed his identity.

Second, Jesus’s baptism fulfilled all righteousness. In other words, Jesus’s baptism was all part of the divine plan. To underscore that point, Jesus was consecrated by God when the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. This was not the first time John had seen Jesus. They were related on their mother’s side, however their family relations are not clear. Some say they were cousins. Some say Elizabeth was Mary’s aunt. Some say they were related in other ways. Regardless of their connection, John believed in Jesus from the very beginning. John understood his role and was uncomfortable baptizing Jesus. Verses 14 and 15 says, “But John tried to deter him, saying I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteous.”  John and Jesus were obedient to God’s will. Jesus’s baptism fulfilled all righteousness.

Third, Jesus’s baptism ignited his earthy ministry and marked the beginning of the end of John’s ministry. Students of America’s Civil War will tell you July 4, 1863, is a key date. It was the beginning of the end of the Confederacy – Vicksburg fell along the Mississippi River, the day after the Union claimed victory at Gettysburg. Sadly, the war dragged on for another two years. Jesus’s baptism was the being of the end of John’s ministry. John 3:30 quotes John, who said, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.”  John was an excellent forerunner, but Jesus was the Messiah. In the next three years Jesus would transform the world and set into motion something new. Christianity is the world’s largest region, approximate 2.3 billion followers. Jesus is the most influential life that ever lived. No followers of John exist today. Jesus’s baptism ignited his earthy ministry and ended John’s contribution.

Fourth, Jesus’s baptism shows us that he completely identified with the sins of mankind. If you use your sanctified imagination, you can picture the crowds coming to John to receive a sinner’s baptism. They needed that baptism because they needed to repent. Jesus was in the crowd not to repent but to relate to the commoners. John 1:14 says,”The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”  The incarnation is beyond human understanding, but Jesus’s humility and solidarity cannot be questioned. Jesus’s baptism shows us that he completely identified with the sins of mankind. Let me end with this old preaching story.

A church received a new minister, and the sanctuary was full for his first Sunday where he preached a wonderful sermon about Jesus. The second Sunday came and he preached another wonderful sermon about Jesus. His third sermon was about Jesus. Each week the congregation heard a wonderful sermon about Jesus. This went on for months. Everyone should have been happy, but this was a church. Someone had to complain about all those wonderful sermons about Jesus. One man did and pulled the minister to the side after worship one Sunday. In the corner of the narthex, he confronted the minister. He began by saying, “Your sermons about Jesus are very good. However, you have been here for months and all we have heard about is Jesus. Our world is a complex place and there are many social ills. There are people starving to death. There are diseases that have no cure. There are people who can’t read. There are children lost in slavery and lives being lost in wars. We don’t hear about any of those things. All we hear about is Jesus! Don’t any of those things matter?” The pastor listened patiently and responded, “No! Once the world knows Jesus all those other issues will go away.” I couldn’t agree more. After all, Jesus is the son of God. Our only hope of salvation. In the life of the church, what really matters to you? I hope your answer is Jesus. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) said, “Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all.”