Is God in Charge?

We find ourselves in the eighth chapter of Acts, verses two through four. These few verses are challenging for anyone who assumes God will eliminate life’s hardship. It does not matter how you turn this story; you find pain and suffering. Listen to what I am about to say. It makes the story harder to accept. The people who are experiencing the pain and the suffering did nothing wrong. Stephen did nothing wrong. He was doing what he was told. He was telling the world about Jesus and for his evangelistic efforts he was killed.  The members of the early church did nothing wrong yet verse three tells us they were imprisoned for their faith. Pain and suffering have been part of the church from the very beginning. There is no shortage of pain and suffering in our world today. And with the pain and the suffering comes the question, is God in charge? In this blog, I want to unpack that loaded question.

When I was in seminary a professor challenged us to develop a theology of suffering. On that day, I did not know the importance of that assignment. It was just one more requirement. However, I learned about the importance of that assignment in my forty years in the ministry. Through the decades, I sat with countless people, who withstood great suffering and hardship. They were good people who did nothing wrong. No one expected me to solve their problems, but everyone expected be to care. In every case, I would explain my theology of suffering. It is two-fold.

First, the origin of life’s hardships is Satan, not God. I believe you should learn something new every day. Do you know what I learned the other day? I learned that the Vikings did not wear horns on their helmets. That is a misconception. The origin of that misconception comes from the ancient Christians in southern Europe who feared the northern Europeans. The southern Europeans portrayed the northern Europeans in art with horns on their helmets to alien them with Satan, who is symbolized by a horned goat. Like, Jesus is symbolized by a lamb. That means the helmets of the Minnesota Vikings wrong. Many have accepted that misconception about Vikings wearing horns in their helmets. I did!

That is not the only misconception in history. Maybe you have accepted one of these?

  1. Ben Franklin did not discover electricity. (He was simply trying to prove the electric nature of lightning)
  2. The Great Wall of China cannot be seen from the moon.
  3. Marie Antoinette did not say, “Let them eat cake.”
  4. Witches were not burned at the Salem Witch Trials. (However, 20 women were hanged.)
  5. Nero did not fiddle while Rome burned. (He was 30 miles away when the fire broke out.)
  6. Lady Godiva never rode her horse in the nude.

How many of those misconceptions have you accepted? Our world is filled with misconceptions. This is one more.

Do you know of anyone who has accepted the misconception God creates hardship and suffering to draw us near to him. That simply is not the case. God uses hardships but God does not create the suffering. The true origin of all pain and suffering in our world is Satan. God may have created the world, but it is Satan who brings hardship and suffering to the world. That is why Job’s story still speaks to our world. Everyday Satan did horrible things to him, so Job would denounce his faith. Every day Satan does horrible things to us, so we will denounce our faith. However, we won’t do it because the foundation of our lives is God! Yet, it is painfully clear. We are living in Satan’s playground and with every horrible story there is another Satan sighting. With every story we shake our heads and wonder why? It is vital to your faith that you reject the misconception that God creates hardship and suffering. The origin of all suffering and hardship is Satan. We must confess our ignorance when it comes to the origin of hardship and suffering. The origin of life’s hardships is Satan.

Second, our emotions blind us to divine outcome. In 2013, the Colonial Hills Baptist Church of Indianapolis suffered a great tragedy. They had sent their youth to a church camp in northern Michigan. It was a successful time away and everyone was excited about returning home. Everyone must have been thrilled the 365-mile trip home was nearly complete. Then, tragedy struck. One mile from the church the bus’s brakes failed. The bus slammed into a wall and overturned. There were 37 people on the bus. Dozens were injured. Three were killed, including the youth pastor, his pregnant wife, and a chaperone. The youth minister was the senior pastor’s son. The parents who had assembled at the church to pick up their children were shocked. Their happy reunion was replaced with sadness. Does that story make you wonder? That story makes me wonder.

We must confess our emotions blind us to the divine outcome. That story has stuck with me through the years. It fills me with questions. How do you worship after such a horrible accident? How do you sing songs of praise after such a horrible accident? How does the minister stand up and preach after such a horrible accident? He did not just lose a member of his staff. He lost his son. He lost a daughter-in-law. He lost an unknown yet loved grandchild. How does a mother move forward after losing a child? Just like in the scripture lesson, they were doing nothing wrong, yet they were suffering.

Emotions are funny things. They can propel us to the mountaintop, and they can drag us down to deepest valley. They can sharpen our insights and blind us to the most obvious. Have you ever wished you were more emotional? Have you ever wished you will less emotional? Have you ever hidden your true emotions? Have you ever had to work your way through some emotional experience to experience something new?

The scripture lesson ends with a word of good news. The church is moving outward. This did not happen because the governing body passed a new rule. There was no capital funds drive for new church starts. The grant application was not accepted for some new ministry. The church was moving outward because it was forced to move outward. Because of the persecution, it wasn’t safe to stay in Jerusalem, so they moved to other places taking the Gospel message with them. There is no reason to believe they would have moved without the persecution. Have you ever noticed how God can use Satan’s bad things and produce something good? It happens all the time.

Taryn Davis said she felt lost and isolated after she buried her husband, Michael. He was serving our country in Iraq when he died at the age of 22. Due to her young age, 22, everyone tried to dismiss her grief by saying, “You are young. You can remarry.” People did not know how to treat her, so they left her alone. In her isolation, Taryn did something that brought her both great pain and relief. She contracted the widow of another soldier who was killed with Michael. Their meeting had no real agenda. They simply got together and shared. Then they decided to contact other young military widows and in time they founded the American Widow Project. It is open to any age, but the average age is 25. It has been years since Michael died. She still misses him, but she has found a new family. She has found her purpose. Have you ever noticed how God can use Satan’s bad things and produce something good? How often do our emotions blind us to the final outcome? Helen Keller (1880-1968) once said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it.”

One of my favorite stories in the Bible comes from the ninth chapter of Mark. Peter has just identified Jesus as the Christ. It was one of those pivotal moments in the Bible. Things would never be the same again. To underscore the importance of that insight, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain. It is at this moment the story grows strange. Without any warning, Jesus’ appearance suddenly changes. The Bible says he was transfigured. We would describe him as glowing. Suddenly, with this transfigured Jesus and the disciples were with Moses and Elisha. I don’t know how they identified them. (Maybe they were wearing name tags?) Why Moses and Elisha? Through the eyes of the disciples, they were the greatest characters in the Old Testament. Moses was the great law giver. Elisha was the greatest of the prophets. Both were endorsing Jesus. It was one of the greatest moments in the life of the disciples and they don’t want t to end. Peter offers to put up tents for their honored guests. However, the best is yet to come. Suddenly, they are engulfed by a bright cloud and God, himself, begins to speak to them. God says it clearly, “This is my son, whom I love; with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” The disciples are overwhelmed by the experience, but it is suddenly over. Do you remember what happens next?

On their way down from the mountaintop they are confronted by a man whose son is demon possessed. The contrast between the two stories is shocking. Isn’t that life? On the mountaintop everything is perfect. There is Moses and Elisha. There is God. In the valley there is imperfection, hardships, and suffering. There is the demon possessed boy. How much imperfection have you witnessed in your life? We may visit the mountaintop occasionally, but we live in the valley. This is the question.

Is God in change? The answer is YES! However, you are never going to see it until you understand two things. First, the origin of suffering is Satan. God created the world, but we live in Satan’s playground. Second, you must confess your own emotions have blinded you to the divine outcome. Mother Teresa (1910-1997) once said, “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.”

Be Prepared!

We find ourselves today in the book of Acts. The reading begins at 7:54 and ends at 8:1. At the very heart of the scripture is the uncomfortable topic of death. One of the leaders of the early church, Stephen has died. His death sent a shockwave through the early church because he was so respected. He was the first one outside of the Apostles to perform a miracle. That miracle was important because it demonstrated to the people that God was still with them. Everyone was excited about the miracle except one small, yet powerful, group, the Sanhedrin. They were the Supreme Court of the orthodox faith. Like Jesus and Peter in the past, they had Stephen arrested. His trial does not go well. In the section prior to our reading, we are told he addresses them with little respect. In bold words, he tells them about God’s plan of salvation. Jesus was the final act of love. That was not what they wanted to hear. According to our reading, they reacted to his words in a violent way. In an emotional rage, they drag him out of the city and stone him. It must have been a horrific scene. The light that shined so brightly in the beginning of the day was now extinguished. It is at this moment the text begins to speak to us. There is no other way to say it. Stephen is dead. On the day he was born, his world shed tears of joy. Now, his world was shedding tears of sorrow.

Death is an uncomfortable topic. It shouldn’t be. Just like birth, it comes to each one of us. No one gets out of this world alive. The mortality rate of the world is 100%. Some will leave sooner; some will leave later. However, everyone must leave. Death does not discriminate. It takes the young and the old. It takes the educated and the uneducated. It takes the rich and the poor. It takes every race. Have you ever wondered how long you will live? Have you ever wondered what month you are going to die? Have you ever wondered what day of the week you will die? I never have liked Tuesdays. Have you ever wondered how you are going to die? Will your death be a long-drawn-out affair, spending your final days alone in some institution? Will your death be sudden, like Stephen’s? That is how I would like to go.

This blog is wrapped around three questions about your death. I have the license to ask these questions because part of my job for forty years was to prepare people for eternity. The correct answers to these questions are illustrated in today’s text about Stephen. However, this message is not so much about dying. It is about living life to the fullest! Mark Twain (1835-1910) once said, “The fear of death follows the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”  This is question number one.

Are you prepared to die socially? In the fourth chapter of Genesis is one of the great stories of the Bible. How well do you remember your family history? Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. They came from the same biological parents but they, personally, were completely different. Cain was a farmer and Abel was a shepherd. In time, both men sacrificed to God. Cain brought fruit; Abel brought meat. You can call it favoritism, but God preferred Abel’s offering, the meat. (Can you really blame him?) Cain gets his feelings hurt and positions himself to do something ugly. The story ends when Cain kills Abel. This story teaches us a variety of things. One of those things is the value of human relationships. God expects us to maintain healthy relationships with one another. Are all the relationships in your life healthy? Are there any relationships in your life that are near death?

The Bible does not really give us much detail, but it is safe to say Stephen had healthy relationships. Everyone in the church respected him. It is safe to say everyone in his life respected him. Does everyone in your life respect you? How many damaged relationships are in your life? I am not just talking about your siblings. I am talking about everyone, your parents, children, neighbors, and co-workers. God expects us to maintain healthy relationships. Do you have any relationships that need repair? Don’t wait! This is question number one. If this was the last day of your life, would you be prepared socially? This is question number two.

Are you prepared to die personally? Next month, my wife, Kathryn and I are traveling to western Turkey and Greece. We are traveling alone. We are traveling with a group led by East Ohio Annual Conference Resident Bishop Tracy Malone. In all there are thirty-seven of us. The trip was promoted as The Journeys of Paul. I am so excited. I love to travel, and I need an adventure in my life occasionally. It is a big world and I want to see as much of it as possible. I was sharing my excitement with a friend, and he simply asked, “Why?” He spent the next few minutes telling me in a nice way that I was a fool. He tried to discourage me from going. He ended by saying, “I hope you are happy living in a Turkish prison.” I ended our discussion quickly and walked away frustrated. I have never understood why people do that? Why do so many people discourage others from doing something? I was not inviting him to come. I was telling him I was going. I enjoy traveling and I want to learn more about the Apostle Paul. Have you ever discouraged someone from doing something they wanted to do? Let me ask you this question:

What do you still want to do with your life? I am not just talking about traveling to odd places. I am talking about your passion. Stephen was passionate about Jesus! What are you passionate about? Is there some place in this world you still want to go? Is there some book you would still like to read? Is there some language you would still like to study? When Thomas Jefferson died, he was studying German. Is there someone you would still like to meet? Is there something you still want to build or own? Don’t wait! If this was the last day of your life, would you be prepared socially? Would you be prepared personally? This is question number three.

Are you prepared to die spiritually? As I write this blog, one of my family members is in the Intensive Care Unit in a hospital in the suburbs of Cleveland. His medical situation is complex, so the family as asked many questions. The more questions we asked, the more confused we have become. The more confused we have become, the less hope we have. At one point, the kind of questions changed. They went from medical questions to spiritual questions. People started questioning his salvation. Those are the hardest questions to answer because we are not the judge. We pray that somewhere along the way our family member accepted Jesus, because Jesus is our hope of salvation. Heaven would not be the same without him. The one thing no one can question is Stephen’s salvation. He has a vision of heaven. If this was the last day of your life, would you be prepared socially? Would you be prepared to die personally? Would you be prepared to die spiritually? Let me end with this story.

You do not have to be a Civil War expert to know the name Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (1824-1863). The one-time instructor at the Virginia Military Institute was respected by both friend and foe for his courage during battle. He was once asked about the source of that courage. This was his response:

My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God (knows the) time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter where it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.

It is interesting to note that Jackson died eight days after that quote. He was accidentally shot by one of his own soldiers. That shot caused him to lose his arm, which led to pneumonia. I must ask you:

Are you prepared to die? Stephen woke up that morning and didn’t have a clue he would be gone that night. Maybe that will be our story? Only God knows. That is why you must always be prepared. Are you prepared to die socially? Are all the relationships in your life perfect? Are you ready to die personally? What do you still want to do? Are you ready to die spiritually? Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? I hope so. Heaven wouldn’t be the same without you!

False Testimony

We find ourselves today in the sixth chapter of Acts, verses eight through fifteen. The spotlight is shining squarely on the rising star of the early church, Stephen. He is respected by everyone. Prior to our reading, we were told, he was so respected he got to serve on the first committee in the history of the church. (Lucky him!) In our reading for today, his legend continues to grow. He was performing miraculous signs and wonders among the people. That line is significant because he was the first one to perform a miracle besides the apostles. The news of Stephen’s miraculous power spread throughout the land. Everyone must have been excited, except one group, the Sanhedrin. To them, the news of his miraculous power was not welcomed. To them, it meant their Jesus problem continued. They responded to Stephen as they had responded to Jesus and Peter in the past. They had him arrested. Like Jesus and Peter, Stephen did nothing wrong. The Sanhedrin was desperate, so they break the law. Verse 13 says, they found people to offer false testimonies against Stephen. In other words, they found people to lie about Stephen. This is not an isolated case. It is still happening in our time. This is the sad truth.

There are many in our time who hate the church. There are several reasons why. Some have problems with authority figures. Some are spiritually immature. Some are trying to deny the truth, Jesus is our only hope of salvation. Some are mad at the church because of all the scandals. The church is not a perfect institution. We are famous for our self-inflected wounds. Some are mad at God because of the ugliest that exists in our world. There are several reasons why people hate the church, but they all have a single goal. They simply want the church to go away, so they offer false testimony against the church. Today, we will look at two great lies that exist within American society about the church.

This is lie number one: God does not exist. According to the Pew Research group, 7% of the world’s population has accepted this lie. According to Vox, 3% of Americans are atheists. Some high-profile celebrities are in this group. Consider these names with me:

Kevin Bacon

John Depp

Jodie Foster

Ricky Gervais

Stephen Hawking

Angelina Jolie

Bill Maher

Helen Mirren

Brad Pitt

Daniel Radcliffe

Emma Thompson

Ted Turner

Bruce Willis

Have you ever known an atheist? Have you ever known someone who embraced the lie, God does not exist. It is a sociological way of looking at life. Every society needs a god, who regulates behavior of his citizens. He is the ultimate judge. In the end, he punishes the bad and rewards the good. Heaven is nothing more than a carrot to lead the people. It is a cold way of looking at life. That is why atheists do not believe in the existence of God.

This is my rebuttal: Christianity is more than a series of laws. It is more than a moral code. Christianity is about relationships. Christianity fills a void in your soul. Consider these three quotes with me:

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) once said, “My heart was restless until I found my rest in God”         

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) once said, “There is within each person a God-shaped vacuum.”

Rudolf Bultman (1884-1976) once said, “Within each one of us is a faint recollection of Eden calling us home.”

Each one of these quotes from various times in history are telling us the same thing. Our lives are incomplete without God. That is what I have experienced in my life.

For thirty years, Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. That is why the world was shocked when his daughter, Svetlana Alliluyeva (1926-2011), defected in 1967. In 1978, she became a naturalized citizen. The world wanted to know why she left his Russia, hence her family.

She explained why with these words:

“I found it impossible to exist without God in one’s heart. I came to that conclusion myself, without anybody’s help or preaching. That was a great change because since that moment the main dogmas of Communism lost their significance for me. I have come here to seek the self-expression that has been denied me for so long in Russia.”

You can ask Svetlana and she will tell you. God not only exists, but God is also one of the major factors in our lives.

This is lie number two: Life is better without religion. Years ago, I had the privilege of traveling to the Holy Land. I am still processing that trip because it is a humbling place. I was unprepared for the spiritual tension. There is no other way to say it. God is doing something special in that land. After all, three major world religions have their origin there, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. No place illustrates that spiritual tension more than the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is a sacred spot to the Jews because the was where the old Hebrew Temple sat. That is where the Holy of Holies sat, where the Jews believed God resided. It is a sacred spot to Christians because Jesus visited that ancient temple. It is a sacred spot to Muslims because the Dome of the Rock now sits on that spot. It is where Muslims say the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The Temple Mount is an incredible place. Side by side by side are the Jews, the Christians, and the Muslims. The spiritual tension is thick.

Within our world today there are many examples of spiritual tension. The lie, life is better without religion, is built on that tension. Our world is getting smaller. Like it or not, improved transportation and communication is bringing us together! If you just look at the news, then you can see their point. How many religious wars can you name? How many religious wars have there been in world history? Religion is a wonderful flag to wave during military conflict, because it unites the people against a common enemy. No wonder some believe life is better without religion.

This is my rebuttal: Real Christianity has nothing to do with politics. Real Christianity has nothing to do with a rules or beliefs. Real Christianity has nothing to do with being right or wrong. However, real Christianity has everything to do with living your life with God. Jesus is the great bridge between mankind and God. Real Christianity is about building a relationship with God. The people embraced Stephen’s miraculous signs and miracles because they wanted a reminder that God was with them. We love to hear about miracles in our time for the same reason. They remind us God has not forgotten us. Real Christianity deals with relationships, not rules. Real Christianity deals with relationships, not politics. Real Christianity deals with relationships, not customs or traditions. I can not imagine living without God.

His name was Ariel Castro (1960-2013). You remember his story. He held three young women hostages in his Cleveland, Ohio home. On the day one of his victims escaped, he was charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape. In the end, he pleaded guilty to 937 criminal counts of rape, kidnapping, and aggravated murder as part of his plea bargain. For his crimes he was sentenced to life in prison and 1,000 years without the possibility of parole. One month into his imprisonment committed suicide by hanging himself with bedsheets in his prison cell. During his last court appearance, Castro stood before the judge with his eyes closed. It was like he was trying to escape his reality. The judge ordered him to open his eyes and look at victims. Reluctantly, he did, but he never said a word. He didn’t say a word because everyone knew the truth. Ariel Castro was guilty.

It is a challenging time to be a believer. It is like the whole church is on trial. The whole world seems to be against us. Just like in the days of Stephen, many are spreading false testimonies. In other words, they are lying. They are saying God does not exist and life is better without religion. They are lying to discredit us. We can no longer just stand there with our eyes and mouths closed. We must defend ourselves because we have done nothing wrong. We are innocent and we know the truth. It is all about Jesus. The Master said it himself, in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”

Adapt or Die

We find ourselves in the sixth chapter of Acts, the first seven verses. The great day of Pentecost had passed, and the church was established. The Good News is being spread and lives are being transformed. The church had grown beyond the Holy Land. Gentiles were joining the church. That is both good and bad. It is good because more are being saved, but it is bad because the growth caused conflict. The conflict was not contained. It is seen both outside of the church and inside the church. The stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:8-7:60) illustrates the conflict outside of the church. Our reading for today illustrates the conflict inside of the church. There is no other way to say it. The church was divided. It was the Hellenistic Jews verses the Hebraic Jews. In other words, it was Greek speaking Jews, born outside of the Holy Land, who saw little value in traditional Hebrew customs verses Palestinian Jews, who spoke Aramaic and/or Hebrew who longed to keep traditional Hebrew customs alive. It always happens when people take their eyes off Jesus, secondary issues take primary focus. It has always been true. It is still true in our time.

Our reading contains both the first recorded complaint in the history of the church and the first established committee. The Hellenistic Jews complained their widows were not getting their daily distribution of food. That means the early church cared about both the physical and spiritual needs of their people. To solve the problem, the Apostles formed a committee to handle the matter, freeing them to teach. However, the real issue is not the food. The real issue is change caused by church growth. The church was adapting to their newest members. It is important to note, they are not compromising the Gospel message. They are simply adapting to their changing church. I am comfortable saying, if the church had not adapted, then they would have lost their newest members. It is still true today. We cannot compromise the Gospel message, but we must adapt to our ever-changing world. How many examples do you need?

In March of 1994, I received a phone call from my District Superintendent, I was being moved to the Youngstown, Ohio area. I was pleased with that information because my parents were aging, and I wanted to get closer to them. A few hours later, I was told I was being appointed to the Western Reserve United Methodist Church in Canfield. Over the next few days, we set up an interview with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. United Methodist interviews are really an introduction. We are appointed, not hired. The committee got to know me, and I got to know a little more about the church. The committee longed for one thing, church growth! Like many other mainline Protestant churches, attendance was low, and the congregation was aging. One of the saints on that committee asked me after the meeting, “Is there anything you can do for us? Our church is dying!” I answered, “Yes!” I spent my last twenty-eight years in the ministry trying to keep my word.

For years, in the top left-hand drawer of my desk at Western Reserve was the 1994 East Ohio Annual Conference Journal. It contained all the facts and figures of all the congregations in the Annual Conference for that year. I saved that journal for one reason. It acted as a baseline. I wanted to know if we were making any progress. It also acted as a baseline for the other churches in our district and Annual Conference. Do you know what I have learned from studying those old figures? In nearly every case, the numbers were down. In other words, our churches are dying. It isn’t just true of the United Methodist Church. It is true of every mainline Protestant denomination in this section of the country.

That is why everyone says they want church growth. I have never met a pastor who didn’t want to experience it. I have never met a church that didn’t want to experience it. For decades, denominational bureaucrats promoted church growth and sponsored church growth worships. I will be honest, in my time in the ministry, nothing was more personally satisfying than watching my church grow. That is why everyone says they want church growth! We want church growth because we don’t want our church to die. We want our church to grow because new members bring more money. We want church growth because we need help with all that church work. Everyone says they want church growth because we want our local church to live beyond our generation. The first verse in our reading says, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing.” The church is growing and that is a good thing. Everyone should be happy. However, that is not the case. There are some in the story who are unhappy because the new members were forcing the church to change. They were being forced to adapt to their changing church and world.

John Adams (1735-1826) became the second president of the United States on March 4, 1797. That transfer of power was one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Many wanted George Washington (1732-1799) to stay in office. He thrived at nearly everything he did during his sixty-seven years of life. Washington was extremely popular after the Revolutionary War. His popularity united the young country and propelled him to the office of president. He served two terms and walked away. Many desired Washington to stay in some form exposes the human condition. People do not like change. They didn’t want him to leave because they were afraid of the unknown. After all, the safest thing to do is nothing. Have you ever refused to change because of the fear of the unknown? We value stability. This is the problem. Our society is always changing. However, this is equally true.

We will tolerate change in certain areas. We will tolerate change when it comes to communication. Do you know anyone who does not own a cell phone? We tolerate change when it comes to transportation. No one travels by covered wagon anymore. We embrace change when it comes to medicine. Would you have heart surgery using 1920 methods? On the day George Washington died, his doctor tried to heal him by giving him a good bleeding. When was your last good bleeding? We will tolerate change in certain areas of our lives, but not every area of our life. The more personal the issue then less tolerant we are of change. Religion extremely personal. The problem is the church must adapt to our changing world or die.

My generation of clergy have been well schooled in church growth principles. Most of those principles talk about how to get people through the front door. You can promote the church in a different way. You can start a new worship service. You can get involved in the problems in our community. Those principles work. They get new members through the front door, but in those classes, we never talked about the back door. People come through the front door. People leave through the back door. Have you ever left a church through the backdoor? Why do most people leave a church? They don’t leave because the halls are dirty. They don’t leave because the sermon is boring. They don’t leave because the minister is too handsome. They don’t leave because of the number of mistakes in the bulletin. They don’t leave because of the quality of the music. They do not leave because of the style of worship. They leave because they don’t feel welcomed. If there are a million ways to say, “I love you,” then, there are a million ways to say, “I don’t want you. Get out!” Could it be, most established members do not mind seeing newcomers leave because they created unwanted change? That takes us back to our reading.

The early church was adapting to their changing world. They are not compromising the Gospel message; they are compromising secondary issues. Through the eyes of God, those things really do not matter. The only thing that matters in the life of the church is Jesus. Examine the story through that filter. The church began in Jerusalem, so everyone related to the Golden City and Hebrew ways. The newest converts related to the Greek world. They are Hellenistic Jews. It doesn’t sound like a big deal to us, but it was a big deal to them. The growth of the church had changed the church, itself. The choice was simple. The early church could adapt to their changing world and grow, or they could refuse to change and die. In our time, everyone says they want church grow, but many resist change. If they do not change, then we will die.

Since I retired, I have been worshipping in small membership churches. The one I have been to the most sits on the Ohio/Pennsylvania state line. The old well-maintained building has beautiful stained-glass windows. The summer attendance is approximately thirteen. Each person is very nice and comfortable. Everyone knows everyone’s name and story. Before and after worship, they sit in a circle on comfortable chairs. It is there they get caught up on the local news and recall the past. Weekly, they bring up the condition of their church. Each one knows the truth. Their church has no future. It is only a matter of time before the building is closed. They believe, the problem is society. The world has changed, and they refuse to adapt to their changing world. They worship in a way that was popular seventy years ago. They sing hymns that were written hundreds of years ago. They are not interested in trying something new to reach out into their community. It is very sad, but it is their choice. They are looking for the miraculous to save their church. They say, they want church growth, but they are not interested in changing a thing. It is not just their story.

It is the story of many mainline Protestant congregations in our time. They are choosing to die. They simply refuse to adapt to our changing world. How many churches in your community will be closed in ten years? Research tells us about 3,700 churches close on an average year. Acts 6:1-7 teaches us secondary things in the life of the church do not matter. The only thing that matters in the life of the church is Jesus. Russian author Leo Toystoy (1828-1910) once said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves.”

A Matter of Integrity

What would you do for $10,000,000? That was the question James Patterson (born 1947) and Peter Kim (born 1958) asked countless Americans. Their findings found their way into a 1991 book called The Day America Told the Truth. What would you do for $10,000,000? According to them, Americans would do these things:

  • 25% said they would abandon their family
  • 23% said they would become prostitutes for a week
  • 16% said they would give us their American citizenship
  • 16% said they would leave their spouse
  • 10% said they would withhold testimony to enable a murderer to go free
  • 7%   said they would murder a stranger
  • 3%   said they would put up their children for adoption

Those findings came in 1991, thirty-one years ago. How much uglier do you think those findings would be today? Those findings tell me two things. First, there is a surplus of desperate people in our land. Money seems to have a death grip on us. According to a 2020 Experian study, the average American holds $92,727 in consumer debt. Second, there is a shortage of integrity in our land. Integrity is defined as, the quality of being honest, and having strong moral principles. Do the people in your life consider you a person of integrity? How many people do you know of true integrity? What would you do for $10,000,000? That leads us to our scripture lesson.

We find ourselves in the first eleven verses of the fifth chapter of Acts. To the casual reader, it is an odd piece of scripture. A couple in the early church, Ananias and Sapphira, sell a piece of land and give some of the profit to the church. How can giving money to the church be a bad thing? In my time in the ministry, I never refused a donation, no matter how small. However, according to our story, Ananias and Sapphira gave to the church and for their act of generosity they died. I am shocked every time I read this story. I am not alone. We are told in verse eleven the whole church was shocked.

It is only when you dig into the story that you begin to understand what happened. The fact that money is involved blinds us to the divine truth. They had every right to keep some of the money for themselves. However, they pretended they gave all the money. Verse two tell us they laid the money at the apostle’s feet. In other words, they made a big show of their giving. They pretended like they gave it all. There is no other way to say it. Ananias and Sapphira were liars. They lied because they wanted false praise. They lied because they wanted to be applauded. They lied because they wanted a pat on the back. Ananias and Sapphira were hypocrites, and the church will not tolerate hypocrites. In the end the couple dies. There is no harsher punishment then death. The story warns us about being a hypocrite. It encourages us to be people of integrity. Do the people in your life consider you a person of integrity? Do the people in your life a hypocrite?

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, you must be a person of integrity. You must be a person of high moral and professional standards. Do not misunderstand me. Your integrity will not save your soul. After all, we are saved by grace. We are only saved by the precious blood of Jesus. Being a person of integrity has nothing to do with your salvation, but it everything to do with your witness. Your integrity will enhance your witness. Our world will forgive many things, but our world will not tolerate hypocrisy. Ananias and Sapphira died because they were hypocrites. Your witness will die if you are a hypocrite. You must be a person of integrity. If you want to be a person of integrity, then there are three things you must do. These points are not original. They came from James W. Moore (1938-2019).

People of integrity are honest! Years before Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) entered politics he lived in a New Salem, Illinois. He had a variety of jobs. He once worked in a general store. One day a man came in and purchased a few items. Once the transaction was complete Lincoln discovered he had shortchanged the customer. It was only a few cents, so he tried to find him after work. It was only then that he discovered that the customer lived 17 miles out of town. Lincoln walked the enter way to correct the error. As the story of that experience spread Lincoln was given the name “Honest Abe.” Do the people in your life consider you honest? Before you answer, consider the fact that honesty is such a complex thing.

I have two adult daughters, Sarah and Anna. We raised them the same, but they are completely different. When they lived with us, Sarah led with her heart; Anna led with her brain. If you wanted to feel better about yourself, you talked to Sarah. If you need the absolute truth, you talked to Anna. One day, I was at home dressing for some activity. I walked downstairs and looked at Sarah and said to her, “How do I look?” Sarah answered, “You look great!” Just then Anna walked into the room. I asked her the same question, “How do I look?” She said, “Do you want me to be honest?” I said, “Yes!” (That wasn’t the right answer.) Anna answered, “Your race is red. Your nose is big. Your hair is messed up. Your shirt is wrinkled. Your pants are too long, and your shoes are old.” She ended by saying, “You may want to consider a breath mint.” I looked at Sarah and said, “Is she telling me the truth? Why didn’t you tell me?” She said with a sheepish look on her face, “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” Have you ever told a white lie to protect someone’s feelings? When I say people of integrity are honest, I am not talking about feelings. I am talking about personal gain. Would you lie for some personal gain? That is the story of Ananias and Sapphira. They lied for personal gain. People of integrity are honest. Are you honest?

People of integrity are true! American Christian author Charles Swindoll (born 1934) tells the story about a man who bought two chicken dinners late one afternoon at a fast-food restaurant. The attendant inadvertently gave him the proceeds from the day’s business–a bucket of money (much of it, cash) instead of fried chicken. The man didn’t have a clue. It was only when he arrived at the picnic spot with his date that he opened the bag. It was at that moment they discovered the $800. The man and his date did the honest thing. They put the money back into the bag and returned to the restaurant. He walked in and handed the money filled bag to the manager. He said, “I think this is yours.” Obviously, the manager was relieved and thrilled to death. He looked at the man and said, “Don’t go anywhere. ’Let me call the newspaper. I’m going to have your picture put in the local paper. You must be the most honest man in this community.” The man begged him not to call the newspaper. He pointed to his date and said, “This young woman isn’t my wife. She is married to someone else, and I am married to someone else too. Our spouses don’t need to know we are together.” This is the point. One can be honest and still not have integrity. If you want to be a person of integrity, then you must be true. In other words, you must keep your word. Go back to the text.

At some point in his life Ananias and Sapphira became Christians. They believed the Gospel message and understood the power of the resurrection. They celebrated the fact they were going to heaven. They said the right things. The problem was they didn’t do the right things. They didn’t keep his word. When was the last time you broke your word? Are you a person of integrity? Are you honest? Are you true?

People of integrity are loyal! There is no way you can turn this story and tell me Ananias and Sapphira were loyal. These were the early days of the church. Everything was new. Everyone was a charter member. Ananias and Sapphira had just accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. They had just promised to live for him. Their promise didn’t last long. There is an old preaching story about a young solder, who confided in his chaplain he never cheated on his girlfriend if she was less than fifty miles away. His loyalty went fifty miles. How far does your loyalty go? Are you a person of integrity? Are you honest? Are you true? Are you loyal?

Look at the story with me one more time. Ananias and Sapphira were not people of integrity. They were hypocrites. They were not honest. They were not true. They were not loyal. In the end, they died and the only thing they brought to the people in their lives was sadness. What are you bringing to the people in your life? Are you a person of integrity?

Approximately, two months ago, I retired. I had been in the ministry forty years, the last twenty-eight years at the Western Reserve United Methodist in Canfield, Ohio. I left with many memories of many wonderful people. These blogs are filled with their stories. However, one of the people I missed the most is a man named George. He was the first person I met at Western Reserve. In 1994, he was the chair of the Staff-Parish Relations and helped move to that community. From the very beginning, I considered him a great man of integrity. I never questioned his honesty. I never questioned his word. I never questioned his loyalty. When George said something, it was like signing a legal contract. It was a sad day for that church when George moved away because he was the spirit of that congregation. This is the truth. George brought the best out of me. He didn’t do it because he was ever critical in anyway. He brought the best out in me because I respected him because he was such a man of integrity.

That is what people of integrity do. That is why people of integrity are important. Our world has a surplus of hypocrites and a shortage of people with integrity. Here is a question you must answer. Do the people in your life consider you a person of integrity? American author H. Jackson Brown Jr. (1940-2021) once said, “Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.”

Let Us Pray

Years ago, I served three small membership United Methodist congregations in Belmont County, Ohio. I was proud to serve the Morristown, Lloydsville and Bannock churches. Combined, they averaged eighty people on an average Sunday morning. You could drive the loop in 12 miles. My three churches were teamed with two other United Methodist congregations in the area, Belmont and Bethesda. Together, we formed the West Belmont Cooperative Parish.

Every Monday morning the pastors of those churches would meet. The pastor of the Belmont church was a guy by the name of Lew. He was sort of an odd fellow, but I liked him. He wore a rumbled shirt and sported an un-groomed beard with uncombed hair. His glasses were always dirty and sliding down his nose. He left the ministry years ago. He was more passionate about computers, then he was anything else.

At one of our Monday morning gatherings, he showed up with his computer. Within the first few minutes, he turned it on and asked the group, “Can I show you something?” He hit a few buttons and showed us a list of prayer requests. He flashed his yellow smile and said, “My church is compiling a list of prayer requests. We are going to prove to the world that prayer works.” I thought that was an odd thing to do, so I said nothing. I thought, how many answered prayers do you need to prove pray works? Lost in his computer world, Lew showed us his list. There was all kind of things on it.

  1. Vern was facing knee surgery
  2. Doris’ children were traveling up from Charlotte
  3. Jennifer was taking a big exam in school
  4. Dorothy was trying a new hair color and prayed she would like it
  5. Kelly wanted a date with someone named Steve
  6. Rain for the crops
  7. Lois was worried about a new recipe

Wanting to impress us with his computer, he printed the list out and gave each one of us a copy. When I got home, I looked the list again. The more I studied the list the more critical I grew. Everything on that list was about them, their wants, their needs, and their desires. I hate to say it. Their prayer requests were extremely narrow and selfish. Listen to what I am about to say. There is more to prayer than our wants, needs and desires. Prayer is not about us. Prayer is really about God. That takes us to the scripture lesson for today.

We find ourselves in the fourth chapter of Acts, verses twenty-three through thirty-one. Much has happened already. It is really a continuation of a single story. It began in the third chapter, where Peter healed a lame beggar. The miracle created a crowd and Peter took that opportunity to talk about Jesus. In the end, Peter and his companion, John, were arrested. Once released, they were sent back to their own people. The Apostles reported on what had happened, and the people responded by praising God in prayer. It is that prayer that grabs our attention. Those early believers knew what we often forget. Prayer is not about us. Prayer is about God. Their prayer models for us three things we should never forget in our prayers. It is those things I want to look at in this blog.

First, when you pray never forget the sovereignty of God! One of the most beloved stories in the Bible is the story of Jonah. We think of it as a children’s story. However, it is really a story for adults. You know the story as well as I. Jonah was the reluctant prophet. God tells him to go to Nineveh because they need to repent. The problem is Jonah does not want to go. This is the question you must answer to understand the book. Why doesn’t Jonah want to go to Nineveh? The reason is the people of Nineveh were Gentiles and Jonah was a Jew. He only wants God to love people who are just like him. This is the point. Every day we play the part of Jonah. We only want to love people who are just like us. When was the last time you prayed for someone who wasn’t just like you?

When you pray remember the sovereignty of God. When God looks at the world, he doesn’t see political boundaries or different philosophies of living. God is not a racial profiler. God does not have a foreign policy. God does not see Americans and non-Americans. God does not see one’s sexual orientation. God has never uttered the phrase, “Charity begins at home.” (That is such an unchristian phrase. It was shut down any church.) God only sees human needs and suffering. Look at verses 24b-26. It says, “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’”  The early believers knew of the sovereignty of God. I hope we never forget about the sovereignty of God. I challenge you to remember sovereignty of God the next time you pray.

Second, when you pray never forget the supremacy of Jesus! Max Lucado (born 1955) is a Christian author and clergyman. He once said:

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.

If your greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

When you pray remember the supremacy of Christ. Jesus was the greatest life that ever lived. I am sure the founders of the other world regions were fine people, but they can not hold a candle next to Jesus. He is the bridge between God and humankind. He is our only hope of salvation. The early church understood the supremacy of Christ. In the second chapter of Philippians Paul wrote:

He (Jesus) humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

In verse 27 of our scripture lesson, Jesus is called the anointed one. To the early church, Jesus was everything. Some things should not change. Jesus should be everything to us. I challenge you to remember sovereignty of God and the supremacy of Jesus the next time you pray.

Third, when you pray never forget the sanctity of the church! In 1949, the Chinese communist government expelled all foreign missionaries. That action signaled the beginning of a new round of Christian persecution. For decades, there was next to no news about the church in China. The only thing the church could do was pray. Everyone expected the worst. Then, the world found out what was happening, revival! In 1949, there were 1.8 million Christians in China. By the year 2000, there were 26 million Christians. In 2018, the Chinese government declared there were 44 million Christians in China. Yes, there is terrible persecution, but there is also revival!

When you pray never forget the sanctity of the church. I am not talking about the human organization we call the church, the one that is filled with boards and committees. I am talking about that organism God calls the church, the body of Christ, those individuals who are glorifying the name of Jesus, and those individuals who are still proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Verses 29-31 says, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”  I challenge you to remember sovereignty of God, the supremacy of Jesus, and the sanctity of the church the next time you pray.

Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) was an Italian friar, deacon, and mystic. He died at the age of 44. Don’t let his age fool you. We know his name because of his spiritual maturity. He once uttered this prayer:

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive it; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 

Saint Francis knew the truth. Prayer is not about us. Prayer is about God.

One of the saints in my life is a woman named Carol. She truly is an amazing Christian woman. I have known her for years. My wife Kathryn has known her longer. As a matter of fact, Carol was Kathryn’s Sunday School teacher during her High School years. Years later, she babysat our daughter, Anna, in her home. Life is funny. Carol and Anna are now Facebook friends. Every visit with Carol is a treat. On one such visit, Kathryn looked at Carol and said, “I must tell you something. Without you I never would have gone into the ministry.” Carol responded with moist eyes and said, “Every time I hear about you and your ministry in the former Soviet Union, I am so proud I know you. I must tell you something. I’m not in a situation to financially support your ministry. I’m sorry.” Kathryn said, “I don’t send you those reports because I want your money. I spend you those reports because I want something more valuable. I want your prayers.” If Carol knows anything, she knows how to pray.

Do you know how to pray? Are your prayers filled with your wants, needs and desires? Are your prayers filled with the things of God? Prayer is not about us. Prayer is about God. The founder of the great Methodist movement once said, “Prayer is where the action is.”

Is There a Witness in the House?

Years ago, I was talking to a good friend. We covered a variety of topics. Then, it happened. Without warning, she looked at me and asked, “Russ, have I ever told you, my witness?” This is her story, so I will try to do it justice.

She went to visit her mother, who was near the end of her life. She existed in a cloud of depression. She had been widowed for several years, and everything was wrong. Nothing was right in her world. Every word she uttered was critical. My friend dreaded those visits to her mother. However, on one visit, she experienced the unexpected. Her mother greeted her with a smile. Relieved, she walked in and received an unusual question. Her mother asked, “Does God ever speak to you?” The daughter responded, “Mom, I talk to God all the time. I think he responds to me from time to time.” The dying woman said, “He speaks to me all the time. He is a fun guy, and he tells me unusual things.” She continued, “I’m going to die.” The daughter said, “We are all going to die someday.” The mother said, “No, I am going to die in one week. Your father came to visit me and showed me what heaven is like. Heaven is a fun place! He told me I am going to die in one week.” Lost in her mother’s words, she just listened. The daughter looked at me and asked, “Do you know how my witness ends?” I didn’t have a clue. She said, “My mother died exactly one week later.” She finished her story with a smile and these words, “I know my parents are together again, having fun in heaven!” How could I ever forget that story? How could I ever forget that witness? That takes us to our scripture reading for today.

We find ourselves in the first twenty-two verses of the fourth chapter of Acts. I don’t care how you turn the story. It is a story about witnessing. According to the text, Peter had just healed a cripple. Listen to what I am about to say. No one was questioning the authenticity of the miracle. For years, the man had sat there begging in the shadows of the temple. His existence depended on the generosity of others. He had no future and no opportunity to live a full life. Everyone had pity on him, but no one would have traded places with him. That is why they could not believe their eyes. This long-time beggar was whole, healed by Peter. Everyone is happy except two groups. First, the other beggars were not happy. They were asking, “Why not me?” Second, the leaders of the Orthodox faith were not happy. His healing signaled a continuation of their Jesus problem. They thought it would end with Jesus’s execution.  They were wrong. Not really knowing what to do, they had Peter and his companion, John, arrested. In verse seven they asked, “By what power or in what name did you done this?” Peter answers the question in verses ten through twelve.

“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Does anything else have to be said? Those are impressive words from a common blue collar-man. If you study those words, you discover Peter answered their question by using Bible. He was saying to them, Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy. That is true, but this is equally true. Never underestimate the value of your witness. It is nothing more than sharing your experience with God. When was the last time you experienced God?

American clergyman and Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe (1929-2019) once said, “Let God be the judge. Your job is to be the witness.” That quote is important because witnessing is misunderstood. Has anyone ever tried to share their witness with you in a pushy, aggressive way? Those individuals forgot they are not the judge. I know that is true because I have experienced that kind of witnessing.

Years ago, I was running late for an appointment, so I decided to drive the back roads to save time. I would have made it, but I was stopped at a railroad crossing. Frustrated, I sat there and watched the train inch along. I shut my car off and rolled the windows down because it was a hot day. As I studied the various cars on that train something unusual happened. A young un-groomed man wearing a red flannel shirt suddenly appeared from the surrounding weeds and ran toward my car. I snapped to attention. I didn’t have a chance to say a word. The stranger looked at me and said, “Brother, you are going to hell if you haven’t accepted Jesus!” He picked up one of my windshield wipers, and placed a track under it. As fast as he came, he was gone. As I sat there reading his literature, I could not question his theology. However, I do have a few questions about his method. I am not sure if it is story of poor witnessing or evangelism. Can anyone here relate to that story? Have you ever been assaulted by someone else’s witness? I am convinced most of us haven’t shared our witness because we don’t want to be like the un-groomed red flannel shirted man. Witnessing is so misunderstood.

This week, I “Googled” the question, why don’t Christians share their witness? I didn’t come up with one reason why people don’t share their witness. I came up with nine reasons. Maybe you can relate to one of them? This is the list.

  1. Ignorance – They don’t know they are supposed to witness
  2. Education – They don’t know what to say
  3. Wrong Assumptions – They assume everyone knows the Gospel
  4. Apathy – They just don’t want to witness
  5. Procrastination – They will tell their story later
  6. Worldliness – They don’t want to look like a religious nut
  7. Preoccupation – They don’t think about sharing their story
  8. Inadequacy – They don’t think their story is interesting
  9. Rejection – They don’t want their story to be dismissed

I think people don’t share their witness because witnessing, itself, is misunderstood. What is witnessing? It is nothing more than sharing your experience with God. There is no good witness or bad witness. There is just your witness. You are not the prosecutor, defense attorney or judge. You are the witness. The only thing you are required to do is share what you have experienced. When was the last time you experienced God? When was the last time you shared your story? When was the last time you witnessed to someone? Never forget, witnessing is important. If you do not believe me then look at the scripture lesson.

Peter simply expressed his understanding of Jesus. According to Peter, Jesus was more than a wise teacher. Jesus was more than a positive role model. Jesus was more than a miracle worker. According to Peter, the events of Jesus’ life were all part of the divine plan. The ultimate expression of his love was the cross. Without the cross, there is no hope of salvation. His understanding of the divine plan is amazing. Can I tell you the truth? I am intimidated by his witness. My simple witness can’t compare. Are you intimidated by Peter’s witness? If you are too, it really doesn’t matter. The people in your life don’t care about Peter’s witness. The people in your life care about your witness. They care about your witness because they care about you. Your story reminds them that God is still active in our world. Your story, your witness reminds people we are not alone. God is with us! Your story reminds people there is still hope. I challenge you to share your witness because our world is desperate for hope.

When I was in seminary I served a small membership church in Garrard County, Kentucky. There is an old tradition among the Christian Churches in that area. On the fifth Sunday of every month, they gathered for a hymn sing. That means they gather four times a year. That event was a big deal to those congregations. My church, the Pleasant Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), never missed one during my tenure. Each service was about the same. Besides the singing, there were the host pastor’s opening welcome. Everyone was encouraged to stay for refreshments. There was a long list of prayer requests so everyone could get caught up on the news. There was an offering to support the local food bank and a powerful message about the importance of accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. After all, hell is hot! However, the best part of the service, in my opinion, was when the host pastor stood up and asked the question, “Is there a witness in the house?” That was when the laity had the opportunity to grab the spotlight. One by one, people stood up and talked. Some told how they came to know Jesus. Some told how Jesus had supported them during some personal crisis. Some reported on some divine coincidence. It was a time for the spiritually mature to shine. Each witness ended with the congregation shouting, “Amen!” So let me ask you the question.

Is there a witness in the house? In other words, what is your story? When was the last time you experienced God? Your story may be about the moment you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Your story may include some freak coincidence that reminded you that God was with you. Your story may include the words of a stranger, your angel, who gave you the strength to continue. Your story may include that overwhelming feeling that everything was going to be fine when everything was wrong. Everyone has a story. What is your story about God? What is your witness? I challenge you to share your story, your witness, with someone and remind them that God is with us. Do you remember the quote from Warren Wiersbe, “Let God be the judge. Your job is to be the witness.”

Worth the Risk

His name is Felix Baumgartner (born 1969). His is an Austrian born skydiver. On October 14, 2012, he roared twenty-four miles up in a helium balloon. He found the place where space begins. Do you remember what happened? The video clip was shown countless times. He jumped out of his balloon and drifted down to the surface of the earth safely. Along the way he became the first person to break the sound barrier without vehicular power. I knew he would be safe because the whole thing was sponsored by energy drink company, Red Bull. Can I ask you a question? Do you consider Felix a hero? Do you consider Felix a fool? We can all agree on the fact that he is a risk taker. Here is a question you must answer. How great of a risk are you willing to take for God? That leads us to the scripture lesson for today.

We are in the third chapter of Acts, verses one through ten. According to the text, Peter and John are on their way to the temple to pray at 3:00 in the afternoon. It is unusual for us to show up at church for pray in the middle of the afternoon, but it was not unusual for them. The devout came at scripted times. They came at 9:00 in the morning. They came at 3:00 in the afternoon. They came at sunset. The Hebrew faith has always valued prayer.

As the devout came, they saw the usual cast of characters lining the street, the beggars. Most did not come by their own power. They were placed there by their loved ones, who knew of the generosity of the religious. After all, how can you worship God and ignore the needy of this world? Each one of the beggars had their own spot and story. Some were begging because of some physical limitation. They were blind, lame, or deaf. Some were begging because of an accident or a disease. Some were begging because they were simply too old to work. It was quite a crowd. The only thing they had in common was poverty. They sat there begging because they had nowhere else to go. They were the lowest of the low in their society. They were a sea of hopelessness. Everyone had pity on them, but no one would have traded places with them.

According to the text, as Peter was nearing the temple, he does something unexpected. In the middle of that sea of hopelessness, Peter picked out one man. I do not know why that man. Perhaps, he had been there the longest? The text tells us he had been lame from birth. Perhaps, his voice was the loudest or the most annoying? Perhaps, he was the most pitiful? Or perhaps, the man just got lucky? The man just happened to be at the right place at the right time. He just happened to be there when Peter mustered enough courage to try something new. That was Peter’s first miracle. It is always hard to do something for the first time. What happens if he calls on the name of Jesus to heal the man and nothing happens? The more I have wrestled with this text, the more I am convinced Peter was a risk taker. Are you a risk taker? I hope you are, because you are never going to make a difference in this world playing it safe. Let me ask you two questions. Both are extremely practical.

First, how much of your personal pride are you willing to risk serving God? There are no guarantees in the ministry. In the history of the church, we have known great success and we have known great failure. When was the last time you were part of a ministry that failed? The feeling never goes away. When ministries fail egos are damaged and people never forget. However, the worst thing is there is nothing we can do. Are you willing to be a risk taker for Jesus or are you happy playing it safe? Helen Keller (1880-1968) once said, “Life is either a wild adventure or it is nothing at all.” Are you willing to risk your personal pride serving God?

Listen to this list of names:

  1. Bill Gates
  2. Abraham Lincoln
  3. Isaac Newton
  4. Ludwig van Beethoven
  5. Frank Woolworth
  6. Walt Disney
  7. Thomas Edison
  8. Winston Churchill
  9. Henry Ford
  10.  Albert Einstein

Each one these individuals knew great success. Each one of these individuals also experienced failure. I can give you a story of failure about each one. For example, Thomas Edison’s (1847-1931) teacher once told him me was too stupid to learn. I respect each name on the list because they worked through their individual failures.

I love this story because Peter lays everything on the line. Verse six says, “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” It is one thing to say the words. It is another thing to have a miracle flow through you. I don’t care how you turn the story. Peter was risking his personal pride. What would have happened if the man wasn’t healed? Peter would have looked like a fool. How foolish are you willing to look for Jesus? Are you willing to risk your personal pride?

Second, how much of your personal security are you willing to risk serving God? It isn’t just true of Peter. It is true of us. We live in a sea of hopelessness. Our world is filled with hurting people. God expects us to help them. They are not going to come to us. We are going to have to go to them. God expects us to meet them. God expects us to interact with them. God expects us to get emotionally involved with them. That is the difference between missions and charity. Yes, there is an element of risk. Are you willing to risk your personal security?

During my time in the ministry, my wife Katheryn and I have visited the former Soviet Union over two dozen times to help unadoptable orphans. In December of 2011, Kathryn and I were getting ready to travel back to Russia. We were traveling to an orphanage we had visited in the past, the Renewal Orphanage in Dmitrov. We were excited about that trip because our youngest daughter, Anna, was going. It was her first trip, and she was a little apprehensive. I couldn’t blame her. She had never done anything like this in the past. She had seen a mountain of pictures from previous trips but going was different. Anna has always tried to hide her emotions, so she was not always easy to read. That is why when she came home from school just a few days before we left upset, I was surprised. I said, “Anna, what is wrong?” She responded, “Someone asked me if my will was up to date. You may need it if you are going to Russia.” She asked for the first time, “Dad, are we going to be safe?” I said, “Yes! Do you really think I would put you in danger?”

Have you ever noticed how many cowards there are in this world? You know it is true. You don’t have to travel out of the country. Just try to do something in the name of Jesus. Annually, my church sent teenagers on domestic youth mission trips. They went everywhere. Annually, someone will tell me it isn’t a good idea because the highways are dangerous. Try to help people in the city and people will try to discourage you by quoting some crime report. Try to save the souls of the incarcerated and people will wonder about your sanity. Have you ever tried to discourage someone from doing something in the name of Jesus? Could it be our pews are filled with cowards?

Are you willing to risk your personal security? Just think about it for a moment. In the text, the group that was responsible for killing Jesus was still in power. They had the authority to kill anyone who supported Jesus. Peter healed this man in the name of Jesus. He was aligning himself with Jesus and putting himself in danger. You can say a great deal about Peter, but you can’t call him a coward. Do you consider yourself a coward? Are you willing to risk your personal pride? Are you willing to risk your personal security?

I love this old story. A clergyman from New York called on Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) at the White House during the darkest days of the Civil War. He said: “I have not come to ask any favors of you, Mr. President; I have only come to say that the loyal people of the North are sustaining you and will continue to do so. We are giving you all that we have, the lives of our sons as well as our confidence and our prayers. You must know that no boy’s father or mother ever kneels in prayer these days without asking God to give you strength and wisdom.” Lincoln was moved by his words. He replied, “But for those prayers, I should have faltered and perhaps failed long ago. Tell every father and mother you know to keep on praying, and I will keep on fighting, for I know God is on our side.” As the clergyman started to leave the room, Mr. Lincoln held him by the hands and said: “May I consider this a pastoral call?” “Yes,” replied the clergyman. “Out in the country,” replied Lincoln, “when a parson makes a pastoral call, it was always the custom for the folks to ask him to lead in prayer, and I should like to ask you to pray with me today. Pray that I may have the strength and the wisdom.” The two men knelt side by side, and the clergyman offered the most fervent plea to Almighty God that ever fell from his lips. As they arose, the President clasped his visitor’s hand and remarked in a satisfied sort of way: “I feel better.”

I love that story because it humanizes one of the great figures in American history.

I don’t care if you are president of the United States or a common citizen, we all need prayer. If you are going to make a difference for Jesus in this world, then you better collect as many prayers as possible. It is not easy risking your personal pride. Sometimes we fail. It is not easy risking personal security. There is a sea of hopelessness out there. It is not easy serving in the name of Jesus, but it is worth the risk. Albert Einstein (1879-1955) once said, “A ship is always safe at the shore – but that is NOT what it was built for.” Neither are you!

Christian Patriotism

Peter Marshall (1902-1947) was a Scottish-American preacher. We know his name because his widow, Catherine Marshall (1914-1982), wrote a book, A Man Named Peter, about this life. He tragically died from a heart attack at the age of 46. During the 1940s, Peter was the pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. and served as the chaplain of the United States Senate. One day, he stood before that body and uttered this prayer.

Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the truth, and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make all free. Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. Help us see that our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to please to do what is right.

In that brief prayer Peter Marshall recognized the unique relationship between our American patriotism and the Christian faith. In many ways they stand side by side. America is not just a nation. America is a Christian nation. According to the Pew Research Center, 70% of Americans call themselves Christian. That takes us to our scripture reading.

We find ourselves in the Epistle to the Romans, one of the great theological works of all time. It was written by the Apostle Paul in the spring of AD 57. He was writing to the Gentile population in the city of Rome. The major theme is God’s plan of salvation for all mankind, both Jew and Gentile. Verse nine is key, if you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Many believe that verse was the first creed used in the church. Personally, it is my favorite verse in the Bible. Your belief in the resurrection is not optional. It is indispensable. It is not just true of American Christians. It is true of all believers, regardless of citizenship.

The Bible says it clearly, God loves all countries equally, because God loves all people equally. God does not care about our politics. God has no trouble crossing manmade boarders. God loves all people, regardless of their nationality. God loves Americans as much as people from South Africa. God loves Americans as much as the people of India. God loves Americans as much as the people of France. God loves Americans as much as the people of Brazil. Did you know, if you count Taiwan, there are 197 nations in our world today and God loves the citizens of each one. Yet, I must say this.

Traditional America seems to have special appreciation of the faith. We can relate to the faith because Christianity is part of American history. The faith is woven into the fabric of our society. The father of our nation George Washington (1731-1799) said in his farewell address, “Do not let anyone claim the tribute of American patriotism if they ever attempt to remove religion from politics.” Just think about it for a moment. Through the eyes of many, Christianity and American patriotism stand side by side in three ways. I want to look at those three ways. These thoughts are not original. They came from James W. Moore (1938-2019), who served at the St. Luke United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. My goal is to help you appreciate both your American citizenship and your Christian faith.

First, there is a bold declaration in both Christianity and American patriotism. In declaring our independence, the patriots made a bold declaration. Britain was the greatest political force in the western hemisphere in 1776. The thirteen colonies paled in comparison. History tells us the cry for independence was much clearer in the northern colonies. The southern colonies were more reserved on the topic. Yet, in June of 1776, a Virginian named Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was the first to speak openly of an American independence. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to announce and declare that they we accept nothing less than their absolute freedom from Britain. A subcommittee of five, led by Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), was selected to sign a declaration of independence. It took two days to find the perfect words. Lee was one of the first signers. Even 246 years later, you can see the Declaration of Independence was a bold declaration.

When was the first time you declared to your world that Jesus was your Lord and Savior? Maybe you made that declaration on a youth mission trip or a church camp? Maybe you made your declaration during a revival or during a small group study? Maybe you made that declaration when you were young, or not so young. The details really don’t matter. The only thing that matters is that you declared Jesus was you Lord and Savior. That declaration revolutionized your relationship with God, and it revolutionized your earthly relationships. Some were thrilled are your declaration, but others had some questions.

Second, there is a high price in both Christianity and American patriotism. Did you know fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence? That is not the end of their story. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolution. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war. Carter Braxton (1739-1797) of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty. At the battle of Yorktown, the British General Charles Cornwallis (1738-1805) had taken over Thomas Nelson’s (1738-1789) home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly ordered General George Washington to open fire on his own home. Nelson died bankrupt. John Hart (1713-1779) was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and mill were destroyed. For over a year, he lived in forest and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion. George Washington never received a cent from the government for his military service. There is no other way to say it. The patriots paid a high price. However, it wasn’t just the signers of the Declaration of Independence who paid a price.

The general population paid a high price. Only one-third of the population even wanted independence. Another third was indifferent, and another third remained loyal to England. The third that supported the war paid a high price. Did you know 7,200 died, 8,200 were wounded and another 10,000 died from disease? Their suffering was a reality. That generation paid a high price.

Jesus paid a high price, he died on the cross, but what about you? I hate to say, it but we live in a time of cheap grace. We want the benefits of the faith without discipleship. This is a weekend when we celebrate our independence. How is the faith altering your daily life? What are you give up in the name of Jesus? What are you doing in the name of Jesus? What have you sacrificed lately for the faith?

Third, there is a great reward in both Christianity and American patriotism. The American Revolution ended nearly two years after the battle at Yorktown. The Treaty of Paris, officially ending the war, was signed in 1783. They didn’t just gain their freedom. They won new land. Great Britain surrendered all the land they held east of the Mississippi River. America is not the oldest nation in the world, but it is the oldest democracy in the world. Their great reward is our great reward. In America we really are free!

What is our great reward in the faith? On the day you declared Jesus as your Lord and Savior you suddenly had a special relationship with the God of the universe. Death is no longer something to fear. You can live at peace in this world because you know that someday you are going to heaven. The Apostle Paul wasn’t wrong. He said, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Someday we are all going to heaven!

A few days ago, I began a new chapter in my life. After forty years in the ministry, thirty-six in the United Methodist Church, I am retired. I am qualified to say, I have had a great life, because I have met so many good people along the way. I have had many wonderful experiences along the way. Let me tell you about one.

It happened on New Year’s Eve 2012. I was part of a Volunteer in Mission group, organized by my wife, Kathryn. We were approximately one and a half hours northeast of Moscow, Russia, in the city of Dmitrov. It is the home of the Renewal Orphanage, which is the home of many handicapped children. New Year’s Eve is an important night to the Russians. During Soviet times, Christmas was outlawed, and New Year’s Eve was promoted. Every Russian celebrates the New Year.

The children of the Renew Orphanage were not excluded. They celebrated too. It was the custom to gather the teenagers, so they could celebrate. The staff arranged a party. They called it a Disco. The teenagers wore their best clothes. The kitchen prepared a special menu. The music was played extra loud. However, what fueled the excitement were the visiting Americans. It is my experience many Russians admire America. They struggle with the German because of the Second World War. Everyone was having a wonderful, but as midnight draw near, I experienced something new. An old television set was rolled into the room and placed so all could see. In Russia, the president addresses the country as the new year begins. On cue, there he was, Vladimir Putin. Emotionally, I had the typical American reaction to him, but the orphans listened intently. The oldest of the teens looked over at the Americans table to look for our reaction. Once Putin’s short speech was completed, the Russian national anthem was played. The Russians, who were able to stand, did. Some sang the words. Can I be completely honest? I did not know what to do. Do I stand in respect to Russia? Our Russian hosts had been good to us. Do I sit there in silent protest? Even in 2012, there was so much about Russia that was just wrong. I sat and prayed the moment would pass quickly. It did and the party resumed. Can I tell you the truth?

I still think about that New Year’s Eve. It was such an unusual scene. With the stench of Soviet atheism still in the air, I had never felt more like an American. This is equally true. I had never felt more like a Christian. As my good friend we say, “There comes a time when you have to take a stand.” In this case, not standing was taking a stand. Can I ask you a question? When was the last time you really thought about being an American? When was the last time you thought about being a Christian?

What Does God Expect?

May 27, 2013 was a special day in my life. It was my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. My wife Kathryn and I wanted to do something special, so we flew to Boston. We spent that evening at Fenway Park. It is one of the most loved stadiums in America and is a piece of American history. It opened in 1912, the same day the Titanic sank. Out of respect for the dead, the open day celebration was canceled. It is an amazing story and, I looked forward to visiting it. I had watched games from Fenway for years. I wasn’t disappointed. It met all my expectations. From our right field seats, we witnessed the Indians, now Guardians, win, 12-3! I couldn’t have asked for more. That leads us to an interesting question.

What does God expect? The answer to that question comes from our scripture lesson for today, Acts 2:42-47. They are the closing words of the second chapter of Acts. It is important to note, it is the same chapter that records the events of Pentecost. You remember the story. The Holy Spirit arrived, and lives were transformed. In the verse prior to our reading, we are told thousands of individuals were saved on that day. Our reading tells us about the activities and priorities of those new converts. Verse 42 spells it out clearly:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer

That verse is important because it answers our question, what does God expect? God expects us to do three things. First, God expects us to be devoted to the Bible. In other words, we are to be a learning church. How much time do you spend studying the Bible lately? Second, God expects us to be devoted to the fellowship. In other words, we are to be a generous church. How devoted are you to your church? How generous are you with your church? Third, God expects us to be devoted to worship. When you partake of the body and the blood of Christ and pray, you are worshipping. How much time do you spend worshipping God? It is those three things I want to explore in this blog. May we never disappoint God.

First, God expects us to be a learning church. Verse forty-two says, “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings.” Remember, these words were written about the early church. The apostles were still with them. In time, the apostles would spread throughout that area of the world and spread the Good News about Jesus Christ. In more time, according to tradition, eleven of the twelve would be martyred for the faith. Those times had not yet come. The apostles were still with them. Just think about it for a moment. The apostles were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry. They reported about they had experienced. The early church didn’t just listen to their words. The early church was devoted to their words because they had so much to offer. Time changed things. We are not living in the days of the early church. We are the contemporary church. We can no longer hang on every word of the apostles because they are dead. The best we can do is study their written words. In other words, the best we can do is study the Bible. How much serious Bible study have you done lately? How devoted are you to the scriptures? God expects us to be devoted to understanding the Bible.

In the eighth chapter of Acts is the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. Do you remember the story? The apostle is on his way to Gaza. It is on that road that he encounters an important Ethiopian authority. He was returning home after worshipping in Jerusalem. His life is complex. He is professionally successful, but his personal life is limited. When Philip meets him, the Ethiopian is reading from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. He does not understand what he is reading. He is not the first one who didn’t understand what he is reading in the Bible. He was not the last one. Can you relate to the Ethiopian? Have you ever had a hard time understanding the Bible? There is nothing casual about reading the Bible. If you want to understand the Bible, then you must be devoted to the Bible. How devoted are you to the scriptures? God expects us to be devoted to the Bible. At church, you can get help understanding those sacred words. How are you doing in that area of your spiritual development? Is God disappointed in your efforts? God expects us to study the Bible.

Second, God expects us to be a generous church. Verse forty-two says, “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings and to fellowship.”  Don’t just jump over that word, fellowship. It means more than a potluck dinner or a friendly greeting. It is much deeper. It means they were willing to sacrifice for one another. If you don’t believe me, then look at look at verses forty-four and forty-five. They say, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”  There is no way to read that line and not talk about money. How much money do you give to the church, so the church can respond to human need? Do you give sacrificially? Do you give out of your surplus? How devoted are you to the fellowship?

As I write this piece, I am retired after forty years in the ministry. On my last day at my church, I reviewed the things that brought me the most satisfaction. One of the points I covered was financial. When I went to my church in 1994, the annual budget was $154,000. When I left, the church’s budget was $496,000. That fact makes two points. First, life is getting more expensive. Second, the ministry grew along the way. However, one thing remained the same. Every year, people complained the budget was impossible to meet. That simply was not true. I learned long ago churches do not have a spending problem. Churches have a giving problem. The Biblical standard for giving is the tithe, 10%. According to the people at Vanco, only 5% of American church goers’ tithe. That means 95% of American church goers are living below the Biblical standard, disappointing God. It is my experience, many church goers spend more money on lunch after worship, than they gave to the church during worship. How devoted are you to the church? How generous are you? How are you doing in that area of your spiritual development? Is God disappointed in your efforts? God expects us to be devoted to the fellowship.

Third, God expects us to be a worshipping church. Verse forty-two says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The phrase the breaking of bread means communion. Jesus broke the bread at the upper room to represent his body. If you combine communion and prayer, then you create worship. How important is worship to you? The faith was never meant to be lived out in isolation. Sadly, the numbers do not lie. According to the Pew Research Group, 70% of Americans claim they are Christian. However, only 47% of American Christians belong to a church. Only 22% of American Christians attend worship each week. You can eliminate everything except worship in the life of the church and still be a church. If you eliminate worship, then you stop being a church. You can eliminate the United Methodist Men, the United Methodist Women and the Methodist Youth Fellowship and still be a church. You can dissolve the East Ohio Annual Conference and the Mahoning Valley District and still be a church. You can eliminate Sunday school and all the committees and still be a church. We could sell the building and still be a church. We could cancel all the concerts and picnics and still be the church. However, the one thing you can not eliminate and be a church is worship. How much time do you spend worshipping? How devoted are you to worship? How are you doing in that area of your spiritual development? Is God disappointed in your efforts? God expects us to be devoted to worship.

Have you ever taken a whale watching tour? On our trip to Boston, Kathryn and I traveled to Gloucester for such a tour. They guaranteed a whale sighting, but I wasn’t convinced. I am a product of this area, so I’m a little cynical. I expected to bob off the Massachusetts coast and see nothing. I figured the guaranteed part was a picture of whale at the end of the trip. That is why I was shocked when I saw a whale. I was overwhelmed. In all, we saw four different whales. One was so close you could study her details. The naturalist called her Pinball because she had a perfectly round circle on her tail. I was overwhelmed by Pinball’s size. We watched Pinball swim under the surface. We watched Pinball shoot water through her spout. We watched Pinball stick that massive tail up out of the water. The whole experience with Pinball made me feel better. I felt better about our world’s ecology. After all, we hear so much about pollution. We must be doing something right! Just think of all the fish that must be in the sea to sustain one whale. How many whales are in the world? The whole experience made he think about God. How could you look at such a superb creature and not believe in God? We were out on the ocean for four hours watching whales. The truth is I didn’t want it to end. Listen to what I am about to say. They whole experience was more than I ever expected. How many times have you said that in your life? Most of the time we are disappointed. Wouldn’t it be great to be more than God ever expected?