the reluctant leader

What is the Source of Corruption and Evil in Society?

Our modern victim culture teaches that people are corrupt because society is corrupt. In other words, people are products of their surroundings. Good societies produce good people. Evil societies produce evil people. We are not at fault. We are basically good people in bad environments. We are victims.

While that idea makes us feel good about ourselves, it is the polar opposite of what God's word teaches. Consider Genesis 6.

Verse 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence (Why was the earth corrupt and violent? Read the next verse...)

Verse 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE on earth HAD CORRUPTED THEIR WAYS.

Did you get that? The earth became corrupt because the "people had corrupted their ways." Societies are corrupted by corrupt people, not the other way around. We are not victims of corruption; we are perpetrators of corruption. We are the root cause.

If God wanted to put an instant end to evil and corruption in the world all He would have to do is kill every man, woman, boy and girl. Get rid of the source and the corruption problem is solved.

We are the reason for all corruption.

We are also the reason He came to earth in human flesh, lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, rose from the grave and now offers the free gift of eternal life.

Thank God for the gospel that frees us from the temporal chains and eternal consequences of our own corruption.

A Thanksgiving Blog: Where Are the Other Nine?

You know the story. Luke 17. Jesus meets 10 lepers. Leprosy in the Bible times was an incurable disease, dooming its victims to a life of poverty, rejection and hopelessness.

According to Jewish Levitical law and cultural tradition, any time lepers were around normal people they were supposed to broadcast their problem by shouting "unclean, unclean."  But the 10 lepers in Luke 17 broke the rules, and rather than shouting their problem, they shouted the answer. 

And, Jesus healed them. He didn't heal all lepers, but he healed the 10 who broke the religious rules and shouted the answer. 

Here's the strange, but sadly familiar part of the story. Only 1 of 10 returned to say "thanks."

Only one. 1. Uno. Isa. Satu. Une. Eins. Een. واحد. ένας. אחד. один. एक. 하나. ひとつ. หนึ่ง. ONE! 

Jesus ends the Luke 17 story with a question: Where are the other nine? We are not told where they were, but we can speculate. One was busy at work. Another was at his kid's soccer game. Some were on the testimony circuit, telling everyone what Jesus did for them. But only 1 made time to return to Jesus and give him praise and say thanks.

Like the 10 lepers, I was a hopeless case, until Jesus made me clean and whole. But too often I am more like the 9 than the 1. I am too busy to return and say thanks. I get so busy telling the world what he did for me, that I have no time to daily return to Him and say thanks. Does this sound like you? Not good.

In America this week is a holiday we call Thanksgiving, a day to overeat and watch American football. And hopefully a day to say THANKS to God for all He has done for us.

Final thought. Be the 1. Not the 9. Not just on Thanksgiving. Every day.

 

Sometimes You Have to Break the (religious) Rules

While driving to the office this morning, both local sports radio talk shows were talking about Tim Tebow's technical problems. (Note to non-American readers: Tim Tebow is an American football player. American football is a game where the ball is thrown and caught with the hands, and should not be confused with international football where the ball is kicked with the foot.) It didn't matter that Tebow's team won the game. The talking heads only talked about the problem: Tebow's passing accuracy.

When it comes to problems, everyone has an expert opinion. Just listen to talk radio, water cooler conversations and presidential debates. Yea, we love to talk about the problem. The topic doesn't matter - politics, poverty, parenting or passing fundamentals - experts about the problem abound. But unfortunately most have little to say about the solution.

One of the most hopeless problems in New Testamant times was leprosy. It had no cure and therefore left its victims in a hopeless situation. Jewish religious and cultural tradition taught those with leprosy (and other infectious skin diseases) to SHOUT THE PROBLEM. 

“Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!’ As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp. (Leviticus 13:45,46)

Lepers were required to "live outside the camp" in isolation from the rest of society. And, if they ever happened to get near another human, they were supposed to shout their problem: "UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!"

Most church people have that "shout the problem" thing down pat. We're good at identifying and shouting about our problems. The same way lepers of old shouted "UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!" we love to talk about our problems: "Bad marriage! Bad marriage! Lousy job! Lousy job! Rebellious kids! Rebellious kids! Boring sermon! Boring Sermon!"

Jesus encountered lepers several times. They all had hopeless cases. There was no cure for their problem. They were rejected and lonely, left to beg. And when they had human encounters, they were supposed to shout their problem, "UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!" 

But twice Jesus encountered lepers who broke the rules. They did the exact opposite of what their religious tradition expected of them. Rather than shouting the problem, they shouted the ANSWER!

"Lord, if you are willing, YOU CAN MAKE ME CLEAN." -LUKE 5:12

"Jesus, Master, have pity on us." -Luke 17:13

These two shouted the answer, and these are the ones Jesus healed. What about you, do you shout your problem or do you shout God's answer?

 

NOTE: This blog is a summary/preview of my Thanksgiving sermon that will be preached this weekend at Bethel Franklin as part of our "Living by Faith" series. 

 

 

 

What We Can All Learn from Joel Osteen

Sitting in Tokyo airport, about to change planes on my way from Manila to Nashville, and I'm thinking about Joel Osteen, his message and his critics... and his Dad.

I'm not a big fan of Christian TV and I have never read a Joel Osteen book, but I did watch ten minutes of Bro Joel last night in Manila as I was packing for an early flight to Nashville. He was preaching to thousands in a huge baseball stadium. I know it is easy for preachers, pastors, bloggers and self-appointed theological watchdogs to criticize Joel for his comments about Mitt Romney"s Mormonism and other not-quite-orthodox statements, but that is not what this blog is about. I want to tell you what I like about the man and what we can all learn from him.

Last night was the fourth or fifth time I have watched a portion of a Joel Osteen sermon. Every time I have heard Joel preach on TV, at some point he mentions his dad, the late John Osteen. He not only mentions his dad, he honors his dad. I don't know if he honors his dad in every sermon he ever preaches, but he has honored his dad in every sermon I have heard him preach.

And that's what I like about Joel. He aways honors his dad. Maybe that is why it seems to go well with Joel, and maybe that is why Every Day is a Friday for Joel and Victoria.

“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” --Ephesians 6:2

 

God Wants You Rich

No matter if you are rich or poor, young or old, male or female, educated or illiterate - I believe God wants you to be rich, but maybe not the kind of rich that lands you on the cover of Fortune magazine and enables you to wear $500 jeans.

1. God wants you to be RICH IN GENEROSITY.
Here's how Paul described the poor Macedonian church: "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in RICH GENEROSITY." (2Cor8:2)
This verse shows that even poor people can be rich in generosity.

2. God wants you to be RICH IN GOOD DEEDS.
Notice what Paul instructed Timothy to tell the wealthy people in his church.
"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." (1Tim6:18)

No matter how much you have, you can be rich in generosity and rich in good deeds. That's why I say GOD WANTS YOU RICH!

Divine Hide & Seek (The Gospel in Genesis)

While doing the Purple Book this morning (for the thousandth time), I got stuck on question #7 in chapter 1: "How did Adam and Eve react after their eyes were opened and hey realized they were naked?"

The answer to that question is found in Genesis 3:7-10,15.

1. They covered up, or "made coverings for themselves" (vs 7)

2. "They hid from the Lord God" (vs 8)

3. They were afraid of God (vs 10)

Fallen human nature is the same yesterday, today and forever. Thousands of years later our first reaction to sin, guilt and shame is still to cover up and hide. Hiding from an all-knowing invisible God is not the smartest move ever.

While Adam and Eve were hiding, God was seeking. He walked the garden calling them by name and giving them an opportunity to come clean about their sin. Rather than confessing and repenting, they passed the blame and rationalized.

The good news is that while man continues to sin, run and hide - God continues to pursue, because while it is human nature to cover up and hide, it is God's nature to seek and save.

That's the gospel in Genesis.

Crashing Planes and Crushing Myths

This was originally written for Evangelicals Today magazine. I thought I should repost it on the 10 year anniversary of 911.
-----------------------

September 11, 2001. As always, I phoned my dad to wish him a happy birthday. I was getting ready for bed in Manila. He was getting ready for work in Mississippi. After a brief discussion about the US stock market, I handed the phone to my three sons so they could speak to their grandfather. As soon as we hung up, I heard my wife calling, "Quick, you have to see this. A plane just crashed into a building in New York!"

Like thousands of others around the globe, I was glued to CNN for the next few hours, watching in disbelief as three more planes crashed, killing thousands, wounding a nation, and terrorizing the world. Over the next few days the news moved me to tears, to anger, and to prayer.

I was amazed that the same news producers who usually mock and vilify preachers, were now putting them on primetime asking their perspective on the attack. The line-up included Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, TD Jakes, Dr. James Dobson, and others. Courtesy of CNN, these men probably preached the gospel to more people that week than at any other time in their lives.

Of course, the newscasters interviewed plenty of "experts" who had nothing to say, but kept talking anyway. I did not know whether to laugh or cry when they interviewed novelist, Tom Clancy. I suppose he qualified as an expert on terrorism because he once wrote a novel about a hijacked plane that crashed into a building. It's a sad commentary on contemporary culture when all it takes to be an expert is the ability to make up a good story. Here's what Mr. Clancy had to say about the situation: "We need to be careful not to overreact to this. We must realize that WE ALL SERVE THE SAME GOD OF LOVE."

Do we all serve the same God? Do all religions present a God of love?

Tom's comments about the tragedy are typical of most post-modern pseudo-intellectuals. Unfortunately even Christians get sucked into this pagan way of thinking. It is my hope that the events of September 11 will forever expose and crush the following myths that corrode the foundations of the Faith.

THE MYTH OF RELIGIOUS SINCERITY
Anyone who was ever attempted to be a witness has heard some variation of this statement: "As long as you are sincere, it doesn't really matter what you believe or which religion you follow." It seems that sincerity has replaced truth as the ultimate religious issue of our day. Unfortunately, many today are sincerely wrong.

Suppose we are both on a sinking ship and neither of us can swim. We are told to get into the inflatable lifeboats and we will be safe. We both sincerely believe what we are told and act accordingly. You get in one boat and I get in the other. One problem: my boat has a hole in it and sinks. It does not matter how sincerely I believe the boat will save me, if it has a hole then my sincerity is useless. Unfortunately many people sincerely believe in religions and philosophies that are filled with holes, destined to sink.

Don't ever forget that the pilots who crashed into the World Trade Center towers, killing thousands of innocent people, were very sincere in their service to their god. This is the result of elevating human sincerity above divine truth. Let September 11 be a reminder that truth, not sincerity is the ultimate issue.

THE MYTH OF RELIGIOUS EQUALITY
Another common myth everyone engaged in evangelism has heard goes something like this: "All religions lead to the same God."

If one person studies and practices the teachings of the Bible, another the Koran, another the Veda, another the Book of Mormon, will their values, beliefs, and lifestyles be the same? Of course not, because all religions are NOT basically the same, they are fundamentally different.

For example, Jesus taught his followers to love and serve pagans in hope that they will voluntarily turn to the true God. Even if this has not been obeyed in history, this is what Jesus taught. And it is a far cry form declaring holy war on infidels and unbelievers.

So, do all religions ultimately lead to the same God? Do all roads really end up at the same place? Does it matter which road you take if you are trying to go home? Of course it matters because all roads do not lead to the same house. If you take the wrong road, you will not reach your destination, no matter how sincere you may be.

When Thomas said to Jesus: "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5) Jesus did not answer: "Thomas, my son, it does not matter which way you go because all paths ultimately lead to God."

No! Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Jesus was very narrow. He said there was only one way, not several options.

May the same acts of violence that took the lives of thousands of innocent people also destroy the myths that blind the minds of millions around the world.

The Certainty of Forgiveness

While reading Ephesians this morning I was struck by the certainty of forgiveness.

Paul wrote: "In him WE HAVE redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins..." (Eph 1:7)

Paul writes that WE HAVE redemption & forgiveness. He dies not say that we might have forgiveness sometime in the future, or we could possibly have, or we hope we might do enough good deeds to earn forgiveness...

According to Paul forgiveness is certain, something we can have. And we can know we have it. Right now. Present tense.

Why can we be so certain we are forgiven?

Paul goes on to say that we have forgiveness "in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us" (Eph 1:7,8).

Forgiveness is ours, not because of our goodness, but because of God's grace. And his grace is not randomly sprinkled here and there in tiny portions; it is LAVISHED on us!

Be Careful Who You Judge

Consider the following next time you think you have a bead on a someone's bad motive.

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART" (1Sam16:7)

The Lord looked at David's heart and apparently liked what he saw. But Eliab, David's oldest brother, looked at the same heart and wrongly judged, "I know how CONCEITED you are and how WICKED your HEART is" (1Sam17:28)

We never really know the motive of someone's heart, so we need to be careful how we judge. What looks like a conceited and wicked heart might actually be the exact opposite. So, let's believe the best and leave heart judgments to God.

NOTE: This blog is simply a comment from my morning Bible reading. It is not a reaction to any contemporary issue, person, book or theological error.

Preaching the Gospel is Not That Complicated

Evangelism (preaching the gospel) is not complicated. The simplicity and power of preaching the gospel (GOOD NEWS) is captured in one verse in Exodus:

"when they heard that the Lord was cocncerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped" (Exodus 4:31)

Did you get that? When someone told them that God actually cared about them, that he was CONCERNED, then they bowed and worshipped. Before they knew he was concerned they complained. Once they realized he was concerned they worshipped.

Worship is a natural response to knowing WHO God is.

The more we know WHO he is, HOW he sees us and WHAT he did for us - the more we will want to bow down and worship.

Try it this week. Tell someone how much God cares about them and what he did on the cross for them.