These are the additional studies that aren’t tied to the series:
This is “When God’s Plan Doesn’t Make Sense” (a study of Habakkuk) from 11/6/08.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ma2mjovhh5o
Immanuel–God With Us, from 12/11/08
Here are the recordings of the sessions from last semester and the first from this semester. They are part of a series “Living a Christ-Centered Life.” While I am posting them for members of Delta and Gamma Chi who are not on Facebook, they are available to download in mp3 format for anyone who might be interested.
Christ the King, from 9/11/08
http://www.mediafire.com/?vlwjgwifz7i
Jesus and the Woman at the Well, from 9/25/09
http://www.mediafire.com/?2myzjtnqnyk
Jesus–Do Not Be Afraid, from 10/9/09
http://www.mediafire.com/?foyndwymijz
Jesus–the Light of the World, from 10/23/09
http://www.mediafire.com/?zmmkyylzlmj
Jesus and Legalism, from 11/13/09
http://www.mediafire.com/?mjmyydvmztm
And last night, 1/8/09, A Divine Obsession
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As with the other three, this fourth and final word of the series seems entirely out of place in our Western mindset, especially at Christmas. Of course, we are willing to endure the obligatory levels of sacrifice that correspond to the season: long lines at the stores, holiday traffic, buying gifts, etc. But these are so often written off as the necessary evils required to make it through the season. And we can easily view them as part of a trade off; we realize that there will be corresponding benefits, whether the receiving of much-desired gifts, or time with family, or even a break in the hecticness. But we don’t typically view sacrifice in a positive light; it is usually something we will endure if we must, but certainly not something we welcome or pursue.
But look again at the passage from Paul in Philippians 2:8:
And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
It could be rightly argued that Jesus’ very coming was, in and of itself, sacrifice that exceeds any level we would ever encounter. But Paul makes the point that Jesus’ obedience was to the point of dying! Again, this itself is inconceivable: that the Eternal King of heaven and earth would not only confine Himself to human flesh, but would be willing to experience physical death—something that stood in total contradiction to His creation of and provision for life.
But not only was He willing to sacrifice to the point of physical death, it was death on a CROSS. This was the most cruel, excruciating form of torture known to man at the time. How could this be? The King, sacrificing Himself in such a manner?
Even more, in the process the Ultimate Light of the World took upon Himself the utter darkness and despair of our sin so we could live in the Light. The Pure One took on our filth—MY filth—so we could be made pure. The One who is the author of life experienced the cruelest death of all time so that we could be delivered from the death of sin and have true life.
THAT, Dear Ones, was real sacrifice—and He didn’t do it for what He would receive in return, but for the benefit of those in deepest need.
When we celebrate the birth of Christ, it is easy to forget the context of that birth—the manger has no meaning apart from the cross; His birth was if no consequence apart from His death. The significance of the incarnation is directly linked to its focus: not merely shepherds, angels, and stable animals, but redemption and atonement for sin. And we encounter the fullest reality of these when we place our faith in and follow Him.
Jesus was a selfless bond slave who was submissive to His Father to the point of ultimate sacrifice. These four words may not elicit the typical sentimentalism associated with the holiday, but they are at the heart of the first Christmas. Indeed, the reality here is worthy of far more emotion than we can imagine, much less express. And the more we reflect these words as we follow the Christ, the more we reflect the true spirit of Christmas.
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The virtue of submitting is not prized in our culture. In fact, the suggestion that a person should submit to another would make some people bristle. Submission to authority is not natural—it is not it is not found in our genetic code—it hasn’t been since Adam and Eve took that fateful bite in the Garden. The evidence around us overwhelmingly supports the claim. Why are there penalties for violating the law? Because people would not naturally obey apart from them and the corresponding fear of consequences. We resist authority—rebellion is woven into our DNA.
So the idea that “submission” is a Christmas word might seem strange. But look again at our passage from Philippians 2:8:
And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death…
In the passage, Paul points to Jesus’ humble obedience as the next and natural step in the sequence for the One who showed Himself to be a selfless slave. While the passage does not directly indicate it, we know from other passages that He was being obedient to His heavenly Father. His submission was consistent with His makeup and mission—and that is what is so incredible, so inconceivable for us. To think that the King of all creation would demonstrate such submission—leaving the glory of heaven, taking on human flesh, and being willing to die—is more than we can comprehend.
Which leads to considering our mindset and demeanor, particularly at Christmas; if the King of Creation was so willing to show such submission with such consequences, how much more should the kids who read this submit to their parents? How much more should employees submit to their employers? How much more should church members submit to the church leaders? How much more should citizens submit to their government? And (dare I ask it) how much more should wives submit to their husbands (only according to Scripture, of course)?
The notion of submission is unpopular and its emphasis is uncommon, particularly at Christmas. But it’s biblical—and that first Christmas offered the greatest example in all of history. What better time to take note and follow His lead?
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As Americans, we value freedom—indeed, wars have been waged in defense of our freedom. From our nation’s birth, we have cherished, advocated, and defended freedom.
So introducing the notion of slavery, particularly at Christmas time, may seem odd at best and repulsive and offensive at worst.
But look at the passage from Philippians 2 again:
Have this mindset in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself (made Himself nothing), taking the form of a bond slave, being made in human likeness.
Philippi was a city in ancient Greece, and the ancient Greeks despised the status of slavery. Slaves may have been afforded certain levels of dignity from time to time, and some slaves may have experienced a decent existence, but their status was viewed as the lowest possible human state, and free Greeks took great pride in their freedom. A slave had absolutely no rights and served exclusively at the pleasure of his/her owner. So for Paul to portray Jesus in such a way was paradoxical, to say the least, for those Christians in Philippi who first read that letter.
But the picture was stark and vivid: here was the Almighty King of heaven and earth, Who voluntarily left all of the brilliant glory of heaven to descend to the darkest depths of earth to take on human flesh with all of its pain and limitations. And if that were not radical enough, He assumed the mindset and stance of the lowest status known to mankind. He not only set aside His glorious existence to become a man, He also set aside His rights, for a slave had no rights of his own.
This was portrayed most vividly on the night He was betrayed when He assumed the role of a slave to wash the feet of His disciples. We don’t appreciate the significance today because we wear enclosed shoes and typically wash our feet regularly, but the people of that day wore open sandals and walked on dusty dirt roads where camels and donkeys regularly relieved themselves. Those who arrived at a home for dinner usually were met by a lowly slave who would wash the sweat, dirt, and manure from their feet, and because the task was so repulsive, it was typically reserved for the lowest Gentile slaves, for it was beneath the dignity of Jewish slaves.
But Jesus didn’t hesitate to assume the role—and as He tenderly washed the filth from His disciples’ feet, He presented a powerful example for them to follow. Indeed, in John 13:14, 15 He commanded His disciples to follow His lead and do the same. And in Matthew 20:27 (and others), He lifted up slavery as the mode and mindset for all who follow Him.
By nature, we like to be served; and by citizenship we cherish our freedom—we WILL NOT let anyone take advantage of us or usurp their authority (“Who do they think they are, anyway?”). And this season sometimes magnifies that mindset. But what if we voluntarily offered ourselves as slaves/servants to those around, whether at work, in the community, at home, or at church? What if we were more interested in meeting the needs of those around us, even if meeting those needs means doing something that may be utterly repulsive?
This uncommon Christmas word reminds us that the first Christmas was the introduction of voluntary slavery as a virtue—one that was modeled by our King, one we are to embrace, one that powerfully reflects His brilliant glory, which is so desperately needed in the darkness around us.
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From the title, you can see why I identify this word as uncommon, particularly during the Christmas season. If it were common, there would be no thought given to writing gift lists for Santa, no mall-parking-lot yelling matches, no stampedes at store openings on Black Friday, and no store employees injured or killed in such stampedes (as in a Wal-Mart on Long Island).
Our culture may give a token nod to the importance of “giving” gifts, but we all know that most of the energy and excitement during the Christmas season is generated by the prospect of “receiving” gifts.
What a stark contrast to the first Christmas. Look at Philippians 2:5 again:
Have this mindset in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself (made Himself nothing),
Paul says that we are to have the mindset of Christ Jesus. We should recognize from the outset Paul is referring to Jesus in His Kingly role by the use of the title “Christ” (for a fuller context of the significance of the title “Christ,” read my blog thread entitled “A Divine Obsession.”) Everything that follows in the passage is the example of our King—an example that is utterly astounding.
Paul indicates that although Jesus existed in eternity past in spirit form as God, He did not regard that existence as something to hold onto. Instead, He voluntarily laid it aside, temporarily setting aside certain aspects of that existence (such as the glory and splendor of heaven; His spiritual state that knew no physical hunger, fatigue, pain, temptation, or death; and certain attributes such as His omnipresence and omniscience). The ESV translates this as He made Himself nothing.
Now remember, this is the King over the heavens and the earth—the One Who owns it all and has full authority over it all, therefore He has full rights to it all—this King was “selfless” in the fullest and truest sense of the word! He had every “right” to stay in heaven; He had every right to rule from on high; He had every right to hold on to that existence. He deserved all of the riches, glory, and worship He was experiencing in heaven. He didn’t deserve what He received here.
Again, what a stark contrast to the consumer mindset that consumes our culture. We’re all about our rights and getting what we think we deserve. We are quick to assert our rights if someone cuts in line in front of us in the checkout lane. And advertisers focus on appealing to our sense of getting what we think we deserve. A secular society (understandably) appeals to such things. And all too often, disappointment at Christmas time is because we did not get what we thought we deserved.
But not so with Christ—He set the example for us in being selfless.
This Christmas I am resolved to shift my focus—I desire to follow Christ’s example—in the way I speak to salesmen on the phone, the way I drive through a store parking lot, the way I treat a store clerk, and the way I think of other drivers on the highway. Even more, I desire to shift my gaze away from myself and look intently into the hearts and eyes of others—resisting the temptation to reduce them in my mind to being an advantage, an annoyance, or an obstacle; instead, viewing them as either bearers or potential recipients of the glorious Gospel.
But to do that requires that I follow Christ’s example of being selfless—and that requires that I follow Him.
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What are some words that you commonly associate with Christmas? And I mean right now—right smack dab in the middle of the season—not the other 11 months of the year. Some common associations that may come to mind: holiday music, Christmas tree, tree decorations, store decorations, church programs, parties, gifts, shopping, deadlines, Christmas cards, family, family gatherings, children, excitement, anticipation, laughter, warmth, love, joy; but also for some of us: traffic, travel, hectic schedule, pressure, finances, budget, debt, economy, tension, anxiety, memories, sadness, despair, depression.
It’s a mixed bag, isn’t it? We may not all experience all of these each year, but it’s likely that all of these have been, or will be, experienced at Christmas by people we know.
Over the last few days, I’ve been reflecting on one of my favorite passages—and it actually is a perfect Christmas passage, though it isn’t commonly included in traditional Christmas Eve services. It’s in Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, and focusing on this passage is helping me keep things in perspective this year. My own translation of Philippians 2:5-8 goes like this:
Have this mindset in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself (made Himself nothing), taking the form of a bond slave (a doulos), being made in human likeness. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
I find a number of key words from this passage that point to a perspective on Christmas that is different from what has become common in our culture—and perhaps even in some of our churches. Over the next couple of weeks I will reflect on at least four of these words. For the few who read this, perhaps it will help maintain a healthy and joyful perspective on Christmas—one that reminds us in the midst of the insanity of the reason for celebrating.
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Thanksgiving is upon us once more, but this year some of us are entering the season under a dark cloud, perhaps with a bit more uncertainty and trepidation than in recent years. The reasons for the unease may be related to the economy, the transition of political leadership (and with it a clear shift in social and moral stances), international unrest, or all of the above. Such matters threaten to steal, or at least squelch, a healthy attitude of gratitude this week, and may put a damper on celebrating the fact that “the Word became flesh” in coming weeks.
If you are tempted to enter this grand and glorious holiday season with less than a joyful spirit and enthusiastic outlook, once again I commend to you my good friend—the Prophet Habakkuk. Hear his words at the end of the Old Testament book bearing his name:
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights. (Hab 3:17-19, NIV)
The tone of Habakkuk’s closing comments inspires optimism and joy even apart from understanding the context, but when we consider what he has just learned and what he is anticipating, it takes us to an even higher level of confident celebration.
Habakkuk has just learned that God will be sending the Babylonian armies to destroy—to decimate—Jerusalem and the nation of Judah. We cannot conceive of such horrors from a spiritual perspective, for what this meant to the people of Judah was that the Holy City of God—the place where God dwelt, the place of absolute spiritual stability and security, the center and focal point of God’s activity in the world for about 400 years—was going to be razed, and with it, the temple itself. All material vestiges of spiritual continuity would vanish.
But also, what Habakkuk realized was that the economy, and with it all of the material pleasures that the Jewish people had come to expect, would be laid waste. When Habakkuk referred to the produce—figs, grapes, olives, and crops—he referenced their agricultural livelihood. When he referred to the absence of sheep and cattle, he described total economic collapse.
But look at his perspective; he says in verse 18 that despite these, he would rejoice in the LORD and be joyful in God his Savior. Such a mindset is foreign to us; we are so inclined to base joy upon our settings and circumstances. Habakkuk’s joy was based on a Person—THE Person of God. In his closing comments he even pictures himself climbing to the heights, all because of Who God is and the sovereign plan He is accomplishing.
Habakkuk hit upon a reality that we need to understand and embrace: joy, true joy, is not associated with or dependent upon the physical vestiges that we associate with spiritual stability and security—whether they be religious organizations, cultural acceptance, or political parties. It is not—it cannot be—connected to our nation’s economic and military stability. For a true child of God, true joy can only be found in the Person and work of a wise, loving, just, gracious, powerful, and merciful Father.
So be thankful this week because of Him, and enter this season with joy and excitement, because we are celebrating the King’s entrance into time and space to pay the price for our redemption. Amen!
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Upon hearing those words from the one our nation has chosen to be the next president, it struck me that he was absolutely correct. November 4, 2008, was indeed a defining moment in our nation’s history, and indeed change has come. I celebrate the joyful reality that our nation has finally reached the point where the color of a man’s skin does not automatically disqualify him from the highest elected position in our great nation. Regardless of one’s political persuasion, that is good. However, not every defining moment—not every point of change—in our history has been good. Roe v. Wade and the legalization of same-sex “marriages” in some states were defining moments—they ushered in definitive change—but they have also contributed to our nation’s demise.
Some random thoughts on this morning after: First, some of us have invested a lot of time and energy into praying for and aggressively pursuing a different outcome. There may be a tendency to be frustrated with God. Why would He allow the election of a man who clearly opposes the protection of innocent lives, particularly within their mother’s womb? Why would He allow someone to lead this nation who has gone on record as supporting lifestyles clearly forbidden in Scripture? After all of the prayer and fasting that preceded this election—perhaps at levels unseen in recent history—how could He allow a man into office who would likely shape the Supreme Court into a force that will insure the legalization of such gross injustices for years to come? If you are struggling with such frustrations, I commend to you the prophet Habakkuk. He shared your frustration. You can read about it in this article: www.sbclife.net/articles/2000/02/sla10.asp
Next, it is my sincere prayer, and I encourage all followers of Jesus the Christ to pray with me, that President Elect Obama will recognize the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the only true King over all creation—the King to Whom he must ultimately answer for every decision—as Nebuchadnezzar did in the 4th chapter of Daniel:
King Nebuchadnezzar,
To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world:
May you prosper greatly!
It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. (1-3, NIV)
Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (34b-35, NIV)
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (37, NIV)
Third, it is my prayer that all who prayed and longed for a different outcome will consider this election from biblical perspective. First, what appears wrong to us is merely God’s path to accomplishing His sovereign will. Remember Joseph’s words in Genesis 50: 19-20:
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (NIV)
God is still God, and He has a plan—a perfect plan—that He will accomplish either through people’s obedience or through and despite their disobedience.
Next, we have a responsibility to honor and respect our civil leaders. Under the rule of an ungodly and pagan Roman government, and in the face of persecution for his faith, Peter said that we are to submit to our governmental leaders and show them honor (1 Peter 2:13-17). There is no place in the Christian’s walk for disrespectful or demeaning characterizations of our leaders. We can disagree without disparagement.
Finally, we are called to pray for our civil leaders. In fact, Scripture actually links prayer for our leaders to peaceful lives and effective evangelism (1 Timothy 2:1-3). The fact that we are diametrically opposed to a man’s agenda does not relieve us from the duty to pray for him and his leadership. Somehow God uses that in His providential process to accomplish His plan and purposes.
Today, I embrace all of these—but even more I celebrate the reality that those who are followers of Jesus are citizens first of a Kingdom that will never fade, a Kingdom that will one day prevail and usher in true justice and righteousness, and we serve the True King. I rejoice in the abiding truth of Paul’s admonition to Timothy:
I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time–God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (1 Tim 6:13-16, NIV)
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As I wrap up this thread, I believe we must ask ourselves some hard questions. First, each of us, and all of our churches, must ask what is driving us. What are our obsessions? Are they related to our own personal goals and agendas? Are they connected to our passion for success, or our fear of failure? Do they stem from personal desires and ambitions? Are they somehow linked to the quest for pleasure or possessions? Are they related to embracing and accomplishing a task so we can (presumably) earn points and gain favor with God and man? I am all too familiar with each of these obsessions, for I have eagerly and recklessly embraced them all at one point or another, individually and sometimes even as a pastor, and frankly I battle each of them daily. But even on a more noble note, I’ve been obsessed with good things—preaching, teaching, Bible study, church growth, small groups, and outreach (as defined by denominational leaders, not the Bible).
On the other hand, are we consumed and obsessed with recognizing and submitting to Jesus as the Christ—in all of His glorious splendor, exercising absolute authority, and maintaining absolute ownership—the Absolute and Ultimate Sovereign King and Ruler over all creation Who was hung on a cross because of our rebellion by those who should have fallen prostrate in worship before Him, and Who willingly paid the penalty for our sin, offering forgiveness to all who would repent and trust Him as Lord? Are we truly obsessed with this Person—Jesus, the Christ? And because of Whom He is and what He has done, are we obsessed with proclaiming this incredible Gospel to as many people as absolutely possible?
Next, it is time for us to reexamine the message of the Gospel we proclaim. Are we proclaiming a Gospel of escapism that focuses more on what people need to do in order to escape hell? Are we proclaiming a Gospel of benefits that begins with and focuses more on what one must do to get to heaven? Are we presenting a Gospel that starts with a person’s “felt needs? Are we proclaiming a therapeutic Gospel that focuses more on the emotional benefits of following Christ, on how He will cure our emotional ills? Again, we don’t see the disciples starting with or focusing on any of these. As I have said in earlier blogs, there is no doubt that there are incredible results and benefits, both on earth and for all eternity, for those who follow Christ, but I have not found that as the primary focus of the Gospel presentation in Acts (or in the Gospels, or in the rest of the New Testament for that matter). The Gospel they proclaimed was that Jesus was the Christ—the Christ who was crucified for our sin—and that the only proper response to Him was repentance of rejecting Him and full submission to Him.
Those first-century disciples were totally consumed with recognizing and proclaiming Jesus as the Christ, with all of the corresponding ramifications and expectations.
Wouldn’t it make sense for us to follow their lead?
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