St. John Studies

I hope you watched the video.

It is representative of Chapter 9 in Crazy Love.

Doing insane things for the Lord.

Why are they insane?

Because they are acts of faith.

They stretch people beyond where they want to go.

The things Pastor Chan describes in the video and Chapter 9 make people uncomfortable.

They demonstrate a level of commitment beyond anything you ever imagined.

Wow, isn’t it easy to be safe? It is so nice. You just go to church, be fed by the pastor for 20 minutes and then go home. That’s all that is required to be a Christian.

Is that all that there is?

I ask you this question. Are you growing in your faith?

Don’t get me wrong, in the video Pastor Chan is citing examples of people who have sold everything and gone abroad on a mission trip that is long lasting, not just a week overseas. These people have made lengthy commitments. I have two friends from high school who became Wycliffe Bible Translators. They went to foreign lands and spent years translating the Bible into the language of the area where they were assigned.

Folks, that is what I call commitment.

People do these kinds of things but what if that is way beyond your reach?

And what if extending your faith is something you can do in a less dramatic fashion?

Won’t God honor that?

Of course He will.

You are giving to the church in a grudging way. You have been very short with your tithe and what you give, you have not given with a happy heart. You become serious about bringing your tithe to the appropriate amount.

God will honor that growth effort.

You are called on to get involved with youth at church and you keep saying “No, I am too old; let the young ones do that.” You say yes and help Anita with chaperoning a trip or volunteer to help with Children’s connection.

God will honor that growth effort.

United Methodist Men need extra help with transportation for elderly church members who need to go to the doctor. You can drive but you have been fearful of the commitment. You say yes and get involved.

God will honor that growth effort.

The bus ministry is a fledgling effort. It seems that we just can’t figure out how to use it to pick up people. At times the church has run it for one or two people. You have ideas about how to get people involved and coming to church but you are scared to commit. You do commit and the bus has 5 people on it and them 10 and then 15 to 20 every Sunday.

God will honor that growth effort.

You are wanting to attend a class on Wednesday night. Maybe it is a class having to do with creating something. All your life you have told yourself that you are not very creative but you really want to attend. Down deep inside you know you need that. You say yes and you attend.

God will honor that growth effort.

It has been so long since you have done a serious study of the Bible. You never even open it much anymore. You find out about a translation you may like. You purchase a study guide to help you read it and you begin; the beginning becomes habit and you are reading the whole Bible through and you are understanding it.

Praise God, He will honor that growth effort.

Too often we hear stories of people like my high school friends and we feel “pale” in comparison. Maybe we feel angry that we can’t do what they are doing. Maybe you feel less Christian because we just can’t commit to going abroad for years at a time.

That’s not the best response to examples of Christian people doing dramatic things.

Where are you?

What are you used to?

What is a stretch for you?

Do it!

Don’t play the comparison game. It is a loser’s game. God knows where you are and what you need to do to grow. Just do what you need to do to grow.

But don’t stagnate in your faith, or even worse, don’t decay in your faith.

God does not want that for you.

Let inspirational Christians inspire you. That’s what they are good for…inspiration. But don’t feel like you have to march along with them step by step. You have to do what works for you and God.

God will honor your growth effort.

I don’t usually do this but as we begin a new week, I am going to reflect back on the previous week.

I don’t know if you know this, but I take this stuff seriously.

I guess that is the problem with writing a blog and thinking about what I write.

It has an effect on me.

I begin to wonder about what the author is saying and I begin to wonder if I am living the way I should be living.

We worked through a chapter entitled “Profile of the Obsessed” and I begin to wonder why I am not obsessed.

Pastor Chan calls all us Christians out:

Why aren’t we giving to the poor, why are we so concerned about our safety, why are we so worried about fitting in, why can’t we get a handle on our pride and why is service to others such a burden?

Wow, feel like you are falling short?

Why can’t we be givers instead of takers, why aren’t we thinking of heaven a lot more than we do, why aren’t we “raw with God” in our prayers, why am I not reading my Bible more and why don’t I make better character-building choices?

Chapter 8 is a big blow to the Christian ego.

Let’s explore what is holding us back.

We are concerned about our finances. Will I have enough money to pay the bills? What about retirement? Yet God is wanting me to give.

After reading Chapter 8: God will give you what you need, when you need it if you only believe.

What about taking a chance to help someone who really needs help?

After reading Chapter 8: God will show you how to help others and provide what you need to help others, if you only believe.

What about taking on a job that is too hard but you feel He is calling you to do it?

After reading Chapter 8: God will show you what to do and give you the strength to do the work, if you only believe.

I would like to read the Bible more, watch Christian videos and read more Christian living literature, maybe even attend a Bible study, but my life is so full and I can’t cram in anything else. Yet God is calling me to grow.

After reading Chapter 8: God will show you how to put Him first. He will honor your new commitment to him and you will be surprised how He will reward your efforts to know Him more as you study His Word.

I know I should think about my Lord and Savior more but I compartmentalize God so much. I see Him on Sunday morning and that is about it. Sometimes I pray but not much.

After reading Chapter 8: God is everywhere in your life. He cares for you and wants to participate in every aspect of your life. He will open your eyes to His presence throughout your day if you let Him.

I put myself at the center of my life too much. I know I am that way. I can’t get the “pride thing” under control. I wish I could but I have a hard time putting other people first, much less God.

After reading Chapter 8: God is first. Slowly get to realize that you would have nothing if not for Him. Things of this world will pass away and so will you. What are you doing with your time here on earth? Helping others, learning about God so you can teach and witnessing for the Lord are good things to do but they require you to step out beyond your “self.”   The root of pride is obsession with “self”, which is a serious waste of time.

I am getting too old. I can’t do anything much to help God.

After reading Chapter 8: Some people can sell their homes and become missionaries. Some people can start a homeless shelter. Some people just have reached the point in life where their body will not let them do such things. But is there work to do? Attend prayer group at church. Pray for your Pastor and church leaders. Start your own blog. Join the prayer shawl group at church. Help out the United Methodist men transport our elderly to the doctor. Ask God what to do to help Him. He will give you work to do…age appropriate work.

I don’t want my friends to think I am odd.

After reading Chapter 8: They will. They will doubt you. They will wonder if you are doing what you are doing “for show.” They will criticize you and put doubts in your head and introduce additional fear into your life. They don’t want you to follow God. They want you to be the same old person you were and do the same old things you used to do.

It is a little scary to make a reference to a movie because readers will not have seen it and the reference will be meaningless. In 2000, I saw a movie called “The Castaway” about a hard-driving Fed Ex manager who found himself marooned on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific. He was all alone. He spent many days on the island just trying to figure out how to survive. The loneliness was excruciating to watch and I determined that I would have committed suicide rather than face the loneliness. The film struck me to the core. I still shiver as I put myself in the main character’s situation.

What Chapter 8 is calling us to do is follow God. Really follow God. You will be doing some crazy stuff and people will tell you that. But you must be strong in the Lord. You must believe in Him. When times get lonely, you must realize that you are not alone. He is right there with you. When people in this world begin to express their concerns, it is best not to listen to them because you are listening to a more important power, your Lord and Savior.

I began this blog with the simple word lonely.

It does not apply to the real believer, the real Christian.

I learned that in Chapter 8.

I have described Pastor Chan as obsessed about God and he thinks all true Christians should be also. In fact, in Chapter 8 he has 13 markers for the “obsessed” person. Today I want to comment on the 7 remaining markers of the obsessed Christian.

7. “People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Early last year we had a class at church on the popular book “I Am a Church Member” and one of the main points of the author was that some people come to church with their hand out. What can the church do for me? What do you have that will keep me coming? I am not sure that this is the correct attitude to have toward church. Are we not called to be givers and not takers? The church is to be a light of hope for the world.   We exist to help those who are truly suffering, not those who are looking for free services.
8. “A person obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is in front of them.” Where do you want to be when you have your end time? Pastor Chan writes of his Aunt Clara who does not want to be in a theater if God takes her. He takes her to see a play and leans over at intermission and asks if she is enjoying the performance.   She says “Oh honey, I don’t want to be here right now. I just don’t know if this is where I want to be when Christ returns.” What are you doing in your days? Is it something you would be ashamed of if you met your Maker while you were doing it? Maybe you think Aunt Clara is too serious but her attitude is convicting, isn’t it. Sometimes I am not proud of what I am doing or what I am saying. Maybe I should think about heaven more frequently.
9. “A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.” “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” [Luke 10:27]. Jesus boiled down the commandments to these two and they are big ones and they show a healthy obsession with God. Stop and really read them. Love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength and with all your mind. My goodness, really living a life with these ideals is serious work. Is He not calling us to be obsessed? Is He not calling us to love Him totally? I think so.
10. Pastor Chan speaks of “being raw with God.” What he means is total honesty resulting in peace. How do you pray? Are you totally honest with God? Do you have a problem that you try to cover up? Do you try to explain away your sins by hiding your real motivation as if God does not know your real motivation? Prayer is a time for really “laying it all out with God.”  He knows all about you; He “knit [you] together in [your] mother’s womb. Why try to hide from God when you pray? Lay your burdens down.
11. “People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God’s word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them throughout the week.”   I know that I can’t get by with the minimum, which is the Sunday worship hour. I need Sunday School. I need my own study, whether it is the Bible, a Christian Living book like Crazy Love or even a video on Right Now Media. The more I get into the Word, the better I will be. Often, it seems that the ideas that I need in my life pop up as I study, as if the verse, the writer or the speaker knows my needs. This keeps me strong throughout the week.
12. “A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn’t depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated.” I have known true joy and I have known true misery. As I recall moments of joy, I would really say that they are moments of contentment, moments that are due to day after day efforts at building my character. For character is built on day to day choices. When I know I have spent my time well, when I have avoided my problems with sin, when I have accomplished what I think I am proud of and maybe God would approve of, those are good choices. It is day after day, trying to do the right thing. Some would say that this life is boring but if it results in joy or contentment, that is a wonderful way to live.
13. Finally, “the person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying ‘Thank You!’ to God. He revels in his role as child and friend of God.” God is complete as is. He does not need anything from you except your commitment to Him. Nothing you can do will earn your way into heaven.   Nothing you can do will make Him love you more.

What do we need to do? Just praise him.

Yes Pastor Chan feels that the real Christian is obsessed with God and he presents a long list of ways we can be obsessed. What we think about ourselves as Christians is one thing; what God thinks about us is another.

Maybe Pastor Chan is right; maybe obsession is a good word, especially when it refers to how we love and honor our God. The more obsessed we are, the better off we will be. The more we feel that being obsessed about God is a crazy thing, maybe that is a sign that we are not the Christians we should be.

I  have described Pastor Chan as obsessed about God and he thinks all true Christians should be also. In fact in Chapter 8 he has 13 markers for the “obsessed” person. Today I want to comment on 6 of those markers and tomorrow I will comment on the other 7.

1. “People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.” This is a high bar God raises because most of us think twice as we encounter opportunities to give. I have heard many Christians excuse their lack of giving to the homeless by saying things like “That guy is panhandling for a living” or “He will just use your money to buy drugs” or “They put themselves in that poor situation with their bad choices. They don’t deserve my help.”   One day when a skeptical friend questioned another’s charity to a homeless individual, here was a response that seems appropriate for a Christian. “I am told by my Lord give to the poor; what the poor person does with the money is on them. I give it; I am not in charge of how they spend it.” When I think about the 2^nd part of this obsession, the part about loving those who hate, I am reminded about the response from family members of Emmanuel African Methodist Church when they heard of the death of their family members and church members in the murder that took place earlier this summer. They forgave the killer. That fits the profile of the obsessed Christian but many of us find it hard to do.
2. “People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort”. This means that obsessed Christians are willing to go where they are needed to help those in need. Where they have to go may be dangerous; what they will be called on to do will be uncomfortable but they go anyhow, because that is what God wants and they know God will protect them. A true believer will know that even in harm’s way, God is there and lack of safety and lack of comfort can just draw us closer to God. Pastor Chan writes “we have elevated safety to the neglect of whatever God’s best is.” We do this out of fear for our safety.
3. “People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another.”   Some may think that # 3 is much like the first part of number 1 but I see two big differences. Giving freely in number one is not just giving to the poor and when Pastor Chan says we should “connect” with the poor, he means get to know the poor person as a person. Connection is a rare thing in this world today and it is needed as we isolate ourselves more and more from our fellow human beings. Probably no one feels isolation more than a person who is “down and out.” They need more than money sometimes; they need friendship. If you had some things to give to a poor person, would you have a hard time finding a way to get it in their hands? Like Pastor Chan, you don’t know anyone who is poor. All the people that you know have enough.
4. “Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo.” The enemy of the active Christian is the status quo because when one worries more about public perception than fulfilling real need, they are no longer obeying God. They are more concerned with fitting in with their friends.
5. “ A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be ‘humble enough,’ and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known.   I remember the story about Billy Graham who should get credit for leading so many people to know Jesus. After making an evangelistic plea which usually caused many people to come to the altar, he would take a seat on the rostrum. He always had a person sit beside him who was told to whisper in his ear “It was God; not you.” Too often Christians want to take credit for something that was never them. God working through them accomplished the goal but they stand in the way of giving God the glory.
6. “People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving his people.” Have you ever struggled to get to church or Sunday School? Maybe you just can’t come to church on Wednesday night for Wonderful Wednesdays. You want to sing but you can’t make it to choir practice. When the church has a special event it is too hard to get there. What about that mission trip or helping the youth director when she is taking the youth on a trip? When the United Methodist men are working on a project, you stay home. When the United Methodist women are having a project, you fail to contribute.   Obsessed people don’t hesitate to help. They realize that God will show up and where they are going yields a blessing. Many Christians like the label but they are never around to serve those in the church or those outside the church. They are too busy to work for God.

Part 2 in my next post…

This blog is such a surprising thing.

I remember I started the first week of January and I was afraid.

Would anyone read it?

Did that really matter?

Could I find things to say?

Was I in this for the long haul?

Well here it is August 8 and I have answers to some of these questions and the answers are coming in the midst of trouble. I am writing today’s post for three reasons:

1.to explain this week and apologize

2.to tell you why I am continuing on [selfish]

3.to tell you my source of strength [maybe unselfish]

First of all, this past week has been very stressful. My church family knows of the sickness in my immediate family. My son has been visiting this week and we have been very busy with him and last night his wife was hurt in an accident at work. He is having to rush back to Chicago to be with her. I ask for prayer for my family. I know everything will be ok but at times it is hard to see how it will be.

Secondly, I am amazed at how much writing is helping me. I am a person who likes to express himself. Pray for my poor wife who has to put up with me. This blog not only gives me a chance to get my thoughts out but it has been a growth experience for me. I am getting more into the Word, I am thinking more about my life with Christ here on earth, and I am making some changes that are so helpful. All this stuff is selfish [sorry].

Lastly, my God is so helpful to me in these times of trouble. As things happen, I turn to Him and He gives me strength. The strength is amazing because it does not make sense. I do not see complaining about life right now as a needed option. I know He is with me. I know He sustains me. I know He will show me what to do.

I love Him.

I pray that what I write helps someone who reads this blog.

I am sorry about the erratic week.

I press on…through the trouble.

Thanks but no thanks!

“Sometimes I feel like I make decisions that are remotely biblical, people who call themselves Christians are the first to criticize and say I’m crazy, that I am taking the Bible too literally, or that I’m not thinking about my family’s well-being.”

Have you ever wanted to say “Thanks but no thanks!” to a friend who was commenting on your behavior and they were telling you not to do what you are doing?

What’s up with that?

Pastor Chan writes about going to Africa and returning to the US to his home and asking his family to move to a smaller home. His friends said things like “It’s not fair to your kids” or “it’s not a prudent financial choice” or how about the one, “you are just doing it for show.” He just wanted to live a simpler, less expensive life so he could give away more to people less fortunate. This was not the usual thing to do.

Christian friends?

Is there a possibility that Pastor Chan is obeying a higher calling than his Christian friends?

I think so.

I have often thought that our Christian friends and even Christian family members can do the work of satan.

Before you think I am taking this too far, I feel that most of our friends and family members are doing the devil’s work unwittingly.

Mostly it is a matter of misunderstanding the intent of the person who is acting.

Eugene Peterson, the translator of the Bible into the popular version The Message, had some thoughts that highlight how misunderstandings can occur. He comments on the time Peter rebukes Jesus in Matthew and then Jesus rebukes Peter is some extremely strong language. You know; “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’”

It wasn’t that Peter said something so bad but he had a very different viewpoint than Jesus and their two viewpoints clashed.

Peterson states:

“To Peter the cross was evidence of failure.

To Jesus the cross was the purpose for which he came to earth.

To Peter the cross meant that Jesus had been defeated.

To Jesus the cross was the means by which Satan was defeated.

To Peter the cross meant that evil had won the day.

To Jesus the cross was the path to final victory over sin.

To Peter the cross meant that Jesus was gone forever.

To Jesus the cross led to the empty tomb.

To Peter the cross was a badge of shame.

To Jesus the cross brought salvation to the world.

To Peter the cross meant they had no message to preach.

To Jesus the cross became the message they would preach to the nations.

To Peter the cross made no sense.

To Jesus the cross displayed the wisdom of God.”

Let’s toss in some very human emotions. Peter loved Jesus and he did not want to lose him. Also I suspect he did not want someone he loved so much to have to endure crucifixion a horrible and degrading way to be executed.

In addition, like many of us, Peter just could not fathom God’s plan for Jesus. Why should a man who represented God’s kingdom here on earth have to suffer such a horrible death? To Peter it was not fitting that this was happening. Jesus was about to be treated like a common criminal and He was a man of great love, a holy and pure man. Jesus did not deserve this.

What can we learn from this?

Can our Christian friends and family members do the work of the evil one?

They may not understand the call that is on another person’s life. And if you are experiencing “a call” you can’t explain it, but you know it is real. They may possibly never understand but you need to obey God, not your friends and family.

Pastor Ray Pritchard writes, “our closest friends may sometimes become our worst enemies. In this case Peter’s loyalty was not in question. What he said was foolish and wrong and reflected wrong thinking, but down deep he truly loved the Lord. That’s what makes this so tricky. We may find that our loved ones unwittingly become dupes of satan, tools he uses to get us sidetracked spiritually. In fact I daresay that this sort of temptation would more likely come from a husband, a wife, a co-worker, a close friend, a parent, a child, a close relative, or a friend we’ve known forever. In their attempt to “protect” us from what they perceive as danger, they may be Satan’s tools to keep us from doing God’s will.”

Pritchard continues “If we live on the level of our emotions, we may find ourselves actually opposing Jesus. If we think that our understanding equals God’s will, we are bound to fall into many grievous errors. And if we think that the way of the cross is not for us, then we ought to ask ourselves if we have ever really trusted in Christ at all.”

He recommends we ask 4 very hard questions about this issue:

“Am I ashamed of the cross of Christ?

Am I avoiding the cross myself?

Am I blocking someone else from taking their cross?

Do I demand that God’s plan make sense before I follow it?”

There are always a thousand reasons to say no to God but there is one overwhelming reason to say yes: God is asking you to say yes!

To your friends who want to stand in the way, sometimes the best thing to say is “thanks but no thanks.”

Nice is Not Good Enough

I once had a very close friend reveal to me that “nice is not good enough.”

This person had gone through a horrible time in their life and they did things they never thought they would do. Shocking things. Things out of character.

They looked me in the eye and said “I never really knew Jesus. I always went to church and tried to be a good person and then this period of my life came along and I went into depression.   I was so sad. Then I got angry at the way I was being treated and I felt justified in getting some much needed attention. I was tempted and did things I would never imagine I would do. Being a nice person was not enough to get me through this time.”

What did they need?

A relationship with their Lord and savior.

Chapter 8 in Crazy Love.

Get ready. If you think Pastor Chan has pushed you so far in his book, he is really going to push you in Chapter 8. He is obsessed with Jesus and he thinks all Christians should be.

It will be hard to read.

It always is hard to read when someone makes you feel like you are falling short. When you think you are a Christian and someone makes you think you are a weak Christian at best. When you think you are “nice” and someone makes your feel that “nice is not good enough.”

I have been reading Chapter 8 and I had to stop several times.

I felt so inadequate.

Over and over in my mind I said, I have not done that. I can’t do that. I don’t want to do that.

What is wrong with me?

Why can’t I be like Pastor Francis Chan?

Maybe I don’t let God take over my life the way He wants to. Is it a control thing? Is it an effort on my part to fit it with others? Am I afraid He will ask too much?

Probably all three of these.

I have always felt that I needed some control in my life; don’t you need some too? However, the idea of really having control is a joke. Intellectually, I know that control is a sham. All I have to do is think about what is going on in my life right now. As I write this, a friend of mine is battling a mysterious sickness that is making him very sick. These past few months he has had an accident at work that has damaged his eyesight and an accident at home where he tripped and injured his shoulder. He has had shoulder surgery and now this illness. Related to the shoulder surgery? The doctors don’t know. He has gone from a strong, active man to a very sick man in a few months. I pray for him every day and I am fearful that my prayers for recovery may not be answered. Deep within me is an even stronger fear. This was all out of his control. Things like this may be out of my control too. No one wants to go through this but things happen…things out of our control. Letting go and letting God take over is loss of control

We all desire to be accepted by someone. Maybe you have a close group of friends; maybe you have a family that you love and admire. Maybe you want to be respected and liked at work. What is wrong with that? What happens when God is pulling on you to make a move in your life, a move that is away from the norm? Then a family member feels close enough to you to say something like “you are going off the deep end.” Even a Christian friend in church has the gall to say “are you sure you know what you are doing?” Doubts begin to swirl in your head because there are literally a thousand reasons why you should not obey God. The most compelling one is it would just be easy to say no. The next most compelling one is that I will be more popular with my circle if I just try to fit it.

But God is telling you that “fitting in” is not the most important thing in life.

Thirdly, maybe I am afraid God is going to ask too much. Maybe God is going to indicate that I need to give more of my finances, my talent or my time but I have friends and family who already have dibs on a lot of my time. They expect me to help them but what did Jesus say about family: Matthew 10:37-39 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” That’s pretty clear. The number one priority in a Christian’s life should be God. If God puts it on your heart to do something, you better do it. Maybe you feel you have to have a lot of money to live; after all you have bought a lot of stuff and you have bills to pay. However God is telling you that you don’t need all that stuff. You can get by with less. You can give more of your stuff away to those who are less fortunate; you can learn to live on less money.

What is happening that keeps me from not aspiring to be the Christian that God wants me to be?

Selfishness…

I need control.

I need to fit in.

I want to have more than I really need.

Yes, I would have to agree with my close friend. Nice is not good enough. Maybe now that I have confessed some of my many weaknesses, I can read Chapter 8 with an honest heart.

“Excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic or emotion.”

Did you ever think of the members of the early church as being obsessed?

Those words start Chapter 8 of Crazy Love.

I have heard of people who are obsessed with golf, or obsessed with care of their car or obsessed with genealogy. That means that they are very focused on their hobby.

But were the Disciples obsessed with Jesus?

Were the early church followers obsessed with Christianity?

Then the next question…

Is there anything wrong with being obsessed with Jesus?

Other than people thinking you are “nutty”, there is nothing wrong.

But keep in mind, average Americans will think you are “nutty”.

One of the interesting studies I have done is a study of Ephesians. Ephesus is a strong church that Paul writes an epistle or letter to, a fairly glowing epistle, for Christians at Ephesus were doing a lot of things right.

But what if Paul were writing a letter to American Christians. Would he find us doing things “right?”

It seems that Martin Luther King Jr. has already explored this idea in his presentation that he delivered many times in his life beginning in 1956.

He “channeled” the character Paul, the Apostle and wrote a letter to America as Paul wrote the letter to Ephesus.

In his imaginary letter to America, “Paul” tells us that our mental capacity has outstripped our moral and spiritual capacity. We are inventors of great things in technology and science but there is a down side to this. Americans have too much allegiance to things of this world. “Paul” is not too happy with Christian Americans having dual citizenship. We may be citizens of America but we are foremost citizens of God’s kingdom.   We know Jesus says we have to live in this world but not be “of this world.” Our ultimate allegiance should be to God.

Capitalism is an economic system that “Paul” does not know, but he does know that Americans are engulfed in materialism. If Paul were in America today, he would be amazed at how many TV commercials were devoted to commerce, getting Americans to buy the newest car, the newest cell phone and the latest fashions. Success in finances is not a bad thing until it becomes all consuming; again we are aware in 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

“Paul” is also upset that American Christianity is split into so many different denominations.   Quoting from King’s letter, “Paul” says, “ The tragedy is not so much that you have such a multiplicity of denominations, but that most of them are warring against each other with a claim to absolute truth. This narrow sectarianism is destroying the unity of the Body of Christ.” “Paul” is disturbed that the protestant Christian church exists alongside the Roman Catholic Church, each not able to agree on much.  Added to that is the idea that Protestant denominations have splintered into so many denominations.   He is especially upset that we have too many white churches and black churches in America, as if color means so much that churches have to separate on racial lines.

Americans need to know what sacrifice means and “Paul” does not see that. He feels that Americans do practice philanthropy but it is not a philanthropy that comes from a place of love. “The greatest of all virtues is love. It is here that we find the true meaning of the Christian faith. This is at bottom the meaning of the cross. The great event on Calvary signifies more than a meaningless drama that took place on the stage of history. It is a telescope through which we look out into the long vista of eternity and see the love of God breaking forth into time.” If our generous behavior is rooted in love, it will be more effective.

You see Paul is obsessed with Jesus. He had that Damascus Road encounter where Jesus said “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And Jesus said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” That did it. Saul became Paul and he was obsessed with Jesus from that point on.

He did not need any more convincing to follow the faith of Jesus.

As Pastor Chan says about our culture, “We let the culture dictate how we live our Christian lives.”

Wouldn’t it be a hoot if it were the other way around: we let our lives dictate the culture?

Maybe we need to see Jesus or hear his voice so we can be obsessed. Once the Disciples and Paul encountered Jesus, nothing on this earth mattered anymore.

They were “excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic or emotion.”

By now, you realize that Pastor Francis Chan is “big on commitment.” He is not one to “sit on the fence”

Let’s go back to the starting words of Chapter 7: “By now you probably realized that you have a distinct choice to make; just let life happen, which is tantamount to serving God your leftovers, or actively run toward Christ.”

These are not the words of a “fence sitter”.

As we leave Chapter 7, let’s review some of the standards he expects Christians to meet:

1.Read your Bible as much as you can, really read it and study it. Know it.

2.Don’t be afraid to take a position for Christ. Pick Him over your friends if need be. Don’t worry about your popularity.   Actively try to live a life for Christ. That’s your only real concern.

3.Don’t be afraid to give of your money and time for God, especially to people who have less than you have. Remember, if you care for the less fortunate, you are doing that for Christ.

4.Live every day as if we are preparing for your final day. Learn to trust God for what you need in life.

5.Surrender to God and develop your faith in Him. Don’t be afraid to do something uncomfortable as you do something good. Remember, as Christians, we try to play it safe too much.

6.Use your talents to glorify God. Don’t be afraid to use your gifts if you are using them to further His kingdom here on earth.

A lot of what Pastor Chan is calling for is oppositional to our culture.   What are America’s core values? Have you ever explored those and see how they fit the Christian worldview?

Let’s pin our culture down to 6 core values and let’s examine them.

1. Liberty is the value that proclaims that people should be free to think, speak, and act as they choose as long as they do not offend the freedom and rights of others. [I don’t know; many times Jesus says put others first at your own expense. Philippians 2: 7 says of Jesus “he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” I wonder if Americans would have a hard time making themselves nothing.
2. Self-government is the value that declares that citizens have a say in how their government is run. Citizens are the primary source of the government’s authority; they participate actively in the political process, and the government exists to promote their well-being. Jesus says in Mark 12:17 “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” The context of this Scripture is that the Pharisees want to catch Jesus in some insurrectionist statement and He is doing His best to dodge their trap. However, Jesus is not afraid throughout the New Testament to stand for what is right; not what is “in line” with the government. Of course the Roman government of Jesus’ day is not a benevolent government that promotes peoples’ well-being.
3. Equality is the value that holds that all people must be treated fairly and with dignity and be able to embrace opportunities for education, economic success, political involvement, and a fulfilling life. This is an ideal that I believe Jesus would like but it is an “ideal”. Our culture says we hold this up as a core value but in reality, we have not really achieved equality in our culture.
4. Individualism is the value that is committed to independence, self-sufficiency, private initiative, and personal economic growth. When you view Chapter 7 and the many instances where Jesus says we need to care for others with our money and time, the self-centeredness of this value may fly in the face of a lot of those teachings, especially if Americans get materialistic.
5. Diversity is the value that teaches us to respect and embrace the fact that all people are unique and important no matter what their race, culture, heritage, belief system, or socio-economic status. Again, I feel Jesus would approve of our efforts to appreciate diversity in our culture. As a human walking this earth, he reached out to a wide variety of people unlike Himself; indeed many of those people were outcasts from his own culture. His actions speak loudly about acceptance of diverse peoples.
6. Unity: The principle that Americans are one people and form an indivisible union.   Jesus shows belief in unity but his unity is for believers. Philippians 2:2 “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” 1 Peter 3:8 “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.” It seems to me that Jesus is accepting of other’s viewpoints but He is not willing to concede that all viewpoints are the best way to live: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” [Matthew 7:13]

Pastor Chan realizes the life of the Christian will be challenging. The Christian way may not be the American way 100% of the time. That’s ok. We all have to make choices.

Of the choice our religion forces on us he says “you have a distinct choice to make; just let life happen, which is tantamount to serving God your leftovers, or actively run toward Christ.”

I think we should choose to “run toward Christ.”

“Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Wow! What has happened for this to occur?

Have you ever read the end of the parable of the talents? [Matthew 25: 30].

This is what Jesus says will happen to the servant who buries his talents in the ground.

What can we make of this?

Is it a threat?

Is it a warning?

Does it make you pause and think “What am I doing with my talents?”

Of course in Matthew the word talent refers to money but this connotative word can also refer to the gifts God has given to us. In the literal context, it refers to money and to be honest, it seems that the fearful, conservative investor who wants to put his money in his mattress will not fare well with Jesus.

Today we hear a lot of talk about the collapse of the economy and to avoid total loss of investment, one needs to invest in tangible precious metals which are likely not to increase in value. However, if economic Armageddon occurs, the gold or silver will be available to purchase needed commodities for survival.

But what is the survivalist who is investing in gold and silver doing with their talents?

Essentially they are burying them in a hole in the ground.

“Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

But what if we take the more connotative meaning of talent and say that it means a special ability that allows someone to do something well. What if you have a talent and you refuse to use it? What if you have a talent and you refuse to develop it? What if you choose to “bury” your talent?

Steve Pavlina [a personal development expert] likes to apply this parable to individual development. Truly some people are born with many talents and maybe others are born with few. If you are fortunate and have many talents, don’t just be satisfied with your abilities, push yourself to maximize your talents. If you only have one talent, do the best you can with it. In other words, increase your ability to use your talent.

Looking at this from a stewardship point of view, are you being a good steward of your talent? We don’t think of talent in this way but we should. A steward is one who is responsible for taking care of money or property. We hear the word tossed around in Christian circles a lot. We should be good stewards of our money and property. However, can we be good stewards of our talent? Can we use it to the best of our ability? Can we help others with it? Can we develop it?

In Jesus’ parable, the servant who does not grow his talent is called a “wicked, lazy servant.” Maybe we can be called that if we have a talent and we do nothing with it.

Pavlina comments on the word faithful. Sometimes when I read my Bible, words don’t strike me the way they should. When I did a close reading, I [like Pavlina] did notice the word “faithful” applied to the first two servants. Jesus says they are “good and faithful” as they have taken what they have been given and they have multiplied it. Since they have faith, they can make their talent grow. It seems like faith is necessary for talent to expand. Both servants who have faith and have grown their talent are given responsibility over more things: “I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master’s happiness!”

Finally, the parable taps into a core idea that will rob a person of growth opportunity. Fear and suspicion will keep you from growing. The servant who buries his talent fears his overseer.   He says “Master, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed, so I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground.”

That was not what the master wanted to hear and he says so. Why did you not return the money with interest? Why did you not develop your talent? Why did you not share your talent with others? Why did you not help others with your talent?

No one wants to be thrown outside, into the darkness. No one wants to be thrown where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

No one wants to hide their talent.

What are you doing with your talent/s?