Taming the Tiger

The "tiger" here is our image, and boy does it need taming.  We are constantly trying to impress those around us.  Just look at what we drive, what we wear, and how we live.  If you tell me you've conquered this need to impress, I suspect you're lying.  What about trying to impress God?  Or yourself?  This desire to maintain an image is a beast.  It's a tiger that roars.  It cannot be overcome, only tamed.

Our source is Jesus Christ.  As the Author of truth, He reveals the truth about you and me.  The truth is that we are big-time sinners struggling to hold on.  Brennan Manning uses the term "ragamuffin" to describe us in his powerful book, The Ragamuffin Gospel.  The truth is that we are absolutely nothing without Christ, so who are we trying to fool?  The amazing grace is when we realize Christ accepts us and loves us more than we can comprehend despite all the crap we bring to the table.  This is the Good News of the Gospel.

Trying to maintain an image and impress others around us is a flat-out rejection of the Gospel.  It's an attempt to say, "Look at me, I'm doing just fine without the saving grace of Christ."  What a bunch of bull.  No one is doing fine without Christ.  In fact Scripture says just the opposite and that we are perishing without Him.  Look around, most refuse to accept this truth.  They continue fighting an unbeatable opponent.  They mask the pain deep within their soul by trying to impress you and me.  They find comfort in outward appearance rather than inner peace.  It doesn't last though.  It's only a temporary fix that will soon unravel.

The only way you and I can tame the tiger of our fickle image is recognizing our desperate need for Jesus Christ daily. At this point, our need to impress goes out the window.  It pales in comparison to the complete joy found in knowing Him.  As Paul reminds us, "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ" (Phil 3:8 NLT).

GrantJ

Be Free of People-Pleasing

I'm a recovering people-pleaser.  I thought I'd share some insight God has given me along my journey in hopes that it helps others who struggle with this unhealthy addiction.

It's natural to want everyone to like us, but it's not good for us.  It's exhausting, both physically and emotionally. What's even more detrimental though, is the spiritual danger that it cultivates: pride.  Surprise! I bet you didn't expect pride to be at the root of people-pleasing, but it is.  People-pleasing is a way of saying, "I'm worthy of your approval. Let me show you." Or, "I won't let you down. Let me show you." We've got to learn to let it go.  Yes, some people will have a negative reaction to our abrupt end of people-pleasing.  (That's what we fear most, the rejection).  Our real friends, however, will accept our end to people-pleasing.  After all, real friends embrace who we are without a burdensome requirement for more. They desire authenticity and accept us even when we inevitably fall short and let them down.

Maybe you're thinking, "But I just can't stand it for someone not to like me!" Once again, we have to learn to let it go. This is pride welling up inside.  Don't forget that God hates pride (Prov 6:16-19). Only the wisdom of humility recognizes that not everyone will like us.  Look at Jesus.  The vast majority did not like Him.  Far from it.  They hated Him.  They crucified him.  Jesus was hardly a people-pleaser.  He came to please the Father, not people.

I put together a little check-list to help me resist the unhealthy tendency to people-please. I hope it helps you too.

1. Read the Bible. Reading the Bible brings confidence, discovering what God says about me. Scripture says that God loves me. Nothing compares. Scripture says that I should be most interested in pleasing God, not man (Gal 1:10).

2. Treat everyone equal and with respect. Resist the urge to treat certain people better based on status or position.

3. Resist pride. Stay low. Humility accepts the fact that others won't always like me.

GrantJ

No one gets out alive!

It's been said that no one gets out of this life alive. So why is it so taboo to talk about death? Death is inevitable. Yet our culture seems convinced that maybe, just maybe, there could be that one exception. Or at the very least we are convinced that it can be post-poned. Well maybe for a time, but inevitably there's a 100% chance of death for each of us. So why all this tip-toeing around the subject? Personally, I think we should be thinking and talking about it a lot more.

When you realize your own mortality what happens? You appreciate life more, right? Just ask someone who's had a near-death experience. They are revitalized with a new perspective on life. While I've never had a near-death experience, I do realize how fragile my life is. I'm so minuscule here on this earth. I think about this every time I fly on a commercial airplane at 500 MPH and 30,000 feet off the ground. God could take me out in a nanosecond! It's only by His grace that you and I even have our next breath.

Yup, I think about death a lot. Don't misunderstand me. It's not in a morbid or suicidal sense. It's in appreciation of life. I am grateful for the time God has given me. I have lots of plans, hopes, and expectations for the future, but if He calls me home...well, I guess I'm okay with that. Yes, there is hesitancy in my response only because I have a hard time grasping the reality of heaven. That's natural. But I'm learning to trust what He has promised in the Bible. I wish I had Paul's level of faith here. He says in Phil 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Paul is saying that fullness of life is found in Jesus Christ - so true. But he's also saying it will be even better when we exit this life in order to spend eternity with Him in person.

So when can we expect death? 2 Pet 3:10 says that the Lord will come as a thief in the night. This is referring to the second coming of Jesus, but could also be applied to when He calls us home. It will come when we least expect it. What a mistake for those who don't consider their mortality. Many people mistakenly think that they have plenty of time to get right with God later. This will likely not be the case. As a thief in the night does not announce his arrival, so too will death be a surprise. The question to ask today is how is your relationship with God? The only way to be right in God's eyes is to accept the gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ as your personal savior (John 3:16).

Thinking about death doesn't have to be a horrible subject. It's quite the opposite for those confident in salvation through Jesus Christ's redeeming work on the cross, in which case there is no fear in death. (Admittedly, most of us are a tad concerned about the process, but it's in God's hands and He ultimately works it out for good for those who are in Christ). There's no need to be afraid. Place your trust in Jesus, the One who has conquered the grave!

GrantJ

Being Certain of the Truth

I recently attended the funeral of a long-time neighbor to my parents (and me growing up). He lived a full life well into his 80s. During the service one of his adult children read John 14:2. "In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." This verse is common at funerals because of the comfort Jesus offers to those who are grieving. Indeed, the verse before it says, "Do not let your heart be troubled" (14:1).

As I reflect more on John 14:2 these words stand out, "if it were not so I would have told you." This is Jesus talking. He is reassuring his disciples and offering them comfort. Read it again. "If it were not so I would have told you." Jesus is not in the business of misleading us. He tells us the truth. At a moment of grief and heartache, Jesus speaks compassionately and to the point.

What about His teaching in parables though? True, these are hardly straight to the point. He uses parables to teach and challenge our thinking on spiritual matters, but on critical issues concerning death and salvation He is straight forward.

As the chapter continues Jesus tells them, "You know the way to the place I am going" (v4). Thomas replies, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (v5). Jesus answers, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (v6). This is simple, straight-forward teaching from Jesus himself at a moment of possible confusion. We can find comfort and be certain of this truth because it all hinges on verse 2, "If it were not so I would have told you."

This should offer such comfort and reassurance in today's generation searching for answers. It is the truth and He wants us to know it.

GrantJ

Grace is a Gimme

I had a wonderful golf outing with my dad this weekend in Kansas City. In fact, one of my dad's friends in the group was a 79 year-old doctor who delivered me when I was born! Here's a picture of him teeing off (my dad is in the foreground).

As you might imagine, once on the putting green we conceded several "gimme" putts to our elder friend. For those of you who don't play golf, a gimme is when someone grants you a putt that is considered "close enough" and makable, usually within 2-3 feet of the hole. It's a respectable gesture to another golfer. While my dad and I were willing to offer gimme putts to the Doc, we were a little less willing to offer them to each other. Call it friendly competition or just plain fun - as he likes to make me sweat it out :)

So you can imagine my exuberant reaction when my dad offered up a rare gimme as I lined up my putt. "Huh?!" I questioned. "That's a gimme," he replied. "Sweet," I thought. "I'm picking this ball up before he changes his mind!"

A gimme is the epitome of grace on the golf course. Interestingly, I used to refuse them when they were offered to me. For some reason I felt I needed to putt the ball and prove I could make it. Sometimes I would make it, but most times I would miss. Regardless, the bigger issue is that I felt I needed to prove something. I refused this gift of grace to prove I could do it. Sound familiar?

By definition, grace is unmerited favor. We don't deserve it and we know we don't deserve it. Therefore, we want to prove to ourselves or someone else (usually God) that we do deserve it. (That, my friends, is pride). After all, what can we ever prove to God? He is omniscient (all-knowing) about every facet of our lives. He gives us the gift of grace through His son, Jesus Christ, even though we don't deserve it. Just like the way I used to play golf, we can choose to refuse this gift in an effort to prove something to Him. -What a shame. Rejecting someone's grace on the golf course is one thing. Rejecting grace from the God of the universe is something else. Can you imagine?

Yes, in case you're wondering I gave my dad a gimme or two on Saturday. :)

GrantJ

Hardest part of preaching - Authenticity

In Day 1 of Preaching they teach us that the goal of preaching is changed lives. As I prepare my second sermon for class, I'm learning that the first life to change must be my own. It's horribly convicting to begin crafting a sermon only to stop mid-sentence and realize that I'm not following my own advice. (As Homer Simpson would say, "D'oh!"). Unfortunately this doesn't phase some preachers. They don't allow the message to clench their heart before they clench the pulpit. For the vast majority though, the message has impacted the preacher long before it ever reaches the audience. I once heard a professor here at seminary say, "Until the message grips your entire heart, you are not ready to deliver it."

So, back to the message that is making me squirm in my seat as I prepare. I basically have three options:

1. Choose a different topic (which is rather difficult with an assigned passage).

2. Change myself before I deliver the sermon (wishful thinking in only 5 days :)

3. Be authentic with the audience and confess my short-comings on this particular truth.

By process of elimination, #3 is the option I'm left with :) Actually, this is the best one anyway. Authenticity, when applied with truth, is the vehicle by which preaching changes lives. A connection must be made with the audience in order for the truth to find its way. Authenticity is the pathway for this connection.

I'm finding this to be the hardest part of preaching. It requires a willingness to be vulnerable. It means letting down the walls and laying insecurities on the table. Yuck. -Like I said, this is hard work for me.

Fortunately, most of the work toward authenticity is done in the preparation. That's where the decision on how/when/where to be authentic is made. For the audience's full benefit, it's something that can't be put off until the night before. The message needs time to marinate in prayer with the preacher for days. This is usually when the Holy Spirit shows up in a big way.

The takeaway here is that in order to effect life-change in ourselves and others we need to be authentic. As I've discussed, it's hard work and it requires preparation. Prayer is the number one way to prepare. Any other ways you can prepare to be authentic with others?

GrantJ

Preaching? Me?

Today I preached my first sermon at seminary! It went well. I'm mostly just relieved it's over! It wouldn't have been such a stressor if we weren't required to memorize the whole thing. That's right, no notes. My next sermon is in two weeks and I'm already stressing about memorizing that one :)

Tonight I'm reflecting on the whole preaching thing. I never imagined I would be preaching. In fact, I still get uncomfortable being called "preacher." I guess it's a negative connotation I used to associate with the word. I used to view preaching as being pious and stuffy, something only for "religious" folks. I never looked at it as something practical for everyday life. My view has changed over the past few years, largely as a result of hearing some great sermons. In addition, Christ has opened my eyes to the real virtue of biblical preaching. Essentially, it's a message about life. I don't mean that to sound trite. What I mean is that a good sermon is aimed at how to live right. It's relevant for everyone because the Bible is relevant for everyone (yes, even in modern times!). Biblical preaching guides us through the Bible, our life instruction manual, which is our source for a joyful and fulfilling life. To me nothing is more exciting.

I'm thankful for this fresh view of Biblical preaching. I have a zest for learning the craft and a new found respect for those who do it well. Yes, I'm learning it is harder than it looks. For one, a good preacher lets the audience in. He lets down his wall and is authentic to the core. This could be the hardest part... -More on this in a future post.

GrantJ