It's difficult...

When we think of the person/ or persons in our life that have hurt us the most, our thoughts toward them are not kind it seems. But as Disciples of Christ, what is the correct way to respond to those in our lives that have caused us pain, intentional and deliberate pain. Those who, it would be fair to say, are your enemy, who hate you, who despise you. How should we respond to them?

This past Sunday I shared my final message in our Romans 12 study. That message covered the final seven verses of Romans 12 that spoke directly toward a Christian’s response toward those who hate them;  

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This Scripture, for many, is very difficult to read and I’m not sure we know how to react toward it. Part of us, love it, it speaks so true to what we should do, but doing it is another matter. Why? Because, it is very hard to do.

 Throughout Romans 12, we have seen just how a disciple of Christ should respond in their relationship with God, with themselves, and with the community of other believers. These seven verses call us to look at our relationship with our enemies.

The words that Paul writes to the Christians in Rome are fitting for us today. In fact, he is just reiterating what Christ taught in Matthew 5 (The famous “Sermon on the Mount”);


⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I suppose this is one of those things that separates us (Christians) from the rest of the world, Christ is telling us, not only do I want you to love your friends and family and to love people, Jesus says; “don’t just love those who love you.” Instead, Jesus says I want you to be different…I want you to love people who actually hate you. 

Notice Romans 12:14, the word “bless” is used twice. To “bless” is to ask for favor upon, to pray for God’s blessings upon that individual or individuals.  When we have been wronged, when someone has hurt us that seems like the last thing that we would want to do, but somehow in such a great mystery that it is with God, we are called to bless our enemies. I

If there is one thing that can overcome any type of evil, it is the goodness of God. And when the goodness of God is expressed through you, it breaks down walls of hostility and softens the hardest of hearts.

Let me also, just comment on verse 15; “Rejoice w/ those who rejoice and mourn w/ those who mourn.” Fitting words and these words seem to come as an instinct to many of us. When some of my friends and family are celebrating a new birth to the family, a new job, or job promotion…we celebrate and are joyous with them. And when friends are in a time of mourning, a loss of a loved one, sickness…we mourn with them. But here is the deal, I don’t need a commandment to tell me to rejoice and morn with my family and friends, I do however need a commandment, a reminder to mourn and rejoice with those who are my enemy. That is what Paul is telling us here in verse 15, we are to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. The “those” are our enemies, the people who hate us most.

Even though this may seem to be the hardest thing ever to do as Disciple of Christ, when applied, has great impact on your life as well as those around you. Give it a try. If there is someone who has hurt you bad…try applying Romans 12:14-21 and see what happens. Will it be hard? Yes, it will probably one of the hardest things you will ever have to do as a follower of Christ.

For more information check out my whole message @
http://firstmethodisthuron.org/media.php?pageID=6 

Blessings,

Pastor Derek

Being United

 The past ten years have been an interesting journey. In this past decade, this nation has surely seen its ups and downs. September 11, 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of that dreadful and terrible day. Where 2,981 individuals lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. I remember my parents and teachers always telling me how they remember exactly what they were doing and where they were the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Just as that day was etched into their minds, so has 9/11been etched into mine.
   In the midst of the horror and devastation, in the midst of the pain and sorrow, there was something else that I will never forget and that was the way America looked right after those attacks. The American flag waved on almost every home in every neighborhood. There seemed to be no political divisional lines. It didn’t matter what religion or political party you associated with, it didn’t matter. And for the first time in almost 60 years, the United States was just that…UNITED.
    In these last 10 years, unity has some what vanquished. Have you ever noticed that it usually takes some sort of tragedy to bring people together. I'm not just talking about a national level either, what about in your own community. Listen some of the greatest stories of inspiration have been when communities come together after a disaster. The nation is proof of that just after 9/11. New Orleans, Joplin, MO, Minot, ND; and the many communities who are affected by the flooding of Missouri River. It is amazing to watch people come together and help each other out. Have you ever thought of why?
    I believe it is because in moments of dispair, we are in a sense showing our "Real" emotions and we feel vulnerable, but together that vulnerbility changes to strength.
   Rewind the world clock about 2500 years. We find ourselves looking at Jerusalem, but this Jerusalem that we look at is not like the one that we read about during King David’s rule. During King David’s rule, the land of Israel and Judah was abundant, by the time David’s son, Solomon was King, Israel was considered the greatest nation in the region, even more powerful and richer than Egypt. Fast forward 500 years from David’s rule, we find the walls of Jerusalem in pieces of rubble, the temple is destroyed, and the city…nothing more than old abandoned meat processing plant, that was slowly crumbling to pieces.
  Nehemiah enters the story by pursuing to "RE-Build" the cities walls. The story of Nehemiah and the Israelites is a story of overcoming the odds and coming together. But why can't we come together when things are going well? Maybe that is the challenge for us today and throughout this week. Let's build community amongst each other and see where that takes us.
Blessings,
Derek

The Case for Christ: Why Christianity?

I have had people ask me; Why Jesus? What makes your faith any different than all the other religions of the world? More than likely if you are a follower of Christ you have been asked a similar question. Or perhaps maybe you accidently stumbled across this blog and you yourself are wondering that very question. Why Christianity? Why Jesus?

I'm not sure if this blog will suffice the follower of Christ or the curious mind as well, but I will do my best to share with you just what this Jesus offers that no one else, no other religion, or no other philosophy can offer. Sure, I can give you the obvious Christian answer;

"For God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life!" ~ John 3:16

It's a true statement and nothing else gets to the point of the message and answer of Why Jesus? Jesus does indeed offer us eternal life, but the claim of eternal life is no different than that of Muslims who promise eternal life to those who live in accordance to their teachings, or Judism, or Buddhism , Hinduism or what ever "ism" or religion who want to name. Eternity is commonly offered in all of them. It's that reason why so many today believe that we are all on different paths that lead to the same place. We live in an age of religious pluralism.

So what does Christianity offer? Why Christianity? Why Jesus? What is offered here that is not found in any other religion of the world? Sunday church goers are asking the same questions. And let's be honest, us Christians have really messed up reflecting Christ at times. Ghandi once said; "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Perhaps there is something that we can learn from Ghandi about Jesus. Ghandi was absolutly right. Let's be real, the reason people have issues with Jesus, isn't because of Jesus, it's because of the church, the followers of Jesus Christ. However, I have always found it interesting how so many other religions point to Jesus, they point to his teachings, his way of life. Ghandi also stated:

"Jesus occupies in my heart,the place of one of the greatest teachers who have had a considerable influence on my life. I shall say to the Hindus that your life will be incomplete unless you reverentially study the teachings of Jesus...The lives of all have, in some greater or lesser degree, been changed by His presence, His actions and the words spoken by His divine voice... I believe that he belongs not solely to Christianity, but to the entire world; to all races and people.."
What makes Christianity so different than any other religion? Look at the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39ff), or to the adulteruss women (John 8:1ff), or look to Saul's conversion (Acts 7, 8, 9)...each one encounters Jesus, each one is offered grace and forgivness, each one is transformed from the insed out.

The truth is each and every one of us are broken, each and everyone of us have failed and made mistake after mistake, sin after sin, but no matter are brokeness, no matter how much we have messed up, no matter how bad we might think it is, Jesus came to pick us up, dust us off, and to try again.

He entered into our broken lives and met us in the darkest places in our hearts. There he offerrs us all a way that leads us out of the darkness and into "life". It's why Jesus says, "I am the the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" ~ John 8:12
Dan Stevens writes;

"All of us are broken but there is beauty in our brokeness. Because it is in our sin that God encounters us, forgives us, and restores us."
Why is Christianity different? What does following Christ offer? What does Jesus offer compared to the other gods and religions of this world? Well the gods of this world, the gods of the nations must be carried, but the one true God... our God Carries Us.

And that my friends can not be said about any other god, there is none like our God...
a God of the Broken!!Blessings,
Pastor Derek

The Rapture Spoof: My Thoughts

Well the Rapture didn't happen. Apparently, this guy's Bible was missing the pages with Matthew 24 and Mark 13. I am amazed by those who claim to know Christ and the Word of God so well but will manipulate the Scriptures to deceive people. Let me get this out of the way first; whenever you hear or read and individual claiming when Christ will come again or when the end of the world happens, just take a look at what Jesus had to say about it; please read the following. Better yet, grab your Bible and highlight it...



The Day and Hour Unknown - Matthew 24:36-44
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matt. 24:36-44)


The Day and Hour Unknown - Mark 13:32-37
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert[e]! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’

• These are Jesus' words and it would be wise if you read these texts in their entire context. They would be grealty enriching to you. However, even though this radio pastor from California (i believe) was completely wrong and that was obvious that he would be, b/c no one knows except God the Father (reference the Scripture above), I was still amazed by how many people it impacted. There were many people coming to me asking me for my thoughts and I pointed them directly to the Scriptures. Yet it was amazing though just how many people were terrified about the Rapture or the end of the world. (For those of you who don't know what the Rapture is: it is a belief that all Christians will be "caught up" and be with God before the Tribulation (God's Judgment, spanning 7 years begins. There are however, 3 different views of this and are debatable. The idea of the Rapture is referenced from 1 Thessolonians 4:16-17).

• I thought it was interesting how some people are terrified when they hear the news that Jesus is coming back again. Time to be real folks; if you are not a Christian, I can see your point by getting a little nervous or a little uneasy. Maybe you freaked out a bit, totally understand. But if you are a Christian or claim that you are...why in the world are you afraid to be with Jesus? I'm not really trying to be sarcastic here, but to be with Christ is sort of the point to what we believe. I have trouble understanding how Christians are terrified for Jesus Christ to return. I think it is fair to say, that Christians who fear the return of Christ, are not really Dicsiples of Christ. Why? Because a desciple of Jesus Christ understands that we were created to dwell in presence and fellowship of Jesus Christ for all eternity. He is our King and our Lord. Listen I love this world and there are great things to enjoy about it, but when you know Jesus, let me tell you this world and all it's joys, none of it holds a candle to what the Lord has in store for us in heaven. Perhaps the question that needs to be asked is not so much "When is Christ returning?" but rather "Where am I at with God?" A Christian who is fearful for Christ's return, might want to check their status with God.

• So on the one hand, this brought about some good attention to an event, in which I wholeheartedly believe will take place, I just have no idea when. On the other hand it brings some bad rapport to Christianity...because this guy was wrong, the assumption becomes that any claim to Christ's Return and that event is wrong. Let me leave you with this, even though this guy was completely erroneus...Christ' return is imminent. It will happen, it's why Mark and Matthew both commented on the fact that even though Jesus said "no one knows when"...Jesus also said "Watch" and "Be ready" Don't be fooled, Christ will Come again...the time....well...I think the Scriptures pointed us to that conclusion.

• Since this has been on the minds of many for the past few weeks, I will be preaching on it this upcoming weekend @ FUMC in Huron. Hope to see you there.

Blessings, Pastor Derek