A Christmas Tradition

It is Christmas time and some things never change. A feeling of excitement and eager anticipation bubbles up in our children and many adults look forward to traditional family gatherings. A sense of wonder surrounds the season; I hope we don’t miss it!

Jesus' birth was prophesied nearly seven hundred year before it occurred. The Jewish women of Jesus' time knew there would be one blessed woman who would give birth to the Messiah. Great anticipation for the coming King swelled in their hearts, but most of them missed it!

Christmas time is upon us. Through our carefully planned celebrations and traditions, we remember the coming of the Messiah, the Babe in the manger, the God of the universe taking on human flesh. In the middle of all those wonderful Christmas traditions, remember to spend some time thanking God for the wonderful gift of His Son. Don't miss it!
Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, Micah 5:2

What's the Big Deal about Christmas?

Have you ever truly, truly pondered the significance of what we celebrate at this time of the year - the birth of Jesus?

OK, I realize that almost every person who reads this blog would probably say, "Pastor, of course I have. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Savior! It's God taking on flesh, born to be the sacrifice for our sins."

And you would be correct.

But there is more.

Do you realize how utterly wild the Doctrine of the Incarnation truly is? I mean, think about this: the Incarnation of Christ is one of the most astounding truth claims that sets Christianity apart from all the other world religions, including Judaism and Islam - a God who takes the initiative in becoming covered with flesh in order to redeem sinful human beings. One of my favorite writers, C. S. Lewis, said it like this in "Mere Christianity": "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God."

So what's the BIG DEAL about Christmas?

In the Christ child of Bethlehem, God enters into human history and reveals Himself up close and personal. The astounding truth is that in Jesus Christ, God is encountered in a real, personal, historical, and tangible way.

In his book, "Understanding Jesus", Alister E. McGrath reflects upon the ultimate significance of Christmas:

"What sorts of things does the incarnation tell us about the ‘God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’? Perhaps most obviously, it tells us that the God with whom we are dealing is no distant ruler who remains aloof from the affairs of his creatures, but One who is passionately concerned with them to the extent that He takes the initiative in coming to them. God doesn’t just reveal things about Himself - He reveals Himself in Jesus Christ…. The incarnation speaks to us of a God who acts to demonstrate His love for us. That ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:8) is a deep and important truth—but far more important is the truth that God acted to demonstrate this love. ‘In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him’ (1 John 4:9). Actions, as we are continually reminded, speak louder than words.

Beloved, the Nativity is more than a story about a place where a baby was born and wrapped in cloth. It is more than just a tale of two people who couldn't find a room to rent. It's more than a star-filled night, and it's more than shepherds and wise men.

The word "nativity" means "the event of being born". And when you think of WHO was born on that night, then everything has changed for all of the history of mankind. For those who know Him as Redeemer, Savior and Lord, it changes every aspect of the way we live. Like nothing else, it radically invades our lives...not just to remodel or to 'spruce up', but to rebuild from the inside out.

THAT'S the big deal about Christmas. It's the gift given to you from Someone who loves you more than you can imagine.

May you experience the life-changing power of that Big Deal everyday of the year.

Genealogies

It got really cold this week. So before I went to the office, I had a little chi tea my wife (Melissa Van Scyoc) made me. As I looked at my newly decorated tree, thoughts of Christmas overwhelmed me; not the Clark Griswold kind of thoughts, but about my next youth lesson centering on Jesus’ birth. I decided to read The Christmas Story (even though He was probably born around September of our Calendar).

In Matthew, he starts out honestly…what seems to be like boring genealogies. In fact, it reminded me of the book of Numbers. I usually just skip over random people’s names I can’t pronounce, and since the whole passage is pretty much filled with names like that, I have always skipped over it. I decided to read it this time. The words flowed over my tongue like poetry even though I struggled to say some of the names. After monotonously reading over So-in-so Begat So-in-son, the passage ended with “Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.”

I had unfortunately missed this incredible passage in which Matthew decided to begin his entire Gospel account. From Abraham, to David, the Jews had been waiting for this moment. Matthew was showing us—no proving to us—that Jesus was from a line of Royalty. The line prophesied the Messiah would come from the line of Abraham (Gen 22:18), through the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10), and the family of David (2 Sam. 7:12-13). Matthew was introducing a King! Then Matthew not only shows Jesus’ natural connection with his Foster father Joseph, he proves to the Jews Jesus’ divine heredity. Jesus was Royally Divine. I could think of no better way to begin a story of Jesus at Christmas than to prove to the world He is who He says He is…the Christ.

So this Christmas when I eat the cookies and drink the milk Santa did not, I’m going to read the beginning of Matthew to remind myself I serve a King.

I’ll end with a few definitions that changed the way I pray and see my Savior:

The three names assigned to God’s Son:
Jesus= Savior, from the Hebrew Joshua.
Christ= Anointed, Greek equivalent to Messiah
Immanuel=Describes who He is-God With Us-Jesus is God.

So when Matthew ends the genealogy with “Jesus was born, who is called Christ,” he is distinguishing Jesus from any other person on earth. That’s a good reason to celebrate.

Merry Christmas

In Him,

Cody Van Scyoc

Automatically React - Correctly of Course

The college football world is full of discussion about LSU's last minute failure to even know what to do. With one second left, no time outs, trailing by two points and within a chip shot of the Ole Miss goal line, the LSU coaching staff knows not what to do. The quarterback spikes the ball - the last thing that should have been done - game over. Not knowing automatically what to do in each circumstance is unacceptable for any coaching staff in big time college football.
But this scenario caused me to think - do I know what to do in each circumstance where life is pressure packed? And even if I do know what to do, will I do it?
Spiritual training is necessary to be able to handle life, particularly the pressure packed decisions that life brings. Usually we have more than one second to make up our mind - but that is not the point. The point is that with proper training, even the most pressured decision can be made within the will of the Father.
The word of God, the privilege of prayer, the fellowship and counsel of the other believers - all of this is training for life - day in and day out - but also for those pressured times in life. "Back date that report Jerry". "This is just a gift - but I expect your support in return." "Let's go - she'll never know."
With proper training - proper preparation using God's tools and methods - even the most pressured situation is easy - "No". "I cannot do that".
John 5 says, "The Son can do nothing by himself." Why was that? He COULD do what he wanted. But he chose to not do anything contrary to his Father's will. How about you? Are you so cued into the Father that you CAN DO NOTHING BY YOURSELF? If so, you are well prepared for the one second decisions - the pressured decisons - that life will bring. Know what to do in those last seconds because you have prepared for just those moments.

"I've Just Got a Peace about It."

Does having peace about a certain situation mean you're making the right decision? It's one of the most oft-cited reasons that people use for doing something. On the flip side, many times people elect not to do something because they just don't have peace about it. But could a feeling of peace actually lead you astray?

In his superb book, Decision Making God's Way, Gary Meadors explains that the word 'peace' occurs over ninety times in the Bible, yet is never used scripturally as "an internal barometer for gauging God's will." In other words, a feeling of peace is never presented as the reason to do something. Instead, "peace is a product of doing right, not a reason for action."

Sometimes we have to make hard decisions that are morally correct, but leave us torn up inside, lacking peace. At other times, we may have a peace about something that is unbiblical; during those times we always submit to what the Bible says, and put our feelings behind us.

A Different Look at the Other Side

“A Different Look at the Other Side”

So many times I find myself frustrated by the way “the world” looks at life. I see so many people searching for truth and I see various “worldviews” putting their best sales pitch forward to try to win their allegiance. So, not having anything else to chose, people buy what the world is selling. The idea that you can determine for yourself what truth is, the idea that there really aren’t consequences for sinful or foolish decisions, the notion that we don’t really need God to make the world work.

I meet people who have bought into these world views and my first reaction (if I’m honest) is, “I’m right and you’re wrong… Now I don’t want to hear what you have to say, but listen to me, because I’m going to tell you the truth…” My second reaction isn’t that much better, “ Who is the person responsible for teaching them this nonsense…” and my anger and contempt grow. At this point I need to pause. My anger and contempt aren’t going to do very many people much good, and it’s exactly the way the world expects “Christians” to react.

Over the last several weeks I have been going through a class with some of our members here at Cornerstone. We have explored some of the “Great Thinkers” that have shaped many of these different worldviews, and as I looked at their lives and the influences that shaped them, my anger turned to sorrow; sorrow not only for the millions, if not billions, of people who have followed in their footsteps, but sorrow for those individuals themselves. I am struck by how many of them started their lives pointed toward God and Christ, people like Charles Darwin and Friedrich Nietzche. I look at their lives and feel a sort of pity.

My prayer is that I can engage with people in such a way that they may see a changed life and therefore see a more accurate picture of who God is. I think the way we do that is to recognize that humankind has been created in God’s image, every one of us. Instead of getting angry and feeling contempt for a fallen world, I feel more and more as if I should lament over it… much in the same way Jesus lamented over Jerusalem in Matthew 23. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent it! How often I would have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!”

I am convicted to have the eyes of God and look for ways to “be” Christ to any and all who are looking for Him!

"What does God want from me?!!?"

“What do you WANT from me?!?” How many times have you heard someone (yourself?) ask this question? Too many wives pose this question to their husbands, and too many husbands pose it to their wives. And if numbers could go that high, we might be able to count the number of times parents are asked this by their teens! It’s usually asked in frustration from repeated failed attempts to please someone, only to be told time and again that you simply don’t measure up to or understand the expectations. This typically leads from frustration to anger, from anger to disillusionment, and from disillusionment to giving up.

“God, what do you want from me?” Some ask this thinking that God is withholding a life of painless living until we behave good enough to deserve it. So they try and try to do enough good things in order to earn God’s favor or blessing or approval. And when they fail, or when they don’t receive the blessing that they have asked for from God, this question returns again and again. It starts as a curious question “God, what do you want from me?” and over time becomes a desperate question, “God, what do you WANT from me?!?!”

Know anyone questioning whether or not they will give up on a relationship with God? Do you ever feel that God needs something from you that you’re not giving? Is it because you don’t know what it is, or is it because you don’t have it to give? Regardless, do you ever feel that the only way off of this merry-go-round of trying to meet God’s expectations is to just let him go? That life would be so much better if you stopped trying to earn God’s blessing and approval?

So stop.

Stop asking this question.

What if we started asking a better question?

Consider praying this one for the rest of this week: “God, what do you want for me?”

This Sunday we will answer this question.

Know anyone who needs to know the answer?

Forward this to them and invite them to come with you Sunday Morning as we study God’s word together.

Homosexuality: a Sermon Series in 1 Timothy

Sunday, October 18, 2009

“Homosexuality”

3^rd in the “House Rules: I Timothy” Series

Teaching Pastor Barry Wingfield

Opening: A Letter from a friend and a speech by President Obama

These two voices present some very common questions in the ongoing cultural and spiritual debate around homosexuality:

Are relationships between 2 men or 2 women just as real and admirable as a marriage between a man and a woman?

Does the church misinterpret scripture when it declares “homosexuality is a sin”?

Is God honored by all committed, monogamous relationships regardless of orientation?

Should the church “embrace” gay couples as it does heterosexual marriage?

Are some people created by God to be homosexuals?

We will shortly respond to these questions and other questions. Let me encourage you to not try to write down everything said this morning. To encourage you to listen without the pressure that some feel to copy everything you see on the screen, you’re basically only going to see the outline you have in your worship guide. Immediately following our services this morning, I’m going to post the text of this message on our CBF blog because I know that several small groups (HomeTeams) that meet on Sunday nights have already told me the about the discussions last week’s message prompted on this topic. And as always, the audio of this message will also be posted on our web site by the end of Monday.

But first you may be asking why in the world are we bringing up this topic in church? Actually, it’s the Spirit of God that brought it to our attention through His inspiration of the writings of the Apostle Paul in his letter to his young apprentice, Timothy.

In our verse by verse study of 1 Timothy, we came to 1 Timothy 1:10 in last week’s message. What we found there as we looked at different translations of that passage is that some versions of the New Testament list “homosexuals” or “those who practice homosexuality” along with the list of practices that were in obvious opposition to God’s moral standards. Other versions, like the NIV and the KJV used other words. As we studied the Greek wording behind this passage, we saw that it was clear that Paul was using a word that is clearly defined as same-gender sexual activity, what we in this century have come to define by the word “homosexuality”.

We then listed some reasons, in addition to the challenge we find here when we use more than one translation for bible study, for devoting the entire message today on this topic. For review, here is what we said last week (and we heard by example already today):

1. Many Christians have come to question whether or not the Bible condones homosexuality.

2. Public attention to church stances on homosexuality

3. Current exposure to this lifestyle through the media

4. Christians haven’t been and won’t be immune to the impact of this sin in the lives of their families even though it has been mostly avoided by most churches.

Before we go any further, we have to briefly mention what we’re comparing homosexuality to. Homosexuality is mentioned in Paul’s list in 1 Timothy 1:10 because it stands in opposition to the holy lifestyle that the law had always called people to. So, homosexuality stands in opposition to God’s design and intention for sexual relationships. So, what is the…

The Soul of Sex

In Genesis 2: 21-25 we learn that God created man and woman, established the covenant of marriage, and sealed it through sexual intimacy. In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus reaffirms this as the God ordained model, ideal, and goal of marriage. Sex was created by God and it was given a bonding property, or characteristic by Him. When consummated within the marital relationship between a man and a woman who seek to honor God, this bonding is not only physical and emotional, but also spiritual and transformational.

Dr. Tim Alan Gardner in his excellent book : “Sacred Sex” summarizes all of these scripture’s and others and appropriately defines the soul of sex as holiness.

The Soul (heart, purpose)of sex as intended and created by God is the physical, emotional, spiritual, and transformational bonding of a man and a woman into holy oneness with each other and with God.

Some say that this bias found in the Bible constitutes “homophobia.”

Is the Bible “Homophobic?”

If you ask your word processor to define this word, it will go to as Encarta or Webster and pull up a definition like this: showing an irrational hatred, disapproval, or fear of homosexuality, gay and lesbian people, or their culture.

Based on this definition of the word ‘homophobic’, the answer is resoundingly “no”. How can we conclude this?

1. Based on God’s own design and intention for the goodness and blessing of marital sexual intimacy, there is nothing “irrational” about a designer ‘disapproving’ of attempts to cheapen or alter His design.

2. God doesn’t hate gay and lesbian people. The Bible clearly teaches that He loves them sent His son to die for them just like He did for everyone in the world, all of whom are sinful.

3. God does not fear any man or woman or any culture of humans. Humans fear Him, not the other way around.

But this is not to say that the Bible is silent on the topic of homosexuality. It’s definitely not.

Homosexuality in the Old Testament:

Genesis 19:5-6

Lot, Abraham’s nephew, calls the intentions to have sex with his male visitors of the men of Sodom a “wicked thing.” Was he right to say that God considers these intentions “wicked”? Was this the sin for which God had determined to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? While it probably wasn’t the only “sin” in these cities, the narrative of this account clearly points to this “wicked” behavior as a definitive indicator of the overall wickedness of the cities. Is this interpretation consistent with God’s view as described in the rest of the OT and NT?

Jumping ahead for just a minute, we find New Testament commentary on this OT account to help us here. Jude 7 says this…

Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13

These passages are right in the middle of God’s instructions about all deviations of His design of marriage between one man and one woman for life. Surrounding these two verses are God’s condemnation of incest, adultery, and bestiality. In other words, homosexuality, like all of these other sexual deviations, represent what Erwin Lutzer (author and long time pastor of Moody church in Chicago) calls Alien Bonds (From The Truth about Same-Sex Marriage, 2004, Moody Press). As opposed to the Holy Bond that sex provides in marriage that we discussed a moment ago, Alien Bonds are any sexual contact that occurs outside of the heterosexual marriage covenant. This includes sexual abuse, pre-marital sex, incest, adultery, bestiality, pornography, and all forms of “virtual” sex between unmarried persons through the internet.

New Testament writers, in addition to Jude, affirmed this Old Testament view of sex and of the Alien Bond of homosexuality.

Homosexuality in the New Testament:

Romans 1:26–27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:10

The recorded words of Jesus in Matthew 19, the inspired written words of Paul & Jude clearly agree with the codified behavioral laws of the OT. The position of the biblical writers is that marriage is the proper context for the sex act and forms the boundary within which the sex drive is to be exercised and any lifestyle of sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage, including but not exclusively homosexuality, is evidence of a heart and life that is not living in honor of the Lord of creation, Jesus Christ.

There are those who disagree with these conclusions:

Randy Alcorn in his book “Christians in the Wake of the Sexual Revolution” (1984, p. 145) summarizes the modern “gay theology” argument that he says is rooted in the 1955 work of D.S. Bailey:

1. The sin of Sodom was inhospitality, not homosexuality. (Remember Jude 7?)

2. The OT prohibitionsagainst homosexuality are in the same class with prohibitions against eating rabbits and oysters and picking sticks on the Sabbath. (They’re no longer relevant. This ignores the NT confirmation of the OT sexual ethic.)

3. Prohibitions against homosexuality were applied only to priests, and even then for matters of ritual and symbolic purity. (This isn’t implied anywhere in the OT.)

4. Homosexuality was prohibited because of Israel’s obsession with population growth. (This ignores the description of it being “detestable” in God’s eyes in Lev. 19.)

5. Jesus never condemned homosexuality. (Jesus affirms the original intent of sex in marriage in Matt 19.)

6. David and Jonathan, the apostle Paul, Mary and Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus himself may have been homosexuals. (There is absolutely no historical, archeological, literary, or biblical evidence that this is true or even considered to be true until recent years.)

These positions are still held and promoted today. I have read these same arguments articulated in sermons from churches across the country and here in our own community within the last few months.

Let me briefly respond to a few other arguments that are being espoused by professing homosexuality approving “Christians”:

1. “The Bible has been mis-translated many times, how can we be sure that the Bible we have now is trustworthy when it condemns homosexuality?”

As opposed to all other accepted documents of at least 1^st century antiquity, there are around 6000 hand written copies of scripture written in Greek that date to this time period that textual critics (those that study the reliability of these documents) have available to them. From these texts, various translations are written for those who don’t read Koine Greek (a “dead” language no longer spoken). A great benefit we have today is that we can read and compare multiple English translations of the original Greek scriptures to draw on the scholarship of hundreds of Greek scholars. In other words, when you study (and I encourage you to do this) several translations of any particular text, you can be assured that you are getting to read precisely what God inspired to be written. So when centuries of scholars, critics, and translators all agree that in the original text homosexuality is specifically noted as an example of a lifestyle contrary to that of faithful followers of Christ, it’s not in there by mistake.

2. “None of these passages condemn monogamous, committed, homosexual relationships.”

Those who argue this are saying that particularly in the NT what is being condemned is unfaithfulness and sex with children (abuse). This is the argument of professing Christians and others who argue that the answer to this whole issue is to legalize marriage. The idea is that this would remove the argument for this being seen as a biblical sin. This is a very weak argument because even those who make this claim would agree that making killing people legal, as was done in Nazi Germany in the 1930’s & 1040’s, in no way removed murder from God’s view of it as “sin”. Cultural definitions of sin do not and have never defined God’s view of sin as revealed in scripture.

3. “Shouldn’t the Bible be weighed against the experiences of God’s creation who know with all their hearts that God has created them just as they are?”

Again, it’s not human experience that defines biblical ethics or holy behavior. This is basically a humanist argument that if taken at face value really calls for the total ignoring of scripture. You can’t say that I’ll accept the parts of the Bible that agree with my experience and reject the parts that don’t with any degree of legitimacy. If you elevate human experience to the level of authoritative over scripture, then you have negated the value of biblical authority altogether.

Answering Contemporary Questions on Homosexuality from a Biblical Perspective:

Does where it comes from matter?

No and Yes. No in the sense that regardless of the beginning point of the thoughts, desires, or orientation, the scripture calls for all people who recognize their own sinfulness to repent of it, including practicing homosexuals. But this is also true for murderers, liars, money worshippers, parent haters, adulterers, and drunkards. Does it matter where any of these lifestyles began when it comes to what God calls them to do with it? No. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to “go, and sin no more”. He didn’t wait until he discovered if she had a past that justified her actions before he offered her the solution to her present sin.

Yes it matters in the sense that those who seek authentic repentance and rejection of this lifestyle will need to confront the sins of their past, whether of themselves or of those sins of others that may have provided the pathway to homosexual behavior. It also matters for those in a discipling relationship with them to be willing to walk with them and pray with them through the damage of the past in order to experience release from it through the power of the Spirit of Christ. Do we know with pinpoint certainty where each case of homosexual behavior comes from? No. Can we identify patters that commonly lead to the possibility of homosexual activity? Yes.

In simple description the most common scenarios develop around these areas:

1. Sexual abuse. As described in the letter read earlier, sexual abuse, particularly in childhood and adolescence from a same-gender trusted adult, often distorts normal sexual development and introduces confusion, pain, and hatred around sexual identification. Sexual abuse is a serious problem and the church nor its families are immune to it. We must offer help, hope, and healing through the power of the love of Christ to all who have been abused by this horrible sin, regardless of whether it has led to homosexuality or not.

2. Family dysfunction. Typically the pattern that most often encourages homosexual tendencies and behavior is that of a domineering or enmeshed mother and a detached or absent father. Due to the fact that social researchers tell us that there are more than twice as many homosexual men as there are homosexual women, this family scenario most often affects males (but not exclusively). We must teach biblical principles of marriage and family life on a regular basis. Men, we must be diligent about keeping ourselves accountable to our roles as loving, connected, spiritual leaders of our children.

3. Other factors? There is actually mix of all these and other factors that all have been suggested as also contributing to homosexuality including genetics, media indoctrination, simple experimentation, and others. None of these have ever been proven to be sole factors in the rarity of homosexual behavior. (And it is rare; social scientists estimate less than 5% of the male population and less than 2.5% of the female population.)

What should a practicing homosexual who desires to please God do?

Adopt God’s sexual ethic as your own. Stop all sexual activity, confess all homosexual acts as sin, ask God for an authentic relationship with Him, study His word, surround yourself with a community of believers seeking to be more like Him. This last part, or a person’s fear of it, sometimes is what keeps a person from doing any of the previous things. The fear of lack of acceptance and forgiveness from Christians is what typically drives a person struggling with same sex attraction to a peer group or a community of those who embrace homosexuality itself.

What should a person with homosexual inclinations who desires to please God do?

Seek out the support and encouragement of Christians who can help you fight sexual thoughts and temptations. Regardless of what you see and hear in the media, many, many men and women have with God’s power, successfully live celibate or biblically married lives.

How should a Christian interact with a practicing homosexual who defends it?

In jobs outside of ministry that I’ve had at times over the past 20+ years, I have worked with and for homosexuals who defend their lifestyle so I answer this with people and names in mind that I respect as co-image bearers of God. We are called to respond with kindness, love, prayer, and truth. Develop an authentic relationship where differences of beliefs can be expressed and truly heard. Share with them the love of God and His call to repentance and faith and forgiveness. Explain that before coming to Christ, all of us have been so mired in sin that learning to discern what sin is and what it isn’t is part of maturing in our faith. Share that although this process is sometimes long and difficult, we can find assurance of our daily choices by submitting to clear biblical instructions for life, some of which will call us to immediately separate from previous practices. The power of Christ has been equipping people to do this for over 2000 years. He has been freeing them from adultery, idolatry, prostitution, greed, alcoholism, homosexuality, and thievery (1 Cor 6:9,11 : “nor homosexual offenders…and that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justifies in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” NIV ). Now you aren’t likely to get to all of this in one conversation or even in one year of conversations. But you can get to kindness, love, and prayer from one conversation and so we all have a place to start.

How should the church respond to homosexuality?

With a definitive biblical stance: Homosexual practice is sin. Homosexual temptation is not.

I take it for certain that the physical satisfaction of homosexual desires is sin. This leaves the [homosexual] no worse off than any normal person who is, for whatever reason, prevented from marrying. . . . our speculations on the cause of the abnormality are not what matters and we must be content with ignorance. The disciples were not told why (in terms of efficient cause) the man was born blind (Jn. IX 1-3): only the final cause, that the works of God [should] be made manifest in him. This suggests that in homosexuality, as in every other tribulation, those works can be made manifest: i.e. that every disability conceals a vocation, if only we can find it. . .

- C. S. Lewis (quoted in Sheldon Vanauken's “A Severe Mercy”, pp. 146-148)

How should the church respond to homosexuals?

1) With love; enough of it to tell them the truth. So we teach the gospel of salvation by grace through faith that clearly demonstrates that the power of Holy Spirit transformation is available to all persons, including those who have engaged in homosexual acts, confessing that for him or her, just like all of us, Jesus “bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds” we are all healed. 1 Peter 2:24.

2) By praying for and demonstrating a heart of compassion and love for all who are lost, including those who engage in homosexual behavior, and intentionally developing meaningful, redemptive, relationships. Let me say this one thing again: For those engaged in homosexual culture or behavior, the idea of bringing their past to a Christian community that is committed to biblical authenticity, and their fear of the church’s response if they do, is often times what keeps a person adverse to the church of God. The fear of lack of acceptance and forgiveness from Christians is what typically drives a person struggling with same sex attraction to a peer group or a community of those who embrace homosexuality itself.

A story like the following needs to be much more common with God’s people:

http://www.dennisjernigan.com/djs-story

“I need to tell you about what I consider to be the most painful part of my life, a part I tried to hide. Since I felt so rejected, I allowed it to permeate every part of my life. What I didn't realize was that Satan was lying to me, all the while trying to keep me from God's plan for my life. This included the sexual part of my life. In this area I felt so ashamed and afraid of rejection that I became even more selfish and perverted in my way of thinking. As a boy I needed a role model to show me the way to manhood. But because I felt rejected by the main man in my life I, in turn, rejected him and began to yearn for intimacy with a man in perverse ways. Because of this wrong thinking I came to believe I was homosexual. It must have begun early in my life because I remember having those feelings for the same gender at a very early age. I hid this from others through high school and through my four years at Oklahoma Baptist University even though it wasn't hidden from those I had relations with... I cried out to God and lifted those burdens to the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, I can't change me or the mess I've gotten myself into--but you can!" And you know what? He did change me!

At that time I acknowledged the fact that I was totally helpless and I turned everything in my life over to Jesus--my thoughts, my emotions, my physical body...and my past. Basically, I took responsibility for my own sins and yielded every right to Jesus--my right to be loved, my right even to life. Because of my choice to sin, I deserved death and hell--and that's where Jesus came in....

Another major point of change for me came during this same time in 1981--yet another divine setup! A close friend found out about my past. I knew I would be disgraced and rejected now!... But that's not what happened! This friend was a true friend. He told me he loved me and was willing to stand with me as I walked through this time of deliverance in my life. And you know what else happened? God began to bring others into my life who were willing to love me unconditionally and to walk with me through the trials of my life--no matter what--for my complete healing...

In 1983, God called me to marry my wife, Melinda. I assumed that since I considered myself to be healed that there was no need to share my past with her. But I soon realized that I was really still trying to hide--which meant I still carried a burden and that I was still more concerned with what man thought of me than what God thought of me. Soon after we were married, the babies started coming! And with the babies, the added pressure of responsibility to deal with the real issues of total healing in my life. Hiding the truth would keep me from the healing God wanted for me in my life....

Because I hid these things from others, my relationships could never truly be what God wanted them to be--because in true love there is no fear. I was always afraid to tell anyone because I thought no one would love me. Why am I telling you now? Well, on July 13, 1988, I realized God wanted to take the greatest failures and weaknesses of my life and make them my greatest strengths--and that Satan wanted me to keep them hidden so he could use them against me. But like the prostitute, Mary Magdalene, I realized that to hide those things kept me from fellowship and freely loving the One I loved the most--Jesus. Not only this, but if I confessed my past freely, Satan would have no ammunition against me. So here's what I did. In July of 1988, I shared what I just told you (in a much more brief way!) with my church...and something beautiful took place. People began to come out of the woodwork who had been hurting just like me and even more so, men and women who were involved in homosexuality (sodomy), women who were abused by their fathers, those who had been raped and never told anyone, and even those who had abortions, etc. As they confessed their sins and hurts, Jesus was able to begin healing all their past. On that day, I publicly laid down my life and my reputation to serve Jesus in an awesome way. However, I want my life to be broken and poured out life the perfume Mary Magdalene used to wash Jesus' feet even though they said she was foolish. I want to lay down my life and reputation for others just as my Lord Jesus did for me. Imagine that--the perfect King of the Universe humbled Himself and gave up all His power and glory because He loves me! I can do no less!...

Your circumstances, your sins, your wounds, etc., may all be different than mine, but the answer is still the same--Jesus. You may have been sinned against and wounded very deeply. For those times you are not guilty! If you have been used or abused in any way, you can be healed. Do not receive the false guilt that Satan would try to put on you because of circumstances that were beyond your control. I urge you to deal with your own heart and the things you were (and are) responsible for--like attitudes, actions, thoughts, and feelings! There is hope for the hurting. If you are like me, you may need radical surgery. Surgery may take more time than it takes to put a Band-Aid on a wound. But surgery generally gets to the cause and doesn't just cover up or pacify the symptoms of the wound. If you are willing, you can get to the root(s) of your sin(s). I urge you to get to the root of and deal with whatever you may be facing.

I've been there and found the way out, and I must share my story--the story of Jesus with those who are hurting. Aren't we all hurting in one-way or another?...

The bottom line is this: I can't make it one day without the Lord. I ask Him to fill me with His spirit day-by-day and moment-by-moment and to lead me. You see, we are all helpless and in need of a Father to care for us. And He is the Father Who will never leave us or forsake us. He is the Father Who enjoys our presence more than we could ever enjoy His! I am no longer afraid of what others think of me (at least I'm asking the Lord to help me in that area!). Please pray for me and my family as we seek God's direction for our lives.

I Found Ben's Journal

This is Ben's Intro to a much larger journal entry that I thought I would share with you (yes I'm Cody). No, it's not "ok" to steal someone's journal...and then read it... or publish it online. Here's what Ben says:

Time, as we’ve come to define, interpret, and map is funny. Some people are not “on time,” others are “too early,” or maybe some respond “better late than never.” I know that is cheesy, but it’s odd. This whole time thing. We place a rather large significance on dealing with time and scheduling. We set dates for things like marriage (March 20 yay!!) and when we go on vacation (maybe to simply forget about time) we do try to “escape.” We get upset when time flies (one time this guy in my old church stood up to play a song on Sunday night. He played the guitar and labeled himself as part of the “country” genre. He sang and played an unfinished song he wrote entitled, “Time Flies…so fast.” And it ended mid-chorus. Awkward) like on summer vacation. We get out of school and “before we know it” we are back for the first day of school, writing about what we did over the summer in every class. Time zones are even more confusing. Especially when I’m in the Central zone, trying to watch a football game being played somewhere on the West Coast, which is being aired online at 7 P.M. I hate trying to figure out the time zone of the internet. What time is it at the North or South Pole? And then there are different calendars for different cultures or countries and some even have different years. And that’s confusing. And it really messes things up when determining someone’s age.
And this is all because we are limited beings. Everything and all we know about our physical world is on some sort of clock…or a countdown timer. And that probably scares a lot of us. Are we thinking that maybe the more we think about time and worry about the length of life we just might be able to extend our lives (Matthew 6:27)? We are desperate in that respect to be a part of something eternal. One time, I wrote a poem (first year of college to be exact).

Time

Because someone at one point in time felt guilty,
The time machine was invented.

Because children grow out of being color blind,
Racism exists.

Because our minds can’t think of anything greater,
God exists.

Because hate fondles each mind,
Love prevails.

Because everything dies,
Life ticks.

Again, time can be scary. Because it reminds us of the things we’ve yet to accomplish. Or maybe it simply reminds us that we are finite creatures in search of the infinite. In search of a place or being void of time. Something or someone or even someplace that has never and will never be in fear of a ticking clock (if you are thinking about Neverland from the movie “Hook”…the place where all the clocks stopped and if there was a ticking clock, they smashed it with a mallet…you have the right idea. Well, you have a close idea.)

Heaven

What do you want?

Jesus' question to the two men who were soon to be disciples seems harsh. What do you want? (from John 1:38). These two men were disciples of John the Baptist but began to follow Jesus. In seeing them leave John and begin to follow Him, Jesus sees that it is necessary to take stock of the commitment and cost they would incur. It appears to me that What do you want was a challenge to take careful look at their followship - do you really want to follow Me? Do you really know what you are getting into or, if not, are you really willing to face whatever we must face together? In summary, just how serious are you about this followship of Me.

This seems a timely question for Chirstians in our society - What do you want? Do you want a followship that is easy - show up on Sunday morning, sing and pray and listen to a little talk and go home having fullfilled your weekly commitment? That's a poor answer to Jesus' question to the disciples and to us today. Are you willing to give up something - actually be sacrificial - actually do without a "need" that is really a "want" or actually do without a need? If you make commitments to your church, are you serious enough to be keeping them? Is you word to God good - or is it, well. . .just church work. You said you would attend regularly - do you? You said you would give reguarly and generously - do you? You said you would be a vibrant part of a small group - are you? You said you would be involved in ministry with the church -are you?

What do you want? That is a question directed to you but today's church turns it around and timidly says to its people "are we meeting your needs?" "Is the music ok?" "Is the temperature alright for you". Serious about being committed to Christ? No - not in the least.

When Jesus told the two men to Come and see in verse 39 the very next action taken by the two disciples was So they went. Were they serious - yes. They received the call and they went. They were serious. In the next few verses, we see Andrew after his encounter. Verse 41 records these words "The first thing Andrew did . . . ". Was he serious - yes. He was so excited that he knew he must tell other.

How serious are you? A revealing test is how excellently you do the work to which God has called you. This weekend I was convicted that a certain commitment I had made was not being met - my work for Him was not serious. I committed to get back on track - we'll see.

Is there something in your life that is sloppy? Less than what you committed? If so, make your response to the Lord's leading "so I went" and your response to learning truth be to share this "the first thing".

My Current Reading List

Anyone who has happened to hear me speak on any regular basis will have a general idea already of the genres of books that I enjoy and benefit from reading. Here is a reading list of my most recent reads and those I'm just beginning.

Disclaimer # 1: I've never read a book that I haven't found something I disagree with or think could have been written or discussed from a more biblical perspective. Just because you see a book on my reading list, it does not mean I endorse any particular content. It just means I chose to read it for one of a thousand different possible reasons. Sometimes, I wish I hadn't read some of the books I've read. Most of the time, a book I list here will mean I have found at least one or two things that challenged my thinking or understanding in a productive way.

Disclaimer # 2: I wish I was a faster reader. I don't think I'm a slow reader, I just wish I could devour a book a day or something ridiculous like that. In reality, my mind is slower than I want it to be and my days are filled with God-inspired interruptions and the daily responsibilities and tasks of a husband, father, friend, co-worker, and pastor. I generally read devotionally in the mornings, ministry in the gaps in the day, and for "fun" in the evenings. I say "generally" because it seems that just when I get in a good rhythm, something urgent or unexpected comes up and this preferred pattern gets interrupted. So I stumble back into this pattern as soon as I can and then I somewhat bemoan the fact that it takes me longer to complete a book than I would like when I get through only a chapter (sometimes only a page) on an average day. I'm sure you know what I mean.

I would enjoy any comments or discussions on any of these through this blog.

Ministry, Theology, & Textual Studies

As Cornerstone is about to begin a study through 1 Timothy, much of my reading right now in this area is commentaries and studies on this epistle as well as articles and books on topic's found there.

Here's a recent one I've finished reading:

Why Sin Matters: The surprising relationship between our sin and God's grace. By Mark R. McMinn. Dr. McMinn is a Psychology professor at Wheaton College. I was drawn to this book because it seemed to go against the mounting psychological tide of the day that says that genetics, socialization, and family dynamics are the root causes of individual dysfunction and that religious language only compounds the problem by piling up guilt and shame. McMinn says "… I believe it is good to explore parent-child relationships, look for biological explanations, and understand dysfunctional family relationships. But none of these things should dismiss the language of sin." The three sections of his book, The Story of Sin, The Damage Report, and Heading Home guide the reader through a biblically based view of the necessity of a proper understanding and recognition of sin and it's destructive results. McMinn then gives a pretty good (though not comprehensive) description of grace and how it's impossible to fully understand or experience it without the recognition of sin. (2004, Tyndale House Publishers, 179 pages.)

Here are two that I've begun to read in this content area:

The Problem with Evangelical Theology: Testing the exegetical foundations of Calvinism, Dispensationalism, and Wesleyanism. By Ben Witherington III.

From his bio: "Bible scholar Ben Witherington is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. A graduate of UNC, Chapel Hill, he went on to receive the M.Div. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in England. He is now considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world, and is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies."
This title has attracted me for a number of reasons. One of which was the encouragement to read this book from Donald K. McKim, Editor, Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith who says "Evangelicals of all stripes need to take account of Witherington's contentions here—to make us exegetically honest and theologically responsible. He takes on the three streams of evangelicalism to examine their exegetical foundations and theological structures. The result is critique, but also a call for biblical orthodoxy and proclamation of biblical truth in postmodern society. His perspectives should gain a wide hearing." I have no idea if I'll like this book or not, but I'm intrigued enough to read it. (2005, BaylorPress, 254 pgs.)

Men and Women in the Church. By Sarah Sumner. The book of 1 Timothy that CBF will be studying soon deals with different roles for different members of the Lord's church. One area it deals with is the roles of men and the roles of women. This area is a growing concern of many people in the evangelical church in western culture. Sumner (the author) is the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. A descriptive of her work is provided by an editorial review: "Evangelicals stand divided in their view of women in the church. On one side stand complementarians, arguing the full worth of women but assigning them to differing roles. On the other side stand egalitarians, arguing that the full worth of women demands their equal treatment and access to leadership roles. Is there a way to mend the breach and build consensus? Sarah Sumner thinks there is. Avoiding the pitfalls of both radical feminism and reactionary conservatism, she traces a new path through the issues--biblical, theological, psychological and practical--to establish and affirm common ground. Arguing that men and women are both equal and distinct, Sumner encourages us to find ways to honor and benefit from the leadership gifts of both. Men and Women in the Church is a book for all who want a fresh and hope-filled look at a persistent problem." Again, I don't know if I'll agree or disagree with Dr. Sumner, but I look forward to reading her work. (2003, IVP, 288 pgs.)

Personal Spiritual Growth and Enrichment

Recently read:

Thin Places: An evangelical journey into Celtic Christianity. By Tracy Balzer. Tracy holds a Master of Ministry and is the former Director of Christian Formation at John Brown University. Iona is one of the larger in the family of islands called the Western Hebrides of Scotland. An Abby stands on the island to this day. This book recounts the story of the ancient Christian Celts on this island and of the author's visits to the island. The first missionary to the pagan Celts was St. Patrick, born in 387 A.D. into a noble British Christian family. At age 16 he was kidnapped by marauders from the west and taken to Ireland where he was sold into slavery. After his escape six years later, Patrick became a priest and eventually returned to the isle of his captors to share the gospel with them.

This is an easy read and only 163 pages. I had some difficulty with Balzer's conclusions at various points but I gained an appreciation for the difficulty of early Christian evangelism and the sacrifices and practices of those who heard and followed that call. The recorded prayers of the ancient Celts were intriguing and challenging in my own prayer life, particularly the constant practice of the Celts to pray to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in almost every prayer. (2007. Leafwood Publishers.)

Currently Reading:

Prayer: Finding the heart's true home. By Richard J. Foster. Many people are familiar with Richard Foster as the author of the now classic Celebration of Discipline (1978). I read Celebration of Discipline several years ago and can still recall some quotes from the book (for instance, his description of the "dark knight of the soul" from St. John of the Cross.) In that book Foster has one chapter on prayer; here it's the whole book. I'm only into the 4^th chapter, and already it's been an encouragement to my own connection to God's heart. I'm not sure I've ever been satisfied with my prayer life (and actually, I'm not sure I ever want to be.) Even though I'm not far in, based on what I've read and on Foster's other works, I can already recommend this book. An interesting side note is the fact that I was able to hear Foster speak recently at a conference. He has a formal, yet elegant, way of speaking that I enjoyed (though I probably wouldn't enjoy it on a regular basis.) (1992. Harper Publishers. 256 pgs. A Christianity Today Book of the Year winner.)

For Fun:

Recently Finished:

The First World War. By John Keegan. If you've known me very long, you know I've had an interest in reading books on WWII. Well, I've read all the WWII books I can find that look interesting to me (probably 15 -20 books over the last 5-7 years, I'll give my entire WWII reading list at some point in the future.) In my recent reading on that war (I highly recommend these two books: An Army at Dawn, 2007, 768 pgs,
and The Day of Battle, 2008, 848 pgs, books 1 & 2 of a trilogy by Rick Atkinson) I began for the first time to ask myself "how did the world arrive at such a place for a war like this to happen?" At about that time I came across Keegan's book. Keegan is a British author living in Wiltshire, England. For many years he was the senior lecturer in military history at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and has been a fellow at Princeton Univeristy. This was a very good read and very thorough (427 pgs.) This is not your typical "America came in and saved the day" book, though he seems to be very fair in his recount of the American contribution to the conclusion of the war. One thing that stuck out to me about the start of WWI was the attitude of several European countries which seemed to be kind of a name-that-tune "We can win the war in 50 days" kind of arrogance. Germany was sure it could win in 40 days or so. They were wrong and 4 years and over 9 million military and civilian deaths proved it.

Just started:

Iron Tears: America's Battle for Freedom, Britain's Quagmire: 1775-1783.

By Stanley Weintraut, the Evan Pugh Professor Emeritus of Arts and Humanities at Penn State University. The revolutionary war period is one of newer interest to me. After renting the movie John Adams starring Paul Giamatti and watching all 7 episodes without even blinking (it's that good) I've been on the lookout for good reads in this period. I've read one or two but not one with an equal eye as to the events across the pond. I'm a little more interested in "all things British" these days as I'm taking my wife Alicia to London this fall as part of our 20^th anniversary "travel extravaganza". (This is the honeymoon we never had, just 20 years late.) This book was recommended to me by a friend so I'm sure I'll enjoy it and the first few pages haven't disappointed. The inside jacket of this book has already given me a perspective of this war that I had never considered, "Colonial America was England's Vietnam." This should be good!

Five things I want to do before I'm married

(It’s a “count-up” instead of a countdown and one number is no more dramatic than the other).

1. Invest in something destined to fail.

Like a new type of stapler, that leaves no holes. It’s magnetic. So tiny bits of metal shimmy between all the separate sheets of paper and the one on top is magnetized. This way they all stick together.

Or something more rational and useful but at the same time it must be destined to fail. Like a banana peeler. It’s a cool idea. After all, we have various fruit and vegetable peelers already. But when it comes down to it, a banana is really not that hard to peel. Unless you are a vegetable (not a mentally handicapped, or physically disabled joke. Imagine an actual vegetable trying to peel a banana).

It has to fail. I hate gambling, mainly because it’s really not that fun unless you are over the age of 50 and you save up money once a year to watch machines spin around and make noise. And, the casinos are sad sometimes. And cloudy because of the smoke. And some people sit there and spend money they do not have. Yes, less like gambling, this investment has to fail. I have to spend a little bit of money on my own terms before I have to open the dam and flood my funding into a pot for my wife and me. Plus, the investment must not yield anything in return. I don’t want money given to me in which I have to make another decision to determine its fate. Actually, I assume it will just go into the pot thing.

2. Try to make a solo album.

Without Cody. We have been the music duo for years (we are twins). What would it look like if both of us went our separate ways, but kept the same songs and made the exact same album? It’s been a small goal of mine in the past eight years to sell more albums than Cody.

What if we decided to play downtown in the city on the same day? What if we were just a block or so apart? Playing the same songs…People might question their perception. Is that not the premise of music and art?

3. I want to enroll in a writing workshop class.

I love critiquing terrible writing. It makes me feel good when I pick out the silly mistakes and incongruent thoughts of others. Mainly because I know I can write better than the people who would enlist in an online writing workshop course. (I’m talking about the free kind. The kind of “support group” you find by typing “writing workshop online free” in GOOGLE).

Oh to reinforce the concept that my ideas and motives are relevant, intuitive, and more profound than anything anyone can conceptualize makes me feel wise.

4. I don’t want to pick up my dirty clothes from my bedroom floor until I’m married.

Honestly, I’m just holding out on this one until the last possible minute.

5. Guest star on the hit TV series “Lost.”

I have more insight than some of the characters on the show. If they play the music while I’m acting I can probably anticipate danger better than they can. I also feel I could be a good influence on Ben. (He’s an actual character in the show. Very mischievous and manipulative).



Selfishness is meaningless. And God created us for relationships. Because he is relational. That’s the point of Jesus. So we can know God. The Holy Spirit moves in with us when we tie the knot with Him.

“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30

CommuniTV: HomeTeams

Tuning Out

It seems every time I go out, whether shopping or whatever, someone around me is talking on a cell phone. If I look at people passing while driving, nearly everyone is on one. I wonder how we ever survived without our beloved phones. Our kids demand them, our youth live on them. While I do have a cell phone and it is convenient to call my wife from the store, I could easily throw it away.

I know using a phone is more personal than e-mail, especially since you can’t always tell one’s attitude or emotional state in the printed word, but I wish people wouldn’t use them constantly. I turn around every time I hear someone in the grocery store say hello. Of course, they are usually talking on the phone and not to me. However, I still look because I never want to miss the opportunity to experience the quickly-disappearing, personal hello.

Is it possible that we are trying to keep our world more confined by being on our cell phone? It’s very easy to walk around on a phone or with an iPod and use that as an excuse for not interacting with people around us. As Christians, we are called to be in the world but not of it. It is extremely difficult to reach out to others when we are self-absorbed within our own lives.

What is the answer? I’m not certain that I have one. I know that I will have to keep my cell phone. I know that they are good for making contact and directly communicating with others. But, I would much rather talk to someone in person. It is healthy to be with and encourage each other face-to-face. Am I longing for something that may never return? Perhaps, but for now I think I’ll close my phone and say hello.