What you and I have in common with Ray Rice: Titus 2

The stories flooding in from the National Football League have been all over the news. Ray Rice knocking out his fiancé in the hotel elevator; Adrian Peterson whipping his son;  indecision; suspensions; drugs; and apologies. It turns our stomach and makes us wonder if fame and money perpetuate such conduct. Talent tends to swell our heads and when we glory in skill and ability played between white lines chalked on a field it’s no wonder kids end up with heroes that have little to no moral integrity. In the end the NFL must begin to care about far more than winning on Sunday and filling stadiums.
 
If you have watched any of the behaviors of football players off the field recently you are aware of the fact that there is a serious problem with domestic abuse. This really shines a light on anger acting out in extreme ways that endangers people. Though we may not be abusers, each one of us carries the marks of our own depravity. Paul tells Titus that though we are given grace by God, we also must get to work denying temptations and sinful tendencies that creep in. Instead we should live in a way that reflects God’s character and His work in our lives.

 

What’s happening in the league reminds us of every individual’s depravity; and if we are honest we also know that what is happening is not isolated to big guys with lots of money. There is a big problem all around us with domestic violence and we must speak out and defend the abused. But we must also own the errors of our own ways too; we are all sinners. We, just like Ray Rice, have done wrong. You may not have beat someone down, but you have committed countless other sins. So, do some introspection too; don't be content to be better than "that guy". Don't ever forget your own depravity; don't ever stop seeing your need for the transforming work of Jesus in your own life.

The short book of Titus records a short primer on life, godliness, and ministry in this letter from Paul to another one of his spiritual sons. Titus 2:11-13 holds some important reminders for every believer. God is doing a work in us and as he works on us, He also has some things He tells us to work on. There is no doubt that salvation is a work that he has done in us, but he is then teaching us that we need to take some things seriously as we follow our new Lord and Savior.

So what are we to be doing? We need to say “NO”. “No” to everything that is anti-God;  and “No” to everything that causes us to desire things that are not from Him. There are many things that we could lust after that will drive us away from His good intentions and plans for us. Money, success, “greener” relationships, power, prestige, or making “happiness” our god. Paul tells Titus to say “no” to these things and “yes” to thought-filled living, right steps, and a God-reflecting life. Paul tells Titus to be motivated by the fact that Jesus is returning and exchange sinful habits and lifestyles for new steps that sober, righteous, and godly. This means each of us, including Ray Rice, can find forgiveness and empowerment for a new life and purpose in the saving work of Christ on the cross. He died so we would be forgiven and be transformed into His disciples.

So let me pose this question: when Jesus returns will He find you reflecting Him and living as His redeemed child? When He returns what will He find you doing? Will you look like Him and zealously be doing His work? Or will you look more like a football player who made his ambition about an inflated piece of leather, a wad of green paper, or abusively controlling those around him. Will you be on your own agenda or on His mission for you? Are you living in light of what he has redeemed you for, or borrowing from the trash He rescued you from?  Why not get back in the real game and live for something that will last: get busy trading in the world’s garbage for eternity’s treasure.

Igniting fire for life in Christ: 2 Timothy 1

Over the last year there has been this pile of brush down near the softball field on our church’s property that has kept expanding. Broken branches, dead, bushes, and who knows what else has been thrown there. This past Friday night we decided to have the biggest bonfire in Michigan and set it ablaze. If you know me well, I’m not exactly the camping type so starting a fire for me usually includes lighter fluid. So I left the job of lighting it to someone else. In no time the pile was lighting up the entire area. It is amazing to watch just one little flame engulf an area and multiply its heat.

In 2 Timothy 1 Paul uses language that we can appreciate if we have ever seen someone who knows what they are doing when they start a fire. Paul tells Timothy to “stir up the gift” or “fan into flame the gift” that God had given him. I remember watching this happen around the campfire. Just as it looked like the fire was dying, someone begins to blow or fan the ashes or embers. At first it looks like it is going to put the fire out, and then a flame bursts out and the fire begins to grow and then spread. All the fire needed was to have some fresh oxygen to grow.

This is the message Paul is giving Timothy. Do you ever feel stagnant spiritually? You begin to lack desire, or you can tell that there is something missing. Your zeal, your prayer time, your trust in God, even things like reading the Bible and going to a worship service become chores. You are not alone, it happens to all of us. It happened to Timothy and even Paul.

Spiritual apathy is a casual complacency that sneaks in and eventually has the effect of

Sharing words that encourage: 1 Timothy 1

What words should you share with someone you are trying to encourage? What are the things that you need reminding of in your daily walk? I find it interesting how some people have a knack for saying just the right thing to calm your soul and put you at ease. And then it is crazy to think about that one individual who has the total opposite effect and always says something that just doesn’t set well…. Uh, that’s being kind, because they usually say something that makes your blood

Are we fools? 1 Corinthians 4

We are fools for Christ’s sake. Fools – fools in the eyes of those around us; fools to those that don’t walk or talk like us. Fools for believing in the unseen God. Fools for having a hope in a far better future. Fools for yielding to a higher power who we know by name. Fools for allowing that unseen One to dictate our courses of action, give purpose to our existence, or demand our life consecration. Fools for Christ’s sake – those words were used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 4 to remind Corinth that outside of faith and the promises in Chris,t his actions and the suffering he went through to be a faithful steward just did not make sense to the apostate world around them. To choose the preaching of the cross had left them imprisoned, hungry, naked, tortured, suffering, and left for dead. He adds these words, “We are made as the filth of the world. And are the offscourging of all things.”

This was the life of Paul. This is what he was called to. This was the otherside we often forget of seeing the power of God ignite the church planting movement throughout the Roman Empire. The reminder serves as my personal chastisement for seeking comfort over Christ, for choosing the easy path, and for going to spiritual war without my armor. If we follow Paul’s example than we too open ourselves up to being viewed as fools. The alternative: live life no differently than the masses who have no lasting hope, no eternal purpose, and no Savior in the Christ who died that we might live for a kingdom yet unseen: Yes, Live foolishly. Live for the glory of the Creator. Live in light of following Sovereign God. Live in the reality of an eternal existence. Live because you have been granted the privilege of knowing and talking with and spending forever with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. To Him that’s faithfulness; to everyone else that’s foolishness. I trust you choose to live foolishly.

Are we worshipping the family?

The following are possible signs that we have begun worshipping the family rather than encouraging our family to be worshippers:

We Seldom Host Others: If our home is seen primarily as a citadel set against the world, there is a problem. A home centered upon Christ will be marked by growing hospitality. It is a way station of truth and worship. We gladly invite others into it for rest, encouragement, and strengthening.

We Seldom Reach Out to Others: If our family is so insular that others don’t know us, there is a problem. A Christian family filled with love and worship should overflow to those around them. Neighbors and co-workers can’t help but be touched by the love that permeates in and cascades from our family.

We Seldom Serve in the Church: If our family is so focused on just being a family that we can’t attend mid-week bible studies or are so intent on being together Sunday morning that the parents can’t teach Sunday School or assist in the nursery, there is a problem. As a Christian family we are to see ourselves as part of the community. Not separate from it. Not more important than it. But essential to it.

We Seldom Have Time: If our family is always busy with its own activities, whether soccer, piano, ballet, family vacations, or even family worship to the point that we have little time for others, there is a problem. The enrichment and growth of our children, even in spiritual things, is not to pull us away from people but towards them. Yes, we only have so many years to train and teach our children while they are at home. But are we teaching them that they and their activities are the center of life or worshipping Christ and loving others is what is most important?

We Seldom Sacrifice: If our family is reluctant to give generously, because of what it costs our family, there is a problem. We hesitate to give above our tithe to missionaries, the local church, the building fund, or the homeless shelter because our children’s college education comes first. We neglect supporting the church member headed out on a short-term mission’s trip, because our family “educational trip” is more important. We always have an excuse. And it is always our family’s need that provides the ground for that excuse. Rather, the Christian family should be generous in giving—generous to the point of giving sacrificially.

We Seldom Have Flexibility: If others feel like they are always interrupting our family by calling, visiting, or proposing a time to get-together, there is a problem. Others will notice it before us. They begin to feel like our family’s routine cannot be interrupted under any circumstances. We convey this consciously or even subconsciously and others pickup on it. Rather, our family should be noted by its flexibility and joy when others stop by, friendliness when called, and availability when needed.

We Seldom Speak Well of Others: If our family tends to have an arrogant air about it, there is a problem. We have it together. Others don’t quite understand the importance of the family, worship, and our calling as parents. Our conversations are too often critical and judgmental. If only others understood as we do. May it never be! Our families should be filled with thanking God for others. Our children should hear us commending and promoting others. People should find that we are refreshing to their souls, rather than critical of their practices.

By all means, let us enjoy and treasure our families. Let us celebrate the gift they are. Let us pour out our lives and hearts into ministering to our spouse, rearing our children in Christ, and filling our homes with the love and truth of Christ. However, in so doing, let us also be worshippers of the Christ we are seeking to honor. Let us worship Him in our worshipping families, rather than worship our families in the name of worshipping Him.

Written by Jason Helopoulos, guest blogger on thegospelcoalition.org

The indelible link between love and forgiveness

This morning I was amazed again by the story of the full and unreserved worship of the woman with the alabaster box. Not because of her boldness alone, or her sacrifice – which according to historians was of extreme value. Though those were part of this account in Luke 7, that is not what Jesus chooses to highlight; He shines a light on two qualities that he then reveals are indelibly linked: her love and her living forgiven. You see those who have been forgiven, respond in love; and isn’t that a key factor in the sincerity and strength of your worship today: to what extent have you been forgiven?

Reconciliation Anyone? A interesting case study from the 1st Century

The early church is a great example of ministry in the midst of so much wrong culturally. Class warfare, social and ethical bigotry, and national pride were already in existence prior to the breakout growth and expansion of the church. So how would the church respond? They promoted unashamedly the gospel and allowed forgiveness and righteous living to reverberate into the culture while maintaining a firm grasp on that gospel. If the gospel has not effected our practical daily living or brought change to relationships then we don't have the same gospel that so affected Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon. The short letter of Philemon is a quick read that reminds us even today how the gospel is to shape our relationships. Reconciliation anyone? How is the gospel reverberating in your life?