Rut, Rot or Revival?

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A.W. Tozer preached a sermon series titled: Rut, Rot, or Revival ~ The Problem of Change and Breaking Out of the Status Quo. In it he stated: “The treacherous enemy facing the church of Jesus Christ today is the dictatorship of the routine, when the routine becomes “lord” in the life of the church….When we come to the place where everything can be predicted and nobody expects anything unusual from God, we are in a rut. The routine dictates, and we can tell not only what will happen next Sunday, but what will occur next month and, if things do not improve, what will take place next year….That would be perfectly alright and proper for a cemetery….But the Church (and the Follower of Jesus) is not a cemetery and we should expect much from it, because what has been should not be the lord to tell us what is, and what is should not be the ruler to tell us what will be. God’s people are supposed to grow.”

We are supposed to be growing…spiritually. But Tozers’ sub-title says a great deal: “The Problem of Change and Breaking Out of the Status Quo.” What ever you want to call it, change, transition, transformation, or metamorphosis – the truth of the matter is it requires “death.” Within the world of everything vegetation there is an important step for the seed to become a plant, bush or tree: it has to be buried in the dark earth. In essence that seed of life has to be thrown into a “pit.” And not just any pit. A dark pit, made up of dark soil. How does soil become really dark? Many things sacrifice their lives, dying, to make the soil rich, and dark. The darker the soil, the richer the nutrients needed to spark life. The darker the soil – the greater the sacrifice. The greater the sacrifice – the grander the resurrection.

Physical truth often points to greater spiritual truths. For the seed to become a life-giving plant a change has to take place. It has to break out of the status quo. You see this symbolically throughout Scripture. Noah and his family are “buried” alive in a “coffin” floating on a flood of death. Joseph is thrown into a pit by his jealous brothers in order to resurrect into a “savior” for Egypt and its surrounding countries, and Jesus’ body was tossed into a “pit” in order to bring resurrection life to all those who would join themselves to His Body. Brad McClendon states, “The best place to sow seed is in the dark ground – then covered up in darkness. That’s what happens to God’s good seed. What happens to the seed – when we take it out of the pit? It dies and transformation is halted. When you reach a spiritual plateau, or “ceiling” – you are in His pit and He is trusting you to remain in order to birth something new in you.”

Ruts, and routines are accompanied by spiritual callouses, and plateaus. What moved us forward spiritually no longer does. It is during this season of the 10 Days of Awe that God reminds us we need soak in the “reign” of His Spirit, and reach for the new heights of His Son. Our spiritual plateaus become Jesus’ pits for our growing upwards.

What do we need to understand and accept? God’s seed – His Word and Spirit in us – grows better in pits, darkness, and storms. Noah, Joseph, and Jesus all trusted the Father for the resurrection. We must do the same. In the meantime, How can we have a good death? Do like any seed: soak up the rain, and stretch for the SON. And be encouraged, His Word is transfiguring you into the image of Jesus. Death is working in you – that His life might be actively at work in others. AS Isa. 60 states: the Glory of God WILL SHINE…upon His people. Be encouraged that you are conscious of the plateau and the callouses. That awareness comes only from the Spirit. That awareness is His invitation to shift, to change, and move to another level in your relating and relation to the Godhead.

Positioning Ourselves for More of God: Part 2 – Our Heart

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In Psalm 139, verses 23-24, the psalmist says: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24 NIV)

Notably, the psalmist makes this request of God to “search” him right after he’s just informed us in earlier verses 1-4 (below) that the Lord, in fact, already knows everything about him. He tells us that the Lord has not only already searched him, but knows his every thought, exactly what he does, what kind of person he is, and every word that will come out of his mouth – before he even says it.

You have searched me, Lord, and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely. (Ps 139: 1-4 NIV)

John 2:25 confirms: “No one needed to tell Him about human nature, for He knew what was in each person’s heart.” (NLT)

So the question is, If God already knows all this, why then does the Psalmist specifically ask God to do something he knows He has already done? Is it some sort of rhetorical device, or is there more behind it?

The answer, I believe, is that its quite intentional. That in requesting God to “search” him, knowing God already knows him, the psalmist reminds us when we invite God into our heart, it is through a door of intentional and voluntary submission and contrition (Rev 3:20). This is the thing that God desires most from us: The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. (Ps 51:17 NLT)

Or, in Isaiah: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; what is the house that you would build for Me, and what is the place of My rest? All these things My hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:1-2 ESV)

Thank You Lord for Your Word. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path so that we can seek You and find You. Lord, teach us how to be like the psalmist, submitting our hearts to You so You can find a welcoming place within us to rest. Lead us in all Your ways – continue to transform us and empower us – so that through our words and deeds we can glorify Your Name in greater ways each day. Amen

Notes From the Pastor

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God’s Calendar and Appointments (All Scripture!)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 states: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

When the above reference was first penned by the Apostle Paul, there was not yet a New Testament division in what we call the Bible. The Scriptures for New Testament believers, the followers of Jesus, was what we know as the Old Testament. This has profound implications for modern day believers who have assumed and been taught the Old Testament books of the Bible no longer apply. Jesus did not come to create a new religion. His goal was to change the hearts of all who were willing and set them free from the oppression of religion – rules without relationship; lies that stemmed from the Garden of Eden’s “fig leaf” religion: do this – to be…like God. What was Satan’s original lie? Did God really say? In other words, do not trust God, His Word, His Love and His Truth – and you can become your own self-centered, pride-filled god. Trust your god-like self to become good like God. 

The root of this lie has made its way into the heart of many a church-attender and infected Jesus’ family with the virus of religion. The good news is that Jesus and His Word still have the power to emancipate those who long for liberty and deliverance from the chaffing shackles of flimsy, fig leaf religion. They recognize something is missing in their day-in day-out routines – the fig leaf formats, practices, and routines that lack the ability to cover their sin and lead them to a living relationship with the Godhead.

This very God-breathed scripture states in Leviticus 23:1-2: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.

The Hebrew word for feast means appointment, or appointed time. Thus, in the Word of God we not only have His words, thoughts, and heart for His people, we have God’s Calendar Book. His Book of Appointments.

Chosen people Ministries: The holy days are prophetic in nature, and over the course of the year, provide a roadmap to redemption; Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, the New Year, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. They are similar in that each one involves worship, offerings, a rest from labor, and usually a reminder of a great event in the history of Israel. It is important to note the Hebrew word translated as “holiday” in Leviticus 23 is better understood as “appointments.”

Add to the weighty significance of these facts the startling realization that on every appointment designated by God in the Old Testament, an event of eternal consequence occurred. Passover (Pesach) ~ Crucifixion of Jesus; Seven Days of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzatot) ~ the Sinless Life of Jesus; Feast of First Fruits ~ the Resurrection of Jesus; Pentecost (Shavuot)~ Birthing of the New Testament Church with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; Yom Kippur or Atonement ~ Jesus making us at-one-with the Father in a moment. There are only two feasts, two of God’s Appointments that have yet to be fully realized: The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). The season of the Feast of Trumpets, is also recognized within the time frame of the 10 Days of Awe, prophetically symbolizing when the rapture of every believer, Jesus’ Bride, will occur. Can you picture this? Imagine being “snatched up” (raptured)during this season of prayer, fasting and seeking to be near Jesus. Add to this the culminating crescendo of the final appointment, the Feast of Tabernacles, when Jesus will return with His Bride to rule over the earth. Now imagine during this time, the trumpet being blown. What action do you want to be found doing? Would you want to be in the process of preparing yourself to meet face-to-face with Jesus? Can you think of a better way to spend your time? Would it be absurd to believe that God is loving and knows that when we see Him face-to-face, we won’t want to be hanging our heads in shame? Would it be absurd to believe that He desires to see His children lifting their heads up to see and welcome Him when that trumpet blast is first heard? 

New Years Challenge – 10 days of Awe – Positioning Ourselves for More of God

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The Shofar of Rosh Hashanah has blown. The unmistakable echo of the ram’s horn marks the beginning of God’s New Year and provides a clarion call to God’s people to return to Him for absolution. The 10 Days of Awe, which began with Rosh Hashana, are underway. It’s a time appointed for cleansing and renewal; a window of preparation leading up to the final judgment that will occur on Yom Kippur. 10 days for the people to examine their hearts and assess their standing with God.

These high holy Days of Awe are the opportunity for sincere self-reflection, repentance, and the giving and receiving of forgiveness. For those that have made good use of the days – repented and earnestly sought God’s forgiveness – Yom Kippur will bring Atonement for sins and reconciliation with the Lord. (But only for the upcoming year).

Unlike our Jewish friends, Christian reconciliation has been secured forever through Jesus Christ. “…because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Heb 7:24-25)

So then, as Christians, let’s use these High Holy days to instead focus on the amazing gift of Jesus Christ…and on preparing and positioning our hearts for more God and a deeper stronger faith. Let’s seek increase in every aspect of our relationship with Him so that we might better serve.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24 NIV)

Amen

a brother in Christ

Rosh Hashana – Feast of Trumpets and What It Means for Christians

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Happy New Year! (From the Jewish Year 5783 to 5784) – From God, the Father.

Rosh Hashana, in Hebrew means head or beginning of the year, and marks the start of God’s new year as outlined in the Old Testament. Also known as the Feast of Trumpets, it is one of the seven appointed festivals prescribed by the Lord to Moses in Leviticus 23 and ushers in God’s process of renewal for the Jewish people.

The ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – which is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar – are the 10 Days of Awe, or the 10 Days of Repentance. During this period the Jewish people were expected to thoroughly examine their hearts and their standing before God; to repent and to give and seek forgiveness in preparation for receiving God’s forgiveness on Yom Kippur. According to Jewish tradition, the sincerity of one’s repentance and turning to God during these 10 days was instrumental in tipping the Lord’s judgment scale in their favor for the coming year. So, for Jews, God’s forgiveness on Yom Kippur was considered a temporary achievement. In order to keep your place in the Book of Life the process had to be repeated year-after-year.

While the importance of Rosh Hashana, the 10 Days of Awe, and the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament is God’s means of providing a process for his people to achieve and receive forgiveness and right standing can’t be understated, how should Christians view this today? Since we live under the New Covenant does this feature of Mosaic Law apply to us at all?

As a technical matter, no it doesn’t, because as Christians we no longer live under the Law. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” (Gal 3:13) God, through Christ, provided a once-for-all way to forgiveness and reconciliation, “…He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us…” (Col 2:14). In fact, Paul specifically reminds us in Colossians 2:16: “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” In other words, our concern is no longer festivals and rituals to improve our fallen condition. Our sole focus is faith in the work of Jesus.

Hebrews 10:1-10 summarizes our much-transformed and improved circumstance nicely: For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ First, He said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then He said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

So, since these festival days don’t serve the same purpose for Christians that they once did for the Jews, then how should we commemorate these days? By recognizing how God literally fulfilled his Jeremiah 31:34 promise to us: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” What can be more worthy of celebration than that?

What our God, through Christ, has done in providing a perfect and permanent means for our reconciliation should overwhelm us and fill us with unending gratitude.

For today, let’s meditate on God’s incredible goodness, let’s thank Him and acknowledge the absolute supremacy of Christ as our Savior and High Priest, and ask Him to help us be more like Him. Let’s challenge ourselves and our church family to seek a deeper relationship and a more active, empowered, Spirit-filled walk. Let’s pray against the spirit of complacency and for a new (kainos – recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn) spiritual awakening and revival. Amen!?

A brother in Christ