Giving others a chance to be a blessing...

Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.

The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward,

and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person 

will receive a righteous person's reward.

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of water because he is a disciple, 

truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Matt. 10: 40-42

This passage has puzzled me for years.  Why?

Our passage is tucked into a chapter of Matthew where Jesus sends out his Apostles to learn ministry.  The context of the passage includes Jesus giving them a mission with clear instructions (vss. 5-15).  He then promises them they will face persecution (vss. 16-25), but they should not worry because whoever acknowledges him before men He will acknowledge before the Father (vss. 26-33).  Then he concludes with the promise that He came to bring not peace, but a sword (vss. 34-39).  (This is another tough passage!)  His final instructions are included in our passage.  They are a promise that whoever does receive the disciples will get a reward.

In this passage, the controlling verse is 10:40 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me."  

After affirming that His person and message would cause divisions even within families, Jesus promises that those to receive the truth of His person and message will share in the blessings of God.  In other words, receiving the disciples illustrates folks received their message.

Here is where I find the passage extremely interesting.  Why would Jesus say such a thing?  Somehow, openness to listen means blessings.  It illustrates a heart somehow prepared by God.  A person's attitude toward the messenger illustrates the condition of that person's heart.

What does this mean for us?

Because of our message, we are a blessing to society and to those we talk to about Jesus.  Merely opening our mouth and declaring that we trust in Jesus will allow people to experience a blessing.   I sure wish I would always remember this when I have a chance to testify about what Jesus has done in my life.  I am sure most of you feel the same.

Yes, some will be some will be shocked and dismayed by this testimony.  We should not worry about this fact.  Jesus says fear not for I am with you!  Such a testimony might cause division.  Jesus tells us that such division is part of the game if you wish to be part of the growth of the Kingdom.  As Jesus promises,

"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." 

Matt. 10:38-39.

In other words, why are we protecting our reputation with others and not concerned with being a blessing to others?  We fear the few who reject; and as a result, we rob people of the chance to be blessed by responding to our testimony. 

I can promise you that when we declare who Jesus is with love and integrity, most people respond favorably.  Some do not, but most will listen.  Particularly those who know you!  As they listen with openness, God will call some to faith.  The promise of this passage is that you will be a blessing.  You will be salt and light.  

Do you wish your life to count for something in building the Kingdom of God?  Be open to declaring what God has done in Christ.  Fear not for He will go with you.

The Empty (Political) Philosophy of Today

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, 

according to human tradition, 

according to the elemental spirits of the world, 

and not according to Christ. 

Col. 2:8

Boy is this one tough!  Why?  Because any hollow philosophy that conforms to the "elemental spirits of this world" seems so natural to us.  It is a rule of life that comes directly from "human tradition."  By and large, we like fitting into human tradition.  We desperately want to be accepted by our peer group (whoever that may be).

In other words, all of us are naturally and easy drifting toward being held captive 

by worldly philosophy and empty deceit.

Not so sure?  Check out the blogs and website of many "christian thinkers" this election season.  I have never seen more "christian" people giving up or redefine so many major orthodox beliefs of the Christian faith for politics.  One would think Jesus was a progressive democratic (This is the popular position for trendy christian writers).  One would think that Trump represents godly leadership.  

The sadness for me as I read these blogs is that these folks are well-meaning.  They are sincere.  They believe what they are saying is "biblical truth."  The problem is that they have adopted some very contemporary ideas about human nature, redemption, personality, transformation, and self-expression.  These ideas are informed by our contemporary political scene.  

What has happened?  These folks have taken a modern definition of words or ideas, and they have read back into the biblical text to get it to say what is acceptable to today's standards.  As such, they have redefined biblical truth instead of allowing biblical truth, as it was written and intended to be understood, to define our understanding of Truth.

Why would they do this?  Why would so many affirm them instead of calling them to task?

Our naturalistic, contemporary, human tradition believes that every opinion is equally valid.  We believe that texts (like the bible, the constitution, or any other text) only have the meaning that we bring to the text.  Original intent does not matter; or if it does matter, it only is one voice of meaning.

Friends, this idea will lead many into error.  It will lead many astray.  It will also put the eternal souls of many in danger.  (This sounds so harsh, doesn't it?  Our cringing at such statements only illustrates the hollow philosophy of today!)

Why?  Jesus is True God of True God.  The fulness of deity dwells within Him (Col. 2:9).  He does not leave us alone.  He had revealed Himself to us because on our own, we would not be able to figure it out.  

How did Jesus reveal himself?  The clearest expression is the Word of God.  The 66 books found within scripture.  God does not lead us in ways that contradict the Word of God.  The Spirit still is speaking and leading believers to know the will of God, but the Spirit also will not contradict the Word of God.  This means we need to know and to trust God's revealed Word!  This takes time and effort.

We also have to know and to identify the false, worldly philosophy of our day.  We have to call it false.  We need to safeguard our thoughts, our feelings, and our faith against the false teaching.  We need to repent when we are caught up in the worldly philosophy of our day.  We need to cling to Jesus and pray for ourselves, our family, our friends, and our countries.  Pray that grace and truth will again be known.  As Paul says,

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 

rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, 

just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Col. 2: 6-7

God is good- all the time

For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the Lord, 

plans for welfare and not for evil,

to give you a future and a hope.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will hear you.

Jeremiah 29: 11

It has been a long time.  Too long.  I just have not felt like writing.  For whatever reason, I have not had any sort of original thoughts.  My guess is that it was time to take a break.  It was time to rest in Jesus, listen to the Spirit, and praise the Father.

Life has been so full and blessed with the process of church planting and enjoying living with my family in the incredible state of Montana.  Through it all, I have learned much.  I have grown deeper (sometimes!).  I have been prepared for work further up and further in.

Now, the Spirit is moving again.  He has been working something wonderful at Christ Community (www.christcommunitygf.com).  We launch officially on September 18.  May the opening promise be true.  May I also take time to write more here!  I thank you all for the encouragement to get writing again.  Funny how this encouragement has increased as my desire to write has returned.  I will take it as the synergy of the Spirit.

Blessings and keep checking back.