January 16, 2011
The church is in a crisis today.
According to Os Guinness, in the modern world “evangelism is easier than ever, but discipleship, a total lifetime dedication to God's call in Christ in every sphere of life, that is against the grain of modern life and very difficult.”
It is against the modern life because people are open to changes but fickle to commitment that encroaches on their rights.
For the longest time, the church has been accused of being irrelevant and boring to the people in the world. In response, we see a surge in churches trying to engage the world.
Yet the church that seeks to connect with the lost treads a narrow path these days. How do you engage the world without giving in to their agenda to be entertained and stimulated all the time? How do you draw the unchurched without patronizing them with a pat on the back and a scratch on the back? How do we keep ourselves from reducing the truth into another ‘pop’ teaching?
To engage the world and then to move the people from confession to conviction of faith remains the church’s biggest challenge. The aim of God’s church must be to move people from responding to the altar call to carrying up the cross.
Jesus’ calling is that we should ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matt 28:19). To make authentic lifelong followers of Jesus is His command.
To do so involves purposeful intentionality at the end goal – not just making converts but followers. Not just happy with the quantity but the quality of disciples. Not being satisfied with short-term result but to stick around for the long haul.
After all, there is no short cut to discipleship and disciple making.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Do you see this woman
14 January, 2011
Read Luke 7:36-50
Luke 7:44
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? …”
No – Simon sees an invited guest, an unwelcomed intruder to an upper class dinner. He sees the woman’s hair undone in a public place, which in Jesus’ time is an embarrassment. He sees a kind of woman – the kind that is shunned by society, ridiculed by the ‘proper’ people and pointed at by mothers and fathers as the shameless.
Jesus sees a woman, made in the image of God. Jesus sees her tears of repentance. Her hair wiping his feet is an individual’s ultimate brokenness seeking forgiveness. Jesus smells the perfume of a true worshipper who recognises who he really is – the Messiah who has come to pardon her sin. Jesus sees a daughter of the most High who understands the reason for his coming and dying. Jesus sees the woman.
The woman has eyes only on Jesus. She sees the face of the Messiah, the One whom she needs. She hears the voice of a Saviour from whom she can obtain pardon. She gets near. She sees the Saviour’s feet dirtied by the road he has been travelling on; the precious feet of a God who has come down. She sees the compassion and love of a Messiah who sees her for her – a woman, a daughter. Period.
How often do we see people through our self-righteous attitude? How often do we act like God but having only missed the truth – that our God is full of compassion, forgiveness and grace?
How often do we see others as needing forgiveness but miss the fact that we are in need of forgiveness too? We are no 'less sinner'. We are sinners. Period.
How often do we pretend not to see the woman /man in need?
“Do you see this woman?” Jesus still asks His church today.
Read Luke 7:36-50
Luke 7:44
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? …”
No – Simon sees an invited guest, an unwelcomed intruder to an upper class dinner. He sees the woman’s hair undone in a public place, which in Jesus’ time is an embarrassment. He sees a kind of woman – the kind that is shunned by society, ridiculed by the ‘proper’ people and pointed at by mothers and fathers as the shameless.
Jesus sees a woman, made in the image of God. Jesus sees her tears of repentance. Her hair wiping his feet is an individual’s ultimate brokenness seeking forgiveness. Jesus smells the perfume of a true worshipper who recognises who he really is – the Messiah who has come to pardon her sin. Jesus sees a daughter of the most High who understands the reason for his coming and dying. Jesus sees the woman.
The woman has eyes only on Jesus. She sees the face of the Messiah, the One whom she needs. She hears the voice of a Saviour from whom she can obtain pardon. She gets near. She sees the Saviour’s feet dirtied by the road he has been travelling on; the precious feet of a God who has come down. She sees the compassion and love of a Messiah who sees her for her – a woman, a daughter. Period.
How often do we see people through our self-righteous attitude? How often do we act like God but having only missed the truth – that our God is full of compassion, forgiveness and grace?
How often do we see others as needing forgiveness but miss the fact that we are in need of forgiveness too? We are no 'less sinner'. We are sinners. Period.
How often do we pretend not to see the woman /man in need?
“Do you see this woman?” Jesus still asks His church today.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Expectations
13 January, 2011
Read Luke 7:18-31
When people fail to meet our expectations, we get disappointed.
In this passage, John the Baptist’s was puzzled because Jesus did not fit his expectations of a Messiah. Jesus spoke in parables, quoted Scriptures, asked questions and left the people to draw their own conclusions concerning Him. It was not what John expected of a Messiah.
Luke 7:31-35
“Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance; (referring to John)
we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’(referring to Jesus)
The people of Jesus’ time complained that John was too serious while Jesus partied too much. Yet all who saw the miracles (Luke 7:22-23) would clearly be able to recognise Jesus for who He was.
So many people today still judge Jesus according to their own expectations; even Christians. In doing so, we get disappointed, discouraged and even doubt God.
Unless we are willing to put aside our expectations, we may end up like the people of Jesus’ generation, criticising the church and other Christians for being too conservative or liberal, being too rigid or open.
Before we pass judgment on God or the church; and in fact anything and everything, let us beware first of our unrealistic bias expectations.
Read Luke 7:18-31
When people fail to meet our expectations, we get disappointed.
In this passage, John the Baptist’s was puzzled because Jesus did not fit his expectations of a Messiah. Jesus spoke in parables, quoted Scriptures, asked questions and left the people to draw their own conclusions concerning Him. It was not what John expected of a Messiah.
Luke 7:31-35
“Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance; (referring to John)
we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’(referring to Jesus)
The people of Jesus’ time complained that John was too serious while Jesus partied too much. Yet all who saw the miracles (Luke 7:22-23) would clearly be able to recognise Jesus for who He was.
So many people today still judge Jesus according to their own expectations; even Christians. In doing so, we get disappointed, discouraged and even doubt God.
Unless we are willing to put aside our expectations, we may end up like the people of Jesus’ generation, criticising the church and other Christians for being too conservative or liberal, being too rigid or open.
Before we pass judgment on God or the church; and in fact anything and everything, let us beware first of our unrealistic bias expectations.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
wisdom living
12 January, 2011
Luke 6:46-49 (The Message)
"Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'that’s right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.
"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."
Jesus was a Master storyteller and great Teacher. People flocked to hear Him and they came from far and near. However, not all who heard him and agreed with His teachings put them into practice.
Jesus’ teachings were true wisdom unlike the Pharisees who were blind guides.
A life built on the words of Jesus will withstand the storms of life. The storms will come sooner or later and they will reveal our foundations.
How can we work the Word of God into our living?
1. Do not rationalise or make excuses. God has a ‘logic’ (wisdom) that is
not of this world.
2. Obey the Scriptures fully. Partial obedience is no obedience at all.
3. Put it into practice immediately. That is a sure way to grow.
4. Feed on God’s word. Let God’s word reveals your spiritual state through
self-examination.
5. Think through life’s issues using God’s word as a reference. Ask ‘What
does God say regarding this matter?”
6. Obey all big and small things; all ‘public’ and ‘private’ matters.
May Jesus never have to ask us, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Luke 6:46-49 (The Message)
"Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'that’s right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.
"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."
Jesus was a Master storyteller and great Teacher. People flocked to hear Him and they came from far and near. However, not all who heard him and agreed with His teachings put them into practice.
Jesus’ teachings were true wisdom unlike the Pharisees who were blind guides.
A life built on the words of Jesus will withstand the storms of life. The storms will come sooner or later and they will reveal our foundations.
How can we work the Word of God into our living?
1. Do not rationalise or make excuses. God has a ‘logic’ (wisdom) that is
not of this world.
2. Obey the Scriptures fully. Partial obedience is no obedience at all.
3. Put it into practice immediately. That is a sure way to grow.
4. Feed on God’s word. Let God’s word reveals your spiritual state through
self-examination.
5. Think through life’s issues using God’s word as a reference. Ask ‘What
does God say regarding this matter?”
6. Obey all big and small things; all ‘public’ and ‘private’ matters.
May Jesus never have to ask us, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Teachings and teachers
11 January, 2011
Read Luke 6:39-45
Luke 6:39
“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?”
The listeners at that time were following the Pharisees’ teachings which Jesus warned would lead them not into life, but into the pit. The Pharisees were blinded and to follow them spelled darkness and danger, not light and life.
Thus, Jesus challenged His listeners to break free from the Pharisees’ teachings and turned to His Kingdom teachings instead.
Question: What are some teachings today that seem to promise success and guidance to life but are actually toxics to our souls and lead us away from God’s truth?
Luke 6:41-42
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?”
How ironic and nonsensical that a blind guide would be able to see the wrong teachings of another! The main point of this pictorial illustration is to show how we tend to project our own problem into others’ lives.
Instead of dealing with the speck in our eyes, we make a big deal (by criticising and trying to solve) out of the speck (which becomes a log – LOL) in our brothers’ eyes!
Perhaps Jesus was saying that all the endless rules and regulations that the Pharisees came up with (false teachings to Jesus) was a symptom of their missing the main point of the Kingdom message. How? The Pharisees were so caught up with separating Israel from the nations that they missed the main message of Israel becoming a light to the nations.
So God’s church today are split and often fight over minor issues and seldom over the main tenets of our faith. If we are to fight, let us battle over how we should and can be better radical witness to the world!
Jesus’ point was that all moral ‘do’s and don’ts’ are pointless unless the heart is regenerated. Jesus invites us into a new way of life that will transform our whole life - from the inside out. And it all start with following the right teacher and right teachings.
Read Luke 6:39-45
Luke 6:39
“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?”
The listeners at that time were following the Pharisees’ teachings which Jesus warned would lead them not into life, but into the pit. The Pharisees were blinded and to follow them spelled darkness and danger, not light and life.
Thus, Jesus challenged His listeners to break free from the Pharisees’ teachings and turned to His Kingdom teachings instead.
Question: What are some teachings today that seem to promise success and guidance to life but are actually toxics to our souls and lead us away from God’s truth?
Luke 6:41-42
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?”
How ironic and nonsensical that a blind guide would be able to see the wrong teachings of another! The main point of this pictorial illustration is to show how we tend to project our own problem into others’ lives.
Instead of dealing with the speck in our eyes, we make a big deal (by criticising and trying to solve) out of the speck (which becomes a log – LOL) in our brothers’ eyes!
Perhaps Jesus was saying that all the endless rules and regulations that the Pharisees came up with (false teachings to Jesus) was a symptom of their missing the main point of the Kingdom message. How? The Pharisees were so caught up with separating Israel from the nations that they missed the main message of Israel becoming a light to the nations.
So God’s church today are split and often fight over minor issues and seldom over the main tenets of our faith. If we are to fight, let us battle over how we should and can be better radical witness to the world!
Jesus’ point was that all moral ‘do’s and don’ts’ are pointless unless the heart is regenerated. Jesus invites us into a new way of life that will transform our whole life - from the inside out. And it all start with following the right teacher and right teachings.
Monday, January 10, 2011
love your enemies
10 January, 2011
Read Luke 6:27-38
Someone asked me once, “In a nutshell, sentence or two tell me what is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian.”
How would you answer such a question?
The Beatitudes are like a summary of what it means to be Kingdom –people. However, Jesus’ teachings are so contradictory to the world that they sometimes create more questions than answers.
The turning of the other cheek, the loving of your enemies are not instinctive reactions. They are learned and intentional responses to injustice done onto ourselves. Our natural defences in stressful and wronged situations are to defend, justify and ‘pay back’ – “an eye for an eye”.
Luke 6:32-34
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.”
The answer to the above puts the onus of response on who we are, Jesus said that we are no different from the non-believers; just people of the world, not kingdom-people if we go by our ‘natural instinct’.
God’s love is extravagant, full of generosity, big-hearted, non-calculative and not expecting return. It is an act of love itself; independent of the other person’s response and in spite of the other person’s evil intentions.
The litmus test of a real Christian is if God’s character is formed in us. How we respond to our enemies definitely gives us away.
Question: How can I ‘train’ myself to respond to others, especially my ‘enemies’ (those who are mean and have wronged’ me) in a Christian way?
Read Luke 6:27-38
Someone asked me once, “In a nutshell, sentence or two tell me what is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian.”
How would you answer such a question?
The Beatitudes are like a summary of what it means to be Kingdom –people. However, Jesus’ teachings are so contradictory to the world that they sometimes create more questions than answers.
The turning of the other cheek, the loving of your enemies are not instinctive reactions. They are learned and intentional responses to injustice done onto ourselves. Our natural defences in stressful and wronged situations are to defend, justify and ‘pay back’ – “an eye for an eye”.
Luke 6:32-34
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.”
The answer to the above puts the onus of response on who we are, Jesus said that we are no different from the non-believers; just people of the world, not kingdom-people if we go by our ‘natural instinct’.
God’s love is extravagant, full of generosity, big-hearted, non-calculative and not expecting return. It is an act of love itself; independent of the other person’s response and in spite of the other person’s evil intentions.
The litmus test of a real Christian is if God’s character is formed in us. How we respond to our enemies definitely gives us away.
Question: How can I ‘train’ myself to respond to others, especially my ‘enemies’ (those who are mean and have wronged’ me) in a Christian way?
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