An invitation to 'outsiders'

Do you ever feel like an ‘outsider?’  As conversation swirls around you, do you ever wonder, “where do I fit into this scene?”  I do!  I can connect in social settings that are shaped around my role as a pastor where I know where I fit and generally understand the expectations of other people. However, if you put me at a Christmas party my anxiety will rise as I deal with that old question for me, “Do I really belong here?”   

There were some men at the manger where Jesus was born that naturally did not fit in. What were shepherds doing there? Sheep herding was a menial job in Judah. They were rough, men who lived outside of regular society. The work was constant and kept them from the synagogue and from observing Jewish rituals so the smug Pharisees sniffed that shepherds were all sinners. But God chose to bring them into the scene.

Strangely, to our understanding, God chose these outsiders, these simple men to be the first to hear about a new era for humanity. "And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." (Luke 2:9-10, NKJV) "So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger." (Luke 2:15-16, NKJV)

There’s a real lesson in His choice of an audience that night. God still seeks those marginalized, those pushed to the fringes, those without power or wealth. Unlike us, His creatures, He is not enamored with beauty, captivated by celebrity, or impressed by shiny gold. Our titles and resumes do not mean a thing to Him. Make of it what you will, there were no Pharisees (people admired for their devotion to religious detail) at the manger!  But, there were shepherds.

The faith of those men is implicit in the story. They did not form a study group to determine the authenticity of the  angelic appearance. They did not consult the local leadership guru about the best long term response. They received an invitation, exercised faith, and took off running. Luke tells us that “They came with haste.” Men who normally avoided society, who were used to rejection, who were obligated to make sure their flocks were safe, offered their hearts and witness to God’s amazing news of Earth’s redemption.

• Perhaps you are feeling a little marginalized by others? 
• Perhaps it is just a thing inside of you that insists you are not worthy of God’s love or His goodness? 
   
• Does some past sin haunt you and whisper to you that you are beyond the reach of grace because you are too bad, too sinful? 
   
• Do old rejections rise up to tell you that you are too old, too sick, too poor, too unattractive to come to worship the King of kings? 

People have lots of reasons (excuses) for not responding to God’s invitation to come to Jesus.  The shepherds standing around a new born baby sleeping in a manger of Bethlehem reminds us that we are never “too anything” to be beyond His love and grace.

Jesus Christ is ’ good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’  

Throughout His ministry, Jesus found common people - fishermen, laborers, social outcasts, street people - and He invited them to “Come, follow Me.”  When they did, He changed them, included them, and made them a new community which came to known as the Church, ‘the Ekklesia’ – the called out ones.

Are you a reluctant disciple (an oxymoron, really)? Are you eager to follow Him?

Are you a captive of fear, believing the lie that God does not care about you?

Are you tangled in the troubles of life, convinced by circumstances that you’re outside of the circle of God’s grace?

Here is a word from the Word. Silence the voice of rejection and come home to your Abba.
"But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us." (Ephesians 2:13-14, NLT)

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness." (Colossians 3:12-15, The Message)

Come running!  Don’t stop at the Manger.  Continue to the Cross where love spilled forgiveness, then move to the Empty Tomb that assures us of our final victory over sin, death, and Hell.

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O Come All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him

Born the King of angels.

Yea Lord, we greet Thee,

Born this happy morning.

Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n.

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing.

O come let us adore Him.

O come let us adore Him.

O come let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord!

C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade

Public Domain

Kneel before your King!

I am deeply suspicious of institutional power!  A person who is handed authority without any checks or balances in place is almost certain to eventually become a tyrant. History tells us that ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  Those who gain power tend to hold onto it and turn their position into a place for enriching themselves.  But there is One whose power I love and to Whom I willingly submit because He loves me and uses His sovereignty for my  good. He is my King. Jesus Christ, my Savior and King! 

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV)

That doxology was first written to pastor Timothy who found ministry difficult. Paul opens his letter to him urging him to stand up to the false teachers that opposed him and reminding him that God is greater than his own personal temptations.  Paul buttresses His appeal with a short testimony of his own. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:15-16, NIV)  Then, he breaks into this shout of worship - "Deep honor and bright glory to the King of All Time— One God, Immortal, Invisible, ever and always. Oh, yes! " (1 Timothy 1:17, The Message)  If you’re where you can do it, read that line loudly, joyfully, declaring to all the world your praise for the King!

I love Jesus, the Man, who I meet in the Gospels. From those pages the mystery of “God Immanuel” (God present in my life) is handed to me. By faith, I receive that truth that He is my Savior.  The revelation of Jesus’ identity is not complete in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  In Revelation, we meet the Christ, the King.  Do you know this Jesus? "They (the evil of the world) will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14, NIV) "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." (Revelation 19:11-14, NIV)  When I read that my heart leaps with joy, my faith stirs. 

He is a King who loves me, who uses His power benevolently for me. He will not oppress me. He raises me up. He extends His power to protect me and promises to bring me into His kingdom, under His reign. Is He YOUR King, too?  Today, I took all my trials, my fears, my foes and petitioned my King to intervene. What a release from fear and despair I found at the Throne of God.

As we celebrate Advent, worship the Jesus, our Immanuel here, and do not forget to “Crown Him King!”   

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV

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Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the Newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the Newborn King

I cry, too

Thirty years ago while I served alongside of my father in ministry as an associate pastor, in a thriving church, I would sometimes go with him to funerals, to the hospitals, on visits to homes of the elderly. He often did something that acutely embarrassed me. He cried!  As he stood beside a hospital bed he would take the hand of a sick person and as he spoke to them, tears would slip down his cheeks.  When he held babies in dedication services, he would often weep. “What’s wrong with him?” I would wonder. “Can’t he control his emotions?”  He was not a weak man. Now I know the ‘why’ of those tears, because now I cry, too.

Dad chose tender over tough, opened his heart wide enough to let the pain, problems, hopes, and aspirations of others become part of who he was. He chose to experience life with those he served. He did not stand on sidelines, he was right in the game with them!  And, yes, his love for the flock he served had a down side for him. When people left the church (as people do), he was hurt and sometimes he allowed that pain to turn into anger. I used to urge him to ‘keep a professional distance.’  “Dad, you just can’t care that much for everybody. It’s going to kill you.”  But, he loved, worked, and tried to change the world right up to the end of his life. I understand all of it so much better now than I did when I was so ‘professional.’   

If the Church is going to be the living Body of Christ that she is supposed to be, we are going to love, laugh, cry, argue, and hang together just like any other human family. Sunday morning gatherings must not be a place where we show only our smiles, put on our game faces, polite like people at a rally. Those meetings should be much more like a family reunion – full of emotion, hugs, shared experiences of our Father’s love holding us together. Being the family of God does not just happen. Paul shows us an intentional choice that we make, over and over again. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." (Philippians 2:1-2, NIV)

The love that brings us together is not just a human thing. It is a demonstration of the Spirit’s life in us. When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, when we accept His invitation to become new, when we receive the grace of God, we will become increasingly tender just like Him. Remember this - Jesus reserved anger for ‘professionals!’  Those religious men who so carefully controlled their lives, who worked so hard to keep every comma and period in the Law that they lost touch with the heart of God, earned only His scorn.  But, the broken people – those who were possessed by sin, who drank too much, who were beaten up by life – were the ones that He loved. And, yes, Jesus cried, too.

As I learned from watching my Dad, you can’t fake tenderness!  It comes from being willing to enter into the lives of others in a way that feels what they feel, that hopes for them when they can’t hope anymore, that believes God when they only doubt Him.  Authentic love comes only when we are able to admit that we are broken too. The Pharisees would never allow themselves to acknowledge their brokenness, their sinfulness. Jesus told them that when they found a person in need that their efforts to convert him would  “make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” (Matthew 23:15)  We need to look into the mirror, see what God sees, let Him break us from our pride, and take the healing love that He offers. We will become increasingly tender and that will make this true of us – “We love because He loved us first!”

Love is at the heart of the Gospel.  

Here is a word from the Word.  May it help us to be the tender-hearted children of God in a loveless world. "And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21, NLT)

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This Is Amazing Grace

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?The King of Glory, the King above all kings!

 Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?Who leaves us breathless, in awe and wonder?The King of Glory, the King above all kings!

 This is amazing grace.This is unfailing love,That You would take my place,That You would bear my cross.You laid down Your lifeThat I would be set free.Oh Jesus, I sing for all that You've done for me.

 Who brings our chaos back into order?Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?The King of Glory, the King of Glory!

 Who rules the nations with truth and justice,Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?The King of Glory, the King above all kings!

Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham
© 2012 Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Bethel Music Publishing CCLI License # 810055

When we are miserable ingrates

Just about every parent has heard this complaint in one way or another.  “You never do anything for me.”  Perhaps it is because our child's friend just got that latest greatest smartphone while she has to use last year’s model. Or, maybe he hasto share a room with his brother and his friend has his own room complete with LCD TV!  In love, we overlook the ingratitude, though failure to appreciate a home, a full table, and all that we provide does sting.   

Not so long ago I was drawn into a conversation that was full of bitter complaint. “What has God ever done for me? Why should I trust Him?” I wanted to remind the person that he was breathing air the Lord provided, enjoying salvation He purchased with His life, and living in a world that He made.

Yes, we all forget His providence from time to time.

God’s people were led out of slavery in Egypt, ate manna every day that He gave, and lived under His umbrella of protection. Were they grateful and obedient? "He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them …But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel. In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wasteland they put God to the test." (Psalm 106:13-14, NIV)

With all the excesses of an American Christmas thrown at us, we, like those ancient people,  can “soon forget what God has done” for us.  The family scenes and celebrations make my heart so sad this year. I can quickly slip into self-pity and complain bitterly. It's not pretty! What about you? What triggers your complaints? Is it that new car your brother showed off last week? How about the trip to Europe your neighbor has scheduled, or the home that is twice the size of yours?  There are hundreds of ‘reasons’ we can complain, if that is what we choose to do.

The passage I quoted helps us to understand that our ungrateful attitude is more than just being rude. When we complain against Him, it is just a short step to self-will, to making our own way, then to indulging our sinful nature.  When we become rebels, we cut ourselves off from His fellowship, walk alone, and invite His discipline.  Don’t do it!  

If your heart is boiling with emotion, seething with resentment,  find a quiet place and hit the pause button on life for a while.  Exercise your power of choice and take control of those impulses, presenting them to God.  Need to cry? Go ahead. Need to scream?  Go for a ride in your car and let it out!  And, get perspective.  A good faithful friend who won’t fan the flames of your sense of entitlement is a gift.  Ask that friend to listen, to turn your heart back to the One who loves you deeply.

God is a wonderful Father. He is full of mercy. In this Advent Season, let’s be people who remember all the gifts that He provides in grace, even when life disappoints us.

Here is a word from the Word. "Still, when God saw the trouble they were in and heard their cries for help, He remembered his Covenant with them, and, immense with love, took them by the hand. He poured out his mercy on them while their captors looked on, amazed.

Save us, God, our God! Gather us back out of exile So we can give thanks to your holy name and join in the glory when you are praised!" (Psalm 106:44-47, The Message)

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Love Came Down At Christmas

Worship we the Godhead

Love incarnate love divine

Worship we our Jesus

But wherewith for sacred sign

Love came down at Christmas

Love all lovely love divine

Love was born at Christmas

Star and angels gave the sign

Love shall be our token

Love be yours and love be mine

Love to God and all men

Love for plea and gift and sign

Love for plea and gift and sign

For plea for gift for sign

Christina Georgina Rossetti | Gilbert M. Martin

© Words: Public Domain