The slam against evangelists through the years has been that they only have three or four sermons that they keep repeating. Most of the time the criticism came from pastors who had to weekly crank out a sermon for their congregation. Some of the accusations have been true, but there are others of us who do study and do produce new material as the Lord works in our lives. However, I eagerly confess that there is one sermon I have been preaching for well over twenty years.
For those who have been a part of our ministry teams to various parts of the world, they have heard me preach on the cross of Christ from the Gospel of Matthew. Years ago I studied the crucifixion from a historical and medical point of view. I was so moved back then by the brutality of that Roman form of execution. When you combine the crucifixion with the scourging that Jesus received, it is correct in saying that Jesus was not even recognizable while He hung on the cross for my sin.
It is not my purpose today to preach that sermon to you, if you want to hear it then come with me one of our ministry trips. Better yet, go rent Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ which finally shows the Passion as it really was. I can well remember seeing the advertisements for that movie and thinking to myself, "Someone finally got it right."The cross was brutal. The cross was ugly. The cross was execution at its worst.
Today the cross has been sanitized for us. What I mean is that we see it so often that it has little impact on us. It has become an art form or a fashion accessory. People who do not have any intention of following Christ will wear the cross. That has certainly not always been the case. As we look back in history we find that for many years after the death of Christ the cross was not at all accepted as the sign for Christians. In the earliest years of the church the symbol for followers of Jesus was the fish, as the cross was repulsive to them.
As early as second century the Christians were known to have made a sign of the cross on their foreheads. It was a way that they could be identified by other believers. They would either use something like charcoal to make the sign or just trace it on their foreheads much like the Catholics do to this day. The cross soon became the symbol of Christ's suffering and desired physical expression of the believer's faith. As early as the third century we find that the body of Christ was added to the cross in what we would now call a crucifix (Latin for "to torture") and by the fifth century the crucifix was established as a reminder of the sufferings of Christ. These items were primarily used for personal devotions and private prayer.
I would encourage you even today to read Mark chapter 15 and the account of the crucifixion. Throughout much of Christian history bearing the cross would get one killed or worse, tortured. In our society it really costs us nothing to have a cross hanging on our necks or tattooed on our arms. (No, I don't have a tattoo). There is a store in San Diego down by the water that sells only crosses. It is a beautiful store, but no one will harass you or want to kill you because you go in there to buy a cross. My point is we have lost the power, majesty and awe of the cross of Christ.
Last year I was invited to go to a Catholic church for a service. Out of kindness I went, even though I kind of felt like I had to keep looking over my shoulder to make sure none of my friends saw me. As long as I live, I will never forget the first sight of going into that church. It literally made my knees buckle. There on the front wall behind the altar was an enormous cross, but not just a cross, a crucifix. It hit me full force, the reality of Jesus dying on that cross for me. As a protestant, I am not used to seeing a portrayal of Christ hanging on a cross. Seeing the representation of Christ's body on that cross made me want to drop to my knees, bow my head, and cry out, "My Lord and my Savior." It made me want to search every area of my heart and life to see if it all truly lined up with the ways of Christ. I can honestly say that seeing that crucifix some seven months ago is still impacting my behavior.
Jesus told us that in our lifetime that we are going to have deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. I have been recently struck by the fact that Christ mentioned our cross before He ever got to His. It must have seemed strange for His followers to hear those words, "Take up your cross." As time went on they understood those words quite well as following Christ cost so many all their earthy possessions and even their very lives. Christians that were martyred were often venerated or given "sainthood" as a way of brining courage to those who were about to enter a fiery trial. Today the church in America wants to hear nothing of denying self or taking up of the cross, and we no little of the hero's of our faith.
The question has always been the same, "Will you follow Jesus Christ if it cost you something?" As our economy sinks and our moral fiber slowly dissipates, will we still be joyful followers of Jesus Christ? As we are now paying close to $5.00 a gallon for gas here in California and our property values have plummeted, will we still raise our hands on Sunday morning to worship the King? We have to remember that you cannot have the crown without the cross.
Followers of Jesus down through history can agree on one thing, Jesus keeps His promises. Jesus has told us clearly that He "will never leave us nor forsake us" and that His love for us will never cease. We are Children of God, Children of the Cross and during these difficult days of job loss, dried up savings accounts and loss of homes, Jesus is HERE to help us bear the cross. We are never alone!
Be at peace,
Dan
Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Envy Leads to Malice
Before I begin my devotional thought for today, I want to thank you for your prayers for our recent ministry in Iquitos, Peru. We will be sending out a praise report this week to the glory of God. Our work there continues as we partner together with you to share the love of Christ. Praise the Lord for the lives that were touched and the souls that were saved as a result of your prayers and support!
As we come to Mark chapter 15, the crucifixion of Christ is now upon us. Jesus is brought before Pilate to be judged and Pilate, for various reasons, wants to wash his hands of the whole situation. Jesus was brought to Pilate by the religious leaders under the pretense that they were concerned about Jesus being a threat to the Roman government. The Scripture says that "the chief priests accused him (Jesus) of many things." They wanted Him dead at all cost and it had nothing to do with the security of the Roman government. Pilate had a custom of releasing one prisoner of the people's choosing during the Passover.
Pilate must have been hoping that they would ask for the release of Jesus, but instead they asked for Barabbas-surprise surprise! We know little about this man, but we do know that Pilate kept his word and released Barabbas to them once the crowd began to go hysterical with shouts of Jesus' crucifixion.
Look at the drama of this scene: "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. Mark 15:9-11
Pilate was a smart man, a man of the world and he greatly understood the inner workings of men's hearts. He had not risen through the ranks of the Roman government without being able to read between the lines of the behavior of others. Pilate knew very well that the priests were not loyal to Caesar, just as he knew Jesus was not a threat to the Roman government. He correctly perceived that the real issue was one of envy. Here is a pagan Roman official discerning the spiritual condition of those who claimed to be closest to God. Amazing!
Envy is a feeling of sorrow at another's good fortune. We see this sin at all levels of society. Envy finds joy when evil or loss befalls someone else. It is not just that we are angry that someone else received something good in life, but envy causes us to be thrilled at the pain the other person is going through. The modern American culture is built upon the sin envy. Just listen to new casts, talk radio, commercials and conversation at the office or job site. No one is ever happy for someone else's success and we relish in the demise of others.
It is most amazing that this sin is found most frequently in the church. Every Sunday there are those who are in great pain because of the success of another brother or sister. One church becomes envious of another for their numerical growth or their notoriety in the community. Staff members become envious as one ministry is exalted over another, at least in their minds. Members fight over territory, resources and "platform time." The world has crept into the church and we don't even notice it.
Just as the priests were envious towards Jesus because of His popularity and power we find ourselves envious in the same way. The worst kind of envy is that which comes against the Holy Spirit. It is the envy of someone else's gifts-spiritual gifts. People become competitive and envious over the very gift's that God the Holy Spirit distributes. I have seen it with my own eyes even in our ministry. It is frightening. It is deadly. It is ugly.
Don't try to be something you are not because you think it will advance you, or bring attention to you. Don't mimic someone else's gifts because in the end you will only be frustrated and probably embarrassed. I have met more people who think they are teachers or preachers who have no gifting whatsoever for that ministry. They are envious of that gift, they want it, but they don't. Envy kills a church and the envy of others spiritual gifts is a sin against the Holy Spirit!
The Spirit has given you gifts and you must know what they are. There are plenty of resources available to help you discover your gifts. But the best way to find your gift is to not sit around and read about gifts, but to get busy serving the Lord. You will find things that come naturally to you and things that don't. Other people will confirm to you what your gifts are as well; listen to what they are saying. The best place to start though is to ask the One who gave you the gifts what He wants you do for Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what gifts He has given to you and how He wants you to use them. I am almost 52 and I still pray that prayer because I know I can deceive myself, thinking I have gifts I don't have. The priests should have been working with Jesus not against Him. Envy leads to dissention, factions and eventually to malice. And it was malice that caused the chief priests to call for the death of Jesus. Malice is envy at its worst since joy is attained through the pain of others, just the opposite of "loving my neighbor as myself." Get busy for your Lord and let Him reveal the unique gifts He has given to you!
Bless you,
Dan
Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries
Monday, June 16, 2008
No Comparison
Regular devotions will resume next week.
This week we are sharing an excerpt from Dan Owens book, A Joy That Is Real.
Take advantage of our SPECIAL OFFER RATE of only $4.50 (free shipping) and Order Now
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
(Philippians 3:7-11)
We compare all the time. We compare the old with the new; we compare our jobs, homes, possessions, and our families with other people. For some people, comparisons lead them to believe that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
In this passage, Paul compares a few things. After instructing the Philippians to put no confidence in the flesh, he tells them where they should put their confidence-in knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection.
Paul knew that his credentials were only good for this world. All the notoriety, all the accolades, and all his accomplishments were present gains that were nothing when compared to knowing Christ. He considered them rubbish-literally "garbage."
I have seen ministers come to Christ. It is quite a shock to most people, but I have seen pastors of all backgrounds come forward at evangelistic events and pray to accept Christ. It might be hard for some of us imagine. Some people are walking around like Paul was, trying to reach God by doing good deeds. Jesus finally came to Paul and showed him that he needed faith, because without it, nothing else matters.
G.K. Chesterton writes, "Let your religion be less of theory and more of a love affair." As a Pharisee, Paul certainly had the theory down, but he had to realize that faith was more important in bringing him to the point of salvation.
Unfortunately, humans have always wanted to make up rules for God. The Pharisees had more than six hundred rules and regulations. Keeping them supposedly would make them spiritual and bring them closer to God. As Paul looks back, he realizes that all those laws didn't do a bit of good. They were all worthless compared to knowing Jesus.
We have to ask ourselves: Would I consider everything I have as garbage compared to knowing Christ? Is he all I need?
Be blessed,
Dan
Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries
This week we are sharing an excerpt from Dan Owens book, A Joy That Is Real.
Take advantage of our SPECIAL OFFER RATE of only $4.50 (free shipping) and Order Now
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
(Philippians 3:7-11)
We compare all the time. We compare the old with the new; we compare our jobs, homes, possessions, and our families with other people. For some people, comparisons lead them to believe that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
In this passage, Paul compares a few things. After instructing the Philippians to put no confidence in the flesh, he tells them where they should put their confidence-in knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection.
Paul knew that his credentials were only good for this world. All the notoriety, all the accolades, and all his accomplishments were present gains that were nothing when compared to knowing Christ. He considered them rubbish-literally "garbage."
I have seen ministers come to Christ. It is quite a shock to most people, but I have seen pastors of all backgrounds come forward at evangelistic events and pray to accept Christ. It might be hard for some of us imagine. Some people are walking around like Paul was, trying to reach God by doing good deeds. Jesus finally came to Paul and showed him that he needed faith, because without it, nothing else matters.
G.K. Chesterton writes, "Let your religion be less of theory and more of a love affair." As a Pharisee, Paul certainly had the theory down, but he had to realize that faith was more important in bringing him to the point of salvation.
Unfortunately, humans have always wanted to make up rules for God. The Pharisees had more than six hundred rules and regulations. Keeping them supposedly would make them spiritual and bring them closer to God. As Paul looks back, he realizes that all those laws didn't do a bit of good. They were all worthless compared to knowing Jesus.
We have to ask ourselves: Would I consider everything I have as garbage compared to knowing Christ? Is he all I need?
Be blessed,
Dan
Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries
Monday, June 9, 2008
God is Benevolent
Dan Owens and the Eternity Minded Ministries' ministry team is returning from Iquitos Peru today. Regular devotions will resume next week.
This week we are sharing another excerpt from Dan Owens book, A Faith That Is Real.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
(James 1:16-18)
It is God's nature to give. In verse 17, James says, "Every good and perfect gift is rom above." God does not give us temptations. He gives us good and perfect gifts, and we receive those gifts every day.
One of the most encouraging things we can do is look at our day and try to identify all the gifts God has given us in it. Intead of going through the day complaining and being negative, we should go through our day looking at all the wonderful gifts he has bestowed upon us. We need to understand that God is benevolent and that every day he gives us gifts. He gives us the gift of laughter. Today, we can laugh, we can smile, we can have joy. Health is a gift. Family is a gift. We are able to enjoy the gift of nature all around us. Because of God's goodness to us, we have the gifts of love, friendship, and forgiveness. Here James is telling us, "Listen, God's not giving you a temptation. No, God is the benevolent Father who is giving you good and perfect gifts."
As the psalmist said of God, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters . . . my cup overflows" (Psalm 23:2, 5). Every good and perfect gift-love, laughter, family, nature, joy, friends, church, everything that we have-has come down from the Father who says, "I want to bless you with a gift."
I always enjoy reading in the Old Testament about the way God dealth with Israel. Through his servant Moses, God told his people:
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. (Deuteronomy 30:15-18)
As we read that passage, we would think that the choice would be obvious. Who wouldn't want to choose life and blessing? God warned the Israelites of what would happen to them if they disobeyed him, but they disobeyed anyway. And still, again and again, he allowed them to repent, and he blessed them. What a picture of the benevolence of God. But what a picture of the way we act toward his benevolence.
I love the story of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-32). It is one of the greatest illustrations of God's love. Even though the son disobeyed and disrespected his father, when he finally returned, the father not only welcomed his son back, but he ran out to meet him. God our father is waiting with open arms for us. He is running toward us, and he wants us to run to him.
When our kids are young, we like to pick them up, hug them hold them, and kiss their chubby little cheeks. But do they want that? Of course not-they would rather be playing. I think God's the same way. He tries to hold on to us, but we get distracted by "fun stuff" that we think we would rather be doing. "Come on spend some time with me," he says.
But we are full of excuses. "God, I've got so much to do today and so many people to meet. Maybe tonight . . . or tomorrow." Our Father wants to be with us, but we have to make time for him.
Henri Nouwen said it best in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. "Here is the God I want to believe in: a Father who, from the beginning of creation, has stretched out his arms in merciful blessing, never forcing himself on anyone, but always waiting; never letting his arms drop down in despair, but always hoping that his children will return so that he can speak words of love to them . . . his only desire is to bless."
Be blessed,
Dan
Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries
Monday, June 2, 2008
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Dan Owens and a ministry team of 31 believers are currently ministering to the people of Punchana, Iquitos, Peru.
The following is an excerpt from Dan Owens book, A Faith That Is Real.
For more information about our ministry in Iquitos or books by Dan Owens, visit www.eternityminded.org.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (James 1:16-18)
A seven-year old boy cannot stop fidgeting during Sunday school. He tries to pay attention, but it is so hard to sit still. Finally, he can't take it any longer, and he yells out to the teacher, "Can we hurry up? This is so boring."
A little girl turns quickly, punches him in the side, and says, "Be quiet. It's supposed to be boring."
One of my greatest fears when I am speaking is that people will think I am boring. I had some boring professors in college, and I have heard boring pastors at times. I don't want to be like them; I don't want to put people to sleep.
Are we bored with church and with God? Do we look at the world and think it looks like fun because God is so boring?" Do we feel that God is mundane?
If so, James says to us, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (1:16-17).
Why are we bored with God? Because our hearts are distracted by the world. We need a better understanding of who God is. We need to know his character. Then we can praise the God from whom all blessings flow.
God is Not Out to Destroy Us
The word James uses for God in this passage is Father (1:17). In Matthew 7:11, Jesus reminded us that even earthly fathers give good gifts to their children. How much more will our heavenly Father give us good gifts? Don't be deceived into thinking that somehow God is trying to trip you up and destroy you. He cares for you even more than an earthly father cares for his children.
I am worried somestimes by how easily I can be deceived. My mind plays tricks on me and tells me that something is okay when it's not. Someone once said, "The ingenuity of self-deception is inexhaustible." So James tells us not to be deceived. God is our Father, says James, and he is not trying to put sin in our way.
We cringe when we read stories in the newspaper of parents who have done horrible things to their kids. When we read a story about a mother who killed her own children, we groan inside and think, "How in the world could a parent do such a thing?"
When I think of my own kids, I can't imagine doing anything to cause them pain. But I have to remember that earthly fathers are not perfect. God, our heavenly Father, is perfect, and he does not want to see us in pain. James reminds us in the previous verses that God is not the one who tempts us. He does not seek to do us harm. On the contrary, he wants to bless us.
Be blessed,
Dan
Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries
The following is an excerpt from Dan Owens book, A Faith That Is Real.
For more information about our ministry in Iquitos or books by Dan Owens, visit www.eternityminded.org.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (James 1:16-18)
A seven-year old boy cannot stop fidgeting during Sunday school. He tries to pay attention, but it is so hard to sit still. Finally, he can't take it any longer, and he yells out to the teacher, "Can we hurry up? This is so boring."
A little girl turns quickly, punches him in the side, and says, "Be quiet. It's supposed to be boring."
One of my greatest fears when I am speaking is that people will think I am boring. I had some boring professors in college, and I have heard boring pastors at times. I don't want to be like them; I don't want to put people to sleep.
Are we bored with church and with God? Do we look at the world and think it looks like fun because God is so boring?" Do we feel that God is mundane?
If so, James says to us, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (1:16-17).
Why are we bored with God? Because our hearts are distracted by the world. We need a better understanding of who God is. We need to know his character. Then we can praise the God from whom all blessings flow.
God is Not Out to Destroy Us
The word James uses for God in this passage is Father (1:17). In Matthew 7:11, Jesus reminded us that even earthly fathers give good gifts to their children. How much more will our heavenly Father give us good gifts? Don't be deceived into thinking that somehow God is trying to trip you up and destroy you. He cares for you even more than an earthly father cares for his children.
I am worried somestimes by how easily I can be deceived. My mind plays tricks on me and tells me that something is okay when it's not. Someone once said, "The ingenuity of self-deception is inexhaustible." So James tells us not to be deceived. God is our Father, says James, and he is not trying to put sin in our way.
We cringe when we read stories in the newspaper of parents who have done horrible things to their kids. When we read a story about a mother who killed her own children, we groan inside and think, "How in the world could a parent do such a thing?"
When I think of my own kids, I can't imagine doing anything to cause them pain. But I have to remember that earthly fathers are not perfect. God, our heavenly Father, is perfect, and he does not want to see us in pain. James reminds us in the previous verses that God is not the one who tempts us. He does not seek to do us harm. On the contrary, he wants to bless us.
Be blessed,
Dan
Copyright 2008 Eternity Minded Ministries
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