NURTURED AND LOVED. NEVER WORSHIPPED

No child can learn discipline from a parent who turns a blind eye

George Sr. thought his life was about as good as it could possibly get.  After God blessed him and Sue with two lovely daughters, they found themselves the proud parents of a gorgeous baby boy.  They named him George Jr. and George Sr. promptly deposited on his son’s tiny shoulders dreams of a brilliant future.  George Sr. wanted his son to have all the advantages that he himself never had.  Nothing was too good for little Georgie, the apple of his father’s eye. 

AN ACCOMPLISHED SON

Georgie was an adorable precocious child with a lively imagination.  He quickly captivated adults with his friendly nature and sense of humor.  George Sr. continuously gave a long running tally of his son’s accomplishment to everyone in earshot.  Georgie’s future would far exceed the life of George Sr. The boy possessed a knack for quickly charming his father. Seldom did Georgie suffer from his bad behaviors.

ANOTHER FINE LOOKING SON

II Samuel tells of another father who took the easy road with his son.  Everyone agreed that Absalom, David’s son, was one fine-looking man.  Scripture says, “Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot.” (II Sam. 14:25).  If there had been a Mr. Israel Competition, Absalom would have won, hands-down.  As is often the case with parents of winsome children, David took the easy road and indulged his son. He let Absalom’s sins go far too long without discipline. 

THE SCHEMER

Absalom demonstrated a knack for making the most of every opportunity to promote his own schemes. God ordained that brother Solomon would be the next king, not Absalom. Regardless of God plan, people seemed only too glad to support “Mr. Israel”. Absalom led a revolt. The products of Absalom’s character were murder, arson, slander, and theft of the hearts of his father’s subjects. He thought nothing of shamelessly sleeping on the rooftop with his father’s harem.

Absalom met his ignominious end dangling from a tree by those gorgeous locks of hair everyone had earlier admired.  The man who erected a large monument to himself wound up being buried under a large heap of rocks in the forest.

NOT SO ENTERTAINING

No child can learn discipline from a parent who turns a blind eye.  Georgie is now an adult and has yet to learn that the world was not created for his own amusement.  The childish antics earlier charmed everyone. Nowadays, people do not find encounters with the adult Georgie entertaining.  George Sr. is bewildered by a son who changes hair color and professions at the drop of a hat.  He doesn’t understand this stranger who regards with contempt everything George Sr. holds dear.  The source of his joy has turned into a source of profound sorrow. 

David also mourned over the loss of his troubled son.  When David heard the news of his son’s death, his heart wailed, “Absalom, my son!  My son! If only I had died instead of you!” 

David and George Sr. loved greatly but learned too late that God cannot be left out of the parenting agenda. Children are to be nurtured and pruned (when necessary); never to be worshipped.

GLORIOUS FORGIVEN GLORIA

Are you the religious person with no joy?

And there she stands. Asked to share her new love for Jesus with the congregation, Gloria tentatively takes the mic.  Tattooed from head to foot, she wears a t-shirt with a beer company logo. Weeping, she describes her years of addiction and brokenness. Gloria is amazed that Jesus loves her, despite her baggage of sin. He died for her! As she tells her story, Gloria’s language is rough. She doesn’t know that there are certain words that church people don’t use. Mascara runs down her face as describes her beloved Savior.

CHURCH IS NOT A PLACE FOR WOMEN LIKE THAT

Deacon Roy is horrified. It takes every bit of willpower for him not to storm up to the mic and rip it from Gloria’s hands. Why is Pastor allowing Gloria to share her story? Church is not a place for women like that. Roy’s face flushes with rage. Immaculately dressed, He tightly grasps his red-letter edition of the Bible. Under his breath he utters a prayer, “Thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. Thank you God that Gloria isn’t related to me!”

Roy steers his family away from the likes of Gloria. He has served the church all his life, taught Sunday School, faithfully given 10%, and done his duty for God. His record is spotless. What rankles him the most are her words, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” Why doesn’t Gloria take the hint and worship elsewhere? There are surely more suitable places for a woman like her.

JESUS’ TAKE ON THE SAME STORY

Sadly, (names have been changed) the story of Gloria and Roy is true. This took place in my friend’s worship service. Jesus describes a similar story in Luke 19:9-14; the tale of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. Jesus observes (paraphrase my own), “I tell you, sinner Gloria, not Roy, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

God, in His patience, matured the tax-collector and Gloria in their faith. His Holy Spirit continues to transform Gloria’s heart (including her vocabulary). Today, she glows as one of the King’s beloved daughters. God burdens her to love on and reach similar women imprisoned in sin.

ROY’S PRISON OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

Alas, Roy (like the Pharisee) remains locked in a cell of self-righteousness. He may look all shiny and clean on the outside, but his Bible has never taken root in his heart. Occasionally Roy feels uneasy during his devotions. Recently, Roy read: You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain against one another, believers, so that you will not be judged [for it]. Look! The Judge is standing right at the door. (James 5:8-9)

Roy beamed when he read, “The Judge is standing right at the door.” Roy prayed, “Thank You God that in the end You will give sinners like Gloria what they deserve.” Glancing at his watch, Roy rushed out the door. He did not want to be late for church.

WHICH ARE YOU?

Which are you? Gloria or Roy? The one who revels in God’s forgiveness and reaches out to those desperately lost apart from God? Or are you the religious person in whom Scripture has never taken root? Jesus said, “Who are you to [hypocritically or self-righteously] pass judgment on your neighbor?” Time to fall on your knees before the One Who came to save us and all the Gloria’s of this world. Will you allow Him to love them through you?

TIME TO CLEANSE THE TEMPLE

Where is the quiet, gentle Jesus they know? Where did He get that whip?

Series 5, episode 2 of “The Chosen” can be quite thought provoking. Jesus appears in the Outer Court of the Temple. The occasion is Passover Week and Jerusalem is mobbed by visitors. The Temple Court overflows with animals sold for sacrifice. The money changers charge exorbitant fees to trade regular currency (which features the portraits of idols) to Temple currency. There is money to be made and no lack of greed.

WHERE IS QUIET GENTLE JESUS?

Jesus walks in, horrified at the mayhem in an area meant for prayer and worship of the Father. Out of His bag He takes a whip and begins to turn over the stands, chase out the animals and yell at the merchants. Shock registers on people’s faces. Where is the quiet, gentle Jesus they know? Who is this man demanding holiness and repentance? Where did He get that whip?

DEN OF THIEVES

The frightened disciples see the Roman guards. The guards’ purpose is to keep order. This is not orderly! Temple officials are furious that someone questions their money-making operation. Jesus is in tears and enraged that His Father’s house is a den of thieves.

CLEANING HOUSE

He sees the temple, meant to be a place of prayer for all nations, turned into a marketplace. Genuine worship is non-existent. Taking advantage of people is pre-eminent.  God’s design is for a house of prayer, a place to meet with God and worship Him. Stepping into the Temple courts, Jesus does not see any of this. Jesus sees avarice, extortion, and oppression. He responds by cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-16). The Son of God cleans house.

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR TEMPLE?

What does Jesus discover in the temple of your life? Each believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Is your relationship with Him a cornerstone of communion with God with a centerpiece of prayer? Have your turned down the noise in your life? Is it time to bring out the whip, turn over the stands, chase out the animals, and yell at the merchants? Better yet, time to shut down the computer, the phone, and clear the calendar? Are you living your temple purpose: prayer and worship of the Father?

INCONVENIENT LOVE THAT HONORS

Pastor Powell lived a life honoring others above himself even during the most difficult circumstances.

Pastor Powell was authentic. Consistently gracious, he consistently cared deeply for us even though my husband, Bill, was only part-time on the church staff. The year Bill came on board was in the midst of rough professional waters for Pastor P. A contingent of unhappy congregants wanted major changes which included booting out Pastor P. Rather than causing a church split, Pastor P made the decision to resign and pastor a much smaller struggling congregation.

Remaining friends, Bill went to visit Pastor P. The gentleman was just as gracious as ever to Bill. In their conversation, He prayed the best for Bill. Pastor P did not vent about the congregants who threw him under a bus. He honored others above himself. I felt severe loss a year later when Pastor P died suddenly of Epstein-Barr virus.

LOVE THAT HONORS

“To honor” means to hold someone or something in high regard, treating them with respect, esteem, and reverence, and recognizing their value and worth. Pastor P was a man of principle; one who consistently treated others both with compassion and honor. He treated with respect those believers who vilified him.

LOVING THE UNLOVABLE

Pastor P took Romans 12:1-2, the passage about a renewed mind, to heart. He responded in his behavior to the mercies of God with a renewed heart. Romans 12:10 uses the Greek word phileo for love. This is the family love of those living in community. It’s the kind of love where you not only invite the guests inside, but you make sure they have the best seats and food at the table. It’s love which actively pursues what is noble and best for others. It honors even the unlovable.

SLOW DOWN AND SAVOR

True love is fervent, relentless and may seem impractical. In Romans 12:9-21 there are 13 exhortations concerning love in this passage. Seems a little bit much. How can these admonitions make a difference in our lives? By slowing down. Don’t just fly at 560 miles an hour above a grove of fruit trees, look down and say, “My, what an impressive grove of fruit trees.” Instead, land the plane and walk through the grove. Stop and pick the fruit and eat it. Slow down and relish the beauty and the sweetness of these 13 exhortations. Meditate on the words and let them sink in. Romans 12 must be savored for true love to take root in our lives.

FAKE LOVE

What does “sincere love that honors” mean? Ray Stedman observes: “the English word sincere comes from the Latin sincerus, which means ‘without wax.’ It stems from a practice of the early Roman merchants who set their earthen and porcelain jars out for sale. If a crack appeared in one, they would fill it with wax the same color as the jar, so a buyer would not be aware of the crack. But astute buyers learned to hold these jars out in the sun, and if the jar was cracked, the wax would melt, and the crack would be revealed. So, the honest merchants would test their wares this way and mark them sincerus — without wax.”

This is sincere honorable love. Authentic. It is the honorable conduct I witnessed all those years ago in Pastor P. Love that honors makes a huge impact. When I get to heaven, after seeing Jesus, Pastor P is one of the first people I want to see. He took the passage about a renewed mind and properly responded in his behavior to the 13 exhortations. Pastor Powell lived a life honoring others above himself even during the most difficult circumstances.

Take time. Savor the 13 and let true love take root in your life.

MIRACULOUS FORGIVENESS

The world took notice of how the Amish reacted, and they were astonished at such grace in a time of despair.

On October 2, 2006, at 10 am, a mass shooting took place at an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, a rural village in Pennsylvania. A young man, married and the father of three, entered an Amish schoolhouse. He ordered all to leave, except the young Amish girls. After a standoff with the police, the man shot 10 girls, killing 5 of them, including himself.

The news of this terrific tragedy spread throughout the rolling hills of this bucolic community. Amish and non-Amish alike began to mourn for these innocent young children and their families. No one was able to understand why a person would commit such a depraved act. What drove him to do harm to his friends and neighbors, let alone innocent children?

FORGIVENESS IN ACTION

All of this was confusing and beyond comprehension. But as it turned out, it wasn’t the only thing that caused people to scratch their heads. The same afternoon after the shooting, some Amish neighbors visited the wife and children of that murderer to comfort them in their time of sorrow and pain. They wanted to express their forgiveness for the actions of a troubled man. Their forgiveness was not just a polite gesture; it was wrapped in kindness and love. The Amish even attended the funeral of the killer. Amish mourners outnumbered non-Amish. The world took notice of how the Amish reacted, and they were astonished at such grace in a time of despair. What they were seeing was forgiveness in action.

HOW MUCH FORGIVENESS?

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-13).  God commands us to forgive those who have committed grievance (suffering or distress) against us. What degree forgiveness? Does this just apply to the neighbor who always mows his grass early on Saturday as you are trying to sleep? Or what about your fellow worker who makes jokes about you whenever you happen to be out of the office? Or more seriously is this the man who ran over your dog and never even apologized?

Remember, you’re one of God’s chosen people, you’re holy and loved. How can you find a way to forgive that co-worker and also resolve the situation (if that is possible)? Can you do it with real compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? All of these are difficult but not impossible.

HOW WERE YOU FORGIVEN?

What stands out in is when the Lord said, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you”. How did the Lord forgive you? Did He give you a test to find out what kind of person you are? Has He checked your credentials? Did He ask your neighbors to write you references? None of that. Just the opposite. Romans 5:10 says that when He reconciled us (He saved us) we were enemies of God! We were on the opposite side of truth.

REAL FORGIVENESS

That’s what real forgiveness is, when you choose to forgive someone because you have the humility, kindness, and compassion of Christ. We often weigh the injustices people do to us and then decide whether forgiveness is necessary. But if we follow the command of Christ, we must realize, it isn’t about the wrong someone committed. Rather, we must forgive, just as Christ has forgiven us, unconditionally. Forgiveness, just as the world saw given by the Amish in the Nickel Mines community. This makes the world notice and wonder at such grace only found through Jesus Christ.

MY UNUSUAL SUMMER

My vision went wonky, and I discovered I have severe edema (swelling) against the macula in my left eye. How does this all fit with the goodness of God?

This summer is quite different than I imagined. At the beginning of the year, I planned a restorative time, sitting on my back porch. The high point would be a two-week missions trip to Thailand. How this has panned out is quite the opposite (except I do have my back porch). My plans came to nothing. In March, my application was denied for the Thailand trip. The same month, I managed to fall backwards against a concrete block wall. I was gifted with a compound fracture of the T-2 vertebrae in my back. My attitude plummeted with both the application denial and the fractured back. What was God thinking?

WHERE IS THE GOODNESS OF GOD?

Then my vision went wonky, and I discovered I have severe edema (swelling) against the macula in my left eye. That same week I was diagnosed with a sinus infection. Down for the count. How does this all fit with the goodness of God? I planned a summer of service and renewal. What is God thinking?

GOD’S CHARACTER

What brings me comfort during this summer? God’s character. “I will feed My flock and I will let them lie down [to rest],” says the Lord God.  “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bandage the crippled, and strengthen the weak and the sick (Ezekiel 34:15-16).

THE BIG ASK

I’ve spent a great deal of time sitting on my back porch, reading (days when my vision is not wonky), and praying. God chooses to make me lie down. Why? In His wisdom, it could all be related to the “Big Ask” I made in the Spring. I asked God for 10 women to build relationships with this summer which would glorify Him and bring mutual spiritual growth.

Did God give me the excitement of a trip to Thailand? How about a body that has felt terrific? No. What He has given me is a body which is not 100% and must totally rely on Him to function. But best of all (as of the count today), God’s given me 14 women to enrich my life. Whether our conversations are by text, phone, or in person – God drives the conversations every time. It is beautiful to see how this plays out. He feeds me, makes me lie down, bandages me, and gives me the strength to continue. Every conversation after conversation, God is present.

What a delightful God we have. My January plans have not worked out, but His plans are so much better!

MIRACLE AT MYSTIC

What strikes me as I listen to interviews is a simultaneous chorus of both heartbreak and faith.

You probably witnessed a miracle this past week. Possibly you did not even notice what you observed. It is horrifying to view the devastation from the flooding in Texas, especially at Mystic Camp for Girls. Did you notice that the commentators kept calling it “a Christian Camp”. Why did they keep repeating the moniker “Christian”? Christian is not in the name of the camp.

Loss of life is loss of life. The resulting heartbreak pulverizes the soul, regardless of one’s religious connections. The death of young girls is especially appalling. So why did the reporters feel the need to keep repeating “a Christian Girl’s Camp”?

SATAN’S FIELD DAY

I think they did so because Satan planned on a field day. He wants individuals to ask, “What if God cannot protect His own; little girls at a Christian camp? What if He is powerless and flawed?” Satan desires that the world make all kinds of false assumptions regarding God’s character.

SIMULTANEOUS CHORUS OF HEARTBREAK AND FAITH

What strikes me as I listen to interviews is a simultaneous chorus of both heartbreak and faith. Parents broken yet utterly relying on God and His character. People who still choose to trust God, regarding of whether their daughters are rescued or their bodies are recovered.

PRAY..ABOVE ALL, PLEASE PRAY

A recurrent question in the interviews is, “What can we do to help?” Overwhelmingly, the answer is “Pray; above all, please pray.” Prayers that will press shattered hearts toward God.

PRESSING INTO GOD

Pressing into God? Joni Erickson Tada has been quadriplegic for more than 2/3’s of her life due to a diving accident. During her first two years, post-accident, she experienced anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, and religious doubts. A friend visited her and made a difficult statement: “God put you in that chair Joni. I don’t know why, but if you’ll trust Him instead of fighting Him, you’ll find out why – if not in this life, then in the next. He let you break your neck because He loves you.” At the time, Joni thought those words sounded awfully harsh from her teenaged friend.

Years later, Joni wrote in the book When God Weeps: “Hardships press us against God. God always seems bigger to those who need Him most.”  

TRUSTING GOD FULLY

After an especially dark period of his life, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth: “We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! (II Corinthians 1:8-11).

Apostle Paul thoughtfully wrote: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39). May I suggest a daily prayer: “Lord, I don’t know what you have in store for me today, but may it press me into You.”

HALFWAY LIVING

Half obedience is no obedience at all! Half love is no love at all!

Hal Halfway loves the Viking Cruise motto, “Time is the only truly scarce commodity.” This invigorates him to severely economize his time, whether in relationships or affiliations. While having coffee with a friend, Hal abruptly leaves whenever he had finishes ½ of his drink. Hal does not care if the conversation is completed. If Hal meets a newcomer at church, he never travels beyond the initial pleasantries. Afterall, he only has so much time to spare. Mr. Halfway loves volunteering at his church but in honoring his new economy of time, he makes sure that in helping at VBS, he leaves every evening at the ½ way point. Hal cannot believe all the time he saves. He takes pride in his great reserves of time.

A HALF DONE OPERATION

Recent events have caused Mr. Halfway to reconsider his attitude toward time. He had a serious car accident. Serious injuries required immediate surgery. While getting prepped for surgery, Hal enthusiastically told the surgeon about his attitude regarding time. The surgeon was intrigued. Unbeknownst to Mr. Halfway, the surgeon stopped the Hal’s operation at the halfway point. Out the door exited the surgeon with Mr. Halfway still on the operating table. Think of all that time the surgeon saved!

JESUS NEVER SKIMPED

So glad that Jesus never subscribed to Mr. Halfway’s economy of time. Even happier that Jesus never skimped by economizing His relationship to both God and to people. Jesus lived for completeness, not economy. He always fully engaged. No miracles ever left ½ completed; no ½ resurrection; no ½ payment for our sins. All interactions fully settled.

ETERNAL LIVING

Jesus didn’t carry on distracted conversations, anxiously looking over the person’s shoulder, hoping to move on to someone of more important rank. He completely loved and loves individuals, giving them His full attention. Jesus never views time as the “only truly scarce commodity” because Jesus lives in eternity.

Who else lives in eternity? Believers! Right now, we are living in eternity. In such a landscape, there are two main pillars: obedience to God and love for God and people. Half obedience is no obedience at all! Half love is no love at all! Eternal living is as vast as God Himself.

Jesus said, I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing (John 15:9-17).

God wants us to live new lives in Him with complete and overflowing joy, not stuck in economizing. Jesus never does anything ½ way and neither should we. Mr. Halfway does not fit into God’s lavish plan of living fully. God’s design is obedience and love as expansive as God Himself.

BUILT FOR COMMUNITY

In his plea to end his life, Elijah made a fatal assumption by concluding that he alone was faithful. Elijah needed both purpose and community.

In I Kings 19 the prophet is exhausted, lonely, and cut off after what should have been a huge victory. The Israelites recently witnessed a massive showdown between their idol Baal and Jehovah God. God performs a throwdown with a massive lightening punch from heaven. It screams the truth of Who God is.

GOD LIGHTS UP THE SKY

Baal’s followers ran around yelling and cutting themselves. They thought all that self-mutilation would get Baal’s attention. After hours of no response from Baal, Elijah pours gallons and gallons on his sacrifice and utters a prayer. God lights up the sky. Elijah’s sacrifice burns perfectly to a crisp. It should have been game over. Elijah’s prayers bring an end to a 7-year drought. The Israelites should have fallen on their knees, promising to never return to idol worship.

HEARTBROKEN ELIJAH

But the Queen is not too pleased with Elijah’s honoring God (and the execution of her star prophets). She puts out a contract on Elijah’s life. Elijah runs for the hills. The cowardly Israelites don’t run alongside him. Elijah is heartbroken. He feels his age. All the signs and wonders do not break the stranglehold of sin on his people.

PRAYED THAT HE MIGHT DIE

I Kings 19:4, Elijah “prayed that he might die.” He declares, “I have had enough Lord. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” What he had viewed as a huge win for God now looks like smoke and mirrors. He can’t see God’s hand.

ELIJAH’S BONE TO PICK

God sends an angel who to feeds Elijah. Elijah wakes up, is fed again and Elijah makes the trip to Mt. Horeb. Elijah has a bone to pick with God. He may have rested, but his mouth vents an extensive list of complaints.

GOD’S WHISPER

The Lord tells Elijah to stand by the mountain. A mighty windstorm breaks out, an earthquake shakes the ground, a firestorm scorches the earth. Yet, God is not there. A whisper comes. This is the voice of God. He gives Elijah purpose: three people to anoint. Furthermore, he lets Elijah know he is not alone. There are 7,000 other Israelites who have not retreated to idolatry. God gives Elijah community both in the 7,000 and also in the person of Elisha.

ELIJAH NEEDED COMMUNITY

All the time Elijah thought he was the lone wolf, the sole person sticking up for God, he was not alone. In his plea to end his life, Elijah made a fatal assumption by concluding that he alone was faithful. Elijah needed both purpose and community.

BUILT FOR COMMUNITY

God has built us for community. Arthur W. Lindsley observes, “If we do not make a commitment to a particular body of believers, we will never have in-depth community. This problem of idealism or perfectionism manifests itself often in people’s lives. I have seen a pattern in what happens. First, an individual or a couple joins a church thinking that the pastor, worship, fellowship, etc. is great. They give glowing recommendations to others. However, after a few years (or months) they begin to be dissatisfied with the sermons, the pastor and the church leadership, members of the congregation, the worship style, or some other fault. They leave and move to another church where the cycle starts again. They have found again the perfect church. But, no, after a time it is not perfect. So, they church hop for the rest of their lives or just give up.”

DON’T GIVE UP

Don’t give up and cut yourself off like Elijah. That never ends well. Ask God for a community of believers who follow the simple principles of the early church. Acts 2:42- 44: All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. Don’t assume you have to live like Elijah. You are built for community.

THE MESSY CHURCH

“Holy people”? Doesn’t sound like the elders, Mrs. K, Chris, Peter, Randy or Sally received that memo.

The cauldron boiled at the First Church of Chaos. Resentments filled the air the evening the elders engaged in a nasty exchange over who was the best pastor: Peter, Chris, or Arty. Then there was the string of lawsuits regarding Mrs. K’s son vandalizing the 2 Lexuses belonging to church elders and Peter’s backing into Chris’ Tesla. Who forgot the tale of 30-year-old Randy’s romantic entanglement with his 40-year-old stepmother? The icing on the cake was the communion service where Sally spiked the grape juice with vodka.

WHAT A MESS!

Shameful! Out of control behavior! If you read I Corinthians chapters 1, 5, 6, & 11, these behaviors are just a glimpse of the conduct of the Corinthian Church. With all that going on, how could the Apostle Paul address the Corinthians with their call to holiness? Paul writes, “I am writing to God’s church in Corinth to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus,just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours” (I Cor. 1:2). “Holy people”? Doesn’t sound like the elders, Mrs. K, Chris, Peter, Randy or Sally received that memo.

WHAT DOES GOD DO WITH A HAYWIRE CONGREGATION?

The Apostle Paul continues, “He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Cor. 1:8-9). Can God be faithful to a congregation gone haywire?

THE TRUE CHURCH

What actually is the true church? Pastor Steve Hubbard observes: “It is not just a group of religious people gathered together to enjoy certain mutually desired functions. It is a group of people who share the same life, who belong to the same Lord, who are filled with the same Spirit, who are given gifts by that same Spirit, and who are intended to function together to change the world by the life of God.” Notice the word “same”; it’s a word representing unity.

IMPORTANCE OF UNITY

Over time, the Corinthians lost sight God’s instructions for unity. “Make it your aim to be at one in the Spirit, and you will inevitably be at peace with one another. You all belong to one body, of which there is one Spirit, just as you all experienced one calling to one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, one Father of us all, who is the one over all, the one working through all and the one living in all. (Ephesians 4:5-6).

SOMETHING ROTTEN

First Church of Chaos and the Corinthians suffered greatly. A local church can be much like Noah’s Ark. If not for the storm outside, you couldn’t stand the smell inside. Yet, the Apostle Paul remarks, “If one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering.”

GOD’S PROMISE

Yes, we live in a messy world. Most churches have members like Chris, Arty, Peter, Mrs. K., Randy and Sally. However, take heart. In church community, true believers have a promise. “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).