What is Freedom?

When people think of freedom they often think of a life without boundaries. An autonomous life that does not have to submit to authority but can do whatever the heart desires whenever the heart wants it.

What's interesting about this idea of freedom is that it often leads to slavery. Slavery to selfishness. Slavery to success. Slavery to sin.

Think about it.

The freedom that is believed to come from lots of money could lead to slavery to success and maintaining the lifestyle that often comes with lots of money. More slavery.

Freedom to do whatever you want could land you in addiction. More slavery.

Freedom from worrying about others makes you just think about yourself. More slavery.

Real freedom is not without boundaries but living in what the Psalmist describes as the wide open spaces of God's precepts.

Listen to Psalm 119:32:
"I will run in the way of your commandments for you set my heart free"

Freedom is found in the midst of boundaries!

He goes on in verses 43-45:
"And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.
I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,
And I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts."

The freedom that the Psalmist rejoices in is a freedom with boundaries.

Freedom is not found in autonomy (I'm in charge of myself. I do what I want when I want) but is found in surrendering to the boundaries God has established. When we step outside of those boundaries, we are no longer in the wide open spaces of freedom, but we are in the constricting, suffocating, barely able to move woods of slavery.

We only come to truly recognize the joy of the freedom found in God's "wide open spaces" through Jesus Christ. John 8:32 and 36 show us that freedom is found only in the Truth and that Truth is realized in Jesus Christ alone!

This week live in the joy of the wide open spaces that God has created for us in the safe boundaries of his precepts (teachings). Enjoy the freedom. Stop testing the boundaries and longing for the woods of slavery.

The Gospel of Greed

A Problem



A Response

Christians & Technology

The rise of technology just in the span of my life has been meteoric. It's amazing how much things have changed even in the past 6 years...since Facebook first came on the scene. Check out this video for a taste of the significance of social networking and internet influence:


With these technological advancements come good and bad

Social networking sites offer unprecedented opportunities for communication and contact-and that is both the promise and the peril of the technology (Al Mohler)

What are the benefits of technology? What are the benefits of technology for the Church?

Jesus' great commission is well known and in the days of the early church God had prepared the way for the first missionaries to travel all over the known world in safety and speed due to the Pax Romana. The conquering peace throughout the region and the height of Roman technology (their roads) allowed for the swift spread of the Gospel. Today that opportunity for a "swift spread" is even greater.

For $1300 we can travel to the other side of the world in under 48 hours. In seconds we can find ourselves playing checkers with someone in the middle east. Technology affords avenues for the swift spread of the Truth of Jesus Christ like never before. Fulfilling the great commission is easier today than at any other time in history. But are we making the most of it?

All too often the technology that is around us does not lead to a greater fervor for the completion of our mission as the Church. Instead technology leads us to laziness. We want things fast and easy. But that is not the way sanctification works

The patter is this: the greater joys are obtained through struggle and pain, while brief, unsatisfying and often destructive joys are right at our fingertips. Why is this? (John Piper)

You have to make yourself pick up that nourishing theological book while watching a movie can feel so inviting (John Piper)

You frequently have to force yourself to get to devotions and pray while sleeping, reading the sports, and checking Facebook seem effortless. (John Piper)

How are you using technology? Are you using it to the Glory of God and for the spread of his fame around the globe...or is it a time-suck leading to laziness and sin?

One last thought from John Piper:

One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.

For more thoughts from Al Mohler on social networking and Christians, check out his article Facebook Turns Five: Thoughts on Social Networking

Sin? Why Not?

Want to live with poisonous snakes? A guy from England has decided he does. Here's a report from SkyNews:

A Sussex carpenter is hoping to break a world record by spending nearly four months in a room with some of the world's mos venomous snakes.

David Jones, 44, from Crawley, will carry out his 121-day challenge in Johannesburg on April 24.

His room-mates will include deadly puff adders, snouted cobras, boomslangs and green and black mambas.

That's CRAZY! I can, without a doubt, say that's something I would never do. But there are plenty of things I have done, and will probably do again, that are dangerous to my life, peace and joy. Daily we walk right into sin despite its deadly consequences. Why is this? Maybe its because we have an incorrect perspective of what sin is. Maybe its because we don't believe the consequences.

Here's a quote to help you get the right perspective of sin:

Sin, biblically speaking, is not only the absence of good. It also entails our active opposition to God. It is, then, the defiance of his authority, the rejection of his truth, the challenge to his sovereignty in which we set ourselves up in life to live the way we want to live. It is the way we wrench ourlseves free from obedience to him, cut ourselves off from his grasp, and refuse to let him be God. It is therefore all the ways we live life on our own terms, to our own ends, with accountability to no one but ourselves...the target missed, the path abandoned, the authority defied, the law transgressed are in each and every case God's. Sin is all about taking issue with God, defying him, refusing to submit to him, and displacing him from the center of existence.

David F. Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant, Page 102

Sin is not just about breaking a rule, its about defying God directly.

And this God that we so quickly and easily defy on a daily basis has given us ample warning as to the dangers of sin. Check out a few from Hosea 13:

Sin leads to death (v1)
Sin encourages sin (v2)
Sin is a waste of the talents God has given you (v2b)
Sin is a waste of the small amount of time you have (v3)
Sin ignores the goodness & greatness of God (v4-7)
Sin invites the wrathful discipline of God (v7-11)
Sin continued makes repentance difficult (v12-14)
Sin’s pleasures won’t last (v15-16)

There comes a point where you have to take the warnings and the consequences seriously...now is the time!

Cross Central-Worse off than Frogs

You may have heard it said that the greatest display of love is the cross, and, in fact, it is an intense display of love. But what makes it such an intense display of love?

1. God shows his love by the intensity of his sacrifice

In Revelation 19:16 Jesus is described as the King of kings and Lord of lords. John 3:16 defines Jesus as the only Son of God. Hebrews 3:18 reminds us that Jesus is eternal and unchanging.

This isn't just some man dying for other men. This is the infinite, eternal ruler of the universe dying for his creation.

We tend to place men at a high place, separate from all other creation, but he true separation is between God and all he has made, including man.

There is a saying that goes:

Christ didn't die for frogs. So he was responding to our value as humans.

This saying implies that we deserved to be died for because we are so awesome. John Piper has a better way of looking at our position as humans:

We are worse off than frogs. They have not sinned. They have not rebelled and treated god with the contempt of being inconsequential in their lives. God did not have to die for frogs. They aren't bad enough. We are. Our debt is so great, only a divine sacrifice could pay it. (50 Reasons Jesus came to Die, p29)

2. God shows his love by the intensity of our unworthiness to be saved
According to Romans 5:7-8 we deserve divine punishment, not divine sacrifice, but that is exactly what we get: divine sacrifice that leads to eternal life.

While we were still sinners Christ died for us!

We benefit from the riches of his grace!

It's true that the cross is a great example of God's love for us. It is an intense example of God's love for us. But remember that its intensity is related to our sinfulness and his sacrifice. Don't let the cross make you proud by thinking, "Jesus died for me!" Instead let it humble you as you think, "Jesus died for me!"

Dumpster Juice or Jesus?

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

Food, money, relationships, stuff...life. What is your treasure? Something eternal or something that will quickly fade with life and death. In Philippians 3 Paul encourages us with the treasure of his life, Christ. He considers everything else to be trash compared to the worth of Christ. This doesn't mean that food, money, relationships and stuff have no value, temporally, but compared to the eternal value of Christ they are like that juice you find at the bottom of the dumpster.

So, how do we value Christ? How do we use money, food, relationships and stuff in a way that shows the world we treasure Christ more?

Check out this John Piper Sermon Jam:



"The way we display the supreme worth of Jesus is by treasuring him above all things and then making choices which make the joy we have in his supreme worth manifest." (John Piper)

People need to see that we treasure Christ. That we treasure our relationship with him. That we understand the supreme value of eternity versus stuff.

Treasure Christ this week by keeping an eternal perspective in everything.

ULead-Cheapened Grace

Here's a little recap of what Evan taught us last night:

Romans 5:18-6:7

Grace is mercy and forgiveness that we do not deserve that is given to us freely.

We benefit from this grace in several ways:
Forgiveness
New Creation
Eternal Life

We cheapen grace as we continue in sin and live as if we are not the new creation that God has made us into. God's grace is special and beautiful but we often live as if it's common and cheap.

Like a pig that has just been washed will immediately return to the mud, we often return to the mud of our sin even though we have been cleaned by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

If we are these new creations, why do we transform back into these junk Camaro's? (Like bumblebee in Transformers 1)

"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." (Romans 6:6)

ULead-What's your purpose?

Last Night Paige encouraged us how we can be sure we are living in God's purposes for us as adults. She reminded us that it starts right now with 4 things God commands all Christians to be involved in:

1. A relationship with Christ-If you are not in Christ then you cannot know or follow the plan God has for you.
2. Spiritual growth-We must develop the mind of Christ, growing in wisdom
3. Connection with the church-for encouragement and accountability. This will help us stay on the right path
4. Sharing our faith-a command for all Christians, no matter how young or old.

If we will do these 4 things NOW then we will stay on the path has for us, leading us exactly where he wants us to be in the future. God promises to complete the work the has started in us and promises to take us exactly where he wants us to go. But we can't sit around and wait for that to happen. We have to be active NOW in the things we KNOW he has already commanded us to do.

Follow and obey in the small things now and you will find it easier to follow and obey in the big things later!

What is Fellowship

At the Flood Zone last night we used our concordances and looked for principles of what true, Biblical fellowship is. Here's what we found:

1. Fellowship takes devotion (Acts 2:42)

2. Fellowship is found in a common relationship with Jesus (1 John 1:3-7)

3. Fellowship includes encouragement, accountability, protection, and makes the Christian walk easier. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

4. Fellowship brings joy, unity and amplifies love. (Philippians 2:1)

5. Fellowship is restorative (Galatians 6:1-2)

Be encouraged toward true Biblical fellowship!


6. Fellowship produces wisdom (Proverbs 13:10)

7. Fellowship is family (John 1:12)

Questions Answered: When Does Shyness become Sinfulness?

Often people relate their emotions to just being a part of their personality. This is especially true about uncomfortable parts of someone’s personality. If a person is grouchy or off-putting, that behavior is often excused by friends as just a personality quirk. The same can be said about shyness. Shyness is regularly excused in teenagers and adults as “just a personality quirk.” It’s accepted and often expected in children and excused as a natural reaction to an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation. But is it natural and should it be so easily accepted and excused?

All of us have been shy at one time or another. Many people would consider themselves to be shy. I think we all know someone that w would describe as shy. So, here's a question: can shyness be sinful, and if so, when does shyness become sinfulness?

Defining Shyness:In humans, shyness (also called diffidence) is a social psychology term used to describe the feeling of apprehension, lack of confidence, or awkwardness experienced when a person is in proximity to, approaching, or being approached by other people, especially in new situations or with unfamiliar people. Shyness may come from personality introversion, genetic traits, or the environment in which a person is raised. (from wikipedia)

To discover when shyness becomes sinfulness we need to take the mask off of shyness.
What is really going on when shyness takes over? What is the foundation of shyness? Where does it come from? Why does an outgoing and happy person suddenly run for cover at the first uncomfortable situation? In short, why are we shy?

Let's take the mask of shyness by exploring how it is based in 3 areas that lean toward sinfulness.

Shyness is Low Self-Esteem (AKA-Lack of Confidence)
The lie of self-esteem: Self-esteem is just the world’s way of telling you that you’re not good enough but it’s up to you to make yourself good enough. The very popular and oft taught idea of self-esteem is in direct contradiction to the Truth of Christ.
Philippians 3:3-we are not supposed to put any confidence in the flesh.
Ephesians 2:8-10-Our worth is not based in ourselves but in Christ alone and that worth does not grow or diminish.

When you walk around in shyness based on low self-esteem you reject the worth that Christ alone has paid into our lives by his death. In this we are sinning in our shyness. Reject the world's idea of self-esteem and embrace the only true worth that exists-Christ-esteem.

Shyness is Fear
Often depending on self-confidence that just isn’t there can lead to the 2nd face of shyness: fear. This is especially true in children. It’s expected and excused in children. But then it creeps into our lives as teens and adults and can become paralyzing. Again, there is a problem with fear as it relates to Christians living lives of trust in Christ and his Word.
2 Timothy 1:7-8a-In Christ there is no place for a lifestyle of fear or low self-confidence because we have been given power
Isaiah 41:10-if we have confidence in God’s truth then we will not fear

When you walk around in shyness based on fear you are rejecting the promises and power of God in your life.

Shyness is Selfishness
If we are honest with ourselves we will see the 3rd face of shyness is the one that usually appears. There have been a lot of times where we’ve done things we didn’t think we could do or done things that scare us, but when selfishness creeps in we’ll appeal to shyness to avoid having to do something we just don’t want to do.

I call this “manufactured shyness for personal comfort”. That means it’s not really shyness, it’s just a convenient excuse to not do what you don’t want to do.

This is the pinnacle of pride: putting your desires above someone else and even above God’s desires for your life. We know that God hates pride and deception (Proverbs 6:16-17) so it’s easy to see how this “manufactured shyness” is sinful.

How could shyness impact ministry and these good works that God has created us for?

Shyness as low self-esteem-”I Can’t”
Shyness as fear-”I’m scared”
Shyness as selfishness-”I don’t want to”

The excuse of shyness when it relates to ministry results in a failure to witness, a failure to encourage new believers, a failure to teach, a failure to pray, a failure to volunteer and multiple other ministry crippling failures. I do not deny that shyness is a part of some people's nature (it's even a part of mine) but I do deny that shyness is ever a valid excuse to avoid engaging in ministry. God knows your propensity toward shyness when he calls you to a ministry opportunity and promises power, courage, confidence and everything we need for every good work he calls us to do.

The next time you feel and urging by the Holy Spirit or are encouraged by a spiritiual leader to do something and you feel shyness creeping in, check it up and make sure your shyness is not just a cover/excuse for lack of confidence, fear or selfishness.

Questions Answered: Is It Ok that I Don't Like the President?

Think about some things that you just don't like. Here are a few that come to mind for me:

-Onions
-Country Music
-Cream Cheese
-Stores that only have one register open at the busiest time of day
-Yard Word
-Ice Dancing
-House (the TV show-it's the same thing every week...it got annoying), CSI Miami, CSI New York, CSI Clarksville (any CSI but the original)

Is it OK that I don't like these things? Absolutely! It is completely within my rights to not like these things.

How do we usually treat the things we don't like?
-we ignore them
-we tear them down with our words. Criticize them. Make "disgusted" sounds when presented with them
-we criticize others who like it
-we try to convince others how bad it is

I hear a lot of talk these days (and heard a lot of talk the previous 8 years) about people who don't like the President. Today it's talk against President Obama. In the past (and even presently) it was talk against Presidents Bush (1 & 2), Clinton, Regan, and on down the line (even Lincoln). Is it OK that people don't like the president? Absolutely! It is completely within anyone's right to not like the policies or even the personality of the leader of our country.

BUT! There is a BIG problem. Here it is...

If we, as Christians, react toward the President in the same ways we react to other things we don't like (onions for instance...blech!) then, I believe, we cross a line into sin. We Christians are good at showing hate toward something or someone and calling it passion or righteous anger.

Understand that I am not saying we can't dislike or disagree with current policy and that we cannot voice our disapproval of certain positions. We should defend what is right and speak against what is wrong. It's about HOW we do it and how I have noticed Christians expressing their disapproval of the President. Using words like "clueless", "idiot", "antichrist", or comparing him to Batman's Joker, Hitler and Cuban revolutionaries may be protected under our right to freedom of speech but is a "right" Christians should be quick to give up.

Here are 4 Biblical ways to speak of the President or any authority in your life:

1. Ephesians 4:29-Avoid corrupt speech. Understand the issues and discuss them intelligently. Know why you hold the position you hold on an issue. Don't resort to verbal attacks and cutting words to pinpoint your dislike for the President and his policies.

2. Colossians 4:6-Season your speech with grace. When speaking of authority, don't forget Grace. Remember the Grace that was poured into your life that rescued you from sinful pursuits and a futile mind.

3. 1 Timothy 2:1-4-Pray for those in authority over you. The next time you start to criticize and tear down any authority ask yourself if you have been faithful in the command to pray for them. We are often too quick to speak out with man's answers when we have not spent any time seeking the face of God.

4. Proverbs 21:1-Remember God's Sovereignty. God is not surprised by who is in authority. In fact he holds the hearts of kings in his hands. He is the King of kings. Speak truth and continue to trust God's plan for his world and the leaders he has established.

We would do well to remember these as they apply not only to our president but to the way we deal with our parents, pastors, teachers, coaches, band directors, bosses and more.

ULead: Faith

Last night at Flood Zone Drew took the ULead challenge and taught us 2 very important Truths about faith from Hebrews 11:1-3. I wanted to remind you of those Truths and challenge you to live them out THIS WEEK!

Truth 1: Faith has FULL CONFIDENCE in God (Hebrews 11:1-2)
God is faithful to fulfill his promises so we can live with full hope and confidence that our faith will be realized. But we can't expect God to fulfill ALL our hopes. If you hope is for a big house with a pool and 6 cars then God is not obligated to reward your hope of faith. If, however, your hope of faith is in having your every need provided for then you can have full confidence that God will do it. Drew reminded us that we can hope in things that God has already promised in his Word, hope in ways that Christ hoped and hope in ways that honor God and will grow his kingdom.

Truth 2: Faith must trust the Spirit, not senses (Hebrews 11:3)
I love the way that God responds to Job in Job 38:
¹Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
²"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ³Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.

⁴"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
⁵Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
⁶On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
⁷when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Experience does not make truth. Just because you have not touched, smelled, felt, heard, or seen something does not make it invalid. Faith trusts the Spirit and not just "experience". Much of Christianity leans on trust in the Spirit: creation, resurrection, future glorification (heaven) and more. Faith hopes firmly in these things as it trusts the Spirit.

Begin to deepen you faith (full confidence in God and trust in the Spirit) now and you will see deeper faith and trust in the future. What is God wanting you to have full confidence in him that you have been trusting in your own understanding instead? Trust him this week. Have full confidence in him this week.

Are you Trusting Religion instead of the Cross?

Flood Zone Recap

From Mark Driscoll

9 Distinctions Between the Gospel and Religion:

Religion-A Theology of Glory
Gospel-A Theology of the Cross

Be devoted to and serious about the Gospel...not religion.

One:
Religion tells you “if you obey, then God will love you”
The Gospel says “because God loves you, you want to obey”
-Dad’s love will make you better
-God’s love changes us

Two:
Religion is prone to see “good people” and “bad people”
-list by which we judge people
-preach repentance but don’t practice it because “we’re the good guys”
The Gospel sees bad people (sinners) and Jesus
-We’re all sinners and there is one good guy
-It’s not whether your a sinner but whether you are repentant
-The first word of the Gospel is “repent”
-”Heretics are people who don’t preach or practice repentance.” J.I. Packer

Three:
Religion is about getting from God and using God
-Idolatry and Paganism
-Manipulating God to use God to get what you want
-When God doesn’t give you what you want then you get angry, frustrated and give up on God.
The Gospel is about getting God
-God gives to you himself
-A bigger deal than healing, money or a new car

Four:
Religion sees hardship as punishment

The Gospel sees hardship as loving correction from a Good Dad
-God disciplines the children that he loves
-God already punished Jesus...the penalty has been paid

Five:
Religion is very aware of other people’s sins
-like to confess the sins of others
-pushes unbelievers away
The Gospel is very aware of my own sin
-confess their own sin
-leads to a humility that invites others to know God

Six:
Religion is primarily concerned with the external and the visible
The Gospel is primarily concerned with how the heart looks

Seven:
Religion is uncertain about salvation
-”I’m Trying my best”
The Gospel is about certainty
-”It is Finished”
-1 John

Eight:
Religion is about self-righteousness
-The root of all religion
-Performance based
The Gospel is about gift-righteousness
-2 Corinthians 5:21-The Great Exchange
-You can’t add to the righteousness that is given by Christ
-Accompanied by the Holy Spirit to live a new life

Nine:
Religion results in...
-Pride
-Despair
The Gospel results in Holy Happiness

Where do you see that you are depending on Religion instead of the Gospel? Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in your life in these areas, helping you recognize when you are trusting in Religion instead of the Cross.

Questions Answered: Why is Money the Root of all Kinds of Evil?

1 Timothy 6:6-10

The Love and Pursuit of Money and Wealth...

1. Misses out on the Gain of Godliness (v6)
Gain of godliness is one of satisfaction, peace, and joy...not to mention eternity

2. Ignores the reality of eternity (v7)
We will take nothing with us when we die
No U-Hauls behind hearses

3. Shows discontentment (v8)
Every 7 seconds somewhere in the world a child dies of hunger
Child sponsorship through world vision/compassion
$1 a day will feed, nourish, educate and provide healthcare for a child
$384 a year for one child=2604 children for one year on $1 Million
$6912 for 18 years for one child=144 children from birth to age 18 on $1 Million

4. Steps into a Trap (v9)
The more you get the more “comfortable” you get and the harder it is to let go which leads to indulging in these senseless and harmful desires to try to increase comfort

5. Wanders away from Faith (v10)

6. Places trust other than on God for provision but blames God when it runs out of money!

We have a choice of whether we are going to use the great wealth we have been given to provide for our comfort or for the necessities of others. We have a choice of whether we are going to use the great wealth we have been given for great eternal gain or worldly gain. We have a choice of whether we will trust God fully or willingly succumb to the trap of comfort.

This week examine the way you and your family use money and begin to think about ways you can better provide for the needs of the world for great eternal gain.

Flood Zone Weekly

I am really excited about what is coming up at the Flood Zone! Make sure to invite your friends as you will know, at least somewhat, what to expect each week...

Here's a reminder and a preview:

1st Sundays

We will answer the questions you put in the cup, or bring to me, or questions I run across in my own study. Please, if you have any question you would like answered, pass it along. Here are some possibilities: Where did Cain's wife come from? How Far can we take our God-given appetites before it becomes sinful? How do you witness to someone who says "God needs to find me" and doesn't seem interested in searching for Truth? What are Satan's favorite tactics? Can Christians be possessed by demons?
See how far reaching these questions can be? So, go ahead and ask the ones you have!

2nd Sundays

We will be talking about the cross, what it means, different aspects and debates about the cross through history, missionary stories and more. The Gospel is the focus of 2nd Sundays, so a great time to bring your lost friends!





3rd Sundays

You will be led by your friends! Mike is starting things off in April, then Ian in May and Evan in June. If you'd like to get on the list, then let me know! I will come talk to you if you don't come talk to me!







4th Sundays

These are nights for movies, videos, songs, lyric discussions, and whatever else comes around that is multi-media related. We may throw some video games on the big screen, play some group games like Scene it or YDKJ...You'll just have to wait and see what we do! Again, a great night to bring friends as it is low impact and non-threatening...and Truth will still be proclaimed!!!

5th Sundays will be Invite Nights Out (like bowling, lake day, un-birthday party type stuff!) Key...Invite Nights Out...so INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Logos are copyright Michael Jancart and standstilldesigns (www.michaeljancart.com) Used by permission...PLEASE DON'T STEAL THEM!!!

She Must & Shall Go Free Part X: Beloved Part II

Here are the lyrics to Derek Webb's song Beloved

Beloved these are dangerous times
Because you are weightless like a leaf from the vine
and the wind has blown you all over town
Because there is nothing holding you to the ground

So now you would rather be
A slave again than free from the law

Beloved listen to me
Don't believe all that you see
and don't you ever let anyone tell you
That there's anything that you need
But me

Beloved these are perilous days
When your culture is so set in it's ways
That you will listen to salesmen and thieves
Preaching other than the truth you’ve received

Because they are telling lies
For they cannot circumcise your hearts

Beloved there is nothing more
No more blessings and no more rewards
Than the treasure of my body and blood
Given freely to all daughters and sons

I see this song as a warning to the church of what can happen when we remove scripture from it's proper place in our lives. We talked last week about the 3 ways we can deal with scripture: ignore it, remove it from situations in our lives that don't conform to scripture, or keep it as the centerpoint of our lives removing the parts of our lives that don't conform to scripture. What happens when we ignore scripture altogether or just when it's convenient for us?

1. Source Separation (John 15:4-5)-Jesus, the vine, is the true source of Truth and Life revealed in and through Scripture. If our lives are removed from the Word of God, they are removed from the source of Truth and Life.

2. Living Foundationless (Hebrews 2:1)-Pay closer attention to what you have heard/learned so you do not drift away from it. If you are not anchored in the word you are susceptible to every current of this world.

3. “Re-slavery” (Galatians 5:1) It is for freedom Christ has set us free
-Freedom in Christ when tied to the vine or anchored to Truth
-removing yourself from the vine or pulling up the anchor leave you completely at the mercy of unstable and incalculable currents and winds which have no rhyme, no reason, and no hope to bring you back to a place of safety and security.
-leads to death-how many leaves remain alive when they fall from the branch? NONE
-Ship is destined to smash against the rocks if it is adrift
-a life removed from THE vine, Jesus, is removed from its source of life
-a life that is not anchored in Truth is destined to smash against the rocks of false teaching/
lies/deception

4. Culture Dominance (2 Timothy 4:3)-We listen to this because we like to have our “ears tickled”. Those teachings are not consistent...culture is constantly changing...so it leaves us in a race to “keep up” and “stay cool and relevant” but it does nothing to move us toward holiness (“cannot circumcise our hearts"...cut away the parts of our heart that is not pleasing to God).

5. Syncretism (Galatians 1:6-10; Colossians 2:8-10)

6. Importance Reordering (2 Peter 1:3-7) We forget what matters most. Jesus is all we need so instead of working so hard toward the desires/passions of this world, work toward those desires/passions of God-faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, love. The greatest need everyone has is Jesus...yes, they may be hungry, but a biscuit will not get them to heaven. Our actions in the name of Jesus to feed them will lead them to Truth.


What can result in your life from these 6 things?

No Witness, no joy, no real success, no direction, no hope for the future, no freedom from sin, no uniqueness,

Check your life and see if any of these characteristics we’ve studied tonight are present. If they are then you need to rethink the way you are dealing with scripture in your life and hear the warning and challenge of this song:

Beloved listen to me
Don't believe all that you see
and don't you ever let anyone tell you
That there's anything that you need
But me

She Must & Shall Go Free Part IX: Beloved Part I

Why do we continue to put on the old-self even after Christ has freed us from our slavery to sin and dressed us in royal robes, the new-self? One major reason we choose to dress ourselves in the "old-self" comes from the way we deal with scripture in our lives.

3 Ways we Deal with Scripture

1. Ignore it altogether: One way we deal with scripture is to not deal with it...just ignore it completely. When this happens we have no basis for understanding what the old-self is or how to keep from dressing ourselves in it. This way of dealing with scripture, for Christians, is completely unacceptable and totally removed from who we claim to be in Christ.

2. Filter Scripture through culture: In this way of dealing with scripture we compare what the Word says to the culture around us and the way we live our lives and remove or ignore the parts of the Bible that don't match with the way we want to live. We remove the parts that make us uncomfortable, that offend us or the people around us, or the parts that we just don't like because they keep us from doing what we want.

3. Filter culture through Scripture: This process involves examining the culture we live in and the way we live our lives in light of scripture and removing the parts of our life that do not match with the Word of God.

We do this everyday. When we decide to gossip we are filtering scripture through culture. When we choose to honor the purity of the girls around us we filter culture through Scripture. When we respect those in authority over us we filter culture through Scripture. When we help others just for what we may get out of it we filter Scripture through culture.

But, why does it matter how we deal with scripture? The more we filter scripture out of our everyday life, the further form Truth we will be and the less we will be tied to the life producing vine, Jesus Christ.

So, maybe you have a question about something in your life; whether you are filtering scripture through your culture so you can continue in that activity. Here are 5 questions you can ask yourself regarding that activity to find out if it is something you should continue in.
(Thanks to Dr. Keith Eitle for this information during seminary classes in 2001)

5 Questions to See if we are Filtering Culture or Scripture:

1. Does it violate any clear teaching of Scripture? (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

2. Does it destroy any part of your body (physically, mentally, or spiritually)? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

3. Does it cause someone around you to be hindered from coming closer to Christ? (1 Corinthians 8:8-13)

4. Does it violate the express will/desire of someone who has Biblical authority over you? (Ephesians 6:5-10)

5. Does it glorify God? (Can you honestly ask God to bless your actions, relationships, attitudes, etc.?) (1 Corinthians 10:31)

If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions then you need to rethink your involvement.

Examine areas of your life where an improper dealing with scripture may be leading you to "put on the old-self" and a return to the slavery of sin. Maybe it's your relationship with your girlfriend/boyfriend. Maybe you just do enough to get by in school instead of working to the glory of God. Maybe you are illegally downloading music from the internet or illegally making copies of friends' music. Maybe you are using your computer in a way that is disobedient to your parents' desires. Maybe you always speed on a particular road because "there are never any cops." Maybe you live with bitterness, anger, or discrimination in your heart.

Whatever it is for you, filter it through scripture and throw out whatever doesn't match with the Word of God.

She Must And Shall Go Free Part VIII: Saint & Sinner

"Saint & Sinner" by Derek Webb from the album She Must and Shall Go Free

If you want my glory you gotta take my sin
If you want my future you gotta take my skin
If you want my heart you gotta take my blood
If you want my bed you gotta take my lust

‘cause I’m not a half a man
I’m not a half a man
Lord knows I love you now
But a saint and a sinner is what I am

If you want my spirit you gotta take my booze
If you want my mystery you gotta take my clues
If you want my child you gotta take my kin
If you want my money you gotta take my rent

And it doesn’t get better once you see the light
You wake to find that the fight has just begun
I used to be a mess but now I look just fine
‘cause you dressed me up and we drank the finest wine.

The church is supposed to be full of redeemed people living differently than before they knew Christ. Unfortunately most if not all of the church is compartmentalizing their actions in one way or another, holding back certain actions and attitudes from the exhortation of 1 Peter 1:13-16, "Be holy for I am holy."

Ephesians 4:17-24 reminds us that we have been made new in Christ. We are new creatures. The old life is supposed to be gone and the new is supposed to be what we daily put on and demonstrate with our lives...every area of our lives. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 describe what this old life may have looked like for you. But then verse 11 reminds us that we USED to be that, but that we have been redeemed.

It is a problem that we do not perfectly put off the old self and put on the new self every day, but an even bigger problem is how little of the church even TRIES to fully put off the old self. We know we are wearing the old self and we are content with the dirty rags. We think, "It's too hard to give this up." This song expresses a desire for God to take those "old self" things that are continuing to cling to the royal robes God has dressed us in through the blood of Christ. This song expresses a desire to FIGHT!

Are you daily accessorizing the gloriously new and royal robes that God has dressed you in with the dirty, stained and ugly clothes of a pauper?

Spend time asking the Spirit to reveal to you the areas in your life that you are compartmentalizing, not allowing God to replace the old with the new. Then FIGHT for the new self, every minute of every day, until the old looks so old, nasty and dirty that you do not want to have anything to do with it.

She Must and Shall Go Free Part VI: Wedding Dress

Sorry it's taken so long to get to this post...crazy past couple of weeks!

Here are the lyrics to "Wedding Dress" by Derek Webb

If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I’d ever need
or is there more I’m looking for?

and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want?

I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle,
and I run down the aisle.
I’m a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you.

So could you love this bastard child
Though I don’t trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side?

I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood.

Because money cannot buy
a husband’s jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife.

The chorus of this song refers to the writer, and the listener, as whores in the eyes of our husband. As the church, we are the bride of Christ, but we often whore ourselves around showing desire and seeking satisfaction in "lovers less wild". I realize the word "whore" may be a little strong for some of you, but take in what God says to the nation of Israel in Hosea 1:2 and 4:12:

Hosea 1:2-When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, "Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great woredom by forsaking the Lord."

Hosea 4:12-For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore.

If we are honest with ourselves we will admit that we also have "played the whore" when it comes to our relationship with God.

In "Wedding Dress" we see 4 characteristics of whoredom that may be in our lives. Remember that this in in context of the church (Christians) as the bride of Christ. The following points are based on that imagery.

1. No Satisfaction in the gift our husband gives. ("Is there more I'm looking for", "to make me handsome")

2. Lack of Trust towards our husband. ("should I read between the lines")

3. Splitting of Affections between our husband and other lovers ("one hand in a pot of gold and the other in your side")

4. More Appreciation over lesser gifts given by other lovers ("take a little cash over your very flesh and blood")

Despite all of this Jesus cries out for us to throw on the wedding dress and the ring of gold and come running down the aisle to him. Will we admit the "less-wild" lovers and run down the aisle toward Chirst?

She Must and Shall Go Free Part V: Lover

Luke 19:10 reminds us of the reason that Jesus came to earth: to seek and to save what was lost. This is something Jesus uniquely is able to do. He is the only one who can really set us free. How does Jesus set us free?

"Lover" by Derek Webb

Like a man comes to an altar,
I came into this town,
With the world upon My shoulders
And promises passed down.
When I went into the water,
My Father, He was pleased.
I built it and I'll tear it down
So you will be set free.

Yes, and I found thieves and salesmen
Living in My Father's house.
And I know how they got in here,
And I know how to get 'em out.
Well, I'm turning this place over
From floor to balcony.
Then, just like these doves and sheep
Oh, you will be set free.

'Cause I have always been a lover
From before I drew a breath
Oh, and some things I love easy
And some I love to death.
You see, love's no politician
'Cause it listens carefully
So from those who come,
I can't lose one,
So you will be set free,
Oh, you will be set free.

Go on and take My picture
Go on and make Me up
Oh, I'll still be your Defender
And you'll be My missing son
And I'll send out an army
Just to bring you back to Me.
'Cause regardless of your brothers' lies,
Oh, you will be set free.

Because I am My beloved's
And My beloved's Mine;
So, you bring all your history,
I'll bring the bread and wine.
Then we'll have us a party
Where all the drinks are on Me
And as surely as the rising sun
Oh, you will be set free,
Oh, you will be set free.

We see in this song 5 Ways that Jesus Uniquely Sets us Free

Jesus Sets Us Free...

1. By Bearing our Burdens (Colossians 1:16-17)

2. By Taking the Fight (Mark 11:15-19; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

3. By Securing the Victory (John 10:28)

4. By Taking the Initiative (Luke 15:3-7; John 6:44)

5. Through Forgiveness and Celebration (Romans 6:17-18)

Why bear your own burdens? Why try to take the fight out of God’s hands? You can’t win the victory! Jesus it he victor! You can’t bring anything good to the party. Trust Jesus to win it!