Sermon Reflection James 1:19-21

Discovery: James states in v. 19: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." The rhythm of life for a believer needs to be marked by these three things: quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

Application:

Quick to listen: Simply put we need to listen to God. In the preceding verse, James speaks of the "word of truth." This word of truth is God's Word and it tells us the truth of God. It displaces the "moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent" as stated in v. 21. By listening to the Word of God and by listening to those who speak it over us (either through preaching or wise counsel), we learn that being a "quick listener" means being quick to hold to to the truth and to let go of sin.

Slow to speak: Simply put we need to put on a "filter" before we speak. Too often we speak from our flesh or opinions and not from a place of truth and love. This goes hand in hand with the first exhortation to to "quick to listen." We need to think before we speak. Does what I have to say build up this person? Does what I have to say bear good witness for Christ?

Slow to anger: v. 20 states, "for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." The latter part of this verse is a translation from two Greek words: God's righteousness. The contrast is a stark one between human anger and God's righteousness. You cannot hold on to both. You have to choose.

I realize that it is really easy to get this application flipped around. I tend to be slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to anger. It is a rather simple and constant reminder that if I don't start each day in the Word of God, I can get the rhythm of discipleship life completely backwards.

Prayer: Lord, be with all the youth that will be going to the retreat this weekend. Help all the counselors connect with the kids in our small groups. Help us remain safe and healthy during this trip and please let there be no "drama!"

Sermon Reflection James 1:12-18

Discovery: There is a transition that we find from vv. 12-13. James speaks of "trials" in v. 12 and then "temptations" in v. 13. Both have come from the same root word. Scholars argue whether or not they should be translated differently but it is clear that there are different implications for these two words in our text today.

I think the IVP commentary on these verses stated it best in these simple but helpful diagrams.

Trial --> Testing --> Perseverance --> Maturity.

(This is the dynamic that we see in the verses leading up to v. 12)

Trial --> Temptation --> Sin --> Death.

(This is the dynamic we see in vv. 13-15)

The difference in the two diagrams is found in the second step. How do we respond to the trials in our lives? Do we receive them as times of testing/refining or do we respond by giving into temptation?

Application: As trials come up in my life, I find it incredible hard to "press into" them and see them as opportunities to trust God. My natural instinct is to run away or seek some sort of easy way out. In fact, one of the easiest ways to deal with trials in life is to try to "ignore" them and hope that they go away. But as many of us can attest, it doesn't work that way.

I gave this message to some of our Adults during our snow trip. I challenged them to think about some of these applications.

Attitude Check: What is my attitude like in the midst of the trials of my life? Am I exhibiting the "joy of the Lord" even when things aren't going my way? My vision for my life is simply this: WHAT I do is secondary to HOW I do it. This requires me swallowing my pride and ego and learning to be humble. I am constantly telling myself to take each day one day at a time and to treat every interaction, decision, and relationship with the gravity that it deserves.

Posture Check: Do trials lead me to trust God more or do I try to seek an easy way out? The imagery is simple that of "open" or "closed" hands. Will I receive trials (open) or will I do things on my own (closed)?

Heart Check: One key verse found in this passage is v. 17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Do I believe that God is for me and not against me? Do I see the trials of my life as part of God's good and perfect gifts to me? Will I learn to trust Him and believe that good things can and will come out of the trails of my life?

Prayer: Lord, you know that January was a rough month for me. I feel like I barely made it through it spiritually. I don't know if I persevered or simply survived but I know that February is a new month and I am so grateful for your mercies that are new every morning. Keep me in Your grace and sustain me in my highs and lows. Thank you so much for a much needed "retreat" this weekend and thank you for the blessing of my Church Family.

Sermon Reflection James 1:5-8

"Wisdom is Supreme"

Discovery:

Wisdom is not a virtue that is in vogue in our culture. It is reserved for those who are older and not full of youthful ambition or drive. Yet the bible clearly says the opposite. Prov. 4:6-7: " Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom."

The passage last week spoke of having "pure joy" when it comes to the trials in our lives. James adds to this by stating that we need wisdom if we are going to truly understand what God is trying to teach us. Douglas Moo in his commentary on James says, "Wisdom is the quality needed if God's people are going to endure trials with fortitude and godliness." Wisdom is simply seeing things through God's perspective. This is especially difficult during times of trials and testings. We unfortunately tend to lean on our own understandings rather than seeking God's perspective.

In v. 8, James warns us to not be a "double-minded man, unstable in all he does." We can't have it both ways! We can't live by trying to do things on our own strength or by our own understanding. We need to seek wisdom that comes from Him.

Application:

Are you seeking God first?

Is this true in your prayer life? Are you seeking His counsel first or are you turning to others to get their immediate feedback? Nothing wrong with a good friend's advice but ultimately we need to be tuning in to the voice of God.

Is this true in your devotional and Bible reading life? Is the Bible the solid foundation upon which you build your life or is it the words of others? Bible reading to me is like eating. I can go without for a while but ultimately it is my source of spiritual strength and nourishment. It isn't a fortune cookie that I open in times of desperation but rather it is a staple of my everyday life. It is kind of like rice! I can't really go more than a day without needing and wanting it.

Is this true in the advice that I am seeking? Am I just taking counsel from people who are like "yes men" who simply tell me what I want to hear or who tell me what I need to hear? Am I humbly submitting myself to and seeking after truly wise counsel? Am I reading books that give me a bigger and broader understanding of the Kingdom of God? I think it is important to read both contemporary author as well as the ancient writers. My perspective and understanding of God needs to grow and expand if I am going to be able to make sense of the trials and challenges in my life.

Prayer:

I need your wisdom Lord! I get so overwhelmed and overcome by the negative things that seem to be cropping up in my life. Help me understand things from Your perspective. Give me the wisdom to see this. Thank you for my dad's 70th birthday celebration and my mom's retirement dinner last night. Thank you so much for these wise and loving parents that you have given to me. I am so thankful for them.

Sermon Reflection James 1:2-4

Discovery:

James states in v. 2 that we should "consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever we face trials of many kinds..." This seems counter-intuitive at best. James exhorts us to receive trials because they result in benefits. This is what James basically states:

Trials ---> Testing ---> Perseverance ---> Maturity

God's ultimate desire for us is to become mature ("attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ") as it states in Ephesians 4:13. This process however needs to go through trial and testing.

Application:

The big question for us is whether or not spiritual maturity is our goal? The trials of life really reveal what our true motivations are in seeking Jesus. Is he just a nice value-add to our life? Is he a means to a end? (i.e. finding a nice Christian spouse or having a nice Christian community). None of these things are bad in or themselves but we are settling if this is all we want in our relationship with God. His desire is to grow us in the "whole measure of the fullness of Christ." If we want this, we need to travel the way of the cross. It goes through the valleys of testing and trials but it produces the godly fruits of perseverance and ultimately maturity.

Prayer:

Lord, help me not give in or give up to the trials and testings in my life. I know that half the battle is just "showing up" so help me do so everyday this week at work and at home. Help me fully engage all the things you have for me this week.

Philippians 3:10-14 Sermon Reflection

Discovery: Paul speaks of his resolve in v. 10: "I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." Paul's desire is to know Christ... all of Christ... not just the convenient or pleasant parts. Paul speaks about experiencing the power of the resurrection as well as participating in Christ's suffering. Do we have the same desire to know Christ in this way? Paul doesn't just have good intentions but he seeks to have good follow through as well in his resolve. There is a two-fold challenge from this passage in regards to seeking to "know Christ."

The first part is found in v. 12: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Paul is straining forward in his faith. The word "press on" or "take hold" are phrases that were used in warfare and competitive athletics. Paul's pursuit of Christ is not a recreational endeavor. For Paul, life and death, victory and defeat hang in the balance.

The second part is found in v. 13: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." Paul does not dwell in the past. He does not want to be encumbered by past mistakes, sins, guilt, or shame nor does he want to become content with past victories, accomplishments, or successes. Faith is all about what lies ahead and moving closer and closer to the goal of knowing (and becoming more like) Christ.

Application: The second part of this challenge is particularly difficult for me now a days. Letting go of the past seems to be a unique challenge in this season of life. I have been having a number of anxious dreams as of late (the worst reoccurring "nightmare" is having forgotten to attend a class for the whole quarter and waking up in a panic trying to figure out how to get myself of of this mess). I believe these dreams are merely a carry over from my daily life in which I am confronted with past ministry and personal difficulties. As much as a profess to trust God, I realized that these past "problems" really wear on my soul.

I am particularly challenged by Paul's words in v. 13 when he speaks of the "one thing" that he does. This combination of "forgetting what is behind" and "straining toward what is ahead" is something that I desperately need in my life. It is impossible to stem the tide of past mistakes and problems. It's like trying to hold back the constant crashing waves of the sea. The key seems to lie in the later part of that verse when he says that we need to "strain toward what is ahead." I really want my whole life (ministry and personal) to be in alignment. I want the equation of my life to be simple and clear. I want it to be centered on Jesus. I resonate with Paul's words in the later part of v.12 when he says, "...but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." R. Kent Hughes in his commentary of Philippians says this in regards to this verses: "Here Paul expressed his desire to "know" the risen Christ because he was in the grip of Christ's grace! Paul's whole pursuit of Christ was Christ-originated, Christ-motivated, and Christ-propelled."

My testimony is quite simple. Jesus took a hold of me and has never let go. I need to remember that my main calling as a Christian and pastor is to simply hold on to Him with all my life and to seek to make this the focus of each and every day. The goal is not survival but rather it is desire to continually to put my trust Him and continually seek opportunities to trust Him this year. I want my resolve to be the same of Paul: I want to know Christ... all of Him... more of Him!

Prayer: Lord, help me moved forward as this year begins even though everything in my me wants to simple stop and rest. Fix my eyes on what "you will" do this year rather than what "I've done" this past year.

Why and How We Witness Sermon Reflections

(Combination Reflection from the last two Sunday Sermons. Passages are from Acts 1:1-11 and Mark 3:13-15)

John Stott: "We should not ask, "What is wrong with the world?" for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, "What has happened to the salt and light?"

Discovery: In Acts 1:8 its says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." There is a difference between being a "witness" and "evangelizing." A witness is a noun while evangelizing is a verb. Jesus calls us to "be" something rather and "do" something.

This concept is echoes in Mark 3:14-15 when he calls and appoints the 12 apostles. It says, "He appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons" The first thing that Jesus calls us to when we choose to follow after Him is to learn to "be with him" before we go and "do" anything for Him.

Application: Our "doing" flows out of our "being" with Him.

This is a spiritual principle that I need to come back to time and time again. Am I connected to the vine as stated in John 15? Is my life marked by spiritual deprivation or by spiritual nourishment each and every day? The holidays have always been an interesting time throughout my Christian life. Whether in school or now in adulthood, it is easy to take a "vacation" from God during the busyness of the holidays. The problem is that this actually a time in which I need to be even more closely connected to Jesus. Otherwise there is a clear lack of patience and grace in my life, especially towards family members.

I am also challenged by the fact that Jesus's call is more than just to "be" with Him. In fact, He wants us to become "like" Him. His call for us is to be His "witnesses." The word "witness" comes from the word "martos" which we where we get our modern word "martyr." What does it mean to lay our lives down by testifying to what Jesus has done in our lives? If the life of faith is just about receiving from God, it leads to a warped sense of reality. Take for example James and John in Mark 10. They are so self-absorbed and self-centered in their "being" with Jesus that all they are only concerned about is whether they can sit at the right and left or Jesus when He sits in glory. I really hope this isn't my mindset! I don't want to be preparing my accommodations in heaven while neglecting my calling here on earth. I want to go deep in my life with God but I ultimately want that knowledge and love to spill over in far reaching ways. I don't want to just be a "nice" pastor but I want also want to be courageous in seeking and saving the lost.

The highlight of the weekend had to be on Saturday. Our church went to deliver gifts with the Angel Tree program through Prison Ministries. One of the young women from the Chinese congregation came and joined us. One of our Chinese deacons shared with her the Good News in the car and I got to pray for her and lead her to Christ. It was a beautiful picture of our witness flowing out of our being. In addition to blessing children with parents who are in prison with simple Christmas gifts, we were also able to naturally share with a young women in our own church who Jesus was first through our actions and then through words.

Prayer: Lord, let my life reflect what is says in John 12:24: "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

"Who Do We Witness to?" Sermon Reflection

Luke 15:25-32

(This is a combination reflection from my large group talk to the AACF Davis group as well as the Sunday sermon).

Discovery: In Luke 15, Jesus tells a trio of stories that essentially tell the same thing. Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg summarize it best in their book "Becoming a Contagious Christian."

1. Something of value was lost.

2. An all out search was called to find this lost object.

3. When this lost object was found, there was a joyful celebration.

Jesus is also addressing three groups of people as he tells these stories. To each group He is challenging them to understand God's heart.

1. Pharisees: In vv. 1-2, we see them looking down their noses and judging Jesus for His behavior. By telling them these stories, Jesus is wanting them to change their hearts and attitudes.

2. The sinners and tax collectors: Jesus is telling these people (in the presence of the religious leaders) that God has been eagerly seeking after them and desires for them to be found.

3. The disciples: They are learning to follow after God. Jesus makes it clear that they should be associating with the least, the last, and the lost with the intention of sharing the Good News of Jesus.

Jesus wants to find and welcome the lost and He wants those who follow after God to do the same. In addition, he warns us to not be like the Pharisees who want nothing to do with this.

Application: The character of the older son is based on the Pharisees. They are smug in their self-righteousness and have a lack of compassion towards "sinners." Ultimately, the Pharisees miss the whole point of God's grace. Similar to the older son in the parable, they are so self-absorbed and spiritual twisted that they can't see the miracle of their lost brother being alive and safe.

This is my challenge as well. Am I so self-absorbed that I can't see the true nature of God's grace? I love how God's grace is unconditional and how it is always accessible to me. I love the fact that even though I fall short of God's glory, His love reaches and extends to me no matter what I do or where I am. I love how God's grace is so precious to me.

The problem however is that I am called to extend this same grace to others. In particular, I am called to extend this grace to people who sin against me. This same grace that is unconditional and without limits is the same grace that I am called to exhibit to everyone. This grace isn't always as precious to me.

The challenge of this passage is that the story of the older son is left unresolved at the end of the parable. How does he respond to the father's heart? Does he go back in and celebrate with his "lost" brother or does he stubbornly stay outside and refuse to participate in the celebration. The bigger question is, "How will we respond?"

Prayer: Help me not only appreciate Your grace but to live it out. Teach me during this Christmas season to extend grace to members of my family that I have a hard time extending grace to. Deliver me from my Pharisaical heart and attitude!