What to do with Jesus and Paul?

Sometimes the Bible can be perplexing because, as Peter says, “There are some things in them [Paul’s writings] that are hard to understand . . .” (2 Peter 3:16). The Bible can be complex; thus, leaving us scratching our heads in bewilderment, but there are also many occasions when the passage we’re reading is perfectly clear, and yet, we’re still left scratching our heads, not because of complexity but rather because of the sheer counter-cultural, against-the-grain difficulty of application.

I read two such passages today that left me asking, “God, what am I to do with these verses?!” I’m thinking of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-34 and Paul’s in 1 Timothy 6:6-10. 

Let’s start with Jesus. What specifically in these verses does our Master tell us not to worry about? Answer: food and clothing. What kinds of things do we usually worry about? Answer: not food and clothing, and if we are worried about such things it isn’t usually concerning the mere possession of them but rather the quality of each (i.e., good food and stylish clothing).

Now on to Paul, particularly verse 8: “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” Here’s my gut reaction to these words: Are you serious? What do  you mean by “we”? Speak for yourself! There is nothing complex about this verse (in Greek or English), but, oh, how it troubles me! Who lives like this? How am I to take these words seriously?

Between Jesus and Paul, I’m humbled and reminded that I ought not to be nearly as preoccupied with stuff as I am. I realize that neither passage condemns the possession of more than food and clothing (i.e., it is not sinful to have more). What is so challenging is the call to (1) be satisfied in God in such a way that having only food and clothing will not leave me embittered or complaining, and to (2) trust God in such a way that even if possession of the bare essentials is questionable, I’ll not be anxious or angry because I think I deserve more.

How to Read The Treasure Principle

I’m working through The Treasure Principle for the third time. The first time was with my wife on our honeymoon six and a half years ago in Fiji. The second time was on a leather chair in my luxurious (relative to how the vast majority of the world has lived in the past and lives currently) house. This third time has mostly been in my spacious and warm, book-filled (the cost of which easily exceeds the annual income of literally billions in the world) office. Do I like this book? Love it! Does it make me uncomfortable? Absolutely! Have I made any progress in applying its truth to my life? Maybe a little, and by God’s grace I’ll take a few more steps of obedience this third time through!

Why all the personal details? Well, I guess I would like to promote some measure of transparency regarding an issue that is taboo in most churches, including our own, namely, money and possessions. When I read through this book I’m reminded of the radical, lose-your-life-to-save-it call to discipleship that Jesus issues to all, and when I consider my life, I’m reminded that I have a long way to go. In fact, it seems that I’m closer to the beginning of my journey than the end. I’m also made freshly aware of the fact that I’m in desperate need of grace, grace to deliver me from the wrath I deserve on account of loving gifts more than the Giver, and grace to free me daily from the grip of materialism. Apart from Jesus’ blood-bought grace, there’s no hope of either of these things happening in my life (or yours)!

I realize that this book is likely to make you uncomfortable. Join the club. It might even incite some defensiveness, and this is where we need to be careful. To the degree that this book accurately reflects the truth of Scripture, we need to measure our lives against the book’s message - not the other way around (i.e., measuring the book against the way we prefer to live our lives). There’s a verse I need to hear when I’m challenged with Scripture’s counter-cultural, not-so-North-American commands: James 1:19-20, which reads, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.” 

We usually think of these verses as good counsel for our interpersonal relationships, and good counsel it is when applied to that context. But James seems to be talking about our response to God’s word (read the following verses). This means that we’re to humbly listen before we pridefully object. So, here’s how I’m praying for you and for me as we read through this book together: “Oh, Lord, give us ears to hear. Help us to hold our objection-filled tongues long enough to hear from You. If there’s anger, let it be at our own sin, and produce in us the kind of righteousness that You require and delight in. Loosen our grip on our stuff as we cling more tightly to You, the ultimate Treasure. Let it be grace, not guilt, that compels us to obedience. Have Your way with us since we are not our own, for we’ve been bought at a price, an incredibly high price.”

New Life Group Curriculum: The Treasure Principle

“15 percent of everything Christ said relates to this topic [of money and possessions]--more than His teachings on heaven and hell combined. Why did Jesus put such an emphasis on money and possessions? Because there’s a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. We may try to divorce our faith and our finances, but God sees them as inseparable” (The Treasure Principle, p. 9).

Life Groups at Harvest are beginning a new study this week. We’ll be going through a very small, yet hugely-impacting book: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. Jesus said many things about money and possessions that are rather shocking, and they capture our attention because they’re so out-of-step with the way our culture thinks, talks about, and handles money and possessions. We’re praying that God would use the truth of this book to radically transform the way relate to our “stuff,” making us kingdom-minded people who zealously and joyfully seek to store up treasures in heaven as Jesus commands.
We invite you to join us. If you’re not currently in a Life Group, sign up in the Lobby, or begin attending a group with a friend who is already plugged in.

To the right you'll find the reading schedule and discussion questions.

7 Reasons We Need Life Groups

Below is an excerpt from a sermon recently preached by Pastor John Piper. He could have preached the same points at Harvest and been in perfect rhythm with the heartbeat of our church. You can find the rest of the sermon here.

He has given pastors to the church “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). I believe in what I do. And I believe that it is not enough. Here are the seven reasons I gave the small group leaders.

1. The impulse avoid painful growth by disappearing safely into the crowd in corporate worship is very strong.
2. The tendency toward passivity in listening to a sermon is part of our human weakness.
3. Listeners in a big group can more easily evade redemptive crises. If tears well up in your eyes in a small group, wise friends will gently find out why. But in a large gathering, you can just walk away from it.
4. Listeners in a large group tend to neglect efforts of personal application. The sermon may touch a nerve of conviction, but without someone to press in, it can easily be avoided.
5. Opportunity for questions leading to growth is missing. Sermons are not dialogue. Nor should they be. But asking questions is a key to understanding and growth. Small groups are great occasions for this.
6. Accountability for follow-through on good resolves is missing. But if someone knows what you intended to do, the resolve is stronger.
7. Prayer support for a specific need or conviction or resolve goes wanting. O how many blessings we do not have because we are not surrounded by a band of friends who pray for us.

So please know that when this small-group ministry of our church is lifted up, I don’t think it’s an optional add-on to basic Christian living. I think it is normal, healthy, needed, New Testament Christianity. I pray that you will be part of one of these small groups or that you will get the training and start one. This is the main strategy through which our pastors and elders shepherd the flock at Bethlehem: Elders > small group leaders > members to one another.

We Are Not In a Position to Bargain

Will Metzger has written a tremendous "training manual on the message & methods of God-centered witnessing called Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People. I would commend this resource to anybody desiring to take their study of personal evangelism significantly deeper.

[Jesus] is a master (king) and a teacher (prophet). . . . Can you have only the Savior (sin-bearer) Christ in your heart? No, it is impossible to divide Christ. If he truly comes into your life, all of him enters. The overwhelming usage of the word Lord in the book of Acts shows us clearly how Christ was presented to nonbelievers. The phrase “accept Christ as your personal Savior” is not found. Rather, “God has made . . . Jesus . . . both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36); “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 9:5); “Believe in the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31).

These apostles were not preaching salvation by “making Christ Lord of your life” in a good-works fashion. He is already Lord; therefore, our evangelistic call must be to come to him as to the feet of a monarch, in submission to his person and authority. We cannot come to a king with one hand behind our backs, standing upright, signifying secret reservations and unwillingness to give over control of our lives. We are not in a position to bargain. We must bow with both hands outstretched and open. . . .

This is the picture of the true penitent’s attitude of heart (not that we are able to render perfect obedience). Because we are not whole people we can not give a holistic response. Yet God receives the part for the whole, the seed as evidence the flower will bloom. In the mercy of God, it is later in our Christian lives that we are shown the implications of our initial submission to him as king. (p. 72)

Should Christians Say That Their Aim Is to Convert Others to Faith in Christ?

Here's a great article by John Piper on a topic that is very relevant to our current study on evangelism.

First of all, why am I asking this question? Three reasons:

1. Because in our delicate and dangerous setting of global religious pluralism, how we speak about our aims can get us kicked out of a country or worse.
2. Because we want to follow Paul’s pattern of honesty: "But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
3. Because we need biblical clarity about our role in converting others to Christ, lest we shrink back from the aim of conversion for mistaken reasons.

Let’s begin with a definition...

Read the rest of the article.

New Life Group Curriculum this Fall: Share Jesus Without Fear

We're starting a new curriculum this fall in our Life Groups. We'll be studying the topic of personal evangelism, using the book Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay. We're excited to see what the Lord has for us as He stretches our faith and leads us in obedience to share our faith.

The discussion questions for each week are posted on this page to the right.

Life Groups are essential to getting involved at Harvest. If you're new to Harvest and ready to plug-in to a Life Group, sign up on a Sunday morning at the information table or contact the church office.