Light Cannot Fit In With Darkness

Ever been aboard a flight during the night?  If there isn't any cloud cover, you can easily tell when you are flying over a city or open land.  Why?  Because of the lights. 

Ever been in a movie theater and someone starts messing with their cellphone?  How do you know they are doing that?  Because the light from their phone in the darkened room quickly alerts you to the fact.

Light has a way of easily calling attention to itself.  Jesus has told us that we are the light of the world, a city that is set on the hill and cannot be hidden and therefore we are to let our lights shine (Matthew 5:14-16). 

Ever notice how light doesn't really fit in well with darkness?  If it did, it really wouldn't be light anymore or at least not a very good light.  You wouldn't want to use a flashlight that hardly produced light would you?  Or watch a movie where you couldn't make out what was happening on the screen because of the lack of light?  Yet, we as Christians, who are called lights of the world (and the world is a darkened place), somehow feel the need to try and "fit in" and be like the world so the world will come to Christ.  However, we cannot "fit in" if we are shining lights because our light exposes darkness and the world does not like that (John 3:19).

So do not worry about being mocked for your faith or ridiculed or judged.  Jesus already promised it would happen (John 15:18-25 (and many other places).  Live out your faith and let the light shine and don't spend your time worrying how you can fit it so the "cool kids" will like you and want to hang around you.  Love people like Jesus did, serve them like He did, but also know the world will hate you even in doing that because they hated him.

I will leave you with this 90 second clip that speaks perfectly to this thought: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZZqUonNIFs

Original blog posted on refugesanger.wordpress.com as this blog post comes from further thoughts of the sermon on John 15:12-27 titled “The Great Juxtaposition Paradox” which can be found by visiting http://www.refugesanger.com/teachings.  Sermons I have taught are also on iTunes - search "Refuge Sanger" or "Pastor Mike Massey" to find our messages.

No Light in the Room? Have You Tried the Lightswitch?

Imagine: you're sitting in a dark room wishing and hoping you could see what was in the room or that you could just simply walk around in it with out bumping into things.  No, there isn't anything wrong with the lights, they work just fine.  In fact, they work amazing - never burn out, always turned on when used, and brightens the whole room beyond what you would need.  The issue isn't even the power source or the switch - all is in working condition.  The matter is that you've just chosen to not turn on the lights.  You talk about how glorious it would be to see things in the room, but spending the time to go and turn on the light switch just isn't worth it.  You'd rather do everything in your own power in the dark.  You've got a cell phone and it's 6 inch screen of light works just fine.  You tell your friends of the potential of the room if the lights were on and you ask others to take interest in your room, but you just don't bother to turn on the lights.

Crazy right?  And yet sadly this methaphor can describe many of us at times when it comes to our "light switch" we just don't even turn on.

This light switch is prayer and maybe, more importantly, corporate prayer (praying with others).

Oh, I'm not saying you don't have a prayer time or pray for your needs - please keep doing so.  But I'm specifically referring to that promise we find in Scripture when it comes to prayer, found in John 14:12-14:

"Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father.  And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." - Jesus [John 14:12-14]

We know that greater is not more spectacular but greater in number/magnitude impacted.  We also discussed that this promise of answered prayer is in the context of greater works for Jesus, it is to glorify Himself and the Father (not us), prayed according to what goes along with His nature (His name), and to those who are disciples of Jesus (not just Christian in name only but following Him, denying themselves).

We have a chance as believers to impact the world through prayer that will be answered.  Want to see more missionaries sent out into the field to places not reached?  So does God - pray & He will answer that.  Want to see your pastors and leaders encouraged and strengthened?  So does God - pray & He will answer that.  Want to see strongholds taken down in your life or your town?  So does God - pray & He will answer that.  Want to see more power in your local church body, more leaders raised up, and greater ministry take place with more opportunities to serve available?  So does God - pray & He will answer that!

Unfortunately, our favorite TV show, our children's activities, meaningless time spent on our iPhones or iPads, excursions with friends, and many other things are more important to us than seeing prayer answered.  We let these distractions keep us from going to God in prayer.  We'll gladly get together for a potluck or any other social activity, but get together to spend 1 hour in corporate prayer together?  No thanks - we'll pass!  And we miss being part of a work that Jesus wants to do and sadly, we really don't care either.

In Luke 18:8, Jesus says "when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" and when you examine the context of the passage, you find it is in relation to prayer.

Please understand, this is not a lashing to say "we could all pray more", because we all could.  No, this is an exhortation to pray more, but pray more corporately and pray for works of the Lord.  Don't just spend your prayer time (and group prayer time) praying for your own needs but go deeper praying for works for the Lord to do.  And trust me, the Holy Spirit will guide you in your prayers if you come with this mindset.

You can continue to sit in a dark room wishing and hoping what it would be to have a room fully lit up in the power that is available or you could start turning on the switch.  I hope you use the switch because when you do, you'll enjoy prayer in a whole new way and see the Lord move in ways He has been waiting for you to ask Him to move in! 

You've just read this post, why not start with just taking 2 minutes for the Lord to move in His church to stir His people up to pray.

This blog post comes from further thoughts of the sermon on John 14:1-14 titled “Famous (Almost) Last Words” which can be found by clicking here or simply visiting http://www.refugesanger.com/teachings.  You can also now find the sermons in podcast form on iTunes by searching my name or under Calvary Chapel Sanger.

This blog was taken from the blog I write for our church based off further thoughts from my sermons.  Those are found at refugesanger.wordpress.com

Spiritual Snobbery

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - Jesus, John 13:34-35

Yes, "snobbery" is a word in case you began reading this blog with that thought and planned to comment on it - I looked it up to be sure…moving on...

At the Calvary Chapel in Sanger where I pastor, I taught John 13:18-38 on how Jesus has love for the backstabbers and bail outs.  We focused a lot on how He loved and how we are to love.  It is a high calling indeed and one we are incapable of doing simply in our own strength, but Jesus gives us the power to love others the way He did.

One of the ways we can be unloving (maybe without even realize it) is when we begin to develop what I will call "Spiritual Snobbery".  Let me explain...

I read an article (and I got its point and agreed with much of the author's premise) and in the article it mentioned the "if you like that, you will love this" lists for music (ie. if you love Hootie & the Blowfish, you will love Third Day; etc.).  The article seemed to almost look down on those lists (and I am in no way critizing the author because this is outside his points) and I at first found myself agreeing with him in that we are simply copying the world's way instead of being our own creative being as Christians.  However, I remembered those lists are what drew me to Christian music in the first place and Christian music has been a huge factor in my spiritual walk and made a major impact on my life.  As a young Christian, I needed those lists to help me in finding Christian music I would like and they did just that.  Just because I don't need them now (and I'm not sure whether they exist or not) as a more mature Christian, does not mean they are less useful.

Spiritual snobbery happens when we look down on things not up to our level of "spiritual maturity".

When we begin to make fun of things in Christian culture because we are mature and therefore cooler than "those things", spiritual snobbery is happening.  When we make fun of young Christians in the faith because they are zealous to take on the world and have not figured out how things work (in our "spiritually mature" minds), that is spiritual snobbery.  When we look down on Christians because they don't know as much as we do in theology or the Bible or whatever, that is spiritual snobbery.  When we turn down our nose at other churches because they don't teach the way we teach (I'm not talking about churches that teach false doctrine or unorthodox teaching but topical vs verse-by-verse, etc), that is spiritual snobbery.  If we look down on others for their supposed lack of liberty (or because they have "too much" liberty), that is spiritual snobbery.  If we find others describing us as "jerks for Jesus" because of our coldness or superiority complex, we have perhaps become spiritual snobs.

Spiritual snobbery is not love and is not the way Jesus loved.

Jesus was around sinners and tax collectors, yet never condoned their actions nor joined in with them.  He loved on them while also pointing to their need for Him.  The early church was the same way.  If we find that we can't love those who are in the world (be it our neighbor, our president, our co-worker, etc) because they are less than us, we have become spiritual snobs.

The only way to combat spiritual snobbery is to take a deep hard look at ourselves.  When we do we will realize in and of ourselves we are wretched, no-good, sinful people in major need of grace.  God did not call us because He was gaining something; we are the fools of the world, the nobodies, the foolish, the un-noble (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).  The only thing that makes us something is Jesus as He looks at us as His bride and beloved children.  He uses us to bring Him glory and all glory should be going to Him.  We aren't somebody now because we have been saved for a while or because we know a lot about the Bible.

The more you grow in love with Jesus, the more you will love others the way He loved.  Spiritual snobbery only shows you aren't growing in your love for Jesus.

This blog post comes from further thoughts of the sermon on John 13:18-38 titled “Love for Bail Outs & Backstabbers” which can be found by clicking here or simply visiting http://www.refugesanger.com/teachings

For more "further thoughts" from my teachings, you can visit http://refugesanger.wordpress.com

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe." - Proverbs 29:25

As we looked at John 12:20-50 this last week, one thing we saw the sad verse of Pharisees who believed in Jesus but did not confess Him for they feared the Pharisees and "they loved the praises of men more than the praises of God."  We spent time showing that making decisions based on the fear of man will never allow you to be a good decision maker or a good leader in your home, work, school or life in general.  Decisions are always going to be questioned by someone but you can stand firm if you've made your decision based on the Lord's leading.

I found it interesting then, that hours later, during Super Bowl XLIX, a decision that was made by the offensive coordinator (OC) to pass led to an interception that allowed the Patriots to win the game.  That decision was dubbed by many "the worst call in Super Bowl history!"  People were quick to react and post all sorts of funny memes and not so funny rants on why the OC did not just give Marshawn Lynch the football and have him run it into the end zone from the 2 yard line.  And so in our Growth Group Home Fellowships, we discussed how we would handle being that OC and what we would say about our decision.

But that also got me thinking and I brought up this question in the GGHF I attended: what makes something a bad decision or good decision?  Should the result always be the determining factor in a good vs bad decision?  Had it worked, would we have still said "worst call ever"? 

As I read more about what went into the decision, I realized there was a reason why the OC made the decision he made and it made sense - even if I don't agree with the philosophy (I come from an old school run the football mentality anyways), I can understand the call.  It also made me remember something else: I don't get paid millions of dollars to coach and make decisions like that nor am I equipped to be a judge and be an armchair coach as if I have a higher intellect and understanding and my thoughts are better than that OC's.

Yet, so many people want to lead from the sidelines.  They want to express their opinions as facts without seeing the big picture.  Whether it be people questioning the president of the United States, questioning their boss or teacher or questioning a ministry leader about decisions, the truth is, it is always easier to "make decisions" from the opposite side of the desk, when it reality, we don't see the big picture that that person sees.  Therefore, we need to be careful of who we start condemning or calling out.  We need to simply trust that leader if the decisions are not against the Lord's ways.

Now to those making decisions led of the Lord, we also don't always understand the big picture of the Lord yet we need to trust that the way He is leading is right.  Steps of faith are often required in making decisions in ministry and we must follow His leading.  And if we are following His leading, then don't let the fear of man keep you from stepping out and standing on the decision you've made.

Will it sometimes be questioned?  Absolutely!  Could some even be hostile or mocking due to decision that was made?  Certainly.  But you answer to the Lord - not to the people and we must remember that.  Others most of the time don't see the big picture, they just have their tiny view of what is going on (just as I do when I try and armchair quarterback). 

But when it comes to making decisions, follow the Lord and don't let the fear of man keep you going the road the Lord wants you to take!

This blog post comes from further thoughts of the sermon on John 12:20-50 titled “Final Words of Jesus to the Crowds” which can be found by clicking here or simply visiting http://www.refugesanger.com/teachings.  It was originally published at refugesanger.wordpress.com

Last Words to Heed

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." - 1 John 5:21

The last words John writes in his first epistle are for us to keep ourselves from idols.  Why would those words be the last thing on his mind & heart as he closes his letter?

Probably because God knows how easy we fall into idol worship. In our culture it's not little statues we worship, but instead it is activities, programs, events, stuff & our own comforts, to mention a few, that become idols in our lives. We can't make time for prayer (private &/or corporate) but we can make time for our favorite TV show or sports game. We can't make time for extra fellowship activities but we can make time for extracurricular activities. We can't make time for our family because we are too busy working to gain stuff. We can't make time for service because our own comforts of time cry out to us.

What's an idol? Anything that easily takes you away from more important things of the Lord or puts itself in place of God.  If you can't stop something (or don't want to), it perhaps is an idol.

Keep yourselves from idols - be it your kids' events that keep them from church functions, be it your work, or your activities.  This world is not our home!

Questions That Should Be Asked - But We Already Know the Answers So We Don't

In this week's teaching, "Wanting the Truth You Can't Handle" from John 10:22-42, we looked at the Jews who asked Jesus to tell them whether He was the Messiah but they weren't interested in the truth - just a fight.  Plus Jesus said they did not believe because they weren't His sheep.

I posed that we too ask questions we really don't want the answers for or maybe we don't ask questions because we already know the answers:

• Do I really need to forgive that person?
• Do I really need to be one devoted to Scripture reading?
• It's okay if I fudge a little on my taxes right?
• I know I should be devoted more to my walk with Jesus, but it isn't a matter of Heaven or Hell so why bother?

The problem with these, and other like questions, is we already know the answers but we just aren't interested in obeying so we don't honestly ask.  It is like in school - if we don't ask the professor for further clarification, then we won't have to do all the work that would be required if he did answer.  In other words, ignorance is bliss.

Where we fail is when we think that the here and now is the most important thing at stake - that our own comfort, wants and desires are the most important things. 

• "Sure I could for go my time to go to a Sunday night prayer meeting, but it's not a matter of salvation so I'm sure my time is better used being happy in my own home." 
• "Sure I could spend more time with the Lord, but it's football/baseball/hockey/basketball/name-your-sport season and He isn't all that concerned." 
• "Who is that guy to challenge me - that's just legalism or being a Pharisee"

Listen, it isn't necessarily the church, the Lord or the pastor who misses out the most when you pay more heed to the temporary things rather than the eternal ones - it is you!  There is blessing both here in seeking more of the Lord as well as in the eternal when we get to partake of those heavenly things we invested our time or money into.  Not one of us will get to Heaven and wish we had spent a little more time in front of the TV or whatever it is.  That's not to say we can't have free time or anything like that, but I think too often we justify our free time and liberty as a means of not partaking in the eternal opportunities God has set in front of us.  I think we've let "comfortable" become the biggest idol we idolize in our modern society. 

Perhaps the biggest question that should be asked - but one we are afraid to fully examine - is just that: have I made comfort and fun the idol I worship more than anything else?

This blog post comes from further thoughts of the sermon on John 10:22-42 titled “Wanting the Truth You Can't Handle” which can be found by clicking here or simply visiting http://www.refugesanger.com/teachings.  It was originally posted on refugesanger.wordpress.com

No Argument On This

Originally posted on refugesanger.wordpress.com

As we have been studying through the Gospel of John, we continue to find the Jews arguing about who Jesus is.  In their arguments though one thing they never argue about:

Whether He is a good teacher or not!

Why do I point that out? Because in today's society there is a belief out there that says something like this: "I follow some of Jesus' teachings because I think they are good, but I don't really follow Him".  And then they will go on to discuss how they also follow Ghandi, Budha and other teachings.  But there is a major problem along this line of thinking and it revolves around if Jesus could simply be a good teacher and if His teachings could actually be good.

Now before you get up in arms and wonder how I could question His teachings being good or not, I do say they are good but they couldn't be if you don't believe He is who He said He was.

See throughout the Scriptures Jesus states He is God - He doesn't blur the line or sort of hint at it; He is bold in declaring it thus the reasons the Jewish leaders want to kill Him.  Now a man who claims to be divine cannot be a good teacher and His teachings can't be good unless in fact He was divine.

Let's put it in modern day perspective.  You have a good job and a good boss.  You like your boss - in fact your boss is a very friendly person.  But let's say your boss one day comes in and declares that he/she is in fact God.  That he/she will rise from the dead and will also one day judge the earth.  Would you continue to be okay with whatever else comes out of the mouth of your boss?  Would you say he/she is a little crazy but I still choose to follow other stuff my boss says.  What about if one of your kids had a teacher who claimed to be God?  Would you still want your kids sitting under that teacher?  Would he/she still be a good teacher?

See Jesus can't just be a good teacher.  He is either a liar, a lunatic or He is Lord.  We have too much evidence to show He certainly was who He said He was (rose from the dead, performed miracles, etc) so He cannot be a liar or a lunatic and therefore must be Lord.  Since He is Lord, His teachings are good and we should follow them.

That is why the Jews argued whether He was the Messiah or a crazy person but never if He was simply a good teacher whose teachings we should follow.  He didn't leave room for them to have that argument.  Next time someone you know uses that argument, ask them why they would view Him as a good teacher or His teachings good since He claimed to be omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and the Messiah.

This blog post comes from the thoughts of the sermon on John 10:1-21 titled “The Good Shepherd” which can be found by clicking here or simply visiting http://www.refugesanger.com/teachings