Philippians 3:13-14 12/26/2023*

“Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Another Christmas is in the books and now we look to the New Year. Most of us didn’t accomplish everything we wanted this year, and we’ve had some good and some bad outcomes…  So, how do we deal with them?   We don’t, they are behind us.  We press on toward the coming year - a blank canvas that now becomes our focus. 

Getting stuck in my past can hurt me in two ways:  My failures can eliminate my confidence for the future. Or my past successes can cause vanity and open the door to my greatest enemy, pride. 

This passage tells me to abandon self-doubt, self-confidence … and pretty much self-anything that the past generates.   I must forget yesterday and lean into today. Press on and serve God, solely depending on His power not my own.  

We will move quicker and more precisely if we drop the baggage from the past. Time moves forward, so should you. This morning didn’t just happen, God created it and has a plan… I will rejoice and be glad. I will dive into today, and keep my head on a swivel, so I won’t miss the opportunities God has arranged for me.  I’m not fearful because what God has given me to do - He qualifies me to do. I am a new creation whose past is inconsequential because God has prepared me for what’s next.

Our New Year’s resolutions should just be one thing, “Chase what matters” … That was the phrase my buddy Bruce Hayes used to inspire his students, and it should inspire me as well. God’s plan for today is what matters. So, let’s forget what happened yesterday, focus on today, and keep “self” out of the way of God’s plan for this New Year. 

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Drop the weightiness of the past and use the lessons learned to run full speed towards a productive today… Serving Him is what matters.

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” —Vern McLellan

Romans 11:33 12/19/2023*

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

God’s not like me. His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are not my ways. The enemy’s plan is to make me misunderstand the very nature of God. 

Reading the New Testament about God’s love is cozy compared to reading The Old Testament about His unbending Holiness. However, both attributes are essential in our understanding of The Lord.  

When I venture into the Old Testament, I realize that I don’t comprehend His power and complexity. I have created an image of God I am comfortable with…  Majoring on the love of the Lamb, to the exclusion of the wrath of the Lord of Armies.

Christmas is the collision of these two equally essential traits.  The pivot point of human history is the birth of Jesus.  This event marks the moment God demanded an accounting for my sin, and chose to suffer the payment for me.

Holiness and Forgiveness. Both inflexible conditions in a single Deity so complex that He is described as the Triune God… So magnificent that we only begin to understand if we consider Him three in one.   And yet Christmas morning He chose to come as a servant born in a shed. 

The enemy cannot deny the overwhelming magnitude and impact of Christmas, so instead he attempts to confuse it with lights, trees, and trinkets. It is wonderful to celebrate joy during this holiday, but we must not miss its meaning.  Christmas commemorates the launch of God’s rescue mission for you and me, instigated by His unfathomable love. The King of Kings made the impossible – possible, by paying an enormous price to free us from our self-earned destruction.  

You should relish Christmas, enjoying your family, food, and friends.  But don’t forget to meditate on the reason for our celebration. It was His Christmas gift to you in that manger that restored your fellowship with God and changed your eternal destiny from suffering to peace. That is truly the only gift that matters! 

"Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life." - Corrie Ten Boom

Matthew 19:24 12/12/2023*

“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

We’ve all read this verse and yet somehow, missed the gravity of the statement.  Even the disciples were stunned by what Jesus said. So much so, that they asked, “then who can be saved?”  Jesus’ answers, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  He didn’t say, “don’t worry, that’s just a metaphor”.  He doubles down and says, only the power of God can get the wealthy into the Kingdom. And since by the world’s standards we’re all wealthy,  we had better examine that statement. 

Money is dangerous. The love of money is lethal. I must not allow the blessing of prosperity to become a poison. So, what’s my gameplan for dealing with something Jesus speaks so forcefully about? 

I must recognize that wealth doesn’t “qualify” me, or anyone else, for God’s work. It is actually a red flag that I must be wary of... Jesus’ uses cautionary words regarding wealth because there is great temptation for rich people to worship money instead of God. 

What about you?  Would your response have been different than the rich young ruler, who when told to sell all he had and follow Christ, went away grieving?  If you had to write a check today to be a Christian, how much would be too much?

Money is not the root of all evil, the love of money is… And love of money is closely related to love of self, and love of self opens the door to the most dangerous Idol on the planet … Me.  Maybe that’s what Jesus meant.

Since only God can get a camel through the eye of that needle,  you should consider a few questions… Which book influences your life more, your Bible, or your checkbook? Do you control money, or does it control you?  Are you neglecting God’s Kingdom, in order to build your own?  The answers to these questions matter.

So, handle money carefully, it is like working with a nuclear reactor… It has great power to do good… but dropping your guard, falling in love with its power, and pursuing it at all costs, will disqualify you for the Kingdom. 

“Money often costs too much.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

1 Thessalonians 4:3 12/5/2023*

“It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,  not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;  and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.”

We like to say we are searching for God’s will… but it’s not hidden. His Will is our sanctification. Sanctification means “to be set apart” and sexual sin “de-sanctifies” us. 

That’s a problem because our culture promotes it. We have invented ways to degrade ourselves which has produced innumerable perversions. It’s no longer possible to shock us with depravity. It has become commonplace.  

The Bible gives two reasons that this needs to change:

1. 1 Corinthians says “… the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” Your body is the temple of God… Sexual sin blasphemes that temple. This sin is distinctive because it violates your body which houses the Holy Spirit. If you want to know Jesus’ opinion of defiling the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, just read about His Clearing of the Temple with a bullwhip.

2. Sexual sin hurts people. God created sex to produce life, and to allow a husband and wife to become one … any other practice harms us. Every deviation ends in destruction. Look around at the demolished families, broken people, and the “spiritual roadkill” of ministries that have imploded because of this sin.  Like a disease immorality is malignant and progressive. Pornography is often the starting point and believing porn is victimless, will make you a victim.   

So, sexual sin degrades God’s Temple, and hurts His children. The Bible commands that we love God …and love our neighbor. This sin violates both elements of that commandment. You cannot ignore God’s law. If you plant immorality, you will harvest devastation.

Even though the consequences are obvious and irrefutable, our culture refuses to tolerate restraints on our sexuality … Truth is considered hateful, and facts about its harmfulness are disregarded. So don’t expect applause, you will be mocked and canceled... But God is clear on the topic, this sin is lethal, and you would be wise to avoid it, because it destroys everything it touches.

“Purity is to live according to original design.” - Josh McDowell

Isaiah 59:14-15 11/28/2023*

“So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.” 

Written nearly 3,000 years ago, this passage is poetic, powerful, and prophetic… It is an accurate description of our culture today. 

A few years ago, “post truth” was the most searched phrase on the web. We have become that society. “Truth is nowhere to be found” and each man does what is right in his own eyes. We elect leaders who say what our itching ears want to hear, and we are reaping the harvest. Truth has “stumbled in the streets,” we can no longer even define it, and we are afloat in a sea of uncertainty.

Not only do we no longer seek truth … we don’t tolerate it.  Men of morality are vilified as haters. The world hates truth, so it calls truth hate, and those who preach it have become “prey”... They are hunted, slandered,  and canceled. Our culture demands silent compliance, so what can the church do about it?

How about we become rebels and spread the truth anyway. Let’s shine a light on sin regardless of the consequences.  Our timidness has emboldened the enemy, and as we sit silently, lies are repeated until they are accepted as truth. It is the emperor’s new clothes all over again, and someone is going to have to say something… Someone is going to have to speak the truth. 

However, “speak the truth” is not the entirety of God’s command... God says someone is going to have to “speak the truth in love”. I can easily become angry enough to speak the truth …. But can I love others enough to do it? Truth lands differently when it comes from a place of love.  

If I know people who are walking toward destruction, and I watch in silence so as not to offend …that is not love… But neither is screaming vitriol at them and hoping for their demise… So, speak hard truth today… Be accurate and don’t water it down…  but don’t use it as a weapon… use it as a rescue rope to save those who are drowning in a sea of deceit. 

“Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.” - Henri Frederic Amiel

2 Peter 1:10-11 10/21/2023*

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.”

Peter encourages us to be diligent to make certain of God’s calling and choice of us. That is a peculiar statement in light of other scripture.  The Word of God is clear that we are saved through faith, yet Peter says our diligent obedience makes it more certain… You don’t hear many sermons on this, yet Peter speaks of it almost casually.  

Salvation is by grace through faith, and that faith is a gift from God, so we have nothing to boast about. But this verse says our diligent practice of obedience confirms the certainty of that gift…  That’s confusing because in Romans, Paul refers to  his own “good works” as rubbish in acquiring salvation.  

So how do we unite these two passages?

Let’s approach it this way… The appearance of apples on a tree… is not what makes it an apple tree, it simply proves that it is one.  In the same way, our conduct is not what makes us Christians, but it offers proof that we are.

Christians aren’t perfect and are still badly in need of grace, but our faith is confirmed as we strive to be more like Christ… “Fire insurance” salvation, where you walk the aisle, recite a prayer, and just continue down the same road, is not found in scripture.

Jesus said, "follow me", and that means changing direction. Grasping the relationship between obedience and salvation is challenging. But study it anyway… As you grow consume the meat of the Word, not just the milk. Dig deep into scripture. Verses like this can be uncomfortable but our goal is not comfort… it is holiness. Christ offers to be your Lord and Savior; and those titles are inseparable – so be diligent about His calling. 

As you grapple with Omnipotence, Holiness, and the myriad of other topics in scripture that can be hard to understand, make sure that you spend as much time obediently living out the things in His Word that you do understand. 

“The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are opposite sides of the same coin.” - A. W. Tozer

John 16:26-27 11/14/2023*

”In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”

In this passage Jesus clarifies that your salvation is personal… You should approach God as your Father. He desires to speak with you... Let me clarify… God wants to talk to you.  

It would have been a benevolent gesture had God just sent an interpreter. Someone who could bring our petitions to Him… Any opportunity to communicate with God would have been a blessing beyond measure.  

But God did much more than that… He sent a sacrifice to destroy the separation between us … His gift imputed holiness to you and created a way for you to have a relationship with Him.  

But the most astonishing part - is WHY He did it... 

God did all this because He loves you… That is staggering.  That statement is so outlandish that Jesus had to clarify it by saying  “I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father Himself loves you...”  

Maybe we’ve been told that God loves us too many times… so many times that  we don’t really hear it anymore ... the statement should make us shudder… It is a shocking truth that should leave us stunned every time we hear it.  Being told that God, who knows your every thought, mistake, and shameful failure …  looks at you with love, should bring you to your knees.  

God allowed His Son to be executed for your transgressions… That is the ultimate demonstration of love. Because you love Jesus and believe that He came from God  - The Father Loves YOU. 

That’s the gospel… That’s life changing grace … In the midst of the storm, when the world says you’re not enough,  wrap your head around the fact that your faith in Jesus has given you new life, and that God adores you… Let that give you confidence and change how you approach God, and how you treat others.  

“We should be astonished at the goodness of God, stunned that He should bother to call us by name, our mouths wide open at His love, bewildered that at this very moment we are standing on holy ground.” ― Brennan Manning

ISAIAH 2:22 11/7/2023*

“Take no account of man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?”

In this age of “influencers” attempting to sell you a template for your life… this verse is good advice… Stop looking to other humans for guidance, value, or self-esteem.

We frantically chase after diets, workouts, jobs, clothes… anything that we think can cover our insecurities… and worse, we think we are the only ones who feel that way.  This self-doubt is reinforced every time we look at our phones and see all our perfect “friends” with their perfect jobs, marriages, and lives. 

This verse says that that perception is a lie… They are in the same boat as you. Most are searching for meaning, and living their life “one escape after another”… This verse says that, just like you, they are 30 seconds away from needing their next breath just to continue living.  

Maybe that is why God has us breathe 22,000 times a day. To remind us that life is a fragile gift, and 22,000 times a day we should be grateful for it.

We should use more of those breaths to thank Him since every rich, powerful, famous person on earth would give everything they own – just for that next breath. 

So, it makes no sense to esteem people who are in the same predicament as you are… Why look to them for guidance?... They are searching for control they will never find – so why follow them?  Instead follow the one who breathed life into you in the first place. Look to Him to establish your value and give you direction. 

We are all running the same race… sinners in need of redemption which we cannot afford. “Self-help” is a misnomer… We need help from power not found within ourselves. Salvation is a gift only found through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  

Love everyone – envy no one. Stop looking for life models online, in clubs, or in the rich and famous …That’s all just smoke and mirrors.  

Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He came to give you life abundantly.  Your value and security come from walking humbly with God and following His Word… everything else is just a distraction.

“Religion says earn your life. Secular society says create your life. Jesus says, 'My life for your life. - Timothy Keller

James 1:1 10/31/2023*

“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ...”

God didn’t use me to write the book of “James” because… well, it would have been called “Boyd” for one … but more significantly, I would have been too intent on listing my qualifications … If I were in James shoes, I would have used my kinship with Jesus to elevate myself …my letter would have started like this: “I’m Boyd, Jesus’ little brother… so I’m pretty important.” 

But James’s only claim to fame is his servanthood to God and Christ. 

Being a brother of the Savior, the leader of the church, a guy who spent his whole life with Christ and knew Him better that any of the disciples… None of these “credentials” mattered to James… Instead, the title he chose was “bondservant of God.”

What titles do you choose?... What accolades do you consider important?  Are there things you “humble brag” about to make sure you are listened to, and respected by others?

Scripture says we must decrease so He will increase, but most would rather tell you to do that, than do it themselves. We want to be humble, but we want people to admire our humility …and that’s a problem…self-promotion is a problem… Jesus says we have it backwards. 

Christ preached that the first shall be last… The servants will be the masters… Being poor in spirit is the only way to be rich.  And while we often preach these truths – we seldom pursue them. 

We call pride a sin but fail to recognize it as the original one… It is the enemy’s first and favorite weapon, and our semi-tolerance of it has allowed it to destroy countless lives. It breeds hypocrisy. It disguises itself as piety, and poisons churches …  Nothing disqualifies you as a follower of Christ more than pride.

Let’s try humility today… Not for a moment, but for the entire day … Let’s think of others as more important than ourselves. Praying that God will use us  - and not even let us know – so we may walk in humility with God, serve others, and not be tempted by the deadly sin of pride. 

Nothing will enrich your life more than choosing to elevate God and His children, instead of yourself.

“Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” - C. S. Lewis

Colossians 4:2-3 10/24/2023*

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

After encouraging the Colossians, Paul mentions that he is in chains.  If I were writing the letter, I would have started with that,  and encouraged them to pray for my freedom!  I usually pray about opening earthly doors… Paul desires prayer about opening doors for the gospel. 

He says, “devote yourself” to prayer so the mystery of Christ can be proclaimed … Am I devoted to talking to God?... And when I do pray, is it to promote His Kingdom or mine?

To be honest, the times I hit my knees in real devotion usually involve a personal emergency. And that is an appropriate response.  

But when did I last cry out to God about unbelievers?  When did I lose sleep because I was burdened by the sinfulness of our culture?  We are quick to post about politics, but do we pray for our country?  I cannot find the verse that tells me to lambast my political opponents online … but scripture clearly instructs me to pray for those in authority.  

It seems prayer is a more intricate issue than we have made it.  It’s not just a time to complain to God when we feel slighted… or place our order for the blessings we desire. 

Prayer is an avenue allowing us to be involved in God’s plan. It is an opportunity to wage war against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” That is what prayer is intended to be.  It is the greatest honor, and the most powerful weapon in all of creation …and we must not reduce it to a mantra, mindlessly uttered before meals. 

Let’s re-evaluate our approach to prayer. Let’s pray with passion and confidence making it our first, and last resort…. Prayer is powerful because God is … He is able to do more than we could ever ask for or imagine … That is what Jesus meant when He said... “Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen”

I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than, the measure of the intensity of your prayer. – Charles Spurgeon