Heavy Lifting!

We really did some heavy lifting in class this week! Our discussion around the perfect nature of Jesus was excellent. If I can do anything in our class-time, I desire to engage your mind to explore the depths of the Word and it's Truth. When we do theology in community (as we did Sunday morning), it challenges us to listen to one another, to identify and confirm truth, and to still be able to leave the discussion loving each other. Thanks to everyone for the great participation.

We discussed how Jesus lived his life "down-side up". In other words, Jesus lived life not quite the way the world does.

• When wronged, he forgave rather than seeking revenge.
• When hated by his enemies, he loved them, rather than hating them back.
• Instead of seeking credit for good works, he sought no recognition at all.
• Instead of valuing money and materials, he sought to store up riches in heaven.

And when it came to pain, instead of avoiding pain, Jesus embraced pain.

Why did Jesus embrace pain? Why did he choose to suffer?

In his suffering, he was made complete. Ironically, the more He became just like us, the more completely He was and is able to save us.

Consider this: God became like us through the suffering of Jesus. We become more like Jesus through our suffering.

The fact that Jesus embraced pain and suffering doesn't mean that we should go out looking for more agony in our lives.

So what does it mean to embrace pain?

To embrace pain is to:

• Acknowledge that we are fully human. The author of our book correctly observes that humanity seeks a life without pain, but that is a false pursuit. Pain is a part of being human.
• Adopt a realistic attitude about pain. We can react two different ways to pain and suffering. We can be angry, resentful and bitter, seeking to cover up and deny the fact that we've ever bee so weak as to have had to experience pain. OR we can accept the pain that life brings and learn to love and grow in spite of the burden. Which attitude do you have about pain right now?
• Become familiar with heroes who achieved pain in spite of what they suffered. History is replete with people who suffered great pain and suffering, yet were able to overcome and impact their world. They didn't allow their pain and suffering to push them into defeat. In spite of their pain, the overcame. Who are your pain heroes?

Jesus did not relish pain. On Gethsemane, he begged the Father to take the cup of pain away. As I stated in class, I can see how this was the greatest moment of temptation in the life of Jesus. He easily could have slipped away (the disciples were sleeping) and avoided the load of suffering about to come his way. But instead of running, he embraced the pain ("not my will, but Your will...") and he moved forward in spite of His circumstances.

Aren't you glad Jesus embraced pain and suffering! He did it for you and I. He did it because He loved us so much. He embraced pain and suffering....even to the point of death...yet HE LIVES!!!! Can you say "Resurrection"?

As we learn to embrace pain....we need to remember Resurrection is on the horizon.

Joy comes in the morning!!!

Worthy of Our Worship Regardless

This past week, in class we focused on the issue of justice and suffering.

I'll have to admit that leading these classes has been difficult, especially knowing that so many folks in our church family have been traveling through deep valleys.

How can a just God allow suffering? In our study, you will recall we spent some time look at John 9:1-5. In that passage we saw that Jesus pointed out that suffering isn't the result of God throwing down judgment on humanity. Rather, suffering provides God the opportunity to heal and restore those who are broken.

From an eternal perspective, our current suffering will not last, but for those who suffer here and now that can be a bitter pill to swallow.

My biggest concern is that after taking multiple punches, it is easy to get discouraged, depressed and to even become apathetic to God and God's presence in our lives. We can become so spiritually dazed by overwhelming suffering that we become numb to God's presence.

I can't stress enough that Scripture strongly encourages the Body of Christ to help each other in instances of suffering. We need to exhort each other to remain faithful, to get up on our feet, and to continue on the journey of faith.

People are hurting all around us. If you aren't hurting, consider yourself blessed.

Count your blessings. But don't stop there.

Look beyond yourself. Look for those who are suffering.

Reach out to those around you who are suffering and share the Hope of Heaven with them.

I really like the story in the book for this weekend about the Jews who put God on trial in a Concentration Camp during WW II. They held a public trial in the midst of their suffering and, after much deliberation, found God guilty for allowing suffering and pain in the World. As they dispersed from the session, a senior member of the group basically said, "Now it's time for evening prayers."

And they all worshipped together.

We can't explain suffering. We can convict God for allowing it.

But God is still worthy of our worship and our adoration, regardless.

Note: Just a reminder that there is no Sunday School class this Sunday, October 5, 2008. Instead, plan to come and join us for the Centennial Breakfast in the Family Life Center as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Church of the Nazarene.

Why?

Last Sunday in our class, we discussed why suffering and pain are part of our existence.

Through the pain, through the suffering, through the trials, through the bad stuff, Romans 8:37-39 tells us we "are more than conquerors."

"More than conquerors." What is a conqueror? It's one who achieves complete victory and domination over one's opposition. Complete victory. Total domination.

In Christ, we are more than victors. More than dominators over the things that cause us to suffer.

How can that be?

Could it be that "overcoming" pain and suffering in a physical sense isn't the point?

When we think of complete victory over physical pain and suffering, we naturally think about physical healing. But Scripture tells us that in Christ, we are more than victors over physical pain. Sickness, suffering, pain...they can't really touch who we really are in Christ.

When we look at suffering from an eternal viewpoint (and that is really hard to do in the midst of it), we find hope. Suffering and pain are temporary. Someday, Jesus will wipe all the pain away. Jesus will wipe out all the suffering. No more tears.

We have an eternal hope...even in the midst of ugly suffering. Let's help each other remember that eternal hope. Let's not try to rationalize suffering or defend God in the presence of pain. Let's instead remind each other of who we really are in Christ Jesus.....More Than Conquerors.

In class, I mentioned I thought that in Heaven we'd all potentially find the answer to the question, "why suffering?" Dawn H. stopped me afterward and correctly observed that, when we get to Heaven, we won't care about "why?" anymore in the awesome presence of our Heavenly Father.

That, my friends, is hope.

A Perfect World?

From a worldly point of view, a perfect world would not include pain or suffering.

This week in our class discussion, we covered some of the implications of a pain free world. It's important that we understand that such a world may not be all it's cracked up to be.

In looking at the Genesis story, we explored how our freedom to choose is connected to the fact that there is pain and suffering in the world.

Think about how God felt when He decided to let Adam and Eve choose to eat the apple. He knew their would be hurt and pain, but He also knew that if He eliminated their ability to choose, our existence would be meaningless

What makes us uniquely human, besides that thumb you have on your hand, and the ability to symbolize in our minds, is our free agency. God gave to humans, over all other animals, the freedom to consciously choose our path. We are unique in that we can choose.

We can choose to walk with God, or to hide from him (just as Adam and Eve chose in Genesis 3:8-9).

Ultimately, this ability to choose gives meaning and purpose to our individual lives. It is important, regardless of our circumstances, to keep the eternal perspective in view as we live life.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 tells us that we should view pain and suffering as temporary. Keep the faith in the midst of these times because God is going to do something about it. One day, he will remove pain and suffering from the equation.

Remember, this too shall pass.

That's hard to embrace and believe, especially if we are in the midst of pain and suffering...but it is true! It really is! And we need to remind each other of that Truth when appropriate.

Sometimes, life is too overwhelming to really believe it, and we need others to help us remember. We're all in this together and we need to urge each other on in the faith, especially during times of suffering.

You may be suffering so much, you can't believe "this too shall pass". You may not be capable, at some point, to even believe that God is good and that He shares your hurt. You may not be able to believe that He is going to do away with pain and suffering someday.

That's OK. I'll believe for you. And I only ask that when I come upon a time when I can't believe, that you will believe for me.

Pray for each other this week, especially those we know of personally who are going through tough times. Believe for each other!

A Long Obedience

In class this week, we wrapped up our study of John Ortberg's book, The Life You've Always Wanted.

I enjoyed our study and our discussions over the past three months as we've focused on this book and the Scriptural principles behind it. I hope you have also.

Recall that quote from atheist Friedrich Nietzsche that we discussed:

"The essential thing 'in heaven and earth' is…that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living….”

While Nietzsche was an atheist, this quote is steeped in Truth.

The journey of the morphing Christian requires a long obedience. To me, that means that when we get knocked down or bumped around by life, we need to make sure we get right back up and continue pressing toward Christ likeness.

Below are some lesson notes I had to rush through to complete our class on Sunday. Take some time to reflect on Philippians 3 and answer the questions for yourself. Feel free to post any comments or observations if you feel so moved.

Lesson notes

The Journey will require the right confidence, the right attitude, the right perspective and the right frame of mind.

Philippians 3:3 The Right Confidence
If we’re not to put our confidence in the flesh, where do we put our confidence and what does that mean to you?

Philippians 3:7-9 The Right Attitude
What “attitude” is reflected in these verses? How does that contrast to the attitude of the world? (Recall, Ashley's observation about the faith of Abraham in Genesis 22: "We'll be back..." For more insight on Abraham's faith, check out Hebrews 11:17-19)

Philippians 3:12-14 The Right Perspective
What kind of perspective does Paul have in these verses regarding transformation? When we stumble, how may this passage help us get up and keep going?

Philippians 3:16 The Right Frame of Mind
What is key to “living up to what we’ve already attained? What do you do to "remember" the things you've read in Scripture, learned in class or heard in a Sermon.

Whatever hand your dealt in life, keep pushing ahead! Keep morphing and don't give up!!!

The Long Haul....

Achieving the life you've always wanted can sometimes make us feel like the fella in the picture on this post.

Life can beat us up and make us feel defeated.

Last week, Victoria helped the class focus on how suffering plays a role in transforming us into the people God wants us to be.

No one likes to suffer, but it is a part of life. As we wrap up our class this week, we're going to focus on the long view of our spiritual journey with Christ.

Just as our response to suffering tests our faith, so do times where we face tough choices, times where we face success, and times where we face impossible odds!

The challenges and triumphs of life can be stumbling blocks or leverage points on our spiritual journey toward the life we've always wanted.

Are you committed to finishing the race of life well? What is worth sacrificing or enduring in order to finish well for you?

What can we do to spur each other on to finish well?

Your Spiritual Heart Beat

Last week in class we discussed the modern tendency to pursue "balance in our lives."

You'll recall that Ortberg, in his book, casts this "balancing act" as a 21st Century middle class activity and not something that is necessarily Biblical.

Instead, God calls us to a "well-ordered life" where we are pursuing the right things in the right way at the right time in the right spirit.

Are you struggling with the "balancing act"? Are you trying to compartmentalize your spiritual life so it balances with everything else? This can be frustrating for a Christian aspiring for transformation.

Instead, make an intentional effort to permeate your entire life with the spiritual component.

In order to do this effectively, we need to punctuate our lives with a steady, frequent, and intentional effort to incorporate spirituality into everything we do. Satan has a strategy to distract you and to mess up the order of the life you always wanted. That means you need a strategy.

In class we asked the question: what is your spiritual rhythm? What are the things you intentionally do every week, every day, every hour to knit an awareness of your spiritual quest into "right now"?

Would your spiritual EKG have just one spike every 7 days when you go to church? Or is it punctuated on a daily, hourly, even moment to moment basis?

When we intentionally incorporate habits (like prayer, praise, music, etc.) into the rhythm of our lives, we open ourselves fully to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into Christ's image.

If you haven't already this week, map out your spiritual EKG. Do you need to be more intentional? What helps you on a daily basis to be ever mindful and open to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Post a response and share with others....

NOTE: I will be out of town this week, but you have a special guest teacher. Victoria will be teaching the class this week. I'll be back August 31st to wrap up our study of the Ortberg book and launch us into our new focus--growing spiritually through different types of suffering.