Don't Go Alone

One of the greatest lies that the enemy sows is that "Good Christians can handle anything." Like all lies, there is an element of truth that forms a tempting and attractive covering on what is really a deadly poison. We buy a motivational poster that reads, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and place it on our wall. That is a biblical truth (Philippians 4:13). We look at the poster as we put on our hat and head out to face the day. While some days are better than others, we survive each day and the truth is reaffirmed.

But it is a partial truth. Ironically, it is sown next to another truth: the promise of the fruit of the Spirit. Scripture promises that the outworking of the Holy Spirit in our lives will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We understand that fruit takes time and like a gardener in the springtime we eagerly await the germination and growing of these "Spirit-fruits." We set our minds on cultivating them in our lives. We work at being patient and loving. And on good days we are fairly successful. We are kind. We are gentle. We exercise self-control. It seems easy.

Then there are the hard days. Sometimes it is easy to define what makes them difficult. Our boss is unreasonable or we receive devastating news. But more often it is often the hard days are mysterious. Every comment bothers us. Our children are a nuisance. The service in the restaurant seems bad. The tram is too full. The list goes on with endless variety. What doesn't change is the expression on our face.

Photo by Alex Iby on Unsplash

We want to cry, but we know Christians are supposed to be joyful so we plaster a smile on our face and tell everyone we are fine. We want to slam the door in someone's face, but we know that Christians are supposed to be kind so we open the door instead. We are supposed to be gentle so we refrain from punching someone while we inwardly seethe with anger. We pretend to be confident, but we are scared to death about the future. We become experts at pretending.

We try to fake the fruit of the Spirit while inside we are full of rage, bitterness, jealousy, depression, and envy. Satan is thrilled as he watches us wither on the vine. True joy has long disappeared from our lives. We are merely surviving rather than experiencing the abundant life Jesus came to give us. The partial truth has caused us to swallow a lie. We are sowing to flesh rather than the Spirit because we think we can handle it "with Jesus." We've bought the lie and its poison is killing us.

What is the lie?

Think about the sentence "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." How does Christ strengthen you? If you are like me, your quick response is "the Bible and the Holy Spirit." It is a good answer. It is a right answer. It is also incomplete. And the incompleteness makes it a deadly answer.

We think that if we are mature we can "stand on our own two feet" (with Jesus' help, of course). We easily accept the idea that maturity equals independence. This appeals to our pride. The missing piece of the answer is that Christ also strengthens us through other believers.

The sentence "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" needs to be read in context. In its larger context Paul is writing a thank-you letter to the Philippians. The Philippian church has sent a gift to him while he is in prison. He thanks them for their partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3-7). The struggles he was facing were well-known to them. They were not hidden. He thanks them for their practical gift. He assures them that because of Christ he is doing alright because he has learned to be content with little, but he is not saying that he does not need their partnership! He rejoices in it and is greatly encouraged by it. He is not alone.

In fact, Paul writes to the Corinthians about the struggles that he had faced in the Roman province of Asia. "We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself" (2 Corinthians 1:8). This trial caused Paul to depend more fully on God. Notice that he says, "He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You must also help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted to us through the prayers of many." (2 Corinthians 1:10-11).

Paul knew that one of the keys to doing "all things through Christ who strengthens me" was the partnership and prayers of other believers. They were knit together by the Lord in the bond of fellowship. This fellowship was marked by prayer. Paul prayed earnestly for others. He asked them to pray for him. He would be firm in rebuking the idea that we were somehow to live the abundant life without the partnership and prayer of other believers.

Putting It Into Practice

Asking for Prayer
One of the biggest steps that many people could take in their walk with Jesus is simply asking someone to pray for them! Asking for prayer breaks down our pride and gives the opportunity for the Lord to act in response to our humility and the prayers of others.
This is one of the major reasons that we have developed the Prayer and Care ministry at TICOS. Every Sunday there are people in church who are facing difficulties. Some Sunday it will be you. You may be a struggling with sin. You may have a financial problem. You might have a health issue or emotional struggle. Perhaps you simply want more of Jesus in your life. Whatever it is, prayer is part of the answer. Our Prayer and Care ministry is there to pray with you. Do not be afraid (or too proud) to ask for prayer!

Developing Partnerships
We have fellowship with one another through the gospel (1 John 1:3). Deep relational fellowship must be intentionally cultivated over time. It doesn't just happen. I've always attended church regularly (even before I was paid to do so!). Sunday morning worship is an important time for the body of Christ. But I've found that it isn't enough. I have been involved in life groups my entire Christian life. These groups have met regularly (usually every week) to talk, study the Bible, and pray together. Over time, the people in these groups have gotten to know me and I have gotten to know them. They know the ups and downs of my life. They've taught me, encouraged me, and corrected me. They've imparted wisdom. They've made me laugh until my stomach hurts. They've hugged me when I've suffered loss. They are "partners" with me. We "do life" together. They have had a tremendous impact in my life. That's why I think life groups are so important.

So let me encourage you to ask the Prayer Team to pray for you.  Be a part of a life group. These are key ways Christ will give you strength to "do all things."

Don't try to do the Christian life by yourself. It doesn't work that way.

On Listening to Sermons

God has ordained that the preaching of the Word be an essential part of the life of the church and an important part of our Christian life. So how can we get the most out of listening to sermons?

What is at stake?
It is essential to understand what is supposed to be happening during the sermon. It will give us important clues to how to approach listening to sermons. Fortunately, Paul gave some instructions to a young pastor named Timothy about what he was supposed to be doing as a preacher. These instructions can help us figure out how to benefit from listening to even a "below average" preacher.

Paul tells Timothy to Preach The Word (1 Timothy 4:2). The topic of the sermon is to be the Bible. The preacher is to help people understand what it says and how to apply it to life. Paul tells Timothy to do his best to rightly handle the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). There is depth in the Greek terms which Paul uses here. The phrase "Do your best" means to exert oneself with diligence and effort. The phrase "rightly handle" was used for cutting fabric in sewing clothes. Timothy is to do his very best to "rightly cut" the Scriptures. This takes both skill and patience. So we should expect the sermon to make careful use of the Bible and accurately explain what it means.

Paul firmly grounds the preaching subject in the Scriptures because the Scriptures are able "to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 3:15). Paul insists on the careful study and application of the teachings of the Bible. Salvation...heaven and hell...are at stake in this matter of preaching. He explicitly says so in 1 Timothy 4:16. Preaching is serious business and not to be taken lightly by either the preacher or the listener. Paul warns that people will prefer to listen to those who do not preach the truth of Scriptures and will wander away from the gospel. It will sound good and be popular but will lead to damnation. (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

The word "preach" means to herald. The herald is the town crier raising his voice with the message of the king. It is not the message of the herald voicing his own ideas or opinions. It is the message of the king that is being joyfully announced. That's why the preacher-herald must study carefully to make sure that they have the message right. The listener must be diligent to listen carefully to what God is saying through the ministry of the Word because the Word points the way to salvation. Preaching is Scripture-based and Christ-exalting.

It Is Not Always Fun
Paul says that Scripture is designed to make us complete and equipped for everything that God has called us to do (2 Timothy 3:15-17). He explains that it does this through four different means:

• Teaching: the laying out of doctrine, precepts, or instruction.
• Reproving: the correction and confrontation of false ideas and doctrines. 
• Correcting: the straightening up of lifestyle; the correction and confrontation of wrong behavior.
• Training in righteousness: the education and development of godly character and lifestyle.

Paul tells him to preach the Word and explains what that looks like: reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and training (1 Timothy 4:2). This is not always fun in the way that tickles our ears and feeds our sinful passions. It is absolutely essential for the health, wellbeing, and salvation of our souls. Drinking deeply of the Word brings life. Our souls crave the Word. Our sinful nature does not. The faithful ministry of the Word will benefit our souls if we allow it to soak into our lives.

Good Listening is Important

Given what is at stake during the sermon, we must be diligent to pay attention to what is being said. We are not to automatically accept everything that the preacher says. Far from it! Paul warns that false teachers will infiltrate the church and attempt to lead people astray (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Instead, we are to be like the Bereans. The Bereans listened to the preaching of the Word and then examined the Scriptures to see what was being proclaimed was true. Because the preaching lined up with Scripture, many of the Bereans believed and were saved (Acts 17:10-12). Good lisenting is not passive, but an active responsibility of every believer.

Strategies to get the most out of every sermon.

Pray Before, During, and After the Message

Before:

For your preacher: Pray that he would be diligent in study and prayer as he prepares the sermon. Pray that he would encounter God afresh in his study. Pray that he would see clearly how to apply the text. Pray that Sunday morning he would preach the Word with power.

For yourself: Pray that you would be hungry to hear what God says through the preaching of the Word. Pray that Sunday morning would not be a rushed blur of activity getting to church. Pray that you would not be distracted from hearing.

During:

For your preacher: Pray that he would have liberty in preaching and that the heralding of the message would have the effect God intends. Pray that Christ would be exalted.

For yourself: Pray that you would hear what God is saying to you.

After:

For your preacher: Pray that he would be refreshed and renewed. Most preachers are exhausted by Sunday afternoon. Pray that he would apply the sermon in his own life.

For yourself: Pray that you would have the diligence to remember and apply the Word. Where the Word challenged your understanding, pray that you would carefully examine the Scriptures to see if what was preached accords with God's Word.

"Ignore" the Messenger

This takes a moment to explain. Sometimes we don't hear the message because we have a problem with the messenger. Perhaps we don't like his voice or his mannerisms. Perhaps his style of delivery or his accent is a distraction. Perhaps we think his clothes are wrong or he is too skinny or too tall or has bad hair. Ignore it all. The sermon is not a TV talent show. It is a moment to try to hear the message of God. Fight through whatever you find personally distracting about the messenger's delivery so that you hear what the Word of God is saying.

Fight to Limit Distractions

Our minds are so prone to wander! Good preachers do their best to keep our attention, but we must work to keep them focused on the message. 

Sit near the front. I find that sitting near the front helps me listen. The fewer people between me and the preacher, the better. I am rarely distracted by the people behind me. At concerts and sporting events the "best" seats are in the front where you can really see and hear everything. Where do you think the best seat is in the church service?

Turn the cell phone off. Cellphones are great because we can have the Scriptures with us wherever we go! But for many people, the temptation to be distracted is simply too great. There are the "holy distractions" like checking to see what our favorite internet preacher said about a subject or looking up different translations. Then there are the "unholy" distractions like the SMS from the person three rows back wondering if you want to go to lunch. Even on silent mode, our phones constantly call for our attention. Consider using a paper Bible instead. If you don't want to carry one, they are available on the table near the door.

Consider who you sit next to. Some people are "fun" to sit next to because they are constantly seeking to entertain us. The whispered comment that causes us to giggle may be fun in some settings, but the sermon is too important for those kinds of distractions. One of the reasons that we have a children's ministry during the sermon all year round is because we want parents to be undistracted during the ministry of the Word.

Take Notes

Simply taking notes and writing down the main ideas of the sermon can be a tremendous way of focusing our minds on what is being said. It also helps us remember what was said.

Watch Your Attitude
It can be easy to become critical. A critical attitude can be deadly because it is an almost certain sign of pride. It evaluates the "performance" of the preacher rather than listening to what God might be telling us.

Ask Yourself a Question
What is God saying to me through the Word? How does it apply to me? Is it affirming or correcting what I believe? Is it encouraging my godly behavior or am I convicted of my sin and need to repent? Is there a promise to cling to? What is the central thought that is being conveyed? How would I summarize the passage and the message?

Talk About It
One of the best ways to focus and sharpen our listening skills is to talk about the passage and the message after the service. I am not suggesting that after church we should criticize the message each week (although I do think that pastors are well served by having a selected team of people have input into their preaching). Instead, make it a practice to talk about what encouraged you or challenged you in the message. Such conversation helps drive the biblical truths deeper into our hearts.

Global Warming and the Believer

One of the great concerns that forms the backdrop of our days is global warming or climate change. It is the basis of studies and journal articles. Movies influence us and talk shows educate us. Every now and then a scientist will argue that it is a natural fluctuation or that its causes are not man-made. They are usually shouted down or ridiculed.

Occasionally I am asked what my opinion is on the topic. As a pastor, I take a different approach than most people because I spend most of my time studying to apply the Bible to everyday life. I do a lot of reading about what is happening in the world so I can make these applications, but my focus is on the Bible. Based on that study, I believe that we have a responsibility to care for the environment. This belief is grounded in God's Word and not swayed by the latest series of articles trending in the popular press.

Let me say something we all agree with: Pollution is bad. A clean environment is good.

Scientists now believe that there is a link between the burning of fossil fuels and the warming of the earth. They may be right. If they are, we need to work hard to reduce the impact of fossil fuels. Even if they are wrong, it is still true that pollution is bad and a clean environment is good. So working to minimize pollution is a winner in either case. It is also an important part of a biblical worldview.

The Care of the Creation is Our Responsibility.
In the opening chapters of Genesis, God gave Adam and Eve the responsibility for caring for the earth. They were to have dominion over it (Genesis 1:28). They were to work it and keep it (Genesis 2:15). God entrusted the care of the earth to us. He has given us the planet as a resource to be used and He expects us to take good care of the planet rather than ruining it. We are to work the ground to grow food. God's Word does not condemn the building of houses and cities or the advancement of civilization, in fact, it is expected. We were given a universe to explore and study and delight in. It all reveals his glory. Given that we have been entrusted with the responsibility for the planet, it makes sense for us to be concerned about the environment as followers of Christ. The fact that even on good days the air quality here is "mediocre" should bother the thoughtful Christian.

True Science and Biblical Christianity are not in Conflict.
Science is that field of study which seeks to observe, discover, and understand the properties of the world around us. The sciences have advanced our knowledge of the physical world to an immense degree through systematic observation and experimentation. Far from being in conflict with Christianity, the discovery of new things in the Creation should result in glory being given to the Creator and a more careful and wiser exercise of our responsibility to have dominion over and care for the world with which we have been entrusted. Accurate and responsible scientific discovery is a blessing. The application of that knowledge can be a blessing or a curse. The unlocking of the atom produced both nuclear energy and nuclear bombs.

When scientific study points to harm being done to the environment by our actions, we must carefully consider ways to minimize that harm. Science can help us understand the implications of our actions. Science can find ways to reduce the amount of pollution caused by fossil fuels and can point to alternative energy sources that can be developed and implemented.

The Care of Creation is a Reflection of Love.
The ethics of the Bible are reflected in the ideals of love for God and love for your neighbor. This is where the Bible speaks loudest about our care for the environment.

Let's take the example of human waste. Science might supply evidence that it is healthier to have a latrine than to throw human waste into the streets. So love would dictate that I build a latrine. Science might then discover that improperly built or located latrines contaminate wells. Love says that I shouldn't build my latrine in a way that it can contaminate my neighbor's well. Love might also lead us to agree as a community to use scientific knowledge to build a waste treatment facility to handle all of our wastes. Goodbye latrines!

Love might also lead to clean water for the community. It might lead to working together to develop public transportation systems. It demands that we harness scientific knowledge in ways that are beneficial.

The Decisions Regarding Caring for the Creation are Complex. 
For example, consider the eco-friendly bicycle. How can we have our bicycle in a way that is good for our environment as well? Where should the iron come from to build the bike? Mining and making metal causes pollution. Does a city dweller's interest in a clean environment trump the interests of someone who lives and works in the area where the mine is located? What if they would prefer to have a job mining the ore on the nearby land and the city dwellers would like the "environmentally friendly" forest left undisturbed? How strict should the environmental regulations be on the operation of the mine? Most mines use incredible amounts of power equipment. What kind of energy should they use to mine the ore? Fossil fuels? Electricity (generated how?)?

Once we have the ore dug out of the ground, where should the steel mill be located? What type of regulations should govern its environmental impact? What about the paint for the bike? Don't forget that butyl rubber, carbon black, and silicon are needed to manufacture tires for the bike. Where will they come from?

Each step in the process of producing a bicycle can have dramatic environmental impacts. Legislation should be passed to ensure that effects of manufacturing are minimized. The trouble is that pollution control will increase the cost of the bicycle. What if the regulations raise the price of the bicycle to the point that I cannot afford one? If our nation passes tough restrictions, is it ethical to buy a less expensive bicycle from a country that has no environmental regulations?

The questions about a simple bicycle are endless. We simply cannot have a bicycle without creating an impact on the environment. Walking is less destructive, but the reality is that we don't want to walk everywhere we go. We want our bicycle. We want to fly across the oceans in jets rather than using wind-powered boats made out of renewable resources like they did a couple of centuries ago.

Questions of the environment and how we can best manage the resources of the planet are important matters for Christians to be talking about. Caring for the environment should concern us. Science can help us make intelligent decisions, but we must remember that there are no clear cut answers. It is important that anger and divisiveness not be a part of our discussion of these issues. We must seek to understand others and to voice our own opinions in a constructive way. The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) should be evident in our lives.


The Care of the Creation is not the Most Pressing Problem.
The care of the creation is important. We should be concerned about it. But we also understand that there is a far greater crisis facing people than global warming: a Christless eternity. So let's be concerned about the environment, but let us also work to keep the most important thing our greatest concern. If we are more passionate about fixing the environment than we are about our neighbor's eternal destiny, something is out of balance in our belief system.