Tickle My Intellect, But Don't Prick My Heart

Acts 17:21 "For all the Athenians and foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing."

These guys loved new things! Talking about them, hearing about them, just so long as it was fresh and revelatory. Now at first, it seemed like Paul was making some serious headway. They were all interested in what he had to say and why not, it was NEW! The problem was that the only thing open was their heads but not their hearts. Tickle my intellect, but don't prick my heart. More information, but please no transformation. They even wanted Paul to come back tomorrow and tell them more! Wow, an open door! Every evangelist wants to hear that, let’s make a series! I hope they are recording this, there is a real market for it.

There was only one little problem. Only a few accepted the message "However, some men joined them and believed", so few in fact that he even goes on to name most of them. Few were saved because few were interested in truth that changes, but instead in “knowledge that puffs up”.

Much of the American Church is right here. We have amassed so many teachings, books, CDs, series, sermons and hot new revelations right off the presses, but what we lack most is transformation. We must move past what makes our head happy and into what makes our hearts sad. Sad? But all the latest "Christian" books say how happy I can be. I speak of sorrow, yes the “sorrow that leads unto repentance”.

Information without transformation is decimation. If we go down this road, it’s just a matter of time until our heads explode. You have seen that happen every time a well known minister is caught up in scandal. It is always sad, they had the information, but never allowed the transformation. It all stayed in their head, never penetrated the heart.

People often quote Isaiah 55:11 “My word… shall not return unto Me void…” as if to say that just hearing it automatically means the hearer has changed (It makes us feel better about the lack of results). The first problem is that often times the “words” spoken were never God’s Word, just ear tickling speeches eloquently delivered to impress and wow the hearer. The second problem in the Word not returning void assumes it has returned. Clearly in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 the seed sown is the Word of God. Some people’s soil is too shallow or rocky. Others have too many cares (thorns) and in either case the Word does not establish roots and thrive. Not everyone that heard the Word responded, only those who were good soil. Matt. 13:23 says, “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

When we respond to God’s Word, it will return to Him with a great harvest. Is God’s Word bringing transformation in your life or are you just amassing information and gaining a false assurance of spiritual growth? Do you live what you know?

We are all a work in process, but the key is to be in process. I encourage and challenge you to pursue Jesus and His Word in a way that will change your life.
When we live what we know, the world will want to know Who we are living for. God and His future children are waiting for us to live what we know.

Jesus Didn't Die on A Money Tree

I was recently asked in an email what I thought about the money situation in the church today. It might be a little strong for some, but understand I feel strongly that we need to get back to the true Gospel and many (not all) have been focusing on the wrong things. Below is my response with a couple edits:

"I believe money in the church has become like the bronze serpent in the wilderness. God brought it to provide a supernatural miracle, but they liked it so much they worshipped it more than God. It later had to be destroyed by King Hezekiah. What would happen if God had to take the church's money so it can remember who they are supposed to worship?

1. We need to remember what Jesus said, it is almost impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom. "But with God, all things are possible." We like to quote that one, ironically, usually to get money. Jesus used it right after He said it was impossible for rich people to make it to Heaven, which means that God's grace is so amazing that once in a while some rich guy might squeak in :-)

2. We must take the focus off of money and truly put it on people. We decided at Life Church that we are giving half of the tithes and offerings away (to missions, outreach, school uniforms, community, whatever, just outside of the church). The other half will be used for rent, salaries, expenses, etc. Jesus said to "love your neighbor as yourself", so that sounds like a good way.

3. Stop manipulating people to give. Preachers "show the promises" hoping to appeal to the audience's greed to meet their own greed. At Life Church we have a box by the door and once in a while mention that it is there. Christians raise big $$$ at the expense of turning people away who thought maybe Christians were not all about money and dared to step into a church.

4. What about the tithe? Do we have to? Should we? Are we cursed if we don't? 10%? I believe in tithing, we should tithe, like we should pray and read our Bibles. I also believe in singing in church, I enjoy it. What if I don't? I guess I would miss out on something. I don't believe that tithing must be mentioned every week above prayer, the Word or hmmmm, maybe Jesus! :-) We are free from the law so we can do better than the law. The law says I have to clothe my kids and give them an education. It does not say I have to hug them or say encouraging things. I go beyond the law for the sake of love. If we get hung up on the law issue regarding tithing or anything (on either side) then I believe we miss the point. It is not a legal issue, but a love issue. I pray because I love Jesus, I try to be a better person because I love Jesus, I try to be a good husband and father because I love Jesus and I give because I love Jesus. If I go by the law, I get to stop at 10%. If I go by love, then I am going to want to give more and more. The law of love supersedes the law of sin and death.

Money is okay when we don't worship it or store it up for ourselves. I really cannot reconcile lavish lifestyles by well known ministers while their donors eat dog food to keep them on the air. Then they say "You don't know the price I pay...". I think Paul referred to that price as "your reasonable service". The problem is many have forgotten the price He paid and look at the little bit they are doing and feel like it is so much because it helps to ease their conscience about all their stuff. What would they do if Jesus asked them to sell all they had and follow Him? Before you go to the part where He said they will receive all that and more in this present life, just look at how all the disciples finished. Most died in prison or were crucified and counted it an honor to die for Jesus. None drove Mercedes Camels. Most of the preachers on TV are not truly broken for the lost, because if they were, it would be worth it to give up that fancy car to see a few more people saved from eternal damnation.

I speak passionately because God has stirred and challenged me to change the way I think and live. If God has not changed us lately, it can only be because we have not truly been with Him because none of us are really that perfect.

Well, that's what I think about that :-) "

Pastor John