Missing Worship: It's Much Bigger Than Homosexuality
With all the conversations around marriage, civil unions and homosexuality on the news, in the White House, on blogs and coffee shops, I need you to know that much much more is at stake.
Let me explain.
"In the beginning, God." There it is. We start with God. He is the all-powerful Creator and Sustainer of all things. He is separate from everything else. The best we can come up with about God are the characteristics and actions we find in the Biblical Scriptures as well as a living and breathing personal relationship with Him. He created time, light, water, vegetation, animals and the grand crescendo, he created human beings made in His image. You and I are made by God. Not a product of chance or evolutionary process, but with an overwhelming amount of Love from the Lord. You were created by a very personal God.
But why? Why did He create YOU?
Don't miss this...
For His glory.
Not ours.
His.
We were not made for us. Read that again. The end game of life is not you. We were made by Him, for Him and for His purposes. You are not your own. We were made to worship God, not just in songs on Saturdays or Sundays, but with every area of our lives.
For His glory.
Not ours.
His.
If you miss this point, you miss everything else in life. You will miss a whole lot more.
All this creation was good and got very good when he created people...two people...named Adam and Eve. A man and a woman made with different biological makeup, but in the image of God with the capacity for feelings, emotions, desires, dreams and the like. Before the events of Genesis chapte 3, all of these God-given areas were completely lined up with giving God glory. Adam and Eve understood. Adam and Eve got it. They had unbroken fellowship with God giving Him worship with their lives.
And then it happened.
God told the only two human beings (a man and woman) not to do something. He said not to eat from a tree. THE TREE. There was only one like this one. It was the "Tree of Good and Evil." If they eat the fruit off of this tree they would be like God in the sense that they would know "good and evil." Notice they could look at the tree, climb on the tree, walk around the tree, but they could not "taste" of the tree.
But, they did.
They sinned against the all-powerful Creator God of the Universe. He told them not to eat from it and they did. As a result everything, yes everything was messed up. The universe was spiritually, emotionally, and physically depraved in all sorts of ways. Adam and Eve were told they would die if they ate of the tree and indeed they died in regard for their relationship with God and life just got much more difficult. Now their appetites after eating from the wrong fruit were opened up to other sinful behaviors against God.
The rest of the Old Testament is this struggle for all human beings to grow closer to God, giving him glory. The struggle is over whether to worship Creation or the Creator. Human beings are part of the creation. God is the only one worthy of our worship, but we struggle.
Fast forward in the Bible.
In the New Testament, Paul shares at the beginning of a deep theological letter all about worshipping the One True God that as a result of the fall of mankind into sin against God in Genesis 3, people have been acting out their separation from God and sinful behaviors in all sorts of depraved ways. Here are a few excerpts from what Paul says in Romans chapters 1 and 2 about people giving into depravity and not to worshipping God.
"18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
God hates that we worship anything but him. This sinfulness in man causes his real wrath to come against people. He is entitled. He is God and wants us to freely worship Him, but we struggle.
"21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."
People worshipped idols or created things instead of God. It is still happening today. People who do not worship the One True God are by default worshipping God's creation and this makes God angry. Like a Father cares and longs for his child's love, so God wants all of the love and worship directed back to him and him alone. After all, He is the Creator and Sustainer God. He is worthy of it all.
"24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."
As a result of man not worshipping God completely, God said, "Okay. I love you, but if that is what you want to do, I will allow you to do it even though it hurts my heart deeply that you choose the creation over the creator." So, God "gave them over" to all sorts of depravity of sin including homosexuality - men with men and woman with woman. God promises that when people do not worship Him and Him alone that one day "they will receive in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." That day will come if we don't turn in repentance to God.
"28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."
People were allowed to pursue their sinfulness against God which starts in the "mind". All sorts of perversions and depravity happened, not just homosexuality. They were wicked, evil, greedy, murders, creating strife, deceitful and malicious. They gossiped, slandered, hated God, were insolent, prideful and the rest. All of these characteristics are in people who are not fully giving glory to God in full worship. Homosexuality is one of many areas that cuts off worship to God.
The God who created every human being is calling for every human being to repent of their depravity and return to a right relationship with God. We can all remain "stubborn and unrepentant" (2:5) or we can wait for God's anger, wrath and judgment. We all fall short of God's perfect standard, that is why we all need God.
How can a loving God not just let us worship His creation, live in sin, be whoever we feel like being? Because he wants us for his own. He wants to get back in right relationship with humans like he had with Adam and Eve in the garden. He wants us to show our love to him by obeying what He says in the Word of God (Bible). He longs for everyone to believe in Jesus Christ who took all of this depravity on Himself and died on the cross for our sins so we could be back in right relationship with God. This is the only answer to missing worship (John 3:16; 14:6).
This is all much bigger than one sin: homosexuality.
It is about them all including homosexuality.
It is about giving all of our lives in worship to God. Paul continues in Romans by saying we should all offer our bodies as "living sacrifices...as our spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1-2). It is amazing to me that it is our bodies that we give over to lusts of all kinds and it always starts in our minds. Therefore our thinking needs to be in line with God's desires found in the Word of God. Our emotions will catch up.
Please listen.
The only way this can happen is with a surrendered heart to Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God who longs to be your Savior and Friend. He can rescue you from all of this if you ask Him to. He can make you healthy and whole in every area of your life.
Blessings to you as you give God all the glory and renown he certainly deserves in all areas of your life.
If you would like help becoming "sexually and relationally whole", please contact Living Hope Ministries. I have heard good things about this ministry.
Dr. Jeff Baxter
Pastor at Foothills Bible Church and CIU Alumnus ('97)
A Theology of Risk - Part 2
The Flying Wallendas is the name of a circus act and daredevil stunt performers, most known for performing highwire acts without a safety net. They were first known as The Great Wallendas, but the current name was coined by the press in the 40s and has stayed since. Karl Wallenda was born in Magdeburg, Germany in 1905 to an old circus family, and began performing at the age of 6. While still in his teens he answered an ad for a hand balancer with courage. His employer, Louis Weitzman, taught him the trade. In 1922, Karl put together his own act with his brother Herman, Joseph Geiger, and a teenage girl, Helen Kreis, who eventually became his wife.
The act toured Europe for several years, performing some amazing stunts. When John Ringling saw them perform in Cuba, he quickly hired them to perform at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. In 1928, they debuted at the Madison Square Garden. The act performed without a net (it had been lost in transit) and the crowd gave them a standing ovation.
It was at a performance in Akron, Ohio that the group all fell off the wire, but were unhurt. The next day, a reporter who witnessed the accident was quoted in the newspaper: “The Wallendas fell so gracefully that it seemed as if they were flying” — thus coining the name “The Flying Wallendas”.
In 1944, while the Wallendas were performing in Hartford, Connecticut, a fire broke out, killing over 168 people. None of the Wallendas were hurt.
In the following years, Karl developed some of the most amazing acts like the seven-person chair pyramid. They continued performing those acts until 1962. That year, while performing at the Shrine Circus at Detroit’s State Fair Coliseum, the front man on the wire faltered and the pyramid collapsed. Three men fell to the ground, killing Richard Faughnan, Wallenda’s son-in-law, and nephew Dieter Schepp. Karl injured his pelvis, and his adopted son, Mario, was paralyzed from the waist down.
Other tragedies include when Wallenda’s sister-in-law, Rietta, fell to her death in 1963, and his son-in-law Richard (“Chico”) Guzman was killed in 1972 after touching a live electric wire while holding part of the metal rigging. Nonetheless, Karl decided to go on. He repeated the pyramid act in 1963 and 1977. Karl continued performing with a smaller group, and doing solo acts.
On March 22, 1978, during a promotional walk in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Karl Wallenda fell from the wire and died. He was 73. Nik Wallenda completed the walk on June 4, 2011 with his mother, Delilah. (Wikipedia)
WHAT STRUCK ME FROM THIS ARTICLE: In thinking about a THEOLOGY OF RISK, I was struck by the sentence “The act performed without a net (it had been lost in transit) and the crowd gave them a standing ovation.” Walking on a high wire without a net might be praiseworthy to some, but I find it to be not only tempting fate, but tempting God!
Philippe Petit (French pronunciation: [filip pəti]; born 13 August 1949) is a French high-wire artist who gained fame for his high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, New York, on 7 August 1974. For his feat (that he referred to as “le coup”), he used a 450-pound (200-kilogram) cable and a custom-made 26-foot (8-metre) long, 55-pound (25-kilogram) balancing pole.
The movie “Man on a Wire” chronicles Petit’s 1974 walk between the Twin Towers. (The reenactment is quite fascinating, but there is a bedroom scene of Petit’s sexual encounter with, I believe, a total stranger after the event, to celebrate his success.) I would have dropped to my knees, thanking God for not letting me fall to my death.
Watch a 4 1/2 minute talk by Petit on his career as a high-wire artist HERE.
What struck me particularly was his statement: ”IF YOU ARE NOT LIVING ON THE EDGE, YOU ARE TAKING UP TOO MUCH SPACE!” (to be continued)
Dr. Larry Dixon
Professor of Theology, Columbia International University
If you could talk to Petit about the gospel, what would you say to him? How can you and I know if we are “taking up too much space”? Please share your thoughts below…
Solomon: Asks For Wisdom
IF GOD TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULD HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR?
When King David, one of Israel’s greatest kings, died, his son, Solomon assumed control of the nation. Before David died, he challenged Solomon to walk faithfully in the Lord’s ways, so that God would fulfill His promise to David that David’s line would always sit on Israel’s throne.
“In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, ‘Ask what you wish me to give you.’ Then Solomon said, ‘You have shown great loving kindness to your servant David my father … And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people who cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. So give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” (I Kings3:5-9).
Solomon knew that the challenge was great. He was the new leader of Israel, and although the term, “little child” does not have to mean he was a little boy (in fact, he could have been close to 30), he felt himself quite young to handle all the responsibility. Consequently, Solomon wanted an understanding heart – literally, a listening heart – that he might rule with wisdom over God’s people. God was pleased and granted Solomon’s desire.
If God told you that you could have anything you wanted, what would you ask for? Now there might be proper things to ask for: healing for a relative, salvation for friends and loved ones, a servant’s heart, help in financial trouble, and more. There might also be other things you would request: world fame, power, prestige, riches – the kinds of things that last only for a short time. Would you respond with God’s interests at heart? Would you think of what you might get out of it, or would you think of what God might get out of it? All that we are and do should reflect who we are in Jesus Christ, living for God’s fulfillment, not our own. We can do this in our everyday decisions as we serve Him together.
Dr. Bryan Beyer
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Columbia International University
A Theology of Risk - Part 1
A Theology of Risk (Part 1)
I am one privileged puppy! I get to teach seminary and graduate students — and I often feel that I learn more from them than they do from me. I don’t feel that so keenly that I’m going to refund a percentage of their tuition, but you get the point. I am deeply impressed with the quality of student we have here at Columbia International University Seminary and School of Ministry (our cheers at basketball games last longer than the games themselves: ”Give me a ‘C’!,” etc.).
One of the courses I’m privileged to teach this semester is entitled “Theological Methods and Issues.” It is an upper-level course in which students study poor and best practices in doing theological research. They also present two major papers in class which we evaluate, critique, and otherwise encourage each other to pursue possible publication. [I'll ask some of my students later if they will give me permission to publish some of their papers here in this blog].
One of my students presented a paper on “A Theology of Risk.” He spoke about our “risk-averse” faith and how we look to insulate ourselves from all risks. Referring to Mark Buchanan’s book Your God Is Too Safe, this student talked about some in our culture who are addicted to risk (one thinks of Extreme Sports junkies). He referred to Greg Tung’s 365 days of doing something each day which “scared” him.
In our culture, especially in our Christian sub-culture, it looks like we are comfort-addicted. Instead of longing for an adventure of faith, we cushion ourselves against hurt and hard work, acting as if we can just glide to glory. (to be continued)
Dr. Larry Dixon
Professor of Theology, Columbia International University
What risks are you taking in your walk of faith? How does a risk-averse life keep us from a life of trusting God? Please share your thoughts below…
PSALM 2: OUR RESPONSE TO JESUS
As we have seen this past week, Psalm 2 was probably originally used at the coronations of new kings of Israel, but it finds its deepest and highest meanings in the coronation of Jesus as King of kings. What should our response be to Jesus as portrayed in Psalm 2?
The Psalm begins by presenting a picture of the nations making plans to rid themselves of God and His Annointed’s control, but God responds with laughter and scoffing at their puny power attempts (vs. 1-6). God demonstrates his power from his throne in the heavens, and He establishes His King on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. We need to realize that God is truly powerful, able to do amazing and terrifying things. We thus worship the Lord reverently, even rejoicing with trembling, never flippantly.
As the king was crowned, God established a new relationship with him – a Father-Son relationship (vs. 7). In Acts 13:33, Paul explains that God has demonstrated that Jesus is His Son by raising Him from the dead. Earlier kings of Israel served as God’s adopted sons, but Jesus is the one and only Son of God who shares the Father’s divine nature. God never said to any of the angels, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father,” but only to Jesus His Son (Hebrews 1:5). We respond to this demonstration of God’s by acknowledging Jesus as God’s son, and that because of the salvation His death, burial and resurrection accomplished, He is worthy of everything we might possibly offer Him, and so much more.
In verses 8-9, God the Father invited His Son to ask for the nations as His inheritance. Some future day, Jesus will rule all nations with a rod of iron, and bring all peoples under His control; peace at last under the King of kings! Two choices lie before us in response. We can take refuge in Christ and be blessed, or we can oppose Him and perish in His wrath.
According to Psalm 2, our proper response to Jesus is to acknowledge that He is Lord of all. He is God’s Son. Salvation is accomplished only by His death and resurrection, and thus we cast ourselves at His feed and embrace Him as our Lord and Savior. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
Dr. Bryan Beyer
Dean of CIU's College of Arts and Sciences
Financial Giving and Spiritual Maturity- Graduate: Faith Giving
Paul speaks of the gift of faith (Rom. 12:3-8). There are those George Muellers of the world who trust God for miracle provision--finances far above that which could be provided even by sacrificial giving. I call this the graduate level of giving because this gift of faith is not given to all equally.
But in another sense, faith is essential for any level of giving. "Without faith it is impossible to please him." The Pharisees were not the only ones who had problems with Jesus' radical teaching about managership and sacrificial living. The disciples did too. Jesus' teaching cut across the grain of everything they believed about money and things. So he said:
"If then God so clothes the grass which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith." (Lk 12:28)
Faith must validate every level of giving. An impoverished widow living on Social Security must have faith to give 10 percent. Furthermore, when she does so, it is certainly sacrificial love. But if I am unwilling to move up from my present level of giving, is it not because I don't trust God to meet my needs--a lack of faith? Or love? The person who trusts and loves God will be willing to move from kindergarten impulse giving to elementary, lawful tithing; if already a faithful tither, to go on to honest managership; if an honest manager, to graduate to a sacrificial way of life. My relationship to my possessions is, according to Jesus Christ, a clear indication of my faith and love, my level of spiritual maturity.
God himself models this standard. He created me, so he is owner. I stole his property- took possession of myself. But in love, at terrible cost, he purchased me just as if he had no prior claim on me, making me twice his. If I will only respond with love in obedient giving, he guarantees my livelihood (Lk 12:31); rewards me lavishly in this life as if I were giving what is my own property; and in heaven he rewards me all over again! (Lk 18:28-30). That is God's level of giving—love giving. What is mine?
Robertson McQuilkin
President Emeritus of Columbia International University
Do Biblical Manuscripts Give Us a Reliable Bible?
There are so many critiques and criticisms of the Biblical texts that sometimes it's hard to know who to listen to. Let's be honest, when shards of this and tells of that start being discussed, many of us gloss over. This is important stuff, but it can be hard to follow.
Dr. William Larkin, CIU Professor of N.T. and Greek, recently spoke on the subject of textual evidence for the reliability of the Bible. Dr. Larkin's one of those people who can wade into this stuff and make sense of it. His conclusion: The Bible as we have it is textually reliable. You can read his extensive outline below for some more details...
What do you think? When we piece together all the textual evidence, is the Bible a reliable document? Please share your thoughts below...
PSALM 2: WHAT THE FATHER DOES FOR HIS SON
When Israel crowned a new king, very often the king’s strength would immediately be tested. As we saw in the beginning verses of Psalm 2, neighboring kingdoms would often revolt or attack in an effort to see how strong the new king was. The time of transition was an excellent time for nations to gain their freedom. They would devise their plans, but God would establish His king on Israel’s throne, and would promise to be with him.
In Psalm 2:8-9, we find an invitation that God made to the new king of Israel, “Ask of me, and I will surely give the nations as your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron, you will shatter them like earthenware.” The new king was to ask God for the nations as an inheritance, and as he followed the Lord faithfully, God promised to expand his kingdom to include the surrounding nations. King David was so blessed in this invitation, for he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. The ultimate fulfillment of these verses though, is best seen as God the Father’s invitation to His Son, Jesus Christ.
In light of Jesus’ ministry, David’s words in Psalm 2 take on an even greater meaning. The nations of the world are Jesus’ for the claiming. And how is Jesus to claim His inheritance among the nations? Through believers like us sharing Christ to the ends of the earth, the nations can become Christ’s possession as we proclaim the message of salvation. Verse 9 also reminds us that one day, Jesus will rule as King of kings and Lord of lords. He will come again to establish His kingdom on earth. He will crush those who oppose Him and bring victory for His children. No one will be able to thwart His purposes.
What does our heavenly Father do for His Son, now and in the future? It is clear from Scripture that God’s invitation to his Son is to claim the nations as His inheritance. It is God’s will for the nations is to hear the gospel and come to Him. To what extent are we willing for Christ to use us in bringing about the fulfillment of Psalm 2:8?
Dr. Bryan Beyer
Dean of CIU's College of Arts and Sciences
Four Keys to a Healthy, Lasting Marriage
The Larkin's recently had an addition to their family. Dr. William Larkin's daughter, Pricilla ('08) (a fine Biblical scholar in her own right) recently married Trevor Harris. Dr. Larkin gave their wedding homily, a truly exegetical challenge to his daughter and new son-in-law.
Thank you to the Larkin's and the Harris' for allowing us to also be blessed by your ceremony!
Financial Giving and Spiritual Maturity- Higher: Love Giving
Jesus did something few pastors would dare do. During the offering he followed the ushers down the aisle, so to speak, and examined each contribution put in the plate!
Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Lk 21:1-4)
As God observes our giving today, how does he measure love, calibrate its intensity, or sound its depth? Jesus answers: love is measured by the sacrifice it makes.
Bob, a Bible College student, asked for help with a difficult passage found in Luke 18. I guessed, "You've got problems with the story of the wealthy young aristocrat, right?"
"Yes," he responded. "Why did Jesus tell him to sell what he had and give it away?"
"Well," I said, "the way to life for that young man was blocked by things, his sin of covetousness. For the woman at the well it was men, not money. Self-righteous Nicodemus needed to hear about a second birth. Jesus identified the key issue, the roadblock, for each."
"I see," said my young friend. "If possessions were his sticking point, would you say there are those today with a similar problem?"
I wondered where Bob's questioning was headed. "Yes," I chuckled a little nervously, "Just about everyone, I suppose."
Why then," he asked, "have I never heard a sermon on the subject?"
That is a very good question, Bob, because Christ gave exactly the same teaching to anyone who wanted to be his disciple:
'Sell what you have and give alms, provide for yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.' (Lk 12:33)
Does anyone actually do this? Some years ago I wanted to personally thank two of our graduates for their many generous gifts. When we had special needs, a gift of one or two thousand dollars would come from this couple. I wondered how they could do this, being school teachers in a poor district of Appalachia. One day, I called to see if a visit would be convenient. They were delighted—said they had something to tell me. Meeting me at the highway, they escorted me on foot through the muddy ruts that snaked around the hillside. There, nestled in the little mountain cove was their home, a small log cabin. That's the reason they could give so generously! Or so I thought. The husband was so excited. "Robertson, isn't the Lord good?" he exclaimed.
"Yes, He is," I replied. "And how has He been good to you?"
"You won't believe how good He has been. This week has been fantastic!"
"Tell me about it," I said.
"North of Atlanta, we have had a farm in the family for many years. It has begun to be a headache for us. The whole city has grown up all around our farm."
I thought, "I wouldn't mind that kind of problem!"
Continuing, he said they had just signed the property over to Wycliffe Bible Translators. "Isn't that fantastic!"
"Yes!" I responded enthusiastically.
He continued. "That's not all. We had another small acreage out in the clay country that was not worth much and we couldn't sell it. Tried for years. But at last—this week--we were able to sell it to a government agent who will buy it over 10 years and give us $1,500 a year. So we've decided to take early retirement, go to the mission field, take care of MKs and live on what we get from the sale of this property! What do you think about that?"
"I think you're crazy. What are you going to do when that money runs out?" I asked.
"Oh," he answered, "We'll be in heaven by then!"
There may be some question about their sanity, but there can be no question about whom they love and how much they love Him. Love graduates a person from the secondary level of honest managership to the higher level of sacrificial love giving.
While watching a television interview with Mother Theresa, I, along with the young woman interviewing her, swelled with pride as Mother Theresa told us how wonderful Americans are. She said, "I don't know if there has ever been a nation that has been so generous. You are such generous people." Mother Theresa continued, "Of course, you give out of your 'muchness.'" She chuckled, "`Muchness' is a word, isn't it?" She paused, then added, "You don't really give until it hurts."
The young woman's eyes grew large, astonished. "Must it hurt?"
The angel of Calcutta responded, "Love, to be genuine, must hurt."
Love is proved by the sacrifice it makes.
