Thank God for Art

Exodus 31:3,4

“I have chosen Bezalel … and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts to make artistic designs …”

My wife Janet is an artist. The images with this post are her work. If she were alive during Exodus 31 times she might have been on Bezalel’s team. I sometimes wonder whose team she is supposed to be on today.

During the protestant reformation much art was expelled from the church. It was a great loss. We have never recovered really. 

We can forget how much Christians have invested in art through the years. Chapel ceilings (Sistine Chapel, Vatican City) monastery walls (The Last Supper, Milan) and town squares (all over Europe) have been adorned with prize art, commissioned and paid for by believers. I wonder if the reason so much modern art is soulless and strange is because of who pays for it.

The precedent for a marriage of art and worship is here in Exodus. God commissioned art to adorn the Tabernacle. And, he equipped the artists for the work. The Spirit of God is the source of this artistic skill and craftsmanship. Preachers and artists are first cousins. Our abilities and callings originate from the same breath of God.

It is worth considering what these artists in Exodus are doing.

1. Illuminating. This is different from illustrating. You can’t make a drawing of God. He refuses to be imaged. But you can shine a light for those who seek him. The Eastern tradition emphasises “Icons” as windows through which worshipers look.

Artists should not be asked to portray only religious themes. To embroider a pomegranate or paint a lemon can be an act of worship. To patiently engage the finished product can illuminate mind and heart making worship richer and God more fully known.

2. Beautifying. Beauty matters to God. The colour, arrangement, diversity, detail, design and texture all suggest magnificence. The instructions in Exodus amaze me (Ex. 25-31). While it reads like a knitting pattern (pretty boring really), its purpose and detail is wonderful.

A believer is not constrained to produce only beautiful artefacts. His art may confront and question as well as please. It may expose pain and offer lament. But it will do Godly work. Christian art explores the colour of justice, the contours of mercy, the evidence of love, the smell of hope, the whisper of humility, the feel of faith and the taste of resurrection.

3. Celebrating. Much of the beauty described is for the delight of God and his people. The descriptions are extravagant. The art and craft in the Tabernacle was bold, expressive and lavish. It shouts praise to God and insists that worshipers approach in wonder. I think I would feel very happy worshiping in the midst of such beauty. It would stimulate celebration.

4. Obeying. The artists of Exodus are using their gifts to please God. They are doing what they are told. The work of a “skilled craftsman” and the word of a faithful prophet may be different in kind but not in commitment. Each has a vocation. Each has a calling and a choice to obey.

5. Leading. The art in the Tabernacle is purposeful. God mandates it and Moses celebrates it (Ex. 39:42, 43). The people would have enjoyed it for years to come. It would have coloured the thoughts of children as they counted cherubim on the curtains, and shaped the theology of Rabbis who meditated upon its beauty. Loveliness leads.

The Illuminated Bible is a project worth your attention. Makoto Fujimura is a committed believer and a contemporary artist. His style is abstract. He has a passion for God’s word. To celebrate the 400^th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version, Crossway publishers commissioned him to produce art illuminating the gospels. They published The Illuminated Bible early this year. To visit his website to view a few pages and watch a video click here.  

Questions

• What is your favourite work of art? Why?
• Does it help you worship God? How?
• Do you have a view on art and the church?

 

 PS - An Invitation to Artists

If you attend NewHope Baptist Church in Melbourne and you are an artist please consider contributing a piece of your work to the 60^th Anniversary Art Exhibition to be held later this year at the church. Talk with Janet for details. You can visit Janet’s website by clicking here.

Forgive My Empty Hands

Exodus 34:20

The Lord Said: “No one is to appear before me empty-handed”

When we go to dinner parties it is always Janet who reminds me, we shouldn’t go empty handed. So, we take flowers, baking, a seasonal gift, a card or a bottle of drink. To be honest, I sometimes debate the point. Is it really necessary? She is wiser and usually wins the exchange. The recipients are always grateful.

I came upon this verse of Scripture and realised that God and Jan are in sync on this point. But the verse raised some practical questions for me. And then it convicted me!

What should I bring to God? And Why? Here are my reflections starting with the last question first.

Why should I bring something to God?

NOT because he needs what I have. And not so I can buy his affection. These notions are ruled out by other sections of Scripture. I think it has more to do with my need to honour God, to show humility in his presence and to put my life in his hands. Here are three reasons as I see it.

1. To affirm my dependence. In chapter 34 the gift which God requires is a symbol or a substitute for the “first born”. When your first child is born, bring God a gift. When your animals give birth and your herds grow, bring God a gift. And when your crops yield and your harvest begins, bring God a gift. These are all measures of wealth in the ancient world. My gifts to God are recognition of my dependence upon him.

2. To celebrate our friendship. God and I are covenant friends. This verse appears in the context of a promise from God: “I am making a covenant with you ... I will do wonders never before done” (Exodus 34:10). God is inviting relationship. My offerings to him are an expression of gratitude and kinship.

3. To express my obedience. I should bring something to God because he asks me to. When I was writing my thesis, my supervisor asked me to bring new written work to every meeting. I obeyed. That is how I got the degree. God knows that I need the discipline of bringing, giving, yielding and obeying – that is why he asks this of me. My obedience is about building my life.

What can I bring to God?

Here are some of the things I purpose to have in my hands whenever I come to God.

• The first of my money. I get paid. I can give the first part of my income to God. I have done this for many years (giving ten percent to my church and more to various missions). Giving the first part of my pay is an act of dependence on God. He has always looked after me.
• The first gain of each success in my vocation. Anything that goes well is to God's glory. Business and ministry successes can be “given” to God. Sometimes that is money again. Sometimes it is a story expressed in prayer. Sometimes it is an artefact that can be shared with others who have a need.
• The first hours of my day. I choose to meet God in the morning and make the earliest time his. I come to God not to tick an obligation but to spend quiet sacred time.
• Words of gratitude. I will bring God words of thanks. This requires stoping to think and be specific.
• My full attention. This is a gift I am learning to give my children, my staff, my wife, my parents AND my God. Attentive listening is more costly than you think. It is hard work. It is a gift.
• First call on my possessions. Yielding my house, car, books and all my “stuff” to God is an act consistent with this invitation. I can “bring” things to God by sharing what I have.
• First option on my diary. I can give hours to causes. I can participate in ministries. I can spend time with others (including family and friends) expressing practical love. These moments can be “in my hands” when I come to God. I can even rest (Sabbath) as a gift to God!

For me the challenge of this verse is to be more thoughtful about what is “in my hands” as I come to God. I need to be aware and intentional. I want to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).

God doesn’t require my gifts to complete my salvation. He invites my offering for what it does to me, not what it achieves for him. He knows that if I come empty handed I will not mature. But, if I come with gifts for God this feeds something very important in my spirit. 

Questions

• What do you bring to God? When and Why?
• How could this idea of giving gifts to God be abused?
• Is it always wrong to to come empty handed? Surely not.

Epilogue

There are other things that I will also bring. These are not really offerings so much as realities. I bring my sins to God. I bring my hurt and dark emotions. I bring my lament and disappointment. I don’t think these ugly things qualify as gifts but my God is no tyrant. These things too are welcome. And often he heals!

How to See the Kingdom of God

John 3:3

“No one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

New Birth is an essential, not an optional extra. Apparently I can't see God's kingdom without it. Jesus said so! It is the lenses not designer frames. So what is this new birth?

A careful look at four New Testament leaders will help. The before and after pictures of these people are amazing. Warts are removed and disfigured features are restored. Each of them encounters Jesus and then SEES the Kingdom. Everything changes!

1. Peter: Rebirth for one who messed up.

We know Peter as the disciple who denied Jesus. Although he boasted firm allegiance in the upper room, he could not stand up to the interrogation of a servant girl. He lied. He cursed. And when the rooster crowed he wept. Peter forsook Kingdom preaching and returned to fishing. That’s the “before” picture.

Then Jesus’ resurrection changed everything. At breakfast on the beach Peter’s failure was forgiven and his commission was renewed (John 21). He was, to put it simply, born again!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” he says. “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)

Peter messed up! Jesus gave him a fresh start and a vision of the Kingdom. That’s what it means to be born again.

 

2. James: Rebirth for one who was slow to get it.

James grew up with Jesus (Matt 13:15). He ate at the same table and played with the same toys. Like all brothers he probably wanted Jesus to excel. But Jesus started to do and say crazy things that got the religious leaders very angry. The family became convinced he was out of his mind and they went to take charge of him. (Mark 3:21)

How does a person, who once thought his brother was a lunatic, come to preach that his brother is the saviour of the world, then write a book of the Bible and lead a key church? Answer: he is born again. The witness of Jesus’ resurrection and the work of God’s Spirit in James totally reversed his thinking.

That can still happen today. It can happen to intractable atheists and to obstinate church leaders. There is nothing more beautiful than a truly humble person who declares “I was so wrong”, and then lives a new-life to make it right. That life is “a kind of first-fruits” of God’s Kingdom. (James 1:18) Can you SEE it?

3. John: Rebirth for a good guy.

John was the baby of the twelve. He had a pushy mother (Matt 20:20) and a passionate brother (Acts 7). John was probably Jesus’ closest friend. At the last supper he sat next to Jesus and from the cross Jesus trusted him with the care of his mother.

How does a person come to worship his mate as Lord? He has a rebirth. John gives us the clearest statement of what it really means to be born again in Jesus:  “… To those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13) And when you are born of God you can SEE it!

4. Paul: Rebirth for all.

Paul was a missionary to Gentiles. He was a man “made alive with Christ” (Eph 2:5) who wanted Gentile outsiders to become “adopted” children of Abraham (unlike Jews who were already physical decedents and needed to be born again! Rom 11:17). He was passionate in his desire for Gentiles to SEE the Kingdom. So passionate that he laboured over every convert.

Paul was their mother. He bends the birth metaphor to make a different point. Without diminishing the Spirit’s role in new-birth, Paul emphasises his role also. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now …” (Gal 4:19, 20)

A missionary and a mother – that’s what it means to be born again. That’s what it means to SEE the Kingdom of God and to want others to see it too. It is worth the pain.

It’s beautiful

If you want to SEE the Kingdom you will need to be reborn. A messed up life, a pattern of wrong thinking or just respecting Jesus will blind you. An encounter with Jesus’ cross, empty tomb and gift of the Spirit will open your eyes. You will SEE the Kingdom. It’s like having your brain taken out and reinstalled. Then you will want others to SEE it and surrender to it. And you will be ready to labour for it. It’s called new birth and it’s beautiful.

Questions

• Have you welcomed God's work of "new-birth" in your life? 
• What changes has God made in you?
• For whom are you "in the pains of child birth" right now? Do you need to make that commitment for someone's sake?

This post was published in the Feb 2011 edition of The Witness, a publication of the Baptist Union of Victoria

Restoring My Soul

Psalm 23:2,

“He makes me lie down … he restores my soul.”

Nice! God makes me lie down. Sleep, relaxation and rest are wonderful gifts from God. This verse pictures God going around “making” the people lie down (almost sounds insistent). Why would God do that? Because he loves people. And, he knows what restores our souls.

So, welcome to another weekend. Time to recline a little. And isn’t it fantastic that what I thought was laziness could possibly be divine privilege. Now, how can I tell the difference?

Bad Rest verses Good Rest, four thoughts.

1. Conclusion verses intermission. I no longer think of rest as reward for finished work. Most of my pastoral work never finishes. Instead, I think of God’s “making me lie down” as the appropriate intermissions along the way. This helps me in two ways. (a) I rest in the middle of a task. (b) And I start tasks I can’t finish before break time. If I always wait until I can say: “Done!” I won’t get the rest I need and I won’t start the exhausting projects. Rest does not nourish if I am just procrastinating, nor is it only available when my to-do list is done.

2. Selfish verses soulful. This Psalm describes a very fruitful reason for rest – a restored soul. People with healthy souls are good to be with. It helps me to think about my reclining (in “green pasture”, by “still waters” or more likely in my easy chair) as nourishment for my inner person, not a reward for everything I did this past week. If I focus on myself I am likely to be either (a) bitter thinking that I “deserve” more or (b) guilty thinking that I don’t “deserve” this rest and should really be working. The starting place is wrong. Rest is about soul-renewal not self-reward.

3. Collapse verses care. Rest at the end of a massive marathon is often accompanied with illness. Sometimes my holidays have been like that. Falling in a heap every few months is hardly soul restoring. Good rest is frequent, measured, unremarkable, fun and noticeably restorative.

4. Career climbing verses vocation. The tiredness of competitive career climbing is soul destroying. The weariness of obedience is not. Regular rest will heal the second, only a life change will heal the first.

Sam Farmilo Preached recently at NewHope (click here to watch) and shared two insightful "versions" of Psalm 23. I hope you enjoy them! My prayer is that God will preserve me from the dysfunction of version one and instill the joy of version two in my life.

PSALM 23, ANTITHESIS

The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me to deep depression.
It hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity’s sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done,
For my “ideal” is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval,
they drive me.
They demand performance from me,
beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines.
My in-basket overflows.
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall
follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever.

Marcia K. Hornok, PSALM 23, ANTITHESIS

PSALM 23 Japanese Version

The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush;
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness,
which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency
through calmness of mind,
and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things
to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here;
His timelessness, His all importance,
will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal
in midst of my activity,
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows,
surely harmony and effectiveness
shall be the fruits of my hours,
for I shall walk, in the pace of my Lord
and dwell in His house forever.

Toki Miyashina, Japanese version of the 23 Psalm

Questions

• How do you distinguish good rest and bad rest?
• How open are you to God "making" you lie down? 
• How do you know when your soul is "restored"?

Epilogue

And another thing. If regular rest can restore my soul (the more real and enduring part of me) image what "sleeping in Jesus" can do. (1 Thess. 4:14)

Image Sourced: http://cuteoverload.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/lazy-frog.jpg (Thanks Pete!)

Exhausted? Here's Help.

Exodus 18:17

“What you are doing is not good … you will wear yourself out.”

Moses was an E-C leader. Are you one? He was Exhausted and Conscientious. It is a dangerous combination.

Moses was exhausted. His job was too big. At least that is how it appeared to his father-in-law Jethro, who came for a visit. The huge company of Israelites who had followed Moses out of Egypt now looked to him for religious and moral leadership. He was both leader and judge. His “position description” was unsustainable.

Moses was conscientious. He wanted to serve the people. But the amount of work was wearing him out. The people were probably not getting judgements quickly enough either and so he was wearing them out too. (Exodus 18:18)

Sadly, this is not uncommon. There are Exhausted-Conscientious people everywhere. They often plough themselves into despair and breakdown. Moses was fortunate because he got help.

This story suggests three great questions for exhausted people. I will apply them to myself first.

1. Who is watching me and giving useful advice? Jethro was an excellent productivity coach for Moses. He noticed things and gave great feedback. I need people in my life who will do exactly this. They will need to stand close to me. I probably don’t need a high paid consultant. I could ask my spouse, colleague, neighbour, or one of my in-laws (as with Moses). But I will need to give them permission to speak up. Humility and deference to their ideas will be essential (Numb 12:3). I have several people watching me for different aspects of my work. And, today I am reminded to encourage their feedback again. Key: COACHING

2. What explanations and excuses do I give? Moses had good answers for Jethro’s questions. He was busy because he was God’s appointed judge. But, the explanations he gave needed to be rethought. At least a part of Moses’ answer was actually an excuse. Constant reflection on my action is a key part of learning and growing. And having someone help me “hear myself” as I explain what I do can be eye opening. What am I doing that should be changed or re-evaluated or discontinued all together? Are any of my explanations really just excuses? Key: REFLECTING

3. Who is waiting to share the load with me? Jethro’s key advice was sage and simple. Share the load! Find good and gifted people to work along side you and get the work done more effectively together. There is a problem here of course. Delegation always makes you busier – initially. In the end it is the wisest time investment of all. Key: DELEGATING

Here is my five step approach to delegating in a volunteer context:

(a) Define the task. Think through what is required, how much time, what skills, to whom the role is accountable and how long the first term of service will be (always have a finish line). In many cases this should be written down. Be as honest and open as you can. Don’t make the role look small if it is really big.

(b) Brainstorm possible candidates. This is best done with the help of others. I try to list many more names than I will need. Don’t make other people’s decisions for them, list every valid candidate who comes to mind.

(c) Priorities the list with prayer. Decide who to approach first. I usually involve others in this part of the task as well. This can be a very spiritual step in the process as I seek God’s wisdom. I often use criteria like those listed by Jethro (Exodus 18:21).

(d) Make a two fold approach. First, ask the person to think about the role. Give them the description and as much information as possible. Explain the steps you have taken so far (a)-(c). Answer any questions and offer prayer support. Second, invite a response by a particular date and follow-up with appropriate support and the offer of more time if required. Repeat until the right person is recruited.

(e) Train, support and encourage liberally. Providing the right induction and ample on going support is critical for delegation to work. Good people thrive on constructive feedback and affirmation.

The boundaries of time cannot be altered. However, the choices made within those boundaries can change. We don’t need to be exhausted. God doesn't intend that you or I should wear ourselves out.

Questions

• Are you wearing yourself out just now? Does something need to change?
• What questions do you find helpful in evaluating your approach to time?

Just for Fun

(Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmnaQsvhytY&NR=1)

10 Life Changing Lessons from Manna

Exodus 16:4

"The LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you.'"

Imagine leading 20,000 people* across the desert. Moses could have used a project manager, a logistics team and a serious supply chain. He had none of these. He had something better – God.

Not surprisingly, the people quickly became thirsty and hungry. Like any wanting mob they complained. Moses took the complaint to God who answered immediately with fresh water and food from heaven! Quail in the evening, manna in the morning (Ex 16:13, 15).

Manna

Moses called the morning food “bread” from the Lord. The people saw it and said “What is it?”, or in Hebrew “Manna?” The name stuck. Apparently the quail was a periodic treat, but the manna kept coming.

Each morning it arrived, wafer-like and white in colour. It formed with the morning dew and after the people collected what they needed it melted away with the sun's heat. They compared it with coriander seed and the flavour of honey. Each night the uneaten leftovers decayed, stinking and maggot ridden.

Fridays were different. Friday-manna lasted two days instead of one so they could collect more. This made it possible for the people to keep Saturdays free from work. They could rest, recharge, bless God and live well. They could keep a Sabbath.

The manna kept coming for 40 years. It sustained them in the desert but they didn’t always enjoy it. Nearly 15,000 serves of manna would tire anyone really. Not even a Jamie Oliver “Doing More with Manna” cookbook would revive their appetite! Israel complained. God provided variety. But Israel’s attitude was bad and God’s response was confronting (Number 11).

When they arrived in Canaan morning-manna stopped coming. From then on they ate the fruit of their new land of promise. Manna became a testimony. They even put some in a golden jar inside the Ark of the Covenant to remind future generations that God had been faithful to Israel. The story still feeds faith today (Josh 5:12, Ps. 78:24, John 6:31).

Here are my ten life insights from reading and thinking about manna:

1. Acknowledge God’s care for me. God provides. Not always what we expect or when , but he does satisfy our needs if we invite him.

2. Only take what I need! Leftovers spoil. Greed and selfishness bred maggots in my character and a stench in my soul. Travel light. Trust God to provide again tomorrow.

3. Focus on today. The manna story reminds me to take it a day at a time. To live sparrow-like or lily-like and not borrow future troubles. I can plan and dream, but I don’t have to worry about tomorrow or pretend I am in control. (Matt 6:25-34)

4. Participate in my own care. I notice that the people had to collect their own meals. God built no McMannas in the wilderness. He has built none in my path either. I work together with God.

5. Plan to rest and trust God to make my life sustainable. I love the fact that God provides seven days worth of resources in six days. My necessary work can be accomplished in six days if I am paying attention to what God is doing. I also note the necessity of planning in order to rest well.

6. Share God’s concern for the environment. Manna was an eco-friendly breakfast. All the unneeded manna “melted away”. No plastic wrappers, just biodegradable leftovers. Are my life style habits and God's global care values aligned?

7. Recognise my utter dependence. Food comes from God. Breath comes from God. Life belongs to God.

8. Don’t complain, be thankful. We all get tired of repetition. After awhile Israel got tied of manna and complained. “We have lost our appetite” they said. It would be better if I learned to foster gratitude instead. (Numb 11:6)

9. Pass God’s dependence “test”. Deut 8:16 says: “He gave you manna to eat in the desert ... to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.” I want to pass the test in flying colours.

10. Tell my stories of Gods' faithfulness. Each new generation needs a bold testimony. God preserved some manna in the Ark of the Covenant to help Israel tell the story to their young people. Stories of God's care encourage and sustain faith. (Heb 9:4)

Prayer: Thank you Lord for letting manna teach me. Thank you for feeding me every day. And Lord, please give me my daily bread again tomorrow. Amen!

Questions

• How have you experienced God’s daily provision?
• Which of these ten insights is most helpful for you? What would you add to this list?

 

Epilogue

Manna points to Jesus. It is a symbol of God’s provision, his food from heaven. When Jesus feeds you, his manna is life giving in a profound and death defying way. You won’t need to eat again. (John 6:58)

* The Population of the Exodus is debated. The word translated “thousand” in Ex 12:37 (600, 000 men) could also be translated “family”, “leader” or “tribe”. Estimates range from 20,000 to 2,000,000 people. Even the smaller of the estimates makes the point.

Christianity Has the Numbers!

Acts 19:20

“The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

God’s word has influence. It impacts lives and changes communities. It spreads. It grows. 

Today, every third person on the planet is a Christian. 

In Ephesus Paul’s preaching brought change. There was spiritual renewal among “some disciples” (Acts 19:1-7) whom he baptised. God’s power routed evil and “a number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly” (Acts 19:17-19). There was cultural change as the gospel clashed with the worship of idols to Artemis (Acts 19:23-41).The word spread.

This was the pattern everywhere.

• Acts 6:7 “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
• Acts 12:24 “But the word of God continued to increase and spread.”
• Acts 13:49 “The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”
• Acts 19:20 “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

Despite what a secular western media may imply, nothing has changed. The gospel still has influence. God’s word still spreads. Never dismiss this truth! Never lose sight of the power of Jesus.

In the last 100 years Christianity has spread to Africa where the church has grown from 9% of the population to 50%.The growth of the church in Asia since 1950 has been equally impressive.

While the West has become more secular, turning away from the gospel heritage that has given so much, the “word of the Lord” has continued to spread. Christianity has not declined, it’s centre has shifted. 

Here are some 2010 facts about Christianity*

• There are 2.3 billion Christians which is one third of the world's population
• 1.5 billion people are church attenders
• Christianity has more adherents than any other religion on the planet
• The most exciting growth of the Christian church is happening in Africa and Asia
• An average of 178,000 Christians are martyred each year
• Spanish is the leading language of church membership in the world

 And here are two more interesting facts

• At the close of each day there are 85,000 more Christians in the world
• And, 300 fewer Atheists!

I know there are challenges. Christianity in the west is declining, Islam is growing faster than Christianity, 800 million of the world's Christians don’t turn up in church and many don’t live up to the ideals Jesus calls us to. But none of this changes the fact that God’s word spreads and grows even today. The word of the Lord still “grows in power”. There is work to do and much to celebrate.

Christianity is not antiquated. Christians are not a marginal group on the planet. The gospel of Jesus has made a massive impact which cannot be eclipsed by a few sarcastic quips in a novelette or the dismissive rant of an angry journalist.

Global Christianity has great strength. Jesus’ vision for our planet is not dead, it’s not even sick. It requires faithful followers of Christ to pray, live holy lives, love our neighbours, witness and believe!

Questions

• What encourages you or discourages you about global Christian witness?
• How do you contribute to the spread of "the word of the Lord"?
  
  

 *Source for the stats in this post: International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 34, No. 1

Would The Apostle Paul Use Twitter?

Acts 15:27 

"We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing."

The Jerusalem Church Council (JCC) did not have twitter. But if they did, it would not have been enough. Someone would need to go in person to speak with the churches as well. That’s the point of verse 27 and it is still a good point. Do you know why?

The JCC heard news from Antioch and then made some important decisions about their future. This needed to be communicated with speed and accuracy. They wanted to encourage them, correct some errors and instruct them on the new decisions of the Council. The way they do this is informative for us even today.

Admittedly it would have been convenient to tweet the Gentiles about the Jerusalem Council proceedings (Acts 15:23-29). "Heard U got mistreated by @baddies. SRY! We made NU rules 4U: 1 - NO Idol food 2 – NO blood 2B eaten 3 – NO choked meat 4 – sex B good. TKS CU @JCC."

But! While this would be quick, it would be dangerous. Too little REAL communication is happening here. There is a principle at work in this verse that I think is very significant. 

Our culture values written words. Councils, courts, official proceedings and even family meetings produce documents in order to keep what people say accountable. In the Bible times it was the other way around. They produced a short letter and sent four people to tell how it really went down.

This makes a lot of sense. Here’s what can’t be communicated in a tweet (email, SMS, blog post, chat message, letter) or written documents generally:

1. Tone of voice and body language. How exactly did Peter say that? Did he raise his eyebrows? Did he lean forward and smile or was he pursing his lips and exhaling loudly through his nose. It all matters. And none of it is captured in print. Four friends telling and retelling the events of the JCC meeting would have made a huge difference for the Gentile believers spread around the empire. This would build trust and cooperation. 

2. Answers to my new questions. Written words raise new thoughts for me. The printed page won’t answer when I ask. It admits no dialogue. Have you ever read a newspaper article and wanted to ask the journalist a couple of questions? Or a tax guide and wished there was a person who could help you? That’s what Judas and Silas together with Paul and Barnabas were for the churches.

3. Feelings. Letters try hard but can’t really convey emotion. If you have ever received a letter from a would-be love interest, you know what I mean. 

4. The stuff between the lines. The difference between getting a letter from the JCC and getting four credible witnesses to the Council’s discussion is huge. Their contribution was significant (Acts 15:32). It probably changed history!

The Jerusalem Council did a smart thing. They sent people to make the communication real. They trusted four followers of Jesus to take not just the new rules but also the spirit of the meetings forward to the churches. This would have been a wonderful blessing to these Christian communities.

If you think about it, this is a servant spirit. Written texts tend to benefit the ones trying to say something. They anchor the rules. One-on-one conversations, while longer and more involved, serve the one trying to understand something. Written stuff can be very useful (I hope so, I invest a lot in this blog), but it cannot stand alone. Paul, who wrote most of the letters in the New Testament, understood this preferring to be with people where possible. (Gal. 4:20, Phil. 1:8, 2 Tim. 1:4) 

Here are my personal decisions based on reading Acts 15:27.

• Maximise face to face. One shared cuppa is better than ten tweets
• Let social media serve my mission. Never let it be master
• Value oral truth. Trust four friend's stories more than one long email

So, would Paul use twitter? I think he would, BUT not to send the outcome of the Council proceedings. I reckon he’d use it to set up the meeting. “Will B @ANTIOCH TUES. WNT 2CU. GR8 news from JCC. Paulus.” Then he would spend time face to face serving his friends and growing the Church of Jesus. It is a balance that I want to get right too!

Questions

• Is there a communication that you need to make face to face?
• How do you control your use of social media wisely?
• Leave a comment and make this blog just a little less one-way

Epilogue:

And aren’t you glad that God doesn’t restrict Himself to Twitter. He gives us his written word and then he visits us in the person of the Holy Spirit to make it clear to us, to explain it to us. Wonderful!

Other Resources:

An interesting Article on Understanding Social Media by Douglas Groothuis (Thanks Sam). 

And, if you don't know anything about Twitter, here is a 2 min introduction.

(Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o)

Unbelievable Forgiveness!

Acts 13:38 

"I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you."

What a great thing to know! Is it certain knowledge for you. It is for me.

Paul was asked to preach. Having just arrived in Pisidian Antioch he attended the Synagogue on the Sabbath and was invited to bring "a message of encouragement for the people" (Acts 13:15). 

After recounting much of the Old Testament and the life of Jesus he comes to his main point: "You who believe can be forgiven!"

Here is what forgiveness means to me:

• I have a restored friendship with God
• My guilt has been lifted off my shoulders
• The future is secure for me
• My inner life is renewed
• I am healed and whole
• I am pure and right before a holy God
• I have a mission
• Hope is everywhere

Praise God for the cross that takes away my sin. Hallelujah for the empty tomb which proves God's love. How true it is, God is doing something new "that you would never believe even if someone told you". (Acts 13:41) 

Questions

• Are you forgiven? Are you proclaiming forgiveness through Jesus?
• What does forgiveness mean to you?

Just for fun

Handel's Messiah: "He Shall Purify" - A somewhat silly re-mix