Friendship

Posted on by timatnewlife

A message from four years ago on a Sunday was about friendship and our relationship with God. The key verse is found in John 15:12-15, My command is this : Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything I learned from my Father I have made know to you.

This is quite a statement that Jesus made, that we can be a friend of his, not only our Savior and Lord but friends. I’ll relate this to human friendship. Let me tell you about a friend of mine, a very good friend of mine; Junior Muncy. Junior is a good ole country boy from Eastern Kentucky, from a holler called Beauty. Junior and I worked together for 35 years at the Columbus City Schools Technology department. He started there in January 1969 and I started in August 1969. He was a computer operator and he trained me for two weeks on 2nd shift and we started a friendship that has lasted 52 years.

One of the more funnier moments in my life was when Junior and I both had to work on Labor Day in 1969. Junior was upset that we had to work and we would only get 1 1/2 pay, he thought that was wrong. He said we should get double time pay and convinced me to go with him and talk to the boss. Well we talked with the boss the next day and Junior demanded double time. The boss laugh for about five minutes and said sure I’ll give you double time. But don’t you guys know the rules, we pay 2 1/2 pay for holidays. That was embarrassing.

We often walked to downtown Columbus for lunch, about a 12 minute walk, sometimes just the two of us but sometimes with others. One time in particular we walked the 12 minutes and never said a word to each other, sounds strange but in that moment we were simply in the presence of one another. It was a good time.

It’s that way when we’re in friendship with Jesus. We just need some quiet time. No talking is necessary. Maybe you’ve experience that during a time of devotion, a time of quiet meditation, or maybe a time when you’re alone with the music on and slip away into the presence of God. It’s like that with close friends.

But there something else about friendship that’s vitally important; we have each other’s back. The Key verse is found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them fall down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. There were situations at work as a manager where I had to defend my friends against unwarranted accusations and lies. Other times we helped each other to do the work. Our friend Jesus has our backs which is shown by His mercy, grace and favor to us. It shown by His answer to pray, His faithfulness, and sometimes by His corrections.

Another aspect of friendship is this, sometimes we have to confront each other with the truth. A friend might have gotten side-tracked by something, was having a bad relationship, or maybe the wrong relationship and we have to confront them with the truth. That happened to a friend of mine who had to be confronted with the truth about an illicit relationship. Jesus, as our friend, does this for us. He confronts us with the truth and urges us to get back on track. Proverbs 3:12, For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

One more aspect about friendship, sometimes we are called upon to lay down our lives for our friends. Probably not our physical life but pieces of our lives such as; giving up some of your time, sacrificial giving, letting go of our ambitions, and putting others above self. 1st John 3:16, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

I had an opportunity in the 90’s to become Director of Technology (which I wanted to do) but there was a catch, I had to discipline and eventually fire someone, someone who was a friend. Thought about it overnight and the next day turned down the offer. My friend didn’t deserve to be let go. He had some issues but was a good person and valuable to the department.

Another example, the young lady at the Columbine school massacre who gave up her life defending her faith. She defended her beliefs, her values, and she defended Jesus.

God Himself extends His friendship to us. Be a friend to God, have His back, and be ready to die to self for someone else.

Study on James

Posted on by timatnewlife

I’ve started a five week study on the book of James at Hebron New Life. This introduction to James will set the tone.

James was most likely the younger half brother of Jesus, a child of Joseph and Mary. James was not a believer during the public ministry of Jesus. After the resurrection of Jesus he became a follower. He was among those awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Jewish historian Josephus mentioned his martyrdom which occurred around 62 A.D.

The subject matter of James moves quickly from one subject to another and has practical application for today. He encourages, rebukes, and exhorts believers in a series of moral warnings.

James Chapter One –

The four major themes in The first chapter of James are: adversity (trials), temptations, listening vs doing, and true religious worship.

This book was written to Jewish Christians and the first theme is that we should find pure joy in our adversities and trials (James 1:2). Wow! That one is hard to swallow. Why? There is no way anyone can avoid or escape trials, afflictions, and suffering. But for a Christian it is a test of our faith that “can” produce perseverance/endurance and character, if we keep our faith in Jesus. But it doesn’t always work out that way does it? I think we lose sight of the bigger picture. I’m not saying we should do cart wheels when we’re suffering but as we work through things it will produce endurance and endurance will produce “proven” character.

The second theme is temptations and we all suffer temptations; sexual, greed, power, cheating, etc.  James makes it clear that God does not tempt anyone but we are tempted by our own evil desires. Of course the enemy, Satan, tries to pile it on. I Peter 5:8 describes Satan, our adversary, as a roaring lion seeking to destroy us.

The third theme is listening vs doing. As Christians we hear a lot messages and teachings, we read the Bible for instructions about righteous living, and hear from other sources about the right thing to do. But listening and actually “doing “are two different things. I think parents know this all to well in that difficult task of raising children. But we adults do the same thing, in one ear and out the other, often with no affect on our “doing” the right thing.

The forth theme is true religious worship. James puts it very simply, Watch what you say, take care of the oppressed (example of widows and orphans), and keep morally unblemished.

James Chapter 2 –

The four major themes in the second chapter of James are: Favoritism/Partiality, poor vs rich, the royal law, and faith vs deeds.

James is direct in everything he writes, no exceptions here. The first theme is we are not to show favoritism/partiality to those who have a favorable outside appearance; wealthy, well clothed, polished, well spoken, etc. as opposed to poor, not well dressed, unsophisticated, or backwards. That is the wrong type of judgement. John 7:24, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement.”  I grew up in a working class (poor) family and by the friends and family my grand-parents associated with I learned not to discriminate. In elementary school, for gym time, we often square danced for exercise.  We had to partner up. There was one girl who always was left to the end. She was tall, a little over weight and not pretty. So I decided that every time I got the chance I would choose her. That was something my Christian grand-parents taught me by their actions and not by their words. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your looks or social standing? It’s not right. We must look at the inside and not the outside of a person.

Woven in with the first theme is the second theme the rich (or the powerful) vs the poor (who have no power). I’m sure James didn’t mean all rich people show partiality but just look at the financial scams that have take place, think Bernie Madoff. Take a look who are usually the victims. Most often it’s the poor, or working class or elderly. There’s more about this in chapter five.

The third theme is about keeping the “royal” law; “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you’ve shown favoritism you’ve broken that command. And James goes on to write if you’ve broken one command you’ve broken them all. Sounds harsh. The law and commands are sorta like a contract. If you have broken one element of the contract you have broken the whole contract. Good thing we have God’s grace and forgiveness or we would all be in trouble. But let’s be careful how we judge each other. James writes that it’s more important to show mercy than to judge. Remeber mercy is defined as not getting what we do deserve.

The fourth theme is Faith vs Deeds. This is a tricky one. A person who is justified (saved) by faith must have good deeds/actions that follow. If they don’t, that faith is DEAD. The word in the Greek can also mean “inactive”. My best friend and I retired at the same time. We made plans and promised to see or speak to one another every week and we did for quite a few years. However, as the years went on we spoke and met less and less. There were some good reasons for this but our relationship became “inactive”. We might see or talk only several times a year. Some might say our relationship is dead or on life support. Our relationship with Christ cannot and should not come to a halt and become inactive. The question –  is can we fall from grace? I’ll try to answer that after chapter five.

James Chapter 3 –

The two major themes in the third chapter of James are: Taming the Tongue and Two Kinds of Wisdom.

The first theme is the importance of “Taming the Tongue”. How many of us have regretted something we said? All hands will go up. I remember at a retirement party for a friend I said something a little “off-color” and wanted to reach out and grab those words before anyone heard them. Ever feel like that? Fortunately for me my friend and I had a great relationship and all was forgiven and forgotten.

But the words we say can cause great harm, injure, poison relationships and start a process whereby many people can be harmed. Why do we do this? Many times we just don’t think about the ramifications of what we’re about to say. Sometimes we’re trying to be funny or get attention.

Example, World War I was started by words, in this case words that were in treaties. So in the end, a small quick war over a minor land dispute got turned into a lengthy war that was joined by powers all over the globe due to a variety of existing treaties (words) dating back as much as 75 years before the war started.

James writes about how a small tongue can cause such great damage. His analogy is how a great forest fire is started by a small spark. Marriages and relations are brought to an end, people are murdered, and emotions are damaged all because we cannot control our tongue. The same tongue can praise or curse people. He warns about the great power for misuse and evil. Let’s all step back and think before we talk, after all God gave us one tongue and two ears. We should listen (and think) before we talk.

The second theme is “Two Kinds of Wisdom”. The person who is humble will show their wisdom and understanding by their good life, by mercy, by impartiality, by our peace, by being reasonable, and by our kindness. A wisdom that is not boastful or prideful. There is another kind of “wisdom” that is boastful, arrogant, and selfish. This is often characterized by the “I’m always right and you’re always wrong”.

Since James is writing to Christians he warns them that if you can’t keep your tongue in check, your religion is worthless.

James chapter 4 –

Get in the Game and Lollipop Moments

Posted on by timatnewlife

This past Sunday’s message was about getting into the game. I used a sports analogy about the difference between watching the game on TV versus actually being at the game. Recently Frankie and I went to a Reds game. We usually go once a year and its a great experience to actually be at the game. Interacting with fans and vendors, enjoying the food, and be able to see and feel more of what is going on instead of watching on TV.

As Christians we shouldn’t be on the sidelines on Sunday mornings or when we have special events. God speaking through Paul says:

Hebrews 10:24-25 International Standard Version (ISV)

24 And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day of the Lord coming nearer.

Some of us have gotten into the habit of “not going to the game” that is, attending church. Meeting with God’s people has become a low priority, especially in the Summer time.

A prelude to making consistent connections and serving is regular attendance.

The Holy Spirit has given us gifts, talents, and abilities for the common good.

I Cor. 12:7

7 To each person has been given the ability to manifest the Spirit for the common good.

For “the common good” to work properly you need to “go to the game”, attend, make and strengthen connections and use your gifts, talents and abilities in serving.

No excuses. Reset your priorities. Get in the game. You may not think you can make a difference but you can, You have been equipped to do so. The following video by Drew Dudley is about leadership and lollipop moments, those moments in life where you can change someone’s life by a word of encouragement, a smile, a handshake, extending mercy and grace, and extending forgiveness.