Pastor's Desk: Persistent Faith
There are many Biblical examples and historical examples of those who exercise faith even when their circumstances are discouraging. When I consider how they persisted in their faith despite the circumstances presented to them, I'm encouraged to remain faithful and obey the LORD nonetheless.
When was the last time you were discouraged in your faith? Are you waiting for an answer from God? Has He recently made clear to you His answer and it was "no"?
Our journey of faith will be marked by seasons of great faith and joy, but also by seasons of doubt and discouragement. In my own journey, I have found encouragement in the lives of those who have gone before me. There are many Biblical examples and historical examples of those who exercise faith in God even when their circumstances are discouraging. When I consider how they persisted in their faith despite the circumstances presented to them, I'm encouraged to remain faithful and obey the LORD nonetheless.
“Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”
Jesus was approached by a woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon who pleaded with Him to heal her daughter of a demon that tormented her. She came to Him because He was "Lord, Son of David" a title that acknowledged His true identity as Messiah and Savior. She came begging for His mercy and what baffles us as we read the account is that "Jesus did not answer her a word."
Is this the same Jesus who had compassion on the hungry crowds, the blind, the lame, the sick and demon-possessed? Is this the same Jesus who taught His disciples to "Ask and it will given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened" (Matthew 7:7)? At first glance, it's hard to understand why the woman wouldn't receive a response, but then we realize she was not the first person in the Bible to receive silence from the LORD.
God remained silent through Job's difficult ordeal and the accusations leveled by his friends, until He finally spoke in chapter 38. Daniel had to wait 21 days for the explanation to a vision he had received, and when the messenger finally came to his assistance, there was a heavenly reason his mourning, praying and fasting had to last so long. Asaph and David in their psalms pleaded with God not to remain silent and even Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).
When God chooses not to answer, we often mistake His silence for a lack of concern or care. Nothing could be further from the truth. He certainly cared about Job, Daniel, Asaph and David and He certainly cares about about us. He has revealed Himself to be loving, caring, wise and faithful and, even when He remains silent, He has something good in store for us. "He will never leave us nor forsake us," we're assured (Hebrews 13:5). "Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you," we're instructed by Peter (1 Peter 5:7).
The woman, after much pleading, finally did receive an answer from Jesus and it was essentially a "no." His calling and ministry was to the Israelites and since she wasn't one, she would not receive the blessings meant for them. Again, it's hard to understand Jesus' response because we know now that Jesus was also sent as a light to the Gentiles. But, that part of God's plan had yet to unfold. Sometimes, when we are discouraged in our faith, it is simply because our expectations are based on our plans and not on God's. We expect Him to meet our timetable instead of trusting His timing. It's important for us to remember, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8,9).
Jesus gave the woman a metaphor to explain why He would not grant her request. Not to be deterred, the woman used the very same metaphor as a good reason from Him to yet grant her request. So, Jesus commended her great faith and granted her request by healing her daughter that very moment. That does not mean God will always change his answer when our faith is persistent, but we can see that God does honor faith and does as He pleases and deems right.
Will we trust Him enough to let Him choose when and how to respond to our requests and pleas? Will we continue to have faith in Him and obey His will even when it seems like He hasn't noticed our obedience? If "without faith, it is impossible to please God," then we know that He is pleased when we "remain sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1, 6). We demonstrate that confidence and certainty through obedience to the commands, instructions and principles He has already revealed to us in His word. He gives us the opportunity to do so when He remains silent or responds with a "no."
God is looking for those who will have faith to trust Him no matter what His responses are to our requests. Many are the saints who have gone before us whose faith journeys inspire us and keep us from being discouraged in our faith.
Pastor's Desk: What Can I Bring?
…as we grow up in our relationship with God, our faith in His abilities should grow and our confidence in Him should become greater with each new experience of His power and as we encounter situations where He demonstrates His wisdom and timing.
In the Lord's hands, a boy's five loaves of bread and two fish fed more than five thousand hungry people. What will you bring to Him?
The disciples were faced with an impossible task. Their master had asked them to feed more than five thousand hungry people. They had no idea how to do what He asked of them, but Jesus knew what He was about to do.
“Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.”
Jesus had withdrawn from the crowds, but they followed Him. Seeing the crowds, Jesus "had compassion on them and healed their sick" (Mt. 14:14). Where you and I would just see a sea of faces, Jesus saw precious individuals in need of His attention. God certainly knows everyone's name and their personal stories. Although He doesn't expect us to know everyone like He does, He expects all of us to treat other people as His precious creatures made in His image. As a disciple of Jesus, we should learn from Jesus' compassion and respond to the needs of people around us.
The disciples thought it was time to send the crowds away to find something to eat, but Jesus told them to feed everyone. The gospel of John reveals to us that Jesus had asked that of His disciples, "only to test them, for he already had in mind what he was going to do" (Jn. 6:6). God often asks us to do something impossible to expose our limitations and demonstrate His limitless power and glory. Remember how He asked Gideon to defeat the Midianites with an army of only 300 men? He did so, "in order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her" (Judges 7:2). We cannot depend on ourselves for our eternal salvation and we cannot depend on ourselves for our Spiritual growth. It's impossible for us to love others, or make disciples of all nations, or forgive our offenders as Jesus expects us to. But when we realize we are powerless, that's when God can show us what He is capable of through us.
So, with only five loaves of bread and two fish that His disciples had brought to Him, Jesus gave thanks, divided it up among the people and, miraculously, there was so much food that the disciples were gathering leftovers after everyone had eaten. We might not have much to offer the Lord who asks us to lend a hand, or help someone in need, or feed someone poor or give to the Kingdom's cause. But, maybe Jesus is waiting for you to bring whatever it is to Him so that He can show you something about His abilities that you will never forget.
When my children were little, they thought their Daddy knew everything and was capable of anything. They would come to me as though I would know where that missing glove ended up or why it was still raining. They would bring to me their broken things as though I could fix anything and they would still ask me for milk, even if I had just said to them we were out of milk. They have since grown up and they realize now I'm not all-knowing or all-powerful. But as we grow up in our relationship with God, our faith in His abilities should grow and our confidence in Him should become greater with each new experience of His power and as we encounter situations where He demonstrates His wisdom and timing.
Jesus revealed to His disciples that God wants us to love people and meet their needs even when our resources are limited. Will you entrust to Him your resources, talents, gifts, abilities, time, energy and anything else He asks of you?
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21, NIV84)
Pastor's Desk: The Master's Mission
Every follower of Jesus Christ has been called to into the mission of the Master to make disciples of all nations.
A Christian is someone chosen by God to draw near to Jesus Christ, believe in Him for salvation and eternal life, and then bear witness of Him to the rest of the world. It's really not complicated, but on a day when project deadlines loom, children are sick, or travel plans are cancelled, we quickly forget our calling and mission. Looking again at Jesus' instructions to the original Twelve in Matthew 10, we are reminded of several things about the Master's Mission.
"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8, NIV84)
The essence of the disciples' mission is exactly the same as Jesus' mission was among them. As He had preached and done among them, they were to go to "the lost sheep of Israel" to preach and do the same. Then, after Jesus completed His earthly mission of atoning for sin through His death, His mission for the disciples became much broader, as He commanded them to "Go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19). We can learn several things from Jesus' instructions to the Twelve in Matthew 10 as we apply those instructions to the mission Christians have today.
1. The disciple of Jesus must depend on God's provision. The Twelve were instructed to travel very light and depend on the hospitality of those who would receive their message.
2. The disciple of Jesus is sent out like sheep among wolves. Some villages and homes would welcome them, but others would outright reject them. They could expect to be arrested, punished, betrayed, and persecuted, made to suffer and even put to death.
3. The disciple of Jesus need not be anxious nor afraid. Jesus gave them several assurances because He knew that the rejection they faced could lead to worry or fear. The Spirit would speak through them, He assured, so they need not be anxious about what to say when arrested. Their message would one day be vindicated, so they should boldly proclaim it from the rooftops. Their enemies could, at worst, kill the body and not the soul, and they were very precious to their Heavenly Father.
Today, if you are a Christian, you have one fundamental mission to fulfill, the Master's mission of making disciples of all nations. Any current vocation or calling of yours should be a means for you to fulfill what the Master has called you to. And as you confess Christ before men, you will be welcomed by some and rejected by others. But anxiety and fear must never dissuade your allegiance to Jesus Christ. Your willingness to lose your life for His sake may even be tested. But, remember, if you lose any friends or family members over your allegiance to Christ, "you shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). No suffering for Christ's sake, however severe it may be, can ever compare to the suffering of eternal condemnation in the Lake of Fire. And, those who receive your message stand to gain hope, healing, and eternal life.
The world is under condemnation for their sin and rebellion against God. People remain dead in their trespasses and sins and they will one day face the judgment and the second death. Since the problem of evil and sin lies within their hearts, the only solution for them is the life-changing power of God through faith in Jesus Christ. As foolish as it may seem to us, God chooses to send you and me to bear witness of Jesus Christ among them!
So, who will be the next person to hear you testify of Jesus Christ and receive the only One who offers eternal life? Whatever you do today, hopefully your Master's mission is still the ultimate goal you have in sight:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have command you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).
Pastor's Desk: Saved By the Grace of God
God doesn't always do what you'd expect - after all, He saves sinners like you and me by grace through faith.
The Gospel of Matthew, among the best known books of the Bible, was written by a sinner saved by God's grace. Matthew was a tax collector, a man despised by his fellow Jews because people in his vocation were notorious for dishonest gain, extortion and abuse of authority. They, along with other "sinners," were the scum of their society. Yet, when Jesus saw Matthew, He said, "Follow me" and Matthew left everything behind and followed Him. His account of Jesus' ministry and miracles has since been a part of the most influential book in all of history.
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
After Matthew decided to follow Jesus, he hosted a banquet for Jesus in his home and many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus. The Pharisees were expecting a Messiah who, like them, would condemn tax collectors and sinners. But Jesus explained his reason for eating with them, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." There will certainly be a time for judgment for the sinner, but God is patient, "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 2:9). Jesus ate with sinners because He wants to give us sinners an opportunity to repent of our sinful ways and respond to His call to an extraordinary life of following Him.
"How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
John the Baptizer's disciples were familiar with fasting, but Jesus and His disciples freely ate. While fasting would have been appropriate for a time of mourning over sin, demonstrating repentance and seeking the LORD's mercy, it was not appropriate for the time of Jesus' presence among His disciples. Expecting them to fast, He said, was like expecting wedding guests at a wedding to mourn instead of celebrate. Here again, Jesus did not conform to the expectations of His observers. He did not fast with His disciples because His presence is a time to celebrate.
We should be so grateful that the LORD doesn't always do as we humans expect. He chose to use a crucified Christ as an atoning sacrifice to save the sinner. He calls the lowly, despised and weak among us to shame the strong. He displays His strength and wisdom through our weakness and foolishness. He deliberately makes it impossible for people to boast in themselves and take pride in their own accomplishments. He saves us by His grace through faith, "and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The next time you want God to meet your expectations, remember that it's a good thing He doesn't always do what we expect of Him. Rejoice that He chose sinners like Matthew and like you and me, and called us to an extraordinary life of following Jesus. Celebrate His grace that is greater than our sin.
John Newton (author of "Amazing Grace" on the three wonders of heaven: "When I get to heaven I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be, to see many people there whom I did not expect to see. The second wonder will be, to miss many people whom I did expect to see; and the third and greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there."
Pastor's Desk: Power Over Sin
Forgiveness heals us of the deepest injuries and wounds inflicted on us by our sins.
He was paralyzed and he wanted to walk. He couldn't get to Jesus, so his friends had to bring him. On a mat. Through the roof. Then, before Jesus healed his body, He healed his soul. He said,
"Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
In Matthew 9:1-8, Jesus used an opportunity to heal a man of his paralysis, to heal him of a much deeper problem, his sin. The scribes who were present mistook His statement as blasphemy, an insult to God. And, it would have been, had Jesus not been the Son of God with power over sin and the authority to forgive. Jesus chose to demonstrate that power and authority, by first forgiving the man's sin and before making him walk again.
Which is easier to say to a paralyzed man? To say, "your sins are forgiven," or to say "get up and walk"? It's easier to say "your sins are forgiven" because those present are unable to disprove such a statement. So, proving the easier by also doing the more difficult, Jesus then told the man to get up and walk, leaving the crowd "filled with awe" and praising God.
But for Jesus to say, "your sins are forgiven," He would later also have to do something very difficult. He would bear the weight of the man's sin and ours. He would endure the agony and pain of being scourged, the shame and jeering of those who stood and mocked, the weight of an unbearable cross and the torment of hanging by his wrists and heels. He would literally have to offer His last breath to make that statement effective because "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
Jesus' sacrifice: His death for my life, His righteousness for my sin.
We are all broken by sin to one degree or another. Wounded and scarred by our sins and the sins of our forebears. But, once we have received Jesus' healing touch and received His forgiveness, we can finally be made whole again. Healed, restored, renewed, forgiven. We all have a friend who also needs that healing touch in the deepest part of their soul. They need to hear that their sins are forgiven. Will you be bringing that friend to Jesus, too?
Pastor's Desk: Power Over Nature and Demons
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
Have you ever experienced the fear of death? Passengers aboard Air France flight 66 last Saturday must have been very fearful when the A380's engine blew up at 38,000 feet above sea level. Parts of the engine came apart in mid-air over the Atlantic requiring the pilots to declare "May Day" and make an emergency landing in Goose Bay, Canada. Thankfully, they made a safe landing and everyone got off the plane unharmed. But, what if you were faced with such a fearful situation? Or, maybe not the fear of death, but the fear that comes with uncertainty, trials, difficulties and challenges?
Jesus wants to calm the storms of your life. Really? No, not really.
When Jesus told His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee, He took them through a life-threatening storm that suddenly raged against them and caused them to fear for their life. When He woke from His sleep, He first rebuked them before He rebuked the wind and the waves. He said to the disciples, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" before He commanded the winds and waves to calm down (Matthew 8:26, NIV). When the winds and waves died down immediately, you would expect the disciples to be very relieved and calm. Instead they were more afraid than before, asking themselves, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Some preachers will say that Jesus wants to calm the storms of your life. But, I don't think that's the point of this incident and the reason it has been recorded in the Gospels for us. I believe this happened to demonstrate who Jesus really is by His power over nature. It was part of how the disciples realized they were following the Son of God. When God takes us through a difficult and fearful experience, I believe He wants us to have faith in Him instead of fear. And, I believe that He will demonstrate to us something about His character and abilities that will grow our faith and confidence in Him.
When they reached the other side, Jesus also demonstrated His power over demons who had possessed two men and held an entire village captive in fear. As the Son of God, Jesus also has power over the supernatural, spiritual forces of evil. His authority over them has also been delegated to His disciples and the demons are thus subject to us who speak in Jesus' name.
As you follow Jesus, remember that when you are with Him, you walk with the One who has power over all nature and all supernatural forces of evil and darkness. We will always be a threat to the Prince of Darkness because we walk with the Light of the World, and he will do his part to cause us to live in the fear of uncertainty, trouble and death. But, "the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4, NIV).
Following Jesus means that we are always with the One with all power, authority and strength.
Are you going through something difficult or challenging right now? Does it seem like an uncontrollable storm is raging around you and you are afraid of drowning? God may or may not calm that storm. Through it, He expects you to keep trusting Him and He will soon show you what He is capable of. Remember, there is no room for fear when our faith is in God.