I think religion sucks... at least dead religion. But man, it's pandemic around here. Can you imagine no dead religion in God's Church?
God is the living, breathing Creator of life... He is spirit, and - by extension - we too are spiritual beings. Humans are made in God's image... and the primary thing that sets us apart from all the other animals that dwell on this earth is our ability to create beautiful things. Oh, we can teach chimps to use sign language. Whoopty-doo. Can we teach them to engineer a bridge...? or compose a musical score...? or draft a speech like Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream"...? or paint something hauntingly beautiful like the Mona Lisa? Nope. Mind you, most of us can't do those things either, but all people possess a creative quality that transcends all other species... period. Humanity is special... unique... specially gifted with the ability to imagine and forecast, and ponder, and dream, and visualize something that goes beyond our ability to see with physical eyes.
But when it comes to faith in Jesus Christ... we so easily get stuck in a rut of religiousity. Rather than beauty and passion, our relationship with the One who loves us is often marked by laziness and mediocrity. Rather than living out the life of Christ with zest and gusto... most of us are merely trying to survive the perils of this world. Rather than being in a constant state of awe that sets our hearts on fire... many so-called Christians treat the gospel like its a burden to carry, or a secret to hide. So many of us find ourselves going through the motions with no real sense of trust that God wants to use His Church to turn the world upside down.
Why? Why are we so determined to keep God at arm's length? Why are we so utterly good at holding our Creator in contempt? Why do we continue to wear masks of hypocrisy, even while knowing it breaks the heart of God? He wants all to come to Him... but not halfway... half-baked... half-hearted... half assed. He wants to reconcile this world to Himself... through us - His ambassadors. But how is that supposed to happen if we don't really believe He's capable?
Peter and John believed Jesus is capable. In fact, they were so convinced He can heal the sick, they touched a beggar who couldn't walk... and God instantly gave him the strength to get up and leap for joy! Funny... but the Bible doesn't say it was his faith that did it. Nope... it was Peter and John's faith that God is powerfully at work through those who believe in Him that healed the guy. Do we have that same belief about God? In the midst of a spiritually crippled world... do we really believe that God can radically change lives for the better? For that matter... do we even believe He can change our lives for the better?
Peter and John not only believed it enough to act by faith... they also told the world about Jesus Christ... regardless of what it might cost them personally. Standing there on the street corner... infused with confidence after watching God perform a miracle in their midst... Peter stood up and boldly announced to anyone who would listen that Jesus is Lord. The same man who denied he knew Christ at one time was now truly willing to live (and die) for His Savior. Peter and John knew it was going to cost them, but they actually dared to believe that God would remain with them... and reveal His glory... regardless of the circumstances they found themselves in. Are we willing to share our faith so boldly... even in the face of persecution?
And when they stood before the Jewish council to answer for their "crimes," Peter and John made no apology for their passionate exaltations... in fact, they completely rejected the threats of punishment as nothing more than a bunch of hot air by mere men. They simply didn't care what the council of rulers and elders and teachers thought, or threatened to do. Their lives had been radically transformed by the One who died and was raised again as Lord and Master... so Peter and John weren't going to let some puffed-up religious bullies try to stifle them from shouting God's glory from the rooftops! Peter and John weren't religious, per se. Nope... God revealed Himself to those two men so clearly... so powerfully... so authentically... that they had something far more than a system of religion... they oozed with eternal life born out by God's Holy Spirit! So how about us? Do we ooze with eternal life too? If not... then why the heck not?
That's what I want for me... for my family... for my church... for my denomination... and for my Christian brothers and sisters in this cold, dark world - that we would stop playing religious games, and get serious about being true disciples of Jesus Christ. He doesn't want our dead religion, people... He wants our heart and soul and mind and strength... He wants ALL of us to be always engaged with His Word, His Spirit, His will, and His love. He wants us - His children - to be the creative, passionate, audacious, fearless, kick-ass disciples of Christ we were intended to be... we were re-born to be! Are you ready to change the world yet? Are you ready to stop playing religious games and start healing the spiritually (and physically) sick in Jesus' name? Then c'mon... let's get off our spiritual butts and live as if we believe it!
Well,
ReplyDeleteI am convicted. I suffer from lack of belief, and although it's not pleasant, I appreciate having Jeff address this so God can speak to me and put his finger on me.... I just want to live that fruitful life that brings joy and makes others wonder what kind of "funny juice" I've been drinking... (in a good way of course).
WOW,Jeff! What a great sermon...you said it beautifully. He does not want our fluff, He wants our fire! Being able to address our low-impact attitudes about our faith is huge. God wants us to know, through His Son Jesus, how precious we truly are and how to show that in our daily lives. Your words gave me chills...thanks, Jeff.
ReplyDeletePeter and John had first hand seen death overcome by Christ, the absolute pivotal event in history. They had no fear. They had been embued with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in a knock down supernatural but physical way. They were empowered. Christ had spent a few years carefully challenging the Jewish hierarchy until they put him to "death" and he overcame it in his resurrection--and He told us that through Him we too will overcome death. They were supremely emboldened and fearless. Are we? Can we? Are we too comfortable where we are?
ReplyDeleteI say I am willing, but I feel God's call for my life is to serve my wife, family, church, community, and periodically reachout to the world. Peter and John truly were putting there life on the line--would I? Is our faith ever challenged with death? We are seldom ostrasized, and, although politically derided from certain quadrants, we, as Christians, are welcome! It is too easy! Challenge me Lord! Challenge us!