New Year's 2012-- Are you Autonomous?

New Year's 2012-- Are you Autonomous?
           Are you Autonomous? Can you decide "for yourself" what is right and wrong and even what is "reality?"  Do you believe, "It's MY life; I'll do with it what I want?"
      Or to put it another way, Is Jesus "Lord" of your life--or are you? 
     The New Year is about to begin and that's when a lot of people take another look at "the basic questions of life": who am I? why am I here? where am I going? what should I be doing on this my journey through life? 
      We do well to do that because we are not self-created.  So we must take our place as a creature dependent on our Creator.  We are dependent for the very breath we breathe on God.  We know who we are.  We are creatures created in the image of God and thus of great worth, but finite creatures nevertheless. 
      That should teach us how to relate to God: accept as true and obey what He has given us in His Word because Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God." Mt.4:4
      And it should teach us how to treat other people, as fellow-creatures created in God's image--and therefore of great worth.

      The Old Testament pinpointed our problem 700 years before the coming of Christ.  The prophet Isaiah wrote, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way. . . ." Isaiah 53:5  There you have it! we've gone our own way instead of God's way.     And most people are still doing it!  The good news is that there is a way out. That scripture continues, "and the Lord has laid on Him [Christ] the sin of us all." 53:6  Christ died for us to pay the penalty for our sins.

       But Christians, too, can "go their own way."  It's something that can plague us all our lives.  Do you pick and choose which scriptures you will obey and which you will ignore?  Then you're going your own way instead of following Jesus fully.  You must submit yourself to the righteousness and wisdom of God.

      It's true of course that not all scripture applies equally to us.  We no longer follow the ritual washings of the Old testament, for example, or their animal sacrifices.  Nevertheless we can learn lessons and principles from them because "all scripture is profitable. . . ." 2 Tim. 3:16

       But I'm thinking about principles and teachings which are obviously for all of us, such as loving one another, forgiving one another, serving one another, bearing one another's burdens and others like that.  Scripture teaches forgiveness and honesty and sincerity.  It also teaches the permanence of marriage:  "what God has joined together, let not man put asunder." It teaches the principle of the assemblying of ourselves together to worship God and tells us explicitly not to forsake that principle.  It teaches the principle of honesty and devotion to truth.  It teaches us that we must feed regularly on the Word of God as the Bread of Life. "Thy Words were found and I did eat them and they became the joy and rejoicing of my heart."  Are you regularly reading and studying the scriptures?  Do you "meditate" (think about) what God has said??

    You're not autonomous, but you are responsible for the decisions you make, the thoughts you think, the attitudes you have, and your own actions.  Don't blame it on someone else; you did it.  Facing up to our own responsibilities and at the same time realizing our absolute dependence on God is the way to begin the New Year.
    


     

Christmas and Popular Culture

Christmas and Popular Culture

      I love Christmas! It's my favorite time of the year and brings so many beautiful and lovely memories from the past—not only from the 78 Christmases God has given me to experience, but also from the more distant past of tradition and history reaching back in an unbroken time line to that glorious event in human history when God became a tiny little helpless baby in the arms of His virgin mother in a smelly, unpleasant stable in Bethlehem. No matter that we don't know the exact date on which He was born. Historically it was the Year One in the Year of Our Lord and we still measure time in the western world by Anno Domine despite the fallible calculation years later that was probably 4 years mistaken. As historians we love precision and accuracy, but here we are reminded of the reality of the actual historical event in time and space and history.

        And at the same time we are reminded of how fallible and finite we all are in trying to keep track of everything and understand the eternal significance of the most important event in human history up to that time, “Emmanuel: God with us!” Not only “with us”--as He always is in the sense of His omnipresence, but “with us” by taking on human flesh and becoming “one of us” as a tiny little helpless baby. In that great Messianic Psalm 22 the inspired Psalmist wrote, “Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” Psalm 22:9-10 (ESV) And so the co-equal eternal Son of God became dependent in His humanity on the Father and Holy Spirit.

          But as marvelous as these theological truths are as God's marvelous plan of Redemption unfolded (“I am come to seek and to save that which was lost,” Jesus told His disciples.) in addition to the wonderful historical reality of the Incarnation, is God's providential use of the “Christmas Season” historically even to the Present.

        Even in the myths, the feasts of celebration, and the customs associated with the season. Our son-in-law Chris sent me something yesterday that helped direct my thinking in this manner once again. A peripheral matter perhaps, but what do we learn about living or God's common grace in the stories of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus?? or in the many other customs and associations with Christmas.

        Surely we prefer the clear message of the Gospel. And it's there, too, in much of the preaching and teaching of scripture and in the marvelous old Christmas carols like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” Glory to Christ the Newborn King. “God and sinners reconciled!” “Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the Everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the Virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the Incarnate Deity, Pleased as Man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!”

         But what about the many “Christmas stories” and myths and customs of giving and helping one another? Well, just stop to think about the many ethical and moral “values” that are communicated at Christmas time, only partially Biblical, but still with embedded truths there, too. What if we had a world without compassion and generosity, a world totally of selfishness and self-centeredness? Well, God knows that's characteristics of our fallen lives in this fallen world, but when we actually see and experience how much better goodness and love and sharing and kindness are, then we realize that those qualities really do exist! And it raises a person's desires for goodness and love and peace and kindness and a relationship of joy with God Himself. “ Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” How many people have experienced that at Christmas time?

          And remember the context of that verse, the demonstration in the lives of the apostles of a life of service and dedication to God and a willingness to give of themselves to minister to others. Paul was talking to the Ephesian elders—probably on the beach while he was preparing to embark on a ship that would eventually take him on his way to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome and imprisonment there. He reminded his brethren of the way of life he and his fellow missionaries had lived:          ”Remember that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.” Acts 20:31-38 ESV

         May Christmas be a reminder of how we must live a life of dedication to God and in service of our brethren and others in need. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 Compassion is a gift from God. Scripture tells us NOT to “close our hearts” as we see those in need. We can't help everyone—that's a truism—but it's also true that we can help many whom the Lord places in our paths by His providence. Follow His guidance; you know how kind and generous He is. ^“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18 ESV

          Share the gospel whenever people are willing to listen, but also demonstrate these character qualities that are shown so prominently in the Christmas season: love, compassion, kindness, generosity, goodness, service, sharing, empathy and sympathy, joy, peace, self-discipline, helpfulness, a sense of wonder at God's goodness and grace and His wisdom and providential control of all of life, looking to the hope or certainty of what lies ahead in Jesus. Jesus in the days of His flesh became dependent upon the Father and Holy Spirit. We are totally dependent upon Him. Let's realize it and live like it! That's the way to joy and meaning in life. Think of the infant babe on Mary's breast and realize your own total dependence on our Lord even for the breath you breathe. It is He who gives you joy and peace and love in the midst of these difficult times.

                                                                                --Pastor Burnside

"Fear Not, I AM with Thee"

           "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid." Luke 2:8-9 kjv

          Those wonderfully familiar words from your childhood come back to you every Christmas, don't they? How wonderful to see the glory of the Lord in an out-of-the-way place revealed to a group of unknown shepherds going about their daily tasks.  And God took the time and effort to announce the most important event, thus far, in history:  God was to become "one of us," a human being, in the person of a little baby born in a stable to a young Jewish girl, unknown to the world except to her family and friends.

         But do you remember the first words of the angel to the shepherds?!  "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 2:10-11

        "Fear not!"  How often God gives the reassurance to His people in scripture to "fear not!" neither be dismayed.  "Let not your heart be troubled . . . neither let it be afraid!" Jesus told His disciples the night before He died.  John 14:27

        “Fear Not, I AM with Thee”

“Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

–How Firm a Foundation

Fear not----

1. Because of who God is. “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28 We owe our very existence to God and that makes us totally dependent on our Creator. And we know His character and many of His attributes. He is the eternal, self-existing omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God with perfect and absolute power, glory, and holiness. He is the perfection of beauty, knowledge, and wisdom and is infinite in what He does. God is love. He is merciful and kind, patient with all His works.   He is the “Blessed God” with perfect fellowship within the Trinity. “As for God, his way is perfect.” Psalm 18:30

2. Because of what God has done–the works of God. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.” Psalm 145:3-5 And of all God’s works, including Creation, is His greatest and most awesome work of Redemption in Christ–and at what a cost, the death of the Son of God on the cross! “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

         What indeed is there then to fear since God has so demonstrated His love for us and the fulness of His redemption? “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

3. Because of what God does–His present providence. “God keeps all created things existing and maintaining the properties with which He created them.” (Grudem) Christ is “upholding the universe by His word of power.” Heb. 1:3 “upholding” means “to carry or bear.” It means more than simply “sustain,” but has the sense of active purposeful control over whatever is being carried. Christ, then, is actively involved in the work of providence. “In Him all things hold together.” “All things” means every created thing in the universe. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”  Colossians 1:16-17

         Everything in His creation obeys His Word: “Fire, and hail; snow, and [frost]; stormy wind fulfilling his word:” [his word of command]. “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Psalm 104:14 God directs the stars in the heavens as the book of Job makes clear. And Jesus said the same thing, “Your Father which is in heaven maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45

          God feeds the animals throughout the world. “These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in. You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.” Psalm 104:27-29 And Jesus called attention to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father–or “without your Father’s will” [permitting]. Matthew 10:29

         God controls the political destinies of nations and international relations. “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalm 75:6-7 “His kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19

          We see God’s providence in our lives daily. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:23-25 “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26 If Jesus our Good Shepherd is looking after us and leading us in the paths of righteousness, why should we fear?

4. Because Jesus said “fear not!” and since we are His sheep, we follow Him and obey Him. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27. One of the key ways we can know whether we are Jesus’ sheep or not is whether we listen to Him, heed what He says, and obey Him. So, do it! “Fear not!”

         When John, the Beloved Apostle who had always been so close to Jesus, saw the glorified Christ in heaven, what was His reaction and Jesus’ response? “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, ‘Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev. 1:17-18

5. Because of the promises of God and the promise of His sustaining, adequate grace. And those promises are, indeed, comforting and real with the entire trustworthiness of God behind them. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 ”For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. . . .” Isaiah 30:15 “. . . Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

         Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let Him be your fear. . . .” Isaiah 8:12-13 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come. . . ; he will come and save you.” Isa. 35:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. . . .” Psalm 23:4 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

6. Because of the inner certitude the Holy Spirit brings as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” Romans 8:16 and He also gives us assurance in our hearts. He is the “Anointing” that is explained in 1 John, the “testimonium” of the Holy Spirit whereby God intensifies the evidence and other reasons for knowing that God is Real and the Bible is true. Faith is the “conviction of things not seen,” “the deep inner certainty in your soul that God is on His throne and working His plan for your life. He will bring to pass what He has promised into reality.”

Faith is the “present assurance of future reality.” God brings assurance to your heart–NOT anxiety. He gives us faith–NOT fear. We have the inner assurance in my soul that God will do all that He said He would. There’s never any panic in heaven, only God’s immutable purposes and plans that He is systematically bringing to pass.

7. Because of the glory that awaits us. “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” Philippians 3:20–21 We are to set our affections and our minds on things above not on things below. “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 

8. Because of Jesus’ constant Presence with us and His promise, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Though we have not seen Him, we love Him; and even though we do not see Him now, we believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8  “Fear not, I am with thee. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Tim. 4:18 esv

                                                    --Pastor Burnside (adapted from his book, Glory in Tribulations)