Javier Torres

Alive in Christ

2009-04-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 2
Made Alive in Christ
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Last week we began Easter and learned what Easter means. In Christian tradition we continue with the Easter message and the victorious purpose of the resurrection. We see here the great purposes and plan of God, culmination in the universal headship of Christ, beginning with the salvation of individuals.

I have always been interested in those pictures that appear on television and on magazines showing someone before and after. Not only does the After picture show a better looking individual-thinner, younger looking, whiter teeth, more hair- but the person in the “after” picture is almost always smiling and in a better light than in the “before” picture. I at times doubt these results, but this morning we are sharing similar pictures which are authentic. Paul paints a before and after picture of Christians. In this “after” picture, as well, one gets to see an individual in better lighting. There is no airbrushing or photo shopping, the picture is real. Forgive the continuous comparisons but if we were really to compare the picture being presented by the apostle Paul here, I believe that comparing it to one of those shows on the Health channel that show these folks that have been disfigured by trauma of illness and later are restored by plastic surgery may be a bit better comparison.

In this scripture Paul paints a picture of contrasts. It contains five explicit “formerly” and “now” or “Before” and “After.” It is important to note that some consider these texts as the clearest, most expressive, and most loved descriptions of salvation in the New Testament.

Here are some of the oppositions in this passage:
Living in transgressions vs. living in good works prepared by God;
This World vs. heavenly realms;
Death vs. Life;
Sinful nature vs. union with Christ;
Wrath vs. mercy and salvation;
Being under the ruler of darkness vs. sitting with Christ;
by nature vs. Grace;
works vs. faith.
Presented in these texts we find God by grace operating by faith giving life and moral ability to helpless sinners, saving them from condemnation and setting them on a path of righteous living.

A couple of years ago here in the U.S. anyone condemned to death would be referred to a “Dead Man walking.” Although they were physically alive, the sentenced of death bestowed upon them, made them “Dead” individuals. The same for us. Paul tries to paint this picture which seems somewhat harsh but spiritually true. He basically stated “and you were dead at one time.” Believe me, nothing makes one appreciate living more than having to experience a near death experience. Yet here we are not talking about a near death experience, but death itself.

The Apostle Paul also wants us to understand the dimensions of this Spiritual death.
It is Universal-It affects everyone. Jews and Gentiles
Walking in this death state is an active rebellion against God. –Even when one doesn’t think so, one becomes an active enemy of God.
Those who are dead become prisoners of the Evil one, Satan, “the ruler of the kingdom of the air.” 2 Corinthians 4:44The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
It makes those dead in their transgressions unable to do anything their condition (Romans 8:7 7the sinful mind[a] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.)
It invites the anger of God. Romans 2: 5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

I imagine right now that all of this may be bringing you down. The truth is that this is part of the complete gospel, but the story doesn’t end there. Paul paints a bleak picture of the human condition precisely to highlight and contrast with God’s grace and mercy and what happens when we encounter it.

Here is the kicker. When one is “DEAD” one cannot make decisions or choices. Dead people have no will. They’re Dead. It is an action by God that triggers life, not an action by man. You may have thought that it is you who brings you to Church. That it is you, who decided to accept Christ. But it is Christ who called us; we merely surrender to his irresistible Grace. God loves his people for no other reason than he chooses to do so.

Those individuals described as “Dead” in verse 1-3 have no means of getting out from the web of death and making themselves alive, or of breaking away from Satan’s stronghold, or averting God’s punishment. Only an act of God’s goodness driven by his love. No merit is given to any human action or works. It cannot be done. Your efforts nor your actions can win heaven for you nor can it bring you to life. Only the work of God can offer us the loving gift of life.

He made us alive…He raised us up… He seated us with Him…

The Easter story doesn’t end with Jesus. Jesus shared the story of his resurrection by raising us as well from the dead. Both Redeemer and redeemed now share the same story. The story of celebration is as much about the celebrated and those celebrating. Because he lives, we live and thus are new creatures in Christ Jesus.

Through Christ:
1. We have experienced resurrection. Living death has been turned into true life.
2. Our new lives are the very creation of God.
3. As we are exalted with Christ our Lord, we enjoy unparallel privilege, honor, and security. We are no longer held back by fear or vulnerability.
4. We experience God’s abundant kindness.

If this morning you cannot relate to living in Christ can I urge you to “Get a Life.” You may have been visiting Church for a while now but are you willing to say here I am God, I’m surrendering to you love and call for my life. I can no longer hold out. I am tired of being a walking dead, and today I say breath live into me and plug me into your work not mine.

In Spite of Present Appearance, God is in Control.

2009-03-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

Daniel 3:

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king." 25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
13 Lleno de ira, Nabucodonosor los mandó llamar. Cuando los jóvenes se presentaron ante el rey,14 Nabucodonosor les dijo:
—Ustedes tres, ¿es verdad que no honran a mis dioses ni adoran a la estatua de oro que he mandado erigir?15 Ahora que escuchen la música de los instrumentos musicales, más les vale que se inclinen ante la estatua que he mandado hacer, y que la adoren. De lo contrario, serán lanzados de inmediato a un horno en llamas, ¡y no habrá dios capaz de librarlos de mis manos! 16 Sadrac, Mesac y Abednego le respondieron a Nabucodonosor:
—¡No hace falta que nos defendamos ante Su Majestad!17 Si se nos arroja al horno en llamas, el Dios al que servimos puede librarnos del horno y de las manos de Su Majestad.18 Pero aun si nuestro Dios no lo hace así, sepa usted que no honraremos a sus dioses ni adoraremos a su estatua. 19 Ante la respuesta de Sadrac, Mesac y Abednego, Nabucodonosor se puso muy furioso y cambió su actitud hacia ellos. Mandó entonces que se calentara el horno siete veces más de lo normal,20 y que algunos de los soldados más fuertes de su ejército ataran a los tres jóvenes y los arrojaran al horno en llamas.21 Fue así como los arrojaron al horno con sus mantos, sandalias, turbantes y todo, es decir, tal y como estaban vestidos.22 Tan inmediata fue la orden del rey, y tan caliente estaba el horno, que las llamas alcanzaron y mataron a los soldados que arrojaron a Sadrac, Mesac y Abednego,23 los cuales, atados de pies y manos, cayeron dentro del horno en llamas. 24 En ese momento Nabucodonosor se puso de pie, y sorprendido les preguntó a sus consejeros:
—¿Acaso no eran tres los hombres que atamos y arrojamos al fuego?
—Así es, Su Majestad —le respondieron. 25 —¡Pues miren! —exclamó—. Allí en el fuego veo a cuatro hombres, sin ataduras y sin daño alguno, ¡y el cuarto tiene la apariencia de un dios![a] 26 Dicho esto, Nabucodonosor se acercó a la puerta del horno en llamas y gritó:
—Sadrac, Mesac y Abednego, siervos del Dios *Altísimo, ¡salgan de allí, y vengan acá!
Cuando los tres jóvenes salieron del horno,27 los sátrapas, prefectos, gobernadores y consejeros reales se arremolinaron en torno a ellos y vieron que el fuego no les había causado ningún daño, y que ni uno solo de sus cabellos se había chamuscado; es más, su ropa no estaba quemada ¡y ni siquiera olía a humo!
Footnotes:
Daniel 3:25 dios. Lit. hijo de dioses.

Introduction:

At the beginning of this year, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman named Helen Greenspun. It isn’t every day one can say that they’ve met someone who changed their lives, but I can truly say that I have not been the same since my encounter with Mrs. Greenspun. Now Mrs. Greenspun no evangelist, pastor or theologian, in fact she is not even a Christian. She is no celebrity per se, yet I must say that I was looking forward to meeting Mrs. Greenspun.

The meeting had been arranged by one of my professors who is a renowned scholar and author within the Judaic studies circles and had to make an important trip to Israel. He asked Mrs. Greenspun to come into the class and share her experiences: You see Mrs. Greenspun is a Holocaust survivor. I remember I entered the classroom my heart was filled with anticipation, yet at that same moment I experienced a sense of anti-climax. I felt the class didn’t share my enthusiasm but worse as I looked to the desk, there sat Mrs. Greenspun a neatly dressed older woman with almost no emotion in her face. In hind sight, I don’t know what I was expecting to see, a woman with a shaved head with number tattooed on her hand, dying of hunger? She began her story with almost no eye contact, and one could tell that she had told this story hundreds of times. Yes, the story was amazing even without the drama.
She recounted the story on how the Nazi entered her small town in Poland and how her father hid her by giving her to a farmer as a farm hand, and how she ran away from there because she couldn’t stand to be away from her family. He spokes of a beating her father received from the Nazi soldiers as he came out from the synagogue. During the occupation the Nazis took her older siblings to what they called working camps, but Helen was too young to go. Helen’s mother asked her to hurry and take a package of food to her siblings for their trip. As Helen reached the truck where her sister was a soldier picked her up and put her in. She cried out that she was too young to go into the work camp, yet Mrs. Greenspun said these words to us and later she said to me as I spoke to her in private: “And this is how God began saving my life.”

Days after little Helen was taken to a concentration camp, every Jew in her town was killed, including the little children. Her story is long and God’s providence shows up in her camp experience.

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Today’s story is one which reverberates the continuing theme found in Mrs. Greenspun’s experience and the sermon’s preached by Pastor Jorge of providence and miracles. I have chosen an Old Testament favorite of mine: the Three Hebrew Young Men and the Fiery Furnace.

Today’s sermon title is the overarching theme found throughout the book of Daniel: “In Spite of Present Appearance, God is in Control.

The book of Daniel presents an encouraging picture of people who although in exile they prosper. The first couple of chapters establish the foundation for this success : “Although we are not in our land, we must honor God and his law no matter where we’re at, no matter what the consequences are” and in every turn we see a response from God honoring that commitment.

In Daniel we see the personal implications of a historical event, where King Nebuchadnezzar, emperor of Babylonia asserts power of Judah, and brings into his kingdom the best and the brightest with the goal of training them as puppet governors, totally devoted to the Babylonian Empire

Nebuchadnezzar puts them through a royal training. He introduces them into his court and the benefits thereof. He changes their names, their dress, tries to change their diet.
According to the first verse in chapter 3 Nebuchadnezzar builds an image, most likely one which resembles the dream on Chapter 2, and demanded that all to fall down and worship it at the sound of music playing.

This of course means nothing to the people of Babylon who were polytheistic (served many gods at once).

In this story we see three of the Hebrew young men who despite the mandate, they refuse to bow before any of other gods. They still remembered Ex 20: 3-6 3 »No tengas otros dioses además de mí.[a] 4 »No te hagas ningún ídolo, ni nada que guarde semejanza con lo que hay arriba en el cielo, ni con lo que hay abajo en la tierra, ni con lo que hay en las aguas debajo de la tierra.5 No te inclines delante de ellos ni los adores. Yo, el Señor tu Dios, soy un Dios celoso. Cuando los padres son malvados y me odian, yo castigo a sus hijos hasta la tercera y cuarta generación.6 Por el contrario, cuando me aman y cumplen mis mandamientos, les muestro mi amor por mil generaciones.
3 "You shall have no other gods before [a] me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Let’s be clear, these men weren’t ignorant of the consequences. They made a conscious decision to honor the one and true God, the God of Israel.

King Nebuchadnezzar was quickly informed of this and he quickly called the 3 over to him. And it is here when this story begins to unveil.

Angered by what he saw as blatant disregard towards this deity, Nebuchadnezzar reduces the God of Israel as just one of many gods not powerful enough to rescue them from his hands and then threatens them with death.

They answer the King in a way which seems almost arrogant: “We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.”(vs.16) Note: Today as Christians we are also constantly questioned about our faith. Why do you believe the way you do? Why do you chose to waste a Sunday in Church? And sadly many Christians feel that they have to defend themselves, but allow me to humbly suggest that we allow the results of our faith speak for us.
They establish certain principles.
“The God we serve is able to save us from it [The fiery furnace] and he will rescue us from your hand, O King (vs.17). In other words my God is powerful enough to get me out of this. No if and or buts about it, our God can and will save us.
But they made clear their commitment to the law of God and to God’s sovereignty: “But even if He does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image you have set up”

The King asked that the furnace be fired up seven (tell the story) and tossed the 3 in the furnace.
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Application
.

Today’s images may not be a physical statue yet they are real. We are expected to bow down to the pressures of society and sadly many in the Christian community have done so.
In the name of grace and social consciousness we are asked to embrace .
We are asked to see abortion as a choice and a right of privacy instead of calling it what it is murder/genocide.
We are asked to tone down our rhetoric and seek out consensus with non-christian religions in the name of unity, harmony, and peace, yet we know only “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father.”

As Nebuchadnezzar looks into the furnace he sees four men walking inside the furnace and the fourth one is described as a son of the gods. Was is God or was it an angel. That really doesn’t matter, what does matter is that in that furnace they weren’t alone.

Even Christians who stand in God’s principles face the fiery furnace 2 Cor. 4:8-9
8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Why is it that despite the fact that we are inside the fiery furnace we cannot be destroyed. The fact is that it has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with the fourth person inside the furnace. Hebrews 13:6
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."[a] 6So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"[b]

“In Defense of Fellowship”

2009-03-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

John 17:20-23 (New International Version)
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Acts 2:42-47 (New International Version)
The Fellowship of the Believers
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Intro:

(Play song: “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”)

How do you like our new Oasis theme song? Just kidding, actually it would cost too much money. But seriously the words to this song really should describe the church rather than a bar in Boston. (read the words if opportune).

I was blessed with the opportunity to preach the first message of the year, today I stand before you graced once again. Preaching is serious business which I don’t take lightly and personally I feel that the first sermon of the year is an important event where one is allowed to cast the year’s first vision. At least this is how I feel, and why it is so significant to me. Last year after reflecting on a challenging 2004 and coming short from calling it as Queen Elizabeth had in the past an “annus horribilus”, all I said was “what a year.” Today as I reflect on 2005 I say the same “what a year” but with a totally different meaning. Last year I preached on welcoming the bible back to the home, but today I will be preaching in defense of fellowship.

I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but as we look at the recent development of church philosophy in my opinion, there is reason for concern. For almost three years I’ve shared with the leaders of this church and have had countless meetings on how we can become a better church. We look at models of successful churches, we attend seminars, we read books, and although we’ve learned many things, I can honestly say that the final conclusion has been that the church of God is Holy Spirit driven and it is God who makes the church grow, and that the duty of the church is to exercise love in true biblical fellowship at it is found in the bible.

Books are being written about folks who are fed up with the church as it is today and have chosen to stay home and hold church on their own with little or no involvement in the local church. We admit that the church in general has become somewhat disconnected with the individual. Being reformed this isn’t a difficult thing being that part of being reformed is the belief that we are always reforming. Yet reformation must always be based on biblical principal.

George Barna writes in his book “Revolution”:

“Now its virtually impossible to craft a "typical" spiritual pattern, especially among people under the age of 40. Growing numbers of young adults, teenagers, and even adolescents are piecing together spiritual elements they deem worthwhile, constituting millions of personalized "church" models. Ultimately, we expect to see believers choosing from a proliferation of options, weaving together a set of favored alternatives into a unique tapestry that constitutes the personal "church" of the individual.” (64)

It was noted by a Christian blogger that suggesting that one stays home instead of congregating as cure for what ails the church make the cure worse than the disease and adds that “upon closer inspection it may be the cure that cause[d] the disease in the first place.”

It must be noted that this is not a new ideology. In 1985 Robert Bellah and a team of researchers wrote their book Habits of the Heart. What they found then was that the individualized, personalized church was in full bloom. In this book Bellah refers to what calls “Sheilaism.”:
“Sheila Larson is a young nurse who has received a good deal of therapy and describes her faith as "Sheilaism." This suggests the logical possibility of more than 235 million American religions, one for each of us. "I believe in God," Sheila says. "I am not a religious fanatic. I can’t remember the last time I went to church. My faith has carried me a long way. It’s Sheilaism. Just my own little voice."
One needs to ask the question: Is an individualistic approach to God proper and biblical?

Application

I believe that the Bible teaches that the opposite is true. In fact the Bible promotes the gathering of the saints. As seen in the book of Acts not only is fellowship promoted, but we see great demonstrations of God’s power in and throughout the communion of the church. Examples:
Acts 2:1-2 (King James Version)
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place (Reina Valera: “Unanimes juntos” together united). 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

You see fellowship is a physical demonstration of something that is deep, spiritual, and totally Godly. It is something that originated within the trinity itself.

Surrendering to the Potter

2009-03-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 18
At the Potter's House
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD : 2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

I remember the first time I was introduced to a literal potter’s wheel. I was in 7th grade and my art teacher Ms. J (She asked us to call her this because her real name was to difficult to pronounced) decided that that day she would uncover the potter’s wheel which she kept covered under a sheet.

I remember Ms. J grabbing a chunk of clay which she kept in a bucket so that it would remain moist and she plopped it on the wheel. As she turned the wheel on she held the clay with her hand. I remember how dirty the process was but at the same time the awesomeness of it took over me. Ms. J would sprinkle some water over the clay and this clay seemed to melt in her hands. I remember seeing that out of that clump of clay a beautiful vessel to my sight was appearing. As a kid from the projects this was nothing I had seen before, my heart raced at the thought that maybe just maybe Ms. J would give that creation to the best kid in class, which of course was me…yes this was a very bad class. I could see myself taking that home to my mother all nice and glazed. But my daydreaming and amazement was disrupted by a movement in Ms. J’s hands that took this beautiful vessel and turned it back to an unrecognizable clump of clay. I asked Ms. J why she did that and she grabbed this pottery string and cut through the clay and showed us the inside full of little air pockets or as she called it air bubbles. She went on to tell us that if she had put that vessel in the kiln to fire, it would have exploded and after that nothing could be done to the piece but throw it away.

In today’s scripture we learn that God calls on to his prophet Jeremiah to go down to the Potter’s because he wanted to show him something. Jeremiah obeyed God and proceeded to the Potter’s where he noticed him at work at the potter’s wheel. There in the middle of making this pot he breaks the pot he’s making and begins to make another one out of that clay. As noted in the book of Jeremiah the potter’s will became the driving force behind the decision to break the original pot and to build a new one.

This story seems simple enough but it has great theological implications to our lives as Christians. As we read further into the text we see that God clearly wants to send a message to the people of Israel and in using this pottery process he wants Israel to understand that he is a sovereign God who like the Potter, has the power to build and to destroy and rebuild. “"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.”

In this particular scenario God is not only making sure that Israel understands his power to do as he pleases but at the same time he’s re-introducing them to his providence.

What is Providence, and I’m not referring to the capital of Rhode Island, but God’s providence. In simple terms providence can be defined as Care or preparation in advance; foresight. In theological terms God’s providence can be defined as a) "The doctrine of divine providence, therefore had reference to that preservation, care and government which God exercises over all things He has created, in order that they may accomplish the ends for which they were created." b) "the divine intervention in the affairs of man within the confines of natural law to bring about God’s objectives"

Providence does not infringe on God’s sovereignty and his authoritative word which has been established before the foundation of the world. God’s will is not fatalistic.
“God did not just crate a universe that would necessarily play out precisely as he had eternally decreed. Rather, he formed a cosmos in which he could interact with his creation.” (Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible NIV)

In this scripture we see God’s approach to Israel’s disobedience which clearly is punishment yet providentially offers them an out if they repent.

The question this morning should be how does this relate to me and my life? Israel’s issue was specific, the issue at hand was repentance and/or retribution but in between that harsh reality God’s providence was coming through. But there is something deeper for us today this morning. God may or may not be referring to your life within the concept of crime and punishment, but certainly he is again making it clear to us that he is a sovereign God while at the same time he has provided his children with a degree of his Providence over our lives.

I am amazed at the ambiguity that seems to exist between our religion and our everyday lives. Our Christianity seems to be something abstract something that isn’t practical, something that doesn’t relate to our everyday lives. Thank God for troubles and tribulations, because it is crisis that seems to guide us towards the recognition that it is only God care that can pull us through our situation for his Glory and honor.

Let me respectfully ask you this morning this question: Are you fighting God’s providence in your life. James W. Alexander stated that “the true recipe for a miserable existence is to quarrel with Providence.” It is possible that struggle with surrendering stems from your confusion as to where is God and why is he allowing evil to take a hold of my situation? Let me share this teaching with you this morning, “Divine providence controls even morally evil events.” But it’s important this morning for you and I to understand these things: 1) While God permits moral evil, he is NOT the author of them. 2) God punishes evil with evil. 3) God brings good out of evil. 4) God at times uses evil to test and discipline those he loves. 5) One day God will redeem his people from the power and presence of evil altogether.

The challenge for you and me this morning is, do we willingly and trustingly surrender to God’s sovereignty and Providence? You see “confidence in the potter comes finally in knowing the potter, not in observing him spin the wheel and shape the clay from the vantage point of a supposed neutrality.” Listen, God is going to do what God is going to do. In Spanish we say “a las buenas o las malas.” True surrender is understanding that the clay has no right to question the potter, but more importantly is that the potter has intentions of preparing vessels for his glory and fit for his mercy. In the process of God fulfilling this purpose, God can shape and reshape us, his vessels, in ways not understood by us.

Will you surrender this morning to the Potter’s hands? Will you say here I am Lord break me and make new as you will. I grew up with this beautiful song in Spanish which said:

“I want to be, o loving God, as clay in the hand of the potter,
Take my life and make it new, I want to be, I want to be a new vessel.”

Let me close with these words from a poem written by William Cowper

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His works is vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.

Guess who wants to come to dinner?

2009-03-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

Revelation 3:14-21 (New International Version)
To the Church in Laodicea
14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Today’s scripture is found in the book of Revelation. Before we tackle today’s text I just want to put you at ease with the book of Revelation itself. I grew up in a tradition where reading the book of revelation was almost like reading a Stephen King book. The book of Revelation in the Spanish “Reina Valera” is called “Apocalipsis.” That’s right “The Apocalypse” As a young man I saw the book of Revelation as a book that only related to end time issues, the antichrist, 666, etc.

Some of you may have had the same experience as I have as it relates to the book of Revelation and you may be of the opinion that this is a difficult book full of numeric codes and symbols and may even find it scary, but let me assure you that the book of Revelation is not a book to fear or to be looked at as mysterious, but one should look at this book as 1) one which is encouraged to be read, 2) A book that points to greatness of Jesus 3) His glorious relationship to his bride (the Church) 4) Spiritual warfare that takes place throughout the church age (including now) 5) God victorious warfare against evil

The language in this book is powerful within itself. It goes beyond the poetic to powerful imagery. There is no question that the baby in the manger, or the beaten Jesus and crucified Jesus is now revealed with all of his glory and might. He is now the resurrected Christ ready for action to rule his Church and establish his Kingdom. (Rev. 1: 4-6)
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
As I stated before this is a book for the church. This is not a books whose sole purpose is to “tickle one’s fancy,” but it has a purpose to strengthen the Church.

Anyone who reads the book of Revelation will notice that this book is organized in sevens. This number can be seen throughout the book. This number represents completeness, a tribute or character of God, who never leaves loose ends. The book also begins with the story of seven Churches in Asia minor, all within 50 miles from each other. One must no read about these 7 churches and say “well that’s them almost 2000 years ago, and this is us.” What is written to these churches back then has major relevance to all churches throughout history, then, now, and in the future. These churches represent the Good, the Bad, and certainly the ugly. Nonetheless you see Christ pointing out their deeds but for the bad and ugly he has words of repentance and redemption and for the good he has words of continuous encouragement.

Today’s scripture relates to an economically stable church, which in some way represents many churches in the U.S. Despite our woes, in comparison to places throughout the world such as Africa and Latin America, the U.S. church is a rich church.

I remember once I preached in the Dominican Republic and spoke of my personal trials. At the end of the service a young man approached me and asked me: “What types of trials can anyone have living in the United States, you’re all rich.” Hyperbole? Sure. Overstatement? Maybe. But next to this young man, I was rich.

The Church of Laodicea was known for its banking establishments, its medical school, where an eye salve was created, and its textile industry. (Money, Medicine, and clothing)
The only issue Laodicea had was one of bad water system.

This Church is approached with Christ waving his credentials. He introduces himself as the “Amen.” A term used to describe God and/or what he states as “Truth.” It is a personal designation which describes one who is perfectly trustworthy or faithful. Faithful and true witness.

Using this title, “Amen,” it is saying “Listen I am the truth…and nothing but the truth. I am about to lay some truth on you which may be heavy, but it’s for your own good… so please don’t go into denial mode.”

Listen, God is certainly a God of love, but before our relationship can grow with God, we must allow for him to speak some truth into our hearts, and sometimes this may be a bit uncomfortable. I know, I’ve been there. When it comes to truth-telling, Jesus can do it because he’s the “Amen.”

John 4 describes such an instance when Jesus bumps into the Samaritan and asked her for a drink of water. She tries to pretend she’s something that she’s not, and Jesus finds himself telling her who she really is before she can experience the true living waters.

Jesus describes this Church as lukewarm. It was neither hot nor cold. This was compared to the water supply of Laodicea which was provided by pipes connected to a distant source providing lukewarm, barely drinkable water. This in contrast to the Hot Springs of nearby Hierapolis, which were medicinal. Nor did it offer cold waters as Colosse which were refreshing and drinkable.

The NIV states that I will spit you out, but in the original it means I will vomit you out. Sorry for the graphic details but to Jesus Laodicea had lost its purpose for existence. They existed to exist but somehow their financial abundance had bankrupted their spiritual lives. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Strong words, wouldn’t you agree? God wanted them to see how their materialistic ways and their focus on earthly wealth had made them spiritually insolvent. He basically told the Church, invest in the Kingdom, invest in your relationship with me. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

One cannot just read or quote the first part without this pivotal part: 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

It is sad when we buy into this new age Christianity where everything is honky-dory. Where no matter how we screw up, God just sits up in heaven and says (“who you mess up-nah!!!)

Our behavior has implications both in the earthly and Spiritual. Our bad actions grieve God. Our bad actions as a World, a country, a state, a city, a community, a church, and yes as an individual. But I’ve learned that there is nothing more healing and restorative than repentance.

Today you may be asking what does God want with me? He wants a relationship with you. He’s doing the knocking and he’s waiting for someone to hear his knock and to open the door of their heart. God is a god of relationship both communal and individual. Will you allow Him to enter your life in a spirit of repentance and allow him to share his grace and love. God wants his church to move from an Industrial Revolution focus church to becoming a transformissional where a relationship with him and his Kingdom agenda is everpresent.
Let’s make sure that you walk out with these words pressing in your heart: I love you and I want to have a relationship with you where I become the end all of all things and where I become your prime resource, so that you can serve humanity in the capacity I have created you.

The Frustrations of a Windchaser

2009-03-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 2
Pleasures Are Meaningless
1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?" 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem [a] as well—the delights of the heart of man. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

In His book The Body, Chuck Colson speaks of the Donahueite world-view which sees life as linear. When a certain number of years have elapsed, it's over. Period. It's a pathetic picture, and one people seldom look at unless it is forced upon them -- as it was with poignancy and wit in City Slickers. While this movie may not rank among the great morality plays of all time (and some would find parts of the film offensive), it certainly drives the point home, along with the cattle.
Comedian Billy Crystal plays the part of a bored baby boomer who sells radio advertising time. One the day he visits his son's school to tell about his work along with other fathers, he suddenly lets loose a deadpan monologue to the bewildered youngsters in the class:
Value this time in your life, kids, because this is the time in your life when you still have your choices. It goes by fast.
When you're a teenager, you think you can do anything and you do. Your twenties are a blur.
Thirties you raise your family, you make a little money, and you think to yourself, "What happened to my twenties?"
Forties, you grow a little pot belly, you grow another chin. The music starts to get too loud, one of your old girlfriends from high school becomes a grandmother.
Fifties, you have a minor surgery -- you'll call it a procedure, but it's a surgery.
Sixties, you'll have a major surgery, the music is still loud, but it doesn't matter because you can't hear it anyway.
Seventies, you and the wife retire to Fort Lauderdale. You start eating dinner at 2:00 in the afternoon, you have lunch around 10:00, breakfast the night before, spend most of your time wandering around malls looking for the ultimate soft yogurt and muttering, "How come the kids don't call? How come the kids don't call?"
The eighties, you'll have a major stroke, and you end up babbling with some Jamaican nurse who your wife can't stand, but who you call mama.
Any questions?
Charles W. Colson, The Body, 1992, Word Publishing, pp. 168-169.
Needless to say that this outlook of life is quite depressing and sad, nonetheless today’s scripture using other words relates somewhat the same idea. Today’s scripture is found in the book of Ecclesiastes, a book credited by many to wise King Solomon. Ecclesiastes which is translated as “Teacher” takes a look at life from the vantage point of someone, probably Solomon, who had worked and played hard and had been the benefactor of much prosperity and wisdom.

As we read this book there is a prevalent theme that life viewed merely from a realistic human perspective can only result in pessimism.

When left to mere human outlooks and efforts, life seems hopeless and meaningless. We’re not just reading the ranting and ravings of an old man, but that of a man, that by his own admission had experienced much: Pleasures, riches, and fame. 10) “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.” Yet in his own evaluation having all these goodies without God meant absolutely nothing.

The teacher seeks not to lecture through rhetoric but through his own experiences. In chapter 2 he looks at pleasures of life. In the words of our youth today Solomon had much bling, bling (that’s jewelry to you old folks). He had many cribs (houses), many females (700 wives and 300 concubines). Honestly, I don’t know how he had time to do anything else. This guy was famous, smart. Good-looking (the books of Songs of Solomon quotes a lover saying this about him,
Beloved
10 My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand.
11 His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.
12 His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels.
13 His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. His lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh.
14 His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires. [b]
15 His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars.
Again using MTV verbiage: “The man had play”
yet his words are these; “…when I surveyed all my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (11)

He even took a turn at earthly wisdom, science, something he had put invested much at as well, yet at the end he found emptiness in his quest for earthly knowledge. Just a wind chaser.

He evaluates all his work and the work he had amassed, and in this he also finds no meaning, a chasing after the wind. He has an issue with the fact that he works hard just to leave all his riches behind when he dies to someone who would probably squandered all his riches with little or no recognition of the work it took to build such riches.

Too bad Stan wasn’t around to talk Solomon into becoming a partner in the building project.

This too Solomon saw as trying to catch the wind.

Paul writes to Timothy these words: 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Timothy)

Solomon discovered that finding pleasure is as elusive as trying to catch the wind. He pursued everything imaginable to achieve lasting bliss, but the smartest man alive still had a restless mind. The richest man in the world could not buy happiness. The most powerful man person in the kingdom was unable to satisfy his own heart. Despite having all these women he had not found true love. These pursuits were meaningless and unsatisfying.
When we try to secure happiness on our own it’s like trying to catch the ever-so-elusive wind. We can try to chase it but it will always be just out of our reach.

We have been conditioned to think that true satisfaction can only be found in the tangible, that which we can touch and experience here and now, yet this is not what the Word of God teaches us. Our joy and true happiness lies on the fact that 2000 plus years ago Christ atoned for our sins in Calvary and today we are benefactors of his saving grace. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. (Psalms 32:1)

Success, prosperity, and even life itself is passing thing like the wind but God’s word, his truths, will forever last. (Isaiah 40)
"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
You maybe restless and dissatisfied wondering (1) If I am in God’s will, why am I so tired and unfulfilled? (2)What is the meaning of life? (3) When I look back on it all, will I be happy with my accomplishments? (4) Why do I feel burned out, disillusioned, dry? (5) What is to become of me? I believe that God spoken to us in different ways, yet the prevalent truth for all of us is this; that we not become frustrated wind chasers wasting our lives in the pursuit of an elusive happiness found in earthly things. We are challenged by the word of God to seek the wisdom that comes from God. Solomon tests our faith challenging us to find true and lasting meaning in God alone. Perhaps God is asking us to rethink our purpose and direction in life,

My First Blog

2009-03-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I'm here blogging, cannot believe. Not because I couldn't do it but found no need, so I thought. Some have challenged the fact that I don't communicate with them. Some want to know about my travels and my plans for Latino ministries. Well so much is happening that the only thing I can do is try to record all the changes that I see and some of my thoughts. Personally I don't know if this will work but I will certainly try.

Challenging times:
Yes, even the Church is feeling the financial pinch. Our agency Home Missions is looking at ways to continue the good work with do with less resources. Our new director BV is a great man of God and I pray for him daily. He is a process man brought in by God for such a time as this. Our Director of Team, AEL, is another great man. Boy how admire these guys. They certainly have a challenging job. We had to reduce our grants, a painful desicion nonetheless a wise one and I hope folks understand. As an Ethnic, I worry of how this will affect Ethnic ministries nonetheless we must trust our sovereign God and how he speaks through the body. Christians out there please pray for our leaders.
Even as I present this scenario, there is some excitement which I cannot control. I know God is doing his thing in order for his Kingdom to continue expanding. I know God will do great things. This is His Church. He said I will build my Church. Isn't that great? God will build his church, not us. God will bring us accross the Red Sea, even when it looks impossible. Even when the heart of Pharaoh has been hardened. At the end of this process we will all know that it is God who did it, not us!!!

Personal:
Well my friend Zaida was in the hospital and so was my dear sister Olga. They both have been released but feel somewhat crappy. Zaida has been stressed about school work and I'm trying to get her to see that she must let go. She has huge faith but at the same time she struggles like I do and we all do. Please lift these great women of God in you prayers.

Our good friend and brother from Jus, Nigeria, William Karshima, is currently living with us as he continues his graduate studies. We are truly blessed to have him here. We love you brother!!!!

My niece Stephanie is also living with us. She is so mature sometimes. She began working at Universal Studios, Orlando. My daughter Jennifer works there as well (Margaritaville). Steph is excited about making some money, but doesn't like the uniform. She will look like a little ranger :-) Well "That's All Folks." At least for today...