Life on the edge

Peninsula Community Church

October 20, 2013

Worship – From Formation to Transformation, Part 2

Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Let’s review what we have learned so far. We have learned that what we value we will worship and what we worship will control us. We have learned that God desires that we live as living sacrifices which means that that all of life is worship and all worship is about life (Hayford). We have learned that we cannot and must not be duplicitous in regards to the sacred secular divide. We cannot put on and take off our spiritual worship as we would an old garment. Our worship and our Christianity must impact every aspect of lives. We have also talked about presenting ourselves as living sacrifices which is an ongoing process. It is an ongoing act of surrender. We learned that to be living sacrifices, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This act must be a proactive one, as the renovation of the heart does not happen by osmosis. We learned that we must be in the word on daily basis. We must have more than a superficial study of God’s word. We must study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15).

Today, let us look at the need we have to move from formation to transformation. I love what the late Dallas Willard stated in his book “The Renovation of the Heart.” He stated that the process of transformation carries the idea that we have been formed but change is needed. We need to be transformed because the current formation process is not working for us. 

The fact is we are not a blank canvas. We all have things written on our hearts which have formed and shaped who we are. We have all been formed and shaped by our experiences, by our culture, by our education, and by the influences in our lives wether they be friend or foe. This formation of self effects our ideas, beliefs, feelings, habits, choices, bodily tendencies, and social relations. Some would call this our worldview as it is out of one’s worldview that one lives and acts. 

Let me illustrate this in this way. Just this week I heard a message by Pastor Jimmy Evans (Gateway Conference) who stated that when we have hurt or pain in our lives there is a tendency to live out of that pain rather the healing that is available to us through Christ. He suggested and I concur that when we have been hurt or we have experienced failure, there is a code embedded into our psyche. The code works something like this, I failed at “x” so I must be flawed because I am flawed I cannot succeed or accomplish anything. Every time we face an obstacle or a problem our response is to not even try because we believe we will fail before we ever begin. 

This encoding happens quite often when we have faced a divorce, have faced rejection, have suffered a major loss in your life, have suffered an illness, or continue to deal with issues of sin. These issues serve to embed in us that we are failures and that we are no good. If this continues, we can have embedded in us a code that we are unlovable and that there is little or no hope for us. The problem is that too often we strive for acceptance and to have people love us. We will do what it takes to make this happen including a compromise of who we are, as a person. We will sell ourselves to the devil if that would make us be loved by others. The sad truth is that we are already loved and when we allow the embedded codes of our lives to rule us, we miss out on the greatest of opportunities to experience love and life to its fullest.

This act of encoding our psyche and our emotions is like having a virus on our computers. Quite often we have viruses embedded in our files that we are not even aware of. Sometimes these viruses are revealed when we least expect it. Often they are attached to files that are seldom used but when these files are opened the virus acts up. For some it is a simple virus where the files we are opening are extremely slow or there can be a full failure of the system. When our psyches have been encoded with these false images of who we are, our responses, our imaginations and our reactions will be effected. For some there is only minor harm done as we have learned to contend with difficulties and deal with these codes. For others, it is a system failure when these codes are acted upon. Our world falls apart and we are devastated to no end.

It is for this reason that we must realize that we have all been formed and shaped by things and people even when we don’t see the formation taking place. One way to illustrate this is to ask a question. When you get angry what is the first reaction you have. Is it to curse? Is it to throw things? Is it to scream? Is it to clam up? How you respond is a result of how you have been formed and shaped. It is a response to the encoding that has taken place in your life. It is a conditioning of your heart, your emotions, and your will. If you have presented yourselves as living sacrifices and your heart has been transformed, then your actions and reactions will be different than a person who has not been transformed. As we are transformed, how we respond will be an act of worship and an act of living as living sacrifices.

God wants us to be transformed but, how do we know we are being transformed? To understand this lets turn to two passages: Colossians 3:9-10 and Ephesians 4:19-24.  

Paul says Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Again in Ephesians 4:19-24 Paul once again gives us insight into how we are being renewed. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ! — assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

In these two passages, we have three areas of our life that reveal how we are being renewed or transformed. First, are you being renewed in the knowledge of God? Through the transformation process our knowledge of God, our understanding of life, and our worldview is being changed. We are in fact being transformed into the original intent of God’s creation for us. From the fall of man in the Garden until our present day, the knowledge of God has been tested. Throughout the centuries we have experienced a distorted view of who God is, His purpose for our life, and His expectations for us. When we have our knowledge of God transformed we will begin to see God for who He is. Moses asked this question. Can I see you God? What God revealed to Moses was His character. He is a loving, forgiving, justice God. 

Second, we know we are being renewed and transformed in the spirit of our mind when we begin to understand true righteousness. Righteousness is how we relate to others. How do we treat one another? Do we genuine love one another or are we filled with anger and hatred? Notice that it was only one generation after Adam and Eve that we have our first murder recorded in the Bible. You would think that being so close to the experience of the Garden that mankind would have been a bit wiser but as we see here he failed. He had a code embedded in his heart. It was one of anger and malice which lead to death. Of course as you may guess we are talking about Cain and Abel. Throughout Biblical history we have seen what happens when anger and malice has been embedded in man’s heart. Look at the story of Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, David and his sons, and Christ and Judas. But as we read so many of these stories we see the redemptive story of God revealed. As we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds the way we deal with people is also being transformed. As we are being transformed, we begin to realize that we are made righteous by the gift of God. We don’t have to make ourselves righteousness we are righteous because of his acts on Calvary, and the empty tomb.

Third, we are being renewed and transformed in the spirit of our minds when we begin to understand true holiness. We understand this holiness is not a legalistic list of rules, but it is a life of freedom. We understand that we are not holy by our actions but by the actions of God on our behalf. In this our understanding that we are being transformed and renewed to God’s original will and intent. The result is how we think and what we think is being changed. We live holy because we have been made holy. 

In all three of these illustrations we are being transformed into His image. We are being transformed more into His likeness. So how are you doing? Are you being transformed? How is your life different today than it was last year, or last week? How about yesterday? Today is the day for change. Today is the moment we can be restored to God’s purposes and His will.

Peninsula Community Church

October 6, 2013

Worship – the Transformed Life

Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Let’s review what we have learned so far. We have learned that what we value we will worship and what we worship will control us. We have learned that God desires that we live as living sacrifices. We have learned that all of life is worship and all worship is about life. Therefore, we cannot and must not be duplicitous in regards to the sacred secular divide. We cannot put on and take off our spiritual worship as we would an old garment.

Last week, we talked about presenting ourselves as living sacrifices. In this regard, one of the things we must also recognize about the term “present” is that it carries with it the idea that we present ourselves but we must also continue to present ourselves as living sacrifices. In other words, we present ourselves to God as a one time event, but we must continue to present ourselves as living sacrifices on an ongoing basis. It is an ongoing act of surrender.

Because the act of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is an ongoing act, to be effective we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The point to be made here is that presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is not a passive act. It does not happen by osmosis. It must be an active act of pursuing God’s will and His ways. Presenting ourselves is also a proactive act. The term proactive means to prepare for and to anticipate the issues and circumstances that will arise in our life’s. The fact is, we don’t sit and wait passively until an issue arises; but we are always in the process of renewal and transformation. We don’t wait until we are in a situation that we need God to be prepare ourselves. We prepare ourselves daily.

Let me illustrate this in this way. When our troops go overseas to fight on the front line they do not wait to get on the frontline to train and practice their warfare movements. They prepare and train on an ongoing basis. They would be foolish to wait until they are in a battle to learn how to fight and protect their buddies. As believers, too often we are ill equipped to fight the battles we face because we have not been proactive in our preparation for battle and for growth.

I know some of you are tired of my comments about football but an analogy fits here. So please bear with me. Before a game, the coach and his staff send the players through the drills that will prepare them to successfully compete against the other team. Once they are in the game, their opponent may throw plays at them that they have not seen before but if they are trained and developed they will be able to adjust to the situation on the fly. One of the things that I love about Coach Saban from the University of Alabama is the fact is that his team has been trained to adjust and meet every adversity they face. One of the things he does is to train his players to play to the end of the game. When you watch an University of Alabama game, you will find that Saban coaches to the end of the game and he expects his players to play to the end. God also expects us to be in the game and to play until the end. Too often we give up and give in because we are ill equipped to endure until the end.

Whether you are a soldier, a football player, or passionate follower of Christ we must be in the game. We must prepare ourselves for every battle. We must prepare ourselves to live life as living sacrifices. We must have our head and our heart in the game. As we preview this verse we find that Paul is making the conclusion that true worship requires a commitment of the head and the heart. It is the introduction of truth into the mind which finds its way into the heart that brings about a transformation of worldview and concepts about living life as a passionate follower of Christ. Everyone one of us have a worldview. A worldview is simply this. It is the beliefs, experiences, and ideals that shape the decisions we make and the focus of our life.

How does this work? Basically, what we allow into our minds affects our transformation. Let me ask you? “Do you spend more time in the word than in the newspaper?” “Do you spend more time speaking with others than with God?” “What are the thoughts that you entertain?” When you recognize evil thoughts what do you do with them?” “When you hear gossip and evil surmising, what is your response?” The answer to these questions will determine how you are being transformed.

How does this take place? It happens through the renewing of the mind which leads to a transformation of the heart. This word transformation is an interesting word. It is the Greek word “metamorphoo.” It means to change. It is from the same word we get the English word “metamorphous.” Metamorphous means a change of form. Like the caterpillar that is changed into a butterfly or the tadpole that is changed into a frog, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. It is also noteworthy that the word “metamorphoo” is in fact made up of two words. The first is “mete” which means “being with.” The second word is “morphoo” and means “change in form.” When these two words are combined we understand the truth of the word. When are “with Christ,” we are “changed in form.” The change comes from the inside out and impacts who we are in reality. It is a decision to act differently. It is a decision to live in obedience to God’s will, His ways, and His Word.

Paul also speaks to a contrast between being conformed to the world’s image versus being transformed by the renewing of one’s mind. How are we transformed? It is by way of the truth that comes from God’s word. We need the truth that sets us free. It is also truth that leads us to faith. Truth alone in the sense of intellectual prowess falls short of God’s purpose and His plan for our lives. The key for truth to be effective is that it must find root in our hearts so that the truth received is applied in order to bring transformation to who we are and how we act.

The late Dallas Willard has stated that we all have been formed by the teaching, experiences, relationships, and emotions of our lives. But, God’s desire is to transform us into His image. We are to become more like Him in terms of the way we act, the we way we speak, and the we respond to life’s issues.

Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Romans 8:29-30 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Let me illustrate this in this way. When you get angry what is the first reaction you have. Is it to curse? Is it to throw things? Is it to scream? Is it to clam up? In this case, how you respond is a result of the conditioning of your heart, your emotions, and your will. If you have presented yourselves as living sacrifices and your heart has been transformed, then your actions and reactions will be different than a person who has not been transformed. As we are transformed, how we respond will be an act of worship and an act of living as living sacrifices.

How are we transformed? We are transformed by the renewing of our minds but how do we do this? First, we study the word of God to understand God’s commands, His principles, and His ways that bring us success in the purest sense. Second, we need to recognize what God has done for us and is doing in us. Too often we fail to remember and respond to the mercies of God. Third, we must practice the presence of God. We must realize that God is with and that He wants to reveal Himself to us, in us, and through us. Fourth, we must live out the life of God in everything we do. It is for this reason that we cannot use the excuse, “that is just the way I am.” Why? Because we are we being changed and transformed.

So how are you doing? Are you being transformed? How is your life different today than it was last year, or last week? How about yesterday? Today is the day for change. Today is the moment we can be restored to God’s purposes and His will.

Peninsula Community Church

September 15, 2013

Worship Series – What is It?

John 4:20-26 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Over the next several weeks we will work through a series on worship. The goal in this series is to understand what worship is, and why worship is important to us as passionate followers of Christ. We will also look at the attitude of worship, and even the mechanics of corporate worship to help us to appreciate the concepts and ideas of worship more fully.

As we begin this study, the first thing we must do is to define worship. For the purpose of this study, we will define worship as giving value or honor to something. This is critical because what we value we will worship and what we worship will begin to control us. The Greek word for worship literally means “to come forward to kiss.” It carries the idea of one coming before royalty and bowing to kiss their ring. It is this word picture that gives us the idea of giving honor and value. The English word for “worship” also carries with it the idea of having worth or placing worth on something or someone.

Ralph Waldo Emerson summarized this idea of what we worship controls us when he said, “The gods we worship write their names on our faces, be sure of that. And a man will worship something —have no doubt about that, either. He may think that his tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of his heart—but it will out. That which dominates will determine his life and character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming.” These are powerful words from one who would not be considered a strong believer but he hit the nail on the head.

Gordon Dahl put it more succinctly when he said, “Most [people] tend to worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.” But what they do not understand is that worship is more than a Sunday activity.

Greg Beale titled his landmark book We Become What We Worship. His thesis is simple: “What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or for restoration.” He traces the theme throughout Scripture to show that we are worshippers, and that our worship exposes us and changes us. We either revere the world and are conformed to the sinful patterns of the world, or we revere God and are progressively conformed into his likeness. It is your choice.

While the story has many themes we will concentrate on that the one theme of worship. In this story we experience Christ’s teaching on the idea that what we worship is an issue of value. Let me relate this story in this way. We find here that Jesus has an intentional encounter with a Samaritan woman at the local well. This was an ordained encounter and not one of chance. This action on the part of Jesus was remarkable and was counter to the culture of his day. For one, the Jews and the Samaritans did not like each other. They in fact were at odds with one another. You see during the Assyrian captivity the Jews were taken away and were placed into captivity. There was a group of Jews who were left behind who compromised their religious beliefs by taking on the religious culture of the Assyrians and by building their own temple to worship God. When the Jews returned to Jerusalem they reacted negatively to this new found group of people, the Samaritans and their way of worship. 

The Samaritans were a pagan secular religion which was an integration of Jewish and pagan worship. The whole religion was begun as an act of rebellion and was fortified by the Assyrian captivity where the Assyrians purposely intermingled pagans with the Jews who remained in Samaria. Jereboam’s actions caused the kingdom to be split into. He set up two places of worship beside Jerusalem. This was the beginning of their downfall.

Notice as well that they move from a discussion of her spiritual condition to a discussion about worship. You see this was important to both sects: the Jew and the Samaritan alike. In the discussion, Jesus makes some claims about worship that we need to consider.

First, worship is an issue of the heart. It is not a place. The Samaritans perceived they were worshippers because of the location of their temple. The Jews assumed they were worshippers as they worshipped in Jerusalem. But Jesus countered the location mentality by stating that worship was not about a place but it is all about the heart.

Second, true worship is of the heart as we must worship in truth. You see it is out of the heart that the mouth speaks and it is out of he heart that our worship is manifested. The condition of our heart will determine the quality and the focus of our worship. As we will see in future studies, worship is not as much about outward expression as it is inward direction.

Third, our worship is in the spirit. It is alive and has life or at least it should. The spirit guides, informs, and transforms our worship. You see if our focus is only on a building or a place we can believe that we cannot truly worship unless we are in the building or a specific place. But if the spirit of God is in us, which He is, and we are people of God, then our worship is distinct in that it is not place but it is an attitude. All we do is in fact worship. How we live! How we represent Christ to others! What I do when no one is looking is a qualifier of my worship!

It is interesting to note that one of the passages of Scripture that comes to mind here is that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). One of the definitions of glory is “manifestation” or “revelation” of God. Listen to this. If that is true then if I am a passionate follower of Christ, then all I do must reflect His glory and illustrate to the world who He is and what He is.  When I fail to do this then I am in essence committing a sin and a falling short of manifesting God in my life and to others.

Let’s look at this way. What I value I will worship and what I worship I will value. If I worship money then my life will be focused on making money and obtaining things. If I worship fame, then I will focus on being famous. If I worship intellect, then I will focus on education and the gaining of knowledge. But if I worship God, then I will focus on obedience to His word, His ways, and His purposes for my life which will bring about God’s blessings.

The fourth and final thought in his passage is that Jesus was dealing with traditions. Too often our worship is stagnated because we are in a box. We believe that the parameters of worship are so narrow that anything outside our structure is not viable. Tradition binds us and puts the emphasis on the the things of worship rather than the person of worship. Notice the debate Jesus was having. You worship on this mountain but the Jew worships in Jerusalem. But Jesus states that the time is coming that you will not worship in a place but a person. From the Old Testament, the Jews had received specific instruction on how worship should be carried out. It was a system that  was about to be outdated as Christ would fulfill the requirements of the law. 

Peninsula Community Church

James – Rescuing the Wanderer

James 5:19-20

James 5:19-20 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

We have finally come to the end of our study of the Book of James. As we close this study, I trust that you will continue to read through the Book of James, study the principles of Christian living proposed here, and make application of these principles into your life. It is my belief and I believe that it is God’s purpose, as well, that we apply the truths of this book so that our lives are transformed and forever changed.   

As we look at this passage before us, we are once again presented with a vital and pointed message. In classic James form, he does not give much fanfare or introduction for the point he is making in the passage. He just puts it out there. Notice what James says. If anyone wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, that person will be saved and a multitude of sins will be covered. It is noteworthy that James does not issue this as a command to be obeyed as much as it is a reward achieved for the kingdom of God, the health of the Body of Christ, and the individual. 

In many ways it is an appropriate end to this text, as James has presented an effective argument on how we are to live this Christian life and how we are to live this life with one another. He recognizes that wandering from God’s truth and His ways is a threat to every believer. We get our eyes off of the prize and the goal of what we have been called to be and to do. We look to other things to satisfy our soul and we desire things that have no eternal value. The writer of Ecclesiastes had it right when he stated “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.” Rather than an appetite for God we develop an appetite for junk food and the things that do not satisfy. Junk food is just that junk. It provides little nutrition but usually has a high fat, sugar, and salt content. Spiritually, we too can have a junk food diet with little benefit for the body.

Because we are all subject to having wandering hearts and wandering spirits, let me give you a couple of reasons that cause people to err from the ways of God and thus find themselves in need of being rescued. First, we need a genuine Christian conversion experience. This may come in many shapes and in various ways but we will all have one. It could be a response to an evangelistic message. It could be a crossroads in your life where you had to choose Christ or another way. The only way to experience Christ in His fullness is to have had a conversion experience. Without this experience we will always be tempted to go off course and to follow other gods and other ways of living life. Let me be clear that I am not advocating for many ways to get heaven, I am simply saying that God uses different means and paths to get us to accept Him. The first key to effective Christian living is to have a personal relationship with Christ.

Second, we need to avoid habitual sin patterns and lifestyles that leave us open to distraction and deception. We know we are in this place when we attempt to justify our wrong by accusing others or pointing out another’s faults when we are guilty of the same sin or even greater sin. We also can find ourselves in this place when we try to minimize our sin. We say things like “don’t worry everybody is doing it.” “I am not effecting anyone else.” When we fall into habitual sin we are easily drawn away from the source of strength and nourishment that we need. The reason for this is that we begin to trust ourselves, our ways, and we try to effect outcomes that are contrary to God’s will, His ways, and His will.

Third, we need to guard our friendships not just in the world but in the church as well. While we certainly need to guard our hearts with friends who do not follow after Christ, we must also guard our hearts against those in the church who can be negative, critical, constant complainers, and those who like to stir up strife and trouble. There is a tendency for them to cause others to veer from the path that God has intended. The reason for this is that they effect those who are not as mature and begin to feel conflicted about their walk with Christ and their faith as a whole.

Fourth, this is not a new topic but the fact is we must be grounded in the word. We must read the word, make application of the word into our hearts, and then allow the word to bring transformational change to our lives. The application of the word provides the channel through which the Holy Spirit can work.

Fifth, we must guard our hearts against offense and bitterness. When we are hurt we can begin to find offense with others. When we are hurt we can become discouraged and disheartened. Much sin and falling away occurs when we become offended and bitter. I am impacted by what people say but I can never let that become an offense or lead to bitterness of heart or soul. I am destined to wander from God when that happens because I can easily impose my view of others upon God.

While we have talked about being a wanderer let’s talk about the other side of the coin and that is that the one who brings the wanderer back from being led astray is a champion for Christ. They help to save that one from destruction and from potential future issues. One thing that is clear here is that two things occur. First the one being brought back is saved from spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental destruction. They are re-redeemed in essence. James praises this action as it is healthy for the wanderer, the one doing the rescuing, and for the body of Christ at large.

Secondly, by being brought back a multitude of sin has been covered. By this we mean that rather than the person being free to continue to sin, they are free to live in righteousness again. The verb to “cover’ is a Greek word that refers to the charity of covering the sins of others before men. Not only are the sins covered before men but they are covered before God as well because of God’s forgiveness and love. In Proverbs 10:12 notice that Hatred stirs up strife but love covers all offenses. Another passage that speaks to this is Psalm 85:1. Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Psalm 32:1 states Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven; whose sin is covered. It is a blessing to see another’s sin covered and others rescued. One final thought in this regard. No one else my know what you have done but God will and He will bless and honor you.

As we close this message let me make a couple of final comments. First, in this passage notice that the pastor is not commanded to do this but it is the Christian community as a whole. Too often we relegate such matters to the pastor or to the elders but in reality this is a communal task. Second, this is not an easy task as people who have strayed away are often conflicted and emotionally charged. They can feel hurt and disconnected. Third, we must be sure that we understand that just because a person decided to attend another church does not make them a sinner or in danger of sin. God sometimes moves people to new situations to change and heal them.

Do you know someone that has strayed from the truth. What can you do? You can pray for them as the Holy Spirit can do more in moments than we ever could by ourselves. You can be there for them to encourage them to return to the faith. Too often we treat people who have strayed as if they were lepers. You can welcome them when they return. You can celebrate their successes. If you don’t know someone, would you pray and consider asking God to place someone in your heart?

Peninsula Community Church

August 18, 2013

James – Do Your Prayers Count?

James 5:16-18 The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

In this passage, we find there are a couple of spiritual truths that need to be explored. First, James states that the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Second, we find that James makes a claim that Elijah, the great spiritual giant of the Old Testament, was no more special than any of us. 

If these statements are true, and we know that they are, then we are required to ask a couple of questions. The answers to these questions will clarify our understanding of prayer and in fact about life itself. First, how do we determine one’s righteousness? Or put another way, what makes one righteous? Second, if Elijah was no better than us, where does the power of prayer reside? Does this mean that anyone can pray to God? If so, what is the secret to effective praying?

First of all, let us look at the statement “the prayer of the righteous man is effective.”  If this is true and we know it is, then how do we determine if one is righteous? In answering this question we will review two aspects of righteousness. First, true righteousness is a work of grace that comes by way of the work of salvation and from the work of Christ on the cross. Second, righteousness is also a response to the work of God and to God’s will and His ways. Our outward actions are evidence of the inward work of righteousness already enacted on our behalf.

One of the key passages that help us understand righteousness is Romans 3:21. Paul states But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Again in Romans 1:16-17 Paul proclaims For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

What we see in these two passages is that true righteousness is a gift of God, it is not something we can work for or obtain on our own. It is included in the work of the cross. Prior to salvation we were sinners and we were enemies of God but now God counts us as righteous because of salvation. The truth is, we do not make ourselves righteous but we are righteous because we are a child of God and the sufficiency of the work of Christ which has been fulfilled in our hearts.

However, while the righteousness of God is in us we must also seek to effectively live out his righteousness in all we do. It works this way. Because we know that we are righteous in Christ, when we have to make choices in life between good and evil, we can decide to either be steered by way of righteousness or unrighteousness. Our choices in life are now motivated by righteousness rather than by unrighteous thoughts and an evil heart.

Notice also that the law is not the thing that brings righteousness. It is faith in God and obedience to his ways. By understanding this the need in us to be legalistic about how we respond to life and to others is dispelled. We see this in the story of Abraham. Notice that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness and not the law. When Abraham acted in faith, the law had yet to be enacted by God. The fact is that true righteousness comes by way of faith and not obedience to the law. The problem is that we get this backwards. We are righteous because of our faith and not the law.  

When we understand righteousness is a walk of faith then we will choose rightly. We live in a time of situational ethics. We live in a time that society says you only have to be righteous if the situation allows it. Righteousness is consistent and is not measured by the moment. Society today says it is all right to lie; if it means getting a raise on the job; if it means getting ahead in life; or if it is not going to hurt someone’s feelings.

Society says that it is all right to gossip; if it is true; if it doesn’t hurt anyone; or if I tell it in confidence. It is all right to betray a trust or stab a friend in the back; if it means I get ahead; if it advances me in some way; or if I get what I want. This is the day and age we live in some would say. 

And yet, we wonder why we don’t see more answered prayer. Our righteousness is based in a faulty system of belief. Yes, prayer is a matter of faith but our prayers can be hindered if we are walking in unrighteousness. So how is your righteousness?

The second key discussion here is that James compares us Elijah. This is a blessing as we see that God does not just answer the prayers of those who have somehow reached a level of superiority or perfection. As we read the Bible, we find that so many who have been used of God are ordinary men or women who are infused with an extraordinary faith that comes from God. They are imbued and filled with the Holy Spirit to accomplish great things. Throughout the bible, we see ordinary men accomplishing great things for God because they commit themselves to follow Christ and His ways. I also see that God does not always use the qualified in the sense of education or experience but often he qualifies the called. Like Elijah, God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things in extraordinary ways because they are filled with God’s word and with the Holy Spirit.

We so see that Elijah responds much like we do under pressure. For one Elijah was afraid of Jezebel and her threats. In fact in 1Kings 19 we see Elijah running for his life and we see him hiding. In verse 4 we see that he has lost hope. Later in the chapter, we find Elijah with feelings of isolation and abandonment. With all of that we see that God continues to provide for Elijah. God provided food and drink for him. God gave Elijah a vision of what was. He saw revealed that he was not alone but in fact there were 7000 who had not bowed their knee to Baal and were committed to God and to his ways.

Look at the people God used in the Bible. David was not the biggest, nor the most handsome. Gideon was hiding away in the wine press, because he was afraid of the imposing army and what might happen. Daniel and the three Hebrew children were just children. Saul who became Paul was an enemy of God and of Christianity. Timothy was weak and timid.

Renee Bach, our VBS mission project, was 18 years old when she felt called to a short term mission trip to Uganda for one year. During that trip, God took hold of her heart, filled her with vision, and now she is full time in Jinga, Uganda. Every year, her ministry, Serving His Children saves countless lives through her nutritional and mentoring programs. She was an ordinary girl but has been filled with an extraordinary calling from an extraordinary God.

Remember it was Paul who said that God calls the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Elijah was an ordinary man called by an extraordinary God to accomplish extraordinary things. This begs the question, “Why were his prayers effective?” First, Elijah prayed in faith because he had a word from the Lord. God told him that it would rain. When we pray we cannot separate the word of God and prayer. It is in His word that He gives us the promises we can claim when we pray. God’s promises of answered prayer are for all His children, not just the ones we may call the spiritual elite. Second, Elijah was not only believing in his praying, but he was also persistent. 

The Bible teaches that not all praying is effective. Those who pray while they cherish sin in their hearts will find that God doesn’t listen to that prayer. (Psalm 66:18) Those who pray to be seen by men will not receive the reward of answered prayer because their reward is to be seen by men. (Matthew 6:5) Those who waver in faith should not expect to receive an answer to their prayer. (James 1:7) Those who pray for things simply because of carnal desires will not receive what they ask for. (James 4:3) There is however an effective prayer. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Why? It is focused on God. It is founded in faith. It is patient and enduring. It does not give up.

Peninsula Community Church

August 4, 2013

James – Confession is Good for the Soul!

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

We are coming to the end of our study in the book of James. After this week, we will look at two more thoughts found here in James and that will finish our study. This week we will look at the power of confession, prayer for others, and the results of such actions. Next week, we will have the closing for VBS and then following that we will have a message on the value of our prayers and what constitutes righteousness. The final message will be on the value of winning souls and seeing those who are unchurched returned to the fold.

As we read this passage, we see that there are three ideas expressed. We have the confession of sin. We have the concept of praying for one another and we see the value of confession and prayer in that it brings healing personally. It is noteworthy that through this passage we see the personal responsibility of the individual but we also see the value of functioning in and through the community in which one is involved. 

Let’s unpack this verse. Let’s begin by looking at Ezra 10:11 which says Now then make confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.” Confession in the Old Testament was associated with a change of heart, a change of action, and a change of attitude. It is to realize that one’s current way of living and one’s way of acting is disconnected from God’s way. True confession brings liberty and freedom. It is refreshing to confess our sin and sense the release that comes from that confession.

As we look at the idea of confession we see that true confession brings God’s mercy. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy (Proverbs 28:13). When we try to conceal our sin and hide it, we will not prosper because it effects us is so many different ways. We are affected emotionally, as we walk in fear and anxiety. We are effected relationally, as we avoid certain people because we are afraid that we will be found out. We will be effected spiritually, as we cannot walk in known sin and expect to have fellowship with him in the same way. Sin separates and sin divides. We see this in Genesis and Moses’ explanation of the fall. Conversely, when we confess our sin, we receive mercy and we are restored to right relationship with Christ and with others.

However, to be effective, our confession must be accompanied by real repentance. What is real repentance? Real repentance is an action which leads to a change of heart and a change of mind which leads to a change of action. It is here we partner with the Holy Spirit who acts as we do our part to repent. In the Old Testament, we see repentance as a military term. It is a command of “about face.” It is to turn away from one’s wickedness. Those who lived in the Old Testament were at a disadvantage, in the sense they could lean on the fulfilled work of the cross and the resurrection of Christ which empowers us to walk in confession and repentance. 

While we are on this subject let me make a qualifying comment or two. When we confess, choose wisely. We need to guard who we share with. We need to share with those who are mature and can help us move toward repentance. This was Paul’s command in Galatians 6:1. Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Now let’s return to the second part of this passage. Here James suggests that we are to pray for one another. As in the passage, we read in Galatians 6:1 we are to bear one another’s burdens. One of the purposes and results of doing this is that our attention is turned away for our problems and we are turned toward the needs of others. In life we find that people are either givers or they are takers. Takers tend to never be happy with life. In life there is always a problem. There is always something to complain about. There is always something criticize others over. But when you are a giver, you see life differently. Even in the midst of your own difficulty you are more concerned about the needs of others. You pray for others as it brings faith to your own issues. 

Praying for others builds our faith as we see God working in them. I live one of things that Michelle has done. Because our grand kids are in California and we do not get to see them as much as we would like to, she has poured herself into other kids here locally. In this way she is not as sad or disappointed about not being with our kids. As we see God work in another’s life we are encouraged and the body has the opportunity celebrate God’s work in others.

We also pray for others because it is a command of God. We are to pray for others because we are called upon by God to do so. 

Lastly, here when we are genuinely praying for another person it is hard to be judgmental, critical, jealous or prideful in our approach toward them. I challenge you to try it. Pray for that person that ticks you off the most and watch what begins to happen to your heart. When you pray ask God to enable you to see them from your perspective. Ask God to help you understand where they are  coming from. This will a decision of our heart as this will not come naturally to us.

In the final analysis, the result of confession and prayer for others is personal healing. It is an interesting phenomena. While we are confessing our faults and sin. While we are praying for others we are healed in the process. In part I believe this is true because we can concentrate so much on our problems that we fail to move beyond our concerns and problems.The desire of God is to build community. The desire of God is have us fellowship as one body in Christ.