Skubalon Happens

Philippians 3:7-8 - But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ...

In yesterday’s message I used the above verse to illustrate that when it is all said and done the things that we seem to think are so important, really aren’t at all, not even close. And in my own life I experience this over and over again. I will become concerned, disturbed, worried, troubled, and terrified over something that turns out in the end to really insignificant. And I think about the lost sleep, the upset stomach, and the frustration and yes even anger, and then realize it was all for nothing.

If my life is really in the hands of God, then aren’t I really just along for the ride? I keep forgetting that there is a God who loves me wants the best for me. He is way smarter than I am and He knows how to guide me into a life that I can’t even imagine. And here I am getting all stressed out, and for what? For nothing really all that substantial, because in a 100 years (or during eternity in heaven) what will these things really matter?

Here is where “skubalon” comes in. Paul says that compared to knowing Jesus and having Him in my life all these other things can’t even come close to comparing. So he thinks of the most insignificant thing he can to compare how little these things are, he uses the word skubalon (skoo'-bal-on). The translators of the King James Bible can’t use this word in its literal meaning because it is deeply offensive to our sensibilities. And they translate it using the word “dung” or the New King James uses the word “rubbish”. But Paul is making a very important point that gets lost in the translation, his intent is to show how small and trivial the things of the world are compared to knowing Jesus. So he uses the example of, (WARNING: if you are easily offended by language then you should stop reading right now: YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!) are you ready for this…He compares the things of this world…dog poop compared to knowing Jesus. (BTW, I would have used Cat poop instead!)

So what are we so worried about? We know Jesus! And He knows Us!

The Eastside Challenge - 2009

• Regularly attend as many church activities and services as possible
• Pray everyday day for the church
• Support the church with the tithe
• Invite and bring someone with you once a month
• Fast one day a month on behalf of the church

1/100th of a second!

Yesterday, right in the middle of my message the Holy Spirit brought something to my mind. (How do you know it was the Holy Spirit? Believe me I'm not that quick on my feet or able to think that fast!) I was sharing from Corinthians: "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV) The focus of my message was that too often when we are taught about the rapture we are taught in such a way as to scare us with the "threat" of Jesus' return, however, when I read the defining scripture about the rapture, we are told to "comfort one another" with our beliefs about Jesus appearing.

I was talking about how fast Jesus will come and how fast we will be changed and taken to heaven. I had read that the twinkling of an eye was as short as 1/100th of a second. And then it occurred to me, right there in front of everyone, that we are really only 1/100th of a second away from the rapture. When could the rapture happen? Within the next 1/100th of a second. Think about it! When we say that Jesus could come at any second this is literally true! Although, technically we are a 1/99th of a second off.

So the challenge, are we living in such a way that we actually believe He is only 1/100th of a second away!

I believe some crazy things!

I believe...
God created the world in six 24 hour days…
Noah really did build an ark and that every animal was on it...
Jesus is the Son of God...
That Jesus’ mother, Mary was a virgin at his birth…
Jesus died on the cross for my sins…
Jesus was resurrected from the dead after three days in the grave…
The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and filled the church…
The gifts of the Spirit are for today–including speaking in other tongues…
In divine healing…
There is a difference between right and wrong...
In the devil…
In a literal hell…
Jesus will return before the tribulation and rapture the church…
God loves even me...
The Bible!

I knew I was right! At least I think!

We have been having a discussion about the use and the reasons for the gifts of the Spirit. Specifically, when the gifts are used in a public forum can they and should they be used in a way that directs them to specific people, or should they be used for the benefit of all who are present. My own opinion is this: (O.K. I know this is going to sound like double speak or as we now refer to it nuanced.) I believe for the most part when a message of tongues or a prophecy is given it should be to the benefit of everyone. Here is my proof:

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Corinthians 14:2-5

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 1 Corinthians 14:12

I could keep on listing these kinds of references, but it would be good for you to read this chapter yourself and see what you think. However, the shear number of references towards the church being edified leads me to believe that the best and most profitable use of the gifts is that they be directed towards the entire church. Now mind you I'm speaking about the gifts being used in a public manner and especially the gifts of tongues and interpretation and prophecy.

Let me know what you think!

The Holy Spirit

Being pentecostal, it is sometimes easy to focus on the manifestations of the Holy Spirit forgetting that the real secret to being filled with the Spirit is to simply let Him live through me. Jesus said He was going to send the Spirit when He left. He even went so far to say it is "BETTER if I go away", why? Because when Jesus was on the earth He could only be with people. But now through the Spirit, He is actually inside of us!

Think about it! We don't have to endure the pressure of trying to live a holy life that is unattainable, but we really have a shot at being successful at living a life pleasing to God because His Spirit lives in me. I don't have to try anf follow Jesus as a role model but I just have to let Him live through me! Doesn't that seem easier than trying to copy what He would do. Through the Spirit I can actually live it!

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me... (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)

Now that's Pentecostal!

Forgetting what is behind...reaching forward

Sunday, I spoke from Philippians 3:13 (Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead) It really is important to the successful believer that we put the past behind and reach ahead. I have observed over the course of 20 years of ministry that the best predictor of how successful someone will be in their faith is the abiblity to leave things behind and move on to what lies ahead.

Trapped in the past - I find that many of the problems that beleivers and for that matter churches struggle with are partly due to the grip they have on past events. Usually unresolved issues or the absence of confrontation births the inability to move on. People trapped in the past keep trying to fix or do-over these past incidents only to be disappointed with the results of such an endeavor.

What is obvious to me is that God wants us to be forward in our thinking, not stuck in the past. When you think about it the at the heart of christianity is the concept of looking forward towards eternity.