a drop of water

This was the last message in the annual Tough Questions series at Coast Vineyard this past Sunday. Pastor Michelle gave the message and here are the sermon notes:

Bible often uses the metaphor of blindness when referring to sin; when you can’t see, you are a hazard to yourself and those around you.

When should Christians Take a hard stand against sin? (Luke 6:39-42)
1. First and foremost, when we find it in our own lives. (We can not help anyone without dealing with ourselves first)
2. Second and only second, when we find it in the church. (Must be saturated with humility, compassion and patience. – Gal 6:1) The message is not to never look at others and only at yourself, but instead to look at yourself very hard so that you can be available and able to help others around you. It is a responsibility to each other, for us to get ourselves in shape.

Is that It? What About Everyone Else? (Matt 5:15-16)
Our good works and not our rebukes are our witness to the world.

What About Politics
Pitfall #1: Confusing our faith with politics.
Pitfall #2: Removing our faith from politics.
Solid Ground: Acting like Jesus in our politics.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
We must be a light in our community and show the world God’s invitation into relationship through grace.
Separation of church and state was intended to keep government from enforcing a particular form of religion, and not prohibiting religions influence on the state.

I like the idea for us to take a hard stand against sin “when we find it in our own lives,” but I’d like to explicity add that it is important for us to take a hard stand against the sin in our own lives.  Its there, so its not a matter of when we see it, its a matter of when we decide to see it. I like the idea that its importance is rooted in supporting and helping those around you.  We aren’t taking a hard stand against sin in our own lives just to make ourselves ‘better’ or make those around us ‘better’,  instead we are taking a hard stand against sin to glorify God, together.  It is a communical process and commitment in relationship, to stand firm against sin together.

I think that it is helpful to break up this question further into a few ideas.  1. Whether we should and how we should take a hard stand against sin are two completely different questions.  2. Does it matter what type of sin it is and the scope that it has, i.e. personal or global (social injustice)  – though admittedly all sin is far reaching in its effect no matter how personal it may seem.  I believe we should always take a hard stand against sin, but how realizes into action is a lot more fuzzy.  I’m torn between the idea that we should wait for an opportunity to share our hard stance against a specific sin or if we should openly and readily share it, regardless of who is listening.  I’m torn because it seems like taking an uncompromising stance on sin is of so much more value when someone is seeking guidance, or encouragement to not compromise, or to hold fast to a prior commitment versus someone who doesn’t see, believe, or entertain the idea that they are in error.  But at the same time, what if that opportunity never comes?

How to take a hard stance against sin – this to me is the tough question.  Maybe the how lies somewhere in the gray area of how much it affects me?  Does the sin’s scope directly affect me and should that dictate how active I am in expressing my hard stance agains it?  Sin has the ability to make everything around it rotten, imperceptibly until its too late.  Soemthing I’m realizing is that sin often begets sin, i.e. the extreme example of someone killing someone starts the vicious cycle of killing.  So I believe that one key aspect of taking a hard stance against sin is making sure that you aren’t sinning in the process (more emphasis on examining yourself first).  Sometimes taking a hard stance against sin is passive, sometimes its active.  Jesus takes a hard stance against sin and in a world where sin is very present, each of us has the free will to choose to sin or not to sin.  So I guess that comes back to the closing point of the sermon, to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

At Coast Vineyard this Sunday, Pastor Jamie covered the question “Why should I tithe?”  He addressed the topic in two parts, first discussing some of the myths about tithing and then discussing the opportunites in giving.  Here the notes from the sermon handout:

Common Myths about Giving

• Myth #1 – As long as we are giving, the amount we give does not matter.
• Myth #2 – Tithing is part of the law that doesn’t apply to followers of Jesus (Genesis 14:18-20; Luke 11:42).
• Myth #3 – We should give only when we have the resources.  (2 Corinthians 8:3)

Types of Giving in the Bible

• “Tithing” is giving 10% to the place we worship. (Leviticus 27:30; 1 Corinthians 16:2)
• “Offerings” or “Alms” are gifts we give to the poor. (Matthew 6:2-4)

The Opportunities in Giving

• Tithing is an opportunity to worship.  (Malachi 3:8-10)  
• Tithing is an opportunity to test God. (Malachi 3:10)
• Tithing is an opportunity to receive blessing. (Malachi 3:10)
• God promises protection to those who tithe. (Malachi 3:11)
• Tithing is an opportunity to witness. (Malachi 3:12)

Another idea that Jamie shared was that tithing not only still applies to followers of Jesus, but that it is a starting place for our attitudes.  Tithing is not the goal nor something to ignore.  It is a beautiful opportunity to trust God with our resources.  Stories of people like John Wesley and George Mueller,  and a lesser known friends, John and Rose Marie Renfro remind me that 10% is really only square one on the board game of life.  I remember John sharing with me about how they would annually increase the percentage of their tithes and how God would always provide for them even in dire straights.

The last thought that Jamie shared regarding the myths of tithing was that giving tithes to the church consists of a posture of surrender, especially when juxtaposed to donating to ones favorte nonprofit orgniazation, where we still cling to a feeling of control.  Like any investor, we want to have concrete evidence of what our resources are contributing towards and that idea sometimes runs against the grain of the feelings surrounding tithing.  But this is an opportunity to meet the fear of not having enough and surrender to God and acknowledge that he is in control.  With respect to Coast, Jamie did nention later that the financial books are open for those interested and that as we tithe we are taking part in each ministry at Coast like, love146, Thailand, InterVarsity, Youth, Branch, etc.

Ultimately we are giving to the giver, responding to the infinitely great gift in Jesus Christ.  In tithing, we acknowledge God as our LORD and king, and that we do not have any other.

Notes and thoughts from:

• Sermon: The Heart of a Servant – A Message from Acts 10
• Church: Coast Vineyard Church
• Pastor: Jess Lyon
• Date: January 4, 2009

“Serving is the ability to relate to people in such a way that their dignity as human beings is affirmed and they are more empowered to live God-glorifying lives.” — Duane Elmer  

Peter the Servant:

• Challenged to see beyond conceptions of “clean” and “unclean.”
• Invites Gentiles into relationships.
• Is willing to go beyond what is comfortable.
• Sees Cornelius as an equal.
• Shares the Gospel with all the people present.

True service happens when we:

• Give up our assumptions about others. (Acts10:28)
• Invite others into friendships. (1 Thes 2:8)
• Are willing to be uncomfortable. (John 13:4-14)
• See others as equals. (Acts 10:26)
• Give with no promise of return (Luke 14:12-14)

Three inspiring thoughts have stuck with me from Jess’ sermon this past Sunday.  They are:

1. We get so caught up in the task of service, we forget about the people who we are serving.  Jess referenced an experience with an African pastor who explained that many church groups had come to dig wells and build buildings but no one had ever asked for his name.  –  I know that I’ve gotten stuck in the impossibilities of the logistics to completely miss the relationship aspect of service.

2. We often become paternalistic in our service, trying to make those we serve into our own image, instead of into Christ’s image.  –  I know that the easiest advice to give is the one that starts out, “I did it this way…and it worked,” but oftne the best help you can give someone is to ask the questions that help them discover God moving and speaking to them in their life. 

3. We must not vindicate our exlcusion of others and the service of those who we make assumptions and stereotypes of.  Instead we must try our best to gain a glimpse of understanding of where they are coming from. — I am guilty of this.  I treat people wrongly (not just differently) based on my assumptions and stereotypes that I have of them before I even give them the chance to tell me their story.

As I try to evaluate this next year, a good question is to ask myself about who are Jenn and I serving this next year.  Whether it be current friends, family, or future friends, I want service to be an integral part of our life style.

Isaiah 58:9-10

This past Sunday at Coast Vineyard, Michelle Wilson gave a message from Ephesians 4 about valuing the unity in Christ that we have with our brothers and sisters.  Here is an excerpt from the handout:

Be completely humble.

Assume the best of people
Consider that you may be wrong.
Find a way to apologize.

Be completely gentle.

Be quick to listen.
Be slow to speak / become angry.
Ask yourself, “Will this build up or will this tear down?”

Be patient.

Put up with each other.
Forgive.
Make every effort to love each other.

I was very encouraged by these reminders and humbled by their simplicity and saturation of love for God and love our fellow man/woman.

-Be completely humble-

Pride easily takes over, when being better and best is often our cultural goal. We size up people against what we are capable of and often feel vulnerable when their ability exceeds our own, so we critique another aspect of their lives where we are better (or feel that we are better) than them.  But humility, empowers us to think the best of someone, despite their tendency and history.  Sometimes all it takes is someone’s expectation to propel someone above their tendencies.

When we pour ourselves into our creations, admitting that we made a mistake turns our work into a waste, and so we stubbornly ignore the possibility that we could be wrong.  But humility empowers us to realize that in a world with wide diversity of perspective and method, our way can be complimented and improved, and that it is the process of pouring our lives into our creations where value is found, and not so much in the creation itself.

Apology is empowering because it states boldly, “I value our relationship too much to put it in jeopardy over something (anything) I did to damage it.”  We typically want to wait till the other person apologizes and then we will apologize, and only then.  But if we assume the best of people (think that maybe they did not intend to do what they did) and if we consider that we may be wrong (think that maybe we were wrong in our reaction), we can find a way to apologize.

-Be completely gentle-

Listening is a discipline.  I find myself interrupting and cutting people off because 1. I’m impatient and can’t wait for them to finish.  2. I want to give them an answer or solution.  3. I want to convince and defend my point because theirs is inaccurate.  But what those reasons really are saying are 1. What you have to say is not worth my time.  2. Your issue is so simple, just do this.  3. You are wrong, and this is why.  It’s hard to have a relationship with someone who is saying those kind of things in between the lines.  Listening says 1. What you have to say is worth my time and I will honor you by listening completely and fully.  2.  I do not take your problem lightly and the solution is probably even harder, but I will listen to your story for as long as you will share it, and I will stand with you to find a solution.  3. Your perspective and unique identity has shaped you to have this perspective and draw these conclusions and I will spend the time to try and better understand where you are coming from.

On anger, Dallas Willard noted that everything that can be done in anger, can be done better without anger.

-Be completely patient-

Michelle shared a story about how she met with a friend to resolve a disagreement.  They met and the friend began the conversation by saying “If you want me to say that it is my fault and apologize, then I will, because this friendship is worth it to me.”  Friendships and relationships are shattered over disagreements and arguments.  I’m not lessening the importance and magnitude of the disagreements, but elevating the value of relationship and friendship.  I am guilty of this, I think, distancing myself from people who I do not agree with on matters of importance (in my mind), and I am lesser for it.

On forgiveness, Michelle pointed out that forgiveness is not conditional mutually, its not because they deserve it, or because they will reach our expectations, but because God forgave us.  It is from that context that we forgive.  Forgiving someone is not necessarily forgetting what they have done, but showing them the mercy and grace that God has shown us.  Mercy–letting go of any intent of retribution and Grace–giving the opposite of what you feel they deserve.

Series: Building a Community that Loves the World
Multi-generational Church – A Message from 2 Kings 2
Sermon by Joe Lee @ Coast Vineyard on November 2nd, 2008

The multi-generational church MUST be a place of mutual blessing (deep love and respect)
1. It blesses the next generation to lead. (2 Kings 2:7-14)
Q: Do you feel released to follow Jesus without reservation?
2. It restores the lost dreams of the past.
Q: What are the dreams that you need to be restored? (1 Kings 19:1-5)
3. It brings healing into the world.
Q: What are the places of healing that God wants to lead us into? (2 Kings 2:19-22)

Joe Lee, an IV staffer at UCSD, delivered a beautiful and life giving sermon this past week on the aspects of a multi-generational church.  He gave three points and paired them each with a response question.  His first point was an encouragement for the older generation use their authority and bless the next generation to lead.  His question asked if we feel released to follow Jesus without reservation [by an older generation or authority in our lives -- parents, mentors, leaders].  This touched my heart in two ways: 1. I lack a direct spiritual authority / mentor in my life.  I have my father, my pastors, maybe a staff worker or two, and a number of friends who I look up to, all of whom which I am thankful for and contribute much to how I think and what I do, yet there is little expectation from them.  But! — the world is not centered around me and so the second way this touched my heart is: 2. There are people all around me who I feel I can be available to pour into.  This is super life giving because as I make myself available for people, and ask guys if they have time to meet up and talk, I end up being encouraged by them as well.  The more I try to give, the more I end up receiving!

Joe’s second point was that the multi-generational church restores the lost dreams of the past.  For me this point really encourages the joining of the dreams of the past and the present.  As I walk through life it is easy for me to over complicate dreams and become pessimistic towards the dreams I once had, labeling them as impractical to the point where they get scratched off the list.  Maybe its the multi-generational church that restores the prayers of the past and the heart of the past and in doing so chisels out new dreams for the multi-generations to work towards.  Joe’s paired question was, what are the dreams that you need to be restored.  I’m realizing that I don’t really remember my dreams, or maybe that I just need “all” of my dreams restored.  It is easier for me to focus and visualize what is a few tangible steps in front of me instead of spending time visioning the impossible.  I suppose that the multi-generational church is better equipped to take the far off, creative, seemingly impractical and impossible vision and determine the steps that need to happen in between.

Joe’s final point was that the multi-generational church brings healing into the world through the working out of differences, view points, and understandings.  The biggest issue that I’ve personally lived through is the split in the generations in styles of worship.  I know there has been a lot of hurt on both sides, and I wish there was not, but working throug these differences allows God the ground for healing on both sides.  I wish that people could take a step back from their trenches and open their hearts and minds to the diversity of worship and what the different styles have to offer.  I suppose that is the common theme of the multi-generational church — that each generation has much to offer and contribute to the church.  The paired question with this point was, what are the places of healing that God wants to lead us into?  As I am sort of inbetween the young generation and the older generation, I feel like I need to be a bridge or a translator.   But we are always in between generations, so maybe we need to purposefully live as translators of culture.  We are to be in the world, speak the world’s language, but not be of the world.  We are to be able to translate generations languages, culture languages, and spiritual languages so that the church can efficiently do its work.