The Mystery: Revealed

            One of my most favorite mini-series ever made was “Band of Brothers”. Based on real live stories of World War II, HBO produced a dynamic retelling of the lives of Easy Company of the 101^st Airborne Paratroopers. Now not as many people are as intrigued about WWII as I am, but most people can remember the historical significance of D-Day when the Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy.   However, most people don’t know of this elite group, the Band Of Brothers, who had to be air dropped into enemy territory before and during that invasion. Without these people, Europe could be speaking a lot more German right now.

            In our lives there are people who are like this Band of Brothers. People who may not get recognized, but quietly and usually without fanfare, accomplish tasks, services, and impact peoples lives. Shoreline Church calls them volunteers and  Life Group leader. Our successes are directly tied our “Band of Brothers” that faithfully give of their lives, time, and talents. Even the Apostle Paul had his Band of Brothers.

 Colossians 4:7-18

 7          Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

8          I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

9          He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10         My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

11         Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.

12         Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

13         I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14         Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

15         Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

16         After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17         Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”

18         I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you”

         Scholars credit much of the New Testament to the writing of Paul, but seldom do we hear about those who travel with him. These men and women often personally relayed the hand written letters from city to city. From practical assistance like gathering supplies, to visiting Paul while he was in chains, this dedicated “Band of Brothers” were a vital part of the Gospel reaching the known world.

         Now at that moment, probably not one of these people fathomed the ripple effect of their work, but we can appreciate it from our position years later. What history is to be told of Shoreline Church years from now? I am not sure, but I am convinced it will be directly linked on the efforts of our “Band of Brothers (and Sisters)” who serve today. To those who are serving in the trenches, I salute you.

        If you take a short tour though Wikipedia, you could learn a lot about salt. For example, salt is a compound of sodium (Na), an unstable metal that can suddenly burst into flame, and chloride (Cl), a lethal gas. Salt regulates the exchange of water between cells and their environment, aiding the absorption of nutrients and the disposal of waste into the bloodstream. Sodium, which the body cannot manufacture, is necessary for muscle contraction, as well as the transmission of nervous impulses. Chloride is essential for digestion and respiration. An adult body contains about 250 grams of salt—enough to fill 3 or 4 saltshakers—but we are constantly losing it through bodily functions. It is imperative that we replace this lost salt, as any athlete or day laborer sidelined by cramping knows all to well.

         During the times in which the Bible was written, salt was much more precious, and people better understood its value. “And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt” (Leviticus 2:13). The need for various animal sacrifices passed with the death of Jesus Christ. However, the apostle Paul urges us to “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). In the Old Testament for a sacrifice to be acceptable to God, it must be salted. So today, in a symbolic manner, our lives (Matt 5:13) and speech (Col 4:6) must be salted as well. As much as our bodies need physical salt, so our community needs some spiritual saltshakers.

 Colossians 4:5-6   “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

         Here in Destin I have learned the meaning of the phrase, “old salt”. It generally describes someone who has made the ocean a center point in their life. Whether it is a life spent fishing or boating, the “salt” title is only available to those who actually live the life around the ocean.  In contrast to the tourists who patron our shops and beaches and buy the “I Love Destin” T-Shirts, and act like professional fishermen, then return home where their “real” life begins its familiar routine – a routine that is completely depleted of the ocean and salt lifestyle.

         I pray that Shoreline Church is know for having “salty” people who make Christ an everyday part of their life, not just on weekends trips or as a church tourist. Our community desperately needs more salt and less t-shirt slogans. Now go on and be that saltshaker…

        I remember this first time I shared my faith with someone I was totally caught off guard by the opportunity, but somehow fumbled my way through it like most people do their first kiss. I think my heart was pounding just as hard. I was around 11 years old and just finished riding my bike and decided to do what most 11 year old boys do, I climbed a tree. I was alone for a few minutes when some other teen boy rode by and was inspired by my tree climbing skills that he joined me in this large tree. I forgot what we initially started talking (probably transformers vs. go-bots) and somehow our conversation ventured into God stuff.  Now you have to understand that I was a shy kid, especially about faith stuff, but some reason God still choose to use me. I remember as if it were a movie clip. I nervously asked him if he wanted to pray to receive Christ. I was shocked that I asked him, but even more shocked that he said yes. I didn’t know what to do next. So I tried to find something that looked like an altar that you could kneel at (that seemed like the churchy thing to do), so we biked around the neighborhood and found a pile of dirt. Close enough. We prayed, smiled at each other and then he went on his way. I went home to tell my mom. That day opportunity knocked.

        Fast forward 5 years of rebellion, 3 parental divorces, and 6 address changes I found myself as a recently rededicated follower of Christ sitting in a World History class in 11^th grade. I was casually talking with one of my friends about my youth group when a few students nearby asked what we were talking about. I remember getting just as nervous as when I was in the climbing tree, but I talked about why I went to church, why Christ died, and why I made the recent changes in my life. I thought I presented a clear message but when I asked if they wanted prayer or to get some more info about Christianity they politely said, “No, but thanks for answering our questions.” At first I felt like I failed and was devastated. But later I understood that if people had the freedom to accept Christ, then they also have the freedom to reject Him. I often wished I had said it smoother, perhaps differently, or with a flannel board that the message would have been received differently. But in hindsight, my words were seeds that may be harvested at another time, with another person – perhaps in a climbing tree.

         Paul had this same desire to communicate the message of Christ clearly.

 Colossians 4:2-4  “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

             Paul gives us some advice when it comes to communicating the message of Christ. In v2 he reminds us to stay connected to God which will help us to stay awake and vigilant of what we really need to focus on and be thankful for- a God centered perspective. I wish I could say that I jumped so willingly at every opportunity, but I admit to have knowingly missed some opportunities. I am sure even Paul did. That is where God’s grace is evident – for the one who missed the opportunity to talk and the one who missed the opportunity to listen.

            I want to encourage you to continue to be watchful – much like in the words of Paul. And when God opens the next door in front of us, or perhaps up in a tree, I pray we act graciously and soberly. 

Most people are familiar of the Golden Rule – “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Matt 7:12; Luke 6:31) Parents often use this rule to help teach “little Johnny” not to light “little Suzie’s” fluffy build-a-bear on fire.  Adults begin to rethink how they talk to the disgruntle teenage employee at Taco Bell because they may not want the ”special saliva sauce treatment” on their chalupa. The golden rule is very popular, and is also common sense. But have you heard of the “Platinum Rule”? 

This seldom heard rule is exclusively reserved to leaders and people with authority, but it is finally revealed in Colossians 4:1. It is paraphrased as this, “Leaders, treat your staff with the level of excellence and fairness that you would want God (your boss) to treat you.” Why is Paul reminding “masters” about fairness? It is because in that day, masters could get away with pretty much anything because there was little accountability. That same temptation stands in the doorway of any leader, teacher, or public official today when he or she recklessly leads with the absence of accountability. That is why Paul reminds us all that we are accountable to God, especially leaders. Leaders, teachers, and pastors tend to get judged on a higher scale because much more has been entrusted to them. Even Peter Parker (Spiderman) knows this principle, “with great power comes great responsibility.” As you lead, I challenge you to remember how you lead is just as important as where you lead. And to help you lead here are some questions to sharpen your focus.

1. Who am I accountable to and do they regularly invest their attention in my leadership character? A great place to be connected is Shoreline Insider where leaders and volunteers go to tune up together.

2. Have I been fair and gracious to the people who serve? When it is in your power to be fair, show fairness. And when it is in your power to show grace, especially to the people that handle your food, extend grace liberally, or you may have to cancel your chalupa order. 

I have only been fired once. I was fired in 1989 from a little company I like to call Coca-Cola. I hated that job. Looking back, I think everyone knew it. At the time, I blamed everything wrong with me on the job. You see, I was too good for that job. I was called into ministry. I was going to be a pastor. Who did the managers of these Tom Thumbs and Magic Marts think they were, telling me what to do? I am a minister!

After I got fired, of course, I blamed it on me being a Christian. “They were just persecuting me because I was a Christian.” In retrospect, they fired me because I was a horrible employee.

Finally one day I found this scripture.

Colossians 3:22 “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”

Even though I felt like a slave, I still received fair compensation for my work at Coca-Cola. Unlike a slave, I could leave at any time. This principle Paul intended for slaves can definitely be applied to employees. Nevertheless, my attitude was not dictated by Colossians 3 during my employment at Coke. Fearful of being sent back out on another delivery after I finished my regular route, I would stop at a lakeside park and eat a long, leisurely lunch and enjoy some reading. Then when I felt it was reasonably safe to return to the plant, I would slowly meander my way back. I failed to see that my lackluster performance was not only irreverent toward my bosses, but to the Lord, as well.

Paul then continues to admonish us:

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

I was just putting in the hours. My heart was not in my job because my heart was somewhere else. According to Paul, even though you may not want to be there (and who would want to be a slave), whatever work you are doing, put your heart into it. Even though all you can see is Coca-Cola or that knuckleheaded manager or that crazy, out-to-get-you foreman, God sees your work as an offering to Him. That is why he continues in verse 24.

Verse 24 “Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Yeah, see, I missed that one. I don’t think I received an inheritance from that job, unless you count the lesson I learned about myself after being fired. My firing opened up my eyes big time to the importance attitude plays when it comes to working for God. My whole attitude had been that this job was a barrier standing in the way of me fulfilling my calling for ministry. When really, this job was a testing or qualification, if you will, and my performance would determine whether I would receive that promotion into ministry or whether I would receive what verse 25 says:

Verse 25 “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is not favoritism.”

Wow! Unbeknownst to my bosses, all that time I was being paid to sit under a shade tree and read a book, and God says anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong doing. Even though my bosses at Coca-Cola had no idea of what was going on, God did. Even though Coca-Cola was not the one responsible for me eventually going into ministry, my real boss (God) was watching the whole time. Even though I complained to the Lord because of being fired, I was just being repaid for my wrongdoing. I failed to see that promotion, and I don’t mean just within the company, comes from God. I thought that my relationship with God would give me favor with men; I was expecting favoritism and I did nothing to deserve it.

Since this wake up call, verse 23 has been a wake up call for me. If you are a follower of Christ, verse 23 should be something of a life verse. Because no matter whom you work for, your ultimate boss is God and He is the one who hands out the promotions.

If character training is a primary goal of parenting, and I believe it is, then the best way to instill character is through the behavior of a father. Identification with him is a far more efficient teacher than lecturing, scolding, punishing, bribing, and guilt trips. Boys watch their dads closely, noting every minor detail of behavior and values. Sons imitate much of what their fathers do. If you blow up regularly and insult your wife, your boys will treat their mothers and other females disrespectfully. If you drink too much, your kids will be at risk for substance abuse. If you are fighting with people all the time, your boys will probably follow your example. If you are selfish or mean or angry, you will see those characteristics displayed in them. 

Fortunately, the opposite is also true. If you are honest, trustworthy, caring, loving, self-disciplined, and love God, your boys will be influenced by those traits as they age. If you are deeply committed to Jesus Christ and live by biblical principals, your children will probably follow in your footsteps. 

That is the profound influence that fathers have on their kids and precisely why Paul, in this next passage, writes to fathers and not parents in general. 

Colossians 3:20-21 “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (One of my other favorite verses, second only to wives submit to your husbands.) Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

We don’t just embitter our children by the things we do to them, but by the things we do over all. 

How might your behavior embitter your children? What have you done wrong? What can you do to correct it? What proper behavior have you modeled for you kids?

Colossians 3:18-19 “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

Verse 18 is one of my favorite scriptures in the whole world and I use it regularly to get Darlene to do what I want. I don’t like verse 19 as much.

Actually, these verses confirm what Paul taught elsewhere and that is that the woman’s primary need is for love and the man’s primary need is for respect. Submit is another way of saying respect. The husband must love his wife as he loves himself and the wife must respect her husband. Could it be any clearer than that? Paul isn’t making suggestions; he is issuing commands from God Himself. In addition, the Greek word for love in this verse is agape, meaning unconditional love. The wording of Ephesians 5, where he talks about this same subject, strongly suggests the husband should receive unconditional respect. Christian spouses should not read this verse to say, “Husbands, love your wives unconditionally, and wives, respect your husbands only if they have earned and deserve it.” As the old saying goes, what is good for the goose is good for the gander.” I am not sure what a gander is, but when in Rome. Touché.

This topic is the subject of a very good Life Group called “Love and Respect.” If you have not yet attended this group and you are married or planning to be married, I would consider attending it. You can find more info by calling:

Love & Respect
This group will be using the “Love and Respect” video curriculum. Starts in October.
When: Wednesdays, 7-9 pm
Where: 178 Pelican Bay Drive, Santa Rosa Beach
Open to: Engaged or married couples
Contact: Brent & Judy Hoogewerf at 974-3308

Some people say, “We don’t need a marriage life group. Our marriage is good.”

Remember yesterday when I talked about the World Money Conference? When I attended, I didn’t see any poor people there, only well off people who wanted to be “weller offer.” You don’t wait until you’re in trouble to attend something like this. You attend something like this to make a well off marriage “weller offer.”

While trying to put together the deal on the duplex we own on Holiday Isle, which was supposed to fund my retirement, I attended a conference in Orlando called the World Money Conference. This conference, geared toward investment strategies, had a track on mortgages that I attended. It was there I learned about what most people had not heard of yet: sub-prime mortgages called LIBORS. It was perfect. We could secure an interest only loan; buy this waterfront duplex on Holiday Isle; enjoy the rapid appreciation that Destin was experiencing; rent it out as a vacation rental thus paying the expenses on it and then in a few years, sell out and, Wa La, there is my retirement.

Now as I sit here hanging on by a fingernail, watching all my work in the last 5 years, not to mention all the money invested into it, hanging by a fingernail, one might wonder what is next? Unfortunately, I am not the only one in this position. I know many people who have lost or are in the process of losing jobs, homes, and businesses. Stymied congressmen talk, argue, and beg one another as they try to figure out a plan to get our country out of this mess.  Some people even look to me as the “man of God” to try to make some sense out of this mess and that perhaps I can give them a scrap of wisdom from the Almighty (what pressure to put on pastors). 

I actually can give them some wisdom from the Almighty right from today’s scripture out of Colossians 3.

Colossians 3:15-17 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

If I allow the supernatural peace of God, and I call it supernatural because it doesn’t make sense how I could have peace even in the face of foreclosure, but if I allow that peace to rule in my heart, I won’t be moved by what I see or feel. Then, when I find out what God’s Word says about me and my situation, I am going to let that be the thing that moves me. I can also take the assurance that comes from His Word and use it to encourage others. What an encouragement I can be when I do everything to honor God. It totally changes my perspective, too, when I am grateful for everything. Grateful for the fact I get to live in such a wonderful city. Grateful for the time I got to live in a house that I named Paradise Found. 

What’s great is that my circumstances don’t have to change for me to find peace. Peace and joy come from being content in God. As that peace works its way out from the inside, it is seen as strength in a time of adversity. How about you? Is peace ruling your heart? Are you thankful? Is the word of God dwelling inside you? Are you glorifying God with your words and deeds? 

Why not thank Him right now. Why not find out what His Word says about your situation and then become in practice what He has already declared.

Depending on who you were and what your skills at sports were, one of the most humiliating moments growing up was the picking of teams in P.E. Your typical physical education coach was not exactly the poster child for sensitivity. Usually he picked the two best athletes in the class to be the captains and those two took turns picking people according to their skill levels to be on their team. It was assumed and accepted by all that the last two picked were the worst athletes in the class. I have to admit that I was never the last to be picked, but I was also never first. However, I did seize the opportunity to take my place with the rest of the guys by making fun of the last few people picked. Inside, I secretly felt sorry for the chubby kid who got picked last, behind the guy with the dental head gear and this girl.

One of the things I appreciate about God is there are no favorites in His economy. No class system, no seniority, no popular kids, etc. Paul says in this 3rd chapter of Colossians that if you have taken off your old self and have put on your new nature, which is being renewed, that all men are created equal. Check it out… 

Colossians 3:11 “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” 

Once you are in Christ, there is none of that. Yes, you will still be an employee or an employer, but now you are in Him and when you are in Him, everyone is equal. In the book of Ephesians, he tells masters to treat their slaves with respect because if they are both followers of Christ, they are both accountable to the same master. Even though your earthly circumstances may not change, you are now citizens of a spiritual kingdom, so therefore treat each other with respect.

Because Christ is all – He is everything and in all - how you treat someone is how you are treating Christ. I had no idea when I made fun of the kid who got picked last that I was making fun of Jesus. Thank God the person I made fun of didn’t die like what happened to Lori. You can find that story here: Update: Making It Right

On Sunday I talked about how, though our nature was changed, there is still some baggage that we bring with us into our new relationship with Christ. In verse 5, Paul calls it the things that belong to our earthly nature. We learned Sunday that we have to put these things that belong to our old nature to death. Then he lists some of these things: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Then look at what he says next:

Colossians 3:6 “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”

A lot of people read this and believe that the wrath of God is coming to those who do these things, but the truth is, the wrath of God is not coming to you if your life is hidden in Christ. Christ took the wrath upon Himself for all of those things. In fact, Paul says in verse 7 that you used to walk in those ways before you were with Christ, but now that wrath isn’t reserved for you. 

How many people, though, think they still have to pay for all of their sins if not part of them? On Sunday I told of the encounter that I had with a young lady at McGuires who believed that she had to be punished for at least some of her sins. How sad is it that people fail to grasp that the wrath of God was poured on His son so that He didn’t have to pour it out on us?

It almost seems too good to be true that God is willing to overlook all my sins. All of them. It just doesn’t seem right. Yep, it doesn’t, but it is true.

This makes me think of 2 questions:

(1) How can we make sure we live our lives with a clear understanding of the grace of God? My salvation is not based on my deeds, and the price has been paid for all my sins, even sins I have not yet committed. Therefore, I need to live like one who is forgiven. Jesus said that one who has been forgiven much, loves much.

(2) How can we communicate to others? Because so many people believe that they have been too bad and the only thing they deserve is the wrath of God.