Leadership, Humility, and Personal Integrity

Leadership, Humility, and Personal Integrity

The character of a Biblical Leader is emphasized in terms of humility and personal integrity. Recently, the news of the fall of well known preacher and his ministry have made its rounds. Leadership is also a concern in NEPA in local churches. I thought this fb post from Owen Strachan was particularly helpful. If you are a leader, desire to be one, or are an faithful member of a local church, please read:

Just so we are square, God could take away every preacher, every historic church, every parachurch ministry, every seminary, every Christian college, every publishing house, every conference, and the gospel of Christ would still advance invincibly across the earth by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 16:18).

This is because, as Christians, our hope is not in any man--any fallen and fallible man, that is, no matter how admired or appreciated or respected or productive or historically proficient. Our hope as believers is in Christ and Christ ALONE.

If the unthinkable happened, and God did take every preacher known to man--including your favorites--then Christ would STILL be the head of the church, the gates of hell would STILL fail to defeat Christ's people, and the church's future would STILL be infinitely bright.

Christian, I urge you in love: whatever you do, don't locate your hope in any fallen man (or ministry by extension). Join a sound, gospel-preaching church; join it and serve it. Honor your elders; encourage the body. But don't locate even 1% of your confidence in God's work in any fallible man. Men will disappoint you. Men will fail you. Men will get things badly wrong. Men will drift. Men will stop listening to wise counsel and friendly rebuke. Men will make the local church about them in subtle ways.

Men will fall into the Satanic trap of thinking that a given congregation is theirs, not Christ's. Great pain, sorrow, difficulty, and wreckage will follow when men sin not merely in normal ways (bad as that is) but fall into deep patterns of sin, closing their ears to rebuke, correction, help, and edification. Humility, practical humility, is always the first casualty of a heart that drifts from God.

Do not be confused, believer. There are no perfect churches out there. I lay no burden upon you to find one (after all, what am I but a fallen and fallible man, prone to wander every day I live?). But as much as you can, find a team of elders who point you to Christ, not themselves. God willing, these (fully imperfect) men will be true shepherds, men who love caring for the sheep, investing in the sheep, strengthening the sheep, counseling the sheep, discipling the sheep, and spending time with the sheep.

We have a great number of men today who like the platform of pastoring, but not the actual work of pastoring. They like the public aspects of ministry, and the praise that public work can bring, but not the private aspects of ministry (which is most of what sound ministry consists of). It is no easy thing to find a sound church today, sadly, but as much as you can, find a team of elders who exhibit loving, humble, and sound character. Join hands with them. Strengthen them. Above all, pray for them.

And even as you get involved, remember this: these men are not your hope. They are not Christ (not even close). They have not died for you. They have not risen for you. They are not returning to earth to gather you up and present you spotless on the last day. They are not the true shepherd of your soul. ONLY CHRIST IS.

Believe to Endure

Have you heard about the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11? The verses immediately prior to and following the chapter are very important.

For you have need of *endurance* so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. For YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. But MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY *FAITH*, AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. (10:36-38)

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with *endurance* the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of *faith* who for the joy set before Him *endured* the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has *endured* such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart. (12:1-3).

The writer of Hebrews employs an inclusio to show that the text for this chapter is Habakkuk 2:4 (faith) and the key word *endurance/endure* shows us that what both they and we need is *endurance.*

In the middle of the chapter this word is also mentioned: “By *faith* he left Egypt, not fearing the rage of the king; for he *endured* as seeing Him who is unseen.” (Hebrews 11:27)

We need faith to endure. The heros believed and endured. We must believe to endure.

Three Lies About Productivity

Three Lies About Productivity

(Guest Blog by Haley Cleveland)

I am zealous about productivity (which I use to mean everything under the ‘life management’ umbrella). In college I utilized planners and highlighters to balance three jobs and eighteen course credits—organization kept me on track to graduate. In my current stage, as a first-time mom, I’ve found myself especially drawn to podcasts on topics like organization, decluttering, and goal planning.

In many ways, the various aspects and priorities of life are like a puzzle, and I enjoy fitting it together in each new season. Yet I’ve been troubled by some of the messages sent through the various podcasts and articles on the internet—especially from Christian sources. Can there be a ‘dark side’ to productivity? I now think that there is. Let me give some examples:

On a recent podcast I listened to about time management, moms were encouraged to manage time according to their desires, not necessarily their family’s needs. For example, if you feel the need to go to the spa every week, (but it’s not doable in your family’s budget), then you should prioritize a way to make it possible to go to the spa.

Several books have been released, geared towards a Christian audience, with a “hustle” message. One resource encouraged moms who don’t want to stay at home to learn to “hustle”; they should work hard to build their own business so that they don’t need to be a stay at home mom.

On a decluttering resource I recently used, moms were encouraged to eliminate clutter as a way of exercising control over their stress, home, family life, etc.

Before I address some of the problematic messages, please don’t misunderstand me! I’m the biggest advocate for learning how to manage time, work hard, and deal with clutter. These are good things to do; but the real question is, why do we seek to do these things? Is it for personal satisfaction? Eliminating all stress from our life? Because it has a meaningful outcome for our family?

The resources I had stumbled upon had all these “why’s” and more, but they ultimately missed the biggest reason: As a born-again believer, my goal should always be to honor God and give God glory. They actually undermined God’s glory by promoting three lies:

Lie 1: You Actually Have Control

Minimalism is a rising trend today, and for good reason! Less stuff often translates to less work, cleaning, and even stress. But sometimes Christian “experts” in this field send the wrong message: that if you declutter and live a minimalist lifestyle, you will have a peaceful and stress-free life. Others suggest that you learn to manage your time well so that you can prioritize yourself. One podcast even suggested that moms treat themselves right now because they may not be able to in the future.

Ultimately, the messages they are sending are that you can control your life. Do these things and you will finally build and control the life you’ve always wanted. But what if decluttering doesn’t change your ungodly attitude, and your home still lacks peace? What if you have done all the time management tips and you are still having unexpected trials and struggles?

When we buy into the lie that we can control our lives, homes, and families, we’ve forgotten God’s sovereignty. This type of mindset only brings more anxiety, more desire to control, and fear about what can happen outside our sphere. Psalm 33:16-19 describes how kings are not saved by their armies and warriors cannot count on their strength—God is ultimately in control over our lives, not us! Verse 20 says, “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” God desires us to be wise and use our talents to take care of ourselves and our families, but it is not our own efforts that bring the outcome we desire. Rather, it is our souls finding rest and trust in God’s sovereignty—and isn’t soul rest what we really want?

Lie 2: You Can’t Serve Without Self-Care   

Many, many articles, books, websites, and podcasts (even from Christian perspectives) will encourage women to take time for themselves and practice self-care. I’m certainly not against a woman getting out of the house for some alone time, or spending money to go to the spa. The problem comes when we begin to prioritize ourselves above others.

Being a mom is a demanding job. Sometimes you bear the weight of other people’s selfishness when you are the one making sacrifices. You may be exhausted taking care of others when it seems like no one is taking care of you. Even if you aren’t a mom, you may relate to wearing yourself out.

We hear the phrase “You can’t pour from an empty cup”; and I think there’s some truth to that. But how do we fill our running-on-empty cup? As a Christian, my strength is not my own; it’s from God. I can’t pour from an empty cup, but God is the tea-kettle that is pouring into my cup constantly, providing me with what I need to pour into others.

Philippians 2 describes this type of mindset. Christians are to follow Christ’s example to view others as more important than themselves. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the ultimate picture of selflessness! Isn’t it impossible to serve like this, though? Let verse 13 encourage you: “for it is God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” In other words, we won’t have the strength or capacity on our own live out this type of humility, but God is at work in us! We don’t serve alone; God is our strength.
I don’t need to have more spa days or coffee dates to give me energy to do the job set before me (although I will appreciate those occasions as blessings and encouragements from God when they come!). We can turn away from mommy wine culture and recognize that all we need comes from God. Instead of living for self-care, try living in God’s strength to love and serve those in your life.

Lie 3: You Should Take Pride in Getting It All Done

There’s a certain level of arrogance that sometimes comes from those who make big life choices. Maybe you’re careful to buy organic groceries and prepare home-cooked meals for every meal. It could be that you organize every field trip for your homeschool co-op and others admire and rely on your efforts. Perhaps it’s simply working around the clock to have a clean house, or impress your supervisor at work. We are all susceptible to pride, and it can be very sneaky.

Podcasts and books encourage women to “love the hustle” and “get your life together”. I’m no stranger to this because I am motivated to work hard and I love seeing the fruit of my labor. It brings me happiness when I complete another weekly meal plan and see how much money I’ve saved in our budget. I get excited when I figure out a cleaning routine that works for our family (and saves me time and stress). I’m always researching planners and goal tools to accomplish more. These are all good things to do, but we shouldn’t take pride in them.

Every aspect of managing our lives is to be done through God’s grace and God’s strength. I am so thankful that God gave me a mind that enjoys planning, organizing, and improving practical skills. My family certainly benefits from that when I exercise these gifts. But when I take pride in our own efforts, something good becomes poisonous. Think about this arrogant statement: “my schedule is so organized and I do more than that other person!” If we try to “accomplish all the things”, shouldn’t we give God the glory? It’s never about us, or comparison, or self-glory. And, are we really foolish enough to think that we have it all together at any given time?

Pride and arrogance can easily creep in when we focus on ourselves, or rely on our own strength (hmm, revisit lies 1 and 2!). What if we desired to be a humble, godly woman who might not be perfect, but works hard—in God’s strength—to take care of her family and glorify God? I’m reminded of the positive example of the Proverbs 31 woman. This type of woman is a go-getter, hard worker, entrepreneur, organizer, manager, and the list goes on and on. Verse 30 describes her heart attitude: she fears the Lord. Her attitude and posture before God was reverent and worshipful. This was the key to the vibrant life that she cultivated—it was never about her!

I’m disappointed that Christian media promotes these types of messages to women. I don’t think that this is healthy or biblical. When popular media tries to sell you on self-centered, self-help messages for you and your family’s so-called betterment, compare the messages to God’s Word. The Bible is our ultimate standard; God’s grace is our ultimate strength. With the two, I think we can accomplish more and do more than we could ever imagine.

From Christ and to Christ: "Speak the Truth in Love"

We have all heard it, but do we know what it means to “speak the truth in love.”

This phrase is a part of a list of things that are meant to be an exhortation from the risen Christ; specifically, his decision to give “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers” to his church.

He did this, Paul explains, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). And this, in turn, will “build up the body of Christ.” The goal is maturity so the body won’t be “carried around by every wind of doctrine.”

Instead, it will find itself “speaking the truth in love.”

This will happen. This is God’s plan. Paul’s original intent is to direct believers to embrace this responsibility and the results of what actually will happen when the body of Christ is functioning properly under Christ.

When we engage in “speaking the truth in love” what’s happens? What happens to us? What happens to our church? How can we encourage it in our church?

Ephesians 4:1 reads, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” So, “speaking the truth in love” is something that will happen, because Christ, the Lord of the church, has ordained that it be so—and it is something that must happen, because we are called to obedience to Christ’s purpose.

Paul isn’t actually drawing a contrast in this passage between “speaking the truth in love” vs. “speaking the truth with a bad temper”. It is between the cunning, crafty, and deceitful words of false teachers and the honest, straightforward, loving words Christians should speak to each other.

A few tips to help us engage in speaking the truth in love:

Tip 1. If these words must include some kind of rebuke, it helps if the rebuker already has a pattern of speaking other truths in love.

Tip 2. If you love someone, it will go a long way toward making your words of rebuke able to be received.

Tip 3. Be driven by love, not fear. If you love a fellow Christian, this will drive you to care more about the negative effects their sin has on them than the negative effects their poor reaction might have on you.

Tip 4. Check your life before checking another’s.

Tip 5. Love brings questions before it brings accusations. Love will cover a multitude of other little sins so that the focus can remain on what’s truly serious.

Tip 6. There is no promise of a favorable response.

Concluding Exhortation

“(S)peaking the truth in love” is an essential function that lupercates what goes on in church. This is true whether or not believers respond or not. In Ephesians 4:15 the teaching is, Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. This mutual edification flows from the equipping ministry of faithful leaders, which itself, derives from the gracious gifts of Christ himself. Christ is the source, and he is the goal: “speaking the truth in love” is designed to lead to us “grow[ing] up in every way into him.”

Take this simple exhortation with you to church. Don’t forget it! It will encourage others from Christ and to Christ.

Part II

When we have expectations that God should “high-five” our desires or choices in difficult times from outside of the Bible, rather than giving us peace for our decisions, it will negatively shape our discernment. In Ezra-Nehemiah, miracles are conspicuously absent. Yet, reading Ezra-Nehemiah in light of previous (antecedent) revelation, shows that Yahweh had made Himself King in Israel at Mt. Sinai in Exodus 12-24 (1446 B.C). During the time when King Yahweh resided in the Tabernacle/throne room, manifesting his presence in the Glory-Cloud, He often intervened immediately—miraculously—in the affairs of His people. He continued to reign and manifest is presence until 592 B.C. when the Glory-Cloud departed, as recorded in Ezekiel 11:22-23. With the Glory-Cloud’s departure, that theocratic arrangement was judicially abandoned. That departure signaled the end of the theocratic arrangement. While his presence departed, the Abrahamic covenant God made is unilateral and binding on God (Gen. 15:1-21; see also Hebrews 6:13-18). It seems the theocratic arrangement had to do only with the form in which Yahweh’s relationship to that people was administered. The significance of the Glory-Cloud’s departure was not that Yahweh would no longer honor His covenant relationship with Israel and protect it from its enemies; it was that He would do so mediately rather than immediately, providentially rather than miraculously.

Israel did not need miracles to “high-five” their decisions. They had God’s Word. All they needed was to obey and trust God. His word really is sufficient. It is sufficient for us as well.

Ezra, Restoration Period, and the Word of God Part 1

Ezra ministered during the restoration period, the final stage of Old Testament history. During this period the Jewish people, captives in Babylon for 70 years, were allowed to return under the Persians to reestablish themselves in the Promised Land of Israel.

Ezra plays important roles in two Old Testament books, Ezra and Nehemiah. In the book of Ezra, he does not appear until chapters 6-10. Ezra Chapters 1 through 6 record the Jewish exiles’ return from Babylon under Zerubbabel and the building of the second Temple, events that transpired from around 538 B.C. to around 515 B.C., decades before Ezra was born.

Ezra chapters 7 through 10, tell of the marvelous reformation in 458 B.C. under his direction. Ezra is very involved in the effort to refortify and repopulate Jerusalem around 445 B.C., as recorded in the book of Nehemiah (8:1–13; 12:26).

The final stage of Old Testament history, the restoration period, is filled with heroes, adventures, political struggles, and military encounters.. Amazingly, not one miracle is recorded in this period. The remnant of Israel had all they need in God’s Word. This is context that this period and the reformation narrative recorded in Ezra 7—10 must be understood. All Israel needed was the Word of God. The Word of God is all we need!

Grace Given

In 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, we read about God’s grace given to a troubled first century church. It reminds us just how amazing God’s grace really is. Paul addressed them as “the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling.” In v. 4, he thanked God regularly for them and in particular, he thanked God “for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.” God gave grace to them. The grace of God is his favor which he gives to the undeserving. Paul thanked God for his grace that “was given you in Christ Jesus.” God’s grace is given, is not earned. It is simply “given.” He freely bestows it. It is this grace that saves us, keeps us, gifts us, sanctifies us, and will one day glorify us. God was not obligated to give grace in the circumstances the Corinthian church was facing. He gives it to whom he wishes and he is never obligated to give it. He is the same God who gives grace to us. What a gracious God!

Hope this Christmas (25)

Merry Christmas! Christians and even non-Christians around the world celebrate Christmas as the day when Jesus, the Messiah, was born in the town of Bethlehem. It all happened in a glorious moment.

Christmas is a time of excitement and a time of connection. Let us always remember that it is a time of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We may have a very cluttered life and forget what the purpose of life is all about. Christmas itself can even be a distraction from worshiping the Christ-child. Let us always remember that Jesus really is the reason for the season.

At the time of the First Coming or Advent, the eternal Son of God took to himself full humanity. This means that he became a man without ceasing to be God. John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The eternal Son of God became a human being. The Son is uniquely the God-man. That is why the Son of God is unique and the very heart of Christmas.

This is the climax of the storyline of the Bible. Adam and Eve disobeyed God; God promised a descendent who would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). Jesus is that descendent.

Matthew opens his Gospel by boldly declaring Jesus is the Messiah (Matthew 1:1). Paul writes, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4–5).

Christ took “the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil 2:7). He was called Immanuel or “God with us” (Matt 1:23). God himself, in the Christ-child, condescended and entered into our hopelessness to rescue people from their sins.

Jesus Christ is the virgin-born Savior of the world and his birth is the most important arrival in the history of the world. God has provided a rescue plan through Jesus’s death for our sins and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Make this a special Christmas day by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness.

Christmas means hope for you and me, despite all our unending failings. Merry Christmas to you, and all glory to Immanuel, the God who is with us, and will be with us forever. 

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,

was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 3:16

-Pastor Seboe

Hope this Christmas (24)

In our sophisticated, fast-moving, pressurized world, some have arrived where they are and accomplished what they did by knocking people down and using them along the way. They arrived at “greatness” by stepping on people like a staircase. Other greats showed their strength and ability not by using people but by serving. We need rediscover “greatness” from the example of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Born in humble circumstances, he came to serve and give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). No one could possibly stoop lower than Jesus in his service. Christians are exhorted to follow the attitude of humility displayed in his incarnation and death in their relationships with one another:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:3-11).

During the incarnation Jesus possessed the form of God and was equal with God. How did he make himself nothing or empty himself? “By taking the form of a servant [and] by becoming in the likeness of humanity.” In the condition of “form of a servant” he did not manifest the form of God outwardly. The form of a servant served as a temporary veil cloaking the form of God. Later as an adult, Jesus was transfigured. During the transfiguration the cloaking veil was removed, and his glory shown demonstrating Jesus still possessed the form of God (Matthew 17:1-13). D.A. Carson remarks, “He became a “nobody” so that God would exalt him above everybody.”

is time to end the dead-end journey of personal greatness and affluence and look to the “nobody” who has been exalted above “everybody.” In the cross of Christ, you can find forgiveness. Believe in him and his death for your sin and be forgiven. In Christ you will find hope this Christmas.
-Pastor

Hope this Christmas (23)

Who hasn't struggled with those demoralizing seasons of dark sadness? Everyone suffers from grief and sorrow from time to time. There is hope this Christmas! The English traditional Christmas carol, "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" reminds us to remember Christ the Savior was born on Christmas day! Also known as "Tidings of Comfort and Joy”, the carol gained attention in the mid-18th century and was included in Charles Dickens’s classic, A Christmas Carol. When Scrooge heard the opening lines of the song, he had no patience for the song:

God rest you merry gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember Christ our Savior

Was born on Christmas Day

To save us from Satan’s pow’r

When we were gone astray

Have a tendency toward discouragement? There is comfort and joy. Experience seasonal depression? There is comfort and joy. Feel marginalized? There is comfort and joy. Burdened or experience guilt? There is comfort and joy. "Tidings of comfort and joy" are found in Christ the Savior. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). There is hope in this broken world. We can find comfort and joy in a broken world:

Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Oh tidings of comfort and joy

God can forgive and comfort the weak and the desperate. He can forgive and comfort the discouraged and the despairing. He has forgiven sinners like me. He will forgive you if you turn to the Savior and his death and resurrection for sin in faith.

“God rest you merry, gentlemen.”

-Pastor Seboe

Hope this Christmas (22)

We must have God’s forgiveness, or we have nothing. The incarnation leads to the cross of Christ, and the cross is where forgiveness can be found. In the book of Hebrews, the author writes, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4).

The writer continues noting that it was God’s will that a body be prepared for the Son for a better sacrifice for sin:

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me;

with burnt offerings and sin offerings

you were not pleased.

Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—

I have come to do your will, my God.’”

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:6-10).

Because of the incarnation, Jesus was able “by one sacrifice make perfect forever those who are being made holy.” That sacrifice was himself.

The writer continues:

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

“This is the covenant I will make with them

after that time, says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them on their minds.”

Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts

I will remember no more.”

And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary (10:15-18).

Christ died once for all for sin. Anyone who puts their faith in Christ and his death and resurrection will be forgiven. The superiority of his bodily sacrifice is demonstrated in that when sins are forgiven based on HIS sacrifice. Are your sins forgiven? Have you turned from whatever you are trusting to Jesus Christ and his bodily death and resurrection for sin? God’s will for forgiving our sins is found in Jesus Christ and his bodily sacrifice for sin. If you have God’s forgiveness, you have hope.

-Pastor

Hope this Christmas (21)

The apostle John employs vivid descriptions about Jesus to encourage belief in him. Jesus is the lamb of God who took away the sin of the world (1:29). He is the gate by which men enter and find life (10:9). He is the good shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep (10:11).

Although betrayed and abandoned by the disciples and condemned by liars, Jesus was the truth. While he spoke the truth, he himself is the truth incarnate.

When Jesus Christ was on trial for his life, John recorded this exchange, “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “you say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37).

In the next verse Pilate then responded, “What is truth?”

The eternal Son of God became a man and was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). In Jesus, truth came into this world from outside of this world. Jesus was born not to hide truth about God, but to testify about it in a world of spiritual darkness. In a world of unbelief.

In his book Hitler’s Cross, Erwin Lutzer made this observation:

“Since the Germans for centuries had celebrated Christmas and Easter, Hitler had to reinterpret their meaning. Christmas was turned into a totally pagan festival. For the SS troops, its date was changed to December 21st, the date of the winter solstice. Carols and nativity plays were banned from the schools in 1938, and even the name Christmas was changed to “Yuletide.” Crucifixes were eliminated from the classrooms and Easter was turned into a holiday that heralded the arrival of spring.”

Hitler changed Christmas to suite his ideology. Christmas carols were modified to reflect Nazi beliefs and ideology including references to the “Savior” pointing to Hitler himself, “Savior Führer.” These were among some of the steps taken to hide the truth of Christianity because it was dangerous to Nazi ideology. This is unbelief.

Jesus challenges this by testifying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The real problem is our sin and unbelief. Unbelief that results in seeing ourselves as our own judge and sin as a social construct and not our worst problem. Unbelief fails to see who Jesus Christ is, what he has done, and what he is doing. John provokes belief, “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Turn to Jesus and his death and resurrection for forgiveness of sin and believe. He gives real hope. This changes everything.

Pastor

Hope this Christmas (20)

We sing about joy and hope every year in the Christmas carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Charles Wesley zeroed in on the centerpiece of Christmas when he wrote, "Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity." What is the centerpiece? It is the Incarnation of the Son of God. The eternal Son of God took on flesh and manifested in visible form the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15) such that in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form (Col 2:9). This is truly quite wonderful and glorious. God entering our time and space. We need to think about how important it is. We can’t miss this.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

When the shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the baby exactly as they were told, the angelic announcement of the Messiah’s birth was confirmed. Luke then reveals Mary’s reflective moment, Mary “treasured” up everything and “pondered” them in her heart. In contrast to the shepherds' public proclamation, Mary meditated on the significance of these events. In many ways, “to treasure” means to purposefully keep near thoughts and remembrances. The second verb “ponder,” means to weigh mentally, to consider carefully, to meditate, to reflect, and to think deeply about something, usually in terms of its significance.

While Mary was like any mother who has given birth, she had so much more to consider. God revealed what he wanted us to know about the significance of the birth of our Savior. The incarnation is absolutely unique. Only once did God become a man. He remains God and man forever (Col. 2:9, Heb. 7:24). He became man once, that we might be saved from sin once for all.

Joseph named the baby Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). It was the Father’s love (John 3:16) that sent his Son, “that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” The Son of God took on humanity so that we who deserve death can have life without limit, forever with God. He died in our place, that we might never die.

This is Christmas. It is time to reflect and consider the incarnation and its significance. It’s worth our time.

-Pastor Seboe

Hope this Christmas (19)

We fill our lives with stuff that is meant to produce joy, but the Bible tells us that we can fill our lives with a true hope in God. Romans 12:12 reads, “Rejoice in hope!” this means something like, “Let your joy be the joy that comes from hope!” There is a firm relationship between joy and hope.

On the all-important night when it was revealed to the shepherds that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem, the shepherds immediately went to the city of David to verify the news. Luke tells us that Caesar Augustus had required a census (Luke 2:1–3) and through God’s sovereignty, Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4–5). Jesus was born, wrapped in cloths, and placed in a manger (Luke 2:6–7).

A powerful moment occurred on that night in Luke’s Gospel because an angel of the Lord also appeared and proclaimed good news for all people (Luke 2:8–12): “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” A multitude of angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest” (2:14).

The shepherds immediately verified the news and found the baby Jesus lying in a manger (2:15–16). They found the baby just as God had said through the angels. God is always faithful and keeps His Word. The shepherds experienced a holy moment.

After gazing upon the unique and holy God-man, a baby, God incarnate, lying in a feeding trough, “they spread the word (2:17). The hope of the world has come. Joy to the world! The Lord has come!

-Pastor

Hope this Christmas (18)

Feeling anxious about these difficult days? Political corruption, rising crime, economic crises—these will always be on the front page. Because so many lives have been turned upside down this year for one reason or another, we need to reflect on what God is doing in our lives. Times were no different when Jesus was born. God promises to accomplish His bigger and better purposes all around our world and deep within our lives.

Luke records an uplifting focus in his record with Mary’s Song of Praise (1:46-56). Mary’s Song interrupts Gabriel’s announcement to Mary (1:26-38) and Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (1:39-45). Mary bursts out with praise of God’s gracious work. Mary is with child, the Messiah. Elizabeth, full of the Holy Spirit, discerns that Mary is blessed among women.

Mary proclaims God is great and He is her Savior (1:46-47). She recognizes in God’s sovereignty and holiness that she is being used to bear the child through God’s love and care. Mary also proclaims that God is merciful and righteousness (1:50-33). God's mercy extends to those who fear or acknowledge God’s rule over them. God is righteous. He exalts the humble. Lastly, Mary praises God for his loyal love (1:54-55). God is loyal to those who have a relationship with him. God’s work of salvation begins with Jesus, the baby she will deliver. She praises God and celebrates.

God and his act of salvation is precisely the point. He shows grace and faithfulness and his salvation is worthy of praise and worth celebrating.

As they were in Jesus’ day, so our times are difficult. Difficult times are often a distraction from the bigger picture. God sovereignly accomplishes His divine will. Times are hard, but they never surprise God. He is still sovereign.

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13).  

-Pastor Seboe

Hope this Christmas (17)

No one can go back to the starting line in the race of life. Many have struggled with the pain. Others have put their past behind them. We can be freed from the weight of guilt, regret, and bitter heartache. There is hope.
Genesis 1-2 makes the point that human beings were made to function originally as God’s vice-regents over the entire creation. Psalm 8 reiterated this same point. In the New Testament, Psalm 8 is recited by the author of Hebrews in Heb. 2:6-8 and points out, “we do not yet see everything under our feet”, as Genesis 1 and Psalm 8 envisage. Why? The Fall has taken place, sin and death has taken a toll.
But what do we see? “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9). By Christ’s identification with us and by his death, he becomes the first human being to be crowned with such glory and honor, as he brings many sons—a new humanity—to glory. Both the one who makes human beings holy—Jesus himself—and the human beings who are made holy are of the same family. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers (Heb. 2:11).
Since we have flesh and blood, he shared in our humanity (Heb. 2:14). His humanity was not intrinsically his, but something he had to take on (the eternal Word “became flesh,” John 1:14). He did this so that by his death (something he could never have experienced if he had not taken on flesh and blood) “he might destroy him who holds the power of death … and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Heb. 2:14, 15).
Jesus did not take on the nature of angels (Heb. 2:16) He became a human being with a human ancestry, ancestry of Abraham (Heb. 2:16). He was to serve as mediator between God and human beings, “he had to be made like his brothers in every way” (Heb. 2:17). He already was like God in every way.
What is entirely “fitting,” for Jesus is that God should make the author (Jesus) of our salvation “perfect through suffering” (Heb. 2:10).
There is hope. Notice how "hope" occurs in Hebrews:
3:6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
6:11-12 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
6:18-20 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
7:18-19 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
What hope! The Son became a man to suffer death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (Heb. 2:9). By his identification with us and by his death, he becomes the first human being to be crowned with such glory and honor, as he brings many sons to glory. Seize Hope this Christmas.

-Pastor Seboe

Hope this Christmas (16)

For each of us, the past year came with unexpected news, significant changes, and an uncertain future. Christmas is an opportunity to renew our hope in God what he did in the incarnation for the world.

Early in Luke, an angel is sent by God to a priest serving in the temple. As he burned incense, an angel appeared to him and announced that his previously barren wife, Elizabeth, would soon give birth to a son. Zechariah responded with skepticism: “How shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18). Instead of rejoicing in what God promised to do, Zechariah focused on the impossibility of the situation. Consequently, the angel silenced Zechariah until John’s birth.

After some time, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and expressed her joy that the reproach of barrenness has been lifted from her. Again, she rejoices when she meets Mary, “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:24–25, 41–45). Elizabeth’s reaction tells us she honors God.

Then God sends the angel Gabriel to Mary who is betrothed to Joseph. Gabriel reveals that Mary would carry and birth the Son of God, the long-expected Davidic King. Mary responded with wonder: “How will this be?” (1:34). Mary’s question was full of possibility—Almighty God was going to do great things through her. The important detail is that Mary would conceive by the Holy Spirit, and her cousin Elizabeth was also with child. The angel concluded with a stirring statement of God’s power: “Nothing will be impossible with God” (1:37). Mary reflects on what God is doing in her hymn, the Magnificat, and describes herself as God’s “servant” (the repetition of servant, connects Luke 1:48 to 1:38) and of “humble state.”

Mary praises God her Savior because he looked upon her low social state and yet in love let her bear the Messiah. What God did for her is like what he does for others in the same state (Luke 1:52). God has given her a special place by having her bear the Messiah. Generations of all time will bless her, perceive her fortune in receiving this special role. Elizabeth’s blessing in Luke 1:45 is the first blessing that Mary receives as an exemplary servant touched by grace (11:28–29 is another). Luke presents Mary as an example of faith in God and a humble servant who is willing to do what God asks. Mary’s hymn, the Magnificat, is an initial characterization of God whose purpose shapes the rest of Luke’s story. Mary knows and trusts in God and what he is doing through the Son’s incarnation. Clinging to God and his promises renews hope. Do you need your hope in God renewed? Cling to his promises.

Hope this Christmas (15)

The mood of Christmas is reflected in the “playlists” that include everything from “Joy to the World” to “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas,” and from “Silent Night” to “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band-Aid.

But why do we celebrate Christmas? Why did the Son of God come to the earth? What was driving him? Even before Jesus’s birth, many expectations of the Messiah circulated. Probably the most prominent was for a military-type figure, a strong man like David or Judah Maccabee, who would free the Jews from their Roman oppressors.

The Jews wanted a victorious military leader and God’s judgment on their enemies. Today, people are on a quest for power, wealth, comfort, gratification, the self, etc.

Mark 10:45 tells us what was driving Jesus, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The same point is made elsewhere in Scripture: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21), “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,” (Luke 19:10), “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17), That was his goal and it could only be accomplished through death. The Son of Man’s miracles, teaching, and life must be seen in the light of this singular purpose, “to give his life as a ransom for many.” God sent His Son to die for our sins.

Jesus did not come to start a holiday; he came to serve you and me. He became a man to die on a cross. He gave up his life (10:45, 32). He drank the cup (10:38). He paid the ransom (10:45). Thank God for the exalted Son of Man who, for our sakes, humbled himself to become our Suffering Servant. The service of the Son leads to hope for us.

Hope this Christmas (14)

Christmas comes each year to draw people in from the chill of heartbreak, disappointment, and loneliness. God draws people in with his promises. When God promises, he will do it, but only in his time and in his way.

God delights to do the impossible, like the virginal conception, because “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). God became man in order to be God with us (Matthew 1:23).

When Mary heard the announcement that she would have a child, she had questions. She knows she cannot yet conceive a child since she is a virgin. She asks, "How will this be?" The answer comes from God and his overshadowing power. "Nothing is impossible with God." Mary simply responds in humble acceptance, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

Consider the author of Hebrews 10:5-9:

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me;

6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings

you were not pleased.

7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—

I have come to do your will, my God.’”

8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

It was possible! God the Son was born as a baby, grew as a human being, and walked this earth as a man. God provided the way for our sins to be forgiven: “a body you prepared for me.” God did the impossible! This is hope from Christmas.

Hope this Christmas (13)

Hope comes from God who keeps His word. This is the theme that surrounds the incarnation in Luke 1-2. Jesus’ birth is shown to be part of a divine plan that involves both John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus’ birth is shown to be superior to John. John is a prophet, while Jesus is Son of God. “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).

Luke presents the virginal conception as part of “an orderly account” of actual history from eyewitnesses (Luke 1:1-4). It is important to note that while Christ’s birth was like other births, the reader can easily observe the significance of the virginal conception in the early chapters of Luke. In the first account (Luke 1:57-66, see also the prediction-1:5-25 and after birth response 1:67-80), Elizabeth’s is helped by the Holy Spirit because she was beyond childbearing years. In the second account (2:1-21, see also the prediction-1:26-56 and after birth response-2:22-40), Mary’s conception and birth of Jesus is significantly different from that of Elizabeth. In the account of Mary, Luke is describing the unique virginal conception and birth. It is not presented as a myth or having been borrowed from pagan birth stories.

Today some see in the virgin birth pagan mythologizing. What is the big deal for Christianity? There are significant differences in pagan mythology stories when compared to the Gospel writer’s accounts. A careful reading of the NT demonstrate that Christ’s birth was truly unique. Similarity does not mean sameness. Pagan mythologizing is profoundly different from what Gospel writers are asserting.

It should be noted that some so-called pagan virgin birth stories are not virgin birth stories. For example, Dionysus was born when a god (Zeus) disguised himself as a human and impregnated a human princess. This is not at all parallel to the role of the Holy Spirit in the Gospels. Mithra was born of a stone, not a virgin. The cult of Mithra in the Roman Empire dates to after the time of Christ. Mithraism is dependent on Christianity and not the other way around. The so-called pagan virgin birth stories are not even stories of virginal conceptions. They are not parallel to that of the New Testament

When evaluating these “parallel” texts, keep in mind that the New Testament was in circulation by the late first century. If the so called “parallel” accounts were written later than the first century AD, the New Testament writers could not have borrowed from them. It is also clearly necessary to read the actual ancient texts that describe pagan practices. These primary texts are the primary source on which to evaluate possible parallelisms. For the most part, they do not show parallels. In addition, there are patterns of Christian worship or Christian celebrations that developed later than the New Testament which have nothing to do with whether the New Testament accounts of the life of Jesus are historically accurate.

So, what is the big deal? The New Testament presents the virginal conception as true history and  Jesus’ birth is part of God’s divine plan. Since God kept his Word, we have hope.