Charlie Challenge 6.4.23

  Charlie’s Challenges: Extras from the sermon and links for additional information

The way of Christ is an invitation to holistic healthy life.

Memory verse:   For momentary, light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. 2 Cor 4:17

“If you are planning on dying then you will be disappointed.” and “I am an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe!”

Compare these two statements with John 8:51 What do you find.

Christian spiritual formation can be defined as becoming and acting like Jesus.  How is your spirit being formed now?  What are the positive and negative influences for you?.  

Why is it that for spiritual formation to take effect we must set our focus on things above?

What kind of things are most likely to make you lose heart?

2 Cor 4:16-17 This passage is a good description of what it's like to live life in the Spirit.

What are some tools we can use to help renew our inner man every day? Acts 2:42

Why do you think hardships are so good at producing positive effects in our lives?

What are the three contrasts Paul uses and which is most meaningful for you?

Have you ever used a scope?  When using a scope what is the most important thing to do?

What do you believe is the best way to focus our scope on eternal things?

Suggestion on how to celebrate Pride Month, it is in the last paragraph.

 It seems that our society has lost its mind regarding all issues sexual.  While the statements of scripture are pretty simple and straightforward. What we hear in popular culture is confused and chaotic.  This week begins gay pride month in the U.S. In the year of Target, Bud Light boycotts and the accusation that even Chick-fil-A is progressing toward progressivism one has to wonder what happened to get us to this point?  Theologian, historian, and Catholic priest Fr. Chad Ripperger offers a perspective that is hard to argue against.  Ripperger associates the rise of sexual misbehavior in our society with the growing influence of demonic forces.  I believe he is correct.  Historically the decline of a nation’s sexual morality follows a predictable pattern.  We can see it in our own history with great clarity.  

First there is a rise of impurity.  The sex act is removed from the exclusive context of marriage.  Biblically the union of a man and woman in marriage is for the two to become one flesh, to reproduce, and to provide a picture of the Trinity.  In this first stage there is redefining the sex act to be primarily recreational.  It is just for fun, so do whatever you feel like doing.  We saw that in the “Free Love” movement in the 1960’s.  It is worth asking when was the last time the church gathered to pray about or speak about being set free from the spirit of sensuality?

As we see in Roman 1 God gives sensual people over to ever degrading forms of sexual misbehavior.  Which corresponds with the second stage or phase: the rise of effeminate homosexual men.  As late as near the end of the 20th century a person could be arrested for being a transvestite.  This was part of the police action in the Stonewall area of New York. The Stonewall Riots, which occurred at the the intersection of underground homosexual activity, human trafficking and the Genovese crime family, is considered by many to be the beginning of the Gay Pride movement.  Till this point it was expected that homosexuals would keep their sin a secret.

The next phase is the rise of homosexuality in masculine men.  This is specifically marked by homosexuals coming out of the closet.  The homosexual community was very careful to make sure that homosexuals were, at least at the early stage, presented as being clean cut up standing members of the community.  Leathermen, BDSM, drag queens, NAMBLA and the more extreme expression of perversion were effectively kept out of the spotlight.  Homosexual men were invited to come out the closet especially those whose societal roles were seen as masculine or heroic.

The rise of female homosexuality typically follows.  The presentation of female homosexuals are at first more attractive.  As one Christian man once said to me while commenting on a publicity piece about a lesbian couple, “Frankly I find both of them very attractive.”  The ‘bull dykes’ again are closeted until the behavior is generally accepted.  The beautiful face, form and figure has the capacity to open opportunities not available to less appealing persons.

Historically the next stage is child sacrifice. In U.S. history we moved out of order a little.  Rather than have child sacrifice as the final stage we experienced in the sexual revolution with Roe v. Wade.  We have now entered into a new phase and that is the ritualization of abortion.  The Satanic Temple is opening an abortion clinic in New Mexico.  The Satanic Temple Abortion clinic will be available for women “who wish to perform The Satanic Temple’s religious abortion ritual.” We have at least in one place entered into ritualized child sacrifice.

So how did we get from a couple having sex out of wedlock to sexual chaos?  Simply put, as we build a vice we develop a compatibility with that vice.  When we accept as normal something that God said is wrong, we have sided with the powers of the demonic.  The powers of the demonic are never satisfied with a little, they will work for and want more and more and more.  

So what do we do?  Rather than go into great detail let me offer a few bullet points.

• We must not compromise on the Biblical expression of sexuality and sexual behavior no matter the cost.

• We must pursue holiness and purity in our own lives.

• We must pray for deliverance from the temptations of the flesh and for repentance in our churches.

• We must be willing to pay the price.  If persecution comes to the church in America I believe it will begin at the intersection of sexual politics and the practice of our faith. 

• Pass on to the next generation at every opportunity what the Bible says about human sexuality.

 

Let us celebrate ‘Gay Pride’ month in sincere and heartfelt repentance and prayer asking God to begin a mighty work in our land.   

Charlie's Challenge 5.28.23

  Charlie’s Challenges: Extras from the sermon and links for additional information

Why are we here?  How can we Reign?

Memory verse:   Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

Spirit has been defined as “Un-bodily personal power”.  How can that apply to life and faith?

Since Christians have been set free from the control or the power of the flesh, why is temptation still a very real struggle?

What does it mean for us to set our minds on “Things above”?

Some Chrsitians are accused of, “Being so heavenly minded they are no earthly good”.  What do you think that means?  How does heavenly mindedness work itself on earth?

In Romans 8:9 the word ‘You’ is plural (Y’all).  What role does being a part of a fellowship have in your life as a disciple?  Who is the person that could confront you if you were to begin to drift away?  Why might you or might you not listen to them?

Share the part of  Psalm 23 that most speaks to you regarding living with God as your King/Shepherd?

Links and additional information you might find interesting:

This is an older video and a little long but it is worth the time to watch.  https://youtu.be/7nDJ_wJPGDc. This is what happens when the church stops living as a community of faith and holiness.

Charlie's Challenge 5.21.23

  Charlie’s Challenges: Extras from the sermon and links for additional information

Why are we here?  To Reign in Life

Memory verse:   For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

A diagnosis and a cure are not the same thing.  How does the Law serve to diagnose our problem with sin?  Why could it never be the cure?

We sometimes are pretty negative about the Law. Why do you think that is the case?

Since grace is the cure, why do you think people are often reluctant or resistant to the Gospel of Grace?

In Psalm 32:8 we see the words instruct and teach.  Instruction and teaching help us understand and discern God’s voice.  The word instruct means to be attentive to the details.  The word teach is a word associated with archery, it means pinpoint accuracy.  Understanding that, how hard is it to hear the voice of God if we have a sloppy or poor understanding of Scripture?

Our faith must not be our hobby if we are going to hear the voice of God.  On a scale of 1 to 10 honestly rate the following as the priorities of your life.  ____ Hobby 1  ____ Hobby 2 ___Family 

____ Job  ____ Personal peace and affluence ____ Christ 

Links and additional information you might find interesting:

Here is an old song that may reflect our lives better than we like: https://youtu.be/yPluWHxfgiY

We want the Bible to be like us.

 We want the Bible to be like us.

There are some things about the TV show The Chosen that I really like. Artistically, it is fabulous. The acting is really good. The dialogue and drama is actually pretty interesting and when you’ve seen a lot of Christian productions that are so bad that they are embarrassing. It's nice to see one that is of the highest quality. 

 At the same time that there's much about it that I admire, I noticed that it tends to project our culture and our ideas back on to the Biblical narrative.  You may recall that in the buildup to The Sermon on the Mount Jesus is preparing His thoughts with the help of Matthew as a scribe while the rest of the disciples are preparing for a big production. They have to find a location where there can be good visibility and a stage has to be built. Mary Magdalene and the other female characters are handwriting brochures or bulletins that will be passed out in the communities. Jesus' core disciples take these bulletins and go through the area passing them out and advertising the great speaking event that's about to happen.

 But what actually do we see in the Bible? If we look at Matthew 5:1-2 we read, “And when He saw the multitudes He went up on the mountain side and after He sat down His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and He began to teach them saying.”  The Sermon on the Mount wasn't preached to a huge crowd that came as a result of an advertising program nor was it directed toward the population at large. Rather, The Sermon on the Mount was a teaching between Jesus and his disciples. At the end of the account in Matthew we see that there were “multitudes” who heard the sermon.  But there is no indication that they were invited to come listen.  

So, where did the director or producers of “The Chosen” find the model of a big event that is advertised in the community to draw in as many people as possible? It didn't come from the Bible so it had to come from somewhere. What's depicted in “The Chosen” is an awful lot like what we see in modern-day Church marketing/advertising/marketing. If you're going to launch a church, you have a big event with a big stage and a big display and a lot of advertising beforehand. What was depicted in “The Chosen” reflects our culture and expectations projected and superimposed on the Biblical narrative.  

But rather than beat up on “The Chosen” let’s stop and look at our lives.  In how many ways do we press our expectations onto Scripture?  Where do we think that the way we do it is a Biblical pattern, when, in fact, it is not?  In some cases, these expectations are harmless in and of themselves.  But they set a precedent of carelessness that can produce problems later on.  I was once called to task for performing “secret baptisms”.  A man decided to become a Christian and he didn’t want to wait till Sunday to be baptized.  He wanted his sins washed away that night.  On short notice a few folks met us at the church building and he was buried with Christ then and there.  But in the mind of my accuser the time for baptisms is Sunday morning after the last song.  

I once heard an off hand comment to the effect, “If we had a building we would be a real church.”  The oldest known church building, the Dura-Europos church building, was an ordinary home converted to a place of worship about 200 years after the church began on the day of Pentecost.  Were all the churches during the first 200 years not “real churches''?

My point is not to beat up on misinformed people.  It is, however, to call us all to constantly examine our life, faith and practice and see if the things we assume to be absolute are not merely conveniences or customs with which we are too comfortable.  To be effective in this self evaluation we must constantly be examining, reading, and reflecting on scripture.  We can never be the people of the Book if we are never in the book

 

Coming back from going dark

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I was going dark. Well, I am coming back to the light.  As you may know Lorie and I closed on the home we have for the last two years been working on, Brookwood Manor .  Today, I want to share a few reflections on this experience.  I am very glad we did this, but I wouldn’t want to do it again, at least not any time soon.

Reflections:

Renovating a home you are living in is very difficult.  Aside from the chaos of living in a construction zone there is the added challenge of not being able to leave the work site.  Construction 9 to 5 is hard enough, but when you live in it there is a strong temptation to work just a little longer.  Before you know it is 10:00 pm and you still have to clean up, eat supper and get to bed.

Estimates on a project might be better called vague wild guesses.  Only one project came close to my guess.  In some cases, I over estimated the cost, generally I underestimated.  Bidding a project is a skill that needs to be respected.  

There are no simple projects.  It seemed that to do a project you had to do three or four other things to get set up to do the job.  Everything was in everything else’s way.  A clear open work space is essential and also next to impossible.  

It is easy to get spread too thin.  I have a hard time remembering that I am as old as I am.  In my mind, I think I can work like 30 year old Charlie.  He is gone and isn’t coming back.  I would just push on till I wasn’t able to go any further.  The cumulative effect of 2 years of working up to the edge isn’t good.

Most importantly, God knows what He is talking about.  My formula was to do the work part time as a minister 4 days a week.  I would then work part time renovating the house 3 days a week.  In my ego I had it worked out this way: ministry was a rest from construction, construction was a rest from ministry.  That is what my pride and ego argued.  My body, soul, mind and spirit came to a different conclusion.  Even before the project ended I noticed that I was less creative, had fewer reserves, was much more negative and likely to be more critical.  My beloved noticed I was less loveable and fun to be around.  

The Eternal and Almighty God found reason to enjoy His creation on the seventh day.  He felt like it was so important that He commanded that we do the same.  My formula for rest was clearly a facade that covered my agenda and a growing problem.

I didn’t realize how bad it was till we moved out and did the closing.  God gave us a great thing when He gave us adrenaline.  But abuse any drug long enough and it will catch up with you.  In the days after the closing I realized something was wrong.  I’m better now, but the nature of the problems was significant.  I got to the point where I was thinking of going to the ER.  Chest pain on the left side, down the arm up the neck, stomach pain across the abdomen down both sides of the torso, fatigue that was so debilitating that I could hardly walk, and a back pain from the mid back to the skull.  I took a couple of days off and found out how depleted I was.  While not fully recovered I now have a plan to restore what was lost. I do not regret our project, and I might do it again.  But if I do I am sure I will do a lot of things differently.  As Grandpa Lymon says, “Wisdom is just being stupid less often.”

So, let me ask you, and please share with me, “What is your actual plan for rest, renewal and enjoying the good things of God?”

If you want to see the restoration of Brookwood Manor click here.  The Brookwood Manor Makeover

Charlie's Challenge 5.7.23

 Charlie’s Challenges: Extras from the sermon and links for additional information

Why are we here?  To Be An Ambassador.

Memory verse:   Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Cor 5:20

Aside from the recent Bud Light fiasco can you recall a market stunt that went terribly wrong?

When have you seen churches diminish or lessen the message of the Gospel by publicity or marketing stunts?  

What might be the difference between advertising and marketing?

Why do you think Jesus commanded the church to go to the world, but never commanded the world to go to church?

If you know someone who is not a Christian how could you be an Ambassador on God’s behalf to them?

Agree or disagree:  One reason that young adults are not interested in the church is because the church is not focused on ultimate spiritual matters.  Why do you feel that way?

Links and additional information you might find interesting;

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/april/online-worship-pandemic-digital-church-attendance-pew-minis.html

https://youtu.be/anCMkvAT3v4

See 10:45 and following

https://medium.com/playing-games-with-god