⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Corinthians 4

“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus….”

What a strange phrase. I suspect most Christians would say, I carry around the resurrection of Jesus. I carry around the courage of Jesus. I carry around the love of Jesus. Yet this text says, we carry around the death. Why?

Paul knew something that is really important for us to understand. Resurrection happens after funerals. Courage is required in the face of overwhelming circumstances. Hope is a product of really difficult times.

This is exactly how Holy Week plays out in the life of Jesus. He was abandoned. He was tortured. He was crucified. But three days later He was resurrected in great power and glory. He was raised to life.

The cross is never the end of the story, but the cross is a necessary part of the story if power, resurrection, and hope are going to show up.

This truth transforms the way you react to hardship. Paul is oddly positive in the middle of his trials. We are struck down, but not destroyed. We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed. This is the effect of great hope. It is the belief that God is going to show up and God is going to bring resurrection power. We carry around the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus might be revealed in our mortal body.

This truth transforms the way you view hardship. It becomes the canvas on which your Savior is going to write His resurrection story. It becomes the dark sky on which the stars of the universe are going to shine brightly. It becomes the jar of clay that is going reveal an incredible treasure.

The world is facing unprecidented times right now. The church needs to show them unprecedented hope. Unprecedented joy. Unprecedented peace.

How do we get there?

Remember the cross. Carry the cross around with you daily. Let it remind you that the cross was the canvas to victory, resurrection, and hope.

This virus can be called alot of things, but one thing I know for sure, it is a canvas. It is a canvas upon which God is going paint an incredible picture. I am waiting in hopeful expectation to see how God’s power, grace, and resurrection shows up. It always does!

The early church may not have faced a worldwide flu pandemic. They did, however, face a massive famine and persecution. The Apostle Paul wrote heavily into these environments. His message to the church was not:

Dear Church,

Do not be afraid because Rome is only killing ___% of us. Your chances of dying from persecution or the famine are really very low in the big scheme of things.

Love,

Paul

His message was much more theological than that. It was centered on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Let me show you these words from Romans 8:

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[j]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul believed that, especially in times of crisis, a heart focused on the love of God would settle our anxieties. Perfect love casts out fear. It is true. There is something uniquely powerful about basking in God’s love for us, demonstrated through the work of Jesus, that begins to quiet us in the middle of the storm.

Many of us are going to end up with a bit more time on our hands during this crisis. Can I suggest an idea? Don’t spend all that time reading the news, spend some time reading passages about God’s love. Passages like:

Romans 8

Ephesians 2:4-5

I John 3: 1-3

John 3:16

Galatians 2:20

Paul also believed that a heart focused on the resurrection would calm our nerves. The resurrection of Jesus is historical fact, but it is more than that. It is a historical fact that is transferred to us through faith. In other words, because Jesus rose from the dead, I will raise from the dead. Because He conquered, I conquer. Because He lives forever, I will live forever. Understanding that the resurrection is for me is huge in diminishing fear.

Notice Paul’s strategy. It is not to make small their fear, it is to make big their God. To make big their God’s love for them. To make big their savior’s resurrection. In making God big, their fear did decrease, they were filled with courage, and they walked faithfully.

Based on all that, this is my heart on the matter:

Dear Church,

One thing is certain, we live in uncertain times. The past week has proven that again and again. Uncertainty can lead us toward fear, anxiety, and panic. I am writing to remind you of some things you can stand on and some truths that are certain. Among them are:

God’s love for you.

God’s power and strength promised to you via the Holy Spirit.

The resurrection promise transferred to every person of faith.

God’s unending presence with you as you face difficult times.

Keep God big, especially in this season, and be amazed at what He does to calm your fear. Be wise, but don’t be afraid!

In Christ,

Steve

People are afraid. Coronavirus, terrorism, and elections top the current list. This doesn’t consider the personal fears people might have about their jobs, families, and lives. Our culture is so afraid.

There are reasons to not be so afraid, they are found in these verses that I love, like…

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

A Relational Reason To Not Be Afraid: Earlier in Isaiah 6 we see the greatness, majesty, and power of God.  You should read chapter 6. This huge God in chapter 6 is taking your hand in chapter 41 and says, I am with you and I will help you. This is extraordinarily helpful in diminishing your fears.

You wouldn’t be as afraid of how you were going to pay a hospital bill if your best friend owned the hospital.

You wouldn’t be as afraid of the bully if your best friend was bigger and stronger.

You wouldn’t be as afraid about the layoff if your best friend owned a company and promised to help you.

I don’t know what you are facing, but in Christ, I know you are not alone. God has a desire to hold your hand and help you face everything He has called you to face. This help might look like deliverance from the hardship. Encouragement you desperately needed on the path. Internal power to face what you are facing.

You are not alone! You have a helper and He is the God of the universe. Let that settle in and dissipate your fear.

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11

A Resurrection Reason To Not Be Afraid: My prayer is that your belief in the resurrection would transform your fears. After all, resurrection is a belief that conquers death and embraces life. Jesus demonstrated this power over death, in John 11, with Lazarus. Later He will walk out of His own tomb. A savior who resurrects offers you the confidence to not be afraid.

When we play out our fears, most of the time, the worst-case scenario is death. Listen, no one wants to die.  Jesus didn’t want to die; He prayed the cross would pass from Him. But the promise of resurrection and eternal life,  should quiet your fears and motivate you to stay faithful to God’s plan and purpose for your life. Death does not have the final victory, Jesus does, life does.

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Corinthians 4

A Redemptive Reason To Not Be Afraid: Paul had a perspective that Jesus could be revealed through his suffering. When some of his concerns in life became reality it gave him a sense of purpose in the pain. So, when he was hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down, his thought became, how can this be leveraged to give honor to Jesus.  Serve people. Advance the mission. A strong purpose in suffering will quiet your fear quickly.  It will occupy your heart and mind on something more productive than being afraid. Throughout my life I have seen countless numbers of people embrace this vision and idea. It is so inspiring to see, and it is so different.

Please don’t be afraid. Live life. Live it well. Live it in confidence and faith.

The days of Noah (Genesis 6) were described as corrupt. This certainly describes an individual corruption by also seems to describe an institutional and systemic corruption. The systems designed to care for the community had been corrupted. Often, the bigger the system gets that is designed to care about people the more prone that institution is to corruption. We have all read the stories of corporate and governmental waste and corruption.

The truth is that God has designed some systems for the care of His people. These systems tend to be smaller and leaner in nature….

Family

Friendship

Local Church

Ironically, these systems appear to be in decline in our culture. The breakdown of the family is real and in crisis. Fewer people have real and authentic friendship. Church attendance is in a state of national decline. The very systems that God gave us to care for one another are in trouble.

Don’t misunderstand, it isn’t that these smaller systems are not corruptible or flawed. Their smallness or leanness doesn’t make them incorruptible; their smallness makes them easier to fix and easier to protect.

So, as followers of Jesus, let’s do 3 things well.

Protect our families.  This is a protection that goes beyond having a great security system for our home. It’s a protection that seeks to lead our family spiritually: praying together, reading God’s word, and having spiritual conversations. It stands on the wall and watches for enemies, deceptions, and lies.

Invest in friendships. This investment goes beyond social media. It develops friendships that enjoy face to face conversation, encouragement, and grace. This conversation is often the greatest form of help we can offer one another.

Enjoy the local church. The local church carries the hope of the world. Jesus. Let’s make attending and serving our church a priority. It will give us an opportunity to help others and will give others an opportunity to help us.

Perhaps the greatest hope for our world is not found in the big but in the small.

It feels like our culture is just itching for a good fight.

Politics…Let’s Fight

Social Issues…Let’s Fight

Religious Disagreement…Let’s Fight

The church in Corinth, as outlined in the New Testament letter of I Corinthians, was the same way. They were fighting about everything from whose teacher was the best to sexual sin. In the first 12 chapters of the letter, the author is addressing one fight after another. Then comes chapter 13:

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Paul’s message was pretty clear. If you are going to fight for something, advocate for something, put so much effort into something…let it be love.  Love does require effort. It is an effort that is driven by the grace of Jesus and powered by the Holy Spirit but it does require effort none the less.

It requires almost no effort to lose your cool and blast someone on social media. It requires a ton of thought to figure out how to show patience to someone you disagree with politically.

It requires almost no effort to bring up someone’s past and beat them with it like a sledgehammer.  Keeping no record of wrongs requires a discipline of thought and action.  A discipline that says, “I’m going to focus on what is praiseworthy and positive in them.”

It requires almost no effort to be sarcastic and mean. Love is kind. It requires a thoughtful and measured response to use our words to build others up and encourage them.

Love requires some fight, but it is a fight worth engaging. Our culture could use an opportunity to see love at work in the local church. A love that says….

We may disagree politically, but you are not my enemy.

We may disagree on social issues, but I am going to treat you with unending kindness.

We may disagree on some life decisions, but I am committed to loving you the way Jesus has loved me.

I am itching for a good fight. How about you?

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness….” Genesis 2:26

We are the image bearers. God has placed inside of every person a soul filled with creativity, worship, and talent. It is the truth. It is the truth for all of us. Every…Single…Person.

This truth gives meaning to every life.

This truth gives value to every life.

This truth gives purpose to every life.

The problem is that we don’t bear the image of God perfectly. We sin. We mess up. We say and do things that we regret. This isn’t just true for them. This is true for us. All of us. Every…Single…Person

We can imagine what life would be like if we bore the image of God perfectly. Perfect love. Perfect righteousness, holiness, and decision making. However, it does require some imagination. These imperfections can make relationships difficult. They create tension. Conflict. Hardship.

Because of this reality, followers of Jesus can lead the way in some important qualities. Among them…

Self Reflection: It is easier to focus on their imperfect image bearing tendencies than it is to focus on ours. The problem is that we can’t change them. With God’s help we can change our own behavior and tendencies. This is going to require us to engage in more self reflection and less reflection of others. This is hard. It can be painful. But it is so worth it.

Patience: On multiple occasions we are told in the Bible that God is patient with us. He understands that we are in process, becoming more aware of our sin and our need for Jesus. My wish for our culture, and specifically Christianity, is that we would be more patient with each other. We would understand that this is a journey we are on, a process, a long and winding road. Where we are now is not where we will be in 5 years. With God’s we will move forward into a better image bearing future. In other words, we will look more like Jesus.

Grace: While conflict and disagreement can pull us apart, grace keeps us together. It is so important that Christians model what it looks like live out grace. In political disagreements. In social disagreements. In relationship disagreements. Even when we are sinned against. We are loving one another, showing grace, and demonstrating kindness. Perhaps the best way we demonstrate the image of God is through grace.

Why do we have such a vested interest in believing our victories were achieved alone? I know that we live in a culture that is enamored with the pull yourself up by your bootstraps story. We want, even need, to believe that we raised our kids, built our company, conquered our giants, and achieved our goals, primarily by ourselves. We dug deep and harnessed our will power, ingenuity, strength, and made it happen.

There is only one problem with this mindset….

Practically, most of the time it isn’t true. Most of us have had more help and assistance then we remember. The generous check that came when we needed it the most. The note of encouragement when we were ready to give up. The promotion when we thought about changing careers. The act of kindness when we were the most discouraged. This help forever changed our lives.

These small acts of kindness are easy to forget. But, why? When reminded of them, most of us would affirm that they made a huge difference in our lives. However, when we retell our story, we often omit them. We become the lone hero. Why?

The answer isn’t pretty, in short, it is pride. A pride that rewrites our past and communicates to us, “you were all alone” or “you did it by yourself” or “you are a rockstar”! It makes us feel good, strong, and powerful. It is intoxicating!

Pride can be dangerous for many reasons, but in this case, let me highlight one. This kind of pride deprives me of the joy that comes from celebrating you. Saying thank you! Honoring you! Remembering the contribution you made that made things better and easier.

This year I want to be better at remembering. I’m not going to buy the lie that I did it alone. I didn’t. I couldn’t. I’m going to pay closer attention to the contributions of others. The little things and the big. I am going to remember.

Then I’m going to celebrate. Not me, but you.

This year will mark 25 years of regular preaching for me. When I say regular preaching, I mean at least once a month. I can’t believe, ahem, at my young age that I have been preaching for 25 years. The truth is, I have been blessed with several mentors and pastors who gifted me with regular opportunities to preach, starting at age 19. I am so indebted to their generosity in sharing their stages/pulpits and offering me constructive feedback.

There is an art and creativity to preaching. Seeing a truth in God’s Word and working to creatively communicate that truth. But, there is also a  grind to preaching. Developing a sense of habit, routine, and discipline to the physical writing of a sermon. It has taken me multiple years and a few moments of crisis to develop some helpful patterns in these two streams of preaching.

25 years later I have found a few questions, in regard to preaching, to be most helpful:

Is This True?

This is the most important question a preacher can ask. The truth will set people free, but the preacher must stand on the stage each week and communicate that truth. So, the hard work of study and preparation cannot be underestimated.

Is This Clear?

The truth doesn’t help people much if they can’t understand or follow what you are saying. It bothers me for days when I feel like I have been unclear in a sermon. Thankfully another Sunday is coming with another opportunity to present truth with clarity.

Does This Sermon Lead People To A Decision?

People will not remember many details of what you say in a sermon.  Don’t allow this to be discouraging, because, most likely, you don’t remember many details of what you shared on a Sunday morning.  They will remember a personal decision they made as the result of the sermon. So, make sure every sermon helps your listeners to make a decision.

Is This Creative?

This is the last question for a reason. It is the least important. That is not to say it isn’t important at all. Creativity can help drive a point home and make it more memorable. Using video clips, object lessons, songs, and stories can create powerful moments in a sermon…when it makes sense. Don’t force it and don’t feel like you must have something every week. In my opinion, less is most often more.

I love preaching. It is part of my contribution to the church, but it is also a bit of a hobby. I love listening to clear, creative, and powerful preachers.  I have so much to learn and so many areas to grow in but I’m hoping God gives me 25 more to figure it out.

It can be so frustrating to wait on God. Especially when you feel like you understand His plan for your life, waiting on Him to open doors and execute His plan is, well, frustrating.

I was studying Genesis 1 this week and I was reminded that God has a plan and He executes His plan in a logical and precise way. He creates light before he creates land. He creates land before he creates animals. He creates the sea before he creates fish. He creates the garden before he creates human beings. He is working His plan in an orderly and methodical way.

On a macro level, reading Genesis 1, this is easy to understand. Of course He creates water before fish and land before animals. On a micro level, a personal level, this is so easy to forget. Personally, I feel like I forget this multiple times a year.

Some of you are waiting on God to do something right now. You are getting restless and impatient. When is the job going to come? When is the spouse going to come? When is the new life going to come? Remember, He has to create the ocean before He can create fish. He is a logical and thoughtful God.

What if God is creating the garden right now that you are ultimately going to flourish in? What if God is creating the sea right now that you are going to swim in? What if God is creating the land right now that you are going to run in?

He has plans for you. He has life for you. He has an agenda for your life. Give Him time and watch what He does. Be patient. Be faithful. Walk in the knowledge that He has a plan.

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehemthe town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2