HE understands exactly how you feel…

maybe you're feeling lonely on this july 4th.  holidays can be very lonely days.  maybe you’re not.  if you’re not, praise GOD!  i hope you’ve read through the last few posts here on the front porch because you will need this some day.  i guarantee you.  everybody eventually experiences periods of loneliness.  you will need it some day.

but if you’re lonely right now, what does GOD have to say to you?  HE wants to say first, “I understand exactly how you feel.”  JESUS, the bible says, was tempted in all points as we yet HE sinned not.  HE understood every human emotion.  there were times when JESUS was lonely.  even in the closing moments of HIS life when HE went to the garden of gethsemane to pray, knowing that the next day HE would be crucified on the cross, HE takes HIS three best friends.  even JESUS had a need for human companionship.  HE takes HIS three best friends – peter, james, john – and says, “tarry with me a while, while I sweat this thing out!”  and they fell asleep on HIM.  JESUS comes back and says, “can't even you wait with ME an hour?”  and HE felt all alone.

the next day they took HIM to the cross and nailed HIS hands to the cross.  HE cried out, “MY GOD! MY GOD!  why have YOU forsaken ME?”  because HE was carrying the sins of the world and GOD couldn’t look at sin.  HE was alone.  you think JESUS doesn’t understand loneliness?  HE does.  HE says, “I care about you.  I want to relieve that loneliness.  I want to help you out.”

just a thought from the front porch…

HE understands…

hebrews 4. 15-16 (cev),  JESUS understands every weakness of ours, because HE was tempted in every way that we are. but HE did not sin!  so whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful GOD. there we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.

HE understands.  HE wants us to know that HE understands. 

notice in the verse it says JESUS was tempted in every way that we are. so he understands.  always. 

did JESUS ever face temptation having to do with anger?  of course.  this is the same temptation.  temptations surrounding self-pity.  absolutely.  same temptation.  temptation surrounding sexuality or fatigue or loneliness.  of course.  all the same temptations.  he understands. 

and JESUS had the freedom to choose.  and the difference is HE always chose to say no to the temptation and yes to GOD.  but HE chose.  so HE understands what we have to go through. 

you get a glimpse into the heart of JESUS and how HE understands by looking at the night before HE died.  HE was in the garden of gethsemane.  some of you remember that in facing the cross the next day HE knew the suffering that was going to happen.  HE prayed a prayer in which HE said, “I don’t want to face the cross.  but not my will but YOUr will be done.”  HE chose. 

and because HE chose to say no to temptation HE can give us that strength.  HE was GOD but HE was in a fully human body so HE understands all of our temptations and even better than that HE never sinned.  that’s where HE’s different from all of us.  HE never sinned.  so HE can help us to overcome temptations in all of our lives.  that’s why you come boldly.  that’s why you come with no hesitation.  because you know HE cares and you know HE has the strength to help.

now in looking at the same example what did the disciples not do?  they didn’t pray and they slept.  that was not the time to sleep, natural desire, it was the time to pray so that they would not give in to the traps that satan had for then and as you know they fell into them didn’t they?

just a thought from the front porch…

now, let’s talk to HIM…

you may be struggling in an area of temptation which has been bothering you for years.  what is your weakness?  what is your hot button?  where does satan bait you?  just say in your heart, “LORD, you know what it is.  i’ve got a tendency to ... exaggerate, be double-minded, not to stand up for what i know is right but be wishy-washy, always worry about what other people think, become sarcastic and say some hurtful things to my wife/husband.  i’m insensitive to the needs of my spouse.  i tend to be selfish.

there is something in my life that is out of control.  my time is out of control, LORD.  my spending is out of control.  my weight, my exercise.  i just keep falling in this same area and i feel bad about it.”  just confess it to HIM.  HE knows your frame.  HE loves you. HE’s not going to condemn you.  HE wants to forgive you, wipe the slate clean.  HE wants you to start over today.  that’s why HE brought you here to the front porch.  just say, “GOD, i want to be realistic about this.  it is a problem in my life.  i drink too much ... or whatever.”  admit it to HIM.  accept responsibility. don’t blame your parents, your spouse, your boss, anybody.  admit there is a weakness.  there would be no outside temptation if there were no inward drive that matches it. 

“LORD, help me to recognize those patterns of weakness and avoid them.  help me to refocus on you, to fill my mind with the good things, the true things, the right things, not to resist my feelings but to replace them with what YOU have to say.”

most of all, if you’ve never opened up your heart to the LORD, do it now.  say, “JESUS CHRIST, i want to be reborn.  i want a fresh start on life.  would you forgive all the sins i’ve ever committed and help me start over right now.”  HE will. that’s why HE died on the cross for you.  say, “JESUS CHRIST, come in and be the manager and controller of my life.”  HE will. “LORD, YOU promised to make a way out of these temptations.  give me the strength.”  some of you need to break off a bad relationship.  some of you are flirting in the wrong areas.  say, “LORD, help me to quit compromising.  help me to do what’s right.”  and HE will help you,  if you come to HIM with an open and sincere heart and say, “GOD, YOU know all about me.  i can’t fool you. help me get victory over this temptation.”

“LORD, i want to thank YOU for those who prayed this prayer, opening their hearts for the very first time, saying they want you in their lives.  in JESUS’ name i pray.  amen.

some have problems when it comes to prayer…

matthew 6.9-13 (niv), our FATHER in heaven, hallowed be YOUr name, YOUr kingdom come, YOUr will be done on earth as it is in heaven. give us today our daily bread. forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. for YOUrs is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. amen.

now, customarily in a church this is called the LORD’s prayer.  really it ought to be called the student’s prayer because HE intended it for HIS students  –  for you and me.

now I believe that most of us have problems when it comes to prayer.  we have a “who” problem.  we get confused about the nature of the person to whom we’re praying.  people think about GOD being angry with them or disappointed in them.  this “who” problem can keep us from mastering prayer.

then there’s a “where” problem.  where is GOD located?  often, people think of GOD as being very far away, they think about prayer as something that we have to do to try to get HIS attention because HE’s distant. and the “where” problem keeps us from prayer.

then there’s a “what” problem.  we’re not always sure what we ought to pray about when we do get around to praying.  we’re not sure what GOD might be interested in or what good it does to ask.

these are real basic problems–a who problem, a where problem, and a what problem. so at the start of this prayer, we’re going to look here on the front porch at what JESUS has to say about these three problems  –  who prayer addresses, where HE is, and what we pray about.

just a thought from the front porch…

the MASTER wants to teach you how to do it...

imagine that you love golf. you buy golf magazines, you get instructional golf videos, you subscribe to the golf channel. then one day when you get home, there’s a message on your answering machine from tiger woods offering to fly you down to orlando and give you some tips on how to improve your golf game. you think you’d take him up on it?  he’s preparing for the masters but he wants to also help you out.

this is an opportunity to receive top flight instruction from one of the world’s greatest masters in the area of your deepest passion.  that’s a can’t miss deal. that’s a no-brainer.

then imagine this would’ve happened to you in whatever your deepest passion happens to be. imagine warren buffet offered to give you some guidance for stock investing and start you out with a small stake.

or imagine imelda marcos volunteered to take you shoe shopping–whatever your deepest passion is, it’s a can’t miss deal.

here’s why i bring this up. the disciples had been watching JESUS quite closely, and they saw that here was someone with a connection to GOD like they had never, ever seen before.  even in this life, you and i often know of people who, when you pray with them, it just seems like this person is at home in the presence of GOD.

well, JESUS’ disciples saw this quality in HIM. i think if you were to ask the disciples, “what’s JESUS secret? what enables HIM to live such an extraordinary life?”  i think if they had to answer in one word, that word would be prayer.  no one has ever prayed like JESUS. it marked HIS life. we’re told in the bible from the beginning to the end about how prayer marked HIS life.

well, in luke 11 it says JESUS was praying in a certain place. HIS disciples were watching HIM, and one of them had an idea. what if JESUS could show them how to pray like HE prayed?  what if they might start praying like the master of prayer?

so one of the disciples – the text doesn’t say which one – got his courage up and said, “JESUS, teach us to pray.”  JESUS said, “okay.”

now, of course, they didn’t know that’s just what HE was waiting for.  HE’d been kind of setting that deal up the whole time. HIS greatest desire was to teach them to pray.

HE didn’t want their prayer life to just flounder around.  HE was just waiting to sign HIS disciples up to enroll in the school of prayer, and HE’ll do the same for you and me. but i want to say right now at the outset of our looking at this subject you must make this request of JESUS –you personally, yourself.

just a thought from the front porch…

does He need it?...

we need to realize that everything we give on this side of eternity is being accredited to our account on the other side of eternity.  so our giving is to be regular and it is to be consistent.

1 corinthians 16.2 (niv) on every LORD’s day, put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for the offering.  the amount depends on how much the LORD has helped you to earn.

it’s proportional.  the bible says in deuteronomy 14.23 that the purpose of tithing is simply to teach us to put GOD first in our life.  GOD doesn’t need our money.  HE’s wealthy.  but HE wants us.  HE wants what our money represents.  HE wants our lives.

i believe the scripture teaches that GOD wants us to be financially free.  if your finances are in a mess right now, GOD has promised over and over that HE will care for us if we place our financial burden in HIS care and follow HIS principles.  these principles are all throughout scripture.

when you think about it unmanageable finances are really a symptom of a much deeper problem – an unmanageable life.  that is, trying to live without GOD’s guidance.  if we try to live without the principles of this book we’re going to get into trouble.  unmanageable finances simply means misplaced priorities.  we’re putting physical things before our SPIRITual relationship.

the starting point for financial freedom is to make JESUS CHRIST the manager of your life.  you start to live abundantly by letting HIM come into your life and making HIM the manager of not just your money but of your time, home, past and make HIM number one in your life.

just a thought from the front porch…

it is unCHRISTian…

james says there are some problems with favoritism.

one is that favoritism is unCHRISTian.  if you want to be like JESUS you can’t play favorites.  james 2.1 (niv), my brothers, as believers in our glorious LORD JESUS CHRIST, don’t show favoritism.  faith and favoritism are incompatible – we’re a family. 

 now this word, “favoritism” is used only four times in the bible and every time it’s referring to GOD and it says, “GOD does not play favorites”.  romans 2.11, GOD does not show favoritism. 

JESUS treated everybody with dignity.  GOD loves everybody.  if there is one place in the world where there shouldn’t be any kind of discrimination it ought to be in the church.  there is discrimination everywhere else in the world but there ought to be one place no matter who you are or what your background is that you’re welcome.

just a thought from the front porch…

first things first…

let me tell you what a schemer needs to hear, what you and i need to hear when we get our schemes going.  the message is, GOD comes and as clear as day says, “I can meet your needs.  I’m going to use your energy in doing it but I’m going to do it.  I can meet your needs.” 

and HE shows jacop in genesis 28.10-15 the picture of a ladder to express to him how HE can meet those needs of his life.  the angels are going up and down on this ladder.  going up taking prayers from earth to heaven.  but also coming down bringing blessings from heaven back down.  

in john 1.51 (msg), JESUS makes a very interesting comment about this dream – just a little aside – to one of HIS disciples.  he said, before this is over you’re going to see heaven open and GOD’s angels descending to the SON OF MAN and ascending again.   JESUS is the SON OF MAN.  so what is HE saying?  jacob’s ladder – that pipeline, that way between heaven and earth – that ladder is ME, JESUS CHRIST. 

JESUS CHRIST is the way i get my prayers up to GOD.  JESUS CHRIST is the way GOD has brought HIS blessings onto this earth.  the old testament is filled with pictures of JESUS CHRIST and GOD’s ladder that HE showed to jacob is one of those pictures. 

so he has this powerful experience with GOD, this assurance is flooded into his life.  but look at how he responds.  he responds like a schemer.  many times if you’ve got this thing of doing your own angles in life, the first time we hear GOD’s assurance, our response is a little off kilter. 

so jacob says to GOD, genesis 28.16 (msg), GOD is in this place—truly. and i didn't even know it!... this is GOD’s house. this is the gate of heaven.

notice:  he’s met GOD but what is he really impressed with?  the place.  it’s like, “i was lucky here!  if i had slept two miles down the road i would have missed it!  but i just happened to sleep in the right place.  i got the right rock.  there’s something about this!  [it’s the genie in the bottle thing.]  GOD was here.  how lucky i am.” 

he goes on and says this in verse 20a (msg), if GOD stands by me.  GOD had just said in verse 15. (msg).  I’ll stick with you until I’ve done everything i promised you, then a few verses later there’s jacob, the schemer, saying, verse 20 (msg), if GOD stands by me and protects me on this journey on which i’m setting out, keeps me in food and clothing, and brings me back in one piece to my father’s house, this GOD will be my GOD.

and what do you think GOD thought of that?  listen.  HE wasn’t impressed!  HE wants us to make HIM our GOD and recognize that HE’s with us.  JESUS said it this way, seek first GOD’s kingdom and GOD’s righteousness and then all these things [like food and clothing] will be added to you.  first things first.

just a thought from the front porch…

they were important to JESUS…

there was no one better at balance than JESUS CHRIST.  JESUS knew how to balance HIS life.  HE knew how to not let people press HIM into their mold. 

one time JESUS was having busy day.  you may think JESUS wasn’t very busy.  HE lived 2000 years ago.  how busy could you be back then?  HE had three years to change eternity.  HE had a pretty big job to do in a short time.  JESUS had thousands of people crowding around HIM every day to be healed, to talk to HIM or listen to HIM teach.  when HE wanted to get away from the crowds HE had to get into a boat and go out in the middle of the sea.  that’s how busy HE was.  HE’s busier than any of us could ever imagine. 

in the middle of one of those busy days some moms brought some children to see JESUS.  JESUS’ disciples were standing there.  they were feeling pretty important so they said, “JESUS doesn’t have time to see children.  HE’s got people to heal.  HE’s got sermons to preach.  this is not in our schedule for the day.”  JESUS overheard this and HE was angry.  HE said, don’t keep those children from coming to ME.  

it wasn’t important to the world, to HIS disciples, for HIM to see those children but it was important to JESUS.  HE didn’t let other people tell HIM what was important.  JESUS had the ability to understand that timing was more important than time.  and being at the right place at the right time to meet the need was really what was the most important thing in life.  JESUS often stopped and dealt with an immediate need.  but nothing could deter HIM from HIS ultimate goal.  HE had that balance about life.  HE’s the one to learn to have this balance of life from.

just a thought from the front porch…

that is where hope starts…

hope is determined by the way you think about GOD’s love, by the way you look at problems, the way you talk to GOD, by the way you read the bible, the way you think about eternity. 

the bible says in romans 4.23-24 (msg), it’s not just about abraham. [he was a great believer]  it’s also us.  the same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the ONE who brought JESUS to life when conditions were equally hopeless.  the ultimate moment of hope in this world is when JESUS CHRIST came into this world, lived life for you, gave HIS life for you and was resurrected again for you.  if you haven’t connected to that hope as yet, that’s where you start.  that’s where you start.  because GOD wants to develop a relationship with you where HE can give you hope. 

if you think that somehow you’ve got to impress GOD or you’ve got to live up to GOD’s standard in order for GOD to like you, or GOD to want to be a part of your life, that’s not what JESUS came to teach.  HE came to say, none of us are good enough to be in GOD’s presence.  none of us are perfect.  we’ve all blown it.  couldn’t we all admit that one?  no one’s perfect yet GOD wants to have a relationship with you.  so JESUS came and said, “I’ll give MY life for you.  I’ll begin a new life for you by being resurrected.  I want to give you the gift of a relationship with ME.” 

don't try to get a relationship with GOD based on the good things that you do.  you’ll never get there.  none of us can be good enough.  some of us are better than others but none of us are good enough because GOD’s perfect.  instead of that, let GOD give you a relationship with CHRIST and let HIM begin to build the good things in your life HE wants to do.  don’t get the cart before the horse. 

if you’ve not started a relationship with HIM you can do it right now.  you might think, “that’s all i have to do?  that doesn’t seem fair.”  it doesn’t seem fair because GOD’s already done it all.  HE already sent HIS SON to give HIS life for you and to say to you I love you and say to you, I want to open the door wide for a relationship with you.  start there.

just a thought from the front porch…

created and acceptable…

what does GOD say about me?  psalm 8.5 (tev), YOU, GOD, made man inferior only to YOUrself.  YOU crowned him with glory and honor.  i was created by GOD and GOD does not make junk. 

not only was i created by GOD but CHRIST has made me acceptable. ephesians 1.4 (tlb), through what CHRIST did for us HE decided to make us holy in HIS eyes.  without a single fault we stand before GOD covered with his love.

that is a great verse!  we are acceptable to GOD, not because of what we've done, because we could never be good enough to be acceptable to a perfect GOD. but through what JESUS CHRIST has done.  HE died on the cross, paid for all our sins, covered us with HIS love.  GOD looks down and says, “what JESUS did was acceptable.  you are acceptable.” all i have to do is accept what HE's done for me. one of the most amazing truths is that GOD knows every single thing about me and still loves me.  GOD knows every single thing about you, every thought you've had and HE still loves you.  that is amazing.

i was created by GOD.  CHRIST has made me acceptable and if GOD says i'm ok, i'm ok.  2 corinthians 10.18 (ph), it is not self‑commendation that matters, it is winning the approval of GOD!  he says it doesn't matter what i say about myself, it doesn't matter what other people say about me, what counts is what GOD says about me.  if GOD says i'm ok, then i'm ok. 

just a thought from the front porch…

if you seek you will find…

if JESUS is the only way to GOD what about those who live in isolated places?  good question.  GOD hasn’t told us explicitly the answer but HE has given us enough clues that we can figure it out.  here is something we do know.

everyone has enough information from observing creation to know that GOD exists, but people reject GOD anyway.  romans 1:20-21 (niv), for since the creation of the world GOD’s invisible qualities – HIS eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse…  for although they knew GOD, they neither glorified HIM as GOD nor gave thanks to HIM.  

we have enough information from nature, from creation, to know HIS truth, yet we reject HIM.  that’s why we become separated from HIM. 

but, we also know from the bible that every person who sincerely seeks GOD will find HIM. 

jeremiah 29.13 (niv), you will seek ME and you will find ME when you seek ME with all of your heart.  the bible says it is the HOLY SPIRIT who first seeks us, making it possible for us in the first place to seek GOD. 

what does all of this mean?  what it means is that people anywhere in the world who respond to the understanding that they have and who earnestly seek after the one true GOD are going to find an opportunity in some way to receive the eternal life that GOD has graciously provided to JESUS CHRIST in HIM alone.                 

i read of a guy who grew up in india and he was in a hindu area where there were no CHRISTians.  he was mentored by gurus his whole life.  he was from an upper caste in india.  as he got to be a teenager he began to realized, just as ghandi realized, there are so many contradictions within hinduism.  ghandi actually wanted to edit out part of the hindu scriptures because he didn’t like the way they contradict each other.  this is what this kid thought.  he got to be about seventeen and said, “how can i believe that hinduism is true when it tells me things that contradict each other?”  so he began to reach out.  “i want to know YOU.  if YOU are there, i want to know the one true GOD.”  and in an amazing set of circumstances GOD brought into his life some CHRISTians who shared with him the message of JESUS CHRIST.  he received CHRIST as his forgiver and leader and he is now a very strong CHRISTian to this day.  this happens over and over again.

just a thought from the front porch…

that doesn’t seem fair…

someone once said, “what is a CHRISTian?”  CHRISTians are just beggars telling other beggars where to find food.  we’re just people who found spiritual food from JESUS CHRIST undeserved.  and we can tell other people, “you can have that food, too.”  it ought to come out of a sense of humility and respect for others. 

so CHRISTianity is unique, it can’t be reconciled with any other religion, it backs up its truth claims with credibility and credentials like no other system does.  that’s why when JESUS said over 2000 years ago, i am the way, the truth and the life, all that brings us to a commonly asked question.  if JESUS is the only way, what about those who live on some isolated island in the middle of the pacific ocean somewhere who don’t hear about JESUS?  are they going to go to hell because they’ve never heard about JESUS CHRIST?  that doesn’t seem fair?  what about those who’ve never heard?”  that’s a very commonly asked question.  GOD hasn’t told us explicitly the answer but HE has given us enough clues that we can figure it out, i think.  we do know this:

first, GOD puts each person in the place where they might reach out to HIM. 

acts 17.26-27 (niv), from one man GOD made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth.  and HE determined the time set for them and the exact places where they should live.  GOD did this so that men would seek HIM and perhaps reach out for HIM and find HIM, though HE is not far from each one of us. 

if you’re on some island somewhere, that is the place, it says, where you will perhaps reach out for HIM.  and it says HE’s not far from each one of us.  HE’s not making it hard for us to find HIM.  HE’s not playing cosmic hide and seek.  HE’s not far.

second, everyone has a moral standard written on their hearts and that everyone is guilty of violating. 

we all have a moral standard.  we know that’s true.  how?  because hasn’t your conscious bothered you when you’ve done something wrong?  of course.  that’s because you have a moral standard written on your heart and you violated it. 

we will continue this tomorrow.

just a thought from the front porch…

keeping the doors open...

the truth of the matter is we all have a terminal illness called sin.  the reason that those of us who are CHRISTians cling to JESUS CHRIST is because HE is the great physician.  HE’s the only one who has the medication that can cure.  we can try to scrub away our sins by doing good deeds.  it’s not going to work.  we can ignore it and hope it all goes away.  but it won’t disappear.  we can sincerely think there is another way of dealing with it.  but we will be sincerely wrong.  the truth of the matter is, only the great physician offers the treatment that will erase the stain of our sin.  and we turn to GOD, JESUS CHRIST, as that one way it’s not being narrow-minded.  we’re acting in accordance with the evidence. 

CHRIStians aren’t putting on airs by saying this is the only way.  

the way i picture it is two country clubs.  one country club represents every other religious system that i’ve ever heard of.  and this country club says, “if you want to have a membership you have to pay for that membership if you want in.  you have to achieve a certain level of SPIRITuality.  you have to perform a certain number of religious rituals.  but the truth of the matter is many of you are not going to make it.  you’re going to fall short.  you’re not going to achieve the appropriate level and the door is going to be slammed in your face.”  that’s what every other religion i’ve ever seen essentially says. 

CHRISTianity is different.  CHRISTianity is like a country club with the doors wide open: “you want in, come on in.  you don’t have to buy your membership.  JESUS CHRIST has already bought and paid for it with his death on the cross.  coming into our country club is not based on your qualifications.  it’s just merely based on you accepting the invitation of JESUS.  the doors are open.  i don’t care if you’re rich or poor.  i don’t care if you’re black or white.  i don’t care what part of the country you’re from.  i don't care what you age is.  it’s up to you.  you decide if you want to come join our country club.  it is your decision.  but i'm going to keep the doors open.  i'm going to keep them open because i really hope that you will come in and experience what we’ve experienced in this way.”

that is what CHRISTianity is about.  you tell me which approach is snobbish.  i don’t think it’s CHRISTianity.  in fact, JESUS in the bible tells us very clearly as CHRISTians we’re to be anything but arrogant in what we believe.  we’re to be humble.  the bible says in 1 peter 3.15-16 (niv), always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.  what that means is all CHRISTians should be able to tell people about the credibility and the credentials of JESUS CHRIST and why it is that HE is their hope for eternal life. 

but then it says, do this with gentleness and with respect.  we are to respect people of all cultures, in all places.  we’re to love them and we’re to be humble.                         

just a thought from the front porch…

arrogant or right…

here is another myth: CHRISTians are arrogant when they say that JESUS is the only way to heaven.

i’d agree that CHRISTians were being arrogant if the truth of the matter were there were many ways to get to heaven and they were just saying, “ours is the best.”  but that’s not what they’re saying.  they’re saying, the truth of the matter is someone has got to pay the penalty for the obvious wrongdoing we committed.  who’s it going to be?  is it going to be us paying in eternity?  or is it going to be JESUS CHRIST, paying as our substitute? 

HE’s the only one qualified by HIS sinlessness and HIS divinity to be our substitute.  that’s reality.  the reality is it’s not arrogant to act upon the evidence.  CHRISTians aren’t being narrow-minded when they say there is only one way to the FATHER. 

analogy:  there was a family who had their first child, a little girl.  shortly after birth the baby developed jaundice.  you may be familiar with jaundice.  it’s a liver disorder that caused the whites of her eyes and her skin to turn very yellow.  the doctor told them that this is a potentially devastating disorder.  but fortunately there is an easy cure for it.  all you have to do to cure a baby of jaundice is put the baby under a special light.  the skin absorbs this light and it stimulates the liver to function properly.  that’s what the doctor told them to do.

now they could have responded by saying, “wait a minute!  that’s sounds too easy!  put her under a light?  how about instead if we just scrubbed her with soap and dipped her in bleach?  i'm sure if we really scrubbed her hard enough we could get her skin coloring back to its normal self.”  the doctor would have said, “you don’t understand.  there is only one way to cure jaundice.”  the parents could have replied, “i don’t like this one way thing.  how about if we just ignore it and pretend that everything’s ok?  and if we sincerely believe that we don't have to do anything then in the end everything’s going to work out?”  the doctor would have said, “you’re going to jeopardize the life of your child if you do that.  there’s only one way to cure jaundice.  you’re hesitant because it sounds too easy.  but look at the credentials on my wall, look at my medical degree.  i studied in medical school.  i’ve cured countless babies of jaundice.  trust me based on my credentials.” 

would anybody accuse those parents of being narrow minded if they trusted that doctor – a doctor with credibility and credentials – when he said there’s only one way, one course of treatment that would cure their little girl?  would it be narrow-minded for them to pursue that course of treatment?  it’s not arrogant to act upon the evidence. 

just a thought from the front porch…

character, miracles, and fulfillment…

JESUS backed up HIS claims for who HE was by HIS unprecedented character. so many times when you get to know someone, better and better, you see their shortcomings more and more obviously.

but the opposite was true of JESUS CHRIST. as HIS followers spent more time with HIM, got to know HIM more, they increasingly marveled at HIS purity and HIS holiness and HIS integrity. in fact, nobody was closer to HIM than peter and john and listen to what they said after spending three years with HIM in close proximity. john said, in HIM is no sin.

can you imagine somebody living with you and getting to know you really well for three years, what would they say about whether or not you ever did anything wrong? and then peter said, HE committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth. so HIS unique character validates HIS claim to being the one and only way to GOD.

HE also validated HIS claim by performing miracles. JESUS challenged them. HE said in john 10.37 (niv), don't you even believe ME unless I do miracles of GOD. in other words, anyone can claim to be the SON of GOD but unless I do miracles supernaturally to show you, don’t even believe me. and HE did perform miraculous things. and they weren’t done in some dark room in the quiet with just a couple of people there. HE did them in broad daylight. HE did them in front of skeptics and cynics. as a matter of fact you can look in books of ancient history of people who are opponents of JESUS CHRIST in ancient jewish writing, in the koran of islam, they all admit that JESUS did the miraculous. so HIS ability to do the miraculous further validates HIS claims of who HE was.

but the most spectacular demonstration of HIS deity: JESUS CHRIST fulfilled HIS own prediction and three days after HE was put to death HE was resurrected from the dead. and HE was encountered by more than 500 eyewitnesses. who else but the SON of GOD could spend three days in a tomb and then come forward and establish that HE had returned to life. there is monumental amounts of evidence that shows the resurrection of JESUS is not just wishful thinking, not just a legend of history but it’s an actual historical event.

not long after JESUS was put to death and resurrected just weeks later in that very same city, peter told a big crowd, “JESUS of nazareth was a MAN whose divine mission was clearly shown to you by the miracles and wonders and signs which GOD did through HIM.” he said, “you yourselves know this because it took place right here among you.” those people looked at him and said, “we know you’re telling the truth. we knew JESUS too. we saw it. we know that that’s true. and we have put to death the MESSIAH.” and 3000 of them that day turned away from their sins and put their trust in JESUS CHRIST and the church was born.

CHRISTianity is not just a philosophy. it is a reality. JESUS didn’t just claim that HE’s the one and only way to GOD. HE validated HIS credentials and fully established HIS credibility.

just a thought from the front porch…

only JESUS backed up HIS claims...

another myth is that all religions have equal claims on the truth.

in other words, let’s say CHRISTianity is different than other religions. it’s still one philosophy among many. it’s only valid as any other religious systems. even if there are some differences they all have equal claims on the truth. you have your truth. i have my truth. they’re both equally true.

this has a certain amount of appeal in the united states because we live in a tolerant and pluralistic society and our constitution protects the right of any human being to believe whatever they want to believe. you can believe anything in this country.

but some people make the erroneous assumption that because the laws of our country protect every belief that therefore every belief must be equally true. that we could all believe whatever we want to believe, anybody is free to make the claim that they are the way and they are the truth and they are the life and that no one comes to the FATHER but through them. the interesting thing is that through the centuries people have made that claim. JESUS isn’t the only one to say HE was the only way to GOD. lots of folks have.

but how do we know that JESUS was telling the truth? anybody could say this. well the reality is only JESUS backed up HIS claims with unique credentials that gave HIM unique credibility. lots of credentials.

one example is JESUS validates HIS claim by being the only individual in the history of the world to fulfill dozens of ancient prophecies that were written hundreds of years before HE was even born on this earth in bethlehem. nobody has been able to do this except JESUS CHRIST.

f you look at these prophecies you’ll find there’s no way HE could have intentionally fulfilled many of these. HE couldn’t have arranged for HIS place of birth, HIS ancestry. one ancient prophecy predicted the exact moment in history when the MESSIAH would be born, which HE fulfilled. HE couldn’t have arranged for how HE was put to death. it was predicted hundreds of years before crucifixion was ever adopted as a method of execution by the romans. it describes crucifixion hundreds of years before it was even used. there’s no way HE could have done it on HIS own. and HE fulfilled these prophecies against every mathematical odd.

people have done computer studies and looked at the odds of any human being able to fulfill these prophecies and they show not just that it could be difficult, not just that it would be unlikely. but it would be mathematically impossible for any human being in history to fulfill them. JESUS CHRIST did. and that’s one way HIS claim to be the SON of GOD is validated.

just a thought from the front porch…

drastic and irreconcilable differences…

there are drastic and irreconcilable differences between CHRISTianity on the one hand and all other belief systems on the other hand.

if you study world religions you will find that all religions other than CHRISTianity are basically based on the idea of people doing something through their struggling and through their striving to somehow earn the good favor of GOD. they are all attempts of people to reach out to GOD.

but JESUS CHRIST is GOD’s attempt to reach out to people. JESUS taught the opposite of what the other world religions taught. HE said that nobody could earn their way into heaven so you might as well stop trying. HE said two things that are very consistent with our human experience. first, we’re all guilty of wrongdoing. and you know that’s true. then JESUS said, our wrongdoing separates us from GOD. we know from our experience that that’s true, too.

has there ever been a time in your life when you’ve felt that GOD is distant, detached from you? of course. we’ve all felt that. why? because our wrongdoing has created a gulf, a separation between us and GOD. because GOD, by HIS nature, is a righteous judge, our wrongdoing must be paid for.

but out of HIS love for us, JESUS CHRIST voluntarily offered to be our substitute, to pay the penalty for the sin that we deserve so that we wouldn’t have to. and when we receive HIS sacrifice on our behalf, then we become reconciled with GOD forever.

that’s what CHRISTianity says. there’s a difference between good works and grace. all other religions are spelled “do”. why? because they all fundamentally teach that people have to do something, some sort of religious ritual, some sort of way to make themselves morally ok to try to please GOD. the problem is nobody knows how many good things they have to do in order to please GOD.

but CHRISTianity, on the other hand, says you can never do enough to earn your way into heaven. CHRISTianity is spelled “done” – it’s done! JESUS CHRIST has done what we could never do.

HE lived the perfect sinless life and HE went to the cross to pay for the sins of the world. and remember what HE said just before HE died on the cross. HE said, “it’s done. it’s finished. the sins of the world are paid for.” and all that’s left for you is to apply that to your life, to receive HIS free gift of forgiveness and grace and mercy.

just a thought from the front porch…

one of the most audacious things that JESUS ever said…

we have been looking here on the front porch at some difficult questions that people have about suffering and about doubts.

another tough question for some has to do with one of the most audacious things that JESUS ever said. the most politically incorrect words ever to come from the lips of JESUS are found in john 14.6 (rsv), I am the way, and the truth and the life. no one comes to the FATHER but by ME.

now for some that is a very narrow-minded arrogant and controversial statement. but JESUS said it not out of arrogance but out of great compassion. the truth in this single sentence is one of the most important bits of information for the entire planet and for you personally.

so why is it so controversial? well it’s because this statement strikes at the heart of some great myths today about religion. one of those myth is that all religions are basically the same.

now many believe that when you strip away all the surface level distinctions, all religions basically teach the same thing. all spiritual paths, in other words, lead up the mountain to GOD in one way or the other. so it doesn’t matter which one that you believe.

yet with this one outlandish assertion, JESUS CHRIST boldly takes CHRISTianity and HE puts it in a separate class by itself. if the only real path to GOD is through JESUS CHRIST, then the reality is this: CHRISTianity cannot be reconciled with any other religion.

acts 4.12 (niv) says, salvation is found in no one else for there is no other NAME under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

you see the uniqueness of CHRISTianity is rooted in the uniqueness of JESUS CHRIST. HE is unlike any other religious leader who ever walked the planet. listen to the difference between what other religious leaders say and what JESUS says.

• other religious leaders say, “follow me and i will show you how to find the truth.” JESUS says, I am the truth.
• other religious leaders say, “follow me and i’ll show you the way to salvation.” JESUS says, I am the way to eternal life.
• other religious leaders say, “follow me and i’ll show you how you can become enlightened.” but JESUS said, I am the light of the world.
• other religious leaders say, “follow me and i’ll show you many doors that lead to GOD.” but JESUS said, I am the door.
• other religious leaders say, “follow me and i’ll show you how you can find spiritual nourishment.” but JESUS said, I am the bread of life. then JESUS said, so, follow me.

just a thought from the front porch…

JESUS' reaction to doubts…

some people think that doubt is unforgivable. but it’s not. actually, GOD doesn’t condemn us when we question HIM. a great biblical example of this is john the baptist. if anybody in history should have been absolutely sure who JESUS is, it would have been john the baptist. he’s the guy who pointed at JESUS and said, behold the LAMB of GOD who takes away the sin of the world. this is the guy who baptized JESUS and he saw the heavens open up and heard the voice of GOD say, this is MY SON in whom I'm well pleased. this is the guy who pointed at JESUS CHRIST and said, i have seen and i testify that this is the SON of GOD.

he had incredible faith. but something happens. he gets arrested and gets thrown into jail. there he comes down with the virus of doubt. now he’s not so sure. “is JESUS really who he claims to be? or should we be looking for someone else?” so to resolve this he sends two of his friends to go check JESUS out and ask him point blank, “are YOU the MESSIAH? are YOU the ONE we’ve been waiting for to rescue the world? or should we look elsewhere?” so his two friends go. they track JESUS down and they ask JESUS that question.

now it’s very interesting the reaction of JESUS. does JESUS say, “what is wrong with john? the idiot! if anybody should know who I am, it’s john!” does HE criticize him, does HE slam-dunk him, does HE disqualify him from any role in the kingdom of GOD? no. the bible says in luke 7.22 (nkjv) , JESUS answered and said to them, “go and tell john the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.”  in other words, JESUS is saying, “go back and tell john about these evidences you have seen with your own eyes that authenticate MY claim to being the one and only SON of GOD and that will renew his confidence and will bolster back up his faith.”

so how does this affect JESUS’ opinion of john? does HE now think that john is worthless and could do no good for the kingdom of GOD any more? no. it is after this episode JESUS gets up one day and looks the people in the eye and says, I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than john. john had doubted. JESUS is giving john the highest compliment in the world at the very same time, john has questions and concerns and doubts.

and i think the lesson for us is when you have questions and concerns and when you have doubts, GOD does not slam-dunk you. HE wants to dialogue with you.

that’s not to say that doubt is praiseworthy. the bible never says that. but it does say, i think, that in any relationship, we want honesty. your relationship to your spouse, if you’re married, or with your parents you just want honesty. that’s what GOD wants with us. in our relationship with HIM, HE wants us to be honest about, these are the doubts i have, these are the questions i have, this is what i wrestle with, this the area that i am struggling with.

and there’s confidence that HE’s not going to turn his back and walk the other way and be disgusted by that. but HE’s going to reach out to you and say, “let me help you come to resolution and bolster your faith just as I bolstered the faith of john the baptist.”

just a thought from the front porch…