Deep Calls to Deep
by David Mercer
" Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls...."
(Psalm 42:7)
(Psalm 42:7)
The Pew forum on Religion and Public life interviewed 35,000 adults to learn that almost half of the American Christians are "leaving the faith tradition of their upbringing to either switch allegiances or abandon religious affiliation altogether."*
Actually, this report is not exactly news for those of us who have been watching the church for a long time. I heard George Barna report in a seminar several years ago that while there is huge a rate of changeovers, the bottom line is that a slow decline in overall church attendance has been occurring since the seventies.
It appears that some churches are growing quite rapidly, but how many of their new members simply transferred from other congregations? In any event, regardless of the activity of the huge congregations, the church in general is shrinking
The main issue is not church hopping. It's that fewer people are staying involved in church at all. They may have not openly renounced Christ but they choose not to serve Him.
Sonja, my friend and colleague at Grace and Peace**, writes about this with a tender yearning that I see in many fine ministers. They see those who left as wounded people who need to be reached.
I agree that they need our attention. But I think the real wounded are those who stayed, not the ones who left.
The people who have remained in church are quick to take the blame. "What did we do? Did we not do enough?" And bless their broken hearts, as they watch the people they cared for desert them, they continue to work even harder to teach the Sunday schools, coordinate the worship services, reach out to the youth, and organize service projects.
They are not to blame. They are the faithful remnant who serve in good times and bad. They give and work because they care about the mission of Christ. The work has become more arduous, but they remain because they are mature and committed.
They've been hurt, but they are not so easily offended as those who chose to leave. They get tired and depleted, but they are too busy thinking of others to stop what they're doing. Not many of them are wealthy, but they give generously.
When Jesus stopped doing miracles and started preaching discipleship, many deserted him. That's what is happening now. It's a winnowing process that leaves only the tender and conscientious.
To them, I relay these words of the Savior:
Well done, good and faithful servants.
Actually, this report is not exactly news for those of us who have been watching the church for a long time. I heard George Barna report in a seminar several years ago that while there is huge a rate of changeovers, the bottom line is that a slow decline in overall church attendance has been occurring since the seventies.
It appears that some churches are growing quite rapidly, but how many of their new members simply transferred from other congregations? In any event, regardless of the activity of the huge congregations, the church in general is shrinking
The main issue is not church hopping. It's that fewer people are staying involved in church at all. They may have not openly renounced Christ but they choose not to serve Him.
Sonja, my friend and colleague at Grace and Peace**, writes about this with a tender yearning that I see in many fine ministers. They see those who left as wounded people who need to be reached.
I agree that they need our attention. But I think the real wounded are those who stayed, not the ones who left.
The people who have remained in church are quick to take the blame. "What did we do? Did we not do enough?" And bless their broken hearts, as they watch the people they cared for desert them, they continue to work even harder to teach the Sunday schools, coordinate the worship services, reach out to the youth, and organize service projects.
They are not to blame. They are the faithful remnant who serve in good times and bad. They give and work because they care about the mission of Christ. The work has become more arduous, but they remain because they are mature and committed.
They've been hurt, but they are not so easily offended as those who chose to leave. They get tired and depleted, but they are too busy thinking of others to stop what they're doing. Not many of them are wealthy, but they give generously.
When Jesus stopped doing miracles and started preaching discipleship, many deserted him. That's what is happening now. It's a winnowing process that leaves only the tender and conscientious.
To them, I relay these words of the Savior:
Well done, good and faithful servants.
March 15, 2008
The Faithful Remnant
What about Judas?
While some maintain that he was predestined to betray Jesus, I believe he had a choice.
When I make that assumption, it colors my perception of the words that are exchanged between Judas and Jesus. During the last supper, Jesus quietly confronted him. "It is you," he said. Later, with a little more force, he said to Judas, "Whatever you are about to do, do quickly."
Why did Jesus challenge Judas? If events were set in place and could not be changed, why waste his breath on a man who was going to do him wrong?
Because Judas still had a choice.
What if Judas had decided at the last minute not to betray Jesus? Wouldn't that have ruined the plan of salvation? Wouldn't that mess up the prophecies? Didn't God need Judas to act evil in order to bring about this good?
I've never believed that God was dependent on someone doing evil in order to bring about good. If Judas had decided not to betray him, Jesus could still have brought us salvation and resurrection.
What about Judas's suicide after his betrayal of Jesus? Many people assume that he was destined for hell because he did not have a chance to ask for forgiveness. And of course, since he betrayed Jesus, his condemnation is deserved.
However, there are two things that I've learned about grace. First, grace does not sweat protocol. Jesus does not demand that we say magical incantations in order to receive mercy. I can't believe that in order to receive forgiveness to we must somehow squeak out the words, "Lord forgive me" with our last breath.
Second, grace does not have limitations. Whatever the sin, if Jesus wants to forgive, he will. "I will have compassion on whom I have compassion," the Lord says (Romans 9:15). These sins would include Judas's betrayal and even suicide.
I say that there's more than enough reason to account for Jesus forgiving Judas who with remorse threw the gold coins back in the faces of those who bribed him.
The ramifications of this assumption are challenging. It means that if I judge others harshly, even if I think I have good reasons, then I am in conflict with Jesus. However, it also means I can receive mercy when I deserve condemnation.
One day, there will be another feast with all the disciples sitting at the table with Jesus. The conflict, bitterness, and failures of this life will have faded away to be replaced with joy, gratitude, and celebration. I think one of the most satisfying moments of that feast could be my looking across the table to see a joyful Judas, completely restored, just as I am.
While some maintain that he was predestined to betray Jesus, I believe he had a choice.
When I make that assumption, it colors my perception of the words that are exchanged between Judas and Jesus. During the last supper, Jesus quietly confronted him. "It is you," he said. Later, with a little more force, he said to Judas, "Whatever you are about to do, do quickly."
Why did Jesus challenge Judas? If events were set in place and could not be changed, why waste his breath on a man who was going to do him wrong?
Because Judas still had a choice.
What if Judas had decided at the last minute not to betray Jesus? Wouldn't that have ruined the plan of salvation? Wouldn't that mess up the prophecies? Didn't God need Judas to act evil in order to bring about this good?
I've never believed that God was dependent on someone doing evil in order to bring about good. If Judas had decided not to betray him, Jesus could still have brought us salvation and resurrection.
What about Judas's suicide after his betrayal of Jesus? Many people assume that he was destined for hell because he did not have a chance to ask for forgiveness. And of course, since he betrayed Jesus, his condemnation is deserved.
However, there are two things that I've learned about grace. First, grace does not sweat protocol. Jesus does not demand that we say magical incantations in order to receive mercy. I can't believe that in order to receive forgiveness to we must somehow squeak out the words, "Lord forgive me" with our last breath.
Second, grace does not have limitations. Whatever the sin, if Jesus wants to forgive, he will. "I will have compassion on whom I have compassion," the Lord says (Romans 9:15). These sins would include Judas's betrayal and even suicide.
I say that there's more than enough reason to account for Jesus forgiving Judas who with remorse threw the gold coins back in the faces of those who bribed him.
The ramifications of this assumption are challenging. It means that if I judge others harshly, even if I think I have good reasons, then I am in conflict with Jesus. However, it also means I can receive mercy when I deserve condemnation.
One day, there will be another feast with all the disciples sitting at the table with Jesus. The conflict, bitterness, and failures of this life will have faded away to be replaced with joy, gratitude, and celebration. I think one of the most satisfying moments of that feast could be my looking across the table to see a joyful Judas, completely restored, just as I am.
March 18, 2008
A Joyful Judas
I think about the scene in the garden when Jesus anticipates his trial and death. He wrestles in prayer, confessing that he does not want to go through this, and yet also committing himself to do the Father's will.
It's important to see that Jesus chose to give what others wanted to take from him. He chose not to resist. He kept his disciples from fighting for him. He said he could have called down a legion of angels to defend him, but he chose not to.
His is an example of true submission.
There is great power in the act of submission. It is an act of strength--always given, never taken forcefully against one's will.
Servants of Jesus imitate him when they do their works of sacrifice voluntarily at their own initiative. No one can force them or manipulate them. They serve freely and therefore joyfully.
It's important to see that Jesus chose to give what others wanted to take from him. He chose not to resist. He kept his disciples from fighting for him. He said he could have called down a legion of angels to defend him, but he chose not to.
His is an example of true submission.
There is great power in the act of submission. It is an act of strength--always given, never taken forcefully against one's will.
Servants of Jesus imitate him when they do their works of sacrifice voluntarily at their own initiative. No one can force them or manipulate them. They serve freely and therefore joyfully.
March 19, 2008
Only the Strong Can Submit
A Child's Death
March 21, 2008 Good Friday
I am troubled with the concept of God allowing his Child to die in my place.
I can't think of a scenario where I would give my child's life for the sake of another person, or persons, or even the world. The world simply cannot have my child. And frankly, I wouldn't want someone to give up their child for me.
John makes it easier for me in his gospel, where he shows Jesus giving himself freely. He made the choice when he left heaven and he made it again several times as he made his way to the cross. I can accept that a person would give his life for others. I can see the nobility. I can imagine instances where I would want to do the same thing.
Jesus saved my life, and to make everything perfect, he saved his own, too. He arose from the grave and lives forever, giving me that same gift in the end. Because of a strong loving Christ, I may not be spared death, but I am spared the lasting defeat that comes from death.
Like the apostle Paul said, I receive the dignity of sharing in Jesus' suffering and death, and so also in his resurrection (Philippians 3:10-11).
I can't think of a scenario where I would give my child's life for the sake of another person, or persons, or even the world. The world simply cannot have my child. And frankly, I wouldn't want someone to give up their child for me.
John makes it easier for me in his gospel, where he shows Jesus giving himself freely. He made the choice when he left heaven and he made it again several times as he made his way to the cross. I can accept that a person would give his life for others. I can see the nobility. I can imagine instances where I would want to do the same thing.
Jesus saved my life, and to make everything perfect, he saved his own, too. He arose from the grave and lives forever, giving me that same gift in the end. Because of a strong loving Christ, I may not be spared death, but I am spared the lasting defeat that comes from death.
Like the apostle Paul said, I receive the dignity of sharing in Jesus' suffering and death, and so also in his resurrection (Philippians 3:10-11).
“Look: I believe in Him. It’s that simple and that complex. I believe in Jesus Christ…. I believe in what we celebrate this week: the scandal of the cross and the miracle of the Resurrection. My belief is total. And I know that I cannot convince anyone of it by reason, anymore than an atheist can convince me, by reason, that there is no God.”
These are the words of Anne Rice, famous novelist, which can be found in the yesterday’s Washingtonpost.com.*
She’s right. We cannot use reason to tell you why we believe. And we can’t prove that our faith is true—that’s why it’s called faith. So I’m not going to spend a lot of energy debating the existence of Jesus in a scientific arena.
I believe. Anne Rice believes. Later, I’ll preach to a church of a hundred people who believe. Millions of people today will celebrate the resurrection because they believe. And people have believed for two thousand years. The men who wrote the four gospels believed. Together, we give our testimony by our worship.
These are the words of Anne Rice, famous novelist, which can be found in the yesterday’s Washingtonpost.com.*
She’s right. We cannot use reason to tell you why we believe. And we can’t prove that our faith is true—that’s why it’s called faith. So I’m not going to spend a lot of energy debating the existence of Jesus in a scientific arena.
I believe. Anne Rice believes. Later, I’ll preach to a church of a hundred people who believe. Millions of people today will celebrate the resurrection because they believe. And people have believed for two thousand years. The men who wrote the four gospels believed. Together, we give our testimony by our worship.
March 23, 2008 Easter Morning
We Believe
March 2008 Entries
All rights reserved, copyright © 2008 by David Mercer