Set Apart

The term "sanctification" at its most basic of level means to set apart. This time last week I was set apart at a youth camp in Southern Indiana. I had no radio to listen to, no television, no computer, no people around me who make inappropriate comments or curse, no temptation to spend too much money because I had no money with me, no temptation to be lazy because things simply needed to get done, no lack of God-inspired instruction, no lack of fun, and no major obligations that caused stress. Oh my, was it good to be set apart! However, I am home again and all those things that set me apart for a week are back.
So here is my challenge today for me and for you. Become simpler! Get rid of the television, shut off the computer, avoid those conversations which bring you down, bring your focus onto Christ and be filled with his Spirit rather than on the things of this world. I am not advocating you become Amish or anything, but maybe we have such a tough time breaking through to God because so many other things are influencing us because we have allowed it. Get away from the monotony of daily life and get excited about Kingdom living!

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Defining Success

For most people, it is very easy to define success for themselves. Success is when they have met their expectations or possibly exceeded those expectations. Even people who set lofty goals and don't meet them who still be looked at as successful by others. We determine how successful a business is by its profit margin and public perception. We determine success in the family by looking at those who have become upstanding citizens and contribute in a positive way to society. Recently, we also determine success in the Church by how big the buildings are and how many attend on Sundays. And yet, if we are honest success in the kingdom is not necessarily measured this way.
Don't think that I am a "big church" basher. Not at all! I have a great appreciation for what they are doing and marvel at how God blesses them. I have long learned that I don't think I am geared like these church leaders. God's measure of success is much, much different. Based on Jesus' time on earth, he would have been a flop compared to today's standards. He had a congregation of only 12 close followers. Out of those, several of them argued who was the best. One of them stole money out of the treasury and handed Jesus over to crucifixion. Every single one of them, save one, abandoned him in his time of need. And yet, so many have been transformed by the words of Jesus and what he did. I look at Jesus and I see what made him successful and these are what I saw...
1. Jesus built close relationships with his disciples who in turn gained disciples and it spread. Thus, relationship is a form of success.
2. The power of God was present in Jesus and he performed many signs and wonders. Thus, success is when the power of God saves the lost, heals the sick, and sanctifies the sinner.
3. Jesus did not bow to the pressures in the religious world. Ouch, this is a tough one. Many friends who are in various churches I view as not "getting it", but am I willing to go against the grain to do what is right, not what is popular?
4. Jesus had such a great relationship with the Father. Do our churches have just as good a relationship?

Be careful how you judge success, you may find it and then learn that you were successful in the wrong set of eyes.

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Community

What does it mean to be part of community? What does it mean to look like a community that truly is an expression of Jesus Christ? What does it look like to fully live out the great commandments of loving God and loving people? Here is my picture of it...

People talking with one another. People meeting each others needs. True and honest friendships blossoming. Prayer taking place everywhere. Congregations meeting and simply testifying about what God is doing. People enjoying going to their place of employment and believing in what they are doing. Crime no longer exists. All needs are met: food, clothing, shelter, relationships. Families spending time with each other. Signs and wonders taking place all over.

Oh how glorious it will be! And yet it seems so impossible. For those who dream about some things it sparks excitement, but also sadness. For the dream to come a reality a simple few must begin to really live like the dream. If you see your neighbor needs help moving a couch, you move it! If your child needs help on homework, you help with a good attitude! If somebody needs a friend, then you put down what your doing and be a friend! Be not just a hearer of the Word, but a doer also!

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Burned!

Getting burned is such a painful thing to happen. Sometimes you see it coming and sometimes you don't. There are the times when you go to grab a pan from the stove and accidently put your hand in a spot where it is way too hot. Immediately, you pull back from the pan and feel the effects from the burn. Other times you aren't really suprised by the burn at all, like when you have been out in the sun for 7 hours and you chose not to put sunscreen on your body. Either way it is painful, whether it is a surprise or you could see it coming.
The same thing happens when people "burn" you. A "burn" by a person is when you are hurt by another individual. Unfortunately and fortunately, as a pastor, I have found myself burned quite a bit. You try to help someone and they end up getting mad at you for helping. Or somebody is filling their heads with lies and you get burned on the other end. Or you've put so much time and energy into helping someone, but it still isn't enough for the person. To be perfectly honest, I feel like I get burned all the time. And I can say with all sincerity that I never did anything mean or milicious on purpose. This is the unfortunate part, but on the fortunate side I get to identify with Christ. Let me explain this...
When you are on a team you become part of a special group because you have gone through all the pain and heartache together. There is a major disconnect when a new member joins a team because that new member hasn't been through what everyone else has been through. As a believer who is attempting to identify with Christ daily, getting burned by people is one of the biggest identifiers. Christ only came to help and show people the Kingdom, yet they killed him for it. He was beaten, mocked, and ulitmately burned by even his closest followers. Yet, he was never bitter and kept moving forward.
The danger in being burned so many times is that you get an attitude and close yourself off from others. When this happens, then we are limited in our growth potential. So, here's the deal, you may be scared to get involved in a situation or do the right thing because you have been burned so many times before, but the truth of the matter is sometimes you just have to get burned and get through it. At a wedding I once performed, the bride could not get the unity candle lit and she was getting very nervous and upset. I saw that the hot wax had engulfed the wick. The only thing to do was get the hot wax out, so I used by hand to do it. I knew it would burn and hurt, but these kids needed to get married. Do what you know to do even if that means being burned. It is an excellent way to identify with Christ and remember that he can heal those wounds.

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