Hiding the Mess that needs Healing the Most

I recently came across a great word from Pastor Steve Ely of Passion Ministries, concerning how that which is hidden cannot be healed. Most of these insights are his, but I wanted to share how it opened my own eyes to some precious truths as well.

In Mark 3 Jesus heals a man with a withered hand. After telling the man to stand up and come forward in front of everyone present, Jesus tells him to stretch out his hand. He did not specify which hand to stretch forth, and it may seem foolish even to raise the point… but perhaps not. 

If he were like most of us, he may have been tempted to put forth his good hand; the healthy, functional hand. Besides, Jesus told him not only to stand before the crowd but then to make his infirmity public. Just imagine if he had resisted or perhaps suggested that such was a private matter and that he did not understand how further public embarrassment was necessary to facilitate his healing. Or, what if he pointed out how he wasn't the only one present with issues?

Remember when Jesus told Mary and Martha that He needed to see their dead brother Lazarus? They seemed reluctant to make Lazarus available because of the stench they had labored for days to perfume and conceal. Still, Jesus is offering to bring life to the wretched death and decay buried deep in the tomb - the same decay at which they could no longer bear to look. 

Jesus wants to do the same for us. But first, we must remove the layer upon layers of wrappings and distractions we have used to hide the extent of the putrid rot. Since we often feel that we must conceal our brokenness, many of us have likely missed the healing that God can bring. We might even decide that it is time to find another synagogue where our withering is not so well known.

However, why not raise our "weaknesses" and glorify God. Raise our feebleness and failures to him and like the apostle Paul declare, that God's "... power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me (II Cor 12:9 NIV). 

Pastor Mike

Good News…  

America’s “Cultural Christianity” is Dying

Christianity is fading fast from America’s public square and where it refuses to fade there are forced evacuations.  Christianity, as a cultural phenomenon was woven into the fabric of our nation at inception.  However, it’s unraveling and the diminishing of its significance, which began in the 60’s, has accelerated since.  Now, only vague and meaningless ideas concerning God are tolerated, and only if no one pretends that such ideas are consequential to how we make decisions or desire to live our lives.

This recoil from faith has for some time signaled alarm, but I say that believers who sincerely trust in Christ should rejoice.  This may sound strange, until one considers how this social phenomenon of casual religion has actually hindered the spread of the life-transforming power of the Gospel.  Our culture has been “vaccinated” with a harmless strain of Christianity that has built antibodies, which prevent the development of the real deal.  So, many Americans think since they removed their hats and raised a cold beer during the Lord’s Prayer at the dirt track that all is well with their souls.

Certainly, the moral decline of American society is cause for serious concern as the growing disregard of Biblical principles has left us in a profound moral squalor.  But this did not happen because we removed the Ten Commandments from the courthouse or stopped praying at football games.  Such were tokens and symbols of a religious heritage, which once gave great significance to attending services on special days, church weddings, swearing on the Bible, and having God’s name on our currency.  But symbolism without substance, or religion without life-transformation, is hollow and has never survived the secularization of any culture.

However, as the superficial and romanticized relics of pseudo-Christianity disappear, the opportunity arises for the Church to speak life into the death and disappointment that religion is leaving behind.  The legalism that brought heat without light cannot survive as broken souls are held in the grip of God’s grace.  The symbolism of public regard for some inoffensive deity is no longer necessary for those who have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe.  Even the sentimentalism of going to church will die as the understanding of being the Church is revived.  

So, to America’s romance with religion, I say rest in peace.  Secular progressivism no longer needs the support of the Church, but neither do we need theirs.  We can pray, preach and love others anytime and anywhere we like – not because we are Americans but because we are Christians.  Such will distinguish Christianity from the pantheon of world religions that have determined to reach God.  Instead, we can demonstrate how through Christ, God has reached down to us.  Sinners can find forgiveness instead of hollow validation.  The search for meaning can be found in worshiping our Creator as individuals come to know God through His Son.

So rejoice, again I say rejoice (Philippians 4:4).  

 

Pastor Mike