make the most of every opportunity

On Monday, August 11, many people noted (on Facebook, Twitter, etc)the death of Robin Williams; a few of my friends noted the deaths of over 500 refugees at the hand of ISIS; and one colleague noted the death of a friend. At the very least, the first instance reminds us that depression is real and devastating; the second is another example of the horrific terrorism in the Middle East; and the third reminds us that death is personal. It is for this reason that we Christians must always remember the calling for which we were redeemed: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, and [pray that doors will be open for the message of the Gospel],.. Be wise in how you act toward outsiders; MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY. Let your conversations always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4

On teaching

"Not many of you should become teachers because you know that those who teach will be judged more strictly... Who is wise among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3.

For all my Biblical-scholar friends or those who simply understand the importance of NOT taking Scripture passages out of context: I know this verse refers to teachers of the Word, to people called to preach and teach from Scripture, but I think it is a good reminder for teachers in general as well. Tomorrow I head back to work for my 5th year at KCHS and I am so thankful to work with such incredible colleagues. Over the past nine years of teaching, I've learned that kids REALLY pay attention to what teachers DO -- they pay attention to what we say, especially when it's not relevant to the lesson. Students want to know what we believe and they want to know why we believe it. Our lessons about Christ will be far more valuable and believable when we act out our faith in Him.

The Gospel transforms

The Gospel should TRANSFORM
- the way we relate to one another in the home
- the way we relate to people in the workplace
- the way we talk to people
- the way we talk to people about GOD.

... Those were the four main points from the sermon at my church yesterday.  Let me revamp those a little:

The gospel should transform
- the way I relate to my family
- the way I relate to my students and coworkers
- the way I talk to people
- the way I talk to people about God.

... Well, does it?  ever? sometimes? most of the time? all the time?

Colossians 3: 16-17 says: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Chapter 4, verse 5-6 says "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

In these few verses, there is a call toward community -- a community in which fellow believers help each other to answer the call to be more like Christ, a community in which we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds.  There is also a call to reach outside of our community, to people who don't know Jesus, so that they might hear the gospel.

My prayer is that I would LOOK for ways to speak about Jesus to my students and co-workers more often, to be purposeful in those conversations when they happen, and to be gracious in all conversations so that Jesus can shine through.  In every workplace, school, etc. there are people that need to be loved and who need grace.  Am I overlooking the students who try to 'blend into the walls' or do I seek them out. This is something I know I need to work on.

Pulling it all together

Over the past five months, I have met with a group of ladies on the first Monday evening of each month to read and discuss II Timothy.  I'm less familiar with II Timothy than with some of the other New Testament epistles, so this study was something I really hoped to get a lot out of-- didn't really go in with a set "goal" other than learning and fellowship, but with expectations that the Lord would provide opportunities for growth-- ended up being a very rewarding study, indeed. Here's a synopsis of key ideas I picked out from the book and a few remarks about what I learned and why it matters.

In chapter 1 of this epistle, Paul says "fan into flame the gift of God" (v. 6) and "join with me in suffering for the gospel," (v. 8) and finally "What you have heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you with the help of the Holy Spirit" (v. 13-14).

In chapter 2, Paul continues: "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (v 1) "Endure hardship with us" (v. 3). He gives the charge: "God's word is not chained. Therefore endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory... If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us. If we are faithless, he will remain faithful because he cannot disown himself. Keep reminding (the brethren) of these things... Present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (v. 10-15). "Those who oppose him, he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth" (v. 25-26).

In chapter 3, Paul warns Timothy: "Have nothing to do with [people who are disobedient]" (v. 2-5), but instead "continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (v. 14-17).

Finally, in chapter 4, Paul declares: "Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction... Keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry" (v. 2-5)

Now, if you read this epistle, it is likely that what jumps out at you is not exactly what jumped out at me, but the above is the summary that makes the most sense to me.  Here is what I gained from reading II Timothy and from the fellowship and insight of the other ladies in the group:

• Following Jesus faithfully includes suffering-- suffering in general, and suffering specifically for the sake of the gospel.
• We are entrusted with spreading the gospel through our conduct and through the proclamation of the Good News.
• We are called to be actively faithful to Jesus, to the Truth, in response to God's faithfulness to us.
• The Scriptures give us knowledge and understanding of the Truth and instruction in how to live godly lives
• With the help of the Holy Spirit, armed with the Truth of the Word, we are to always be prepared to do whatever it takes to spread the gospel and to give an answer for the hope that we have, no matter what the cost.

Phhheewww... glad I am sitting down as a write this.  That last point, especially, if I let it sink into my brain, is a high, high calling.  What a task!  I mean, really, if I read what I just wrote (and written rather quickly, actually... like in, maybe, 5 minutes), there's no way that I can absorb the challenge of what I just typed onto the page nearly as quickly or as easily as I composed it.

So ... how does this affect my daily life, my routine, my patterns, my choices, etc?  Not that this is by any means exhaustive, but here's a start:

• I often wonder: if I do not feel like I am 'suffering for the sake of the gospel,' am I doing something wrong?  I've wondered this for a few years now.  Still pondering it, don't have an answer; I'll table this one for the time being, because here's where my heart and life are being shaped in a specific way...
• I work in a place where talking about Jesus ought to be very easy.  Do I take full advantage of this chance when I interact with colleagues and/or with students? Since beginning the study of II Timothy, I have put much more thought and consideration into the Scriptures I choose to read to the students at the beginning of each class period since beginning this study.  Praying with my students became increasingly dearer the closer we got to the end of the year; I began to think really carefully about what I said when I prayed with them.  And the Lord was faithful to me and to my students through that time.  He gave me multiple, specific opportunities to share the gospel with my classes.  At times, kids asked some really intense questions about life, about faith, about being a Christian (in some cases, questions they admitted had been on their mind all year long).  As I answered these questions, however imperfectly, it seemed as if all 25 kids were riveted to my answer -- way more tuned in than they usually were to chemistry.  What a blessing and a burden all at the same time! 

This post has become very long.  Maybe I'll post more on this topic later on.... 

the great commission

Today and every time I run the trail around the perimeter of campus, I pass a sign at the entrance to All Saints; it contains the great commission-- Matthew 28:19-20. Friday, we teachers had an inservice day where we went to Kingsport to learn about the Catholic Catechism (we have two such inservice days per year).  During inservices, I doodle.  Here's one of four doodles completed on Friday.

What a humbling and high calling it is for me to teach young men and young women each day. Even more humbling is the realization that chemistry isn't my calling -- sharing the gospel is my calling.  Communicating to my boys and girls that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life is the order of the day. Every day. 

give…

22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
…32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20: 22-35)

Many times, Paul uses the analogy of running a race to describe his journey of evangelism among the early Church (see references below). I have mentioned before that running requires discipline and endurance; it is a difficult task that requires preparation. I leave that thread of discussion to, perhaps, be picked up at another date and time. For now, I want to focus on something else in this passage: Paul’s sacrificial, self-denying life. Paul specifically says that he knows he must go to Jerusalem—he is compelled by the Spirit—despite the persecution and death that he faces. Paul walks in constant (and very REAL) communication with the Holy Spirit, so there is no question in his mind of whether or not he should go to Jerusalem (or anywhere else he feels called, for that matter)—he simply goes, and does, as he is compelled by the understanding that he can do nothing other than give—he will give of himself unto death, just as Christ gave himself unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2: 4-7).

I am called to imitate Paul as he imitated Christ—and how does that become a reality?

1. preparation in the Word
2. daily, fervent prayer
3. so that I might see myself as nothing
4. and walk out the understanding that Christ is the maker and redeemer of this world (Colossians 1)

**References in which Paul uses the “race” analogy
Galatians 2:2 & 5:7; Philippians 2:16; I Corinthians 9:24: II Timothy 4:7;
(Also see Hebrews 12:1)

Edwards versus modern thought

If there really be a hell of such dreadful and never-ending torments, as is generally supposed, of which multitudes are in great danger... then why is it not proper for those who have the care of souls to take great pains to make men sensible of it? If I am in danger of going to hell, I should be glad to know as much as possible I can of the dreadfulness of it. If I am very prone to neglect due care to avoid it, he does me the best kindness, who does most to represent to me the truth of the case, that sets forth my misery and danger in the liveliest manner.
-- Jonathan Edwards

We didn't think it was going to look like this. We were praying for God to move, and our assumption was, when God moves we'll see more people saved and more people healed, and there would be the excitement that that would generate. We didn't think he would come and throw a massive party.
--John Arnott

These two men present starkly different models of evangelism. Edwards demonstrates in countless sermons a sense of the dreadful nature of hell and the dire need human beings have for the saving grace of God through Jesus' blood. Edwards' use of words to direct his audience toward a spectacular realization of human depravity requires no "drumming up" of emotions, no mood music, no ushers or volunteers waiting to urge people forward in an altar call. Rather, Edwards merely pointed sinful souls away from certain doom and unto sweet freedom and salvation. The quote from Edwards above can be summed up in this way: "The person who clearly shows a sinner the depravity of his own soul and the certain damnation that awaits has done him a great service in pointing him away from death and toward the Light."

Arnott believes that effective evangelism can be accomplished through inviting non believers to a huge party-- what better way to be attracted to God than through a wild party?? The problem with this idea is that excitement fades quickly in the face of reality. Arnott and others like him believe that evangelism and encouragment Believers can be accomplished by basking (or partying) in the "fire" and excitement of God. I contend that a young Christian can only ride the waves of excitement in his new faith for so long. A Christian at any age needs to be fed and equipped through teaching of God's word-- the Bible should make more than a cameo appearance during any given church service. By steering away from emotion and using reasonable presentation of the tragic fate of mankind, Edwards leaves a much longer-lasting impression, one based in cold-hard, biblical facts. A God-party is weak at best in its attempts to build up Believers for anything other than an emotional high because it often relies on worship songs and testimonies of other humans to accomplish the same purpose as the Word.

It could be argued that Edwards uses a bit of a scare tactic in his presentation of hell to non-believers; I contend however that a bit of a scare is not a bad thing. I do believe however that the "party" approach utilized by some modern churches is a bad thing-- it fails to leave a lasting impact. A person who relies on "experiences" of God will falter when experiences no longer bolster his faith-- at best, the Believer who receives dose after dose of party will stagnate; at worst, he will flail and fall. Edwards, scare-tactic or no, equips believers to grow in faith and spurs non-believers toward becoming believers. Edwards appealed to the mental faculties of his audience through effective reading of the Word. Abbot and Co appeal to the emotions their audience through various levels of emotional manipulation. In my opinion, only Edwards' model holds potential for lasting and effective exhortation of saints and sinners alike.