Thursday, August 2, 2012

Forgiveness

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming!Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed andglorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12 (NIV)

I love the picture that Mark paints in his gospel - Jesus on the move. Moving from place to place, healing, teaching, bringing the kingdom to earth. The first half of Mark is spent answering the question, "Who is Jesus?" Mark tells the story with a rush of excitement, almost in a shout to the readers, "Jesus is God!"

Jesus is not just another rabbi. He has real authority. He doesn't just talk about the kingdom, he ushers it in like a tidal wave. Jesus' miracles seek to affirm his identity. In this passage, Jesus is preaching to a packed house, literally. Four men interrupt the sermon and lower a paralytic on a mat through the roof. He seeks healing from Jesus. Jesus sees their faith, and says "Your sins are forgiven." In other words, "I don't simply pronounce you forgiven, I forgive you." Only God can forgive (Ex. 34:7).

That is what caused such a stir among the scribes. In their minds, a person is forgiven only after repentance, restitution, and sacrifice. Jesus declares the paralytic forgiven while simultaneously declaring himself to have the power to forgive.

The power to forgive comes through Jesus.

Then I think about my life. Forgiveness is hard. When I think about those who've wronged me, I don't know that I've really forgiven some of them. Forgiveness is more than just a mental exercise. It's a deliberate choice.

A choice to no longer hold a person in regard to their offense.

What about you? I think a good test is to ask yourself, do I look at (person's name) in the same way God looks at me? Forgiveness is not memory loss. Forgiveness doesn't remove consequences. But forgiveness opens the door to deeper relationships. It allows us to experience the mercy of God who forgives us. Think about it. A perfect God forgives sins that are not his own. That reality enables us to forgive sins that are not our own. If you can't forgive, pray that God will enable you. It may just be that you experience more of the power of Jesus in forgiving someone.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

life update

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16

I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago about my ministry direction, dream, goals, etc when suddenly she "politely" rebuked me. It was the refreshing kind of rebuke from someone I know loves God. She said something to the effect that I needed to let people in on what I was doing so they could pray for me. Thanks Emily! So here it is...

About a month ago I left a reviatilzing ministry experience with Lakepoint Community Church near Lake Oconee. I spent 9 months there working with students and building a team of volunteers. Perhaps more benefitting to me personally, I spent many hours talking life and ministry with Rob Raynor. It was like an accelerated version of ministry wisdom, insight, and advice. I am extremely grateful for Rob's voice in my life. Lakepoint was a place where I renewed my calling. I love them and will continue a friendship with the church.

Over the last few years God has restored, renewed, and reconfirmed what He's called me to do with my life. I never really doubted what He wired me for, but I had to experience what it was like to take ministry for granted before He would give me anything else. I wrote about some of that journey here.

About four months ago I came back from a leadership conference really unsettled in what I was doing. Sure, I loved serving and loved the people. But I really began to ask myself, "Am I stewarding the gifts God has given me in the best way possible." The answer was no. God has gifted me to preach and teach. I am most effective for Christ when I'm doing those things. I was serving in student ministry, and knew in my heart that I was not ultimately fit for that particular focus. Not to mention, I had another "polite" rebuke from my friend Phil who told me I was not a youth pastor. I couldn't agree more!

So, what's a guy to do?

Several times over the last year or so people have asked me, "have you ever thought of starting a church?" Me, start a church? I would almost laugh. Sometimes I actually did laugh. I had heard story after story of church plants that failed, of guys who went rogue thinking they could be the next Steven Furtick or Perry Noble. I didn't want to be that guy. I was smarter than that, and not nearly as arrogant. I was not going to be the guy that foolishly went out and fell flat on his face. Without realizing though, I was being the guy that ignored the quiet voice of God...

So, I'm embarking on a church planting journey. There are hundreds of unanswered questions. The future is as uncertain as its ever been. But that is creating some excitement at the same time. As I've told several people in recent weeks, I don't want to be sitting here a few years from now wondering "what if?" Here is what I know: I leave Sunday for a church planter assessment in Las Vegas. Yes, I think that's funny too. It leaves me wondering if they're going to leave a bag of cash in my room and monitor what i do with it. Feed the homeless or play the slots? The assessment will function as a "laboratory" where I will be evaluated in 12 critical areas. I am really looking forward to the feedback. When I return from the assessment, I will begin a 6 month training program, ideally facilitated by a church that is planting churches. Things will begin to become more clear as I begin my training. The where, when, who, etc. questions will hopefully begin to be answered. I have no idea how God is going to do this, but it's not my job to know how.

The words of Paul in the verse above capture my feelings. I honestly believe I would be a miserable man if I did not fulfill God's calling on my life to preach. I think the same is true for all of us. We are most fulfilled when we're doing what God has wired us to do. It's that simple.

I am grateful for you taking the time to read this. I am also inviting you to join me on this journey by subscribing to these email updates by entering your email in the upper right column of this blog. I will be stronger with you as a partner.

Faithfully,

Mitchell

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Are you getting in the way of your own sanctification?

Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

We're always wanting to move on from our current circumstances, aren't we? "When I am finished with "this", or when "that" gets settled, or when this is over, then..." Then what? These and other statements like them are made with the all-too damaging assumption that we're in control. But we're not. And we don't like it when we're not in control.

When it comes to matters of faith, our natural self wants it to be easier. Sure, we know that trials are necessary, but are long ones? What about months or years of difficulty? What if we toil for an entire lifetime and never see results?

Many believers, even ashamedly some pastors, would respond to this reality by setting forth a plan for improvement masked as spirituality. Do this, do that, you know the rest.

Part of this passage strikes me. "Let steadfastness have its full effect..." Let the difficulty run its course. Don't cut it short. We might even say, dwell in it. No, don't dwell on the difficulty itself. Dwell in the truth that God is refining you, transforming your heart and mind. Don't cheat a trial of its full effect: to transform you more and more into the image of Christ.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Scot McKnight's answer about spiritual growth

Today I posed this question to author and blogger Scot McKnight over at Ed Stetzer's blog:

Me: How can we be true to the objective work of Christ on the cross and at the same time encourage people to take steps to spiritual growth?

Scot: Thanks for this. I'm note entirely sure I know what you are asking because our terms are in our way....

Any true spiritual growth is gospel growth. True spirituality is living in Christ in two primary modes: we die daily with Christ and we are raised daily with Christ. We live daily in his life and we hope daily in his exaltation and vindication.

What I find too often in spiritual formation is an absence of gospel realities and instead we find spiritual disciplines that are about interiority instead of gospel themes of life, death, burial and resurrection/exaltation/etc.. So that Christian living becomes rule-based instead of gospel-inspired.

What about you? In your experience, has spiritual growth been taught/explained in terms of your heart/mind rather than Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?