I don't like over-simplifying things. And I don't like preaching with three, neatly packaged points. But recently, I have found a need for some simplification in regards to the book of Revelation, the Bible's concluding text. I have recently addressed two different Bible studies in our church that were confounded by John's Revelation. I heard things like "Revelation scares me." As you may know, much of the contemporary Christian literature on Revelation is meant to literally "scare the hell out of people." (Certain individuals have made a lot of money doing this. They should be scared of judgement.)
I found that many missed the forest for the trees. "Who's the beast? The great prostitute? The seals? What's with all the eyes?" It's important to note that Revelation is "apocalyptic literature." It was a vision - highly symbolic, vivid, and image rich. While we believe it is truth, it's best not to read it like a newspaper. So at the risk of over-simplifying, I will offer a simple summary of Revelation. 1.) Things are bad and will get worse. (1;1; 9:20-21; 12:9; 13; 17). Sin, death, and the devil are nasty. 2.) But Jesus wins. (1:5-8, 17-18; 5:5; 17:14; 19; 21; 22). King Jesus is the manly, kick-butt ruler of the entire universe. He is the king now and forever. There will be a day when he'll finally judge all evil and death, and fully set the world right again. 3.) So hold on. (3:11; 13:10; 14:12; 17:14). Cling to Jesus. Hope in God. Fear not. 4.) And pray this prayer: "Lord Jesus, come quickly." (22:7, 12, 20).
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The following reflects the philosophy of family we are using at my church. We are attempting to do less "programming," and instead pour our energy into resourcing parents and families. Sunday School moves from class once a week to life every day. Of course there are always spiritual "orphans" who have parents who are either not believers, or not faithful. And of course, the church finds a place for them in the family as well.
Family as Little Church Pastor Jeff Cloeter Our vision is for every family to be a “little church.” The family is the God-ordained place for faith formation. Raising children is a God-given, parental responsibility. It must not be abdicated to a Christian Day School, VBS, Sunday School, or pastor. Your local congregation walks with you as you raise your children in the Lord. By God’s grace, we seek to raise godly young men and women who love God, love others, and impact the world. "You can pick your friends. You can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's nose."
- Robert Prahl My father-in-law occasionally says this, although it's not unique to him. Essentially, there are limits to what we can do. We can love, serve, and influence others. But we cannot change them, or save them, or manipulate their behavior. This is a convicting thought, especially when you realize that you are imposing yourself on another. And it's a freeing thought, because it means that you don't have to change them. It allows you to rest in the transforming power of the One who made all friendships and all noses. The hospital is a place of commerce.
A whole industry formed around healing. But for her there is no healing. Under her robe, a body of pain. They sanitize the smell of death. Bleached is the stench of decay. She moans, "Doctor, do you know?" "Do you have an answer?" "Do you have any relief for me?" But there is no healing today, and no miracles. Just sterilized hallways painted off-white. If there was a healer, I would reach for him. If there was hope of relief, I would stretch out my hand. And maybe I could touch him. Even just the hem of his robe. Sadao Watanabe "Christ Calling Simon and Andrew" I was with a group last night, discussing some of the not-so-nice sides of the Christian church. You may have experienced some yourself. The church is made up of lying, thieving, hypocritical, broken people who can be incredibly nasty. This is especially hurtful because you'd expect Christians to be Christlike. If you wrestle with this, a few considerations:
1.) "The church is a hospital for sinners." I can't identify the church father who said this, but it holds truth. We don't claim perfection, but redemption. Dietrich Bonhoeffer talked about the church as those "gathered in and through Jesus Christ." A recognition of the church's sinful underbelly calls us to repentance. And it reveals Jesus to be the miracle-working doc who said, "It's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Matt. 9:12). 2.) "The church is a whore, but she's my mother." - Augustine. Yeah, I just wrote "whore" in my blog, but it's a quote. Our ungodly blemishes are precisely why Christ came to cleanse his bride with his own blood. The church is like your family, with all the quirky, unreasonable, and unlikeable relatives. You are related by blood, whether you like it or not. In fact, precisely when you don't like it, you realize how precious that blood is. 3.) It's important to distinguish the church's culture with her essense. We often become obsessed with our culture - institutions, rules, politics, way of life, etc. Culture often becomes exclusive and narrow-minded. But it's important see the difference between culture and essence. The culture, no matter how perverse it may become, does not negate the essence of one Lord, one hope, one baptism. Any other thoughts? "Your strongest are serving and your weakest are prized."
- An Anonymous Mentor on the the sign of a healthy congregation
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