Back to the Basics

I was a Mathematics teacher and often at the start of a new class you would have to go back to the basics.  Without a good understanding of the basics you had nothing to build on.  The basics changed as the students advanced but there were some basic principles that they needed to review.

Once after a devastating loss the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers called a team meeting.  Vince Lombardi began the meeting by saying that it was time to get back to the basics.  He then held up a football and said, "Gentlemen, this is a football."

Once in a while it is important that we go back to the basics.  For the Christian the basics begin with the Gospel.  We need to ask the question, "What is the Gospel?"  Too often we get sidetracked talking about other issues, which are important, that we forget what is fundamental, what is basic.  This Sunday we are going back to the basics.  What is the Gospel and why is it important?

Zoom in; Zoom out

Some read the New Testament and they take a broad view of the Gospel.  They see the Gospel including social justice, healing the sick, release of captives, etc.  Others see the Gospel with a zoomed in view.  You may say the first is the Gospel of the kingdom and the second is the Gospel of the cross. 

Let me be clear; there is only one Gospel.  The only way is by the cross.  The Gospel of the kingdom flows out of the Gospel of the cross.  You cannot be in the kingdom by climbing over the fence, you must come in by the cross.  You cannot have the Gospel of the kingdom without the Gospel of the cross. 

Was she wrong?

I had a friend in a former church who reluctantly took on an adult Bible class because no man felt qualified to teach the class.  She always said that she was doing it until such a time as a man would come forward to teach the class.  Eventually that role came to me but before it did she placed herself under the leadership of the church and made sure she was under the authority of the elders.
Was she wrong?  Before I answer that let me quote a passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians.  "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.  But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." Philippians 1:15 - 18
The motives were wrong, the people may have had incorrect doctrine but the Gospel was being preached so Paul rejoiced.  The church was birthed in Philippi because of a woman. 
Now it is easy for us to be right in our doctrine but still be wrong.  We can be wrong while doing right. 
So let me go back to my friend.  I do not believe that she was sinning in teaching men in this situation.  If there was sin then it was with the men who because of their lack of knowledge of the Scripture felt unqualified to teach the Word.  Men cannot point the finger at women who are filling the gap if it is men who have created the gap. 
On a personal note.  I am pleased to be part of a church that has had strong male leadership.  A church that has qualified men to lead as elders, as teachers and group leaders.  I am please to be part of a church that has strong women who are willing to take the supportive role and in doing so teach by example and testimony.  I have learned a great deal from the women who are members of the class and have contributed their insights.  They are not consumers but contributors for which I am thankful.
Finally, we must realise that the Holy Spirit is the real teacher and he can use a man, a woman, a rooster or a donkey to teach us His truth.  Let us not hinder the Holy Spirit, He is not a tame fire but a wild fire.

Prayer Time Uganda Syle

While we were in Uganda we had a time of prayer in one of our worship services.  It was not what I expected where two or three would lead in prayer while others listened, agreed in prayer.  But this time everyone prayed aloud at the same time. To me it was confusion but to them it was a proper way of praying.  As an outsider I may have thought them to be crazy.  Just watch the video clip.

Order in Worship

The Corinthian church was a young, dynamic church and being young and dynamic it had problems.  They loved to celebrate their freedom, especially their freedom in worship, but Paul had to remind them that though they had freedom it should never lead to chaos.  Things still had to be done decently and in order.
Unlike today where people come to church as consumers the people were coming to contribute but their desire to contribute also contributed to the chaos.  We could do well to learn from the Corinthian church.  The people came to contribute we come to be ministered to.  The danger of those who come having something to contribute is that they can dominate or control.  Paul warns against that.  The question for us today is how can we contribute without controlling?  How can we come to be ministered to as well as minister to others?

A Timely Lesson

This past Sunday we were studying 1 Corinthians 14 together and the discussion was on tongues and prophecy.  Two ladies had been at a women's conference the day before and at the end of the sessions a number of ladies began to speak in tongues.  Over half of the people left as those speaking in tongues seemed to take over the session completely.
A few observations:
First, Paul says that people speaking in tongues in a public gathering should only do it if there is someone to interpret.  Now I don't know how you would know if there is an interpreter present except by testing.  After speaking in tongues if no one interprets then everyone should stop.  That is Scriptural.
Second, there should only be two or three.  At this gathering apparently there were many.  Once again that is a violation of Scripture. 
Third, things are to be done decently and in order as God is a God of peace not confusion.  When people are leaving because they are uncomfortable that is not peaceful. 
Now I need to add that speaking in tongues in appropriate in the right setting.  It is obvious from Paul's letter to the Corinthians that those that have the gift also have the ability to speak or not to speak.  Some claim that they are compelled to speak but again that is not what Scripture says.
So the question remains, are we led by our emotions or do we follow Scripture?  Speaking in tongues is not against Scripture but taking over a meeting and making others uncomfortable is.  Do we want signs or wonders or do we want to honour Scripture?  Scripture must come first.  The Spirit never goes against the written word.
One final thought.  What is said about tongues is also true about prophecy. 

Tongues and Prophecy

Why did Paul single out these two gifts of the Spirit?  I am sure that these gifts were being misused in the church.  Paul first says that the gift of prophecy is superior to that of tongues because it builds up the church.  He then does the surprising thing of saying that the one who speaks in an unknown language should pray that he/she will have the gift of interpretation.  We would have thought that he would say that the one who speaks in an unknown tongue should pray for the gift of prophecy but he doesn't. 
Paul's concern was for order in worship.  He didn't forbid speaking in tongues but he put limitations on the gift.  First, no tongues without interpretation and then only two or three.  But notice that he also puts limitations on prophecy as well.  The church gatherings were not to be a free-for-all but a time to edify the body.
Paul says that tongues are a sign to the unbeliever and prophecy is a sign to the believer.  Again we would expect him to say that if an unbeliever came into our midst he would hear the speaking in an unknown language and be convicted but rather he says that the unbeliever would say that these people were out of their minds.  He goes on to explain that the gift of prophecy is what would bring conviction to the unbeliever and they would respond by saying that surely God is in this place.
So why are tongues a sign to the unbeliever?  Tongues to an unbeliever are a sign of condemnation and that they need to hear the Word of the Lord.  What about prophecy and the believer?  As the Word of God goes forth and convicts people of sins, both believers and unbelievers, they see that the Spirit of God is working in their midst.

Patrick

I think it is about time I gave you an update on my friend Patrick from Uganda.  Our Adult Bible Class has been giving money to support the ministry of the Shepherd Centre. 

Patrick was involved in a car accident and the person who owned the car wanted him buy him a new car.  The cost would be around $7500.  Patrick doesn't have that kind of money so we tried to help out as did many of his friends in North America.  Patrick suffered injuries because of the accident.

Patrick found a five year old boy, named Blair living on the street.  He could not leave him but he wasn't set up to take in another boy, especially one has young as Blair.  Fortunately, a couple we met in Kampala were able to help out.

Just recently Patrick graduated from University.  Here is his graduation picture.



Don't forget to pray for Patrick and his ministry at the Shepherd Centre.

The Greatest of These

In 1 Corinthians 13:13 Paul says that there is faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love.  What does he mean and why did he say that?  Someone pointed out that you can understand why Paul said that by asking three questions.

1.   Does God have faith?  If faith is trust then in whom would He put His trust?  Some may say that He puts His trust in Himself but if He is the Almighty, All Sufficient then does He need to even put faith in Himself?

2.  Does God have hope?  He is all knowing so what does He hope for?  To say God has hope would be meaningless.  We have hope because we have faith in God and we are finite but He is infinite.

3.  Does God love?  Here the answer is different than the last two question because not only does God love but God is love.  That is why the greatest of these is love. 

I will just love them

When we were going through our orientation before we went to the Philippines the head of our mission was leading us through why it was important to understand the culture of our host country.  As he was teaching one of the other candidates seemed to be somewhat agitated with him.  Finally he said, "Why do I need to know this, all I want to do is love the people."  The leader asked him how he was going to do that.  In some cultures what we consider a loving action in our culture is considered a sexual advance in others, is that love?  Our leader carefully told us that in order that our actions would not be misunderstood we had better understand the culture of the people we were going to love.  He was not down playing that we should love these people but that we need to love them in an appropriate manner.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4 - 7.  This kind of love is not bound by culture.

frustration

Yesterday we were studying 1 Corinthians 12:12 - 31 on body life.  I had three main points about body life.
1. It is based upon a confession. 
2. It involves diversity of people, gifts, etc.
3. It involves unity in Jesus Christ.
So why was I frustrated?
I was frustrated because we want diversity where God wants unity and we want unity where God wants diversity.  The first part was not a big problem in my class but the unity in confession became a much larger problem.  I suggested that we begin with the Apostles' creed but not everyone would agree there.  However, those that did agree wanted to add more.  Where we have unity is the fundamentals of the faith.  We need to agree on the God head and the Gospel.  So then what about creation, inspiration of Scripture, end times, women in ministry, baptism, etc.?  I am not saying and I wasn't saying that our stand and understanding of these things is not important but should they divide us so that we cannot have fellowship?
Just an observation on the area of unity where God says we should have diversity.  Some want us to believe that the reformation is over but the issues that led to the reformation are still there today.  We cannot ignore them, they are foundational to the Gospel.  Salvation is by grace through faith and we cannot add anything to it.  Most Catholics and many Protestants, even evangelicals want to add something but then we are not adding but subtracting. 
Someone said that I should not be surprised that we had disagreements.  After all I should not expect that everyone be like me.  Where then is the diversity?

Harmony

What does an orchestra sound like when the instrumentalists do not complement each other.  Listen to this.

Now listen to an orchestra when the players follow the conductor.

This is how it is to be in the body of Christ.  When everyone does his own thing it sounds like a very bad orchestra but when we follow the conductor we can make beautiful music.

We need each other.  Everyone in the church has a role to play.  The person playing the triangle may only get to play once but it is important.  If he was to say that was not fair and started banging on his triangle then the performance would be ruined.

One Another

One thing we need to remember is that we are all part of the body therefore we need one another.  Here is a partial list of the "one another"'s listed in the NIV.
Be devoted to one another in love.  Romans 12:10
Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Live in harmony with one another. Romans 13:16
Love one another.  Romans 13:8
Accept one another. Romans 15:7

Instruct one another.  Romans 15:14

Greet one another with a holy kiss. Romans 16:16

Agree with one another.  1 Corinthians 1:10

Greet one another. 1 Corinthians 16:20

Encourage one another. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

Bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21

That is just a partial list but you can easily see that we do need one another in the church.  We are not alone.