Stepping Down to Step Up

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.    —Matthew 1:24-25

Like Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus, I was a carpenter in my younger days. I built a couple houses, installed many kitchens and bathrooms, and replaced way too many roofs. My business partner and I even had dreams of building a model home and owning a home building franchise. If our dreams would have succeeded, we may have built a few more houses in the area and hopefully made a better than decent wage.

All of that changed as I became more involved in the church and grew in my walk with Jesus Christ. The more opportunities I had to serve in the church and preach, the more I felt God calling me to something more. I eventually accepted God’s nudging into full time ministry, but in order to follow God’s plan and will, I had to step down from my carpenter business and step away from my future plans for building homes.

How many of you have heard of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris? Probably quite of few, but how many know who designed it? It was Jean Chalgrin. What about the Pentagon? George Bergstrom and David Witmer were the chief architects. Joseph the Carpenter, the husband of Mary and step-father of Jesus, might have designed and build many earthly things had it not been for God’s plan and will for his life.

Joseph stepped down into surrender and humiliation in order to step up into God’s grander purpose for his life. Joseph may have had great hopes and dreams for himself. Maybe he was planning to offer an entire new furniture line. He may have had in his mind plans for the greatest building in the Middle East. As with other great structures, as the years pass, very few people would have remembered his name. Although he was known as “the husband of Mary” (Matthew 1:16), and listed as the “so it was thought” father of Jesus (Luke 3:23), Joseph was included in the greatest adventure and plan of the universe. Joseph shared in the salvation of the entire world and will be remembered forever as a servant of God.

Jesus, Himself, epitomizes the stepping down to step up mode of the Kingdom of God. Philippians 2:5-11 tells us that Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God … made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant … and humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” Jesus stepped down from heaven on Christmas Day and became a helpless human baby. He then lived a perfect sinless life and gave His life on the cruel Roman cross to pay for our sins and the sins of the entire world.

In the resurrection on Easter morning and His ascension to heaven, Jesus steps up into the glory of God the Father and is exalted above every name. Jesus stepped down in humility, service, and obedience, but He stepped up higher than anyone or anything in all creation.

Many of us think that to totally surrender our lives to God’s will for our lives means we must sacrifice all the good things we had hoped for. God’s plan for our lives far surpasses the greatest earthly joy and human achievement without God. God knows you better than you know yourself. God has plans and goals that will benefit others and the Kingdom of God. Stepping down from human plans and up into the glorious plans of God never disappoints. James tells us, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (4:10). Peter repeats, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

Fear Not, Let's Worship

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”                             —Luke 2:10-11

In our Advent sermon series, I have been asking the question, “If this was your Last Christmas, would you…?” The sermon for each week then completes the questions: Believer Boldly, Surrender Completely, and this week, “Worship Joyously.” Previously, we looked at John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah and then Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel. This week we will look at the Angel of the Lord’s pronouncement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.

In each encounter with Angels, there was fear and troubling (Luke 1:12), troubling (1:29), or exceeding fear (2:9). Simply bringing up the possibility of this Christmas being our Last Christmas causes many to fear. What if I am diagnosed with a terminal illness? What if Jesus returns in the Second Coming before next Christmas? What if I am in a terrible car crash or terrorist attack? We must admit, this can be a very fearful and troubling world.

To each onset of fear (to Zechariah, Mary, and the Shepherds), the angels responded with the words, “Fear Not,” “Do not be afraid.” Zechariah’s prayers had been answered (Luke 1:13); Mary had found favor with God (1:30); and the Shepherds heard good news of great joy (2:11). Because of Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift to humankind, we need not fear. We can rejoice and worship God. Our prayers have been answered. We have found favor with God, and we have received and can share the good news of greatest joy with all people.

This Christmas, I am focusing on the joy and peace given to us by God. In addition to God’s greatest gift of His Son to us, God has given us His Spirit so that the Trinity: God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit may live within us forever. Romans 14:17 tells us, “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Jesus prayed in the Upper Room before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves” (John 17:33).

If this was our Last Christmas on earth, many of us would be very fearful, and rightly so for some. But hear the Good News of great joy for everyone, “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). A Savior has come to rescue you from yourself, your sin, and your eternal punishment. As we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, He gives us His peace and joy. The angelic hosts sang loudly that first Christmas, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

If you will call upon the name of the Lord, God’s favor rests on you. You need not be afraid but can join with God’s heavenly choir and worship the Lord. After the shepherds saw Jesus lying in a manger bed, they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). This Christmas, whether it be our first or our last, let us not fear; rather, let us worship the Lord in peace and joy. 

All In

And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”    —Luke 1:38

Many of us are familiar with the term “all in.” I only knew “all in” in reference to the Christian faith and Texas Hold’em poker I’ve seen on TV. I have only ever gambled once, and I crashed and burned. I was 15 years old and thought I had enough money to outlast a carnival worker at the Dayton Fair. The prize was to win double or nothing, but the cost to play (swing a ball on a chain over and back to knock down a lone bowling pin) also doubled each time.

In poker, “all in” occurs when you are usually low on funds, but think you have a really good hand and wish to scare off your opponents and take the pot. You go “all in” by betting all the money or chips that you have on the table. “All in” in this case is an attempt to get everything for yourself or go home.

To me, the Christian meaning of “all in” is that Jesus is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). The most important relationship in our lives must be our relationship to God in Jesus. I do not believe Jesus was telling us to hate our family or ourselves, but was using exaggeration to drive home the point that Jesus wants to be number one in our lives?

 

The Christmas passage in Luke’s Gospel records the Annunciation, the announcement by the Angel Gabriel telling Mary she would become the Mother of God’s Son. Mary’s concluding response describes her statement of faith and a complete surrender to the Will of God. “And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word’” (Luke 1:38). Mary believed the angel’s message and went “all in” with God. She was risking everything she had and everything she would ever be. Mary was also placing in jeopardy her relationship and love for Joseph, to whom she was engaged.

Mary’s “all in” was not for her own benefit but for the benefit of others and the entire world; it was for you and for me. She was surrendering her plans and her life for the welfare and salvation of every other human being. Poker players play to win for themselves. Mary was giving her life away in order to find it again in Jesus Christ. Jesus also said as He faced the Cross, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

What are you “all in” about? Your golf game? Shopping? Facebook? Working out? Fox News or CNN? Your family? Your car? Your job? When Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord,” she was denying her own good plans for her life and surrendering to God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will for her. One of my favorite “all in” passages is Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

If we are to experience God’s good and perfect will in our lives, we must surrender our selfish plans, go “all in,” and make Jesus Christ the boss of our life.

Religious Doubt

Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”    —Luke 1:18

What would you do, how would you act if you knew this was going to be the last Christmas you would celebrate on earth? I recently conducted a memorial service for a lady whose favorite song was the Tim McGraw country hit, “Live Like You were Dying.” For you non-country music fans who might not know the song, it describes a man in his early forties who is diagnosed with a terminal disease. The song details the way he chooses to live his remaining days on earth: become a better husband and friend, turn to the Bible and offer forgiveness, and complete his bucket list by mountain climbing, sky diving, and bull riding.

No one knows for sure when the last Christmas will be nor what it will look like. I and many Christians believe the Lord Jesus may return to earth at any time. The second coming would define the last Christmas for everyone on earth once and for all. If the Lord does not return in our lifetime, our last Christmas would be the December before our death.

Each year, we celebrate the first Christmas when Jesus Christ, God’s Son, became a human baby and dwelt among us. The Biblical narratives describe how people responded to the original Christmas. Zacharias, a Jewish priest, and his wife, Elizabeth, were very old and had no children. While he was ministering in the Temple, an angel appeared to him telling him that his prayers had been heard; they were going to have a son, John the Baptist, who would prepare the world for the earthly ministry of Jesus.

Zacharias was a religious man who prayed, served in the temple, and obeyed all of God’s commandments. One would expect such a religious person to possess strong faith, but upon hearing the great news, Zacharias appears to have doubted. He asked, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:1). I do not believe in blind faith, but there is always an element of uncertainty in each opportunity to trust God. Our only certainty is that God is good and will always be with us. We can trust Him with our future.

Many people struggle with doubt. Sometimes they act holier and perform religious deeds in hopes of being accepted by God. Religious persons should doubt as they attempt to please and appease God by their good deeds. According to Isaiah 64:6, all our righteous acts and human efforts to reach heaven are like filthy rags to God. We cannot find peace with God through religious acts alone. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus paid the price for our sins and reconciled us to God. As we believe on His Name and receive God’s love, we are made right with and righteous before God as a gift.

You and I cannot know for certain if this is will be our last Christmas on earth, but if it was, how would you live? Would you believe boldly or doubt? One thing is sure; God loves you. Jesus gave His life to rescue you from sin and death. He promises to come again and receive us unto Himself. Trust in the Lord and do not doubt. Live your remaining days until the last Christmas in gratitude and love to God.

All God's Children Got Crowns

In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.    —2 Timothy 4:8

There is an old southern spiritual song entitled, I'm Gonna Walk All Over Heaven, that many might remember by its lyrics, “All God’s children got shoes.” The lyrics and even the title varies greatly from year to year and artist to artist. Some sing, all God’s children have a robe, shoes, a crown, a cross, a song, and even wings.

 

Honestly, I am quite sure we will not receive wings; we do not become angels in heaven. I seldom thought about getting a crown until I reflected on the connection between worship and thanksgiving. The twenty-four elders before the throne of God in heaven, “Cast their crowns before the throne, saying, You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:10-11).

A quick study of the word “crown” in the New Testament reveals that every Christian believer will receive a crown in heaven, and there are several types of crowns. Paul speaks of receiving a crown of righteousness. After warning Timothy of the terrible apostate times to come, Paul concludes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (vs. 7). He concludes the thought by telling us the crown of righteousness is not only for Paul but for everyone who loves Jesus’ appearing. A crown of righteousness is promised for all those who stay true to Jesus until the end.

A second crown, the crown of life, is described in James 1:12 and by Jesus in Revelation 2:10. This crown is promised to those who persevere under trial and suffer persecution. Jesus says, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Hopefully, you and I will not have to face death for our faith, but many have died confessing Christ in our day, even in America.  Jesus did say, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

Peter mentions a crown of glory which might be reserved for those who lead the flock of God. 1 Peter 5 describes how to be a good shepherd to those under one’s care. “And, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (5:4).

A fourth crown, the crown of joy, is the soul winner’s crown. Paul refers to believers that he led to the Lord as his joy and crown (Philippians 4:1) and his hope, joy, and crown of exultation (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Paul is not boasting a gold medal for his accomplishments for he had a Kingdom view of his ministry. “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:7-8).  

There are rewards in heaven, and, yes, there are crowns for every believer. Do not be confused thinking that we can earn our way into heaven. Heaven is the gift of God, purchased for each of us with the precious blood of Christ. All our righteous acts and human efforts to please God are like filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6). One might ask, “Then why are we given crowns?” We are given crowns so we can cast them at the feet of Jesus in heaven to give Him thanks, honor, and praise for His love and power at work in and through our lives. 

No Thanksgiving without Worship

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.    —Revelation 7:12

In America, Thanksgiving brings images of pilgrims, family, turkey, and pumpkin pie. For over ten years, I, my five siblings, who have been spread across the United States, and our families gathered for several days at one of our houses each Thanksgiving. The time together included, outdoor games like golf and football. We usually spent some time shopping together, going to a movie, and staying up late to play board games. The Thanksgiving Day meal was always on Friday, with all the fixings. Thanksgiving just wouldn’t seem right without turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and homemade noodles, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce.

One year, we met at my sister’s home in the San Francisco area. On Thursday, their church had a special Thanksgiving service. Many people came, some recovering from addictions. We shared our testimonies and gave honor and praise to God. It was one of the most meaningful Thanksgivings I have ever experienced. To many Americans, Thanksgiving is not complete without food and family, but in God’s eyes, thanksgiving is not complete without worship.

In the Bible, true thanksgiving includes worship and submission to God. In the book of Revelation, the word “thanks” is found three times. Each occurrence takes place before the throne of God in an act of worship. In Revelation 4:9, the four living Beings who dwell continually before God’s throne, give glory, honor, and thanksgiving to God. When they do, the twenty-four elders fall down before the Lord and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (4:11).

Then in Revelation 7:9-12, a multitude of people coming out of the great tribulation stand before the throne and the Lamb clothed with white robes, and worship God by saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”  Joining them in worship, “All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.’”

The third time is in Revelation 11:17. After the last trumpet, the seventh, is sounded, the twenty-four elders, who sat on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come.”

Come to Jesus

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.    —Matthew 11:28

The Gospel might be described in one word, “Come.” Jesus invites all who are weary and weighed down with care to come to Him for rest. Jesus also says in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” The cares and sorrows of this life steal our joy and burden our souls, but Jesus comes to give us abundant life: rest, peace, joy, and purpose.

Sadly and amazingly, we will do almost anything to find happiness in life except simply coming to Jesus. Oswald Chambers has said, “Isn’t it humiliating to be told that we must come to Jesus! Think of the things about which we will not come to Jesus Christ. If you want to know how real you are, test yourself by these words— “Come to Me….” In every dimension in which you are not real, you will argue or evade the issue altogether rather than come; you will go through sorrow rather than come” (My Utmost, October 8).

In the early days of my Christian life, I soon learned how people will evade and argue rather than come to Jesus. When I first began to witness and tell others my story of coming to Jesus Christ, I was surprised how quickly folks would justify their sin and argue why they did not need to come to Jesus. Almost immediately, they would give their criticism of the Church or some Christian and give their reason for refusing to come.

One lady comes to mind. I was working for a carpenter who was remodeling her kitchen. During a break she began to ask me about my life, and the subject of my dropping out of college came up. I told her my story how I asked Jesus to come into my life and to forgive me of my sins. I described the joy and peace I found in Him. I then asked her if she had found the joy and peace that Christ offers. Our conversation took a surprising turn into excuses and criticisms.

She immediately said that there was nothing wrong with owning and running a bar. I knew that her family ran one of the bars in my hometown, but I never mentioned or even hinted anything about it. It appears that she lived with a great deal of guilt for the family business. Instead of coming to Jesus, she made justification for her guilt.

She then gave me a long detailed story of how the local Methodist pastor acted poorly in her eyes in ministering to her dying father. The pastor would visit weekly to pray and give Holy Communion to her bedridden father. After each visit, her father secretly reminded her to give the pastor a monetary gift for visiting. One time, she withheld the money from the preacher, and the minister never came back. Because of this offense, she would never go to church and never come to Jesus.

I didn’t get to know this lady’s life any deeper. I don’t know the depth of her guilt and shame and any judgmental attitudes from others towards her family’s business. I also don’t know if her father died, the minister moved away, or why he never returned to visit. But I do know that I have seen this reaction toward the Gospel repeated many times by other folks. We justify, make excuses, and refuse to simply come to Jesus.

The Gospel message is for you and everyone who will come. Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” God loves you. Why don’t you come? No excuse or justification of sin is worth refusing Jesus’ invitation. Come!