Our Hope Is Not In Elections or This World

We sort of know this is not our true home, but we kind of act as though it is at times.  To my brothers and sisters at Branches Church OC, my hope is to come to you and encourage your heart and lift it up to God in the midst of some interesting times and an even more interesting election season in our country.  I simply want you to know that this world is not our home.  We are aliens in a strange place where the sin and curse of death and its sting is very present, but shall soon be gone when Christ returns. Until then, we trust in God. 

So, I have 4 reflections in the midst of the current transitions in our country.  And we pray and hope for a peaceful transfer of power, which is our good tradition. 

1. Trust God Because He Turns the Kings Heart however He pleases

Prov. 21:1 “The King’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord: he turns it wherever he will.” (ESV)

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has good and perfect purposes. His will shall be accomplished in History as He has decreed before the foundations of the world.  This is not to be fatalistic but to say that the true sovereign is God and He will accomplish His Will. 

This means that all things are in the hands of God.  This takes much out of my hands and puts me in a place of awe, humility, trust, and prayer.

2. My Christian Duty Is To Pray For Leaders

We must be a people who pray for each other and also our leaders.  If you reflect for a moment and cannot remember uttering a single prayer for president Obama, then it’s time to get to work and make it your practice of praying for your leaders.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (ESV)

God saves leaders and can turn and save the hardest heart.  In the book of Daniel, God uses a wicked King, Nebuchadnezzar, not only for his purposes but He also humbles him and transforms his life.

So pray!

3. Christians Have Better Business Than Time To Divide Over Politics

We have a better work and calling by God.  And there are many things in this world that can take us off track of what really matters.  Christians must not divide over politics.  Remember that politics and leaders are not your god, like it is for some.  If it is your functional god, you will get enraged when things don’t go your way.

Quite frankly, my biggest concern is not this election or any election.  A far greater concern of mine is that we have many Christians with splinters in their butts from sitting in a pew for years and no scar tissue in their knees from prayer.   We have more calluses in our hearts towards lost people than callused feet that walk with the good news of Christ to our friends, family, and neighbors in the city that God has ordained we live in.

Consider this! Heaven doesn’t rejoice over elections and governments.  Heaven rejoices when one single lost person is found and comes home to the Father.

Luke 15:1-7 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.  And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’  So he told them this parable: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents and then over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “ (ESV)

If you are on mission with God and rejoicing in what heaven rejoices in, then you will find joy in what makes the Father happy.  And when did it become strange for others to judgmentally say of you, “That guy hangs out with sinners.” Remember, it’s also what they said of Jesus.

4. This Is Not My Home

This place is simply not our home. While it would be better to be with the Lord, we walk with God while we are here. Our home is to come and it is so much better. 

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (ESV)

Do not act as though this is our home, brothers and sisters.  There is much kingdom work to do and we just don’t have the time to be divided over matters of this dying world.  It will pass away like a breath of air on a cold morning. 10,000 years from now, we who hope in Christ will look back on any given historical event like a dew drop on a windshield in the morning that blows away with the start of an engine and a short drive.  Many events will be insignificant. What will matter is our labor for Christ and His kingdom.

You may passionately participate and even lovingly debate over what our county has granted us to partake in, but we must do so without bitterness or malice, because there is no place for such things among those whose hope is in the eternal Christ.  Be like Christ, who could be angry at the right things and remain without sin!

Lastly, a word to cause deep reflection: Brothers, if you are too comfortable or hope too much in this place, then maybe this place has become your home.  Turn to Christ while there is time!

Think Like A Missionary

As Christians, we know we have good news to share with the world around us; that we can know God, and be reconciled to him through Christ Jesus.  Here is the problem: many Christians in local churches experience a mystery. That mystery is that for some reason they get plugged in to a church they love and become sleepy Christians. They don't think of mission or how they can reach the world around them.  Mission is just this strange thing that happened oversees in the 1950's with Jim Elliot and a few other guys. So they don't think about lost people or planting churches locally even though there are thousands of people around them who do not know Jesus.  As we are planting a church we cannot get comfortable and sleepy.  We must think like missionaries. We must think of how we can reach the world around us.

How can we start to think like missionaries?

1. ASK YOURSELF SOME QUESTIONS

Who are the people that live around me?

What do they do for fun?  What do they do for entertainment?

What kind of music do they like?

What kind of jobs do they have--Blue collar or white collar?

Who lives in my neighborhood?  What do they do around major holidays?

What activities do I see happening on the weekends?

What ethnic and cultural backgrounds do I see?

What language do the people I'm trying to reach speak?

2.  LEARN TO SAY YES

About a week ago, my wife and I were hanging out with a couple from church.  When a few Mormon missionaries knocked on the door, I was pleased to see what our host did.  She invited them in, made room around the table, poured them a bowl of amazing soup and welcomed them into the party.  And we all ate together.  If you learn to say yes, you will be on the look-out and you will be sensitive to opportunities to share the love of Christ.  This simple act of feeding these people gave the host an opportunity to share the gospel in the future.  The Mormon missionaries were pretty blown away that they were welcomed with such grace.  I know this because they said it. My guess is that they will be back for further discussion because of the kindness shown to them.

3. HANG OUT WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU

One of the things that I do is to hang out with people like me right in the community that I live in, play in, and work in. I have a long history of wrestling in high school and college. When I have time, I like to go work out at an MMA school and get to know the people around me.  My agenda is to get a good work out.  But my life is about Jesus all the time.  This means that anyone I hang out with is going to hear about Jesus at some point.  I learn their names, pray for them, and when appropriate I've invited some to a church gathering. I've shared the gospel, baptized new believers and invited plenty into my life.  You too have interests and talents that place you around people that I’d never see because I don’t have the street credit that you have. And you too can utilize those interests and talents for the glory of God when you just hang out with people like you.  They are the easiest people for you to reach because you have common ground.  Some of you guys surf.  Don't surf alone. Instead, take someone with you. And take them to your favorite break. Some of you moms have young children.  Get to know the other moms as you are out with the stroller walking with the kids. Some of you have a dog. When that couple says hello and comments how cute your dog is, take time to get to know them and just talk. Some of you love to run. Go for a run with others just like you.

4. TARGET A PEOPLE IN A LOCATION

I heard a great idea from a friend and coach of mine, Brian Howard, who talked about a great idea for a small group. In our context they are Branch Groups. Our groups meet for friendship, prayer, and bible study. However, if a group started thinking outward, I would be their greatest cheerleader.  The group might decide that they want to intentionally reach a certain coffee shop.  They might know that there are 20 employees there. So they decide to learn their names and whenever they drink coffee they make sure to have coffee at that particular coffee shop. They intentionally pray for those people. Who knows what God will do! I personally try to study at a couple different coffee shops every week and have met people and sometimes they end up coming to Branches.

Consider the neighborhood you are in as well. Since God is sovereign over the details of the universe, I think he has you where you are for his glorious mission of making him famous. Get to know the people on your street. Learn their names, and learn their kids’ names.  Have a BBQ and share a meal. And just see what God will do in your neighborhood.

5 LOVE THE CITY YOU ARE IN

A lot of trust can be built with people when we are loving them and the place where they make their home. If we love the city we are in, then we are going to become more than just consumers of the city.  We will care about what happens in the city and the issues of the city because there are people that inhabit that city.  They care about their children, the school they go to, the places they eat, and how safe they feel or don't feel. If we love the city, we will learn to listen to what is happening in the city.  And we will learn to partner with what God is already doing in the city.  This April, we joined hundreds of people in an outreach event called “Love La Habra.”  I think this was a great start for us to join in and listen to what our God is doing in the city.

So brothers and sisters I ask you to think like a missionary!