Are We a Den of Robbers?

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

Everywhere I turn online there seems to be an article or blog post on why milennials are leaving the church. Of course, the church that is being discussed is the Western Church- Western Christianity. I’ve got to be honest, I get pretty grumpy when I read those articles. I get grumpy when I read (and listen) to people discussing (arguing) worship wars (contemp v. emergent v. traditional v.gregorian chant) or outreach methods, or why a certain discipleship program works better than others. (I’m getting grumpy just writing this!)

In Matthew 11, John the Baptist’s disciples come and speak with Jesus about his identity. As they leave, Jesus began to speak to the crowd that has gathered:

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine lothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yet, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'”

A good adherent of Judaism went to the Temple in Jerusalem for their religious life- to worship God. Yet- here in Matthew 11 the people are going out into the wilderness to see John. The question is why are they going? Certainly some of that may have been curiosity. But there is another clue in Matthew 21 where Jesus enters the temple and overturns tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. Jesus says:

“It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’

Why would Jesus call the temple a ‘den of robbers?’ Someone is being robbed. I think first that God is being robbed of the real worship that God deserves. The ‘den of robbers’ is a quote/reference of Jeremiah 7 where Jeremiah is imploring the people of Israel to reform their ways as they are stealing, murdering, committing adultery and perjury and worshipping false gods. When Jesus calls the temple a den of robbers- it’s an indication that the temple has wandered from its purpose. It has fallen into the complacency of sin rather than the worship of God. So God is being robbed of worship while the people are robbed of the encounter with God.

Back to Matthew 11- the people went out to see John because he was a prophet. They went to see John because John called them to repent of their sin (something that evidently wasn’t happening at the temple). They went to see John because John’s ministry was filled with the power of God.

Why are Millenials leaving the church? Why is the Western Church declining in attendance and influence? Perhaps is because we’ve lost our way as the Western Church? Perhaps we are too quick to offer grace without counting the cost of what it really means to follow Christ and the need to repent from our sin (See Bonhoeffer and Cheap Grace). Perhaps because we’re more concerned about methods, or our pet issues than we are about helping people connect with the power of the cross.

People came to see John because the power of God was evident- and the call to repent and turn from sin was explicit. My prayer is to repent in my leadership when I put methods or issues in front of the call of Christ in my life- and my responsibility to point others to the saving (and costly) grace of Jesus Christ.

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Building Bridges: Part 2

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post called Building Bridges which was a bit of a response to the outcome of the Trayvon Martin murder trial- and a response to the polarizing conversations surrounding it. In the post (and I encourage you to read it), I said that Christians should seek to live as bridge builders who reach out, connect, befriend, and get to know people different than them. I want to follow-up with a few more thoughts- not about Trayvon Martin- but our attitudes, actions, and words as Christians.

Have you ever gotten into a discussion with someone about a polarizing topic like gun control? abortion? Gay-rights? Being a Vegan? If so, you know that it’s hard to have a real conversation with someone when they believe their position is right/correct. We can rally around these issues and work towards whatever position we hold on these issues.

But here is something I’ve come to believe more and more:

If the issues we are passionate about are more important than bringing people to the Cross of Jesus- then those issues have become idols in our lives. 

If all people see/hear in our lives is our opinion/belief on an issue- and don’t see Christ. Or worse, if our attitudes, words, and actions polarize people- then they become a stumbling block to pointing people to Christ.

Galatians 6:14 says this: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

The context is this: There was a group of people who believed that Gentiles (Non-Jews) should be circumcised to be a follower of Christ. And they let everyone know it. They were militant about it. Division was caused by it. They were “boasting” that they were correct in their view that Gentiles needed to be circumcised to follow Jesus.

Which leads Paul to say “may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Are we more fired up about gun control, gay rights, death penalty, abortion than we are about bringing people to the Cross of Christ? We need to see if our issues have become an idol. We need to see if we are “boasting” in our issue rather than in the Cross of Christ.

Certainly, we can have our opinions and our beliefs- and hopefully those opinions and beliefs are biblically informed and communicated in love and grace. But we must be wise and discerning to not allow our opinions get in the way of the Cross of Jesus. For it is the Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that saves us- not any opinion or belief that I may profess.

This week, in your day-to-day living, ask yourself this: are my actions, words, and thoughts bringing people closer to the Cross of Christ or pushing them away?

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For Such a Time as This

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

I don’t know about you, but when I watch the news, I can get overwhelmed. There is upheaval and turmoil everywhere you look. We see the effects of sin and the decision of broken people that cause pain and suffering in other people’s lives. One only has to look at Syria, Egypt, NSA/Snowden ordeal- and you could go on and on.

At VBS on Monday, we looked at the story of Esther. Esther was a Jewish girl who essentially won a beauty pageant to become Xerxes new queen. With her identity hidden as a Jewish woman in exile- Haman, a man who hated Jews plotted to exterminate Jews from the land. Her cousin, Mordecai found out about the plot and urged Esther to reveal that she was Jewish and to appeal to the king to be saved.

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s ouse you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will rise up from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” Esther 4:13-14 (NIV)

Esther, was in a position of influence “for such a time as this.” Esther was in a place to save her people- even at the risk of her own life. There was divine purpose for Esther to become queen when she did- and she grasp the opportunity to speak for her people- saving them from destruction.

When I watch the news and get overwhelmed, I am reminded of Esther- who in the face of genocide was put in a position to move and influence those around her in a way that saved her people. We each have influence in the lives of the people around us. We each have the opportunity to speak love and life and grace where others speak fear and hate.  Some of us might be able to make a big difference in the important issues of our day. Others of us might be able to encourage someone with God’s love who believed that they were unlovable. But each of us has a divine purpose in our life to live our lives to love God and to share God with others by the way we love our neighbors.

We have been put into a time such as this for a purpose. Are we pursing that purpose or running away from it?

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Turning Their Hearts Back

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

A week ago, I preached on the episode in Elijah’s life found in 1 Kings 18:16-46. It’s the story of Elijah taking on the 900 prophets of Baal and Asherah. It’s the story of YHWH versus Baal. If you know the account (or take the time to read it) you know that YHWH- the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel resoundingly wins.

But more than a competition- this episode in Elijah’s life is about God doing whatever was necessary to turn the people’s hearts back to Him.

Israel had turned away from God. Following the lead of Ahab (who did “more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him.” 1 Kings 16:30) and his wife Jezebel- who was the patron of the foreign god Baal. Because of this- Elijah announces that there will be no rain or dew for “the next few years.”

Baal was thought to be the god of the skies- controlling the rain and fertility. The ceasing of rain, announced by the prophet of YHWH, would be a nudge or a sign that Baal was not truly the one in control of the rain. This discipline was meant to turn their hearts back to God. But it didn’t.

Israel did not turn their hearts back to God until God showed up and consumed the altar Elijah built and the offering that was placed on the altar. Then they fell prostrate to the ground and cried out, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!”

While this story can seem so distant and foreign to us (when is the last time you built an altar??), the truth of this account is that God will do (and is doing) whatever is necessary to turn the hearts of God’s people back to him. As God set out to restore Israel in 1 Kings 18- God is out to restore creation- and to restore you and me through Jesus.

This is what is so remarkable to me about Jesus. The idea that God would become human- and in human form die a criminal’s death on the cross and through his death and resurrection- make it possible for humanity to experience God’s love and salvation. All this is to turn our hearts back to God.

Are we open to the ways in which God is at work- turning our hearts and the hearts of those around us back to Him? Did we see this redemptive work in discipline? Trials? Blessings? Are we aware of the redemptive work taking place in the lives of those around us? I’m thankful that God is always at work in our lives- working to bring us back and bring us closer to His heart.

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Building Bridges

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

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I was watching the Pirates take on the Mets the other night when the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial came through. My initial response was surprise- then dismay as this was really a no-win situation. A young man is dead, his family forever affected. Zimmerman, while found innocent will likely live in fear for quite a long time. For our community and our country- we continue to polarize- to be pushed further apart. And regardless of what the verdict would have been.

In our vision statement at Hope Church- we believe that we believe God is calling us to be “a diverse community impacting thousands through passionate worship, intentional discipleship, and Christ-like service.”

Our prayer is to be a diverse congregation because when we read the Scriptures- we see that God is calling the world to himself. When we read the scriptures- especially in Revelation- we see that ever tribe and tongue is gathered around God’s throne worshiping. Our Church is to be a gateway- a portal- a glimpse of what life is like in heaven. If that is true- then our congregation must be diverse.

I believe that as Christians, we are to avoid polarization around the issues of the day. Let me be clear- we are to hate sin, especially the sin in our own lives. And we are to know what the Bible says and live out those beliefs- but it means that we avoid polarizing rhetoric, attitudes, and actions that divide rather than bring together. That means we are to be bridge-builders. Ed Stetzer, blogger and President of Lifeway Research provided some responses to the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial on his blog The Exchange. One of the responses is from Dr. Christena Cleveland- a social psychologist. She writes,

“Privileged people of the cross seek out, stand with, and stick their necks out for people who have problems that are nothing like their own. Privileged people of the cross resist the magnetic draw of our culturally-polarized society. Privileged people of the cross jump every societal hurdle in order to understand the perspective of, stand with and advocate for the other.

Just like Jesus did for us.”

As people of the cross, as bridge builders, we must do everything we can to understand the perspective of, stand with, and advocate for the other- our neighbors.

I had lunch this past week with a man who identifies himself as gay. We have developed a friendship over the past year- and we went to lunch in order to share stories and find common ground- and to enjoy our friendship. I did not go to call him a sinner, or to try and change him. I went to understand his experience (I have a lot to learn about his experiences) I went to understand him. I went to be the best friend I could be. I went to build a bridge.

In our lives as Christian, because of sin, we are separated from God. Our sinfulness and God’s holiness puts us at polar opposites. In many ways, my sin and God’s holiness repel each other. But God send Jesus to be a bridge- the only way that I could be cleansed of my sin and live in relationship with God. In our lives, we are called to be bridge builders- to be used to draw people closer to God.

I think there are some questions to ask of ourselves as Christians as we interact with society and weigh in on the issues of the day.

Am I living as a bridge builder? Is the way I talk about politics, social issues polarizing? Are the things I post on twitter or facebook helping people to grow in their faith or to question my faith? Am I living my life to understand and advocate for those who are different than me?  Do my actions, my words, my lifestyle draw people to want to know Jesus? Or push them further away?

Being a bridge-builder is not about compromising our beliefs, but it is understanding that not everyone believes what we believe and being respectful of that. Being a bridge-builder means that it is more important to be in relationship than being right. Being a bridge-builder is realizing that I cannot change anyone- that is the work of the Holy Spirit.

How is God using you to build bridges in your community? With people different from you?

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20/20 Vision

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

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This past week, I preached an overview message on the life of Samson. I remember Samson from flannel boards and coloring books. I always heard about his God-given strength that was tied to his uncut hair- and how he tore a lion apart with his bare hands and could not resist the advances of Delilah.

But more than a hero- Samson is a cautionary tale of what happens when we become narcissistic and seeking to do what pleases us rather than seeking to do what pleases God.

Two examples:

In Judges 14, Samson “sees” a Philistine woman and demands that his parents bring her to him for his wife. His parents object in part because the Philistines were the enemies of Israel- this would have been a social faux pas and went religiously against that law of God. But Samson continues in 14:3, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” According to K. Lawson Younger Jr.’s commentary on Judges- the Hebrew literally means, “She is right in my eyes.”

After encountering and tearing apart a lion (which was a violation of his Nazarite status), Samson finally gets to meet this woman he wants to marry- but appears to have never spoken to! Samson is moved by his hungers and his lust. 14:7 says, “Then he went down and talked with the woman, and he liked her.” Again, Lawson says that “He liked her” literally means “she was right in his eyes.”

The irony of the story is that when Samson caves to the nagging of Delilah and is captured- the Philistines gouge out his eyes. The man who did what was right in his own eyes could not “see” what Delilah was up to- and now could not physically see because his eyes have been gouged out. 

All of this foreshadows the last line of the book of Judges: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”

The problem with Samson and the Israelites in the book of Judges is that they did what was right in their own eyes rather than doing what was right in the eyes of God. This is our human condition. We are tempted in every way to do what is right in our own eyes; to give into our cravings and our lust. We are told that if it feels good- then do it. This is the prevailing moral message of our culture.

Deuteronomy 6:18 says, “Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you…” We are to do what is right in God’s eyes- not our own. In order to do that, we must be students of the Scriptures-knowing what is in the word of God. We must practice prayer and discernment to seek God’s leading. And we must allow a holy boldness to fill our lives because doing what is right and good in the LORD’s sight is counter-cultural. We will need to daily abide in God’s presence and strength if we are to do so.

Samson is a cautionary tale for those who are tempted do what is right in their own eyes. May God give us eyes to see that His ways are higher than our ways. May we have eyes to see that God will provide for all our needs. May we have eyes to see the world as God sees it and to live in the love, grace, and mercy that God has shown us through Jesus.

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Defining Spirituality

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

I began reading Eugene Peterson’s Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places this week. Peterson seeks to “reunite spirituality and theology in a cultural context where these two vital facets of Christian faith have been rent asunder.”

The first chapter seeks to define spirituality in a way that has been the initial intention. Spirituality is not some vague or abstract pursuit- but it is life with God. Peterson says, “Spirituality is…an operation of God in which our human lives are pulled into and made participants in the life of God, whether as lovers and rebels.”

Peterson rightfully points out that spirituality is an operation of God. It is God’s grace that invites us to participate in the God-life. In participation we can either move away from God in rebellion or move closer to God in intimacy and love.

In our spirituality, we are drawn closer to God through Jesus- who is the final and definitive revelation of God. If we accept this about Jesus- Peterson says that we cannot make up our own customized spiritualities because we know too much about Jesus and the spirituality that Jesus had. We are not in a place to pick and choose what we embrace Christians because we have the example and spirituality of Jesus to follow.

The word “spirituality” needs some rehab in our culture and time- to be reclaimed by the Christian community as it is the breath, the Spirit we receive from our relationship with God.

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Ordination: The End of One Journey- The Beginning of Another

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

 

 

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Ordination class is prayed over by Bishop Peggy Johnson

Last weekend was the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference- our yearly gathering of clergy and laity to talk all things United Methodist happening on the Delmarva Peninsula. I’ve come to enjoy the weekend of fellowship, worship, and Holy Conferencing- though I would love to see some changes (another blog post).

This Annual Conference will always be special to me because I was ordained an Elder in Full Connection in The United Methodist Church. This is the culmination of nine plus years of work. To break it down- 2+ years of exploring candidacy and getting licensed, 5 years of seminary part-time, 2 years of Provisional Status- which leads up to Ordination. I think throughout the journey of the past 9+ years I wished it would go by faster- but in the end, I am right where I am supposed to be.

Overall, the Ordination service was very moving. Retired Bishop Violet Fisher preached at the service. (And by preached, I mean preached as only Bishop Fisher can- it was a great message!) Bishop Fisher preached on our calling and how before any Bishop can lay hands on us and appoint us- we need to be anointed by God.

I was told by a friend who was ordained years ago that ordination weekend would be a blur- and it was- and that future ordination services would create opportunities to reflect and be thankful for the journey. One that is truly just beginning.

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Bring It Back to Jesus: Eddie DeGarmo Interview

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Steve LaMotte

I was reading the latest issue of Worship Leader magazine this morning- and in it was an interview with Eddie DeGarmo who is the president of Capitol CMG Publishing who has a roster including Kirk Franklin, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, David Crowder and more. For me, Eddie DeGarmo was also one half of the 80’s/90’s duo, Degarmo and Key. In the interview, Eddie gives a response that I wanted to post here. He was asked, “Is it possible to have a music career and an active ministry at the same time?”

“If you know Christ, having a ministry should be foundational to whatever you do, whether you’re a baseball player or a guitar player. But having a career with a public platform always creates issues. You have to be careful of compromising the way you present yourself. One of the masters of dealing with the media and the public is Billy Graham. Whenever he was interviewed and someone would ask him about abortion or other social issues he would always bring it back to the gospel. That’s a good example to follow. It isn’t your answers on the issues of the day that bring people to Christ. It’s the Holy Spirit.” (Eddie DeGarmo, Worship Leader, May 2013)

Two things that strike me about this quote. First, I really like that DeGarmo says that it is foundational for everyone who knows Christ to have a ministry. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teacher, a surgeon, a stay-at-home mom/dad, a janitor, or a bus driver. We need to grow where God has planted us. This is our mission field.

Secondly, I love his final sentence. Our answers about the topics of the day do not bring people to Christ- that is the work of the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give answers- but that our answers should point people to the Gospel- the Good News that Jesus died for each of us and wants to extend grace and mercy to us. After point people to Christ, the rest is up to the Holy Spirit. (Check out 1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

Where has God planted you and given you a ministry? Have you had experiences of bringing conversations back to Christ? How is God using you where you are to advance the Kingdom? What is your favorite DeGarmo & Key song?

I couldn’t resist posting a video from Degarmo & Key. Can’t tell you how many times I listened to this song as a teenager. Yes, you can judge me now!

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An Adoption Milestone

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Steve LaMotte
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Our China Dossier Before Sending It Away!

For those who may not know, Andrea and I have been working through the adoption process since last August- and seriously since November. Our prayer is to adopt a young girl with minor correctable special needs from China. Yesterday, we reached a major milestone: our dossier (all the legal paperwork) was cleared by our adoption agency and is being prepared to be sent to officials in China! It’s taken a little while longer than we had hoped it would- but it is probably better to prepare for longer rather than shorter!

What’s next? We will wait for approval from the Chinese government- then wait some more for placement. It seems the earliest we could travel to China for an adoption would be 12-18 months, but it is hard to say. It seems that the timeline and information changes regularly.

How can you help? First and foremost, keep us in your prayers- and keep a little girl (who may not be born yet) in your prayers. Pray that she would have what see needs to be healthy; that she would be filled with God’s grace and love. Pray that Abbie and Chloe (who know a little of what we’re doing), would receive a new sister and love her like they love each other. Pray for God’s provisions as there are a lot of expenses remaining to cover for our adventure to continue!

Thanks to everyone who has been an encouragement and inspiration to us in this journey! I can’t wait to share more about it with you!

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