Sin is fun…in the moment.  Sin brings pleasure…in the moment.  Sin satisfies…in the moment.

However, when the sinful moment is gone: Fun becomes sorrow, pleasure becomes pain, satisfaction becomes emptiness.

Mankind’s aggressive pursuit of sin has never shocked me.  It is part of our fleshly makeup.  Until we encounter the One who can satisfy our thirst for pleasure, we don’t understand any other way.  Conscience, that ingrained moral code in all people, is a real thing; but, honestly, it is a pretty weak chaperon until it is governed by the Holy Spirit.

What does amaze and sadden me is how quickly those who profess to have a relationship with Jesus will pursue worldly pleasures.

Why does this happen?  Why are we still so prone to fall back into the old and dead ways?

With what I am about to say, some may cast me into the category of a judgmental fundamentalist who is here to cast stones at other believers who aren’t “perfect.” Others might label me as a flaming liberal who is soft on sin.  As I trust you to withhold judgment until I finish, I do want to make three things clear:

1) I don’t point the finger without taking a hard look at myself.  Even as Christians, we all are guilty.  Left unchecked we all tend to veer toward sin and self.  We are not perfect – that is without debate.  The issue, though, is not perfection; rather, the issue is direction.  Which way are we headed?  What is our goal?

2) This pursuit of worldly pleasure is not a new 21st Century phenomenon.  The Bible is full of passages addressing these very things.  Sin has always been a problem and it has always been rooted in self.  The specifics may be different as the decades pass by, but the problem is still the same.  Look at what Paul wrote to Timothy nearly 2000 years ago (and go slowly through this):

“But know this: difficult times will come in the last days.  For people will be
lovers of self,
lovers of money,
boastful,
proud,
blasphemers,
disobedient to parents,
ungrateful,
unholy,
unloving,
irreconcilable,
slanderers,
without self-control,
brutal,
without love for what is good,
traitors,
reckless,
conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
holding to the form of religion but denying its power.  Avoid these people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Paul’s list to Timothy certainly does not sound antiquated or irrelevant to our times.  In fact, it sounds like a pretty good description of much of what we see today.  I have additional comments for each one of those sins mentioned but for the sake of space I will refrain.

3) In an effort to get people to hate sin as much as God does, some Christians over the centuries have railed against sinners and sin with zeal and passion.  Their intent to herald purity and godliness is excellent.  The method of in-your-face dogmatism, however, is misguided and  often un-Christlike.   One negative effect of this belligerent evangelism is that we gave to Satan the copyright on “pleasure.”

Things that are pleasurable must be sinful, right?  Is this the intent of Scripture?  Is the devoted and godly life only seen in a life that abstains from any hint of pleasure or fun?  Is the primary goal of Christian living to avoid sin or is it something else altogether?

Tune in Wednesday and I will tell you what I think.

Just to give you some food for thought, I want to leave you with one quote to chew on.  I will tell you who said it on Wednesday.

“The greatest hindrance to worship is not that we are a pleasure-seeking people, but that we are willing to settle for such pitiful pleasures.”

Here I am talking about Rick Warren again.  Well, who isn’t these days?  He is becoming one of the most recognizable and quotable evangelicals in the world today.  He is being criticized on the left for holding to traditional biblical standards.  He is being criticized on the right for watering down the truth and not taking a stronger stand on domestic issues.  I addressed this in a blog I did in December.  Please go back and read that if you haven’t already.

Rick Warren’s Influence

Now, the criticism has intensified surrounding his statements and apologies regarding Proposition 8 in California.  This was a measure to ban gay marriage.  It passed.  Recently, Larry King interviewed Warren and here is a snippet from that interview.

Now let me make a few comments.

1. The title for this clip is “Pastor Rick Warren: ‘I am not Anti-Gay Marriage.’”  Is that what he said?  No, not in context.  I hate when people are quoted out of context.  He said, “I am not an anti-gay marriage activist.”  There is a big difference here.  He has already stated in the clip that he believes marriage is between a man and a woman.  He has not deterred from that statement or belief.   He states that this gay marriage issue is not on his agenda.  At the taping, the genocide in Rwanda and the spiritual effect of the recession on Americans were at the top of his agenda.  He is simply not an activist on the issue.  Guess what?  Neither am I.   Honestly, right now, engaging my circle of influence with the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ is at the top of my agenda.  I do not hesitate or stutter when I say that God’s plan for marriage is heterosexual and not homosexual.   If we could, however, dissolve every state-recognized homosexual marriage and even turn every gay individual into a heterosexual, would we have really accomplished anything of eternal significance?  No, because whether one is gay or straight, if he or she doesn’t know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior then hell is still the destination.  It amazes me sometimes how we, as Christians, expect a lost world to shape up and fly right by its own choice.  Change comes from the inside…an encounter with the Creator.  It is God who does the changing and the transforming in the life of the believer.  There is a place for activism in certain situations, but let’s remember that often the people we are trying to reach with the Gospel will never listen to us if activism is our top priority.

2. Did you have  problem with Warren saying he had gay friends?  If so, why?  I would say he puts himself in some pretty good company.  The tag the Pharisees put on Jesus (meant as an insult) was that He was a “friend of sinners.”  I have come to believe that you can actually develop friendships with people who are ungodly, without accepting their sin.  You CAN actually love the sinner and hate the sin.  In a Newsweek article, the director of the Human Rights Campaign’s religion and faith program chastised Warren and said, “You can’t say to someone that I care about you but I disrespect your marriage.”   That is simply not true.  We do that as parents all the time.  “I love you unconditionally, but I do not accept your disobedient behavior.”  Jesus was the Master of loving sinners while never once condoning sin.  I want to be like Jesus.

3. I came under serious conviction a few months ago that I just didn’t know many unbelievers (outside of any secretly “lurking” in my congregation).  I love to serve the church, and I take seriously my role of equipping and shepherding the body of Christ.  How can I, though, continue to preach to my people the necessity of sharing their faith when I am not seeking out opportunities myself?  I have made a concerted effort over the past few months to get outside of the walls and build relationships with those outside the faith.  I am not beating anyone over the head with the Bible, I am just trying to shine the light.  I am asking people how I can pray for them and I am getting some amazing results.  I am energized by seeing how God is opening up new doors for the Gospel.  This is exciting stuff.  I am a servant to the Lord.  I am a shepherd to this congregation.  I am, I hope, a friend to sinners.

Let us please make sure that if unbelievers reject the Gospel, and many will, that they are doing so because they have chosen to walk away from Christ, not because they have chosen to walk away from arrogant and hateful Christians.

Today I preached a sermon on preparing ourselves for Easter Sunday.  As part of the practical application I put together a 2 week plan.  Each day has a different activity to do.  It starts tomorrow.  You certainly don’t have to do the list the I have suggested.  In fact, you don’t have to do any preparation at all.  I am sure that no matter what you do, if you worship with other believers on Easter Sunday morning then it will be a blessing.  That said, I can’t help but believe that if we intentionally prepare ourselves for that day then we will come to worship on April 12th with an expectancy that we otherwise would not have.  This expectancy and anticipation will reap great rewards as you pour out your heart to the Lord on that Sunday.  I have challenged my congregation to take this two week challenge.  I can’t wait to hear how God works through this even before we get to Easter Sunday.  Oh, one more thing: if you do the challenge, always read  the next day’s task the night before.  You will want to know what your task is before you rush into your day.

Here is my plan:

A Pathway of Preparation
to Celebrate the Passion of Christ

Monday (3/30): At least five times today, ask God to begin preparing your heart to celebrate the Passion. (i.e. first thing in the morning, before your 3 meals of the day, last thing before you go to bed)

Tuesday (3/31): Praise the Lord today for His grace. Remember the sin of your past, and thank God that it is gone and that you are free. Look up 2 Corinthians 5:17, write in on an index card, carry it with you, and read it as many times as you can.

Wednesday (4/1): Ask God to reveal to you any areas of your life that are out of line with His will for you. Confess those sins and receive the renewal of His forgiveness.

Thursday (4/2): Identify 2 people in your circle of influence that you can serve. Do an act of kindness or service anonymously for them today. (This can be for a family member but make sure you include those outside your family as well.)

Friday (4/3): Make a list today of everything you are grateful to God for. You should be able to come up with many things. Carry this list with you for the week. Reflect on it often and add to it when you are reminded of more things you are grateful for.

Saturday (4/4): Ask at least one stranger today, “How can I pray for you today?” Make sure you pray for them!

Sunday (4/5): Pray for at least 3 people in your circle of influence who are unchurched and/or unbelievers. Pray that God will pierce their hearts over the next week. Invite them to worship with us Easter Sunday.

Monday (4/6): Give away something special to you to someone who can use or appreciate it. Tell him or her, “This is just a small token, symbolic of the great blessings that God has given to me. As He gave to me, I give to you.”

Tuesday (4/7): Ask at least 3 people today, “Do you know what’s coming on Sunday?” If they aren’t sure, say, “Sunday we celebrate the greatest event in the history of mankind: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Would you like to go with me to the celebration?”

Wednesday (4/8): Read John 19…slowly.

Thursday (4/9): Recall a hymn or praise song that celebrates the resurrection of Christ. Play or sing it first thing in the morning to get it in your head. Keep it in your mind and on your mouth all day long. Prayerfully prepare for the Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 PM, and consider who you might invite who needs to hear this tremendous presentation.

Friday (4/10): It was on a Friday that Jesus died for our sins. Today, to keep that on your mind, look up Isaiah 53:5, write in on an index card, carry it with you, and read it as many times as you can.

Saturday (4/11): Saturday was a dark day for the followers of Jesus. As they had watched Him die and now He was buried. Their hope was shattered…or was it? We know what happens on Sunday. Today, find someone you know who has lost a loved one this year. Don’t look to give them answers or eliminate their grief; however, write them a note or give them a call and just let them know that Jesus loves them, you love them, and you are there for them. Ask them how you can pray for them today.

Sunday (4/12): Christ the Lord is risen today! Your final step of preparation is to ready your heart for worship! Eliminate distractions. Focus your mind. Let nothing keep you from giving your whole self to exalting your King. Come and worship the risen Savior together with other believers!

I just came across a great account of God at work again through difficult circumstances to glorify His name and spread His gospel.  A friend of Mom’s has some family that are missionaries in Nepal.  They are housing some young students and using the opportunities to be a light for Christ.  Their names are Eva and Isaac.  Anyway, Isaac had to leave for a few weeks to go to India to establish some contacts and resources for future ministry opportunities.  On his way back home, he encountered one obstacle after another.  But at each step God used the inconveniences to provide divine appointments to lift Him up to others.  Stories like this really fire me up!  Anyway, please check out their account of what happened on their blog.  Let me know what you think!

Trip Back for Isaac

The kids had this past Monday off for a teacher workday so we decided to head up to Boone.  We left after lunch on Sunday.  We got to the hotel and had some good family time (swimming and games).  The next morning we went up to Beech Mountain where they have a hill beside the town hall and offer free sledding to kids 12 and under.  (Parents can go if they are on the same sled as the kid.)  We spent about 2 hours up there and had a blast.  Austin and Alaina have the bumps and bruises to prove it too!  The hill was getting a little rough and they were catching some air with some some pretty big landings.  But they hung in there and had a good time.  We cleaned up at the hotel (late check-out) before we headed home.  Here are some pics.  If you want to see more and are on facebook, I uploaded some more today.