Satisfaction Guaranteed!
It was a simple command, wasn’t it? The God of heaven completed His creation and by His high standard declared it "very good." Incredibly, He then gave mankind dominion over all creation and freedom to use that creation for his sustenance, with one exception. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil presents an interesting study that goes to the very heart of the human dilemma. Adam and Eve learned the hard way that the knowledge of facts is no substitute for knowledge of God.
God desired that they rely upon Him, but He created the possibility for them to go their own way. They did, and so do we. They had a choice; they could have chosen the Tree of Life and lived indefinitely. Contrary to what we often assume, their physical bodies were created subject to death, otherwise the Tree of Life has no significance.
As long as they remained subject to the will of God, they enjoyed fellowship with Him. Were we not so acquainted with the frailty of the flesh we would find it unthinkable that they could abandon all they had been granted to grasp the one thing God had denied them. They came fully equipped to make the wrong choice. Satan certainly played a part in the fall, but he was not an essential component of it. With or without his deception, the very nature of man is hostile to God. James tells us that we sin because we are drawn by our own lusts. "The Devil made me do it" may provide a cute punch-line for the old Flip Wilson character, Geraldine, but it is not an excuse that will fly with God.
Although created in the image of God, Adam and Eve found that identity inadequate to satisfy their own lusts. They rejected their standing with God, and sought that which was not only forbidden, but also exposed their desire to be God.
What a contrast we have between the First Adam and the Second Adam. The First finds being created in the image of God and exercising dominion with Him, to be insufficient for him. The Second, "... although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:6-8
Adam sacrificed his standing with God in pursuit of his own pleasure. Christ set aside His rights as God that through Him the sons of Adam might reclaim that which was lost. To every generation since His victory over sin and death has been granted the eternal choice, life through the provision of God, or death in pursuit of pleasure.
Eve saw that the fruit of the tree was appealing. She desired it and her desire for it prepared her for the deception that followed. The principle holds true for us today: when we desire that which is not of God, we occupy ground that is dangerous for our spiritual welfare. I’ve been there, chances are you have too.
As new creations in Christ, may we let our desires be in Him. If we seek our sufficiency in Him, we will not be disappointed.
The Carpenter’s Corner
"Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." John 6:26-27This passage follows on the heels of the feeding of the 5,000. It is a telling picture of what I believe is a significant problem in the contemporary church. To be blunt, people seek God for what He can do for them. To be sure, the life that God has called us to in Christ has tremendous rewards in this life as well as in eternity. However, our focus is not to be on what God is doing for us, but what God desires of us. When our priorities are correct, we will find ourselves reaping the benefits that come from our obedience to His plan and purpose in our lives.
A congregation we have visited has two morning services. The first is a more traditional worship service and the second is a contemporary service led by a praise and worship team. Members choose the one that is the most comfortable or convenient for them. On a recent Sunday morning, I couldn’t help but hear the conversation behind me. One of the individuals was relating how they had not come to services regularly for a period of time in the past. The problem, it seems, was that they had attended the early service and they presumed the second service was just like it. Now they had discovered the later service was more appealing than the first which "...didn’t fill my gas tank."
Amazing isn’t it that the singing of hymns, the ministry of prayer, the fellowship at the Lord’s table and the exposition of God’s word was insufficient to fill their gas tank because "...people don’t raise their hands or clap" and the music is "just a piano."
I wish I could say I thought this individual was unique or just a minority. Sadly, it is something that I witness far too often. When we value our time in fellowship with one another and the Lord on the basis of how it makes us feel or how it pleases our senses, we’ve accepted a poor standard of value. One only has to read the testimonies of those who have suffered persecution and imprisonment to understand that some of the most powerful times of worship come not when our senses are titillated but when our hearts are empty of self and wholly dependent upon God’s provision.
Richard Wurmbrand is well know for his book, Tortured for Christ. The stories that come from his own persecution and imprisonment are testimonies to the nature of true worship. In prison, they did not often did not have bread and wine to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Still, they gathered to worship and partook of imaginary bread and wine. Though destitute, they continued in their giving in a marvelous way. Receiving a slice of bread per week, they each would break off one-tenth to give to the weakest member of their fellowship.
How God must look at us when we complain of the temperature in the assembly and insist on our comfort. How He must weep when we suggest that we cannot have meaningful, uplifting worship without all the modern implements of "worship." The scripture admonishes us not to make provision for the flesh to satisfy its lusts. But today, many fellowships in our country do just that. Manipulation of emotion is a powerful control tool and it is used all too often. Some groups manipulate emotions intentionally, others do it out of ignorance believing that if a person leaves the assembly with goose bumps they have "really worshiped."
Emotion can be a result of worship, but it must not be the criteria which defines it. When one comes seeking experience rather than communion with God, they have substituted the natural for the spiritual. That is a treacherous path for an individual or fellowship to follow. Why do we follow Jesus? Is it just for the "loaves and fishes" (i.e. carnal/natural)? Jesus says we should be seeking something of more lasting value.
Our senses are a blessing from God. The communion and expression they allow us is truly a gift. But, when the sensational or sensual is the means and the end of worship, it is a destructive perversion of the gift. Many congregations today are reeling from the impact of trying to appeal to a generation that is accustomed to being bombarded with images and sounds. It is a generation that quickly bores of simply being still in the presence of God. The church today struggles because it has allowed itself to be overcome by the culture. In many places, we have finely tuned corporate structures that more resemble a Fortune 500 company than the body of Christ. Every concession the church makes to the culture takes it further from its mission. The church of Jesus Christ is to be driving the culture, not following it!
Jesus would have us seek Him for those things of eternal value: the purpose and plan of God for our lives.
The Foreman’s Forum
" Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." Colossians 2:20-23
"Will worship" is nothing new. Throughout the history of the church it has taken numerous forms. Regardless of the form, it results from the desire of mankind to satisfy self, even in the very things that are to be sacrifices to God. Paul is addressing the problem of asceticism in which some thought they demonstrated their spirituality by denying themselves fleshly (carnal/natural) pleasures. There are those who still fall into this trap, but in our time the problem is at the other extreme. Today there are many who believe that by appealing to and satisfying the fleshly desires of believers, they are elevated to a higher plain of worship.We are not speaking of immoral acts here. The issue is whether our appeal is to the old creation or the new. Again, what matters is Whom we seek, not how we feel. Worship may well cause our spirits to soar as we commune with God in the fellowship of the saints. But to seek that "high" and make it our goal is, frankly, idolatry. I am convinced that many churches which employ techniques designed to evoke an emotional response, would see their numbers greatly diminished if they were to abandon those practices. Those who seek to have their senses satisfied will quickly move to another venue. It is incumbent on those who lead in worship to guard against methods which, in the end, cause worshipers to seek a feeling instead of fellowship with the Father and one another.
The Carpenter’s Toolbox"For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved." 2 Peter 2:18-19 You should take the time to go back and read this passage in context. Peter is comparing those who seek their own interests with Balaam. The story is a depiction of how we are all prone to bend to the god of self-indulgence.
Balak was finding the Hebrews to be too much of a challenge in battle. Hearing that Balaam was able to effectively bless and curse others, Balak tries to cut a deal with him to curse the chosen people of God. We get the picture early in the story. Balaam should have known that cursing God’s people would not be acceptable but He asks God anyway. Sure enough, God tells him he cannot curse the people. Balaam reports back with the bad news. Undaunted, Balak again seeks Balaam’s aid. This time he promises riches and whatever Balaam asks of him. With the ante upped considerably, Balaam decides it is worth asking God again.
Though he already knows the answer, Balaam demonstrates that what he really wants to do is curse God’s people. His conscience will not let him do that without God’s permission. He is looking for God to rubber stamp what he wants to do. God tells him to go with Balak’s messengers, but He warns him that he is only to do as God commands him. And you know the rest of the story. Balaam’s greed had so blinded him that he couldn’t see what was seen by his donkey.
It happens to all of us. An opportunity appears that seems just too good to pass up. Our hearts tell us that we must let it go, but our selfish will says, "There must be a way for me to have this and still please God." When we find ourselves thinking that way, it should be a red flag to our spirit. We never have to worry about pleasing God when we are doing what He has called us to do!
The problem is, that often the things which attract us are more subtle than an open offer of wealth. We are most likely to stumble over things which appeal to what John calls, "..the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." Understand that by "lust of the flesh" John is not just addressing the enticements of physical satisfaction. In fact, the word sarx which is translated flesh means the meat stripped of the skin. It carries the meaning of that which is external as opposed to that which is eternal.
"Lust of the eyes" is a longing for that which is forbidden. It is setting one’s heart upon something other than God and His purposes. Again, this is not just about physical attraction. The problem is much bigger than that.
The "pride of life" is a boastful attitude in regard to our present state of earthly existence. In short, it is placing emphasis on this life to the neglect of the eternal life that is ours in Christ.
It is not surprising that the culture, which is defined by the pursuit of pleasure, has made inroads into the church. It is unfortunate, but it is not surprising. We are bombarded daily with enticements assuring us that we deserve better. Our appetites are whetted for more and more. We become stuffed to the gills and are still not satisfied. The pursuit of self-satisfaction ultimately forces its way into our assemblies and what should be a haven from an experience-seeking culture becomes an extension of it.
Peter describes the condition well as slavery. When we no longer enjoy worship because it doesn’t fill our gas tank, we are enslaved to a feeling or an experience. That is not spiritually healthy for an individual or a congregation.
The Apprentice’s Journal
It might be easy for one to read what has been said thus far and assume that my own life has not been subject to the pitfals I discuss here. Those who know me, know better. It is my experience with those pitfalls that makes me acutely aware of them. Growing up, the unspoken message was that church was not the place for emotion. A sobbing penitent was acceptable, but other expressions of emotion were rare. But emotion cannot forever be contained.
Since those early days, I have found myself in a variety of settings with a wide range of modes of expression. Thirty years ago, churches needed to allow themselves the blessing of embracing the emotion that worship evokes. Today, we are approaching (or perhaps at) the other extreme and need to recapture a greater sense of reverence and awe that brings us to our knees in silent humility. How do we keep our balance? It seems we either approach our faith as academic or we reduce it to the experiential. Neither is acceptable. Both ways are damaging to our spiritual walk and our testimony to the world.
There was a time when I wished I could weep. Today there are times I wish for the ability to express those things which touch me deeply without my words being broken by the passion and emotion fostered by the grace that brought those blessings in the first place.
Adam and Eve sought satisfaction for their senses and their pursuit resulted in greater dissatisfaction than they could have ever imagined. Perhaps, like me, you have repeated their error. Seeking purpose and meaning from earthly pleasures is a dead-end street. Seeking fulfillment from things above is what adds richness to our lives. God’s promise is, "Satisfaction Guaranteed!"
Seminar
In the past two issues I have mentioned my study of fulfilled prophecy and invited you to take a look at this issue with me. One of the sources of information I have recommended is Living Presence Ministries (LPM). As a result of my contact with them, they have graciously offered to hold a seminar to provide an introduction to this study. The meeting will be open to all who are interested at no charge, but I have insisted on taking an offering to help LPM offset expenses. The seminar will be led by Tim King and will be Friday evening, April 6th, and all day on Saturday, April 7th. It will be held in Huntsville, Texas but the location is not yet determined.
I hope many of you can join us for a closer look at what I believe is a topic of great importance. It would be nice to have a head count, so please let me know if you plan to attend. The seminar is a rather informal setting with plenty of opportunity for questions and dialogue.
The study of "last things" has been made considerably more complicated than I think God intended for it to be. That is due, in large part, to our ignorance of how the original audience would have heard the message. For example, consider the idea of heaven and earth passing away. Let scripture interpret scripture by reading Isaiah 51:16. "‘And I have put My words in your mouth, and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, 'You are My people.'"
The Old Covenant was a "heaven and earth" or a system by which God related to mankind. A new heaven and earth results from the fulfillment of the Old Covenant by the New Covenant, not the destruction of planet earth.
This is just a teaser, but I hope this simple example helps you to begin to see that there may be room for a valid understanding of scripture that is different from what most churches teach today. If distance keeps you from attending, I encourage you to contact LPM to hold a seminar in your area.