Radiance: Complacency Kills

February 13, 2012 Justin Hibbard

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Those serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq will tell you that “complacency kills.” In fact, it is the GI mantra that’s posted in every office, mess hall, and briefing room in U.S. military buildings in Iraq. There’s no escaping the message.

We can easily become comfortable once we’ve settled into our surroundings, and that’s exactly what military commanders do not want to happen with their soldiers. As anyone who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan or another combat zone will tell you, when you get complacent in a hostile environment, you let your guard down. When you let your guard down, you become an easy target.

It’s interesting to read the letter to Sardis in light of the city’s history. Above lower Sardis (the main part of the city), towers Mount Tmolus, which provided a well naturally fortified refuge for the people of Sardis. This elevated part of the city is known as the acropolis. In 547 BC, Croesus – the King of the region of Lydia (where Sardis is located) retreated to the acropolis to avoid an onslaught by Cyrus and the Persians. Tradition has it that because the mountain face leading to the acropolis was so steep and difficult to climb, the citizens didn’t have much military personnel or additional fortification. They relied mainly on the natural fortification to protect them from an invasion.

When Cyrus reached the base of Mount Tmolus, he wasn’t sure how to attack the acropolis. He told his soldiers that he would provide a handsome reward to anyone who figured out how to climb the mountain and attack the city.

One day, one of Cyrus’ soldiers watched as a helmet fell from the acropolis down the mountain. He then watched a Sardisian soldier climb down the mountain and then scale back up. The naive soldier had let his guard down and given Cyrus’ army the secret to attacking the city. Within a short time, Cyrus had led his army on a siege and easily captured Sardis.

The state of the Church at Sardis was one of complacency. In the first four letters, we’re told of churches who fought against false doctrine, stood firm against immorality, or faced intense persecution. But in Sardis, there’s no mention of any of that. In a very wealthy city, the Christians may have preferred the luxuries of life rather than risk their possessions and standards of living in order to be counter-cultural.

Complacency is such a temptation for Believers and churches. It’s so easy to be blinded by the normal every day routine of our culture, that we become naive and spiritual complacent. For example, many people take jobs where the company expects them to act immorally, unethically, or unhealthily. It’s so difficult for those individuals to say “no” to that job because of the money they need to provide for themselves and their families. It’s easy to justify it by saying, “It’s just a job.”

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6, that when we sign up to follow Jesus, we sign up for battle. Make no mistake; there is always spiritual warfare, whether we choose to see it or choose to take sides. But when we follow Jesus, we can ensure that Satan is going to do whatever it takes to defeat us. Sometimes the way Satan defeats us is by getting us to forget that there’s even a spiritual war to begin with.

Some people are very much frightened by talks of the demonic world. The Gospel examples where Jesus casts out demons can seem downright haunting. But here’s the best way that we can fight Satan: cling to Jesus. Wake up every morning relishing the knowledge of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and power within you. Bathe in the lavishing love of God. Clothe yourself in Christ. When you do those things, you may not realize it, but you are arming yourself for the spiritual battles that will come your way.

Radiance: Resist Jezebel’s Seduction

February 10, 2012 Justin Hibbard

Reading: 2 Kings 9:6-10, 30-37

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Perhaps there’s no character in Scripture that is more synonymous with evil than Jezebel. While she was the wife of Ahab, a king of Israel who did more evil than all of the kings before him, it’s clear that Jezebel was really the one running the kingdom. Under their leadership, they slaughtered God’s prophets, hunted Elijah, practiced all sorts of malice and falsehood, had their own citizens killed for selfish gain, and the list goes on and on.

While Ahab died in battle, Jezebel doesn’t receive her justice until King Jehu comes to power. In 2 Kings 9, we read of Jezebel’s demise, and look what she does. As she hears about Jehu coming into the city, she puts on eye makeup and does her hair. Maybe she knew Jehu was coming to get her, and she was going to try seduce him to spare her life. Maybe she thought that she could once again become a queen if she could only seduce for herself a new king.

Fortunately, Jehu resists. He throws her out the window and rids Israel of her, once and for all.

The Church at Thyatira had a Queen Jezebel in their midst. She had taken a position of authority in the church, and she was leading others into all sorts of physical pleasures, and in turn, she was becoming stronger and stronger. Just like Queen Jezebel, her position of authority was gained at others’ expenses. Perhaps her longevity as a so-called prophetess within the church had numbed the sensitivities of others, or she was like a cancer – a tumor who had grown and latched on to other parts of the body, so that it was nearly impossible to remove her.

Clearly there are two groups at Thyatira. There are ones who are resisting and ones who have been seduced and are unwilling to repent.

Though this Jezebel is probably a reference to a real person in Thyatira, I can’t help but also think of a figurative Jezebel in this story. While our church may not struggle with a real Jezebel, we definitely wrestle with another type of Jezebel in our homes – sexual purity. My heart goes out to my children, who will grow up more exposed to sexual immorality than my generation. It’s everywhere – television, the internet, and it is generally becoming part of our culture. Like a cancer, it has spread its tentacles in all areas of our society, and it is difficult to go a day without hearing a sexually explicit joke or seeing a lewd image. It is difficult not to become desensitized to it.

Make no mistake; sexual impurity, whether it’s pornography or sex outside of marriage will destroy the hearts of individuals who succumb to its fleeting seduction. As difficult as it is, we must resist it and not give it a place in our hearts. Because when we give it a place in our personal hearts, we are giving it authority in our homes and in our church.

Notice what Jehu does when he captures Jezebel. First, he never enters the house where she is staying. Two eunuchs, men who were celibate and less susceptible to Jezebel’s scheming, throw her out the window. Jehu must have known Jezebel’s reputation and took proper precautions. Secondly, he doesn’t even reason with her. “Just toss her out the window!” he said.

We can learn how to deal with the temptation of sexual impurity from Jehu’s example. Maybe Jehu knew that he could fall prey to the seduction attempts of a beautiful woman, or maybe he wanted to protect himself so that it could never “accidentally” happen. You know yourself. You know what will lead you into temptation. Stay away from it! Don’t go near. Don’t put yourself in that compromising position.

If you are a parent, make a proactive plan for your family. Our children will be bombarded with messages of impurity. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2007, nearly half of U.S. high school students reported having had sexual intercourse. Maryland law requires sex education to begin at age 12, and I guarantee that abstinence isn’t the prevailing message from the teacher. So, how will we combat it? Will we address it only after the fact, or will we be proactive in teaching against it? Make your home a safe refuge of purity. If our children are to resist Jezebel, then not only do we need to model purity, but we must make a safe place of refuge away from her influence.

I imagine that there are some reading or listening to this message, who are currently wrestling with a Jezebel. Maybe you really have a difficult time resisting her ploys of lust and immorality. Let me assure you there’s hope. The God of forgiveness is calling you to repentance. Jesus is calling you to walk out of that house where she is staying. If you are a child of the Most High, then you are no slave to Jezebel. He has anointed you to break her stronghold. He has given you authority over her. Don’t let her seductions steal your joy. Remember who you are in Christ, and then remind the Devil of your privileged position in the Kingdom of the Most Holy.

Radiance: Return on Investment

February 8, 2012 Justin Hibbard

Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

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ROI. It means return on investment. It’s business lingo that we use to talk about if something is worth the trouble. Should a company spend $1 million in advertising if the projected result is only $250 thousand of added business revenue? A company might consider that a bad ROI.

Sometimes churches talk in terms of ROI as well. What are the results of doing x, y, or z? Is it worth the trouble? Sometimes it’s prudent to discuss investments in such a manner. Sometimes however, churches shouldn’t get caught up in thinking about results; sometimes it actually distracts us from the goal.

I love what Jesus says to Thyatira. “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” What a wonderful commendation from the King – “You’re not only doing good things; you’re increasing.” Notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say, “Because of your work, 300 people came to faith this past year, or you were able to help out 100 families who were starving.” Humans love numbers. Jesus avoids them. We are easily impressed by the large amounts people put in the offering plate. Jesus is impressed by the heart of the poor widow, who gives a penny.

In today’s reading – the Parable of the Talents – notice the master. While the parable points out how much the master gave them, and how much they gained, the master doesn’t seem to make a big deal of the amount. He gave each one what he felt they could handle, and he was pleased when they gave back a positive return on his investment.

A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to a Christian radio show, and the host was interviewing a prominent pastor here in the U.S. The hour long show got rather weird as the pastor started attacking the host. At one point, he began comparing his church with the host’s. “How many young men came to the Lord in the last year?” he prodded. The host admitted it was difficult to think of the exact number. “Perhaps two or three,” he offered. The pastor then criticized this man’s church, “Look at your results, then look at my results.”

It’s easy to look at some of the mega churches and say, “What are we doing wrong? Why don’t we have that?” I know a lot of pastors struggle with numbers. I knew one pastor who was so obsessed with numbers that he handed out perfect attendance certificates to congregant’s who never missed a service.

Maybe I’m being naive, but I try to avoid looking at numbers. While there’s a place for measuring growth, it’s important to keep growth in perspective. I remember attending church meetings where we spent most of the time talking about attendance and finances. If there’s really two things we cannot control, it’s definitely those two.

Looking at the Parable of the Talents and Jesus’ commendation to Thyatira, let me offer an alternative focus. Jesus gives us gifts, He brings opportunities to us, He allows us to serve Him. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3 that we can plant seeds and water them, but it is God who makes them grow. I believe God speaks to individuals and families, especially about where to attend church. I know many in our congregation would say, “God told me that I was supposed to be here.” So, if He did that in our lives, can’t we trust Him to do that in others’ lives as well? He’s the Master in charge. Thankfully, He knows us; just like in the parable, He knows what we can and can’t handle.

So, here’s what we can focus on. Let’s be faithful. God has gifted us, and the Creator has entrusted His creation with a variety of opportunities. You know, I really believe that if Jesus were to write a letter to New Hope Chapel today, He would commend us like He did Thyatira. Our growth maybe isn’t as dramatic as the church down the road. Maybe we’re not doing nearly as much as the neighboring church in the community. But church isn’t a competition to see who can do more, or who has the most at the end. Church is about a journey of faith – where together we follow our Rabbi. Let’s keep our eyes on Him. Continue doing what God has called us to do, and we’ll be exactly where God wants us to be. That is the best return on investment.

Radiance: The God who Sees

February 6, 2012 Justin Hibbard

Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Click here to listen to the Sunday sermon on Thyatira

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In an age where corporations gather information about you or the government pushes its Constitutional limits in regards to surveillance, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Big Brother.” As you may know, Big Brother is the dictator in George Orwell’s book 1984, which was first published in 1949. It’s interesting to note that George Orwell wanted his epitaph to say, “I told you so.” Even though, 1984 might have been a bit premature for his prediction, he surely was a social prophet.

So, is that what God is like? Is He like Big Brother? I think a lot of people grow up with that perception of God – something like Santa Clause who knows if we’ve been naughty or nice. When John describes Jesus as having eyes of fire, we ought to take great comfort, rather than immediately feeling like there’s some enigmatic dictator, participating in a voyeuristic exercise of control via surveillance. Here’s why.

First, God is personal. Think about all of the Christians and all of the churches. There are too many to count. God sees each of us; He knows each of us intimately. Last Christmas, a couple of malls were piloting a technology that would track people’s shopping patterns by tracking their cell phones. That’s powerful information in the hands of corporations and marketing, and it may tell them about you. But to them, your worth is what they can get out of you. Jesus knows you more intimately. He knows you – what’s below the surface. That’s what He values.

Have you noticed that on Facebook, your ads are tailored to you and your interests? The information you post in your profile, the places you geo-tag in your pictures and status updates, what you write on yours and your friends’ timeline are all keywords that are used to match you with appropriate ads. Doing this activity for Facebook’s 800 million users is just too daunting for human beings. Instead, they rely on computerized logarithms. I can hear George Orwell screaming, “I told you so!”

God is much more personal than a logarithm. He’s no computer. Logarithms can only measure what’s on the surface. God sees at the heart. Yes, He can see the stuff that we ought not to be doing, but when we think of God, we would be wise to think of Him less like a hidden camera and more like a personal friend. He’s not watching you, waiting for you to screw up. He’s gazing at you like a beloved gazes at his lover. He pays attention to you like a father watching his child play soccer.

Secondly, in having eyes of fire, God demonstrates His just nature. Sometimes we think that God doesn’t care. We see the chaos erupting around us. We loathe the injustice in the world, and so often it seems like God does nothing. I imagine to some of these churches, especially Smyrna, they wondered if God even knew what was going on. He reassures them, like He does with all of these churches, with two simple yet profound words – “I know.” He knows that Smyrna is poor and persecuted. He knows that Thyatira is doing and increasing in great works. He knows that some of the people are enslaved in sin and have unrepentant hearts, but He also knows that some have resisted the temptation.

There will come a time for God’s judgment. It will be a frightful day when the world realizes that there is a God who sees everything and investigates each of our hearts. But for those of us who walk with the Lord, let’s take these words as a great comfort for our lives. God sees us. He sees our situation. He knows what we’re going through. He knows the injustice that we wrestle with, and He knows our deepest secrets. Some are afraid of that type of knowledge. Others, reiterate David’s prayer of Psalm 139. God knows us better than ourselves. He can see our heart, even when we’ve convinced ourselves of lies. Like David, we can pray, “God show me where I’m falling short, because my desire is to become like You.”