And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)

A pastor received this letter from a parishioner challenging the pastor’s obsessiveness about sermons:

“Dear Sir, it seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. Over the last 30 years, I have probably heard 3,000 sermons, and I must say I cannot remember a single one of them.”

The pastor wrote this reply:

“Dear Sir, I have been married for 30 years. During that time, I have eaten 32,850 meals. I must say that I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. Yet I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death a long time ago.”

Over the years, my ministry has often focused on how to move through fear to new possibilities. The most common command given in all the scriptures is wrapped up in two words: “Fear not.”

Do not be afraid; be strong and courageous.

You can trust me, God says: “Fear not.”

Fear is something universal to humans. All of us wrestle with the issue of fear.

Over and over in the Bible, two different sets of people face the same situation and come up with different responses.

This is not new. When Moses sent 12 scouts to explore the Promised Land, 10 of them came back and said, “Yes, the land is great, but the enemies—those who defy God—are so powerful. We can never overcome them, so we can’t just trust God. We should go home.”

Two of the scouts, Joshua and Caleb, looked at the same land, saw the same enemies—I’m sure they experienced the same fears—and yet they said, “We should go to the Promised Land, for certainly we will be able to possess it with God’s help.”

Those 10 needed the two to help them move forward. I always want to be part of the two!

A young shepherd boy, David, brought supplies to his brothers who were serving in the army.

There, he saw what they saw: the great champion of the enemies of the people of God, named Goliath.

Goliath was a character straight out of the WWF.

Every day, he would go out and mock God. All the soldiers saw him and were terrified to challenge him.

David saw him and went after him with a slingshot—the same enemy.

Jesus and his disciples were in a boat when a storm came.

The disciples were so scared they were screaming in panic. Jesus, in the same boat, was so filled with peace that he was asleep at the bottom of the boat.

Again and again in Scripture, two sets of people face exactly the same situation.

So, what’s the difference? It’s not the situation. It’s not the circumstances. It’s the mindset—or, a better word, perspective.

Some see possibilities—some help others to see those possibilities.

My prayer each day is to see the possibilities first. Facts are important and must be considered. But often, even the facts can be turned inside out by God.

I can imagine when someone said to David, “Goliath is too big to conquer!” David’s retort must have been, “Well, that just means he is too big to miss!”

So, these days, I’m asking God to help me consider the facts but to lean on the character of God.

Our perspective matters.

What’s yours?

~James

I’m enjoying these beautiful days and trust you are as well. If you’ve missed the past few Sundays at Grace Resurrection, you’ve missed an absolute blessing—folks joining and making this their official church home, tremendous music, and marvelous fellowship that lifts and prepares us to live out the Christian life daily.

It happens with or without you, but I sure miss you when you’re not here. There is an excitement and energy among us that’s hard to explain. God is so very good!

Be thinking about whom you’ll invite to worship on Easter weekend. It’s not too early. Wouldn’t you like to share this place with others? When something is good in your life, you tell people, right? I hope you feel like this church is one of those things for you.

I’ve come across some interesting statistics:

• 67% of Americans say a personal invitation from a family member would be very or somewhat effective in getting them to visit a church.

• 63% of Americans say a personal invitation from a friend or neighbor would be very or somewhat effective in getting them to visit a church.

These numbers tend to increase around Easter when many are looking for a church. According to Thom Rainer, 8 out of 10 people will say “yes” to a personal invitation to church.

Think about it—don’t you know at least one person who would be lifted up by this community? Your invitation could change or improve someone’s life. I’m praying with you about that one person.

Christ is risen—tell somebody!

~James

My passion is people—especially hurting people. I don’t know why; it has just always been with me. And I believe, of course, that the greatest prescription for pain in this world is the Christian faith. I do not apologize for that in any way.

But we Christians often tend to mess up Christianity.

A few years ago, I read an article in Christianity Today titled “The Church: Why Bother?” It really challenged my “If you unlock the door, they will come” mentality. I am more convinced than ever that the world—the “unchurched”—feels condemned by the “people in the pew” to the point of being pushed farther away from the truth of the Gospel. And it is destroying the Church. People are hurting more than ever, I’d say.

Consider these statistics from the Barna Group (the Gallup Poll of the Christian world):

• There has been a 92% increase in the number of unchurched Americans in the last thirteen years.

• In 1991, there were 39 million unchurched Americans compared to 75 million today.

• One out of three adults (33%) is unchurched, a proportion that represents over 70 million adults in America.

• 10 million born-again Christian adults are currently unchurched.

• Men constitute 55% of the unchurched.

As you can see, something is wrong.

I know that some reading this may be thinking, “Nothing is wrong; I just don’t want to go to church.” Well, my question is: “Why not?” What is it about the Church that is not drawing you?

I believe the world sees an institution full of people who say one thing but do another—who condemn others for certain things yet live the same way behind closed doors. They value their “church membership” in the same way they value their country or civic club. So I can understand the “Why Bother?” attitude.

Now, I am an odd sort of preacher. I don’t blame the “hellacious, hell-bound world” for the fact that more people are not beating down our doors. I blame The Churched.

My strong belief is that the Church has failed this world by presenting a Christianity of rules—do’s and don’ts—that no one can fully live up to. We skim over grace and go right to punishment, and people are not attracted by negativity.

Study the New Testament.

Who did Jesus rebuke? The tax collectors? The prostitutes? The doubters? The adulterers?

No.

He spent His time confronting the Pharisees—the church people, the keepers of the rule book. They knew the law. They were the Deacons, the Administrative Council, the Session, the Leadership Team of that day. They were good, upstanding churchgoers. Every time the Temple doors were open, they were there.

And Jesus said, “You’re liars.”

So we, the Church, have forced people to keep their secrets, delay life changes, and keep up the front.

Sounds more like the mafia to me.

What would happen if we really followed the message of Christ and became real with one another?

What if we could share ourselves—with repentant hearts, of course—admitting our faults and walking alongside people instead of condemning them?

I’m talking to myself, too.

Preachers are not perfect. We are held to a higher standard by the Bible, but we struggle with these same issues. I just wonder what the statistics would look like if we put aside our assessments of people and saw them with the eyes of Christ.

What if we could love people of other beliefs (without compromising our own) and share honestly why we believe what we believe—rather than just joining categories and interest groups?

What if we could just admit that we can’t keep all the rules? That no one can keep all the rules? But in spite of that, we can still love and hold hands.

I’m just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.

If that were not just a message—a dogma—but the lifestyle the world saw in The Church, the fire marshal would have to shut us down so we could build larger facilities.

I know that churches today are drawing folks and seeing changed lives, but the numbers don’t lie.

We are behind the eight ball.

We need to condemn less, tell the truth more, and love in spite of everything.

That’s the true message of Jesus.

Drop the rock.

Let’s start throwing love at people.

Are you in?

~James

On Christmas morning a knock came at the door of the old man’s home, and as he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.” “I’m an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give you this.” As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of his son. Though the art critics would never consider the work a piece of genius, the painting did feature the young man’s face in striking detail, and seemed to capture his personality. 

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation! According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned. The day soon arrived, and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Minutes passed with not a sound from those who came to buy. From the back of the room someone callously called out, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the important paintings.” There were other voices which echoed in agreement. But the auctioneer replied, “No, we have to sell this one first. Now, who will take the son?” Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. “I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it. I will bid the $100.” “I have a bid for $100,” called the auctioneer. “Will anyone go higher?” After a long silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once. Going twice. Gone.” The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone was heard to say, “Now we can get on with it!” But the auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars worth of art here! We demand that you explain what’s going on!” The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son… gets it all.”

Most people go through life empty handed when everything they could ever want or needed was right in front of them. I don’t know much. But I know enough to hold tightly to the source. Who is your source? What do you need? You can have it all. 

~James

Due to uncertain road conditions, we won’t meet together for worship tomorrow. However, I want to encourage you to watch one of our services through our website or YouTube. In addition, I’ve prepared a short prayer and devotion you can use alone or with your family. Stay safe! We look forward to seeing you next Sunday. 

Matthew 2:19–23

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

I keep thinking about all of God’s people who had to return to daily life after the amazing events surrounding the birth of the Messiah. Life was different. The main difference was that they were now walking a holy path, on holy ground. From the moment God told Moses to remove his shoes to the hustle and bustle of Bethlehem, a holy plan was given new fuel. All ground from then to now is holy. They were moving with a new purpose.

Guess what? We still are.

Nothing is required of you except a willingness to be used by God. You don’t need money. You don’t need to be a great speaker. You don’t need to have the finest clothes. You don’t even need shoes! As a matter of fact, God says, “Get rid of those shoes!” God is saying, “Just stand still, because I am going to use you.” The baby in the manger is all grown up, and He has given us a holy existence. All we need to do is stay faithful and tell the world. Life is mostly mundane. But miracles follow the Christ child.

God has sent you here, and He is ready to do amazing things through you—if you’ll only believe who you are in Him.

You know, rules and regulations can sometimes hinder progress. Now, I’m not speaking against order—but sometimes we as a church tend to hold back. Maybe the idea that this is holy ground paralyzes us.

Overall, Grace Resurrection is an example of the power of God—the power of the Holy Spirit moving through a people who are answering a calling. When we are given a calling, it’s hard to say “yes.”

We sometimes don’t believe we are equipped. And you know what? We probably aren’t. But God will equip us when we say “yes.” We must approach the throne of God in our bare feet, knowing that He is going to lift us and move us to action. As we return to our normal routines, know that God will walk with you—and that is, well, extraordinary.

Amen.

~James

Your perspective makes all the difference.

Perspective determines how we respond to things.

I came across a letter some time ago that a college student sent to her parents. It beautifully illustrates the importance of perspective:

“Dear Mom and Dad,

I have so much to tell you. Because of the fire set off by the student riots, I experienced temporary lung damage and had to go to the hospital. While I was there, I fell in love with an orderly, and we’ve moved in together.

I dropped out of school when I found out I was pregnant. He got fired because of his drinking, so we’re going to move to Alaska, where we might get married after the baby is born.

Signed,

Your loving daughter.

P.S. None of that really happened, but I did flunk my chemistry class, and I wanted you to keep it in perspective.”

What a smart girl—she understood the power of perspective.

Perspective is everything.

Perspective gives us a sense of proportion. It’s the ability to sort out what’s a big deal and what’s not.

Unhealthy fear is often the product of an off-kilter sense of perspective.

The single most common command in the Bible is not to live in fear but to live in faith—always on the edge of possibilities, not paralyzed by fear.

God always calls people to trust Him.

He said to Abraham, “Leave your home. Go with your wife, Sarah. As an old man, you’re going to give birth to a son and become the father of a nation. But you’ll have to leave everything familiar and comfortable. You’ll have to trust Me.”

God said to Moses, “Go and tell the most powerful man in the country, ‘Let My people go.’”

God told Daniel, “I want you to defy the king. Pray even though there’s a rule against it.”

Jesus told the rich young ruler, “Do something bold: go, sell your riches, give to the poor, and follow Me. I’ll give you the adventure of a lifetime.”

More often than not, people did trust God and never regretted it. But some did not accept the challenge and lived in misery.

I’m sure that when the rich young ruler was asked to give it all, he couldn’t do it. Later in life, as he grew richer and richer, he must have reflected on that moment when a young carpenter, a rabbi from Nazareth, challenged him to give everything away to the poor.

I wonder how he felt later in life as he shrank back from the challenge of a lifetime.

I’m sure he said to himself, “I wonder if things would have been different if I had had the courage to face the unknown. Maybe there was something greater out there that I missed.”

“If only I had said yes. I wonder what my life could have become. Maybe I could have been a disciple, a follower, simply by answering one question with courage.”

For those who back away from their challenges, life often ends up being filled with a mountain of regret. And I believe that by this coming June, we’ll have an audience—both lay and clergy—filled with people who live just that way.

Fear overshadows possibilities. But because of our faithfulness and good planning, we are opening the gates to possibilities. Metro Atlanta needs a God-centered perspective—one that eliminates fear. Let’s help them with that.

~James