It was a time of abundance like there had never been seen before. For seven straight years, there was an abundance of food and everybody was living like kings. Then it happened. The drought began. The food had run out, even for those who had prepared and set food aside during the time of abundance. But not in Egypt. Because of Joseph's foresight and planning there was food in the cities. Everybody was going to the city to find a way to survive.
Simarly today, people are flooding to the city. Some come to the city to find a way to survive. Some come to the city to make their fortune or to become famous. Some come to the city hoping for a better life. Some come to the city to find work.
In Jacob's day, the people can to the cities of Egypt to find food. Today, the people come for many reasons. But whatever the reason, the church has something to offer. We share with the people the treasures of God. We have the true treasure that moth cannot eat nor rust destroy. We have the message of the Bread of Life. We share the certainty that because we are children of God we are heirs of God's kingdom and are rich indeed.
Whenever someone come of the street looking for help, I hope that you remember this. You have something better than what the person is looking for. You have been entrusted with what that person really needs. You have a treasure that does not waste away. You share the word of God, which is eternal. You share the message of peace and restoration. which does not change. You show the love of God, which we all so desperately need. Remember that for that person you are God's treasure in the city.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Pray for the City
I love the city. How many times have you said that or heard somebody say that? Or have you said it yourself? What does it mean when somebody says "I love the city"? Typically it means that the person loves what the city has to offer- museums, restaurants, sports, the arts, or the multicultural mix. On the contrary, you may also hear people say, "I hate the city." What is it that they don't like? Traffic, crime, pollution, or too many people!
In today's reading, it seemed as though Abraham loved the city of Sodom, or at least the people in it. When he heard about God's plan to destroy Sodom, he began to plead its case. But notice how Abraham prayed to God. He did not ask God to spare it because of the great things that the city had to offer. He prayed for the people.
For us in ministry, this is who we are to pray for. Notice that Abraham's prayer was never so narrow that he just prayed for his relatives. In our prayers, we often pray for our family, friends, and church family. But our vision needs to be bigger. We need to pray for those around us. In the city, the people around our church might be some rough characters. But they are rough characters for whom Christ died and for whom he rose.
I pray that our love for the city goes beyond the superficial. I hope that we would look at the city and see the people who need to escape the chains of destruction by a sinful life. I hope that you see the people for whom Christ died so that they can be free. I hope that you pray for the churches in the city so that continue to be concerned for those around them and bring them the message that can set them free. Please pray that the righteous people would fulfill their calling and share the message of the God who gives them life.
In today's reading, it seemed as though Abraham loved the city of Sodom, or at least the people in it. When he heard about God's plan to destroy Sodom, he began to plead its case. But notice how Abraham prayed to God. He did not ask God to spare it because of the great things that the city had to offer. He prayed for the people.
For us in ministry, this is who we are to pray for. Notice that Abraham's prayer was never so narrow that he just prayed for his relatives. In our prayers, we often pray for our family, friends, and church family. But our vision needs to be bigger. We need to pray for those around us. In the city, the people around our church might be some rough characters. But they are rough characters for whom Christ died and for whom he rose.
I pray that our love for the city goes beyond the superficial. I hope that we would look at the city and see the people who need to escape the chains of destruction by a sinful life. I hope that you see the people for whom Christ died so that they can be free. I hope that you pray for the churches in the city so that continue to be concerned for those around them and bring them the message that can set them free. Please pray that the righteous people would fulfill their calling and share the message of the God who gives them life.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Building walls Genesis 11:1-9
When I lived in New York City, I lived in the city that had 4 buildings that at one time or another was the tallest building in the world. While living in Chicago, the Sears tower towered over everything else in the city and for a while the world. People love to build large buildings.
That was also the case is days of old. The plain of Shinar was the site of perhaps the first skyscraper. Unlike the modern day skyscraper, this one was made of bricks and tar. The goal of this tower was to make a statement: "so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth." What is interesting is that was the result. They did make a name for themselves, maybe infamous but a name nonetheless. They were also scattered over the face of the earth.
What was wrong with what these people did that God reacted in this fashion?
First, they walled themselves in and tried to cut themselves off from God. Second, they wanted to be on an even playing field with God. Third, they let their pride govern their actions. Finally, they put themselves above God's judgment.
In our churches, we need to avoid these pitfalls. Many times the city church will try to insulate itself from the people around them and see their ministry just for the members of the church. Second, we try to build our towers to God rather than use the bridges that God has given to us by which he comes to us. Third, we forget the church belongs to the Lord and that it is not our little kingdom. Fourth, we do not humble ourselves before God and His word.
Babel is still well known today because of its great fall. Let us take the lessons from Babel and learn from them. We are called to serve the city. Remember that we are protected by God, who is a mighty fortress. We fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith. The church is built by God and that Christ is our foundation. We are living stones that are built into a spiritual house for a life of service.
That was also the case is days of old. The plain of Shinar was the site of perhaps the first skyscraper. Unlike the modern day skyscraper, this one was made of bricks and tar. The goal of this tower was to make a statement: "so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth." What is interesting is that was the result. They did make a name for themselves, maybe infamous but a name nonetheless. They were also scattered over the face of the earth.
What was wrong with what these people did that God reacted in this fashion?
First, they walled themselves in and tried to cut themselves off from God. Second, they wanted to be on an even playing field with God. Third, they let their pride govern their actions. Finally, they put themselves above God's judgment.
In our churches, we need to avoid these pitfalls. Many times the city church will try to insulate itself from the people around them and see their ministry just for the members of the church. Second, we try to build our towers to God rather than use the bridges that God has given to us by which he comes to us. Third, we forget the church belongs to the Lord and that it is not our little kingdom. Fourth, we do not humble ourselves before God and His word.
Babel is still well known today because of its great fall. Let us take the lessons from Babel and learn from them. We are called to serve the city. Remember that we are protected by God, who is a mighty fortress. We fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith. The church is built by God and that Christ is our foundation. We are living stones that are built into a spiritual house for a life of service.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
God's Patience with the city
The city of Nineveh plays an small but interesting role in the Bible. Before we talk about Nineveh in the Bible, it is important to understand the role of Nineveh in history. Part of its importance came from its location. It was built at the juncture of two rivers, the Tigris and the Khosr. It was on the trade route that connected the East to the West, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrians.
This is where the city of Nineveh connects with the Bible. Two books of the Bible are highly dedicated to ministry and prophecy towards Nineveh. The Assyrians were the superpower at the time of the fall of the Northern Kingdom. In fact, the Assyrians were the cause of the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They even made a charge on Jerusalem and it nearly fell to the Assyrians.
In spite of the role that Nineveh played in Israel's history, it is referred to as "the great city" in both Genesis 10:12 and Jonah 1:2. What made it great? In its day, Nineveh was one of the largest cities with some of the most impressive architecture. But I believe that what really made it great was how God was going to show His mercy towards Nineveh.
God's mercy towards Nineveh demonstrates an Old Testament reality that is often overlooked. Since the beginning of time, God wanted to show his mercy towards all people. Nineveh was the epitome of evil as far as the Israelites were concerned. But God was patient with Nineveh and reached out to it. That patience began in Genesis and continued until the time of Jonah.
In the city today, there is much evil. But God is patient. God still wants to show his mercy towards all people. God has placed us in the city to share his love and mercy towards the people for whom Jesus Christ died.
This is where the city of Nineveh connects with the Bible. Two books of the Bible are highly dedicated to ministry and prophecy towards Nineveh. The Assyrians were the superpower at the time of the fall of the Northern Kingdom. In fact, the Assyrians were the cause of the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They even made a charge on Jerusalem and it nearly fell to the Assyrians.
In spite of the role that Nineveh played in Israel's history, it is referred to as "the great city" in both Genesis 10:12 and Jonah 1:2. What made it great? In its day, Nineveh was one of the largest cities with some of the most impressive architecture. But I believe that what really made it great was how God was going to show His mercy towards Nineveh.
God's mercy towards Nineveh demonstrates an Old Testament reality that is often overlooked. Since the beginning of time, God wanted to show his mercy towards all people. Nineveh was the epitome of evil as far as the Israelites were concerned. But God was patient with Nineveh and reached out to it. That patience began in Genesis and continued until the time of Jonah.
In the city today, there is much evil. But God is patient. God still wants to show his mercy towards all people. God has placed us in the city to share his love and mercy towards the people for whom Jesus Christ died.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
In the city to celebrate
Acts 2 tells us that, when Pentecost came, there were staying in Jerusalem, many God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. These people came for a short time to celebrate one of their great holidays, the Feast of Weeks. It came to be known as Pentecost because it was 50 days after the Passover festival.
The people came to celebrate Pentecost like they always did. They did not know that God was going to change the way this festival was going to be celebrated. God waited until this moment because Jews came to Jerusalem to celebrate from every nation under heaven. God waited until the people were in the city.
Interestingly, God did something incredible the last time that the Jews were in Jerusalem to celebrate a major feast, Passover. On the day before the Passover celebration, Jesus was crucified. On the day after the Passover celebration, Jesus was resurrected. The people either saw first hand or heard about the events that took place when Jesus died. The earth quaked. The curtain in the temple was torn in two. Those who were dead left their tomb. Then on the morning of the third day, the story started to circulate that Jesus was alive. The tomb was empty. There was no denying the empty tomb. Passover that year was different and it has been ever since.
God is bringing many people to our cities. Many of them are displaced Christians. They come for their own purposes. But God has his purposes too. God wants them to celebrate His plan of salvation in their lives. It took the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to embolden the apostles to proclaim the Gospel and begin to change the world. The Holy Spirit continues to dwell in us today. The Holy Spirit continues to work through us today. People from every nation are coming to our doorsteps. I pray that as the Lord works through our witness, they will celebrate God's grace and mercy in their lives. They will celebrate how God has changed their lives.
The people came to celebrate Pentecost like they always did. They did not know that God was going to change the way this festival was going to be celebrated. God waited until this moment because Jews came to Jerusalem to celebrate from every nation under heaven. God waited until the people were in the city.
Interestingly, God did something incredible the last time that the Jews were in Jerusalem to celebrate a major feast, Passover. On the day before the Passover celebration, Jesus was crucified. On the day after the Passover celebration, Jesus was resurrected. The people either saw first hand or heard about the events that took place when Jesus died. The earth quaked. The curtain in the temple was torn in two. Those who were dead left their tomb. Then on the morning of the third day, the story started to circulate that Jesus was alive. The tomb was empty. There was no denying the empty tomb. Passover that year was different and it has been ever since.
God is bringing many people to our cities. Many of them are displaced Christians. They come for their own purposes. But God has his purposes too. God wants them to celebrate His plan of salvation in their lives. It took the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to embolden the apostles to proclaim the Gospel and begin to change the world. The Holy Spirit continues to dwell in us today. The Holy Spirit continues to work through us today. People from every nation are coming to our doorsteps. I pray that as the Lord works through our witness, they will celebrate God's grace and mercy in their lives. They will celebrate how God has changed their lives.
St. Paul, PHX- ESL ministry
On going ministry need- from September through May, we have an English Class ministry. We meet on Tuesdays for 2 hours 6-8. We could use teachers, teacher aides, and child care volunteers. Ideally, we will have another day of classes.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
God's Infiltration Plan- Acts 2:5-12
As Pentecost approaches, the above verses will be read in churches across the globe. At that time, the people were coming to Jerusalem because they wanted to celebrate Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks (Deut. 16:9-12). It was a harvest festival celebrated 50 days after the Passover. The people who came to celebrate Pentecost would return to their homes and share what they had seen.
Similarly today, the nations are coming to us. Granted they may be coming for completely different reasons, but the church is planted here already and equipped to share the Good News. In God's foresight, churches have been placed where the people are coming. The question is are we ready to share with them what God has done.
Every Tuesday we have an ESL class. In this class, we have students from over fifteen different Mexican states. We have students from six different countries. When I was in Guatemala, I witnessed to the people around Zacapa. But now, I can share the Gospel with our students and our students can tell their relatives in over fifteen different Mexican states and six different countries how they are experiencing the love of God and how God is working in their lives. There may be some challenges with the people of different cultures and languages coming into our neighborhoods. But God has placed us here so that they may know that Jesus is Lord.
Similarly today, the nations are coming to us. Granted they may be coming for completely different reasons, but the church is planted here already and equipped to share the Good News. In God's foresight, churches have been placed where the people are coming. The question is are we ready to share with them what God has done.
Every Tuesday we have an ESL class. In this class, we have students from over fifteen different Mexican states. We have students from six different countries. When I was in Guatemala, I witnessed to the people around Zacapa. But now, I can share the Gospel with our students and our students can tell their relatives in over fifteen different Mexican states and six different countries how they are experiencing the love of God and how God is working in their lives. There may be some challenges with the people of different cultures and languages coming into our neighborhoods. But God has placed us here so that they may know that Jesus is Lord.
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