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Breaking Free

Sunday morning we begin a series of lessons on Breaking Free.  We will be examining various sins from which we find it difficult to break free.  In the weeks to come we will discuss how we can break free from sins like gossip, anger, bitterness, and greed.

Jesus can set us free from the sins that so easily entangle us. In John 8:31-36 Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

These lesson, as well as Independence Day, has allowed me to do a good bit of thinking on the subject of freedom.  In my imagination, I put myself in the place of different groups of people who would desire freedom.  Let me share some thoughts on two of these groups: prisoners and slaves.

Prisoners are locked behind iron bars. Their routine is restricted. They are told what, when, and how to do everything.  Freedom for prisoners would be for them to have the doors opened and be released. Then there would be no more restrictions; they could live however they saw fit.

The slave’s life is not his own.  He must work for another who could be kind or cruel.  However, even under the kindest conditions, he must still do what his master says.  He is told when to get up, where and when to work, and how he must behave.  For the slave, freedom is to be released from his obligations to his master and the ability to make his own decisions about life.

I jotted down a few observations I believe can help us.

1. Freedom, in human terms anyway, always involves a desire to haveno restrictions. We see freedom as a kind of self-autonomy which allows us to live for our own self-interests.
2. For this reason true freedom demandsresponsibility. This is a quality the recently liberated may not have.  Slavery and imprisonment replace personal responsibility with imposed obedience.  There is no need to think or decide, only obey.
3. Without responsibility,this kind of freedom only leads back to slavery. The prison recidivism rate speaks for itself. In the OT some slaves, even when freed, opted to remain with their masters rather than provide for themselves in the real world.
4. Jesus offers a freedom that he describes as being “free indeed.” His is a freedom from sin, self-interest, and the slavery that counterfeit freedom can bring.  His is not a freedom from restrictions or responsibility.  Rather it is a freedom to truly live and enjoy the life that comes from complete and total surrender to him!

Blessings, Joey

Good, Moral People Still Need Jesus

When talking to many about their relationship with Jesus, they often deny they have any need for religion or Jesus because they are already good, moral people. They say, “I treat other people right. I give to charities. I’m honest in my business dealings. Isn’t that enough to get me into heaven? I don’t really need the trappings of organized religion. In fact, I’m better than many of those hypocrites who go to church!”

Others might even add, “I go to church with my spouse/children/friends. I’m active in church ministries. I give every week to the work of the church. Surely that is enough to spend eternity with God!”

I can understand this perspective because it is a message that Christians have inadvertently communicated to others. We have so emphasized doing good works and avoiding sinful behavior that we have left the impression that this is the core message of our faith, i.e., good works can save us and ensure a home in heaven.

Christianity is about God reclaiming his creation from the forces of darkness through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Sure, sin is to be avoided and as God’s image-bearers we are to do good in his name. However, in Christ, God is asking all humans to make a commitment to him as Creator and Lord instead of our own will, our culture, or some false ideology. It is about trusting in Christ to empower us to live and allowing God to renew our relationship with him in spite of our ability to be perfectly good and moral. It is about God’s promise to preserve all those who trust in Jesus for an eternal relationship with him in the new heaven and earth. It is about our resurrection as a new humanity to accomplish our divine vocation in a new Eden.

The problem with depending on our own goodness and morality is we deceive ourselves. NONE of us are as good as we think we are and ALL of us minimize our own sinfulness. Our issue is that we compare ourselves with others. There will always be those with whom we can compare ourselves favorably. The standard we should use is God himself, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). None of us can earn heaven by our own goodness.

Beside, the fact that we cannot earn our salvation, there is the issue of mortality and death. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the beginning, they lost their perfect communion with God and access to everlasting life. They became subject to death and all humanity with them, For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). We, like the first couple, inherit those wages. No amount of good done in this life can insulate us from the cold hand of death. However, Paul continues, But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b).  The only way to forgiveness, resurrection, eternal life, and full communion with God is through a commitment to Jesus Christ.

Sunday, my lesson will be an illustration of that. Cornelius was a good, moral man, but he still needed Jesus.

Blessings, Joey

Misplaced Pride

By presidential proclamations, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans­gender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Inn Uprising in Manhattan. Homosexuality and crossdressing were illegal many places in the country. While it was not unusual for the police to raid gay bars, there were accusations of brutality at Stonewall which led to a six day riot. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States (Source: Library of Congress).

What began as a struggle for civil rights has morphed into a militant crusade.  Strategic efforts have been launched to move LGBTQ issues and behavior from being rejected by the public to being accepted as normal and good.  Culturally, we are most familiar with this movement through its promotion in social media, television, and cinema. However, we now see the movement making major inroads politically – from the push for gay marriage to that of transgender issues.

The attempt to mainstream LGBTQ issues and behavior has led to an effective propaganda campaign.  Activists lobbied successfully to have homosexuality and gender identity disorder, removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual of mental disorders. Early on in the movement, the term homosexual was considered to be pejorative, so they opted to describe themselves as gay using slogans like, “It’s Good to be Gay!” It stuck.  Later in the movement, Gay Pride was used to mitigate the shame felt by those who believed their feelings and behavior were not normal. They were urged to be proud of who they were.

This leads us back to Pride Month, a celebration not only designed to instill pride in one’s LGBTQ identity, but also enjoin those who are not a part of this movement to join them in this celebration. It is working.  Banners in downtown Boise declare that “we” are “together” with them. Social media is filled with affirmations and expressions of solidarity. Various companies, manufacturers, retailers, breweries, etc. are commemorating this month in various ways. Much of this is mere “virtue signaling,” but it contributes toward greater, widespread acceptance. There is a real battle for the minds of our youth and the LGBTQ activists are winning.

I will be addressing some of this in my lesson Sunday; however, the message will not be a political call to action, but a biblical one.  I will be approaching this solely from a biblical, Kingdom of God perspective.  Since we are inundated with this propaganda and since our young people are so vulnerable, we need a word from the Lord.

I will be presenting a worldview that encompasses God’s plan for his people from Genesis to Revelation.  This will not just be a lesson of the so called “clobber texts,” but a systematic study on God’s design for humanity.  As a result of this study, I hope you will conclude with me that pride in these LGBTQ issues is sadly misplaced.

Blessings, Joey

View This Lesson Online

What Does it Mean to Be Grace-Oriented?

Matthew 20:13-15  “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?  ¹⁴ Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.  ¹⁵ Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

DEFINITION OF GRACE

1. Gift– being given what one needs instead of what one deserves
2. Unmerited Favor– goodwill expressed  which is not earned.
3. Scandalous Goodwill – true grace is offensive.

JESUS DESCRIBES GRACE (Matthew 20:1-5):

1. Is Scandalous
   “…You have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.”
2. Brings Accusations and Criticism
   “Friend, I am not being unfair to you.”
   “Are you envious because I am generous?”
3. Is Everyone’s Favorite Gift to Receive, but least Favorite to Give!

A GRACE ORIENTED CHURCH…

1. Understands God’s Grace
2. Accepts Others as they Are
3. Gives People the Benefit of the Doubt
4. Gives Others Room to Grow and Make Mistakes
5. Emphasizes Being Over Doing
6. Forgives

ARE WE A GRACE-ORIENTED CHURCH?
ARE YOU GRACE-ORIENTED?

Blessings! Joey

Hopeful Memory

Memory is a beautiful thing. I put together an eighty-page book, recording the photographic record of our Alaskan Cruise in 2017 celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary. The process itself allowed me to re-live the entire trip. While it was certainly a lot of work (culling around 2,000 pictures and putting them in a chronological narrative), the experience made the task a real joy. I joked to Tina that, hopefully, even when our memory began to fail, the book would help us remember this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

My comment, however, reveals the other side of memory – the tragedy of forgetfulness. I’m known for my absent mindedness. I tend to be so focused on a task that I can forget the other things I have temporarily moved to the periphery. While embarrassing, I would not really describe such lapses as “tragic.”

We have seen the tragedy of forgetfulness, though, in many of our older friends and family members. Sometimes our brains age faster than our bodies and a lifetime of precious memories slowly slip away.

We have seen the tragedy of forgetfulness in many due to neglect. Sometimes we forget to acknowledge those who have helped us. It is said that, as a culture, we have lost the art of writing thank you notes. I believe it is more than that: we are living in a culture of entitlement where people believe they deserve the kind generosity and gifts of others. They see it as their “right.”

This contributes to the greatest tragedy of forgetfulness — when we deliberately refuse to acknowledge the goodness of others. This is a faithless forgetfulness. God’s people have often been guilty of being faithless in their recognition of God’s gifts. In fact, there are stern warnings against it.

Deuteronomy 8:11-18

Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God…
12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down…
14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God….
17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”
18 But remember the LORD your God….

I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS (MOTHERS)

 Since last summer, we have been celebrating our 65th anniversary in this area, culminating in this homecoming service today. The Boise Church of Christ actually came into being in the Spring of 1940 (established by two women meeting in their homes 83 years ago). The church grew to around 240 by 1956 and built this building in 1957. The first service in the new building occurred July 28, 1957.  Below is an excerpt from the following week’s bulletin, dated August 4, 1957:

God has blessed us beyond measure and we should be so thankful and appreciative of our fine new building. Let us make it only the beginning and with love and zeal filling our hearts, let us push onward toward the mark of the high calling. Brethren, we’ve just begun. There are no limits.  If God be with us, who can be against us.

 Our opening day in the new building was an inspiring one with a morning attendance of 427 and approximately 350 at the evening service, to hear the wonderful messages brought to us by Bro George Benson, President of Harding College, Searcy Ark., and Brother Batsel Barret Baxter, of Nashville, Tenn.  It was a privilege to have such able men come and be with us in our efforts….

 Now we would like to voice our deep felt appreciation to the building committee who spent so many hours working and planning and carrying out those plans so that the building is the fine accommodating thing that it is.  And next, to the women who spent so many hours in hard work. We believe it was all the work of love and our building as it is would not have been possible without Your help. There were many more who gave their time and their money and we would like to thank each and every one for the efforts that have been put forth.

 Brother John York arrived this week to start his work with us here. Let us welcome him and his family, and encourage his efforts with our willing cooperation….

Do you believe in the providence of God? Let’s put our trust in God, nothing wavering and give him the glory.

 The Elders (Ivan Harris, Harvey Evans, Dallas Harris, Paul Swearingen, Hale Miller, Orie Henson, and Leo Smith) – Dated August 4, 1957

We have a proud legacy. Let’s continue to carry it out in ministry to the souls in this area.

—   Joey

WELCOME SPEAKER,
KEVIN HOOPER!

What happens when you put a small-town conservative Church of Christ boy with an urban-raised Pentecostal girl?  You get Kevin and Elise Hooper!  They met through the BSU Campus Ministry of the Boise Church of Christ in 1996 and were married on July 5, 1997.  They have seven children: Corban (23), Micah (21), Eliana (17), Gideon (14), Evangeline (10), Everly (6), and Emeline (3).  Their first daughter-in-law, Natalie, joined them by marrying Corban in September 2019.

They are in full-time ministry with the Midvale and Weiser Churches of Christ; two small, rural congregations about twenty miles apart in western Idaho. On December 31^st, Kevin marked 25 years in full-time ministry, which has included youth ministry with the Boise Church of Christ, and associate ministry with the Cross Tower Church of Christ in West Jordan, Utah. They have been in rural Idaho since 2011. Kevin holds a BA in Christian Ministry through Austin Graduate School of Theology, sings with a community choir, and serves as Vice President on the board of directors for Love, INC of Washington County.  Elise home educates their children, which is a full-time job she has been committed to for 19 years.

Kevin enjoys hiking, basketball, reading, hunting for and harvesting firewood, watching movies, and listening to Mike Rowe tell stories. Elise loves to read, write, cook, sew, make her home beautiful, and teach her children.

What Does it Mean to Be Disciple-Making?

Matthew 28:18-20  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

JESUS IS LORD — ALL AUTHORITY

MARCHING ORDERS OF THE CHURCH — MAKE DISCIPLES

THREE PARTICIPLES MODIFY MAKE DISCIPLES

1. Going
2. Baptizing
3. Teaching

GOING REFERS TO THE SEARCH

Luke 19:10  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

1. How Do You Go About Finding the Lost?
2. Three Popular Models…
   • Attractional
   • Missional
   • Personal

BAPTIZING REFERS TO CONVERSION

1. We Tell the Good News (Romans 10:17)
2. They Respond in…
   • Faith(Matthew 16:16)
   • Repentance(Acts 2:38)
   • Baptism(Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16)

TEACHING REFERS TO CONTINUED TRAINING

Ephesians 4:11-16  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,  ¹² to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

ARE YOU OBEDIENT TO THE LORD’S COMMAND?

Blessings! Joey

What Does it Mean to Be Christ-Centered?

Colossians 2:8  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

SEE THAT NO ONE TAKES YOU CAPTIVE…

1. By Hollow & Deceptive Philosophy
2. By Human Tradition
3. By the Basic Principles of this World

DEPEND RATHER ON CHRIST

Colossians 1:15-18  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  ¹⁶ For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

1. He is the Image of the Invisible God
2. He is the Firstborn over all Creation
3. By Him all things Were Created… by Him and for Him
4. He is Before all things, and in Him all things Hold Together
5. He is the Head of the Body, the Church
6. He is the Beginning and Firstborn from the Dead.
7. In all things He has Supremacy

YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN FULLNESS IN CHRIST…

Colossians 2:3-10 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…  ⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.  ⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,  ¹⁰ and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

1. All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge
2. Nothing Else Left – “He is Over Every Power & Authority.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CHRIST-CENTERED?

Colossians 3:1-5  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  ⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

1. FOCUS: Set your Hearts/Minds on things Above, NOT on Earthly things.
2. ACTION: Put to Death Whatever Belongs to Your Earthly Nature.

RECOGNIZE CHRIST’S SUPREMACY AND CENTRALITY IN ALL THINGS AND ORIENT OURSELVES TO HIM

Blessings! Joey

Because He Lives…

Happy Easter!  While we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ every Sunday, today is still special because it is the actual anniversary of that momentous event!

The song, Because He Lives, eloquently articulates our hope in Jesus.

An Empty Grave is there to Prove my Savior Lives

(Verse 1)
God sent his son. They called him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Jesus, indeed, came to love, heal, and forgive. He was crucified and buried in a tomb, but he did not remain there!  He rose from the dead on the third day.  That empty grave is there to prove our savior lives!

Matthew 28:1-6  After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  ² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  ⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

This Child Can Face Uncertain Days Because He Lives

(Verse 2)
How sweet to hold a newborn baby and feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance: this child can face uncertain days because he lives.

One concern every prospective parent shares is the kind of world their children will have to face.  This song affirms that because of Christ, his accomplished work, and resurrection from the dead our children have a future.

This hope is shared by every one of us as well. The chorus affirms that we have hope, courage, assurance, and purpose because he lives!

(Chorus)
Because he live, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, He holds the future. And life is worth the living, just because he lives

Jesus proclaimed this assurance to his disciples in John 16.

John 16:33   “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I’ll See the Lights of Glory and I’ll Know He Reigns

The third verse addresses our greatest fear of all – death.

(Verse 3)
And then one day, I’ll cross the river. I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know he reigns.

Death is never far from our thoughts.  Every wrinkle, every pain, and every illness is a constant reminder. Sadly, there are times when it becomes even more real as we say goodbye to someone we know and love.

It is also natural and human that we fear death. As far as our experience tells us, death is final. We have never seen someone come back from the dead; they are gone as far as we can discern.  We fear that as we breathe our last, all that we are will disappear into nothingness, but Jesus came to free us from our fear of death.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57   ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”  ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Because He Lives walks us through our last moments of life. There will be pain and suffering. Our bodies struggle against the inevitable. We trust that God’s promises are true, but we know them only by faith and not sight (2 Corinthians 5:5). “What will happen next?” we think. Then it’s all over. We cross the river. The silver cord is severed. The golden bowl is broken. The pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well (Ecclesiastes 12).

Light fades from our eyes. Ambient sounds grow dim. The touch of our loved one’s hand gives way to nothingness. What happens next?  Are you a Christian? You will open your eyes again! You will see the lights of glory in the presence of Jesus himself, Because He Lives!

Live in Hope of Glory! Joey