Cracked Pots

I shared this illustration a couple weeks ago in my sermon but I wanted to revisit it as
it is important for us to remember that even in light of our flaws and failures Christ loves us... (Romans 5:8)

There is an ancient Chinese proverb about a water bearer. This water bearer had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. 

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. 

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the townspeople laughed every time they saw the old man spilling water all the way home.

The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. He felt even worse that the water bearer was mocked due to his inadequacy.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you suffer such mockery from the others," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "I hear the laughter of the others, but I want you to notice something. Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? 

That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. 
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

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Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots. But if we will
allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His table. They can appear as foolishness to the rest of the world, but God knows what he’s doing. This is what it is to truly be the church! Recognizing that we are all flawed individuals, broken and in need of redemption. But God’s plan is perfect! He has no plan b, He alone is sovereign. 

Worldviews

What is a worldview?  Everyone whether or not they are able to articulate it has some form of worldview.  A worldview is “a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world”[1]  Simply put is the way we view the world, our understanding or our filter on how we accept and interact with the world around us. Our worldview is a result of each moment’s life experiences. For example burning a finger on a hot stove informs future behavior or an individual raised without a male father figure as a child is likely to have a different perspective or understanding of God being their heavenly father as someone who grew up in a home with a loving and present father. A worldview however is a choice, and you can choose to change your views, you can believe anything you want to believe ultimately however if you want to be truly satisfied with this life your worldview must be based on the Bible and on Christ. Jesus said in John 6:35 that only those who come to him will find their hunger and thirst truly satisfied. The lens in which we filter this world should be the cross of Christ. When we allow Christ to be our filter we can begin to live our 1 Corinthians 5:17, allowing the old to pass away and focus on becoming a new creation.

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In a Christian worldview the Bible is the standard by which we base all our understanding. We look to its pages to lay the foundation for our understanding not just of God but for things such as creation and our purpose here on earth.

The Question of Origin – (How did life begin? How did mankind come into existence?)

The question of origin is one that is pivotal in formulating a biblically based worldview. The Bible begins with the foundational account of the creation story. Genesis 1 speaks to the creation of what we in view as the universe and everything in it, from the stars in the night sky to the sand on the beach we witness the creators work all around us. When Genesis 2:7 speaks to the creation of man from the dust of the earth life began when God breathed into His creation. We see a similar scenario recorded in Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones. Upon God’s direction in Ezekiel 37 the prophet speaks over the bones and the bodies are formed but life does not enter them until God breathes into them.  Thus life began when the breath of God entered into man.  John 1:3-4 goes further and indicates that Jesus is the true source of life “all things were created.” 

  

The Question of Identity – (What does it mean to be human? Are humans more important than animals?)

The question of humanity raises so many possibilities. In a Biblical worldview to be human means to be created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26) But as we continue to read in that same verse we were not just created by God to exist, God created all life the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and we were created to rule over it; Genesis 1:28 says man is to “subdue” the earth.  God’s plan for man was not just to be a part in kind of His glorious creation, His intention all along was to have a Father/Child relationship.  He desires an intimate relationship with His creation.  God initiated this relationship with creation, James 4:8 illustrates that the next move is ours, God desires to be in relationship with us, as our heavenly father He desires to be close to us but it requires action on our part.

The Question of Meaning/Purpose – (Why does mankind exist? Why do I exist?)

Questions of origins and identity are often easy to resolve but when it comes to the question of purpose, why are we here, why do I exist type of questions the answer can be much more challenging when it actually should be the easiest question for us to address.  Ultimately we exist to glorify God. Thomas Watson the puritan pastor said that “the glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions.”[2] 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 4:11 both speak to that end. Our purpose is here on Earth the meaning of all life ultimately is to bring glory to the name of God. Why? Acts 17:27 tells us that God established the world this way with a purpose, to draw all men to Him, our purpose is to glorify Him so that the world around us might see God.

The Question of Morality – (What is meant by right and wrong? How should I live?)

The question of right and wrong is answered through the lens by which you view the world. Those holding to a Christian worldview interpret morality based not on mans every changing standard but by God’s unchanging word.  Proverbs 14:12 indicates that left to our own choices we would surely die, rather we should be living by Philippians 4:8 seeking to bring honor to God in all things.

The Question of Destiny – (Is there life after death? What will happen to me when I die?)

A question that often haunts men and women from the time they are old enough to comprehend till the day they die. But that doesn’t have to be the case. In a Christian worldview the answer is yes there is life after death! We have been promised eternal life in heaven with God thanks to Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. We don’t do anything earn this it is a free gift for those who believe and place their faith in Christ to be their Lord and Savior. (Romans 3:23) Those who chose not to believe or reject God’s provision face eternal separation from Him. (Matthew 25:46) Regardless of an individual’s choice it is an eternal one, once we leave this world we cannot change our decision. Luke 16:26 makes this clear here we see that the choices of this life determine our eternal destiny, and once death has taken place, that destiny is fixed.[3]

How might/should a biblical worldview influence the way you…

                    …think about, treat, and speak to others on a daily basis?

“Understanding a person's worldview can help you communicate with them better as well as help you understand what they believe and why they act in a certain way.”[4] The Bible goes into great detail on how we should interact with others. Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another; it tells us to forgive as Christ forgave us. In John 15:12 Jesus tells his disciples to love one another as he loved them. These verses and the countless others all command to show respect and love for those around us, and not just those with whom we share our faith but also with those who would persecute us. (Proverbs 24:17; Luke 6:27)

…decide on a future career (what you will choose and/or how you will carry it out)?

Choosing a career is a big decision no doubt. Colossians 3:23 gives a clear directive that whatever your career choice is the work is to be done such to glorify God because you are working for God not man. Doesn’t matter if you are digging ditches, dictating foreign policy, or standing in the pulpit on Sunday morning. In choosing your career you look to God’s word and it will direct your path. Psalm 119:105

Works Cited

[1]Simpson, J. A. The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press; 1989.

[2] Watson, Thomas. "Man's Chief End Is to Glorify God." Man's Chief End Is to Glorify God. Accessed July 15, 2015.

[3] MacDonald, William, and Arthur L. Farstad. Believer's Bible Commentary. 4th ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995.

[4] Weider, L., & Gutierrez, B. (2014). Finding your worldview: Thinking Christianity about the world.

Reliability of the Bible

When I think of the idea of the reliability of the Bible the first thing that comes to my mind is 2 Timothy 3:16 when Paul says that “All scripture is God breathed” that God himself inspired the man who put the pen to the page.  God perfect in His nature cannot lie about neither His nature nor about the record of His grace as recorded in His Word.

There are many arguments that can be made for the reliability of the Holy Scriptures, two of my favorite arguments are the very nature of the work meaning its authorship and focus are unified throughout and also the confirmed historical evidence.

The very essence or nature of the Holy Scriptures is that according to most sources the Bible is composed of sixty-six unique books and letters which were written by 35-40 authors from more than a dozen countries over a period of nearly 1600 years this work is bound together not just in as single historical volume but by the fact that they are all unified in a single theme. The common theme is the redemption of man through Jesus Christ.

Dr Elmer Towns of Core Christianity states that “when you’ve read the Bible you’re left with the impression that only one person wrote the Bible.”^[1] If you think about the scope of it we cannot agree on things one week to the next how could man possibly write a collective work that spanned eighty generations? Don’t believe that it is “humanly” possible aside from God’s direct and continued involvement in the authorship of His Word.

The other argument I often find myself using is the overwhelming historical evidence for both the Bible as a collective work and the ability to substantiate its contents through archaeological and historical data. According to the Institute for Creation Research “the Bible has proven to be more historically and archaeologically accurate than any other ancient book. It has been subjected to the minutest scientific textual analysis possible to humanity and has been proven to be authentic in every way.”^[2] As Mark Strauss echoed in the ACE interview while we don’t have the original copies of the New Testament we can have confidence in the Bible because of the raw amount of evidence that we have more than 5000 reliable manuscript copies some within a few decades unlike of in any other work in history. ^[3]

1.      Towns, Elmer L. "pg 18." In Core Christianity: What Is Christianity All About?, Chattanooga, Tenn.: AMG Publishers, 2007.

2.      Historical Accuracy (Historical Accuracy) http://icr.org/biblical-record

3.      Strauss, Mark. "“Reliability of the NT Manuscripts”." Interview by Joshua Chatraw

Death of a Church

If you go to the doctor because you are sick in order for the doc to figure out how to heal you, how to make you better he has to diagnose what is wrong. It is just as important for a doctor to study ailments and illnesses as it is that he study treatments. Proper treatment requires proper diagnosis… The same is true when it comes to having a healthy church....

I have been reading a lot in 1 Corinthians, praying for God's direction on a new short sermon series – I’ve always admired the Apostle Paul. He was never one to sugar coat his letters, he was far from politically correct in his correspondence, and he was not concerned about being popular. His letter to the church at Corinth is no different.

1 Corinthians 1:1-17 is broken into three clear divisions - a greeting, a praising, and a scolding. Take a look:

(Greeting)

1 Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Sosthenes our brother:

² To God’s church at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours.

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Praising)

⁴ I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that by Him you were enriched in everything—in all speech and all knowledge. ⁶ In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, ⁷ so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Scolding)

¹⁰ Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. ¹¹ For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there is rivalry among you. ¹² What I am saying is this: Each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? ¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶ I did, in fact, baptize the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t know if I baptized anyone else. ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize—not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

The church in Corinth had started out so faithfully, and had such an impact in its community and the world around it but it had allowed sin to creep in. It had fallen away and as a result it had become a defiled church, full of sexual immorality and drunkenness.  Some lived very worldly, taking God’s grace and forgiveness lightly. It had become defiled because it had become a divided church with differing cliques and factions vying for leadership.  People talking behind the scenes, and taking sides. As a result of becoming defiled and divided it became a disgraced church.  Not only were they not glorifying God, they were hindering the progress of the gospel all around.

We need to take measures to prevent ourselves from following in the footsteps of the church at Corinth, we as a body of believers must stand united for the name of Christ. We must call sin what it is; we must be more than united on paper, as believers we must hold each other accountable and guard each other as we guard ourselves. We must strive to do nothing to hinder the work of the gospel.

What are you working towards this week? Come this Sunday and see how to kill a church (and the steps to healing)... 

Permissible but Beneficial?

What a great freedom we have... As disciples of Christ we have been liberated from the shackles that bound us.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 shares with the church at Corinth a powerful concept. in vs 23 & 24 he pens “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.

Paul goes on to argue that while meat sacrificed to idols is perfectly fine for them to consume because as believers they know well and good that there are no other gods for that meat to be sacrificed too but that if their consuming that meat were to cause a non-believer or someone weak in the faith to stumble then they should forsake eating meat all together. 

This is a hard concept for us today because we don't want to give up anything for anyone - our mindset is often if something I am doing bothers you get over it - but that is not what Paul is saying... Paul is saying that our religious freedom is not a weapon for us to wield against those around us - but that we are to go out of our way to share the love of Christ with those who are struggling. 

This does not mean that we are to compromise our morals or our ethics - this doesn't mean that we are to compromise our doctrine and theology - it does mean however that sometimes we need to stop and think about someone else first before we post a snide comment or picture on Facebook - will what I am about to post or share cause someone weaker in the faith or without faith to look poorly on Christ? 

Friends we are called to be a reflection of Christ to the world --- when the world looks at you are they seeing a clear image or is it like they are looking in a carnival mirror, seeing a warped and distorted view of the Gospel? 

Paul closes this chapter out by saying: 
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, so that they may be saved."

Think about that today...