Are Your Recognized?

Below are a few famous logos.  Do you know the company just by looking at the logo?

The answer to our quiz on logos is this:

Top logo - McDonald's

Next - Toyota

Next - Apple

Last - Zambia Airlines

You probably had very little trouble with the top logo because McDonald's restaurants are all over America and the world.  They also have commercials and advertisements.  McDonald's has done a fantastic job in branding themselves so people know the brand.  Most of you probably were able to guess the Toyota logo and Apple logo, although Apple has done better in branding their name (Like in the iPad, the iPod, the iMac or the iPhone).  Very few of you were able to guess Zambia Airlines unless you have actually flown on that airline.  It's just not a famous brand and Americans would not be as familiar with Zambia Air as with United or American Airlines.  For a company to survive, the more well-known their brand is, the better their sales should be. 

For the past thirty years, I have had the same vehicle.  Many of you have ridden in it.  Those of you in Hawaii may have ridden it, maybe even when it was brand new.  It now has almost 290,000 miles on it and tons more memory.  Even though I live in the crowded Bay Area, there aren't many of these classics on the road, so people know me by my truck.  When I lived in the small town of Kamuela on the Big Island, I was known by the truck I drove.  My goal is to continue to drive this truck until I can no longer get parts to fix it.

Having said all that, how does our told recognize followers of Jesus?  I guess we could all get the same tattoos or wear clothes with Christian symbols or verses on them.  We could all wear crosses around our necks, but that is common among so many in our culture.  When I see someone wearing a turban, I know they belong to the Sikh religion.  When I see a woman in a burkha or a head scarf, I know she is a Muslim.  But there really isn't any specific clothing that allows people to recognize us as Christians.  We certainly pray that the way we live our lives helps people know we are followers of Christ, but even moral people may have stronger values than we have. 

Today, the United States has become a pagan country, one in which Christians have very limited influence and power.  The more secular our country becomes, the more marginalized followers of Christ become.  Yet, the greater opportunity we will have to be a light to the world.  The greatest way to be recognized as a Christian today is to faithfully participate in church.  I know that sounds archaic and 1950's ish, but it really is true.  Sunday has been overtaken by our secular world.  Kids play sports on Sunday mornings, families have gatherings, kids are expected to do their homework then and staying up late on Saturday night will all cut into the sacredness of Sundays.  The greatest testimony in our world is to let nothing come between us and our participation in church.  When we tell sports teams or family members we will be at church instead of with them, get ready to some stunned looks.  There are so few followers of Christ who have made church a top priority that you may get looks that are akin to seeing a unicorn.  What kind of look will you get when you tell them that you also go to Sunday evening ministries?  In this way, we are recognizing that our Lord is more important than overtime, travel teams, family gatherings and late nights.

I know, someone is going to bring up the "hypocrite card" because it is true, you can come to church every Sunday and still live like the world.  however, I believe if you are reading this post, you are wise enough to not fall into that trap. 

The book of Hebrews 10 puts it this way:  "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching".

Be committed to your Savior by being committed to your church.  Be recognized as someone who values the body of Christ more than a short-lived rush.  Get involved in your church, serving and loving.  Once you make Sundays a sacred day, you will never want to compromise again.  This type of faithfulness can help keep us from becoming secular Christians and develop into faithful followers of Jesus.  See you on Sunday, if not before!



Yes, you are an expert!

Last week, our church had to have several trees removed which were dead and posing a threat to our building and folks who came to church.  We contacted Hercules Tree Service to come and remove the trees.  The owner, Rich Cabrera, had his son play on my soccer team, so I had confidence in his expertise.  However, I was a little worried when they showed up without a crane.  One of the trees split at the base into two trees, with one side growing above our playground.  We have a fence around the playground and we have the play structures under the tree.  I asked him if he has going to need his crane and he confidently told me to not worry that he had things under control.  So they got busy cutting the tree.  Rich climber to the top of the tree, secured his lines and began to remove limbs on the easy portion of the tree.  So I went to my office and came back when it was time for his to cut the branches over the play structure.  I watched as he carried up some straps with him into the tree.  He fastened a rope around the tree, then attached one strap to each branch he was going to cut.  The other end of the strap he attached to the rope.  Then he cut the limbs, one at a time.  Each limb would simply slide down the rope into the parking lot, away from the play structure.  He knew his job and he did it in such a smooth and precise manner.  I was definitely impressed and recommend them if you live in the area and need tree work done.

As I watched his expertise, my mind wandered (As it often does) to what this says to us as followers of Christ.  It hit me that we are experts in eternal life.  Let me explain:  I was clueless in trying to figure out how Rich would remove the tree without damaging our property.  I don't do tree work, so how could I possibly know about those straps.  BUT Rich has been doing this for almost twenty years, so he knows all the tricks of the trade.  As followers of Christ, we forget that most people in our sphere of influence have no idea about salvation and eternal life.  Most of them probably think if they do enough good works, they will get to Heaven.  most Americans feel that if the good they do out weighs the bad, then they will gain admittance to Heaven (If they even believe in Heaven).  However, you and I know that our works only earn us death.  Romans 6:23 tell us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus.  We turned from self and turned to God's grace.  We knew Heaven was unattainable on our own merit, so we became covered in the righteousness of Jesus.  We received the greatest gift of all - Salvation.  We made that life-changing decision and it has affected everything in our lives:  Our jobs, our schoolwork, our marriages, our parenting, our sports, our free time, our money, etc.  We have become experts because of the experience we have over the years in following Jesus.  So, you are an expert. We have the confidence from a life that has been transformed by Jesus! 




The world is waiting to hear from you.  Like we talked about on Sunday, we need to interject God's Word into our conversations.  We need to give people an opportunity to hear about eternal life.  So stop using excuses to keep quiet, and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to tell others about Jesus.

Socialization

My wife and I have two children:  a 7th grader and a 1st grader.  For a multitude of reasons, we have chosen to homeschool our sons.  Most of the time, when we tell someone we homeschool, we get the same incredulous look.  It's the look that says, "You seem so normal, I didn't know you were one of THOSE kinds of people."  You see, most people have bought into the greatest myth of homeschool misunderstanding - Homeschool kids are not socialized.  I used to get upset at that look, but now I have to keep from laughing because most homeschool kids have much higher socializer skills than public school kids.  Almost all homeschoolers are involved in some type of co-op, which serves as a wonderful support for the parents.  Our co-op has a class day every Monday from 9:00 until 3:00 with over 60 kids ranging from three years old to seniors in high school.  So our boys are learning to socialize with and relate to  kids who are younger and older.  They have wonderful role models in how to study, treat others and live.  They also get to be role models for those who are younger.  We go on field trips with families from our co-op, have parties, Have play dates, etc.  Because we homeschool, our kids can finish their work by 1:00 and have the afternoon to get together with their homeschool friends.  (If you would like to know more about our co-op, you can go to: https://www.homeschool-life.com/1417/contactinfo/contactinfo) My sons are also involved in sports, church and clubs, so they are socialized with a variety of kids and adults.  Most homeschool parents I know do not have to search for socialization opportunities, but have to limit the amount of socialization activities because their kids have so many opportunities.  In contrast, most public school kids spend their days with their own peer group, rarely interacting with kids who are several years younger or older.  They leave home early in the morning, get home in the afternoon and then have homework to complete before they can go and spend time with friends.  So their socialization is focused on just one age group rather than a wider variety.  So when people ask me about the socialization my homeschool sons get, I have to keep from laughing because of this marked contrast.

I wish followers of Christ were as concerned about their "socialization" with the church as people are amount my homeschooled kids.  I see too many Christians who have found too many ways to compromise Sunday mornings.  Our culture certainly doesn't help this because Sunday mornings have lost their place of value as a time of worship.  Youth sports now play their games on Sunday mornings.  Families plan gatherings on Sunday mornings or want to meet for brunch because their schedules are so busy during the rest of the week.  Professional sports have begun to impact Sunday mornings, unless you live on the East Coast.  And even now, the pregame shows start on Sunday mornings.  Employers no longer see Sunday mornings as time to protect, but will schedule their businesses to be open.  Many Christians live such busy lives that Sunday morning is their "only day to sleep in and get rest".  The pressures in our culture to avoid church and do something different on Sunday mornings has become intense and will only increase.   Yet, rarely do we hear Christians talking about the connectedness they need with their church families.  Church has become a convenience rather than a necessity in the American Christian circles.  Rarely do we even talk about having to tell an employer "No" or not play on a travel team or not attend a family function because we want to be in church.  I have found that church participation becomes the first thing many Christians will sacrifice.  Trust me, I have heard every excuse in the book.  "I don't need to be in church to worship God".  "I meet with a group of Christians during the week and that is my church."  "I got burned by the church and got sick of all the hypocrites."  "I missed a couple of weeks and didn't hear from anyone in my church."   "I don't need someone telling me how to be a Christian."  "God knows I really want to be there, but if my kid is going to get a college scholarship, he has to be at..."   It's too bad we don't have the same burden for the socialization in our faith.  I just find it sad to hear people so concerned about my homeschooled kids, but so inattentive to the same issue in the church.  We cut ourselves off from the very people who want to pray for us, encourage us and see us do well.  We also cut ourselves off from being able to pray for the church family, encourage them and see them do well.  We almost become a visitor to our own church.

I am very aware that church participation does not necessitate faith in Christ or growth in our faith.  However, I also know that in our culture, people equate our salvation with our church participation.  When we compromise Sunday mornings, we tell those around us that our salvation isn't such a big deal.  If we don't value church participation, they won't think we value Jesus.  Our co-workers, families, classmates, teammates and neighbors ARE watching.  They are evaluating our priorities to see if Jesus is something worth investigating.  Church participation becomes the stepping stone to discuss salvation with them.  They will test us, but once they see our resolve, they will have a respect for us and the church (Even if they are antagonistic).  The moment we compromise church participation and then justify it, we have lost the opportunity and privilege of sharing Christ with those who are aware of our decision.    However, when we are resolved to have a high priority on church participation, our lives get easier.  We are no longer pressured by others because they know we won't be coming until after church.  The key, then,  is to make this decision BEFORE the pressure arrives.  If we have already made a decision about church participation, then when the temptation arises, we already have our answer.  It's tough....at first, but gets so much easier.  God wants us to be "socialized" spiritually - To meet with fellow pilgrims for worship, Bible study, prayer, accountability and encouragement.

Hebrews 10 puts it better than me:  "And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  So reevaluate your priorities and make your connectedness with the family of God on Sunday mornings a top priority.  When the Day arrives, you will be glad you did.

"I'm Just Kidding"

Why is it that we have to learn lessons painfully for them to make an impact on us?  I like to kid and joke with people.  If you give me a hard time, then I'm going to give it right back.  I often find that this allows us to be more human and then talk about more important things.  But many people are hurting by that kind of joking, even though they don't show it.  I had a friend confront me about this very thing many years ago.  He was hurt by the things I had said to him in jest, even though he was doing the same with me.  His heart was much more tender than mine and while he didn't show it, my words were serving to make him feel betrayed and broken by me.  I was stunned and had to face the reality that my joking was a source of pain or irritation to others.  That is a painful lesson for me and one that I have to have repeated to me.

I know I am not the only one who does this.  We often say hurtful things, then mask it with, "I'm only kidding" or "bless his heart" or a multitude of other phrases.  Most of the time, we don't really mean to hurt anyone, we are simply enjoying the moment.  We find something that seems humorous and we bring it up.  While others may be laughing, we don't think about the person who may be crying on the inside.  We never think that we might just have broken the heart or the spirit of someone who was struggling with a damaged soul.  Maybe they grew up in a home where they were never encouraged and never knew if their parents were ever proud of them.  Maybe this person just experienced some painful rejection this week and our words sound like more rejection.  Maybe this person has always battled having a low self-image and has masked it behind humor.  Maybe this person is afraid of emotional/spiritual intimacy, so they keep others at a distance.  The bottom line is, we never really know what someone is going through in their personal lives.  If our conversations simply stay on a surface level, we will do more harm than good.  We forget that sticks and stones do break our bones, but words destroy our spirit.  And once those words are out, they can never be taken back.  We will never see the tears we cause, but those tears are real.

Ephesians 5:3-5 puts is this way:  "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."  Those are extremely strong words written to those of us who claim to be followers of Christ. 

James 3:5-6 reminds us, "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.  It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by Hell."

Technology has made it easier for us to be critical with our words.  We send out a scathing tweet about an anonymous category of people because someone just did something we didn't like.  We posts messages of Facebook that seek to run down and find fault with those who hold a different view than our own.  We deride people who have taken an oppositional position from us without caring about the demeaning words we use to describe them.  We send a text that we think is humorous to someone, but it is really hurtful to them.

This morning, the group of pastors I pray with weekly were discussing this. One of the pastors had a parishioner leave church vowing never to return because of this joking and jesting.  Something was said to this person as a joke, but it was hurtful.  I wonder how many more people have left the church because something was said to them in just, but the words broke their hearts.  They probably never said anything to anyone.  They just left and never came back and now will never go to any church again because they don't want to be hurt.

Would you begin to examine the words and you say and the manner in which you say them?  Would you vow to have deeper discussions with people, rather than just talk about surface stuff?  Would you seek to make amends to anyone you may have offended?  Would you be the one to use your words to build up people rather than find fault and tear them down?  This is a much more difficult road because we would rather feed the flesh than put ourselves at risk.  But our desire should be for our words to bring healing and encouragement.

Perhaps we can allows Psalm 19:14 to be our guide:  "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Underdogs

It has been almost a year since I last posted on a "Sip from the Well" and did not plan to write another blog for a while, but this past week a handful of people asked me why I don't post any more.  So after praying about it, I decided it might be time to write again.  However, I make this caveat:  The "Sip from the Well" is intended for the members of Hillcrest Baptist Church.  This doesn't mean it may not benefit anyone who wants to read it, but it is geared towards a specific audience.  On Sunday, we may have something happen in church or during the sermon or in the life of one of our members.  I may devote one blog to an issue that those not attending Hillcrest may find confusing or offensive.  Just remember the context of this blog is to help benefit the faith of those involved at Hillcrest Baptist church.  How, having given the appropriate disclaimer, on with this week's Sip.

I grew up in a household where there was only one college for which your could cheer:  Wake Forest.  Growing up as a die hard Wake Forest fan, I have a soft spot in my heart for the underdog.  So two weeks ago, when Wake played the University of Indiana (Another college with a lackluster football history), I held out hope that we would come away with a victory.  Alas, it was not meant to be as the Demon Deacons fell to the Hoosiers.  So this past weekend, these two underdogs took on two top dogs:  Indiana played #1 Ohio State and Wake played #5 Florida State.  Indiana came within a few plays of upsetting the nations top ranked team.  Wake came within a pass of tying Florida State, but the pass was intercepted in the end zone with 20 seconds to play.  Valiant efforts were put forward by two overmatched teams.

For the past four hundred years, the Church in America has enjoyed status as a top dog.  The American experiment has been predicated of people of faith in Christ and the laws of the land have reflected this.  The Church has had favor in the eyes of the law and our government to a very great degree.  Churches have been protected and had favored status when it came to property and tax decisions.  This has actually been a huge anomaly for the Christian faith because throughout most of her history, the Church has been persecuted and maligned.  In most of the world today, being a Christian makes you a minority and can cost you your life.  Muslim countries and countries with dominant Catholic populations have consistently tried to silence New Testament Churches.  Most Americans in my generation have no idea what true persecutions looks like because the authority the Church has held in our history.

What a difference ten or twenty years can make?!   We now see the pendulum begin to swing away from the Church being a protected entity to the Church being a persecuted entity.  Most people who live in the South would strongly disagree with me on this point because churches are in abundance.  However, where we live in California, the local governments have turned antagonistic towards the Church.  There are not churches on every street corner and many churches what used to be on street corners have found their properties taken by local governments using eminent domain.  Churches do not generate tax revenue and in these trying financial times, tax revenue drives local municipalities.  Only one church I know of in the area has been able to construct a new building and that was done after  exorbitant "fees" were paid at every juncture of the construction project.  In our area, only 4% of the population goes to church on a Sunday morning.  So the Church has become an underdog in our area.  It's just a matter of time until this flows to the rest of the country.

Before you think I am whining or complaining, I am actually celebrating.  For far too long, the Church in America has been an impotent messenger of the Gospel.  With our declining influence, we have utilized the latest trends and tried all types of methods to make our church services more inviting to those who are not "regular attenders".  We have researched methods of church growth, which usually just shuffle the deck and bring Christians from other churches to our church.  The numeric growth of the Church has been stagnant and in decline for many years.  I don't think having better programs will end the decline.  I don't think trying to adjust our standards to the standards of the culture will end the decline.  I don't think lower the Biblical views on life will end the decline.  I don't think using slick marketing strategies will end the decline.  I don't think starting new small groups will end the decline.

So what will end the decline?  This is the reason we are studying the book of Acts on Sunday evenings because the keys are found in simply imitating the early church.  Throughout the book of Acts, there are two factors which increased the growth of the church.  Those two facts are really not programs and can't be programmed by the church.  They are not slick, marketing tools.  They are simply the keys the Holy Spirit brought about in the body of Christ.  Those two keys are needed today, if our church is to make a difference in the world.  Here are the two keys:  (1)  Prayer and (2) witnessing.  See?  I told you they weren't slick and definitely not earth shattering.  They cost no money, but involved dedication, passion and a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit.  I know, prayer and witnessing don't really grab our attention.  There must be something else we can do.  The book of Acts gives us prayer and witnessing as the foundational pillar that God gives the Church to affect change and impact the world.

Can Hillcrest implement this strategy?  That has been my fervent prayer for the past few weeks.  The underdog church in America needs to reevaluate the vision and strategies she has been using for the past few decades.  Our culture is looking for something real and genuine.  The upbeat music, light shows and talks by styling pastors are not fooling anyone.  Our culture wants to see lives that are changed.  They want to see people with peace, joy and faith that sustains them in trying times.  God is moving us to underdog status so we will stop relying on the weapons of the world and begin to rely on God Himself.  The ancient world was impacted by the power of God released through His people praying.  That world was impacted by uneducated people sharing how Jesus had changed their lives.  The same can happen in our communities and neighborhoods if the Church will embrace her underdog status and begin to truth the One who is greater in us than the one who is in the world.  Will you become devoted to prayer and witnessing, trusting in the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do?  The world is waiting to see it!

That's What Service Looks Like

"Then the righteous will answers him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'  The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me."

-Jesus of Nazareth in Matthew 25

This same Jesus who said the above also told us that the greatest in His Kingdom would be the servant of all.  He then set the example as He served His followers by washing their dirty feet after a long day on the road.  Ultimately, He set the example of service as He died on the cross for the sins of humanity - Even those who would deny His existence or warp what He said to fit their own agenda and even those of us who have received that gift of grace.  The essence of the Christian life is found in a deeply planted passion to serve others.  When we experience regeneration, we now have a heart which is thrilled to serve others...not because we HAVE to but because we are compelled to.  We find our greatest joy and satisfaction in life when we see others touched by the love of Jesus through our service.

We live in a self-centered world.  People have become takers, whiners and complainers.  Just read most Facebook posts and you will see people venting, pointing out the flaws of others and posting articles which slam other people with a different world view.  We live in a country which has become deeply divided by race, region, politics and so many other ways.  The one place where this doesn't happen is in the church.  Each Sunday, it is refreshing to see an incredible mix of people coming together to worship Jesus and minister to each other.  So what does service look like?  Here are a few glimpses I have seen in the past few weeks:

-Service looks like followers of Jesus filling shoe boxes with toys, supplies and gifts for children all over the world whom they will never meet.  A church of only 75 on a Sunday morning collected 80 shoe boxes to give to Samaritan's Purse so that unknown kids in unknown corners of the world could know the joy of receiving an unexpected gift - And maybe the gift of salvation.

-Service looks like followers of Jesus bringing boxes of pie crust mix to give to the Telegraph Center in Oakland so those who are need could have a dessert on Thanksgiving.  If not for Hillcrest Baptist Church, the Telegraph Center would only have food for a meal and not for dessert.  The East Bay Baptist Association has over 140 churches/missions, but Hillcrest is the only one who gives food to this outreach.  Service is a desire to help people in need, even if we will not see or meet those people.

-Service looks like followers of Jesus getting together to go and visit those in our church.  They are attempting to visit all of our church members and see what needs there may be and how we can meet them.  They want everyone in our church family to know they are loved and deeply cared for.

-Service looks like children who are so excited about coming to church that they invite and bring their friends.  This past Sunday evening at TeamKid, we had sixteen children in grades 1-6.  Seven of those kids have no family at our church, but they come and learn about Jesus.  One of those was being brought by her neighbor (Who is a member of our church) and this young girl said, "I love this church".

-Service looks like followers of Jesus caring so much about the witness of the church that they clean the church every week.  These members give up their time to sweep, mop, vacuum, dust, empty trash and do so much more.  No one thanks them and most people don't know they are cleaning, but they serve Jesus.

There are many more examples from Hillcrest Baptist Church that help us understand what service looks like, but there is not enough room in this blog.  As Pastor of this church, I want to thank you for your service.  I know if many churches, a small number of people do most of the service, but that isn't the case here.  Thank you for all the ways you serve in Jesus' name and the way you touch lives each day with the love of Jesus.  One day, you will hear from THE King, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

The Strength of the Kingdom

This past Sunday, we had the wonderful opportunity to honor a woman who is faithfully serving the Lord at Hillcrest.  Doris Hurst turned 80 and we celebrated her birthday.  Unlike many people in her age category, she is still going strong.  She is still teaching the children in our preschool Sunday School class.  Each week, she comes up on Thursday to prepare her classroom and then shows up 30 minutes before Sunday School to welcome every child.  She has ministered to so many families over the past several decades and is still making an impact.  At the end of the service, we called forward everyone who has been taught by her or whose children have been taught by her:  Over 90% of the congregation came forward.  As we laid hands on her and prayed for her, I was thrilled to see how one life can impact so many others.

This is the model Jesus set for us while He was on the earth.  He simply invested in twelve men and those men invested in others.  The Kingdom of God has grown and grown until it has reached us.  I know many people who like to discuss and argue great theological questions.  They enjoy finding fault with those who theology doesn't quite measure up and nit pick on them.  However, the strength of THE church is not found in these Wannabe Church Guardians.  The strength of the Church is found in servants like Doris.  The servants who humbly going about investing the basic truth that Jesus loves us and is our Savior are the ones who are changing eternity.  There are countless and unnamed millions of saints faithfully serving the Lord as best they can.  They won't get notoriety on this earth and they don't have the theological pedigree to argue with the Wannabes.  These humble saints really are the ones on whom the Kingdom is built.

I am grateful that we had the opportunity to thank Doris Hurst for being such a Godly example for us to follow.  I am thrilled that my sons have had their first taste of God's love at the hands or Doris Hurst.  I pray that you will be a servant like Doris.  Remember that you are the ones who have an impact on the Kingdom, so keep grinding.