Are You Devoted?

Earlier this year, from January to August, we went through the Book of Acts during the Sunday morning sermons. The main reason I felt God led me to preach on Acts is because He wanted to challenge us at New Heights to be more like the first church described in that book. In case you have forgotten, Acts describes how 12 men filled with the Holy Spirit and given a mission by God, turned the world upside down in a generation. The same possibility lies before New Heights if we are willing to follow the example of the early church in Acts!

One area where I see a big difference between New Heights and the church in Acts is how they seemed to have a deep desire to be together in fellowship as often as possible. Look at Acts 2:42-47, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (NLT). This is the type of church God wants New Heights to be! This is the type of church that can turn our community and world upside down! No where in these verses is there any hint of these early Christians declining to meeting together because of being tired in the morning, just not feeling like it, more important things coming up, unbelieving family members discouraging them, conflicts with work schedules, hobbies, sports, etc.

Verse 42 says the early Christians were “devoted” to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship. “Devoted” has a deeper meaning than “committed.” Committed is something you do in your head. It means “to obligate or pledge oneself” (Webster). Devotion, however, has to do with our hearts. When we are devoted to something, we do it because we long for it in the depths of our being. God wants us to be “devoted to the Apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship.” This is unmistakably describing our local church. Devotion is a trademark of any disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is someone who is devoted to Christ, His church and His mission.

God wants to challenge you today to have a heart that is devoted to the teaching of the apostles (attending Sunday sermons at church and small group Bible studies) and the fellowship (brothers and sisters in the Lord at New Heights) and to the mission Christ has given us (to transform our community and world for Jesus Christ). If your heart just isn’t there, if you prioritize other things above church, ask God today in prayer to give you a heart that is devoted to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship. The eternal destiny of hundreds or even thousands in our community may lie in the balance! Let’s become a devoted church today!

At a recent gathering of some friends and family members, the topic of discussion was the situation surrounding 13 year old Daniel Hauser. If you haven’t heard about it in the news, Daniel has Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer. Doctors have said that with chemotherapy treatments, Daniel has an 80 to 90 percent chance of survival; without it he likely will die within five years.
Daniel’s parents have declared that because of their parental rights to determine the treatment for their son and due to their religious convictions for natural remedies that are not harmful to the body, they have a right to deny chemotherapy treatment for their son. The courts have ruled against the parents saying the state has the right to interfere when the life of the child is in jeopardy.
In the previously mentioned discussion of this topic, the consensus opinion was for support of Daniel Hauser’s parents. I would imagine many of you feel the same way. After reflecting on the discussion for a few minutes, I voiced my support for the State’s decision against the Hausers. Here is my reasoning:
I see supporting the Hauser’s position as inconsistent if you are a pro-life Christian. Ethical debates like this boil down to a conflict between opposing values. The question that must be answered is: which value has the higher priority? In the case of the Hausers, the conflict is between individual freedom of a parent to determine their child’s medical treatment and religious practice vs. the state’s right to protect a minor’s life. In the abortion debate, the conflicting values are between a women’s right to have the individual freedom to control her own body vs. the state’s right to intervene to protect the life of the unborn child.
We Christians have always argued that protecting life is the highest value. The state has a moral obligation to pass a law banning abortion because we must protect the life of the unborn baby. This right to life has priority over the woman’s right to her individual freedom to make decisions about her own body. Protecting life is always the highest priority.
If this is the case, how is it consistent for a pro-life Christian to support the Hauser parents? Ethically, the Hauser situation and the abortion debate are very similar. On one side is the rights and freedom of individuals (the pregnant woman and Daniel Hauser’s parents) and on the other side is the state’s moral obligation to protect the life of minors (13 year old Daniel Hauser and the unborn child). We can’t flip flop here. If we are to be consistent and have a morally defensible position on abortion, we must applaud the state’s decision to force the Hausers to have Daniel undergo chemotherapy treatment for his Hodgkin's lymphoma. Something to think about! - Pastor Dan

What was it like that Easter morning when Jesus rose from the grave? Was there a lot of fanfare? Did Jesus' resurrection happen with television cameras focused, pyrotechnics exploding, a smooth-voiced announcer giving play-by-play of this most important event in human history?
Let’s read the account of Jesus’ resurrection the Apostle John gives and find out, “Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, ‘They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!’ Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed- for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home. Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. ‘Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.’ She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.’ ‘Mary!’ Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, ‘Rabbi!” (John 20:1-16 NLT).
Not even a respectable crowd gathered! There was only an alarmed word from Mary Magdalene about Jesus' body being gone. Her proclamation produced a panic among the disciples and a foot race between Peter and John. John, having won the race to the tomb, looked in and saw that it was empty. Now things were really confusing, and the disciples just went home. It was to a broken-hearted Mary Magdalene who stayed at the tomb that Jesus revealed himself. Mary was the first to behold something the world had never seen before, a resurrected, transformed life. Yes Lazarus and others in the Bible were raised from the dead, but they got old and died again. But Jesus was changed into what will be the final destiny of all who believe in him.
Easter, Jesus’ resurrection day, is a foretaste of a resurrection of masses of people when this era of the history of the world is drawn to an end. What God promises to those who belong to Jesus is not the loss of self into a nothingness, but the resurrection and re-making of everything that is right and good in the world He has created. And until then, He invites us to begin living transformed lives now, continually shaped and changed by the hope of the redemption of all God has made. The reality of Jesus’ resurrection should change us. It should have a powerful effect on us each day that we’re alive as a Christian. Christ is risen! And because He has, we no longer have to fear death but can look forward to eternity where we will be God’s people and God himself will be with us. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 20: 4). Where in your life do you need the resurrection power of Jesus at work this Easter?

“Don’t Get Stuck!”

March is often our snowiest month of the Minnesota winter. This can be a snowy month because spring is close at hand. With spring, warmer moist air moves in to the upper Midwest. But with that air comes the potential for lots of snow. One of the fears we all have is driving in a snow storm and getting stuck. Especially if it’s in a out-of-the-way location where help may not be readily available. This is the main reason 4WD vehicles are so popular in Minnesota. Where a 2WD vehicle could be hopelessly stuck, a vehicle equipped with 4WD can easily track right through deep snow.
Thinking about the possibility of getting stuck brought my attention to a passage in the Old Testament. Genesis 11:31-32 reads “Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai, and his grandson Lot and left Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. But they stopped instead at the village of Haran and settled there. Terah lived for 205 years and died while still at Haran.” (NLT) Abraham’s father Terah took his family on a journey to the Promised Land of Canaan. They left their home, their livelihoods, their comforts, all because God had revealed to them an awesome gift - the Promised Land. Along the way to Canaan, they stopped at Haran and got stuck. They settled there and Terah ended up dying Haran. Later we know Abraham made it to Canaan but what a sad ending for Terah!
God has called each of us to join Him on a journey to the Kingdom of God. He has equipped us with the Holy Spirit who gives us inner peace, joy, spiritual gifts and an abundant life. But sometimes we get stuck on the way. We settle for less than what God had in store for us. We will inevitably get stopped along the way in our journey but there is a difference between getting stopped and getting stuck. When we get stuck, we need to ask for God’s help in shifting gears and getting back on our journey. God didn’t call us to get stuck and die in Haran. He has called us to shift into 4WD and get back on track toward Canaan, the Promised Land. Are you stuck in your journey with God? Are you tempted to settle for less than God’s best for you? Did you set out for a Christ-like life but settle for one plagued with sin and guilt? Did you set out for a great marriage with God in the center but settle for just co-existing? Did you set out to devote your gifts and talents to serving God but settle for devotion to your career? Did you set out to impact your community and world for Jesus Christ but settle for just sitting in the pew (chairs in our case)? If you answered yes to any of these questions, don’t be like Terah. Go to God in prayer and ask Him to get you unstuck. The Holy Spirit is way more powerful than a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Allow the Spirit to get you back on track on your journey with God!

“All We Need is Love!”
When people think of February, one day usually sticks out - Valentine’s Day. Now I know many people like to disparage this day saying it is just a Hallmark holiday. It’s a day created by the greeting card, chocolate and florist industry to sell their merchandise to those who have a romantic love in their lives. They guilt people into thinking if we don’t lavish these sort of gifts on our Loved Ones on Valentine’s Day, then we are somehow lacking in romance.
This got me reflecting a bit more deeply on the topic of love. In the Book of First Corinthians is perhaps the most beautiful chapter in the entire Bible. Chapter thirteen is often referred to as the “love chapter.” It’s familiar to many of us because we hear it frequently recited at weddings. Paul says, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. There are three things that will endure - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love.” (vs. 4-7, 13 NLT).
In these words of Paul is a beautiful description of what true godly love is all about. “Agape” is the Greek word for love that is used in this chapter. It is the same type of love God has for us. It is unconditional, unfaltering, and unselfish - always putting the other person first. It is also the type of love we are to display to others as Christians.
What type of love do we see portrayed in our culture and media? In movies, TV, music, magazines, etc., we see a romantic love (“Eros” in Greek) that is based on instant gratification, selfishness, eroticism and infatuation (“Love does not demand its own way”?). 50% of marriages end in divorce today (“Love never gives up”?). Families and friendships are often splintered because of long held grudges and unforgiveness (“it keeps no record of when it has been wronged”?). And our culture has largely turned away from God (“love...never loses faith”?). This is the opposite of the agape-type love that is to characterize us Christians.
Paul’s words in First Corinthians 13 speak loudly to us this Valentine’s Day. It’s not the love of warm fuzzies with hearts and Cupid and his arrows. It is a love that deeply challenges us as Christians to live our lives loving others in the same manner the God loves us. God the Father sent his only Son Jesus to earth to die a death He did not deserve. We deserve death because of our sin but He died in our place, as our substitute, so that we might have the gift of eternal life. This is the ultimate example of agape love. Take some time to really read First Corinthians 13 and ask God to show you some practical steps you can take today to love the people in your life sacrificially with true agape love. Whether it be your spouse, family member, a F.R.A.N. (Friend, Relative, Associate at work, Neighbor), or someone you just met, this Valentine’s Day and every other day for that matter, love them as God loves us (Matthew 22:39).

“Who Will You Serve In 2009?”

It’s January and 2009 is here! Whenever a new year comes, many people pause to reflect. What were the highlights of the past year? What will the new year bring our way? What changes will I make for this New Year? Many of us make “New Year’s Resolutions” resolving to give up a bad habit, lose weight, make healthier and better choices in our lives.
Around 3400 years ago, the people of Israel were facing a transition not unlike what we face when pondering a new year. Joshua, the leader of the Israelite nation, was dying. He called the leaders of the people together for a farewell message. Joshua reflected on what the Lord God had done in bringing the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan. Now, the people were faced with a choice: what will they do in the future when the torch of leadership is passed from Joshua to someone new? Joshua 24:14-15 says, "So honor the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve…. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." (NLT). Joshua issued a challenge to the Israelites to make a choice right then and there. Whom will you serve? The false gods or the Lord? He affirmed that he and those that follow him in his family line will serve and remain dedicated to the Lord God. The people responded to the challenged and affirmed they would serve the Lord and Him only.
The same sort of challenge is before each of us this new year. Whom or what will we serve in 2009? This is an important question to contemplate. We all serve something with the choices we make on a daily basis. Our choices speak volumes on what our lives stand for. Will you obey God by giving your time, talents and treasure for His purposes? Will you commit yourself to furthering of the Kingdom of God through the ministry of New Heights Community Church? What will your choice be: Will you chase after the idols of materialism, entertainment, popularity, power, sex, etc? Or will you choose to serve the Lord God and Him only?
Will you join me in saying, “As for me and my family ( the Schauers), we choose to serve the Lord in 2009.” Will you join us at New Heights Community Church in making a commitment before the Lord to serve Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength this year and for the rest of your life? My prayers are with you to make a wise choice. God bless you in this new year!