"Embracing Worship" (1 Chronicles 16:7-18)

The ‘Why’ of Worship

1. To maintain and grow our spiritual health
2. To draw on each other’s strength, be encouraged, serve one another, and develop in our gifts
3. To keep focussed, build our faith, and appreciate how the Holy Spirit is moving
4. To be fully centred on God, and know how best to follow Jesus
5. It is through sincere, authentic, enthusiastic and life-changing worship, that the world will change and the Kingdom of God will grow
6. “What shall I return to the Lord, for all his goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12)
7. Rather than attempting to live in isolation, God actually desires that people gather in worship
8. To keep committed to God’s cause of mission and provide convincing evidence that God is real and active
9. Worship helps us be an effective ‘Body of Christ’ that others will notice
10. True worship is at the heart of our faith

Introduction – the ‘how’ and ‘what’ of worship

When David brought the ‘ark of the covenant’ into the tent of meeting, he instituted worship there, and appointed Asaph and his family to lead that worship. The words given to guide that worship came from various psalms … that had likely been previously written and generally utilised in the worship life of the people of Israel. These words were given to the ‘chief musician’ Asaph … for him to form worship around. This is like our system here, where the worship leader selects songs based around the main text that the preacher is working from.

In reading our verses from 1 Chronicles 16, we have also read the words that appear in Psalm 105:1-11. It is clear then, that these particular words give us much insight into the content of worship among the people of God in Israel back then, and also offer some guidance into important facets of worship today. These words are NOT abstract, for they represent a real people’s experience of God. And, these words are NOT just aspirational – something that sounds like a good idea to strive towards, but rather they are ideas that we can totally engage with and embody together.

When David wanted to describe how worship was to take place (on this particular occasion), these are the words he called upon. These words largely reflect upon God’s faithfulness. It seems to me that worship should basically respond to God’s faithfulness, and interact with each human being’s need to know that faithfulness. This does seem right for us today! To put it another way – it is our need for God, combined with the truth of God’s faithfulness and goodness, that draws us into worship, and also forms the backdrop for how we will worship.

Content

As we look at these verses we notice the inclusion of the following:

• A good place to start is to … give thanks specifically to the Lord – calling directly out to God – and expressing our gratitude (v 8a). This immediately takes us out of ourselves and focuses us on a far bigger picture; where we capture the need of those who do NOT know God and, somewhat, feel their loss … leading to a desire to …

• Proclaim God’s gracious activity broadly to others (v 8b) – worship is NOT just for within the four walls, but is meant to escape outwards … to provide a public witness to God’s reality and availability and provision. There seems here to be an implied responsibility, that if we have benefitted in any way through God’s activity, if we feel we have been blessed in any way, then we must respond to this and mention this – “make known [God’s] deeds among the peoples … which also means that we …

• Sing praise … we lift up the name of God, particularly telling of God’s “wonderful works” (v 9a), which would include the beautiful creation (in which we live), God’s long-standing promises and ongoing answers to prayer, everything that Jesus has done, and everything that is happening through the Holy Spirit. As we consider all God has done, and sing out in praise, and renew our devotion, this better prepares us to know who God is … leading to …

• An Experience of Joy – we can (v 10) “Glory in his holy name”, or “Glory in who God is” – how good does that sound! We move from seeing the beauty of creation … to knowing the majesty of the Creator, we move from understanding the gift of mercy … to feeling the presence of the Redeemer. When we “seek” the Lord and ‘find’ the Lord and sense the Lord’s close presence, it’s like God’s glory shifts over onto us – as God is set apart we are set apart … we enter a special realm … where we can fully appreciate the way God loves us and accepts us and values us … we begin to realise how much this means to us … how this changes everything … how this potentially brings so much healing to our spirit … and we start to think how God thinks and feel how God feels. We “glory” in knowing Jesus – this means everything … now we can only “rejoice” … and we “rejoice” in our living relationship with God; and we can become ecstatic like at no other time.

• Worship is also about … discovery (v 11 – “Seeking the Lord”) – if we are continually in God’s presence and focussed on Jesus in an ongoing way, we will be more likely and more ready and more equipped to know and carry out God’s will, God’s ways and God’s mission. There needs to be a space within our worship through which to learn and grow, and to discover how to do things better than we did the last time. We learn by discovering new things we hadn’t seen before, and we deepen our faith by rehearsing those central truths that are so significant … which is what the rest of these verses point to …

• Remembering (v 12-18) – committing to memory (through repetition) all of what God has done for those He loves … all that has been beneficial for humanity and the whole earth. We have given thanks for them, and sung our praise – but we also need to cement our knowledge of God’s gracious acts as the foundation of our lives … thus building our confidence, our trust, and our courage.

[In the wording given in the NRSV for verse 15 in the Psalm 105 version (verse 8) we read “[God] is mindful of his covenant forever” – meaning that it would be almost impossible for Him to forget – and so our level of remembering needs to attain to this sort permanency – we should be thinking of God’s covenant of love often.]

Apart from God’s “wonderful works”, two main things are mentioned here:

(i) God’s “judgments” (v 12b & v 14b) or, ‘how God sees things’ – which is certainly reflected in God’s teaching through the scriptures and the prophets, also through Jesus and the apostles [and how this teaching is seen to apply in everyday life]; and then the big one … with huge emphasis here …

(ii) God’s “covenant” (v 15-18) – which in a nutshell refers to God’s age-old commitment to love the people of Israel (and provide for them), and through Abraham’s fatherhood on earth – to love (and provide for) the people of all nations – ‘I will be your God, if you will be my people and keep my commandments’. This was the central invitation to a relationship that the whole Bible explores, which eventually culminated in the ‘new covenant’ brought in through Jesus, where we are no longer measured by ‘law’, but rather through grace, thereby experiencing liberating forgiveness … so that we CAN in reality be God’s people (as we follow the resurrected Jesus). God’s “covenant” represents God’s unrelenting heart of love toward all people. This is what we have to remember and be constantly mindful of!

If would also be fair to say, that as people have so often failed to keep God’s commandments, ‘repentance’ would also fit well into our worship. This is why words of lament and prayers of confession … seeking mercy, are often part of worship services – probably an essential part. We NOT only remember God’s wonder, but also how far short we often come – and certainly how far short the world as a whole comes. Then we humbly accept responsibility, while also receiving assurances of forgiveness … through which we can move forward (hopefully better prepared for the next challenge).

God’s “covenant” represents God’s unrelenting heart of love toward all people. This is a “covenant” that was not only a good idea, but an idea that God put into action on our behalf. God remembered this “covenant” when the people of Israel were oppressed in Egypt … and brought them freedom, and then preserved them as they wandered in the desert. God brought them into a land in which they could thrive, and each time, through disobedience, they lost their way and were defeated, God was close-by available for the prodigal nation to return to Him (and be restored to their land).

We read in 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people … humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”. Ultimately, God remembered this “covenant” by sending His own Son Jesus as the Messiah, to seek to redeem all people of all nations to His presence. A review of recorded biblical history, always becomes a revelation of the persistent faithfulness of God to His covenants with us; and, it could be, that a similar review of our lives, looking back, could also be a revelation of God’s persistent faithfulness to us (G Campbell Morgan).

Yet we need to also understand that this “covenant” is aimed primarily at serving the broad interests of the Kingdom of God (Derek Kidner), which is why the ancient people of Israel didn’t always get what they thought they should, and why we don’t always get what we think we should (when we are only thinking about ourselves). God’s faithfulness always has a ‘collective’ note, which, necessarily, draws us to worship together. This is because God’s faithfulness to you … is an element of God’s faithfulness to me, and God's faithfulness to me … is an element of God's faithfulness to you!

Application

So, as we come into worship together, we …

1. Give thanks – in word, in song, in prayer; this is connected to …

2. Proclaim God’s gracious activity – in word, in song (loud and bold), in communion {1 Cor 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes}. I say in word, because it may be good worship if we are able to engage these questions:

• Did anyone have anything good happen this week (that they can attribute at least in part to God)?
• Is anyone facing a particular challenge (that can be brought to God)??

3. Sing praise to God

Singing is good for us, yet some people find it hard, or aren’t into it (irrespective of issues of voice quality). So, in this or any season where singing is hard, it’s about engaging with the music and focussing on the words, and loosening your body, and allowing God to move you inside and out. The outcome of this will differ from person to person, each of us being unique creations, but we certainly need to engage in some way in the corporate worship.

Singing praise is NOT about singing a song like at karaoke, NOR just fulfilling a (traditional) ritual, because worship is about allowing for change – allowing God to do something within us. So, it’s NOT the singing itself that’s the key … it’s the heart behind it … it’s worship that comes naturally out of the integrity of our lives – lives that have been conformed to the Jesus pattern. 

God may not even hear our fantastic melodies and beautiful harmonies and occasional wrong notes, but only hear the rhythms of our inner being. Having said all this, singing does open us up to our emotions and expressing ourselves, so that we can better get in touch with God, and is therefore good for us. Singing can be very therapeutic and alter our mood in a good way. And in reading Revelation, we can see the prevalence of singing in heaven (e.g. 4:1-11, 19:5-8). And the idea, because of where our real citizenship lies, is to engage with some of the life of heaven now.

4. Experience Joy – i.e. glorying in the Lord – this can happen throughout all of our worship time, as we know that we are in the presence of God, sharing something significant and remarkable together. We sense how the Holy Spirit is moving, speaking to us, speaking to others; we will never be the same again. We sense that we are ultimately on the victory side – where our burdens are being lifted, and our wounds are being healed!

5. Discover – in listening to someone else pray, or when praying ourselves, we are likely to be confronted with new ways of thinking about things, and by possible new ways of responding to people or events. Prayer is always about having one ear open for God’s answer as we pray the question. Our prayers should also be considering how we can be part of that answer. And, worship is a learning environment, as we open the Scriptures, and are ready to be confronted by the text – what this teaching means in the grand scheme of the world, what it means for the church of today, and how personally I am challenged by it. What do I need to be reassured about, and what needs to change??

6. Remember – we remember God’s covenant of love and grace to all people … and God’s great faithfulness … every week through communion {1 Cor 11:24 & 25 – when taking the bread, then the cup, Jesus says, “Do this in remembrance of me”}; and at this time have the opportunity of confession and forgiveness. And, we remember God’s judgments (or the way God sees things) through our preaching and teaching.

This seems to me to highlight that the key factors in our worship would (generally speaking) be:

• singing,
• prayer,
• communion,
• teaching;

and … testimony (or sharing). This testimony (or sharing) can come from the front through preparation, but should also be able to come from the congregation almost spontaneously. This is because worship is NOT just about what we have planned, but more so about what the Holy Spirit wants to bring. Remember … if this is to be worship, rather than just conversation, we have to consider where Jesus has been (or will be) involved!!

Conclusion

Spiritual worship today, between Pentecost and Eternity, is about our public response to God’s faithfulness, ultimately now understood through the gift of Jesus, and also allowing the Holy Spirit to confront us with God’s will for our lives. Worship also asks questions of us: Do we love Jesus? Can we proclaim his greatness and his servanthood? Are we open to change? How is Jesus transforming us? Are we being his disciple? What is God saying to the church today? How are we experiencing grace?

What is the starting point … especially if you have a struggle engaging with worship? If you truly desire God in your life, then, as we have discovered this week and last, you need to worship God, and worship God in the company of true believers! Where does this start? That is the topic for next week … this starts with humility.

Footnote

With worship, there is the issue of relevance … to our times. I think that the broad relevance of our worship will work itself out … if this worship is done with faith, sincerity and integrity. We never have to ‘dumb-it-down’ or ‘seeker-sensitise’ it, because most people are coming … looking for a true experience of God (which is missing in their world) and/or a true experience of community (which may also be missing in their world). We do have to be sensitive and properly welcoming to those we invite, understanding the wide backgrounds they come from, and some of the hurts and reservations they carry, but I think … what will respond to their needs best … will be an honest presentation of how we have found God to be faithful ourselves. This is what worship is about! Amen.

"Gathering Together For Worship" (Zechariah 8:20-23)

Introduction

How much do we value our worship?

Worshipping together is a key component in being an effective and Spirit-led Church. We are dispersed most of the time, both in everyday life, and in various expressions of mission within the community, so we need the worship gathering – to maintain and grow our spiritual health. We also need our corporate worship gathering so we can draw on each other’s strength, be encouraged, and develop in our gifts.

Gathering together for worship keeps us focussed, builds our faith, and helps us appreciate how the Holy Spirit is moving in and around us. This is so that we can be fully centred in God and know best how to follow Jesus ... rather than being easily diverted. Our grounding for life is found in our worship – through praise, prayer and communion ... all best done in the company of each other … participating together with enthusiasm.

And the benefit of this goes way beyond our current number, toward all those among the “nations” that God wants to bless and form a relationship with. It is through sincere, authentic, enthusiastic and life-changing worship, that the world will change and the Kingdom will grow.

‘Worship’ is a contraction of the old English word ‘worth-ship’. It’s about recognising what is worth most. The worshipper’s key question (from Psalm 116:12) is, What shall I return to the Lord, for all his goodness to me? Worship is THE appropriate response to our loving Creator and Redeemer. And, besides, God actually desires that his people gather in worship!

Worship is not just something we do, but rather something we experience – as God is present … and seeking to lead us and bless us and change us. Thus, we don’t just praise God … the way we praise human achievement, and we don’t just thank God … the way we would thank someone for a birthday gift – we are engaging with something vital and dynamic, and thereby committing ourselves to a very particular cause!

Worship in Israel

As we study the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), we see there how God’s people of ancient times were centred around their worship. We see this in the psalms. We also see this in their deep sense of loss, when they felt unable to worship. This happened when, in times of exile, these people were away from their spiritual heartland. Whenever the people of Israel found themselves physically and spiritually detached from their temple worship, they felt particularly bereft. This in itself shows the importance of worship to the human spirit!

When they found themselves in exile in foreign nations, far from their spiritual home, these people would fondly remember those days past when they attended the temple in Jerusalem; and they longed to be able to return to such times of worship. We know that, sometimes, people don't fully value what they've got, until they don’t have it anymore. For some in ancient Israel, there was also a sense of awakening for them in this – that the reason they found themselves in exile under the control of a foreign conqueror, was because of how much they had taken their relationship with God and their worship … for granted. Their worship, though given some priority, may actually have only been skin deep.

Sometimes we know that something like worship is important, but find ways of allowing it to slip to the back-burner, or don’t fully engage with it (with the depths of our whole being). People can allow their worship to become sterile, rigid and thin … rather than active and meaningful. Sometimes worship becomes a pretence, while the rest of people’s lives tend to ignore God’s ways and the needs of other people. This all means that they would naturally drift in the practice of their faith, be easily diverted in other directions, and ultimately be defeated.

So it is, that true worship, is, necessarily, at the heart of our faith!!

Returning to Worship

We can go back and consider what was happening in Zechariah’s time (26 centuries ago). Having conquered the Babylonian empire, King Cyrus of Persia allowed the Hebrew people to return home from their time of exile. Having been destroyed decades earlier, the temple in Jerusalem would need to be re-built, a project that was progressively attempted. Upon completion there would be a re-dedication ceremony.

Fortunately, for God's people in Israel, and despite deserving their times of exile, God never forgot them or stopped loving them, and still had designs on how they would bless the other nations. They should have learnt from their times in foreign lands, and God’s call upon them to live with integrity wherever they found themselves. Having repented from whatever had disrupted their relationship with God, and then grown in their faith, they should be ready to engage in true worship again.

Zechariah, a Hebrew prophet (during this sixth century BCE) was involved in the re-building of the temple in Jerusalem, and was clearly excited about the possibilities of collective worship (when this was complete). These words (contained in chapter 8 verses 20 to 23) form the climax of part one of this book, and I was gripped by them. The authenticity of the people's faith in God would soon be seen in their gathering together in worship. The fact that a lost opportunity had been regained, should bring forth great excitement and momentum. The fact that God still loved them, and still called them His people, was most comforting and encouraging! One could imagine one person asking another … about whether they would see them there!!

Zechariah foresees people broadly across communities, saying to one another, "Come, let us go to entreat the favour of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts" (v 21). This represents a desire to appreciate, pray and grow in knowledge of their God. And for Zechariah, this was NOT in any sense theoretical – for his next comment was, "I myself am going"! We need to be both personally and publicly excited about going to meet with God. It should be important to us. If we can have a positive attitude, we will no doubt get a lot out of it; and if we are serious about our corporate worship, other people will take notice!! [And they have!!!] Of course, the reverse more negative attitude … also brings an outcome – just NOT a good one!

We can meet with God at other times and in other places, to be sure, indeed in all times and all places, and we should, and this is great – but we cannot escape the biblical call to be God's collective 'Body of Christ' in front of the world! This is where the power to change the world comes from – the collective witness to Jesus (in life and action) with the effectiveness enabled by the Holy Spirit. As John said during communion last week, we have to think of the 'we' more than the 'me'. And where there is integrity and momentum, that ‘we’ can become a larger number.

A Larger Vision

Verse 22 reads like a pleasant surprise, though one we really should have expected. We should be ready for any revival of interest in worshipping God, and if we are not expectant like this, why should it happen! This would often require a big change of mind and heart in people, yet we know this CAN happen. As well, this would require an open (non-judgmental) welcome to newcomers into the spiritual community. We should NOT be like the older brother of the ‘prodigal son’ ... who was unable to accept that people (who are encountered by the radical love of the Father) can change remarkably (refer Luke chapter 15).

Would it be right to say, that any general disinterest in our society, about such a gracious and powerful Gospel message, could be laid at the feet of those who are supposed to be 'salt'? After all, there’s absolutely nothing lacking in the Gospel! Do we ever categorise people as impediments to mission, rather than seeing them … as the mission? This verse gives us a magnificent picture of people coming from everywhere, even some people who we may never have actually considered (represented in this verse 22 … by “strong nations” … who may have been seen to be too self-satisfied to ever be interested). Yet, they are all coming to "entreat" the Lord! And this seems to be as a result of a positive active credible witness to the effectiveness of worship (covered in verse 21).

Verse 23 gives a picture of the Jewish person of old ... who is wholly 'sold out' in their love and service for God, that even people from many different cultures and backgrounds, perhaps even prior enemies, would attach themselves, and respond positively to any invitation – "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you". We could easily sense the ongoing application of this text. There is a “grasping” at this person’s garment, so intent is this other person on going where this worshipper is clearly gaining so much blessing, help and healing. There is something good happening here! Deep within each human is built this need for God, and here God is recognised as present! Of course … people would “grasp” at that!!

Worship now

How great it is for there to be such convincing evidence that God is with someone, with us, and that God is for real … up and around and alive and working – ‘just look at these people’, they say! In all this, Zechariah captures God's eternal mission to connect with all people across the nations. This was Zechariah’s hopeful vision for his own time, focussed on the new temple being built in Jerusalem – seeking to inspire how worship must be central in the lives of God’s people in the generations to come. Yet, this was a vision ultimately activated through the coming of THE ‘Messiah’, and through the cross and resurrection of Jesus; together with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. This is when all the cultural barriers were broken down, and the Gospel was heard in all languages – bringing a witness to Jesus right across the world.

Zechariah also here captures a picture of the culmination of history and how worship will look then; and how worship in the eternal kingdom of heaven will look and feel – diverse, inclusive, engaging, spectacular. Everyone together with a singular focus on the great and gracious Creator. So, between Pentecost and Eternity, each generation of the church has the opportunity (and responsibility) of being this type of people. Indeed, Zechariah has provided a vision of worship for us today. This is worship that changes us; and worship that draws others, because it changes us. This is worship that answers the questions that people are asking – why am I here, and what am I supposed to be doing??

Conclusion

Zechariah foresees great and diverse worship gatherings – where people “seek” the Lord, and ‘find’ the Lord, and receive many blessings. As people gather, others join them. Exciting stuff! Are we as excited about the possibilities of worship as Zechariah was?

What we want to get out of our worship will likely depend upon what we put into it. If we invest our time, gifts and energy into our worship gatherings, we will likely grow in faith, find much encouragement and hope for the future, never doubt the forgiveness and salvation we are receiving, and … experience the Kingdom of God grow right before our very eyes!

We are Jesus people, and we need to worship as Jesus people. This will and should happen 24/7 wherever we travel. Yet, we should claim the power of worshipping together, and see this as our apprenticeship for when the mission is over, and this is all we will have to do, and Jesus is there with us. And thus, together, we revel in the name of Jesus … the beautiful wonderful powerful name of Jesus!

"Adding Good Flavour" (Matthew 5:13)

Introduction

Jesus teaches that we are to be “salt”. We know that “salt’ adds flavour – brings a good taste to our food. Salt is the world’s oldest known food additive. Jesus is talking about how our life should add good seasoning! And, it’s not so much that we have the “salt”, but rather that we ARE the “salt”! Jesus also teaches about the context in which we are “salt” …  “You are the salt of the earth”. We are here on earth as “salt”. We were not simply transported to heaven upon our salvation, but rather our lives were re-focussed on earth. Earth, as our living environment, is the place where we express our ‘saltiness’. In other words, we, as God’s people, are central to all of what God is doing in the world.

Being “salt” is relational. Through disciples, God wants to bless others: by bringing them the good news of forgiveness of sin, healing of brokenness, recovery of the lost. Such dynamics as these, are the distinctives of our faith and our messaging. Also through we disciples, God wants to bless others: by bringing help to the poor; releasing those who are oppressed, offering welcome to the homeless; and in so doing painting a picture of the ideals of the Kingdom of God. “Salt” means making an impact on the broadest possible scale. “Salt” is the flavour of Christlikeness.

As we shall discuss, there are other types of good “salt” available to society; yet, if we were to neglect to express our particular distinctive ‘saltiness’, or resist this, our human community would certainly be less flavoursome than it should be. The context from the previous verses in Matthew 5, where persecution and difficulty are seen as normal for the Jesus-follower, means that there is no get-out-clause for being “salt”. We just have to work it out … work out how to remain being ‘tasty’ … in all situations. Probably the greater the challenge that exists around us, the greater the need to be “salt”.

The rest of this verse dramatically portrays the importance of being “salt” … from God’s point of view. If we are NOT being “salt”, then what good are we!? If our relevance to God’s plans lies in our being “salt”, then if we fail in being “salt”, then we are deemed irrelevant (at least in terms of being a channel of God’s blessing)! Salt in the ancient world, because of impurities, could actually lose its saltiness, and thereby become useless – to be thrown out into the street and trampled underfoot.

So the question for today and tomorrow is – how best can we be “salt”? When and through what means do we dispense this “salt”?? I want to base this discussion on being “salt” around a quote I found from Karina Kreminski, who spoke at the recent CCVT summit. She wrote the following words: We bring affirmation to the places that represent the shalom of God; [and] we disrupt and subvert the places that do not. There are times when our community functions pretty well; and there are times when we look at certain places with much horror. Both situations need our “salt”, but in very different ways. This is where we need to discern the difference, and know how best to respond from one day to the next.

Other Brands of Salt

The first part of this quote reads: We bring affirmation to the places that represent the shalom of God. We can define the “shalom” of God as being about wholeness and harmony – the state in which we can live in peace with God, ourselves, everybody else, and everything else (all of creation). Where this sort of dynamic is present, at least in some part, we don’t have to start being “salt” from scratch, but rather affirm the good that is already happening, and then add to it – especially in terms of bringing due attribution to God.

In terms of our living environment, our town, and our neighbourhood – we are not the only ones who can do good. In this way, we could say that we are not the only ones to be able to bring good flavour to the community. There is other “salt” around us in society – a different brand maybe, but still tasty nonetheless? Think of all the good people you know who are contributing strongly to our community. As God has created all humankind in His image, even despite the (conscious and unconscious) fallen nature of each one, there is still the possibility of doing good – out of hearts of real compassion. To deny this, I think, would be an act of arrogance lacking humility. 

There was that time during Jesus’ ministry on earth, when the disciples alerted Jesus to other people in a separate group who were doing miracles in Jesus’ name, and these disciples thought that this should be stopped. Jesus disagreed! John said to [Jesus], “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us”. But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me; whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:38-40). Jesus thought that, if good was being done, no matter by who, then that could only put him in a positive light. Good is simply good! And God is the real source of all good!!

I have been involved in enough projects, toward the betterment of community, with a wide variety of people, to appreciate the capacity of people doing good in a spirit of human solidarity. One could hardly doubt the motives of such effort. Think of the people who selflessly raise money for all sorts of good causes. Graeme often tells me about the sacrifice put in by members of our local football netball committee – for the betterment of club and community.

This ‘salty’ level of serving others is especially seen in times of trauma and tragedy. Think of our local emergency services, and the great work they do. Think of all the training our CFA does on a Monday night (and other times) to prepare to help us all … if fire comes or we have an accident on the road.  Think of our broad-ranging medical services. Think of the Harrietville community coming together after the 2013 fires … to work harmoniously together to better prepare for any future incidents, coming up with a strategy that is now being shared right around the state.

How do we start being “salt” in these sorts of situations or contexts? I believe in at least in two ways:

• Firstly, right in the middle of the action. Involvement, participation, and making contributions. Being part of the CFA. Being a volunteer with VCCEM. Helping at our football netball club. Being involved in advocacy and support for aged or vulnerable people. Volunteering at the Op Shop or Anglicare. Being involved with a myriad of community groups which aim to work above individual agendas toward the community good. When we are involved in, or even lead, such endeavours, we are happy to work with and include all people of goodwill. One of my favourite definitions of churches being involved with community engagement, is – ‘people of good-faith working hand-in-hand with people of good-will’.

• Secondly, this is where, despite not all things being quite right, we can celebrate community! We can wholly enjoy our local Christmas events and markets. This is where we appreciate the hope that exists for the sort of world that we actually (already) pray for … when we pray “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done – on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10). This sort of “salt”, seen in community-building activity, is something that we can applaud. This is where we can express the joy of the Lord – that unbeknown to many … God is alive and active. And, when we work side-by-side with others in the community, toward good causes, we don’t judge motives, but rather, we just get stuck into it.

Yet, this is where we need to be clear about our distinctive brand of “salt” … that we are to contribute to all the environments in which we gather. We have to be able to see whether we are positively contributing this “salt” or not. We have to be aware about this, rather than just rolling along. This would be that ‘saltiness’ that makes a real difference, and an eternal difference. This is a ‘saltiness’ that goes deeply beyond human solidarity … to the extraordinary love of a purposeful Creator who wants to invest grace into all people. So while we can appreciate and join with whatever type of “salt” is being added to the community table, we have a little extra twist of the salt-shaker to bring.

It is where we are able to get involved and celebrate community, that we can also build relationships with people. In so doing, and in sharing our life, and what (well, really, who) drives us, and where our hope and purpose lies, that we will eventually be able to share the good news of grace and forgiveness, and the transforming power of God … that has made such a dramatic difference for us. This is the brand of “salt” that changes one life at a time, adding even more flavour to life on earth – which of course also has eternal significance.

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Back now to looking broadly, and to the other possibility. We bring affirmation to the places that represent the shalom of God; [and] we disrupt and subvert the places that do not. Where the “shalom” of God is completely absent, we start with our “salt” much further back. This is where there is a complete lack of wholeness and harmony – with very little opportunity to live in any degree of peace.

A Complete Lack of Salt

We would have to say that some situations we witness, often through the media, about certain places, some close, and others far away – suggest a complete lack of ‘shalom’ and therefore absence of “saltiness”. We see violence, injustice, racism, cruelty, greed, power-seeking, darkness of all kinds … prevailing – to the great detriment of community. We shake our heads, we weep, we cry out to God, we repent, we pray. Sometimes we have to close our eyes, and are tempted to give up. Yet the people of God have to be concerned about this, and bring forth “salt”; with many followers of Jesus called directly into situations like this.

This is where God’s people have often had to take on causes and be involved in practical action, way beyond any simple presentation of the Gospel. [And our despair is mitigated because God has not lost interest, has not lessened in love, and is actively calling people to be “salt”.] In certain circumstances, we can focus on how Jesus himself faced off with evil, often seen in the demons who attached themselves to people, and how Jesus set about defeating them. Whereas the church of history can be rightly criticised for its shortcomings and errors, the church has also made undeniably strong contributions to combat poverty, disease and child mortality, and also to promote better health, welfare and education outcomes around the world.

And the church, through its millions of members, still make great contributions to people’s lives everywhere. This is both, and at the same time, in a spirit of human solidarity, and in a true representation of God’s outworking love. Our sincerity about the good news of Jesus is seen and proved in our care for ‘the least of these’ – in giving a cup of cold water to the thirsty. Evangelisation and the promotion of social justice here go hand-in-hand. On the firm basis of many repeating Scriptural themes, many Christians have been motivated toward addressing the needs of the poor and oppressed, supporting widows and orphans; as well as advocating for change toward more just societies.

In this way, “salt” has been seen in the lives and work of people like Eric Liddell, Mother Teresa, William Carey, Father Damien (of Molokai), William Wilberforce and Martin Luther King Jnr – to name just a few. In places where no one else cares, the bearers of “salt” care for those suffering under addiction, for problem gamblers, for homeless refugees; as well as prophetically critique and undermine the forces of evil that place people in these situations.

Conclusion

It would be fair to say that some communities waver from one to the other – from seasoned to tasteless … and sometimes have good flavour in some places, while being completely bland or worse in other areas. Sometimes, we can celebrate and get involved, and, through this, build relationships with people … to good ends. On other occasions, when things don’t look right and need to be redeemed - we will need to take action … that can in time be interpreted as pursuing the good that comes from a loving Creator God. Thus, we will need to be prayerfully discerning … in how our “salt” is spread around.

Where the “shalom” or ‘peace’ of God is already present, or “saltiness” is evident, we can add to it. Where all this is missing, we need to seek to bring change. In either case, we do NOT forget our distinctiveness as the people of God, called in grace through faith, to be a disciple of Jesus, and point to the everlasting love of a great Creator. In this, though we disperse through the avenues and activities of society, we will need to always been seen as those who gather faithfully in the church, the ‘body of Christ’, to worship the One who gives meaning to life, and empowers us in all we do … in being the “salt of the earth”. But this is the subject for next week. 

In summary, where we see things happening that fit well with the character of God, and which are effectively building community, we can embrace this and partner with this, and, as opportunity allows, gently add in our own brand of “salt”. However, on the other hand, where the character of God and the peace of God is missing in large measure, we are charged with the responsibility of bringing all sorts of “salt” to these places. One of the deepest messages of Jesus’ incarnation to the earth, is that nothing is ever too secular … to prevent it from eventually becoming sacred (Madeleine L’Engle). We can, together, celebrate life, redeem the broken spaces, and bless the hurting people, in all of our neighbourhoods. Amen.

"Seeing clearly" - discussing the 'logs' of Matthew 7:1-6

Introduction

A “plank” in our eye … now that’s a problem! Verse 3 reads: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye”? When we try to discover the root of the reason why we would unduly and unfairly “judge” anyone, we discover it here in verse 3 … it is the metaphorical “log” or “plank” in our eye, that is the major problem! This “log” can lead us to quite inappropriate communication or behaviour toward others; and this can be very problematical for the well-being, and even salvation, of others!

For this “log” will severely impede our vision – the way we look at things, see things and interpret things! We can turn people off, and away!! It not only can lead to inappropriate ‘judging’, but also to ‘blindness’ in other areas, e.g. not being able to see different or new perspectives, missing the needs being expressed by others, and even ignoring suffering. We would have to ask … what is it (really) this “log”? How did it get there, and how do we get rid of it?

One of the most important facets of the Christian life is to be able to see clearly – that we have good vision! This is so that, when we do speak, we speak wisely, and out of clear love and compassion for others. We ultimately need to be able to properly see between right and wrong, discern between light and darkness, and decide between good and bad. We need to see clearly to make the right decisions. We need to have clarity to treat people in the right way. We need to be free of visual impediments … if we are to be the helpers that other people need us to be. Clearly this starts with self-examination!

That “log” problem!

Any decent “log or plank” is way bigger than the eye itself (perhaps Jesus was thinking of the roof “beam” of a house), emphasising strongly the relative difference between a big “log” … as against a tiny “speck (of sawdust)” or a “splinter”. Having a “log” like this, makes us quick to react to the small issues in others, without considering the big issues in us. We see the perceived faults in others, way before recognising them in ourselves. Surely this is hypocritical, easily detected by others, and very unattractive. Yet, if we were to have the correct level of self-awareness and humility, we would be far less reactive and judgmental in our response to others.

Sometimes we can only deal with our own faults or vulnerabilities by striking out at others. Michael Green writes, All to often, what we condemn in others are the weaknesses we dare not face up to in ourselves. Those who react badly to any such condemnation have a point … at least until we are trying to get our own act together. If we just understood how much God was forgiving in us, and even how some of our loved ones were cutting us a fair bit of slack (because they love us) – then we would be far more prepared to be understanding and patient with others. This is NOT a call to mind your own business, quite the contrary; this is a call to deal adequately with your “log”, so that your life and conversation can be a blessing and encouragement to others.

The far-reaching context of these thoughts, is that God wants to reach into the lives of many people who are currently unknown to him (for a great variety of reasons). Because of this, Jesus, in his teaching of his disciples, calls us to, like the medical oath that doctors take … ‘do no harm’! Jesus, actually, calls us to be more proactive than this … right through to loving our enemies; however here (Matthew 7:1-5), Jesus wants us to be sure not to get in his way (or God’s way) in expressing acceptance and grace to people everywhere. Let’s NOT put anyone off from the possibility of faith!

What are our “logs”? What is it that ‘blinds’ us?? Here are some possibilities:

• Comparison or envy. We can be so busy looking around at others, comparing what they have or what they do (good and bad) … to our own life. This can come out of feelings of inadequacy in comparison to other people – forgetting to accept that God has created us in a particular unique way. Because of this particular “log”, we tend to miss our own moments of discovery, opportunity and growth, and we fail to gain the level of peace that allows us to express joy. This also blocks our path to knowing and doing God’s will, and being in God’s place in God’s time; for we are too busy looking at the latest attractions (or, distractions). As the saying goes: ‘Some people makes things happen, others wonder … what happened’!

• Getting bogged down in ‘guilt’ and ‘shame’. When any habitual sin has a grip on us, it is nearly impossible to react well, let alone helpfully, to others. When we feel trapped in negativity, and lack hope for any way out, we are like a time-bomb ready to explode – watch out … the next person who crosses our path (and looks at us sideways)! If we feel dreadful about ourselves, we are often difficult to live with.

• Self-preoccupation. Our “log” here would be seeing ourselves as more deserving than anyone else – or more right than anyone else … either of these would certainly place a huge “log” in our path. This could derive from a deep fear of the future, or change, or difference, or of just being out of control of the events surrounding us. Here there can be a deep defensiveness. Associated with this may be a fixation on our own agenda. Perhaps we have particular views, that are almost, perhaps unconsciously, more important than other people’s needs or the free presentation of grace. I could list a few such views, but may in so doing, step on a few toes (including my own). Maybe we are attaching things to the Gospel, which although may be important in a discipleship sense, is putting the cart before the horse, and potentially blocking a person’s access to Jesus. We can place far too high expectations on others at times. We have to allow people to explore and belong … on the path of finding out what to believe (rather than imposing our will on them).

• Another possible “log” jam is bitterness – bitterness about missed opportunities, or the hurts inflicted on us by others. We can get so tied up in this, and so defeated in this, and so isolated in this, that we become blind to anything else around us, including expressions of love genuinely given to us. Everything that happens to us and around us is then seen through the filter of our feelings – how we personally are affected. As we know, in the cool light of day, it is the offering of forgiveness that brings freedom from the “log” of bitterness – giving forgiveness to others, and forgiving ourselves.

Sadly, "logs" lead to judgement!!

Being a “judge”

The Greek word translated “judge” (verse 1) includes the possibility of: bringing (self-righteous) harsh hurtful criticism, finding fault, making negative assessments, saying unfavourable things, casting doubt on someone’s motives (a real relationship breaker), writing people off, or condemning someone to a particular fate (which is an ultimate act of usurping God). Some people, with large “logs”, may even enjoy such fault-finding.

Many of us would have to admit … that we have had the advantage of good moral and ethical teaching from God’s Word – however, so many others, increasingly so, have NOT had this advantage. Therefore, we should be very hesitant to apply our standards to those who don’t yet know Jesus. And, in any case, we are simply NOT wise enough to be anyone’s judge, mainly because we cannot know all of their story, background, circumstances, struggles – what they been through, as well as all the genetic and social influences that have impacted on them!

We are also in no position to fully understand people’s motives or convictions, nor judge their failings and weaknesses – we simply do NOT walk in their shoes. We would be more likely than not, to misdiagnose and misadvise – especially while we persist with that “log” in our eye (blocking our vision). And, we will never be the ultimate authority, anyway! Actually, if we did ever walk in another’s shoes, we may, rather than condemning them, congratulate them for the great strides they have made (Michael Hardin).

And this judgment, that we may bring to others (even though we shouldn’t), has an effect on how God reacts to us (refer verse 2)! We should pause to contemplate this. How would it be … if God was thinking about us in this negative way!! Or to put this another way, what if the same criteria we apply to others, was applied to us!? Just like unforgiveness, judging others places barriers up … between God and how God wants to relate to us and bless us. Ultimately, habitual relentless critics, this being a work of the “flesh”, have no home in the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).

We can speak out against social evils, but we must be very careful about personalising this; especially because of our own propensity to have a “log” in our eye. It is only as the “log” over our eye, that is blocking our clear vision, is removed – that we can offer proper and helpful feedback to another person. This is because it can now be properly intentioned, and full of pure love and concern. If we could actually ditch our “logs”, then any speck in another’s eye, rather than being cause for criticism, would be seen as an opportunity of ministry.

Dispensing with the “log”

How do we remove the “log”?? How can we ensure we don’t “judge”? What steps might we need to take?

1. Our forgiveness – by focussing wholly on God’s acceptance of us through Jesus – the mercy we have received, the forgiveness of our sin, the new life of spiritual freedom we have entered, and the Holy Spirit sweeping through us. If we grab hold of and appreciate God's forgiveness of us, we will come to 'see' far more clearly. 

2. Delve deeply into how Jesus lived – if we don’t look as deeply into life’s situations as Jesus did, then we may not get a hold of how Jesus would approach the prevailing issues. Many in Germany were blind to where Hitler was leading that country through the 1930’s, and in so doing, gave tacit approval to what was going on – leading to all sorts of evil. While our blinders are down, we can miss the boat. We need to have our way of life formed by Jesus. 

3. Understand our mission – we can get tied up in knots and fixated on ourselves, or rather, bring to the forefront of our mind … our evangelical job description as a follower of Jesus. Jesus came to seek and save the lost; like the Good Shepherd pursuing His wayward sheep, and the father running to embrace his prodigal son, God our Father mercifully goes out to find His lost children so that none should perish (Pope Francis). And Jesus calls us into that self-same mission.

[When the congregation were given opportunity to respond to this question, there were all sorts of good comments around changing our perspective to the situation of another, considering how God thinks of them, and to prioritise 'love'. Also the conversation came back to focussing on Jesus, rather than all other less important matters.]



Now we have that clear vision to offer a helpful serving ministry to others – because we have seen their need, and have noticed their suffering, and have been able to see things from their perspective, and have sensed the leading of God … as to the approach we could take. We have now allowed God to release us toward being encouragers and offering wise positive guidance. However, if we don’t take some steps like these … if we remain blinded by any particular “log”, then we will likely become the sort of “judge” that Jesus refers to here, with the ramifications that follow.

Discernment

Sometimes it is hard to see the connection between verses 1 to 5, and verse 6. Here’s the connection I see. Seeing clearly (without impediment) also allows us to discern how and where to expend our ministry. We can discover a focus – a God-directed focus. We can otherwise … be all over the shop involved in everything with everybody, being ‘at table’ with everyone, expending a lot of energy, getting really tired, but not seeing much ‘reward’ for our efforts. The reality is, that we just can’t force ourselves, our ways, our beliefs on the scornful and thoroughly resistant. Of course, we cannot pre-conceive who these may be, but rather, we would find this out in practice.

Some just do not want to know. At another time, Jesus said that if the disciples were NOT received well, they should walk away – “shake off the dust from your feet” (Matt 10:14). It can be counter-productive for us, and it can be counter-productive for others out of season, if we pointlessly persist. Proverbs 9:8 says, “A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you”. Such ones are here described as wild savage dogs, and unclean filthy pigs (the worst of possibilities for a Jew). [They are only interested in food.] Such may end up dominating and destroying us. So we need discernment – the Holy Spirit’s discernment – fully open eyes. We have to be able to see clearly … to discern the seasons.

Sometimes, no matter how well-meaning we are, certain ones are just NOT going to respond to us or the Gospel, or, at least, respond at this time. Sharing life and the Gospel with them, may be for another time and for someone else. Sometimes, if we don’t realise this, and charge in regardless all guns blazing, we may do more harm than good. And some of that harm may come to us … in our confidence levels and sense of peace; and harm may also come to the effectiveness of later Gospel presentations in those persons’ lives. I would call this ‘seasonal sensitivity’! Here, there may be much more need for the fruit of patience and gentleness. We sometimes need to feel free, following appropriate discernment, to move on to greener pastures.

Some say times of trauma or grief are good times to share the Gospel, but this is usually completely wrong. This has caused some zealous yet misguided people to offer spiritual tracts to those who are suffering at the most inappropriate time. Fire recovery zones and funerals are two examples of where damage has been done to people in grief. The research is in on this, and is clear. This has had the effect of hardening and closing people off from the Gospel, because those sharing it were more interested in their own agenda than purely loving, supporting and encouraging the ones who were hurting.

Conclusion

We have seen that a “log” over our eye, can cause our ‘blindness’ to all sorts of things. We can misread and misjudge the situations before us, and miss other things altogether. It doesn’t then matter how rightly or clearly the preacher points something out, it just cannot be heard or seen! You can draw a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink … if it can’t appreciate, because of impaired vision, that the water is right in front of them.

Yet, we have an open invitation for our eyes to be opened, to gaze on the wonder of our Lord Jesus, and to receive his grace. And having done that, we will know that the Christian community should be a merciful community, that openly promotes the broad redemptive possibilities of tomorrow. We, in human solidarity, are willing to openly acknowledge our own shortcomings, so that we are inviting people into an honest, caring place of sincere welcome.