Fear and Faith

This morning I read the story of Jesus calming a storm in Mark 4:35-41. It struck me that Jesus contrasts fear and faith very clearly. 

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (v. 40-41)

It is worth noting that in the grip of the storm the disciples went to Jesus without faith. “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” In their distress they wrongly concluded that they were all dying and Jesus was indifferent.  Based on the way they respond, I don’t think they were expecting a miracle.  It seems more likely they were upset that he wasn’t bailing water or rowing with them. The wind and spray had not only blinded their eyes, it had blinded their hearts. They didn’t understand Jesus’ true power.

They did the right thing (going to Jesus for help) in the wrong way (with an accusation instead of an appeal). Thankfully Jesus is always gracious. He responds by calming the storm and offering a gentle rebuke. He corrects their unbelief and fear. The implication is that if they really knew the power of Jesus, they wouldn’t be panicking. Yes, they would come to Jesus. But they would have come differently.  In this moment his words are gentle yet surreal.  It seems pretty obvious why they were afraid!  Yet his correction comes with the mercy of a miracle, a hand stretched out to save them. And that is almost always how he corrects his weak children. 

Finally, and perhaps this is the most wonderful thing about the story, Jesus reveals the great mystery of who he is. In calming the storm he breaks all their categories. When we are faced with something shocking, the words that we speak as a matter of impulse are revealing. We haven’t had time to soften or shape them to win respect. They are the response of pure instinct.  The disciples, safe and sound, yet still dripping from the waves say, “who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Jesus reveals two things. He not only has the power to calm storms, he has the compassionate heart to do it.  He is both able and willing. 

The response of the disciples is the common experience of people that have seen God’s powerful hand engaged by his gracious heart. “They were filled with great fear.” (V. 40) This is a different kind of fear than gripped them just moments ago when they were convinced that they were dying in the presence of an uncaring master. This is the fear that comes when you have been rescued from trouble by the omnipotence of an omnigracious savior. When you see his power is greater than anything you have ever experienced.  It is beyond comprehension. It is unsettling. This sweet fear is the response of the soul that understands why faith and carnal fear cannot be friends. This is the fear that has shifted its sense of awe from the power of unruly waves to the power of the one that rules heaven and earth.

Truth or Grace?

When my wife and I were first thinking through what it would be like to plant a new church, we talked a lot about priorities. What was important? What would the new church look like? That was years ago, but we have revisited those conversations many times.  It was clear to me that many churches tended to talk about one thing. And I don’t mean this in the good sense. This wasn’t a result of discipline and clarity.  Too often they focused on one thing at the expense of other really important things, not just because of their gift set.

I saw many churches that were doctrinally astute. They were committed to faithful preaching and teaching. Unfortunately they didn’t do much for the people around them.  Their corporate lives were not characterized by the good works of love and mercy that were central in Jesus’ ministry. Ironically, they celebrated and funded the ministries of sister churches in 3rd world countries, but did little to imitate them. These churches talked a lot about being “Biblical” but often ignored huge parts of the Bible (the stuff about orphans and widows). And they often did this while talking about the danger of the Social Gospel.

Other churches (often liberal or leaning that way) were really engaged in community service, but they downplayed the importance of the moral and doctrinal teachings of Jesus.  Bible preaching and exposition was often marginalized or missing altogether.  After all, doctrine just causes arguments, right? And we can’t be sure about anything but the importance of love, right?  Wrong. You would never get that idea from Jesus. It is dishonest to pick and choose the parts of the Bible we like. And the activist churches did it just as much as the doctrinal churches.

But neither of these options were very appealing to us. What if God wants us to tirelessly to serve those around us BECAUSE of our devotion to the truth? What if the only reliable test of doctrinal orthodoxy is a life of love, mercy, and servanthood? Is it possible that the best theology could actually fuel and guide the way we serve our community?  Is it possible that GOD DOESN'T WANT US TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TRUTH AND GRACE?

This is what we want our church to be. A place where we courageously confess the truth, and then sacrificially obey that truth in the way we serve those around us.  We have a long way to go, but we are excited for the journey.  If you are new to the area or don’t have a church we invite you join us.

Altered photo courtesy of Rae Allen . Used by permission, some rights reserved. CC 2.0 

Temporary Residents

Last week Rob Hastie quoted from Luther's devotional "By Faith Alone" during the Lord's Supper. It includes a moving analogy of how we are to view our "stuff."

"If you are a sincere believer, you have all of God's treasures and are God's child. The rest of your life on earth is merely a pilgrimage. God allows you to live in this body and walk on this earth so that you can help other people and bring them to heaven. Therefore, we must use all things on earth in no other way than as guests who travel across the country and come to an inn. They spend the night there and take only food and lodging from the innkeeper. They don't claim that the innkeeper's property now belongs to them. This is how we must deal with material possessions—as if they do not belong to us. We should enjoy only as much as is necessary for us to maintain our bodies and use the rest to help our neighbors. Similarly, the Christian life is like being an overnight guest. "For here we do not have an enduring city" (Hebrews 13:14), but we must go to our Father in heaven. This is why Peter says we shouldn't behave wildly but live in fear. "

Luther, Martin, and James C. Galvin. By Faith Alone. Grand Rapids, MI: World Pub., 1998. Print.

Peace or No Peace? Which Is It?

At the end of Luke 12:51 Jesus makes a shocking statement, “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

He didn’t come to bring peace? Huh? This is shocking to me because it seems to go against many of the things we believe about Jesus. It seems at odds with what he taught elsewhere. And it is nothing like the pop culture Jesus enlisted by talk show hosts and politicians.

Elsewhere Jesus is called the prince of peace (Isa 9:6). He gave a special blessing on the peacemakers, that they shall be called “sons of God” (Matt 5:9).  Further the apostles taught that peace is an essential part of the Christian life: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14).  Paul wrote, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18).  What does Jesus mean? Is this some kind of contradiction?

To make this problem worse, passages like this are sometimes used to justify the bad behavior of Christians.  They are an easy and deceptive refuge for behavior that is rude, unloving, or eager to fight.  

I think the answer to this dilemma is seen in the context. Jesus mentions that he came to divide even the closest of relationships. To divide families, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters (v. 52-53). In first century Palestine, as in many eastern cultures today, the family was everything. In collective cultures people find their value and identity in group conformity.  What is the ultimate taboo? Step out of line and dishonor the family in some way.

In almost every generation social pressure is used to force conformity via the carrot and the stick. If we conform to the values of the group we are rewarded. If we break rank we may be reprimanded, excommunicated, or executed.  For many of us, this level of family devotion seems extreme, rising to ridiculous.  It is definitely NOT scandalous for us as Americans to see a child marry someone without (or even against) the approval of their parents.   In some cases it is celebrated. Not so in Jesus’ day.  The good of the family came before your own comfort.

This kind of social pressure has been used to reinforce evil.  We have all heard of family members coerced into silence about the shameful and secret things that happen within the walls of the home.  The average person or family can become small time terrorists, holding others hostage with the threat of conflict in order to get their way. We are master manipulators.  This kind of pressure was used in Jesus day to protect the religious allegiances that had corrupted the culture. We read in John 12:42 “…many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue.” There was a fear and loyalty that held the power to keep people from following Jesus.  In human history when evil and injustice get the upper hand it is always supported and protected by forces like this. Call it peer pressure, groupthink, mob mentality, or the world. It has many names, and its power is almost unrivaled.

Further we know that excommunication from the synagogue would only be the beginning for anyone that dared break ranks to follow Jesus. “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.” (Mark 13:9)

So in this context, Jesus’ statement makes sense. He didn’t come to negotiate with terrorists making their social demands. He didn’t come to bring peace at all costs. He came to free us from slavery to every other master or would be dictator.  In the first century most people needed to be rescued from the absolute loyalty to their family or group. But things are different in America. Our chief value is not conformity but freedom and individual rights.  And yet, this radical view of the self can be just as destructive as social pressure. It can lead us to abandon spouses and children, to destroy our careers, and to become enslaved to a dozen chemical masters.  There are many kinds of bondage. Slavery to self is one of the worst. 

Jesus came to remove the cancer of sin that is growing in our hearts.  Getting treatment from Jesus is less like a visit to the massage therapist and more like a root canal. There are parts of our lives and cultures that require radical treatment for our own good. I think this is what Jesus is talking about in Luke 12. He did not come to make his followers into a group of passive conformists. Neither does he shape us into war hawks. But Jesus always leads us to take a stand against the world. And the world doesn’t like that. They want you to snap your heels and salute. They demand you fall in line and worship their golden statues. And sadly if you refuse, even if you are very polite (like Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego) you may end up in the furnace (Daniel 3:1-23).  

Here is the good news. Every other group that demands your allegiance will take advantage of you. They will use you for their own ends. They will expect you to sacrifice yourself for the good of the group. But Jesus is different. Just before he says that he did not come to bring peace, he says this, “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished?” (Luke 12:50). What is this baptism? It is referring to his death on the cross (Mark 10:38).  Every other group is a kind of vampire. They will use you for their own ends.  And if you fail them, they will disown you. But Jesus, the only one worthy of your complete devotion, laid down his life for yours.  And he had to do that because of your misplaced loyalties.   And it is this love and sacrifice that is the power that moves us. It allows us to suffer the loss of relationships, respect, and approval that comes from standing with Christ against the world.

3 Ways To Read The Bible

This new year as you pick up or renew the habit of Bible reading I would like to remind you that there are 3 ways to read the Bible. And I should insist here that it is a very good idea that you have a regular habit of Bible reading. That is a big question and we dealt with this recently, You can listen to it here.

It is likely that we will go back and forth between these 3 different types of Bible reading at different points in our lives. And yet 2 of these approaches are problematic. And when I say that there are “3 ways” I am not talking about methods. There are many more than three ways to read through this big book, and others have given some good suggestions for this. No, I am thinking more of the motives of our heart. Why are we reading? Why are we disciplining ourselves to have a quiet time every day? And what are wehoping to accomplish?

First, we can read the Bible because that is what our tribe does. We can read the Bible to impress people that we are doing the right thing. All of us want to be respected, and one powerful temptation is to use our acts of righteousness as a way to get an ego boost from our friends and family.  Jesus spoke about this in Matthew chapter 6 in connection to prayer, fasting, and giving money.  This approach to life and discipline affects other areas as well. People go to the gym and diet for the same reasons, so they post pictures on Instagram and win the esteem of others.  In case you are wondering, this is NOT a good motive for reading the Bible. 

Second, we can read the Bible in an attempt to build a resume before God.  It is a constant temptation to relate to God by keeping score. It is easy to ask the wrong question: What do I need to do in order to get what I want from God?  We can follow a reading calendar, memorize the right verses, and faithfully write in our journals because we think that this will satisfy God and lead to a life of prosperity.  In my experience #1 and #2 are often connected. If we are working up a resume for God, it is almost impossible not to parade it around to friends. The other irony in this approach is that if we are paying attention to what the Bible says while we are reading we will very quickly crumple up our resumes and throw them in the fire.

The third way to read the Bible is to altogether different. It is not an attempt to impress either God or people. It is an awareness that in scripture God reveals himself and calls us near to him. When we read the great story of redemption in scripture we are seeing God unveil himself in human history. We are experiencing him unfold who he is and what he has done. And God does this with the greatest clarity in the person and work of Jesus Christ.   Reason #1 and #2 can easily lead to pride, weariness, and burnout.  But when we regularly approach the Bible as a way to draw near to God, something else will happen. I would like to challenge you to renew the habit of Bible reading, not because that is what good Christians do, or because you want to negotiate with God. I want to encourage you to read the Bible this year as a way to gain the most valuable thing possible. Read scripture in order to know and be known by God.

Update- Flooding and This Sunday

Dear FGC family,

Earlier this week I sent out an email and if you saw that you know we had a flood at the church building this week. The professionals have been busy drying things out, but it will likely be a few more days until we know the extent of the water damage and what other repairs are needed.  One thing we do know is that we will NOT be able to use our building this Sunday. There is a possibility that the building will be out of use for a longer period of time, but we are waiting for more details to determine this. I will keep you all posted on any developments in the meantime.

This Sunday we will be holding a joint worship service with Sovereign Hope Church at 10 am. They meet at Woods Elementary School at Clovis Ave and Teague Ave in the city of Clovis. You can see a map here. Like us, they are a church plant in the middle of the hard work of building a church that is faithful to the word of God and the gospel of Christ.   

In the last 6 months, I have been blessed to forge a friendship with their pastor, Sam Musgrave.  We have been meeting together along with other pastors each month to pray for our churches.  It has been pleasure to connect with him over our common love of the gospel and the word of God.

I shared our situation with Pastor Musgrave and he and his congregation are happy to have us join them for worship.  We will likely need some volunteers to help coordinate the service, and we will give you more info on this in the coming days.  This Sunday is also their monthly potluck and they have invited us to join them. If you are able to, please bring a dish to share (entrée, side, dessert).  Think of this as the church version of sleeping on a friend’s couch!

We are still working out the details but I wanted to let you know what is going to happen this week.

Many of you have asked if we need any help at the building. Thank you so much for your texts and emails. Right now we are waiting for things to dry out, so there isn’t anything for us to do. In the coming weeks, there will surely be some work to do and we will communicate this to you.

Please share this info with anyone you know that attends our church so that everyone gets the word.

Contact Pastor Matt if you have any questions

How to Help Refugees In Fresno

Friends, a neighborhood just up the street from our church building is experiencing major problems. They have not had gas in several weeks and so cannot cook, clean, or heat their homes. The majority of the residents there are refugees from Southeast Asia. Several local ministries have set up emergency facilities to help this community and they need staffing help.

Here is a new story about the situation:

Mayor Swearengin to declare emergency at apartment complex without gas, hot water

You can help by volunteering several hours to help prepare and/or serve food, and also clean up.

FIRM- Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries is leading the effort along with some of the disaster teams from the local Baptist Association.

Check out the FIRM Website or their Facebook page.

The info below is from their Facebook page.

FIRM is located at 1940 N. Fresno Ave, Fresno CA 93703

The kitchen is located behind the apartment complex on the north side of Weldon. See the map below.

Here are the daily shifts where help is needed.

Lunch: 
9-11am prep for lunch
12-1pm distribute and serve meals
1-3pm clean up after lunch

Dinner: 
2-4pm prep for dinner
5-6pm distribute and serve meals
6-8pm clean up after dinner

All volunteers need to be 16 and over.

To sign up for a time slot, e-mail MaiChai at maichai@carefresno.org