Christian Service

   "You have to go on an over-seas mission trip" is a phrase I have heard so much growing up in the Christian culture. I never really questioned the statement, but I have felt a bit uneasy about it being said. I wanted to address this idea of "Christian service" because, for one thing, I've read a few verses in the past month that have made me think about what I often define "Christian service" to be. Also, I want people to know that the Church is a body of broken individuals that will ultimately fail, but will be fully restored when Christ comes.

   The ultimate embodiment of Christian service is Christ. He is the ultimate burden-bearer. Not only did he take on the sins of all mankind, he also took the burden of the law to the cross. His resurrection proves that the debt we have to the law is fully paid. With this being said, I want to talk about what I have experienced in the body of Christ as it pertains to service. 

   I'd like to start with mission trips. I've been out of the country twice. Once to Jamaica and once to Greece (it was stellar). This does not make me any better than the next person, but when I went to Jamaica I thought it did. I wouldn't have told anyone that, but it wasn't a matter of my head. It was a matter of my heart. God taught me a multitude of things on that trip. In fact, I remember being moved to the point of tears at one point because of how overwhelmed I was by the state of Jamaica. However, for me to think that would only happen outside of America was foolish. I am able to serve in my church, at school, even in other states. 

   People often say that the US has had its chance. That we need to focus on other countries now. I say that we have done a good job of telling people about the gospel, but not living it. The Church is in pieces. We are filled with pride, gluttony, selfishness, and self-righteousness. Again, the Church is built up of broken individuals, so we can only wait until Christ comes; however, this does not mean we can't be sanctified (become like Christ) as a body. We just need to give Christ our utmost. Let's look at some Scripture truth.

   In the past month I've been studying the book of Galatians. The epistles are a great place to spend time in as a pastor* because they're written to church bodies. We need to be constantly assessing our church bodies using Scripture. Here are a couple verses I'd like to focus on (please take time to check the context):

Galatians 6:10

Matthew 8: 21-22

   

   Galatians 6 was really what got me thinking a lot about service among Christians. Paul says we need to do good to others, ESPECIALLY to our brothers and sisters in Christ. As with our earthly family, we do not choose the members. Our love is to be unconditional, thus doing good to all of the Church. Paul does not say we aught to neglect the non-believer, but he doesn't say so about the believer either. In earlier verses, Paul talks about how the "spiritual" need to guide those caught in sin. The "spiritual" are those who are more mature in their walk. How does the Church do this? Through discipleship, small groups, retreats, etc. But it shouldn't stop there! We need to be actively pursuing those who are a part of Christ all the time, not just at certain times. 

   In our day and age we have baptists, presbyterians, methodists, and the list continues. My brothers and sisters aren't just those affiliated with my theology or denomination. If they are then I'm not identifying myself with Christ. Instead, I'm claiming myself as a member of a certain section of the faith. Have fellowship with all believers; do good to all! In this, we sharpen one another and goad each other toward maturity in Christ! COOL BEANS!

   In Matthew 8:21-22 Jesus explains the cost of following him. I'd like to focus more on the "servant-hood" aspect of his statement. After one of Jesus' followers basically asks Jesus to wait for him, Jesus says something I perceive to be rather harsh, but, nevertheless, very true. He tells the man to let the dead bury the dead. 

   When we put our faith in Christ, we become members of the Kingdom of Heaven. The treasure awaiting those who believe is great, but it costs us our lives. Those of us who believe are now members of an eternal kingdom and their allegiance is to this kingdom alone. Our service is no longer to the world, we are God's children. The Kingdom comes before friends, family, and anything else apart from it. We are to focus on things of eternity so we can reap what we sow. (In order to reap eternity we must sow eternal things). 

   What is the Kingdom? It's Heaven, and we are surrounded by a good amount of it's citizens. Christian service is service to the Kingdom of God. That's it. Pretty neat, huh?

*I am not a pastor, simply a college student.

The Rant Vault 1

   I'm deciding to mix it up a bit today. I find myself often frustrated with myself and the Church (that is, the whole body of Christ). These past couple days God has been unloading on me from His Word. It's been super refreshing, challenging, and overall super beneficial. Too often it isn't like that and I'm beginning to understand why. It's my lack of wanting to be intentional.
   So my first "rant" in this "The Rant Vault" series is on Christian music. You know, the kind you here on the radio, whether it be 104.5 in Starkville or 88.1 in Bradenton. The stations that any non-Christian would automatically recognize just by the melody. I would also like talk about praise music. The songs we sing in church. From "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds" to "Desert Song."
   Let's talk mainstream Christian music first. The hits through the ages and the ones we can't get out of our heads (as hard as we may try). I remember the following school year after I had received salvation I chose to totally put out all secular music from my ears because I felt sanctification would come quicker through my effort to only listen to Christian music. Surprisingly, I was able to keep it up for almost a year. The one thing I realized through it all was how stocked-up I was with pride. I had become super legalistic and was blind to the fact that there is no such thing as pure evil (except the enemy) in this world and no such thing as absolute good (except, of course, Christ). In fact, looking back on that year, I was becoming frustrated with what seemed to be religiously empty music.
   Now you've raised some red-flags. How can Christian music be empty? Something I overlooked until this past May at a conference was that we as Christians put out a totally false message of how our lives are. Yes, we are redeemed and set free from the sin that once entangled us and left us hopeless, but we still struggle with the king of this world and constantly battle temptation (often giving in). That is right, I, Johnny Weichel, deal with sin each and every moment of my life. But if I were to write a worship song about my life, it wouldn't be filled with only rainbows and butterflies.
   If ever a perfect Christian song existed (one that presents an accurate picture of our lives), it would start out with who we were before Christ. Then the song would progress through our sanctification (becoming more like Christ), including the failures, bumps, bruises, and victories. The end would be a triumphant picture of ourselves entering through the gates of heaven to exalt the name of God forever and ever (glorification).
   Most of the pictures painted by Christian music are those with no blemish or fault. No scars seem to mark the muse. In fact, most songs out there totally ignore the fact that we live in a fallen and broken world. This harms us in the end because when hardship comes we can't look to God and still see His goodness. We learn to only characterize God through His eternal goodness and love instead of realizing He is also full of white-hot wrath and perfect justice. My challenge to any Christian artist: write a praise song about the wrath of God. I think we have plenty about His love.
   On top of all of this, we ALL were made in the image of God. This being said, EVERYONE glorifies God (intentionally and unintentionally). At Summer Conference this year I did a two day seminar on how we as Christians aught to respond to art. I'm only scratching the surface of the 3 hour lecture, but I wanted to talk about how we can look at secular art and see God. Since we reflect this image of God, all art has good aspects, from "Fireproof" to the "Saw" movies. Each took skill to create and, while one may have less gore than the other, for us to claim "Fireproof" as the better movie is foolish. We're really just picking favorites. I've noticed a pattern in the majority of Christian art: cheesiness. This all goes back to the fact that we ignore the fall of man. Why not create movies and set the example for Hollywood? Why shouldn't the world point to our art and say, "we need to be like that?" Let's set the standard and point people to Christ on the way.
   Now on to worship music. I myself attend a more "charismatic" church here at State. Charismatic in the sense that the music is a little louder. People free-worship (sing lyrics other than those in the original song) and raise their hands. Not to say that if you don't do these things you aren't worshiping God, I just prefer it to the worship I grew up in. It all comes down to the condition of the heart.
   I find it easy to get caught up in the noise of worship. I'm learning to examine my heart, and if I find I'm getting caught up in the sound or not knowing what the words I'm singing mean I'll stop and pray. Also, I'm beginning to realize the importance of confession and repentance before worship. It clears my conscience and many times in the Old Testament God chose to ignore the sacrifices of Israel because they weren't genuine. They were not cleaning their hearts before giving to God what he deserves. Even so, when I go to a church where we sing from a hymnal I get caught up in worship that seems just as fake as the worship I often give at my own church. Both feel forced and often times mundane.
    As far as a resolve, I would love for anyone who reads this to leave encouraging comments. I'm sure I have misspoken in some, maybe all, ways. Seeing as this is a public post, please feel free to either send me a message on Facebook (John Alden Weichel III) or leave a comment.

Isaiah 30:1-5

 
   Hello to those reading this. I apologize for my long hiatus from blogging. Summer time was in full swing by the time I had written my last post. This blog has certainly challenged me and made me a better reader of the Word ,mainly of the notes, but God is working a great deal in my life.
   Isaiah is such a thick book. Obviously I have not been keeping up with my reading seeing as I am only on the 30th chapter, but hopefully this gives you a glimpse into the brokenness of my life. The Bible is a good read, and as Hebrews says, "the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" (ESV). Something I will always need reminding of.
   Isaiah 30 is a continuation of the grief God is expressing to His people in Judah. His people decided to ignore His promise of protection and turn to Egypt for it. How ironic. The people who enslaved and oppressed God's children would be the same ones they would turn to in their "time of need."
   God knows what the end of someone who does not listen to His Word is. Ultimately they will find "shame and disgrace" (30:5). Judah's rejection of God would lead to their judgement. Their lifestyle of sin would only lead to more sin. They were forsaking their salvation (in joining with Egypt and forsaking God's Will).
   It is too often that I find myself repeating old habits. Whether it be worrying about how a paper will turn out in a class, or living in dissonance. Allowing my actions to not meet up with my beliefs, I end up leaving the Savior of my soul and turning to the evil lusts and cravings of the world. I turn an eternal and priceless prize in for a worthless and frivolous desire, but there is a God who desires relationship. Who enjoys our nagging and our seeking Him. He defines each and every one of  His worshipers. Spend time with Him now! Obey convictions and live because Christ does! Be light in the dark! Be in constant thanksgiving because eternity starts the moment you call upon the name of Christ!

Proverbs 5:21-23

      I realize his chapter is about adultery, but I strongly believe that all sins are appealing. That is why I am drawing conclusions out of these 3 verses and applying them to our sin struggle as believers.

      To start  off today's blog post I want to tell a true story. If I don't, this post might be a little too short for my taste, and this story I believe has good applications.
     
      One day I was walking up to my dorm room and crossed paths with a buddy I had made. For the sake of his privacy we'll call him Frank. Frank and I had hung out a bit in the past and he had told me some pretty dark things about what he had gone through and what he was dealing with now.
   
      As I was walking upstairs he was just getting back from the workout room. The stench of a hard day's work followed his every step and as we got closer he kindly asked me if he could have a water. I told him he was more than welcome to have one. When we got to my room I opened my quaint mini-fridge and pulled out a nice cold bottle of Walmart's finest bottled H2O. He swiped it out of my hand and in 20 seconds was walking to my trash can to throw away what was now an empty plastic bottle.

      Instead of heading off to his dorm he chose to stay and chat. I asked him how he was doing. He told me the same answer anyone would give. He was fine, classes were boring, he was a little tired. Eventually we got on the topic of faith. I love those moments when there's a perfect segway. Unfortunately, I don't remember ours. I asked him where he stood and he said he was fine living in "evil" as he called it. He enjoyed sinning. But the one thing I remember him saying was this: "It takes a stronger man to do evil." My immediate response was "no" and this sort of caught him off guard. I proceeded to tell him that making the right choice is usually the hardest way to go. He agreed in reluctance as I continued on. We sat there for about 30 minutes and it was so evident to me that he was entangled by sin. Stuck in a snare that he felt he couldn't get out of. It really was sad and still is to me. I even offered to pray with him, but he declined and politely stepped out of my room.

      In Proverbs 5 Solomon is warning the reader that the adulteress is cunning. Her words are sweet, but lead to death. He says that we need to drink from our own "cistern" (our own wife). We need to delight in her. It is not a sin to have sexual desires toward the one you are married to, but it is a sin to lust after a woman you are not married to. Are those who have placed there faith in Christ not also tied to Him? When you give your life to Christ you have "life in His name" (John 20:31). Just like in marriage we take on the name of Christ. At this point we ought to delight in Him. We are no longer identified with sin. The price has been paid.

      Now when we sin it is as if we were cheating on Jesus. We are not perfect, we still have a battle to fight against the enemy (Satan), but we now feel convicted. We realize the weight of our sin. We understand that it pains God when we miss the mark. We need to find ourselves intoxicated with the relationship we have with Christ. Although the path toward death is intoxicating, we need to be aware that the "prize" at the end of that road is destruction and total separation from God.

Proverbs 4:24 "Judging Properly"

      Once again, I would suggest reading the whole chapter. Proverbs is a great book to go through every month. Simply read a chapter a day and you'd be surprised how much will stick with you!

      Solomon, for the majority of Proverbs, addresses the reader as "son." In Proverbs 4:20-27 he is offering advice as to how to live in wisdom so that it will stick. Something that isn't usually emphasized in the home. Often times I find myself not wanting to do something because it is morally wrong. However, I believe it to be more valid to have the outlook of Solomon (a.k.a. a pretty wise dude). He talks about pondering the paths of your feet (v. 26) and  the words you speak.

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
"Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you."

      Crooked is defined as when something is "not straight" or even "dishonest." When we think of bad talk we think slander, maybe gossip. Being discouraging or even lying, but do we think about the times we've corrected someone in the wrong manner or setting? Some would label this as "judging." This was something that was frowned upon while I was growing up. The thought of someone "calling you out" on what you did the night after you were singing the name of Jesus was just rude! I definitely did not enjoy being the one who was the leader in youth group and yet sought every opportunity to put myself above those around me. It was and is a harsh reality that we live in.

      The truth is, without this whole "calling out process" the body of Christ would be stagnant. Constantly we as the body of Christ are dealing with personal or communal struggles. Be it insincere worship in a church service, or watching inappropriate things on our own time. If my sins were not called out by a believing brother of mine, then I would have no way of growing. I would find it difficult to repent! This is one of the things I love about being in BYX (a Christian fraternity on my college campus). I am surrounded by solid guys who care so much about my relationship with Christ that they would ask the hard questions. The probing questions that used to grind my gears.

      Back to the Bible though. Crooked speech isn't just these negative things. Obviously, judging can be done in a wrong fashion. If you see one of your believing brothers/sisters drinking at a party it's probably not a good idea to grab the closest bullhorn and start rebuking the person. In fact, I'd bet he/she would be far more impacted and appreciative of a personal and sincere conversation. The Bible talks about judging properly. People so often refer to the whole, "Do not judge, lest you be judged." We've all heard it a million times. Here's a good verse I hadn't heard until just recently: "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 'Purge the evil person from among you.'” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). So here we find it is our job as followers of Christ to judge those inside the Church. God will judge those outside. 


     Brothers and sisters, it's time we all watched out for each other. It is not often someone calls themselves out for their own sin. Put all pride aside and speak in love and with patience!

Isaiah 6 and Romans 9

As with any of my posts I would highly recommend you read the chapter before you read any of this. For all I know I could be pulling things out of context left and right. I won't be focusing on the whole chapter. Instead, I want to talk about the parts that stick out to me.

      In this chapter Isaiah is in the Temple of the Lord in heaven. He stands before the Lord of hosts and the seraphim. The Hebrew word "serapim" means "fiery," so these creatures were blazing and also had six wings. They proclaim the holiness of God thrice. This is a reminder to Isaiah of the "moral purity separateness above creation" (ESV Study Bible notes) of God. Isaiah shudders and immediately responds to God that he is unworthy to be in His presence. One of the seraphim flies to Isaiah and touches his mouth with a burning coal. This signifies atonement for his sins, therefore qualifying him to be in the presence of the Most High. This is a most beautiful picture of grace.
     
      God then asks who will be His mouth-piece on the earth (the role of a prophet). Isaiah, no longer unclean before God, speaks up and says, "Here am I! Send me" (verse 8). Then God tells Isaiah what to tell the people (the Israelites). Isaiah is to warn them of their folly. The Israelites have turned from God to pursue their own pleasures. They no longer delight in Him.

      Isaiah is to bring the warning said in verses 9-10, but God says only a few will respond positively and turn back to Himself. The rest will be hardened to the message and be removed from the city. A "tenth" (v. 13) will remain. This is where I get off on my tangent.

      Does it seem fair to you that God declares people's hearts would be hardened? I ask this because it is something I have struggled with in the past. It is the reason I left my parents church to hear other beliefs on the matter. I find it incredibly hard to believe that the loving God we talk about has specific "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction" (Romans 9:22). In the verse preceding this Paul compares God to a potter and us to the clay. He asks if the clay has any right to tell the potter what it is to become. The obvious answer is no! Still struggling with this? Here's another way I learned to go about this.

      Who knows what's best? Do we, or does God? Later on in Isaiah God talks about how much higher His thoughts and ways are than Isaiah's. Who am I to argue that? How on earth would anyone with a finite lifespan and knowledge know more than God, who is not limited to time and has created everything we see and don't see? I know this is a tough pill to swallow, and that is the way it goes. In fact, it is good that you are struggling with this. That shows that you too are human like myself. This conclusion I have come to also reassures me of this: how much more grace and mercy was imparted to me and how much more indebted I am to Christ! Read the rest of Romans 9 and realize how glorious God is! How rich his mercy is to you, the believer!