February 23, 2015

Posted on February 24, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 18:9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:

The story that follows this verse is justly famous. It is an enormous comfort to those who throw themselves on the grace of God, but it really “sticks it to” those who are described in this verse. There are two parts to this description. First, such people are assured of their own righteousness. This is in spite of such passages as Psalm 14:3, “There is no one who does good, not even one,” and Ecclesiastes 7:20, “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.” Paul famously paraphrased that thought in Romans 3:10, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” Thinking we’ve got it all together, that we’re perfect, is essentially a slap in God’s face, because He alone is perfect. We are to keep our repentance up to date and so operate in the righteousness of Christ, (1 Corinthians 1:30) but we must maintain our awareness that this is possible only by the grace of God. The other half of the description in this verse, that makes it even worse, is the matter of looking down on others. Sadly, Christians have quite a reputation for this, whether deserved or not. Some people are going to feel condemned simply by being around someone who is living a righteous lifestyle, but that is their problem. The task for those who operate in the righteousness of Christ is to be accepting of those who aren’t there yet, so that they will have the opportunity to share the grace that they have received. Sadly, we have all encountered “Sister Better-than-you,” as one comedian very aptly put it. Jesus consistently taught that humility is essential for all who would live in the family of God.

I have been yelled at by a bar patron for drinking a soft drink rather than alcohol (I was there with my boss), so I understand people projecting their self-condemnation onto others. However, I need to do all I can to keep such reactions to a minimum. That’s not to say that I’m to excuse sin, open or otherwise, but I’m not to act shocked or disgusted by it. I’m capable of the same! I am to love people as Jesus did, which is to say, as they are and not just as I’d like them to be. I am to be sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit as He prompts me to repentance for my own sins, and let that keep me humble. The phrase, “There, but for the grace of God, go I,” is as important as it is true. Trying to shame people into repentance and salvation never works!

Father, thank You for Your amazing grace. Help me never forget how dependent on it I am, so that I may be an open channel of that grace to all I encounter. May Your love and Your Spirit, operating through me, draw many to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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February 22, 2015

Posted on February 24, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 14:13-14 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Reading this immediately brings to mind what Matthew recorded: “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40) If we approach life with the attitude of what’s in it for me, we will get very little out of it in the long run. However, if we approach life with the attitude of how can I serve, how can I be a blessing, then the rewards are enormous. Home environment and parental teaching are extremely important in generating right attitudes but some of it remains a mystery, because two children from the same family can turn out very differently. It boils down to the choices we make. We can choose to focus on “number one,” or we can choose to see those around us with eyes of compassion and thus be God’s instruments of blessing to them. However, we need to remember that indulgence isn’t love; often, the best thing we can do for someone is to teach them to do things for themselves. However, the specific illustration Jesus is using here isn’t that sort of thing. Let’s face it: a lot of social interaction is based on reciprocity. Jesus is saying, specifically and explicitly, not to live like that. We are to relate to people on the basis of what God has done for us and who He is in us, and not on the basis of what we can get from the other person.

I can honestly say this is how I try to live, but being honest, I also have to say that I’m certainly not 100% successful at it. I do need to spend time with people who recharge my batteries, so to speak, or I find I have nothing to give to those who are in need. That’s why my morning devotion times are so essential. If I didn’t hear from the Lord myself, I would have nothing to say. If I didn’t let Him fill me, I would be running on empty. It is a deep joy to be used by God in various situations, but it can also be very draining. I must never descend into “What’s in it for me?” but I must also remember that it is only by the grace of God that I have anything at all, for myself or for anyone else. He will supply all I need, for myself and for those to whom I minister, but I’ve got to keep my connection firm to Him, or it all falls apart.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the conferences I’ve been able to attend already this year. Thank You for the privilege of speaking Sunday by Sunday in this church, and for being Your agent to all sorts of people through each day. Thank You most especially for being able to come to You morning by morning and have You speak to and through me as I am quiet before You. Help me be Your agent in drawing more and more people into fellowship with You, to live for You and not for themselves, so that they may discover the incredible riches for which they were created, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 21, 2015

Posted on February 22, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 1:51 “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.”

The Bible deals with our activities a good bit, both good and bad, but it also speaks of our thought life. With rare exceptions, we don’t do something unless we think it first. That’s why Jesus so famously said that looking at a woman lustfully is equivalent to adultery, because without the thought, the action isn’t going to happen. (Matthew 5:28) He also cautioned us that all of our sins originate in our hearts. (Matthew 15:19) There have been various dystopian novels and movies that have involved “thought police.” They qualify as dystopian because people trying to control other people’s thoughts is indeed horrible, but the flip side of that is that God is indeed aware of all our thoughts. He knows our motives, and He knows what we dwell on in private. When our desire is to please Him, that’s a blessed thing, but if we are rebellious, it’s a nightmare. However you look at it, the Bible makes it clear that it is reality. The “perfect crime” doesn’t exist, because even if we can completely hide things from other people, we can never hide anything from God. In Psalm 139 David explored this theme at some length, and concluded with a prayer that it would be wise for everyone to pray individually: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

This is a thought, and Psalm 139 is a Scripture, that I have known from childhood, yet my understanding and appreciation of it continues to grow. In a slight twist on what Mary said, I don’t want God to scatter me, but I do want Him to scatter my thoughts when they become proud. I understand the importance of my thought life and I choose to submit it to Him, but I can’t do it without His help, His strength. It is my choice to be humble before Him, but thinking I can accomplish that on my own would be proud! It is truly a “catch 22” world without Him. However, with Him is life and health and peace.

Father, thank You for knowing every detail about me, from the number of hairs on my head (Matthew 10:30) to everything else. Thank You for being Love (1 John 4:8) so that Your knowledge of me is not terror but peace and joy. Thank You for continuing to work on and in me to transform me into the likeness of Christ. May I rejoice in that and cooperate fully, to be and do all that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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February 20, 2015

Posted on February 22, 2015 by jgarrott

Matthew 23:8-10 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father’, for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher’, for you have one Teacher, the Christ.”

Wow! Being literal about this would tie Japanese social interaction in knots, to say the least! However, that’s actually what Jesus is talking about. The whole idea of setting people apart by titles is what He is saying is dangerous, because it puts people in the place only God should inhabit in our hearts and minds. In secular society some of this is unavoidable, but the Church is to be different, and too often it is not. On this particular issue, the Church is if anything an amplification of the secular trend, with people insisting on titles of all sorts. It’s one thing to have functional titles, that is, simply indicating a position in an organization, but too often Church leaders insist on being called “Bishop” this or “Prophet” that or “Apostle” the other. Those are functions and not titles! It has always struck me as ironic in the light of this passage that the Catholic church has used “Father” as a title for priests for over 1,000 years. (The Japanese term, considered from the viewpoint of modern Japanese, is literally “God Father,” that is “Father of God.” That’s because the term was brought over from China, where the character that in Japan is considered to mean “god” has much more the sense of “spirit.” Thus, from the Chinese of that day, at any rate, it would mean “Spiritual Father.” That’s better, but still hangs up on what Jesus says here.) When we obsess about titles we are forgetting God, which is Jesus’ whole point.

Since I teach in secular schools I am called Teacher quite often, but in this church I have tried to avoid that, insisting on my name, and among the believers, my given name. However, some are uncomfortable with that, and call me “Pastor Jack” or “Teacher Garrott.” Those are functional descriptions, but I must do all I can to keep from feeding into the clergy/laity divide. That divide is in violation of what Jesus is saying here, whatever titles we use or don’t use. Protestants have talked about “the priesthood of the believer” ever since Luther, but haven’t really gone very far in implementing it. As long as we depend on a priestly caste, we won’t be pressing in individually to have the fellowship with God for which we were created. This has been a major issue in my mind and heart for most of my ministry. I’m happy when people receive from God through me, but I want even more for them to be able to feed themselves. My battle is against spiritual inertia and laziness, and I must not give up.

Father, this is something that keeps coming up. Virtually all Japanese Christians call me Teacher, just as I am called at school. I don’t know how to address that issue without jumping all over them and generally making an ass of myself. I ask for Your wisdom to be able to lead people to focus on You rather than me, letting titles fade into insignificance, so that the Body of Christ may indeed be drawn into the unity that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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February 19, 2015

Posted on February 22, 2015 by jgarrott

Matthew 18:2-4 He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

This is a well-known teaching of Jesus, yet it is ignored more than it is practiced. It is interesting that where the NIV says “change,” and other English translations use words like “turn” and “be converted,” the Japanese says “repent.” That points out the vital truth that repentance includes change, or it isn’t really repentance. In English we tend to think of repentance as something emotional, but the Japanese term means “regret and start over.” The Japanese language has some problems when it comes to communicating the Gospel, most notably (in my view) in expressing forgiveness, but when it comes to repentance it really shines. That said, what Jesus is talking about here is child-like simplicity. It specifies that He called a little child, one that had no pretensions. We get such distorted ideas of who and what we are! We are enormously valuable, but no one more so than another. Right after talking about how our gifting, and thus our functions, are different, Paul said, “Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10) Genuine humility isn’t denying your own gifts and abilities, but it is honoring others’ gifts and abilities equally. That’s why Jesus said that the person who “makes himself low,” as the Japanese expresses it, is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I have certainly had my struggles with comparing myself to others, either favorably or unfavorably. Since my sports performance is very far from stellar, I have had a real inferiority complex in that area. Since I am blessed in verbal and spatial thinking, I have been conceited in those areas. Both are foolish. I am to recognize and acknowledge both strengths and weaknesses without thinking they affect intrinsic value. I am a beloved child of God, and that’s all the value I need. At the same time, every other human being is a beloved child of God by creation, and I am to be useful to God in calling them to accept His invitation to become His children by adoption as well, to live with Him eternally. I will not be effective in that if I come across as gloating in my blessings. I am to be like a little child, offering other children goodies from an unlimited supply.

Father, thank You for that last image You gave me. As I am sometimes painfully aware, I am gifted in teaching but not in marketing, in drawing people in. May I do the work of an evangelist, as Paul instructed Timothy, (2 Timothy 4:5) while praying for people to be added who are more gifted at that than I am. Keep me from using gifting as an excuse, but help me make the best use of what You have given me, so that the Body of Christ may be built up indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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February 18, 2015

Posted on February 19, 2015 by jgarrott

Matthew 11:27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No-one knows the Son except the Father, and no-one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

This is a really heavy verse. If it weren’t for God’s incredibly merciful nature, we all might as well just hang it up. We can’t know all the ins and outs of God’s salvation and His choosing people for salvation. Tremendous fights have been fought within the Church over predestination and free will, God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility, and the ultimate answer is, we don’t know. The thing is, if we’re worried about it, that in itself is an indication that God is calling us to Himself. Immediately after this Jesus gave His very famous invitation to “all who are weary and heavy laden.” That sounds pretty inclusive to me! At the same time, it takes throwing out a major part of the Bible to teach Universalism, that is, that everyone ultimately gets saved. The idea of Purgatory is a human construct (which even the Catholic Church has now acknowledged and discarded) to give people a way to think they could earn their way, or their loved ones’ way, into heaven. The problem is, it’s nowhere in the Bible. We are left with total dependence on the grace of God and a powerful motivation to give everyone the opportunity to accept that grace. If we don’t tell them the Gospel, who will?

This is, of course, a consuming issue for me as I minister in Japan, where at least 98% of the people around me don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior. At times I am frankly tempted to throw in the towel, but the prospect of just one more turning to Christ keeps me from doing it. It is heartbreaking when people with whom we’ve been sharing Christ for years die without acknowledging Him, but it is joy indeed when other people accept God’s free gift of salvation. Just this week we lost another friend of over 30 years, without the expectation of meeting her before the Throne, but when we went to the home last night we were able to minister to two of her daughters and one of her granddaughters, so we continue to pray for the family. It is an incredible privilege to be an instrument of God’s salvation, but I must never think for a moment that the salvation is mine to bestow. I am as dependent on God’s grace and mercy as are those to whom I minister. I am to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, submitting my will to Him so that His will may be done in and through me, for His glory.

Father, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for being able to express it to the family last night. I do pray that each of the children and grandchildren would remember the Word they have heard and allow it to work in them. I pray that we would not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9) but would fully discharge every task, every responsibility, every opportunity You give us, so that as many as possible would be saved and You would be glorified. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 17, 2015

Posted on February 19, 2015 by jgarrott

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Hardly a day passes without news of more people being killed simply because they were Christians. Not only do we have an almost instantaneous “news cycle,” the pace of persecution of all sorts really does seem to be picking up. Not since the Nazi death camps have we had such widespread killing for the sake of killing. Back then the focus was on Jews, but today, as it was in Armenia a century ago, the focus is on Christians. The shocking thing for many is that persecution is happening in previously “Christian” countries, even if not often to the point of killing. (In America the genocide is not because of the faith of the one killed but because of the deluded selfishness of the one submitting their unborn child to be killed.) Jesus is saying that those who are persecuted because they are right (the ones persecuting them are obviously wrong) have an eternal reward that far outweighs whatever the persecution might be, even death. That’s a pretty marvelous promise! No one in their right mind seeks persecution, but if it comes because we are clinging to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, (John 14:6) then we have every reason to rejoice, as Jesus Himself said in verse 12.

I don’t feel like I have suffered persecution for righteousness, but I am aware that the way the world seems to be heading, it is a distinct possibility. At this point, I tend to complain about all sorts of things that are far short of what so many are enduring in so many places these days. The challenge to me is to support my brothers and sisters in prayer and to walk in personal purity and obedience to our Lord. I recall some years ago some Chinese Christians said, “Don’t pray that the persecution will end, pray that we will have faith and strength to endure it.” I dare say they were in much better shape spiritually than the majority of Christians! I don’t have the wisdom to do the right thing all the time, but I know the One who does, and I am to walk in full submission and obedience to Him.

Father, the Internet brings news of more killings daily, not to mention persecution in other forms. Keep me from being distracted, much less consumed, by all of that. Rather, help me focus fully on Jesus Christ and the tasks You have for me as Your representative, so that I may be transformed more and more into His likeness as Your will is done in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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February 16, 2015

Posted on February 17, 2015 by jgarrott

Zephaniah 3:9 “Then will I purify the lips of the peoples,
that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
and serve him shoulder to shoulder.”

It’s interesting that the Japanese translation specifies “change and cleanse/purify.” The current state is not pure! However, God is still in control, and nothing is too difficult for Him. (Jeremiah 32:27) Several things in this verse stand out to me. One is that God is talking about “the peoples of the nations.” This isn’t just the scattered remnant of the Jews, but includes the Gentiles as well. Another is that such people, from all nations, will pray in the Name of the Lord. All cultures have a tradition of prayer, because it is something God put into us at Creation. However, in most cultures that is corrupted, and people don’t pray in the Name of the only One who really can hear and answer prayer. Another point, and a vital one, is unity across all national and cultural boundaries. As Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) It is also important to note that the purpose of that unity is to serve God, and not for some humanistic end. Ever since the Tower of Babel mankind has tried to unite in defiance of God, or at least ignoring Him, but that doesn’t work. And the overriding truth in this verse, with which it starts out, is that this is something God is going to do. Human history certainly demonstrates that it is beyond our abilities to achieve without Him!

I’m not sure how many nations were represented at the conference I attended recently, but there were quite a few. In a very real sense it was a demonstration of this verse. The two main languages were Japanese and English, but I heard Portuguese and Chinese, at least, among some of the attendees. It was interesting to have Japanese as the common language when I was talking with some Brazilians. All differences aside, we were clearly united in worshiping and serving a common Lord, and that was glorious. My wife, and others who have been to heaven briefly and come back, says that there are no language barriers in heaven at all. That’s something to look forward to, and conferences such as the one just ended are a foretaste of that. However, I am impressed that if we focus on unity itself as our goal, we will fail. That’s no better than the Tower of Babel. It is when we are focused on worshiping and serving Jesus Christ that we discover the unity that escapes us otherwise. No two human beings are identical, and we shouldn’t try to be. However, when we are are genuinely focused on the Lord of Glory, we discover that all barriers have disappeared.

Father, thank You again for last week’s conference, and for the one-day conference we’ll be attending today. Thank You for the unity that we do taste in this congregation. Help us focus more and more on You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so that we may be fully united in prayer and service, by Your power and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 15, 2015

Posted on February 16, 2015 by jgarrott

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the Lord’s anger.

As I read this just now it was like a direct Word to America. There is much going on, some of which we are aware of and more we are not. As evil is blooming like a “corpse flower,” at the same time God is calling His children to Himself. Politics can grab our attention, but that’s not the biggest issue. It’s not that politics don’t matter, it’s that the moral climate of the nation is of greater importance. The political mess that is so evident would not have happened had the Body of Christ been awake and vigilant, true to God’s call to be holy before Him. Actually, this is true around the world. Just as Islam is returning to the teachings of its founder, with horrific results, Christians need to return to Christ indeed. This is no time to panic and cower, it is a time to stand strong in faith, with clear vision and pure motives. Yesterday I was reading of the revival that is happening in Iran, which is putting the mullahs into a panic because so many young adults are turning to Christ. That’s not something you’ll see on the network news! Whatever happens, in any country or in any family, any life, we must remember that God is still God; His arm is not shortened or weakened, and those who are in Christ come out on top in the end. This is a time to examine our own lifestyles and priorities and seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33) There is abundant fodder for anxiety, but if we walk in humble, trusting obedience we will have His peace that defies human understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7)

This is certainly personally applicable, as it is to every Christian. We have been considering a visit to the US this year, but world events give us pause. We are not to be foolish, but neither are we to be afraid. We are to remember that just as evil is on the march, so God is moving, and be fully available for however He wants to use us. These are exciting days, if we keep our eyes on the Lord. Last year we had many visitors, almost continuously from March through August and then again in November. This year it feels like we are going to be the ones traveling, and I think we only know the tip of the iceberg of that at this point. I am to be quiet before the Lord, not seeking to be noticed but not holding back when the Lord says to go. I am to speak as He directs, but never “cook up” messages on my own. I am to be aware that the devil will do all he can to distract me, and stand firm against him on the basis of my submission to God. (James 4:7) God has great things in store, and I am to rejoice to follow His plan.

Father, thank You for what You’ve already done in the first 45 days of this year. The pace is certainly picking up! Help Cathy and me both rest, relax, and rejoice in You, not running ahead but not lagging back either, so that all of Your plans may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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February 14, 2015

Posted on February 16, 2015 by jgarrott

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

I preached on this verse not many months ago, and it remains one of the most imminently “preachable” verses in the whole Bible. The whole passage from verse 1 takes apart the folly of trying to earn standing with God through human effort and religious ritual. We tend to complicate things so badly! Micah here distills the whole Bible on a practical level. We know the First and Second Commandments, as specified by Jesus, (Matthew 22:37-40) but we often have trouble grasping what loving God and loving our neighbor looks like. Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) to help us understand it, but that could be said to be an illustration of this verse from Micah. Doing justice and loving mercy are how we are to relate to those around us, but it is all to be on the foundation of walking humbly with God, recognizing His love for us and loving Him in return. The Bible always requires practical application. If we fail to apply it we are only deceiving ourselves, as James said so famously. (James 1:22) We really don’t apply it very well, which is why humility is an absolute requirement. Everyone who has been genuinely great in the kingdom of God has also been humble. There have been those who have “made names for themselves” among men, but the question remains whether they are acknowledged by God at all. Jesus had some very pointed words on that subject. (Matthew 7:21-23) We are to walk with God in grateful humility at all times. If we will do that, He will lift us up. (1 Peter 5:6)

I have had the privilege over the years of rubbing elbows with many “big name” people, and I have seen first hand the truth I’ve just written. The question remain, how well do I practice it myself? If I set myself up as a judge of those who fail to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God, then I am certainly not doing any of those things! I am to proclaim truth, but always as someone who needs that truth as much as those to whom I am proclaiming it. I am to love God and love my neighbor, but always as a reflection of the love God has for me, because I could never generate that love sufficiently in myself. The Lord has poured His Word into me and continues to do so morning by morning, but if I fail to live that out in faithful, practical application, it does me no good, even if it manages to bless those to whom I communicate it.

Father, thank You for this clear, strong word. Help me live it out indeed! Thank You for the conference that has just concluded. My tank is full, so to speak, but I’ve got to process all of that fully and apply it practically or it is meaningless. I am to communicate it to the flock and to whomever else You indicate, but that’s got to be in the framework of receiving and applying it myself. Thank You for modern technology, so that I’ll be able to watch the DVDs again and again, once they arrive. Show me with whom I am to share those, as well. May I be a doer of Your Word on every level, so that it may accomplish everything for which You send it, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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