May 12, 2013

Posted on May 14, 2013 by jgarrott

Philippians 3:16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

This little verse is simple, but the implications are fairly deep. Put another way, it says, don’t backslide. The Japanese puts it, “We must make the level we have achieved our standard.” The short story, and then movie, Flowers for Algernon comes to mind. A laboratory mouse named Algernon is given a treatment to increase his mental capacity that is so dramatically successful that it is given to a mentally handicapped person who works as a janitor in the facility. Only after that is it discovered that Algernon’s condition peaks and then deteriorates, leading to Algernon’s death, and it is the former janitor, now genius, who analyzes the situation and realizes the same fate awaits him. The title comes from flowers the janitor brings to be placed on the mouse’s grave, after the janitor has regressed to low mental capacity on the way to his death. All in all a heartbreaking story, but really no more so than that of Christians who progress to a point of seemingly great intimacy with God, only to fall away into various kinds of sin. In the verses ahead of this Paul has been talking about how he himself took nothing for granted, but kept pressing forward for more intimacy with Christ. The point is that we are not to coast, but take our current level, whatever it is, as the new baseline and keep moving forward, because that is the best defense against being sidetracked.

Of course I am to take the whole Bible to heart, but it would be hard to find a verse that applies more directly to me than this one. As I am frequently reminded, I was given what amounted to a significant head start, spiritually speaking, because of the home into which I was born. However, I squandered that in more ways than I could count. God has been enormously faithful and patient, but I could have saved myself mountains of difficulty, fruitlessness, and heartache if I had practiced this verse from the start. This in no way negates what I wrote yesterday, but it is a reminder that we indeed have a part in “working out our salvation,” as Paul has just put it in this same letter. (Philippians 2:12) This is not to say that I’m to get busier and busier in serving God; that’s a trap of the devil. It is to say that more and more of my life is to be focused more and more closely on God, so that I progress to the point of doing only what I see God doing, as Jesus expressed it in John 5:19. As Paul has been saying here, I’m to fix my eyes on the prize and keep moving forward, encouraging all around me to do likewise, so that we may be increasingly pleasing to our Lord, who gave everything for us.

Father, this is a point You remind me of fairly frequently. Thank You. Help me appropriate the strength and wisdom You provide so that I may follow through in obedience. Thank You that I know I can’t do it in my own strength, but help me keep my will focused so that I won’t overlook the strength that You provide. May I indeed live as Your son, to be increasingly like Your Son, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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May 11, 2013

Posted on May 14, 2013 by jgarrott

Philippians 1:4-6 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Prayer is always a blessed thing, but it is especially joyful when we pray for those we know are committed to Christ and His kingdom. Verse 6 here has been a great comfort to many over the years, particularly when we see things that look like road blocks, or at least major detours, in our own lives or in the lives of others. God doesn’t let go of us, even when we feel like we’re letting go of Him. Romans 8:38-39 says that external things can’t separate us from God’s love, but even our own foolishness has a hard time doing it. There are countless true stories of people who wandered far from God, only to be brought back to do marvelous work for Him. As long as we think that our success depends on our own strength and purity we will be anxious, and rightly so, because our strength and purity are never enough. However, when we realize that it is God who is working in us both to will and to do what is pleasing to Him, (Philippians 2:13) then we can rest, relax, and rejoice to cooperate with Him. (I’ve always though it interesting, and significant, that those two verses are in the same letter.)

Like so many, I have experienced this in spades. My twist was that at the point I was farthest from God, I still thought I was a good Christian! Having been baptized at 7, and according to my parents, having loved Jesus since years before that, it was not difficult for me to descend into spiritual pride, and I did so with a vengeance. That’s why, when at 24 the Lord tapped me on the shoulder and showed me a spiritual mirror, so to speak, it was absolutely shattering (not to the mirror, but to me). All I could do was fall to my knees and cry out, my Lord and my God. I feel a great empathy with Thomas! Others close to me have had similar times of falling away, only to come back with cleansed and strengthened faith. Accordingly, my point of prayer for everyone is to be repentance. There is no salvation without repentance, and the solution for every error in our lives is repentance. I am to remember, for myself and for those for whom I pray, that the power is God’s and not merely human. He is indeed more than able to bring to completion the good work that He has begun in us!

Father, thank You for this reminder. I encounter so many who need it, who fret and agonize over those they love. Help all of Your children repent as needed, and then rest, relax, and rejoice in You, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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May 10, 2013

Posted on May 11, 2013 by jgarrott

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

The Japanese is much stronger than the English in the last part of this verse. In Japanese it reads, “Always be alert, and pray for all the saints to the limits of your endurance.” If we claim to do that, then the “limits of our endurance” must be close to zero! Paul was very much a man of action, but that certainly didn’t keep him from being a man of prayer. He followed the instructions he gave the believers in Thessalonica to “pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) The way he was able to do that is mentioned in this verse, and that is to pray in the Holy Spirit. That naturally includes praying in tongues, but it certainly isn’t limited to that. As Paul tells us in Romans 8:26, the Holy Spirit helps us pray, but that isn’t limited to words that are unintelligible to us. All of our prayers should be guided and directed by the Holy Spirit, whether they are in tongues or in our native language. It is almost impossible to overstate the importance of prayer. It’s not that God doesn’t know what we need or want; Jesus said that very clearly. (Matthew 6:8) Prayer is ultimately a mystery, but somehow in God’s plan it allows us to participate in what He is doing. Rather than forcing Him to do anything, genuine prayer gets us in line with Him. Why the Creator of the universe would allow us to participate with Him in this way is beyond the power of human intellect to figure out, but it is a privilege beyond price, and we need to value it accordingly.

I have good friends who insist that tongues are always praise to God, but this verse would certainly seem to contradict that. In the area of prayer in the Spirit that was not tongues, many times I have experienced what I would call prophetic prayer, when I or others heard God speaking through the words I was praying. That’s one reason I’m sure prayer in the Spirit isn’t limited to tongues! I have the great advantage of having been raised in a home where prayer was completely natural and expected, and on top of that I now have many years of walking by faith, but that’s no reason someone with far less background couldn’t be even more involved in prayer than I am. The key is quite simply a grasp of the love of God. When we understand just how much God loves us, we will want to talk with Him all the time! Prayer is a lifetime study, but it is a joyous one indeed.

Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. Thank You that it is indeed possible by Your Spirit to pray continually, to live in constant communication and fellowship with You. I’m not to 100% yet, as You know better than I do, but the closer I get, the sweeter it is. Help me introduce more and more people to the joys of prayer, so that Your Name may be hallowed as Your kingdom comes through Your will being done in and through us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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May 9, 2013

Posted on May 11, 2013 by jgarrott

Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

The question arises when reading this, (or should, if we are thinking about what we are reading) to what opportunities is Paul referring? The answer that comes to me is, opportunities to do God’s will, to be His agent. Paul has just been talking about being awake and alert, which fits perfectly with this idea. If a sentry isn’t alert, he won’t be effective in guarding his charge. If a detective isn’t alert, he won’t spot the clues to solve the case. If we aren’t alert, we won’t recognize the traps of the enemy to avoid them, and we won’t recognize the appointments God makes for us to share His grace and love with others. Failure to do so is foolish, so Paul says, don’t be foolish! The Bible says repeatedly that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” (Proverbs 9:10 and several more) and wisdom is the opposite of foolishness. We are surrounded by people who don’t fear God, and so act very foolishly. That has been true throughout the history of mankind, which is why Paul says, “The days are evil.” The challenge to us is not to act like everyone around us, but maintain a divine perspective, divine priorities. Only then will we recognize the opportunities God provides for us to make a difference in the world, to bring Him glory and establish His kingdom by doing His will.

I certainly know about being distracted! When I was in Basic Training in the Army I found myself on the receiving end of military discipline, because I was caught writing a letter to my wife when I was on guard duty with a loaded weapon! In the years since then I have missed opportunities or gotten into trouble countless times because of foolish inattention to what was important. Left to myself, I can live very foolishly! Operating by God’s priorities is a conscious choice, though it does get easier with practice. I am not to “go with the flow” of society, but rather with the flow of the Holy Spirit. I have experienced what I would call “divine appointments” many, many times, but I fear I’ve probably overlooked more than I have recognized. I need to expect such opportunities and look forward to them, so that I will indeed make full use of them, for the blessing of others and for God’s glory.

Father, thank You for the amazing privilege of acting as Your agent, whether anyone recognizes that is happening or not. Help me be sufficiently focused on You so that I’m not worried about how others see me, but rather about whether I’m doing what You want me to do. May I recognize the opportunities You provide, today and each day, so that indeed Your Name will be hallowed and Your kingdom come as Your will is done, as You told us to pray. Thank You. Praise God!

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May 8, 2013

Posted on May 11, 2013 by jgarrott

Ephesians 4:17, 32 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I could preach on just about any verse in Ephesians, and this passage is certainly no exception. It starts with a negative comment that we really need to take to heart. Most people don’t think in terms of “Jews” and “Gentiles,” since the vast majority of the world’s population is not Jewish, so it is more helpful to us today to think in terms of “the people of God” and “those who are not the people of God.” In fact, the Japanese term for “Gentiles” is “people without the Law,” and that is actually a pretty good translation of Paul’s usage. We aren’t talking physical genetics here, we’re talking spiritual lineage. The point is, most of the world doesn’t live in obedience to God’s law. As verse 17 says, such a way of life is futile and empty, because it doesn’t lead to God, it leads to death. We often hear people defend their actions with, “It’s only natural,” but someone seeking God isn’t to be satisfied with that. To the Corinthians, Paul said that we aren’t to act like “mere men.” (1 Corinthians 3:3) Because we have so little grasp of what it is to live as a child of God, here and in all his letters Paul gives various practical pointers. If we are honest, a lot of these hit pretty close to home, because much of the time we really do act like “mere men.” The clincher in this particular passage is verse 32, that speaks of our interaction with one another. This area causes a lot of us a lot of trouble! Someone said, “I love mankind, it’s people I can’t stand!” We can relate rightly to those around us only if we are aware of how much God has forgiven us, and then allow the grace we have received to flow out to those around us. Forgiveness is a huge issue, and especially so in Japan, as I am reminded frequently. We cannot really forgive if we won’t acknowledge our own need for forgiveness before God. However, if there is genuine repentance, then we receive forgiveness and can, and certainly should, extend that forgiveness to those who have wronged us. A life that is grounded in repentance and forgiveness is on a firm foundation!

Wow! Once again I’ve been given a very clear exposition of a vital point in Christian living. However, I must not think that just because I can articulate it, that means I’ve perfected it. I’m just as much in need of God’s sustaining grace as anyone else. At the same time, since I can articulate it, I am accountable to God for sharing His truth with others, so that we may walk in it together. That includes sermons, daily conversations, and writing, which is an area I’m just getting into. I am not to spout off out of my own imagination or intellect, but in all humility allow God to speak through me, not just transmitting but listening carefully to what He says. After all, if I’m not living it out, I’m just fooling myself! (James 1:22)

Father, thank You for this clear Word, and the reminder of what I’m to do with it! Thank You for the many opportunities You do give me to speak Your truth into people’s lives. Thank You for getting me going in the area of publication. I pray that moment by moment I would be completely obedient to You, so that Your Word through me would accomplish everything for which You send it, for the benefit of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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May 7, 2013

Posted on May 8, 2013 by jgarrott

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Every verse in this passage speaks to me! However, this last verse sums it up pretty well. The human impulse is to rely on externals, on things we can do and say that we’ve done. However, God is supreme and has already done everything necessary for our salvation, our righteousness. All that we have to do is believe that He has done so out of His great love for us, and then let that love be reflected back from our hearts to Him. Such faith, that cannot help but love God and love our neighbor, indeed supplants any system of rules and regulations. That’s not at all to say that we aren’t to be obedient to how the Bible tells us to live; Jesus was very clear on that. (John 14:15, 24) It is to say that the more we grasp God’s love, the better we will express His character in every area of our lives, walking in obedience not to the word but to the spirit of the law. St. Augustine expressed it as “Love God and do as you please.” Those who are spiritually immature respond to that either with panic that there are no rules, or delight that there are no rules. Neither response understands what it is really to love God. To the degree that we fail to love Him, we fail to believe and trust Him, because a true appreciation of His character and love is absolutely overwhelming.

As a pastor, this is a vital issue not only for my own life but for how I relate to every person in my sphere. Sometimes I have to “lay down the law” about certain issues when there isn’t sufficient knowledge or maturity to guide behavior properly, but that is at best a stop-gap approach, just as the Law of Moses was in God’s interactions with the Israelites. My goal must always be to help people understand and believe how much God loves them, so that they may respond to that love with obedience and love in return. As John says in 1 John 5:4, faith in such a God overcomes everything the world can throw at us. I cannot force faith on anyone, but I can supply them with the information necessary, praying that their hearts may open to receive what God offers them.

Father, looking back over my life at this point, the words of Dennis Jernigan’s You are My All in All ring absolutely true. You have met every need. You have given me infinitely better than I deserved. You have indeed demonstrated Your character toward me, and I am humbly grateful. I ask You to use me to open the eyes of more and more people so that they too may see how wonderful You are, in who You are and in Your actions toward them, so that they may respond with the faith, praise, and obedience that You alone deserve, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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May 6, 2013

Posted on May 8, 2013 by jgarrott

Galatians 4:6-7 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,* Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

This should certainly gladden the heart of any believer! It is particularly nice after yesterday’s sermon which spoke of our being slaves, either to sin or to obedience, referencing Romans 6:16. None of the various figures of speech are completely adequate to express the relationship we have with our heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ, which is why the Bible sometimes seems contradictory even in passages written by the same person, in this case Paul. Our flesh is certainly of the slave nature, and that’s why we should never leave control of our lives with our flesh. Rather, we need to choose obedience to the Holy Spirit. As this passage points out, it is the Holy Spirit who gives us assurance that we are God’s children, and He is the one who manifests the character of Christ in us. That character is described in this same letter, in 5:22-23, famously expressed as the Fruit of the Spirit. If we don’t want to be slaves, then we need to let the Holy Spirit help us act like God’s children!

As every believer has, I’ve experienced this reality from both sides many times. However, as a pastor I’m charged with helping many people live as children of God rather than as slaves. That’s much easier to do with those who are close than with those who are far away, either physically or emotionally. Actually, physical distance is less of a problem than emotional distance. I have more success with some people by telephone than with others in person! I need to remember that I can’t really help anybody in my own wisdom and strength, because those are totally insignificant. Rather, I’ve got to rely on the Holy Spirit to give me the right words at the right time and act according to His directions. I am not to manipulate people through psychology, but rather liberate them through the Spirit. The answer, first and last, for the slave mentality is the Holy Spirit, because “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Father, even as I write I realize that I don’t walk fully in this myself. Help me continue to grow in walking in perfect step, perfect harmony with Your Spirit, both so that I won’t be controlled by the flesh and so that I will be able to help others likewise walk in liberty, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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May 5, 2013

Posted on May 8, 2013 by jgarrott

Galatians 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

There isn’t an English term that exactly corresponds to the term in the Greek, but Japanese has one that is spot on, if my understanding is correct. The NIV talks around the issue by saying things like “put in charge,” but the idea is more of a cross between a nursemaid and a drill sergeant. You might say, “one in charge of juvenile education,” but that’s certainly unwieldy. Paul’s point is that the Law was given to keep us in line until we were ready to learn about salvation by grace through faith. Anyone who has raised children knows very well that little children need rules and regulations. Actually, they are far more emotionally secure when they have them, and this is an area where many modern parents drop the ball, sometimes badly. However, children have to progress past “Don’t throw your food” and “Don’t bite your sister,” and that’s what Paul is talking about. It’s not that those things are OK, it’s that we have to internalize the principles behind the rules, to know what’s right and what isn’t without a checklist. The “gold standard” for human behavior is faith in God who is both gracious and holy. When we really believe in such a God we need no other controls on our behavior, because we are totally eager to please Him.

It’s sad and actually a bit odd that we have such trouble living in obedience to God by faith, but I certainly know that it’s true from my own experience. Simply knowing that something’s “off limits” brings the desire to try it! I’ve yielded to that impulse more times than I like to think about. I now realize that such sin is a clear indication I don’t love God sufficiently yet, which is in turn an indication I don’t yet grasp the totality of His love for me. That love is far beyond the power of human intellect to grasp, so it must be received and appropriated by faith.. This is very much in line with this morning’s message, which speaks of how our bodies are God’s property, and not our own. There’s an old hymn that says “I’ll live for Him who died for me.” That’s the principle I’m to operate on, and it’s the lifestyle I’m to communicate and encourage in the believers.

Father, You are doing wonderful things in and among us. Thank You. Thank You that I’ll be baptizing not one but two people next month, as an older couple have committed to follow You together. That’s the second such couple You’ve brought into Your family here. If I’m not mistaken, such cases are hardly common in Japan. Thank You for Your grace. I pray that I would be a good shepherd to them, and that they in turn would be an encouragement to the physically younger but spiritually older believers. May we all draw one another to love and follow You more closely, so that we may demonstrate Christ to this city and this nation, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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May 4, 2013

Posted on May 8, 2013 by jgarrott

Galatians 3:2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

It is interesting to realize that these people who were getting into legalism had received the Holy Spirit; they were “Charismatic.” The gifts of the Holy Spirit – and Paul specifically mentions miracles in verse 5 – are not a guarantee against error. Some in Pentecostal circles act as though they think they are! The other side of that, which is indeed the major thrust of the whole letter to the Galatians, is that none of God’s gifts are because we are “worthy,” but because we believe in God, who is gracious and merciful. That exposes the ridiculousness of people trying to “earn” spiritual gifts. I remember one church I attended where a young, rough, rodeo rider happened to come in and get gloriously saved, and some of the older members were actively resentful. They couldn’t stand it that he overflowed with the joy of the Lord! A young woman was beautifully saved through a Bible class that met in my home, but when I talked with the pastor about baptism, the response was, “If she comes to Sunday services a bit more.” In other words, she hadn’t “paid her dues” to be eligible for baptism. That’s not the same thing as a lack of repentance or commitment; those are indeed obstacles. Rather it was that she hadn’t fulfilled denominational tradition, in the eyes of that pastor. That’s exactly the sort of thing that Galatians is written against.

My own experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit is exactly in line with this. I had been seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but everything I had read (back in the early 70’s) said that I would know I had been filled when I spoke in tongues. As a result, I was seeking to speak in tongues, and nothing was happening. Finally, a friend pointed out to me that we receive everything from God by faith, so I should ask, believe that God was faithful, and thank Him for pouring His Spirit out on me, even if I felt or “experienced” nothing. I did that, and two days later I suddenly realized that I was openly witnessing of Christ to a total stranger, which I had never done before in my life, and I realized that God had been true to His promise: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and You will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) In the years since then I have experienced everything listed in 1 Corinthians 12 at least once, and I have the joy of an ongoing relationship with my Lord by His Spirit, but it all started with faith, rather than following rules.

Father, help me get through to the believers that everything they see in me is available to them as well, that You love them just as much as You love me. Help me encourage them to open their hearts and welcome all that You want to pour into and through them. May we all walk in the joy of being conduits of Your grace in all its forms, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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May 3, 2013

Posted on May 4, 2013 by jgarrott

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This verse is so familiar and so famous that I almost didn’t write on it, but it is famous precisely because it is so important. We read, say, or even memorize these words, but they don’t really sink in much of the time. Part of that is because we’ve never seen someone crucified, but the movie, The Passion of the Christ, was realistic enough to be a big help in that direction. The point is, once someone is crucified, they’re dead. It might take as long as a few days before their heart stops beating, but once they’re nailed on and the cross is raised, they’re effectively dead. So what is the advantage? Why would anyone choose to be “crucified with Christ?” That’s because a dead person is impervious to temptation; this world no longer holds any attraction. For someone who doesn’t have the assurance of eternal life, that in itself doesn’t seem attractive. However, when we do have that assurance, “crucified with Christ” is definitely the way to be! However, as Paul recognizes, we have the little matter of our physical lives that do continue; this isn’t being suicidal. The only way to live out a “crucified life” is by faith. Here again Paul points out the incredible love of Christ, who went through the scourging and the crucifixion for our sake. As came out a couple of days ago, the more we grasp God’s love for us, the more we love Him in return, and the more we walk in all that Christ has done for us.

The first time I saw The Passion of the Christ I wept so hard I missed a good portion of it! However, the crucified life isn’t about emotion, it’s about obedience. As it says in Philippians 2:8, Jesus expressed that obedience. If I want to walk in all the benefits Christ paid for for me, and I do, then I have to walk in that same obedience. I can only do that by faith and by the grace of God, because my flesh isn’t going to do it. That is what salvation in Christ is all about.

Father, this isn’t an easy message to deliver. However, Jesus didn’t draw back from speaking truth that made the vast majority of His followers desert Him. Help me seek to make disciples for Christ, rather than amass members for me. Humanly speaking, I want more people in this church for lots of reasons. Help me desire more disciples in Your army more than anything else, so that we may be mighty in Your hands, for Your kingdom and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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