West Park Baptist Church

Loving God, Loving People, Impacting the World

love

Abide: Together

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On Sunday June 7, 2020 West Park Baptist Church will meet in person once again.

It’s hard to believe that over the past 3 months we’ve not seen one another, and it’s with joy and excitement that we look forward to Sunday. Who are the people that we might see?

There’s the wife and working mom with 2 young kids. At the beginning of the pandemic she was told she had to work her full-time job at home while her kids stayed home full-time from school. It’s been a juggling routine to feel all there for any of those involved in her daily routine, and the work-from-home order continues for another few months. She’s in need of encouragement and is eager to get back to worship.

There’s the man whose wife is in the midst of trying times with chemotherapy. He’s caring for her daily on top of the trying times brought by the pandemic. He’s coming back to church to serve, while being as careful as he can.

There’s a senior saint who has been sheltered at home for several months and likely won’t be back to worship just yet. But she’s praying for and contacting others. She’s thinking through how the Lord wants her to respond in the relationships He’s entrusted to her.

Gathering as a church is not just about seeing friends and family or feeling connected once again to God and others, as important as those things are. Gathering as a church is about following the Spirit’s lead together as we walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, walking in the Spirit and producing spiritual fruit is a community project. Abiding in Jesus Christ is a personal matter, but it is never private. Jesus wills us for us to follow Him in the company of the family He’s creating. So my aim in this final installment of “Abide” is to help you get ready to put the fruit in practice as you start regularly encountering others once again.

First, consider the many many times the Fruit of the Spirit is commanded in the “one another” passages in the New Testament letters:

Romans 12:10 – Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 14:13 – Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Galatians 5:13 – For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Ephesians 4:2 – with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Peter 5:5 – Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

There are so many passages I could include, but I think you get the gist of God’s will for you and me. What remains, though, is to think through what humility and love and encouragement look like as we regather. Let me suggest a few ways.

  • Humility – People will be coming back to church with all kinds of opinions and convictions about how to act. Some will wear masks to protect themselves or those they are trying to minister to at home, and some will not because they think that perhaps everything about the virus is overblown. Humility may look like (please not that I’m not saying it must or should look like) wearing a mask going in and out of the building for the sake of another’s needs. Humility is the posture of counting others as more significant than yourself.
  • Love – Love might need to be exhibited by refraining from the hug you want to give for maybe another week or two as we take careful steps forward. Those “careful steps” are in line with Pastor Sam’s message on “Going to Church and Being the Church” and Pastor Doug’s video announcement last week.
  • Encouragement – Words are powerful. When you come, share truth and love with one another. Share your joy at being back, but pray that God the Holy Spirit would help you to walk by His lead, no matter what the needs are in front of you. Pray, seriously pray, that God would use you for the encouragement of others in this time.

It would please the Lord so much to see His family walking in the Spirit together, eager to bear fruit to the praise of the Father. We’re in this together. Praise the Lord He’s with us always!

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control 

 

 

Abide: Love

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Complaining. It’s one of the chief responses I’m hearing about our situation.

Complaining that people can go to the liquor store but not schools. Grumbling that we can get our lawns cut by professionals but not our hair. Frustration voiced that we can gather in supermarkets but not in churches.

I know complaining is going on because I’m hearing it, but I also know the tendencies of my own heart. These 2 months of social distancing are taking their toll on all of us in different ways, and I get the feelings of frustration and understand the complaints that are being raised.

But no matter what is happening around us, Jesus calls us to higher ground to commune with Him, to abide in Him. What is it He wants us to focus on no matter if we are currently together or not? Let’s read today Romans 12:9–13

[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (ESV)

Love is one of the Holy Spirit’s fruits. Paul included love in the list in Galatians 5:22 and he writes it at the head of a list of love-based deeds in Romans 12. If you make a bullet list of the commands, here’s how I think they fit together…

Let love be genuine:

  • by abhorring evil and holding to the good
  • by loving one another with brotherly affection
  • by outdoing one another to show honor
  • by not being slothful but zealous to serve the Lord
  • by rejoicing in hope
  • by being patient in tribulation
  • by being constant in prayer
  • by contributing to the needs of the saints and showing hospitality

Love heads the list but also motivates the list. How can we fulfill any of those commands without first knowing the love of Jesus who lived out that list with perfect love for God and people? Abiding in Jesus means experiencing His love and learning to love others like He does.

When we see that bulleted list above or read it in scripture, we must see first the love of Christ. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to spend time with Jesus? To personally experience everyday life with Him? To know His love for us no matter what?

Friends, I know we all default to complaining, but our time must be spent in learning from Jesus how to love and then thinking of as many ways as we can to love others practically, no matter the season. We have a far greater call to love others right now and always with the love we always receive from God.

Some of the top ways I can think of to love others during these days:

  • Pray, and communicate to people that you’ve prayed for them specifically.
  • Write letters (the old-fashioned kind) if you can, sharing with people the truth of God, and the love you have for them, particularly what you appreciate about them.
  • Contribute to the needs of the saints. Yes, giving is a way to show your love for others. It often begins by focusing on someone else and thinking through their needs and asking God to give you the motive and way to share. Recently our family received a letter (the old-fashioned kind) and a check for a certain amount urging us to apply it in a way that would help our family. We were so encouraged by this, and we remembered in that moment the God who sees us and knows our needs.
  • Help others practically. It’s possible to maintain social distancing, even as we seek to honor the guidelines of Phase 1 here in Knoxville, while working in one another’s yards, helping pick up groceries for the elderly or at-risk, or dropping off a fun treat on the porch for people with kids. I’ve been so encouraged seeing people in our church body do all these things.
  • Think through ways to be hospitable, even with restrictions still in place. For one helpful perspective, you may want to read this article by Rosaria Butterfield.

What are some ways you can think to show love to others? Starting with this list and adding to it as you go, ask the Lord to help you love others as He loves them. Then purpose to show that love to others as you are able.

 

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control

Counsel for the Heart: Tools for Restoration (Gal. 6:1-5)

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It’s been very instructive for me to focus on the fruit of the Spirit. In the average daily struggle, calling to mind my Comforter and Counselor and Agent of true change has been such a help!

How has it been for you to study the spiritual fruit? We have one more time together today to dig into the practical method of walking by the Spirit, evidencing His fruit and applying it in the restoration of fellow believers.

Galatians 6:1–5

[1] Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [2] Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [3] For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [4] But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. [5] For each will have to bear his own load. (ESV)

Getting to the Heart:

We learned yesterday that the Lord Jesus is in the process of restoring each of us to His image. He is the absolute best at the work of restoration. He sees the finished product, and just as one house is different from another, so the Lord knows the uniqueness of every believer. As a Master carpenter, Jesus knows all about using tools, and his main tools in the people restoration projects are you and me! And He further counsels us about the tools we need to follow His plans for restoring one another. Yesterday we learned about Gentleness and Watchfulness. Today let’s dig in further to learn about the other two tools we need in our restoration kits.

  1. Gentleness.
  2. Watchfulness. (For these first two see the previous article in this series).
  3. Love – Paul says that restoration requires burden-bearing, and this fulfills the law of Christ. What law? Aren’t we free from the law now? Well, yes, but also no. The law of God is no threat to our security and freedom, but by the Spirit we are free to work out our salvation, and in this case it is the law of love for neighbor. Remember how Jesus bore the burden of our sin, all the way to the cross (see 1 Pet. 2:24)? This was love in action! We are called to enter the messiness of sin, not to partake in it but to rescue and restore someone. Even when we would cringe at entering a messy situation with someone, we can rejoice to identify with our Burden-bearer.
  4. Your backpack – Ok, this tool doesn’t seem to match the others, but it’s legitimately in these verses! Galatians 6:5 says “Each will have to bear his own load.” “Load” is not the same word as “burden” (6:2). It actually refers to a small pack that a traveler would wear, and the pack is essential and as personal as each individual. Another skill that Jesus wants His followers to have is the skill of honest self-assessment, and that’s what the text means by “each will have to bear his own load.” Each of us has unique skills, setbacks, strengths and weaknesses. We do no good by comparing ourselves with others, but there’s a humility that comes when we remember who we are and the growth God has worked out in us over time. Each of us has limitations in carrying out our spiritual responsibility, but that shouldn’t stop us from seeking to restore others! If anything an honest self-assessment provides us with two things (at least): 1) a healthy “boasting” in what God has done in our lives: a cause for rejoicing; 2) patience with others in their sin, especially not taking personally what they say or do. When someone may respond in anger we can rightly think, I don’t know what that brother may be facing today or what is in his backpack. Perhaps he’s farther along with the Lord than he was a year ago. Regardless, the Lord is at work! 

The bottom line: if we would apply gentleness, humility, love and a proper self-awareness to our ministry of restoration, we will do well, and others will come to know the love and support of our loving Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s talk it over: 

  • What strengths has God equipped you with to help you minister to others?
  • What difficulties have you faced in your life that could help you to bear the burdens of others with gentleness and love?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You have loved us and sought us each time we’ve gone astray. You sacrificed Yourself for us so that we would see Your worth and have hope to return to You. Lord, please help us to grow in the ministry of restoring others. Help us to recall when you have restored us and help us grow in humility to be of use to You. Amen.

Worship in Song: 

His Forever

Memory Passage: Galatians 5:22–24

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (ESV)

Counsel for the Heart: Bearing Spiritual Fruit (Gal. 5:22-23)

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Would you like to know a guaranteed way to glorify God?

The Lord told us in John 15:8 –

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

We glorify God by bearing much fruit. Today we go back into Galatians 5:22-23 to examine more closely the fruit of the Spirit. By knowing what type of fruit the Holy Spirit produces we will grow in opportunities to glorify our Father. This is also our memory passage, so remember to meditate and memorize as you read today.

Galatians 5:22–23

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (ESV)

Getting to the Heart:

One of the most helpful things we can do with this list of spiritual fruit is to understand what each part of the fruit means, what it replaces, and even what tends to be a counterfeit version of each part. I’ve been helped so much by the Bible study resource Galatians for You by Tim Keller1, and I’ve created a chart below based on his helpful explanation of the fruit of the Spirit.

Fruit  Definition Opposite Counterfeit
Love Love and care for a person based on their good, not on what they bring to you Self-protection; self-promotion Attraction for someone based on what they add to you or how they make you feel
Joy Happiness and delight in God for Who He is and what He does in the world Hopelessness; depression Happiness based on changing circumstances
Peace Confidence and rest in the sovereign wisdom and control of God Anxiety and fear Not caring about something; feeling indifferent
Patience The ability to stand up under the pressures of life without lashing out in anger toward God and others Resentment toward God and others Cynical lack of care
Kindness Motivation that serves others for their good in a practical way, out of a sense of complete inner security in Christ Envy; refusal to rejoice in another’s prosperity Serving others to ultimately manipulate them or prove to God or others our worth.
Goodness Also means integrity; being one person or the same person wherever you are Hypocrisy Speaking your mind and not holding back truth to make yourself feel better or look good
Faithfulness To be absolutely trustworthy and always true to your word Being a friend only in good times Being loving but never willing to confront when needed
Gentleness Humility, specifically self-forgetfulness, prioritizing others and responding calmly even when they are aggressive Attitude of superiority or self-absorption Spirit of inferiority, speaking ill about yourself
Self-control Ability to endure in hard times by focusing on the important not the urgent Impulsiveness or recklessness Willpower to endure difficulties to prove your worth or strength

Sometimes it’s necessary to slow down in our Bible reading and really dig in to specific words to better know the Lord’s message. This passage with this list is a case in point: we need to really understand these aspects of the Spirit’s fruit. It’s all so we can bear the fruit that brings joy and glory to our Father.

Today a group of men came to our home to cut down some trees that we had let grow over the years but that had become a nuisance. It is amazing how much more light, area to grow other things and even just to play in that the removal of those trees provided.

Walking in the Spirit is like that, I think. All of us have some motivating attitudes that are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus came to deliver us from that ruling flesh that loves to assert self and sow destructive works. The Holy Spirit is the power to come in and chop those works down at their root level and open up your life to the light and freedom of God (Gal. 5:1).

Let’s talk it over:

  • Where are you seeing growth this week in the Spirit?
  • Do you see any opposites in your attitudes and actions?
  • Do you spot any counterfeits to the Spirit’s fruit?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we believe that it is for freedom that You came to set us free. That freedom is the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that the Spirit produces. This is the fruit we see in You, Lord. We love You because of who You are and how You shared that fruit with people all the time. There was never a time when You were not bearing fruit, and You are worthy of the greatest freedom and joy. Yet You took on our record of fleshly works and received the punishment for reckless, self-absorbed living that defied God and defiled our fellow man. Oh, we love and thank You for paying for those many many sins. But we love and thank You all the more that now You share Your Spirit with us so that we might walk with You and experience what You alone deserve. Help us to glorify our Father by bearing much fruit today. Amen.

Worship in Song:

His Mercy is More

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  1. Galatians for You resource by Tim Keller. Pages 141-142 used for the chart above.

Following the Resurrected King – Pt 5

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I’m wondering how many times I’ve said the words “I’m sorry.”

Certainly over my lifetime that number must be in the hundreds of thousands. At least!

I say “sorry” for bumping into someone accidentally, for forgetting something, or for sins I’ve committed against God and others.

Peter surely was sorry. Sorry for the way he had denied his Lord Jesus on the night Jesus was betrayed. Today we will continue our look into John 21 and the scene by the lakeside as Jesus restores Peter. Does Jesus demand an apology? Will He not restore before Peter says, “I’m sorry” and really means it? Thankfully, the Lord chooses a better way.

John 21:15–17

[15] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” [16] He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” [17] He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (ESV)

What can we learn from this text?

One element I left out of the explanation of yesterday’s text was the charcoal fire (21:9). When Peter arrived on shore he saw the Lord sitting down at that charcoal fire. I can envision Peter sitting down across that fire from the Lord. The last time Peter was recorded to be by a charcoal fire was in John 18:18 when he warmed himself by the charcoal fire in the courtyard of the High Priest. Jesus was inside at that time facing the abuse and mockery of the Sanhedrin. At that charcoal fire Peter had denied Jesus three times. How painful something like a common charcoal fire could be to Peter now, bringing to mind his sin.

Jesus intends to do some serious spiritual surgery on Peter. This fire is one of the elements of that operation. Just as Peter denied Jesus three times by the fire, he will now have the chance to reaffirm his loyalty to Jesus three times by the fire. Jesus has come to restore Peter.

Three times Jesus asks, “Simon, some of John, do you love me more than these?” (21:15). This question is the most gracious way to restore Peter, and it’s how the Lord restores all He has died to redeem. Jesus could have asked Peter, “Simon, are you sorry for what you did to me? Do you promise to be faithful to me from this point on?” It could have perhaps been easier for Peter to answer that question with a resounding, “Yes! I’m so sorry! I’ll never do it again.” But Peter had already made strong declarations about his will and intent to follow Jesus before, and he had failed to keep his word. Jesus knows this too, and He ultimately doesn’t need that well-intended but ultimately powerless pledge. Jesus asks “Do you love me?” three times to give Peter three opportunities to reverse his previous denials, but the question itself shows us something too important to miss: Jesus wants Peter’s heart. He knows if He has Peter’s heart, his obedience will follow.

Application:

  • This story teaches us that we need restoration. It’s not enough to say “sorry” and move on. When we sin against the Lord, He wants our sorrow to be expressed by love for Him because of His love and grace to us. Have you expressed your love to Jesus in prayer recently? Think of how He graciously restores your heart and express your love to Him.
  • Jesus gave Peter the command “Feed my sheep/lambs” three times. The way we show our love to Jesus is by loving others and sharing with them the same grace He has shown to us. How can you show the love of Jesus to your brothers or sisters when they sin against you? How can husbands and wives show this kind of love and forgiveness? How should we as the body of Christ in the church love each other this way?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for restoring Peter to love and service for You. We too need restoring, to love and service that demonstrates to others the great love You have for us. Continue that work of changing us and working out in us the restoration that You alone can do. Amen.

Worship:

My Jesus, I Love Thee

Global Perspectives on Coronavirus – Pt 8

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Yesterday I shared a portion of my interview with a contact in China. Today I’m sharing part 2. As I said yesterday, it’s helpful to take a step back from media coverage of China and see things through the eyes of believers there. One of the most helpful things I’ve heard in recent weeks is that the Chinese believer are praying for us here in America. Let’s get on with today’s Global Perspective to hear more from a family on the ground in Beijing.

Perspective from China, Pt. 2


How are Chinese believers responding to the virus?

Our church, and a couple of others in Beijing known to us, have gone online fairly smoothly. There are lots of social media groups (on WeChat, the ubiquitous platform in China) in which believers are sharing encouragements and prayers. Bible studies and prayer meetings are also happening via video-conferencing. We have been very impressed with how the more mature believers have continued to encourage everyone to keep being involved with one another even though we can’t meet. The teaching from our church has been solidly biblical, and neither dominated by the coronavirus situation nor minimising it. It feels like they really have done the best that anyone could do. The church also organised offerings in order to donate supplies to Hubei province in the early days of the virus, but the government has generally frowned on any civil society or charitable efforts and so we haven’t heard any more about further opportunities to give in that way since early February. Most recently people in our church have been praying for other countries and checking up with us about our friends and family back home, offering to send things to our families if needed.

I wish I knew more about rural congregations, or churches in other cities, but I can only really speak intelligently about a small section of the church in Beijing. There has been more fear than I believe is appropriate in the congregations known to us, but there are also very wise voices speaking into those situations, and the church leaders seem to be doing a great job.

What should American believers learn from China’s experience through the coronavirus?

Prepare for months of disruption to church life, and plan creatively and positively to support the lonely and vulnerable, even if you can’t go to visit them right now, and to strengthen the faith of all other believers. Get used to gaining what you can from online meetings, and from lots more phone calls, but hunger for the day when you can meet again in significant numbers to enjoy face-to-face fellowship and worship together in person.

Humility and patience are vital. This is certainly true inside the home — you’ll now be spending more time with a smaller number of people in a confined space, and that will test the quality of love and forbearance. As for outside the home, don’t insist on personal expression and freedoms in the moment if it would increase the risk of others catching the virus.

Exercise sober judgement when you hear conflicting things from politicians, medical experts, media voices, etc. When in doubt I recommend listening to the medics — they are much less likely to be lying to you or shooting off their mouths than the politicians, who tend to say something different depending which day of the week it is (clearly some politicians are much worse than others in this regard). Doctors here in China warned of the virus weeks before the local government in Wuhan was prepared to admit its severity. In America you have the opposite problem — not too few voices, but too many!

Cherish the fact that our treasure is not here on earth. And comfort those who are anxious using gospel truth, not with platitudes. It may well be that the Lord will open up conversations with unbelieving family members, colleagues or friends who are especially afraid, or who are grieving, and the good news of Jesus is what they need to hear, from a loving ambassador of Christ, whether there is a virus going round or not.

If there are people you see in need because they have lost their jobs, don’t hold back in generosity. If you are a landlord and your tenants are suddenly unemployed, don’t throw them out. I know of a few cases in Beijing where landlords have made a lot of trouble for out-of-town or foreign tenants, and the coronavirus itself is bad enough without cruelty and profiteering of any kind making it worse. Millions of people in China have already suffered economically because of the coronavirus, and their large savings accounts may tide them over for a while. But Americans tend to have less saved up than the Chinese, so in times of crisis, many people around you probably have very little buffer in place.

If no one hoards and panic buys toilet paper then there is enough toilet paper. Think very seriously when you load up your shopping cart about what the Lord would say to you. Are Christians here in this world to do as the world does or to live out a better way?

Don’t talk about praying more — just pray more.

Daily Dose of Faith

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So many excellent resources are coming out each new day as we experience the effects of Covid-19 all around us. I want to round up as many of those as possible to ensure we each get a daily dose of biblical hope, faith and love in these fearful times.

Tabletalk Magazine

First up is Tabletalk Magazine from Ligonier ministries. In God’s providence, as Pastor Sam talked about last Sunday, the editors of Tabletalk’s monthly magazine planned for the March edition to focus on “Fear.” With articles like “Fear of a Changing World,” “Fear of Being Alone,” and “Fear of Dying,” this month’s edition of Tabletalk ministers practical spiritual care to fearful people. And it’s good to read every month, even subscribe to it. My wife and I have enjoyed this monthly magazine for about a year. Pastor Al Cage has benefited from it since 1995!

How to make the most of lockdown tips from Christians in Italy

Second link today features perspectives from a Christian family of 6 navigating the national lockdown in Italy. As the author notes, “We are God’s people in this city. We have the message of hope this city needs. We need to be engaging one another, encouraging one another, and preparing one another to be the testimony God has called us to be in this storm. This lockdown has highlighted the importance of community for us all.”

Right Now Media

Finally, why not right now take advantage of Rightnow Media? Rightnow Media is one of the leading ministries featuring biblical teaching and edifying media through videos that can be played on your home Roku, smartphone or personal computer or tablet. Best of all, it’s a ministry offered for free from West Park Baptist Church! Click to sign up today.

Overcoming Fear to Love Others

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On Sunday, October 15, 2017, West Park benefited from a special training on reaching out to those in the Muslim world with the friendship and love of Christ Jesus. What can you do if you didn’t make it? Here are some resources that will be helpful for you:

  • First, watch or listen to the sermon from Guest Speaker, Doug Martin, from this past Sunday. He encouraged us all to affirm and engage our non-Christian friends with truth and love.
  • Next, check out the ministry of Nabeel Qureshi (1983-2017). Nabeel’s book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus will help you understand the basics of Islam, the beauty and supremacy of Christ, and how to approach Muslim friends with truth and love. You can purchase the book online for only $5 at this site.

For more information and additional resource ideas, contact West Park’s Global Missions Director Lisa Newsome at globalmissions@westparkbaptist.org.