The Eschatological Focus of the Church.

I listened to a message given by Art Katz the other morning. It really challenged me to look at my life and what I was living for. In this message Art defined an apostolic Church as one that lives with the end in focus. This gives it a sense of urgency. All of it's efforts are ultimately aimed towards the return of Jesus and His coming kingdom. Like I said, it was challenging to say the least. We say "Lord, Lord," but is He really our Lord? So in turn, I would like to share some thoughts of my own.

It doesn't take long in reading through the New Testament to realize that the early Christians were looking towards the goal. They had their eyes on the end, the return of Christ and the coming of His kingdom, when all things would be made new. 

I think it would be good for us to spend time in the word of God, looking at these things, and allowing the Holy Spirit to challenge us to move up. It can be easy to drift into the every day routine. Many of us spend the week pursuing our careers, hobbies, college educations, and so on, yet faithfully attending church on Sunday. We devote the majority of our lives to temporary pursuits; our focus is in the wrong place.

I understand we have to provide for our families, and work is part of that process. However, there is a point when our focus changes from the eternal, from what is unseen, to that which is temporary in the here and now (2 Cor 4:18).

This is something that by God's grace we must all work out. Jesus tells us not to worry about the essentials of life. Instead, we are to make His kingdom and righteousness our life's ambition, and the things we truly need will be provided us (Matt 6:25-34).

Jesus is showing us where are hearts are at. If we are consumed by life's affairs, that is what we treasure, and that is what has captured our hearts. In the context of His second coming, Jesus warns us not to be weighed down with the worries of life. That day will come upon those who are like a trap (Luke 21:34).

The early Church lived as strangers in this world. They understood that this life with all of its pain and sorrow was only temporary. They looked towards the day when there would be no more pain, no more death,and the curse would be reversed. They understood that God would dwell among them and make all things new ( Rev 21:3-5, 22:3-5). Don't get me wrong, good times can be a blessing, but with the good comes the very real possibility of losing our focus, and slipping into complacency. The danger is real, prosperity breeds self sufficiency, and our focus settles on the comforts of the here and now.

They were citizens of heaven, and as such they eagerly awaited the Savior who would come to bring the final redemption of their bodies, transforming them into His likeness (Philippians 3:20-21, Hebrews 9:28). 

Jesus is coming for those who are eagerly awaiting Him, who love His appearing ( 2 Timothy 4:8). Can we truthfully say we long for His coming? Or are we comfortable and happy with how things are? Of course we might give a mental assent to the fact that someday Jesus will return, but hopefully not now. Understand, I'm not intending to be harsh, but I want to challenge each one of us, myself included, to place our focus where it really belongs.

The fact of Jesus' second coming challenged the first Christians to live in anticipation, to be ready to see Jesus face to face. There was work to be done, and the fact that this world as it is, is only temporary, spured them on. Paul in describing the resurrection of the dead, and the transformation of the saints at the return of Christ, exhorted the Corinthian believers to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Likewise, Peter

Instructed his readers, in light of the end, to eagerly look for the coming day of God. This day will bring about the destruction of this temporal world with all of its sin. But, out of the ashes so to speak, a new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells is coming. So if this is true, how should we live today? If this is a reality in our hearts, we should live holy lives so that when Jesus comes He will find us spotless and at peace (2 Peter 3:10-14). John states that when Christ returns we will be like Him. In the meantime, those who have this hope fixed upon Jesus will purify themselves, just as He is pure (1John 3:2-3). Is this how we are occupying our time?

Again, I only desire to challenge us to examine our hearts, to determine what we are really living for. Our we happy and content with our temporal pursuits? Do our careers or plans consume our lives, leaving very little room for Jesus and His kingdom? Or are we living with a focus on the goal. The end of the temporary, and the ushering in of the eternal?

God and Governments

 Here in America we are sure facing a lot of stress and division during this election cycle. Sadly I see a lot of tension, fear, distrust, and even anger among professing Christians. Here are a few verses to ponder in the days and weeks ahead. Perhaps the Bible can help us gain a different perspective.

     This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets it over the lowliest of men. Daniel 4:17 NKJV

     While the word was still in the kings mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom is departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen: and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses." Daniel 4:32-33 NKJV

     Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Romans 13:1 NKJV

Now we could dig in depth into these verses but for the sake of brevity I will only make a few observations. First of all we read in these verses that it is God who ultimately raises leaders and bring leaders down. We do not understand all His reasons for why we see certain men in power, but be sure of this, God in His sovereign purpose rules in the kingdoms of men. We also can infer from this that rulers are not necessarily godly men. The verses in Daniel refer to Nebuchadnezzar, who was not someone we would emulate as Christians. 

Paul's reference in Romans 13 was written in the days of the Roman Emperor Nero, one of the cruelest leaders the world has seen. It was this Nero who persecuted the early church, throwing Christians to the beasts in the Roman coliseum. Yet we see Paul saying that God places leaders in their positions of authority, and we are to respect and submit unto them. Also we can pray for them so it will go well for us (1Tim 2:1-3). As Christians can we at least do this?

So in closing remember that whether your candidate won or lost, your party is in control or not, as  Christians we look to Jesus as our Savior and King. It is ultimately His kingdom that we are citizens of, and are to seek (Phil 3:20, Matt 6:33), not the kingdoms of this world. Our best efforts should be put into reaching the lost for Jesus Christ, as His is the only Kingdom that will endure (Daniel 2:44, 4:34, 7:13-14, Rev 11:15).

     

Review of "Jesus Untangled"

I recently read a book entitled "Jesus Untangled", by Keith Giles. I was offered the chance to download this book free of charge if I would review it on my blog, so here goes.

I believe that this book addresses a very real problem in the evangelical Church today. The issue is that of national pride and Christianity merged together, resulting in what we see today. For many American evangelicals, God and country are on equal ground. They view America as God's chosen people, and advancing the kingdom of God is equated with doing whatever makes America great and prosperous. This is why we see so many Christians active in politics, just as concerned with the constitution as they are with the Bible, and pledging allegiance to the flag of an earthly kingdom.

This book really steps on toes as it confronts these issues, but it is something that needs to be "shouted from the roof tops" in my estimation.

There is a radical difference between the Kingdom of God, and any of the world's kingdoms, including America. While some nations may operate on better principles than others, the fact remains that they are still earthly kingdoms. None of them, including America, are founded upon the teachings of Christ. The truth is, they operate on selfish principles. As Christians we are called to separate our selves from this and to unselfishly follow Jesus Christ. His teachings go against the grain of those of this world. While nations strive and struggle for wealth and power, we are called to love, and give, and to turn the other cheek. Sadly the type of Christianity that so many follow today explains away what Jesus commands us to do, and embraces the policies of America instead, in the name of God and country.

The first Christians were not politically active, they were not caught up in the affairs of the state, and rejected national pride, considering themselves instead strangers and pilgrims upon this earth. This changed with Constantine, who declared Christianity the national religion of the Roman empire, and thus began the merger of Church and state, which has been an entanglement that has plagued the Church ever since.

As a result we now have Christians embracing war and military might, something that Jesus never taught, and the early Church rejected. We have resorted to politics and legislation to set the moral tone of our country instead of spreading the gospel and seeing people changed from the inside out. Now our worship is divided between Christ and the flag, and our allegiance is divided as well, between God and the nation. The modern Church has become entangled in the affairs of a secular kingdom, and has forfeited Christ and His kingdom.

Once again, I believe this book is right on target with its message. It will surprise many who read it. It may offend many, and step on some toes, but if it gets your attention and causes you to take a look at how far we have fallen from truly serving Christ, it will be worth the read.

Two Kingdoms: An Anabaptist Perspective on Warfare | Dean Taylor