Hope for Life Blog

What do you think of when you hear the word “church”? Do you think of a grand cathedral with awe-inspiring architecture? Do you picture a quaint white country structure with a bell in the steeple?

Or does “church” for you mean something that a group of Christians do when they get together? Phrases like “Church is at ten” or “We had church under a tree” come to mind. For some of us, that’s what we think of when we say “church.”

Maybe you tend to hear “church” with a capital C, imagining a large bureaucratic organization with a central headquarters and representatives in countries around the world.

Or do you think about a group of people? The Bible never uses the word “church” to refer to a building or an activity; it’s always talking about a gathering of Christians. “The church in Ephesus.” (Revelation 2:1) The church that meets in your home. (Philemon 2) Those are the sorts of phrases we read in the Bible.

Whereas “church” is something of a contrived word for us, it wasn’t that way in Bible times. It was a common word to refer to a gathering. In the New Testament book of Acts, we find the same word being used to describe a gathering of citizens in Ephesus. The Greek word for church, ekklesia, merely means assembly. It comes from two words meaning “called” and “out,” with the thought of people called out for a purpose.

So, in its truest sense, “church” merely refers to a group of people. That’s why the Bible often adds a descriptive, like “church of God” (Acts 20:28), “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16), or “church of the firstborn” (Hebrews 12:23). These phrases aren’t used as names; they are merely descriptions of who the assembly belongs to.

In the end, the church is the group of people that belong to God. Other meanings may cloud our understanding, but we need to see that that’s what the church is. That’s why we can’t talk about loving God and not loving the church, or being a Christian but not being a member of the church. Those things make no sense. God called his people to be together, to be a part of something larger than themselves: the church.

If you’re not part of a gathering of Christians, I’d like to help you find a place to belong. Contact me at tarcher@heraldoftruth.org or click on “Contact Us” in the top menu and mark that you’d like help finding a church when you fill out the form.

Several years ago I started swimming at the YMCA because I was out of shape. A few weeks later, I stopped swimming at the YMCA. For the same reason.

As I churned my way from one side of the pool to the other, I was keenly aware of the other swimmers. As I reached the edge of the pool, I would latch onto the side, fighting to catch my breath. They reached the edge, performed picture-perfect flip turns and continued their swim. Lap after lap. My workouts were painful to perform and even more painful to watch. The others seemed to glide through the water with no effort, their trained bodies moving gracefully from one end to the other. In other words, I was embarrassed. To be honest, none of them cared what I was doing. But I was shamed into retreating to the safety of the treadmills and recumbent bicycles. “Once I get into shape,” I told myself, “I’ll return to the pool.”

Many of us feel like that when we go to church or when we think about going to church. Everyone else seems to be so perfect while we’re painfully aware of our inadequacies. Some don’t even want to think about God for the same reason. We want to somehow get our lives together, and then we’ll go to Him. If you’ve felt that way, you need to realize that church is a place where people go to straighten out their lives. At the time of Jesus, many said, “Become worthy, then come to God.” Jesus’ message was just the opposite: “Come to God, and He will make you worthy.” God is in the business of fixing broken lives. Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” He’s looking for the people that need help spiritually, not the people whose lives are already perfect.

If you don’t feel “good enough” to swim in God’s pool, let me invite you to get back in the water. God wants to help me get into shape spiritually, and He wants to do the same for you.

Lords a-leaping don’t come cheap. Neither do pipers piping. And five golden rings cost a lot more than they did last year.

That’s what PNC Wealth Management found in their 27th annual analysis of the cost of the gifts from the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song. In fact, the cost of regaling one’s true love from Christmas to Epiphany rose 9.2% in 2010, mainly due to the rise in the price of gold and the increase in labor costs.

Even if they aren’t looking for partridges in pear trees, people turn out in droves this time of year, seeking to find the perfect present for friends and family. Merchants are eager to help them, offering specials and giveaways designed to tempt even Ebenezer Scrooge into spending more than he should.

The truth is, we like giving gifts. As the Bible says, it’s more blessed to give than to receive. We like being able to give people something that will make them happy.

I think we are that way because our God is that way. When we do things that are like our God, we feel better about ourselves. God is the original giver. As our Creator, God has given us every good thing.

Yet His greatest gift goes unappreciated far too often. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

God so loved that He gave. His love motivated Him to give a gift. Not just any gift, but the gift of His Son. His only Son. God sent His only Son to die so that the whole world would have a chance at living. God gave His Son so that others would receive the most precious gift of all: eternal life. As the apostle Paul said, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

In this season of giving and receiving, let’s stop and give thanks for the greatest gift of all. Let’s stop and give thanks to the greatest Giver of all.

I remember watching Monday Night Football on December 8, 1980. It was a relatively exciting game. The Miami Dolphins beat the New England Patriots in overtime. The games in those days were still being announced by the classic team of Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford and Don Meredith.

I don’t remember that game because of the action on the field nor because of the announcers. I remember it for another reason.

I remember that game because of what Howard Cosell announced during the game:

“An unspeakable tragedy confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City: John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City, the most famous, perhaps, of all of The Beatles, shot twice in the back, rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, dead on arrival.”

Those were the words that shocked millions across the country. One of the most famous men in the world had been shot and killed. That’s the announcement that stands out in my mind.

Yet as we mark the 30th anniversary of that tragedy, I think something else Cosell said that night should be what we remember: “Remember this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses.”

There are so many things in life that need those words attached to them. Remember this is just ____. So many things which seem important to us in the moment lose their importance when we confront issues of life and death.

Football games will be won and lost. Politicians will be elected, wars will be fought, businesses will rise and fall. Many things that will be the concern of the moment will be distant memories within a short amount of time.

What will really matter in the long run? What will be of lasting importance? Jesus prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) What will matter throughout eternity is whether or not we know Jesus Christ and know the only true God.

There will be tragedies in this world. Unspeakable tragedies, as Cosell said. But there will be no greater tragedy than failing to establish a relationship with Jesus.

Have you heard of the Winchester Mystery House? The sprawling house in San Jose, California, is famous for its huge size and irregular layout. It was under constant construction for 38 years, eventually coming to have almost 160 rooms.

Despite its great size, the house can be considered unfinished in many ways. There are dozens of doors that open on blank walls, others with knobs on only one side and inside doors with screens on them. There are stairways that reach no destination, chimneys with no stoves, and floors that you can see through.

The construction shows a fascination with the number 13. All the stairways are constructed in series of 13 steps. The chandeliers all have 13 lights. Every wall has 13 panels. Each glass door has 13 pieces.

Who would build such a house?

The mansion was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Winchester (of the Winchester family that owned the famous rifle company). The June 1937 issue of Modern Mechanix states that, after the death of her husband and infant daughter, Winchester was told by a medium that she must build a house that was never completed; if the house were ever completed, Sarah Winchester would die.

Because of this, the fearful widow maintained her house in a constant state of construction. Her attempt to avoid death failed, of course. On September 5, 1922, Sarah Winchester died. Work immediately stopped on the house, and it remains as a monument to one woman’s fear of death.

Was Sarah Winchester the only person afraid of dying? How many others would do whatever it takes to avoid the inevitable?

A favorite passage of mine is found in Hebrews, and it talks about that very fear: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15) Jesus came to free everyone held captive by the fear of death.

Jesus has defeated death, and he invites us to share in his victory. There is no need to live fearing death. We have a champion who can rescue us from that fear.

Building a house can’t free us from death. Building a relationship with Jesus will do just that.

There was an old country doctor who would take his dog along with him when visiting patients. The dog would remain outside while the doctor went in for the house call.

On one occasion, the physician went to the home of a man with a terminal disease who didn’t seem to have much time to live. The man confessed to the doctor his fears about death and said, “What’s it like when you die?”

The doctor thought for a moment, then got up and opened the front door. His loyal canine friend, who had been waiting patiently on the porch, gleefully bounded in to join his master.

The doctor turned to the dying man and said, “Do you see this dog? He didn’t have any idea what was on this side of that door. All he knew was that his master was there, and he wanted to be with him.”

“That’s how I feel about death,” the physician continued. “I don’t really know all the whats and hows about dying. I’m not totally sure what’s on the other side of that door. But I know who is there, and that’s enough for me. I’m looking forward to being with my Master.”

Death can be a frightening thing. There is so much uncertainty. There are a lot of things I just don’t know.

Some claim to be able to explain everything that will happen when we die. I’m not one of those people. I don’t know a lot of things about death.

Some debate what life after death will be like. I don’t join those discussions. I don’t know all the details about what will happen when I die.

I do know who is waiting for me. I do know that I will leave this world to be with Jesus. That’s enough knowledge for me.

The apostle John wrote: “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2) We don’t know what we will be, but we will be like him. And we will be with him.

You don’t have to be afraid of what’s on the other side of the door. You can focus on who is on the other side of the door. Isn’t that a better way to approach the end of our life here on earth?

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Behold I stand at the door and knock …

It’s a process, you know. Rarely does a person move away from God all at once. Like an ember dying slowly in a fireplace, faith slowly disappears and is replaced by cynicism or, even worse, apathy. Instead of deciding to stop believing in God, most people just give up caring.

I stand at the door and knock …

Sin is often a gradual process as well. It starts with a temptation, like money left out at the store or an attractive co-worker who shows too much attention. Our thoughts focus on that temptation until desire takes over. A small sin leads to a bigger sin which eventually leads to a lifestyle. We look up one day and don’t recognize the person we’ve become.

If anyone hears my voice …

Even as we begin to give up on ourselves, God never does. He knocks. He calls. He seeks us out. Remember, this passage in Revelation was written to Christians. People who knew God, but had wandered away from Him. Like the shepherd looking for the lost lamb, God goes looking for His people.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door …

God wants to get back into our lives, but He won’t force His way in. We have to open the door. We have to respond to His call. We have to say, “Yes, I want you back in my life.” God is the Almighty Creator, yet He cares enough about His children to go looking for them. He also cares enough for them to allow them the right to choose. He knocks. He calls. We have to open the door.

I will come in to him …

It’s what God wants. He wants to be in relationship with us, even when we’ve wandered away, even when we’ve done things that we’re ashamed to remember. No sin is too great. No distance is too far. There is no door that cannot be opened. All we have to do is turn back to Him and open the door.

I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

There is something deeply personal about sharing a meal together. The Lord of the Universe wants to come to us, sit down and eat with us. He wants a loving relationship with us. So He knocks. And calls. And waits for us to open the door.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Open the door. Let Him come to you. Let Him wipe away your past and give you a fresh start with Him.

There have been a number of For Sale signs in my neighborhood over the past year and I have watched them being put up, seen “sold” or “reduced” additions attached, and watched them taken down when off the market.  In talking to people who have recently sold a house, I was struck by the advice given concerning how to do this effectively.  The first thing is to spruce up the outside.  You know – fresh paint, flowers, and a throw rug or two.  This makes an attractive look for a buyer, even though it may not really reflect the condition of the house.  When you show a house, sweep up the trash and hide the dirty clothes.  Answer direct questions, but do not volunteer any information that may detract from the asking price.

Some people might think that is what you need to do in order to become a Christian.  Fix up the outside so it looks nice, even if the rest of you is a mess.  Hide all the trash and dirty laundry.  After all, you don’t want anyone to know the real you.  And do not volunteer any information about yourself that might detract from your image.

Why do people think this way?  Jesus didn’t.  He reached out to the socially disenfranchised, the addicted, the unpopular, and those whose lives where a mess.  He still reaches out for those who don’t have it all together.  He wants us just as we are.  He came for sinners.  He came to find the lost, give life to the dead, and heal the broken.  So maybe the real estate signs of our life should be more like these.

For Sale by Owner:  Jesus calls us to let go of ourselves, our ego, and our lives so that he might own us.  Completely.

Fixer-upper:  We all need Jesus to make right the things that we cannot.  He is the one who can restore the brokenness of our lives.

As Is:  You do not have to have it all together to come to Jesus.  In fact, you only have to know that you do not have it together.

Hidden Value:  God made you, knows you, and has great plans for you.  He values you enough that He sent His only Son to this earth to bring you back to Him.

If you are ready to know the Jesus who loves you just as you are, I can introduce you to him.  Look around this site, www.hopeforlife.org or drop me a note at steve@hopeforlife.org.

Blessings,

Steve

At the end of the first century, the town of Laodicea was a thriving commercial center. It was a wealthy city, one of the few towns to refuse government aid after a devastating earthquake in the region. Clothing manufactured in Laodicea was sold throughout the Roman empire, especially garments made of a beautiful black wool. Situated at the juncture of three trade routes, the city was ideally located for doing business.

In addition, there was a world-famous medical school in Laodicea, famous for the treatment of optical diseases. At the school, a salve for the eyes was prepared and shipped to distant lands in the form of tablets.

Laodiceans had every right to be proud, and apparently they were. That’s why Jesus’ words to Christians in that city had a sharp sting: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Revelation 3:17-18)

Wow! Though Laodicea was famous for its wealth, Jesus tells the Laodiceans they are in direst poverty. He declares these producers of beautiful dark clothing to be naked, needing white clothes he can provide. Despite Laodicea’s fame in treating eye diseases, Jesus says they are blind, needing the treatment only he can give.

What would he say about me? What points of pride would he address, showing the flaws in my perceived strengths? What would he say of my possessions, my accomplishments, my boasting? What would he say of my self-sufficiency?

I know what he would say. The truth. Jesus can see the real me. Not the facade I present to the world, not the image I build up around myself. Jesus sees me. Jesus knows me.

He knows you too. You can fool everyone around you, but Jesus sees the real you. He sees what you really need. I may not know you, but I can tell you that Jesus has what you need. He can eliminate your spiritual poverty, clothe your emotional nakedness and heal your inner blindness.

The Laodiceans needed Jesus. They needed what he had to offer, even though they didn’t realize it. Whether you know it or not, you need him too. As do I. Let’s seek him together.

To illustrate the mixed-up values of his day, Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard told a modern day parable about thieves who broke into a jewelry store at night. Instead of stealing anything, they merely switched the price tags, putting high-value tickets on costume jewelry and bargain tags on premium gems.

I find that to be a wonderful illustration of what Jesus said when he came. He looked at the world’s values and declared them to be upside down. All of the price tags were wrong. Greatness, he said, is to be found in service. Self-sacrifice is the only way to save one’s life. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Statement after statement sought to change the priorities and preferences of mankind.

In Revelation chapter 2, we find this statement from Jesus to a group of Christians: “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!” (Revelation 2:9). Persecuted and oppressed because of their faith, these followers of Jesus had fallen on hard times financially. Yet Jesus could look at them and declare them rich.

Then Jesus turns to another group of believers and tells them: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17). Jesus doesn’t see things the way the world sees them. He knew that these wealthy Christians were destitute on the inside.

True riches are not measured with dollar signs. They can’t be found in storage units or warehouses. True wealth doesn’t rise and fall with the stock market. A man can have lots of money and plenty of possessions, yet be very poor indeed. We can’t trust the world’s judgment as to who is rich and who is poor. The price tags aren’t in the right place.

So what matters? Relationships. Our relationship with God and our relationship with other people. Money, health, youth, possessions … these are all temporary things that can be lost as quickly as they are gained. Being right with God is the only eternal thing. And we can’t be right with God if we aren’t right with the people around us.

Don’t trust in the tags that the world has put on the things around us. Only Jesus can tell us what is really of value. Only Jesus can make us rich in the ways that count.