¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:19-20

I read Paul’s prayer here at the end of his letter to Ephesus and it brings simultaneous confidence, conviction and awe. We look at the life that Paul led up to and through his conversion and see him as a hero to the faith. We read all that he wrote and believe that he was totally brilliant, which he was. That’s why this prayer is so cool and also why it shakes me when I read it. This man who dedicated his life to defending the faith says to the Ephesians that he is proclaiming the mystery of the gospel. You would think that someone like him would have figured it all out, right? I mean, this is the man that wrote Romans. A book that we have since dissected to the core and still don’t get completely. So my question today is this: what makes us think that we can figure out God and how he works?

Last week in Bible study at the church we talked about how difficult it is to share gospel with someone because of the difficulty in getting someone to realize that they need a savior. One of the reasons that difficulty is alive is because sometimes we don’t act or live as if we need a savior ourselves. We get take on this air of having it all figured out and we have to fix those people who are broken. I think it’s obvious that most people are opting to stay broken rather than dealing with the flawed people who think they aren’t flawed.

I also see how this may flow into our worship as well. When we think we have it all figured out, there’s no more mystery. There’s no more awe. Sure, we talk about how awesome God is and how we are “filled with wonder, awestruck wonder at the mention of Your name”, but have those just become another set of words? My son has decided that he is deathly afraid of all our friends’ animals. Granted, our best friends have a coon hound that would eat him in two bites, but that’s beside the point. My son will be playing along, minding his own business, but when Trooper comes barking at whatever, the wind, a shadow, squirrel, Jack Russell Terrier, my son finds his way into my arms kicking and screaming. At that point I’m all that he needs and he grabs on tight and won’t let go.

We have taken that approach with Christ. We think that we have it all figured out until something happens that we don’t think we can handle. Then we strike out running full speed to God for protection. We know that the protection is there, but we don’t really worry about it until trouble comes. We don’t read His Word they way we should. We don’t talk to Him the way we should. We forget that the gospel is a continuous mystery that we will not understand until this life is over. That mystery should be enough to keep us running straight to the cross in reverence and awe. Instead, we meander over by where the cross kinda might be out of duty and schedule keeping. Because we got it all figured out…I think…wait…

I’ll start off by saying congratulations to the Alabama Crimson Tide for winning the BCS National Championship. That was one of the most dominant performances I think I’ve ever seen, especially in a bowl game of that magnitude. Not that any of you REALLY care, but I did not have a dog in this fight, as I am an Oklahoma Sooner fan first and an Arkansas Razorback fan second. But I love college football and it was the last game of the year. I won’t get into how jacked up the BCS is or the fact that these two shouldn’t have been playing again in the first place. Email me if you wanna go there. But if you did happen to watch this game last night, you’ll notice that is was a shut out. That doesn’t happen much at the college level, and definitely not between two teams of this skill level. But Alabama had such a strong defense that LSU couldn’t cross the 50 yard line until there were only 4 minutes or so left in the GAME! Even then they only got a few yards in and got turned away. As a fan of seeing lots of scoring and offense, you thought this game was horrible! We saw pretty much this same game from them back in November and didn’t want to see it again. If you like defensive strategies and seeing a team respond to the only loss the took on this season, then you loved what you saw. I was amazed at how strong, dominant and impenetrable that front 7 was for ‘Bama.

Okay, I’ll tie it all in now. There has been a trend for a few years now where it seems that the average Christian is losing the ability to defend their faith. We got stuck in the Sunday school portion of our learning and some of us didn’t go much past that so it seems. That’s why we can have the joke that when we were younger you could pretty much always answer ‘Jesus’ to a question and be right. 20 years ago people didn’t question Christianity and the Bible as openly as they do now. The thought across the board was that Jesus was enough so people didn’t really feel the need to go deeper than that. Now we get to an age where people are questioning if Jesus is really enough and what’s wrong with Buddha and Mormonism or even just believing what I feel. They aren’t running into much opposition because we as a people didn’t have much. It was as if we stood up Jesus cutouts and the rest of the world finally realized that was all that was standing in front of them. It was as if we had the strongest defense in the nation and they just never moved.

In the end, Jesus really is the answer to all the questions about other religions. He is the best defense that we have. I think Paul describes my thought process best in this passage in 1 Corinthians 2:

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers,t did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The base of our defense is just that: Jesus and him crucified. I think where in the past the defense has looked shaky has been in the execution. The key comes from verse 5 of that passage. Our faith should not rest in our own wisdom, but in the power of God that is shown throughout His Word. If the kids down in Tuscaloosa are going to pull off what they pulled off last night, they have to know their playbook inside and out. The coaches make them sleep with them, carry them everywhere, and then they test them to make sure they are reading and studying them. It is one thing to say they have a plan to stop the run. It’s totally different when you show us how you do it. That comes from immersing yourself in the plan and having someone who coaches you through the strategy. In the same way, we can say that Jesus is our defense against all the things that stand before us. “He just is” is not quite strong enough to make people see and understand.

We have a powerful playbook that most of us have not read through. Our strategy is well chronicled if you we would take the time to look at it and pour through it. The power of God is a very intricate and complex defensive scheme that was carefully woven to not let anyone else through. Today people think that maybe Christ isn’t all that He’s cracked up to be. I would step out and say that He’s more than that. But we have been placed out of position and that creates holes in the defense.

When we as a people start to dig into the plan and really get an understanding of this playbook we have called the Bible, we will see that the answers that we have always needed were already there. We just had to look for them. Once we put that book deep in our hearts and minds we will realize that we have a reason to worship. It’s not about we could have done on our own. But in the spotless lamb who came to take away the sin of the world. That defense is airtight. I promise. And when you get to a point to where you can share that with confidence, there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

So, this turned into a sermon. But I had to set up what I believe will become a recurring theme throughout this year. If we can properly deal with what Christ did for us and the importance of that in today’s world, it will truly transform the way we worship Him.

Even as I write that, I KNOW it’s a big question. I went back and forth trying to decide whether to write it or not. Guess who won? Anyway, we have wrapped up our first week of the new year and, at least in St. Louis, it has been GORGEOUS! I actually had a cookout on Friday because it was so nice. It has been an interesting start to the year, and everyone is bracing themselves for the cold that should have already been here.

I spend a decent amount of time on social media sites as I prepare for the week. I keep up with people’s Twitter accounts and check my Facebook timelines to see what’s going on. And, without fail, I’m always blessed with some nuggets of information that intrigue me. So far I’ve seen complete 180′s in a lot of people’s statuses from just last weekend. Last week, everyone was coming up with these cheesy cliches for the new year. “No Scheme of Hell in 2012″ or “Destined Not to Fail in 2012″ or “I’m Done Fooling with You in 20 -1-2″. But here we are just a week later and now I’m seeing the tables turn. “I can’t believe how I continue to let him get the best of me…” “I should have never let him back in my life. He is already cheating on me again…” How much stuff are these people getting into in the matter of a week? Maybe I’m just more inclined to not be involved in a lot of drama, but my goodness! We should be able to avoid some of the crazy at least long enough to validate our claims on this being a new year and a new us.

So the question begs to be asked…what is it that we are doing? What are we believing God for? Most of the people I see are talking about how they trust God to handle things and fix their job and get them a car and all these things. These are generally the same people who are in the midst of the drama in relationships and work and friendships. Are we believing that we can handle this stuff? Is that why we keep running into the wall head first and wondering why we have a headache? It’s amazing that we have someone who can handle each and every problem that we face, and even more that we will never see in our lifetime, yet we will not trust him enough to handle the cheater in our relationships. Or the boss who doesn’t recognize me. Or the person who cuts you off on the highway. Any of this sound familiar?

One week in I am learning that this love that Christ has for me is taking over my mind. I can’t believe that someone would find me so important to Him that he would die. He actually DIED! I have no other choice but to trust that He has my best interests at heart as He guides me through this life. Today’s set list at The Word at Shaw reflects the love that Christ shows us everyday. I’m believing Him for some big things this year. In the mean time, I’m also trying not to overlook the small things that He is doing constantly. So again, what are you believing Him for?

Sunday Set List 1.8.12

I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous)

The Greatness of Our God

Beautiful One

Glory to God Forever

You Never Let Go

Why do we do what we do? Why am I a Christian today? Why do I live this life and try to share it with others who don’t? Is it because it’s the cool thing to do? Is it because it’s my job and I support my family in this way? All of those things have popped into my head at some point. As I deal with these things, I notice that none of them have anything to do with Christ himself. They all have to do with me. I tend to struggle mightily when I take my focus away from where it should be. My heart gets hardened towards ministry and the work of Christ when I turn things inward and look with my own eyes. It’s not until I step back and refocus that I get another glimpse of the cross and Christ hanging there for me and my sins as well as those that we try to reach.

I did something yesterday that I haven’t done in a really long time. I woke up, got myself ready and went and did some work in some other place than my office or my home. I went to Hartford Coffee Company in South St. Louis City. If you’ve never been there, find yourself there soon. Great people and the coffee is pretty amazing. The atmosphere is really cool. One of my favorite places in the city. Anyway, I was there because I thought that I’d have a better chance to meet some people that might not know Christ if I wasn’t in my home or in the dungeon that is my office. What was the result? I met a couple that sat next to me at a table and I was able to talk to them for just a little bit. I also met an area columnist who comes there frequently to write and get coffee. None of these ended up being real long conversations, but they were conversations I would have never had working in my home. The other plus, I got a whole heck of a lot more done in the 3 hours I was there than I have in a really long time. But the focus changed for me from getting things done to being in a place where work is really secondary to presenting the cross to someone I may come in contact with. I feel that if I’m going to be able to lead people to the cross, I have to go where they are. For me, that also means that I need to be continually led to the cross myself. A lot of times I know that the cross is there and that’s where I leave it. I don’t go up to it, I simply look from afar just to keep an eye on it. I still have to allow myself to be led. Allow myself to let the power and severity of Christ’s death penetrate my hard, crusty heart. This became very clear to me as I was getting ready for this upcoming Sunday’s service. The pastor asked me if I could sing ‘Lead Me to the Cross‘ by Hillsong. I had already planned to do another song, but I listened to this one anyway and immediately decided that the Lord was putting this song here for me. I need to be led. Am I the only one? Am I the only one that needs to take a step back and refocus on Christ and what He’s done? I would venture to say that I’m not. I leave you with the words to the aforementioned song.

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemption’s hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
Te word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you’re risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

I actually started writing about this the other day, but stopped because I wanted to think about it some more. And so I did. My thoughts are pretty simple, and I don’t claim to be anything special, but God has given me something and I choose to share it with others. Here’s what I’m thinking…

I’m asking this question because I know that I’m guilty of having done this before.  We try so hard to make sure we say the right things or put up the right faces and fronts, that we overlook what it’s all about. I learned all the good stuff to say when I was younger, and now I’m realizing that this life is really only about one thing. Jesus Christ and what he did for us. As I continue to grow in Christ and this walk, I am seeing that people want to know what’s real. And at the end of the day, the one thing that I know is real is Jesus Christ.

I’m starting to realize that Paul was right (which has been the case for awhile). In his writing to the Corinthians, that was his prayer. I want that to be my prayer. I want to be able to say to everyone around me that I want to know nothing but Christ. That’s where everything starts, that’s where everything ends. Oh yeah, Happy birthday, Brittany Howard!

I am very excited about 2009! I can’t believe that God has brought me to this point in my life. I have a lot of things to be thankful for, and I know that God is continuing to use me, which is why I’m still here. What does that mean for this year, though? I believe that this year is going to be a year for letting God of the things that I’ve held on to for so long. I am not a selfless leader or father. I am not good at taking care of myself. I am not a great studier and reader of the word. All of these things I want to do better this year. Along with all of that, I want to be a better worshiper. I am called to lead people in worshiping the Father. That’s what I’m here for and I’m committing to going all out in 2009.

Keep your eyes out for the Worship180 project this year. I know that God is calling me to move forward with this ministry, and I know that He’s going to do what’s necessary to get me in line with Him.  I don’t know what else to tell you about it right now, but keep praying for me and I could use your encouragement in making this thing come to life. I am willing to share with anyone who is willing to listen. I am also preparing information about what this ministry that I’m calling Worship180 is all about. If you would like to know more details or be involved in an email newsletter type thing, send me your email address. And if you like to get mail (like I do), send me your address and I can send things that way.

Ultimately, I want to say Happy New Year to all of my friends. This will be a New Year, Redefined…but it has to start on the inside. Who wants to go with me?

As this day winds down and I’m sinfully stuffed for the day, I come right back to the reason for the celebration. Jesus did such an amazing thing by coming to this earth as a baby. This story means so much to me as a Christian knowing what this birth means. I am overwhelmed by the love and sacrifice shown by having that baby come down here.  Let me make sure that I say thanks right now.

I think about all the things that have happened that led up to this day…people have been trampled and died for the perfect gift. People have been shot over the perfect gift. All of this for something material when God gave us a gift that some peole don’t recieve and some of us look over. What a wonderful Savior!!! I want to apologize for what I’ve done to take away from you on this day.

This is your day, we are here to celebrate, we no longer have to wait for you are here.

So Happy Birthday, Jesus! I hope you enjoyed your day. I hope to celebrate you better next year. Maybe I’ll start tomorrow…