Acceptable Repentance?

In the book of Exodus the Pharaoh is described as one who hardened his heart; or God hardened his heart.  While at times this is open to a lot of theological discussion whether or not the Pharaoh had a chance to repent, I suggest, the point was that he was simply too proud to seek forgiveness.  Eventually, God did punish Pharaoh as a result of his hardness. 

Moses and Aaron had the job to tell the proud, or bull-headed, Pharaoh to let God’s people go.  Pharaoh refused.  Several times after plagues were brought upon Egypt Pharaoh seemed to relent and ask for forgiveness.  Yet, each time, he only wanted to give God a small portion of what God demanded.  As a result, Moses was charged to tell the Pharaoh these plagues were going to increase in intensity.  After these plagues were increased Pharaoh came closer to giving to God what was desired of him.  Yet, Pharaoh would not completely yield.   

Interestingly, in Exodus 10:16-17, Pharaoh seemed to repent more than other times.  As we read this story, we cannot help but think, finally the Pharaoh is going to do the right thing.  We are almost relieved with this repentant king because he finally accepted that God is God.  Then we notice something about his repentance, Pharaoh asked that “this deadly plague” be taken away from him.  In other words, Pharaoh is saying “I don’t like what is happening to me.”  This is kind of like, let’s make a, so that Pharaoh could continue to be the same Pharaoh that he was before Moses came along.  He just wanted to be away from the bad circumstance he was in.  Therefore, he really did not repent and God really delivered judgment for his hardness. 

How often do we Christians and pastors accept this type of repentance for salvation?  Most of the time people experience rough circumstances and come the pastor and ask for forgiveness.  We, hopefully, point them to Christ for this.  We tell them that they must be sorry for their sins so that Christ will forgive them.  We celebrate that new life in Christ with the church and tell the person who was sorry that he or she is now saved by the grace of God.

After a period of time, that person who was sorry, eventually drifts away from church and God.  They were able to get through some tough circumstances and go on with his or her life.  Why does this happen?  Is it possible that they repented like the Pharaoh did?  If so, that salvation we claimed maybe should not have been claimed.  They were looking for relief instead of life change that leads to true forgiveness. 

If a person does not yield everything to God through Christ, then salvation may not have come to that person.  After all, God wants are whole heart, not just some.  Our churches need to do a better job of explaining true salvation to new believers.  It seems that we pastors and Christians are giving a stamp of approval to many who did not really seek it from Christ.  Instead they sought comfort from us and not God.  We can know when there has not been a change of heart in the person who is seeking forgiveness. 

True repentance occurs when someone is sorry enough to turn away from the life that he or she was leading before they met God.  I fear that the Christian Church is littered with many who were told that their half-hearted repentance, similar to Pharaoh’s, was salvation.  If I am wrong, good.  If I am right, then this is very bad.  Nevertheless, I suspect I could be right.  Otherwise Christians would clearly walk away from the sins that condemned them and put Christ first. 

So the question is, how long will some of us maintain that half-hearted repentance is good enough?  For those who are hard-hearted, beware.  If you have pride, then you will find it hard to have salvation.  If you have family and friends whose experience is much like Pharaoh’s, then you need to disciple them.  Their salvation may depend on it.   

 

8 Things I’ve seen this week that made me say that’s neat

1. Heath Mullikan has been posting video announcements on Youtube for his youth group.  I like this idea very much check it out.
2. Andy Stanley has a twitter account.  You can follow him here.  Favorite tweet by Andy Stanley, “Paul Stanley, Charles Stanley, Andy Stanley… All we need is a drummer.”
3. My favorite devotional is online for free reading.  My Utmost for His Highest and you can view it here.  This link is for September 30th and causes self-examination. 
4. North American Aerospace Defense Command has a website that will tell you about some events that may occur with that deal with national defense.  Check it out here.
5. Friend or Follow Application for Twitter.  If you are following someone and they are not following you, you can find out and drop them.  : )  Here is that link.
6. North Point TV.  Evidently North Point will be doing some of their announcements through here.  I am not sure.  But, if North Point is doing it, then I believe that it is something cool.  Follow this Twitter account here.
7. Here is a link to my hometown of Montezuma, IN.  This is where I live for 33 years. 
8. I don’t know if this is neat but my name is in an old obituary notice.  That is a little weird.  I thought I was the only Scott Uselman in the world.  Here it is the link.

Real Forgiveness

What if we Christians found out that we really did not have forgiveness?  Can you imagine the shock?  Below is what Jesus said to those who believed they were right with God in Matthew 7:15-23  

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

 ”Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

So many Christians just want to tell God they are sorry and move along.  It is almost therapeutic for us.  It makes us feel better after we have sinned. I admit that forgiveness makes us feel better because feeling better is the byproduct to forgiveness.  But the point of forgiveness is that we need to change God’s mind and heart.  I suspect that most Christians approach forgiveness with the intent to simply bring peace to their minds.  Since we all have sinned, we must receive forgiveness from God.   

Forgiveness is life-changing.  It is not something that we simply reach for so that we can pay debts that we continue to run up repeatedly.  If I am to seek real forgiveness, then I must be willing to change the way I live.  After all, the way I live, along with inherited sin, is why I need to get forgiveness from God.  Yet, if I continue to live a way that is contrary to God, then I do not receive forgiveness.  In other words, if I have no intention of changing, God knows it.  Paul said that when we received forgiveness we were justified and then we were known by God.  So consider this when you read what Jesus said in the passage that I shared earlier. 

AC/DC wrote a song called “Have a Drink on Me.”  In  this song there is a verse that says, “Forget about the check, we’ll get Hell to pay!”  In other words, keep the party going we won’t pay.  As a bartender I used to keep a tab for people who wanted to pay at the end of the night, or who promised that they would pay later when they got some more money.  The problem with those tabs was that people kept buying and did not remember, or care, that they still have to pay for what they used.  It was a real shock to them when it came time to pay up.  Some even argued that they did pay.  I just forgot to write it down.  Not true. 

This is the same kind of attitude that many Christians seem to have about forgiveness.  Forgiveness is not a blank check.  People, the reason lives are not being won from sin is that our lives have not been won from sin.  If our lives have not been transformed we cannot help others to be transformed.  So the question is, “Have you really received forgiveness?”

Right Worship

While at Family Camp this week I have enjoyed the worship and preaching.  This year our district had The Difference from Southern Wesleyan University come to lead our worship in music segment of the nightly service.  It is great!  I’m blown away with the amount of talent that God has given to the SWU; it is like that every year.  Let me tell you, those young guys and gals, I guess I can say that since I am 40 now, really give it up to Jesus.  Hey, isn’t that awesome!  I say yes!

I have sensed that not everyone is excited about allowing a different style of music to be played during our Holiness    camp setting.  It is possible that some think it is the world being mixed in with the church.  I confess, as a person who was young in the Lord, I entertained those types of thoughts some time ago too.  I think God brought me out of that by showing me that He is not limited in the ways that He chooses to connect with people.  Besides, what is right worship?  Jesus said that it is in spirit and truth.  In the OT God desired obedience over sacrifice and noted that His people worshiped Him with  their lips but their hearts were far from Him. 

One thing that I come back to time after time is the thought that people who are lost (those who are not trusting in Christ as their Savior) are not having heated debates about what style of music should be played during church service.  American Christianity is something else sometimes.  We continuously find ways to focus on everything but what matters.  Jesus forgive us!  Listen, I can worship traditionally, or worship with older tradition like chants, or contemporary.  You get the picture. 

Without going into a long story about an experience I had with Christ I will tell you that the outcome of it was that I sent an email to my pastor and his wife and asked them if they wanted to come over to my house to worship with me.  It was in the middle of the day and everyone else was at work or I would have called them too.  Now this was a lot like a child calling another up and asking the child to come over and play games for the day.  I didn’t have any special music in mind, I only knew that the Presence of Christ was with me and that I wanted my friends to worship Him with me. 

Wouldn’t we Christians do better to focus on bringing the lost to the Presence of Christ so that they could make a decision to accept Him or reject Him?  I think so.  But, most of us believe that before we can invite someone to church that the music has to be a certain way or that the pastor has to be a certain way.  We Christians are wasting precious time that some who are lost do not have debating over whether or not modern music is better than traditional music and vice versa. 

It is funny how many are in a continuous search for the right ministry or church to be part of.  Can we ever be honest admit that it is ultimately about us instead of Christ?  It tires me.  The path that leads to the Presence of Christ is to truly seek Him and only Him through humbleness and Holiness.  Good, or bad, music has less to do with it than we would like to admit.  It is a tool that the Spirit uses to help put me into the right attitude.  Seeking Him is about thirsting for Him and when you find Him you bring others to the drinking hole where you found refreshing. 

So what is right worship?  Is it seeking Christ with the heart?  Or is about finding the right pastor, the right type of music, and making sure things are done the way they have always been done?  Then if everything meets our standards then we will give approval and consider that to be our worship for the day.  Let me tell you that giving our approval is missing the bulls-eye by a mile.  Meaningless.  It is about us coming in to His house so that we can receive His mercy.  Then we adore Him because of who He is.   

So I say let’s not burn up our energies on this issue.  Instead, let’s use our energies to seek Him and bring the lost to Him.  This is right worship to me.

Is God Allowed in Your Camp by Jim Dunn

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:2-22

Israel had heard God’s Word because of Samuel.  The problem was that Israel still depended on themselves even though they were getting ready for battle with the Philistines.  Israel decided to go get the Ark of God and bring it into the camp (God did not told them to do that) so that they could defeat the Philistines.  The Philistines were scared because the ground shook with the cheers from the Israelites in their camp.  Yet, they defeated Israel and captured the Ark. 

Israel began to question: Where was God when all our men were killed?  Now our nation is defeated.

Israel depended on God the same way we do a rabbit’s foot.  He was only brought into the camp for good luck.  He was only needed for that battle.  They paid attention to Him to that point. 

• God cannot be manipulated!  We think that if we do the right things that God will be on our side. 
• Don’t manipulate God.  People most of the time say that they want to experience Him.  In worship we try to manipulate an experience with a particular style.  A style that is generally controlled by us.
• Don’t ignore God.  We must realize that we are not self-made.  Although we try to get through life on our own.  We trust in things instead of God. 

We only want to bring God out the box that we have Him in when we need Him.  We must try to know Him and not limit His worship to a particular style or way of doing it. 

My thought

Beware of only seeking God when you want Him to be on your side for your own gain.  It is better to focus on His gains and dwell in His Presence than to pull Him out like a rabbit’s foot.

What do you want by Kerry Willis

Here are some hi-lights from a sermon by Rev. Willis on Wednesday night.  He used many different Scriptures but here are most of them.  1 Samuel 13:14, Psalm 37:4, Matthew 5:6, Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 84:1-12

Matthew 5:6; desire God and He will give Himself to you; this should not be a verse used by us to seek worldly gain. 

Psalm 139:23-24; our thoughts matter to God.  This should be something to think about.

Jesus does not want 1st place in your life.  Instead, He wants to be your life!  The Rich Young Ruler’s story is baffling because of how it ends.  Consider, all those who were in this ruler’s life were only around him because of what he had in wealth.  They wanted to be his friend because of what he could do for them.  Yet, Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him and you (the ruler) will still have Him (Christ) near.

We should be convicted when we let intercessary prayer be about the people getting what they want instead of it being about God getting what He wants.  This is because we want to please people instead of God. 

Rev. Willis’ advice is not choose silver over gold.  Christ is the Gold.  Here are some things that are silver: Prosperity, Possessions, and Pleasure.  These are at least 3 pieces of silver that we want more than Gold (Christ). 

Application

We need to get over doing something great for God too because we should be content with His Presence.  Be delivered and desire to know God.  After David’s sin with Bathsheba he wrote Psalm 51 and begged God to take away His Spirit. 

Definition of evil according to the Bible in Sermon on the Mount is those who do not know Christ.  Many Christians busy themselves with things, and even God’s work, but never take the time to know Christ.  This will be bad when we stand before Christ. 

In John 1:37-38; these two disciples sought the Presence of Christ.  After John the Baptist noted who Jesus was they promptly followed Jesus.  Paraphrase: Jesus said what do you want, they answered to know where you are staying. 

A thought I had

The problem with Christians is that we want to run the discussion about following Christ into the ground.  We want to talk theology and theory, but we do not want to get down to the real business of dying to ourselves.  Stop being busy looking and trying to do something great and be satisfied with His Presence.

How do you like your word by Jim Dunn

Dr. Dunn preached a sermon Tuesday night about how we like our Word from God.  He shared some great insight with us from 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1.  “In those days, word from the Lord was rare.”  Here are some highlights from his talk.

• God’s Word was rare since it was not spoken by the people, priests, and in the Temple.  This much like today, believe it or not, God’s Word does not get spoken in the homes, by ministers, or even in the church. 
• God’s Word is rare today because it is confusing.  There are too many voices that God’s Word competes with.  God’s Word has, and still does, compete with God’s Word. God’s Word also competes with people, like friends, relatives, and etc.
• God’s Word was rare because it is frightening.  In Samuel’s day, people were doing what they thought was right.  They had begun to live contrary to God’s Word.  Eli did not correct and rebuke his own children with God’s Word.  So what was frightening was that a young boy like Samuel had to give a tough message to Eli.  The message to Eli was that you and your family are going to die because of their willful disobedience to God’s Word.  It was unlikely that that was an easy message to give. 

Application

Will you stand up for God’s Word in culture or let it be rare?  We are called to speak God’s Word and live under the influence of His Word.  God’s Word is supposed to be well done instead of rare.  Just think, Samuel spoke God’s Word as a boy and the Lord’s Word spread throughout the land.  Pastor’s are called to give tough messages much like Samuel was.  We are all called to live God’s Word in our culture. 

A thought I had

It is amazing with this understanding that Hannah still sought Yahweh even though nobody was pointing her in the right direction with God’s Word.

Expectations of Christians on Sundays

As a small church pastor, I have wrestled with church attendance for years.  As a matter of fact, I may have been guilty of focusing on church attendance too much.  Yet, in my defense, church attendance is really one of the quickest indicators that we, pastors, are able to see how well God is using us as shepherds of his flock.  I would like to say life-change could be another indicator, and maybe it can, but that indicator is what The Holy Spirit uses.  After all, He is the One who is able to change people’s lives. 

To explain myself better, I would like to assure you that these thoughts are not those of a depressed pastor who is struggling to make sense of lack of attendance.  Or are they?  You decide.  Yet, I have been in ministry for 12 years now.  I have gone from expecting those who follow Christ to be at church every night of the week to one morning a week.  As you can see, I have either lowered my expectations for attendance at worship as well as participation once a week in spiritual education and edification.  Nevertheless, Brady and I have had a discussion about what I, as a pastor, should realistically expect from church members, not just Covenant but all who attend, as an A+ effort.  Does God expect His followers to worship often on the Day that Christ arose from the dead? Is that still significant?  I think so, but I would like your thoughts.   

So I would like to know your opinions.  Should a Christian commit his or herself to attending Sunday morning worship at least 48 times a year?  Another question.  Is it important which day of the week a Christian worships?  Another question.  Is worship service important for the Christian?  Or, is small group discipleship enough? 

I would like inputs from both clergy and laymen on this topic.

Titles and foolishness

Senator Barbara Boxer recently held her crown high while talking to Brigadier General Walsh.  Here is the video.  She asked that General Walsh call her Senator instead of Ma-am during a hearing.  She explained that she worked very hard to get that title.  I would have been satisfied to know that she worked very hard to have the opportunity to “serve” her state in Washington DC.  I would suggest that Sen. Boxer realize that the General also worked very hard for his title too.  As a matter of fact, some might say that is a more noble title than Senator considering the lack of faith in politics today. 

I have the title of Pastor and Reverend.  Yet, I don’t expect people to call me Reverend or Pastor Scott.  I don’t expect people to call me Mr. either.  Many times I have told people to simply call me Scott.  I do not consider myself above anyone else.  By the way, I have worked very hard for my title too.  As a matter of fact, I came from outside into this role as a first generation Christian in my family by working at very small churches.  My wife and I have raised 2 children while serving at two different churches carrying 3 jobs a piece plus studying for ordination.  Later, I added to my ordination by receiving my Bachelor’s Degree while pastoring and working part-time jobs.  Yet, again, I do not expect anyone to call me Reverend or Pastor.  I, too, like Sen. Boxer am in a role of service.  Yet, the difference may be that I don’t think of myself as being something greater than I actually am.  That exchange between her and the General really left a bad taste in my mouth because I took her to be someone who is uppity and out of touch with us “common people.” 

Respect is earned and not given.  To expect otherwise is foolish.  And by the way, I think that the General did show her respect when he said Ma-am.  I would have addressed her that way too, and would address a male Senator as Sir out of respect.

What is more frustrating this week is that a Republican Senator admitted to having an affair.  This is upsetting because his country needs him.  We needed him to set the example by considering family important.  What is more, Senator Ensign was involved in Promise Keepers and other ministries.  This goes to show that action must accompany belief.  This is one of the most crucial times for our country when you consider the dangers we face abroad and the pitiful economy at home.  We need our best people to deal with these issues with their undivided attention. 

It was maddening to hear that the person he was involved with was also married and was promoted by the Senator and had her salary doubled recently.  It makes you fear that looks and sex have turned out to be the qualifications to gain a higher place of influence with our government officials.  I would rather, during these tough times, rely upon someone’s mental resume instead of their physical attributes for help and advice on putting legitimate ideas into the arena for solving America’s crisis’.  

I do applaud the Senator’s wife for her willingness to work through this situation and her committment to reconciliation.  My hat is off to her!  My prayers are with them too. 

Sen. Boxer and Sen. Ensign should remember two things.  How to gain influence, and how to properly handle influence.  These are two people who need to remember that great responsibility comes with leadership.  Both should use it wisely to serve our country instead of themselves.

We feel better when someone cares

Exodus 4:29-31 (NIV)
29 Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, 30 and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, 31 and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

Interesting. The Hebrews were not free yet. As a matter of fact, they still had more hardship on the way. Yet, in the previous chapters of Exodus, out of bitterness and desperation the Hebrews prayed to God. So I think that it is interesting that although they are still struggling with their lives, the fact that they knew that God knew about their suffering actually was the first moment of relief for them. They felt better. And they were going to need to because their bitterness was about to increase. So how many times would we deal with a hardship in our lives if we could simply take comfort from the fact that God knows all about it and that He is working for our good too? Many times we just need to know that someone cares about what we are facing. And that Someone is God.

So what made them worship?  The signs or the fact that God cared for them?